Five Friday Feelgoods

I have been thinking about publishing something like this for a while, I was always inspired by Cupcakes & Cashmere’s ‘5 Things’ series, and with my *almost* daily gratitude lists, I thought it would be a great way to bookend the week (Monday I send out my newsletter) and encourage me to take more photos on my ‘big camera’ and remind me there’s so much to be grateful for. It’s also a place where you can find all the things I mention on stories that often get forgotten about, and there will be many an indie brand mentioned along the way. Would also love if you left what you’ve been enjoying this week in the comments so people can get inspiration too. Without further ado this week’s five things that made me feel good…

Beaded Flower Necklace

You’ll have seen that I have been wearing my floral beaded necklace every single day, I switched my jewellery up last week when June was playing with it (kept her occupied for over an hour, WIN). I’d reserved it for holidays or the middle of a hot summer, but if now isn’t the time to wear a floral necklace inside, in the middle of March, during a worldwide pandemic, then when is it?! Unfortunately the company I got mine from, Hey Harper, don’t seem to be selling them anymore…I KNOW. But, my friend Homeward Found Vintage messaged me to say she’s found similar being made by Rehab_Vintage, you can pick your own colours and chain too. Also I went into the garage and dug out my old beadings supplies, and with this tutorial I found you can easily make your own at home…or at least I am hoping. Will obviously keep you updated with all beaded developments.

The Anna Edit Cookies

I know there are lots of food experts who say you shouldn’t refer to certain types of food as treats, but saving baking until the weekend to differentiate between weekdays has been really working for us. Last week we baked our second batch of The Anna Edit Cookies and OH MY GOD. If you love a Ben’s cookie, these are the ones. The trick is to cook from frozen, we leave ours in the freezer and cook on demand, normally after dinner when June has gone to bed….sorry June. There’s a lot of cookie recipes claiming to be ‘the one’ but I have not found better than these. I’d love to join the entire internet and make some banana bread, but June eats them before they even have chance to go brown, so let me know what sweet treats you’ve been making in the comments below.

Springtime Flowers

I look forward to spring, as I am sure so many do, for a variety of reasons. But one of the main ones is so that I can have some flowers at home. Tulips are accessible everywhere, but since we are limiting our trips to the supermarket to once every 7-10 days, it’s not always possible. Plus they aren’t exactly essential, so not always available when you do go. However last Saturday I went to Waitrose, and whilst I spent far too long umming and ahhhing over whether I should spend £8 on some Gerberas, I’m thrilled to report I threw caution to the win and put them in my carefully sanitised trolley. They’ve been making me so happy this week, I split them up into two vases, and have also used them when shooting too. Money well spent.

My Social Diary

I know we’d all rather be out socialising IRL, however as a parent we haven’t left the house after 6pm for quite a number of years. Not looking for sympathy, but please know that I am LOVING all these IG lives that are happening. My favourites are Bingo on Wednesday at 8pm with Jules and Sarah Podcast and on at 7:30pm on a Friday it’s time for Lucy Sheridan’s Pub Quiz, you can tune in on Insta or FB. It’s really bringing me so much joy, and gives me belly laughs, which I think we all really need rn. If you want a really terrible live, may I recommend our very own watch along on The Fringe Of It insta? Liv Purvis and I are talking over each other and the Great British Bake Off every Tuesday night at 8pm.

Our Walks

We don’t go everyday, but we go more often than not. If the mood is ever in a real funk in our house, we get dressed and go for the walk (in the UK we are allowed out of our houses once a day to work out, singularly or as a household). Seeing Lincoln empty is really strange, but also beautiful as you can see all the historic architecture so clearly. The cathedral helps me put things into perspective if I am catastrophising with it’s grand scale. I’ve had really mixed feelings about moving back here, and this has put it all into perspective for me about how lucky we are to even have it as an option, and stay safe here. Plus it definitely looks like Harry Potter could’ve been filmed here right?!

Hope you enjoy my new series. There’s so much going on right now, it’s so important to look for the good and the silver linings whenever we can. Sending you lots of love, and here’s to a sunny weekend.