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Heres the things i’ve been reading and listening to this week:

Book: An American Marriage: I got a kindle for Christmas and this is my debut book on it (I don’t get that much time to read, but i’m working on it!) It’s taken me a few chapters to get into this book, which offers a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three characters who are at once bound together and separated by forces beyond their control.

Netflix: Unorthodox: This mini series is loosely based on the life of Deborah Feldman and follows the journey of Esty as she navigates life after escaping from her Hasidic Jewish community in Williamsburg, New York and her arranged marriage. It’s fascinating that people live in such strict circumstances nowadays and I got really invested in this one.

Music: George Ezra: Every afternoon around 4.45pm we ask Alexa to play some music and have a big dance in the kitchen to let go of any stresses that lockdown life has bought that day. Charlie’s favourite singer at the moment is George Ezra so we’ve been hearing ‘Me & You’ and ‘Shotgun’ on repeat!

Netflix: Three Identical Strangers: I’m really into documentary style films on Netflix, the catalyst was ‘The Dawn Wall.’ I’d seen this one recommended and it didn’t disappoint. It tells the unbelievable story of three identical triplets who were separated at birth and placed into different families for adoption, one in a low income family, the other a middle class and a wealthier family as part of an experiment. What’s amazing is that by chance two of them attended the same university (in two different years) and friends linked them, when their story was seen in the paper they found their brother too and how their lives changed afterwards and the effects of their upbringing is really interesting.

Podcast: Imprint with Natalie Walton: I came across stylist Natalie through following Courtney Adamo on Instagram and this new podcast sees Natalie interview Courtney about her families decision to leave their fast paced life in London for a slower life in Byron Bay, Australia. This is an idealistic dream of mine at the moment so I was so interested to hear Courtney’s views on the subject.

Wow, what a year 2020 has been so far, and not in a great way. The year started with a family bereavement and then a stint in hospital for Charlie but thankfully he is recovered now. Coronavirus was on the news and in our mindset but it still felt far away in China so not directly affecting us.

Fast forward only a few weeks and Covid-19 has gone global and the world has come to a standstill. The UK is on lockdown to try not to spread this pandemic and help the already under pressure NHS. As as my husband is considered to be in a high-risk category we are actually having to self isolate for 12 weeks.

When I write that i’m partially filled with nerves as to how I am going to explain to Charlie that there is no pre-school and worried how I’m going to make life fun and interesting for him and Jack when our world has shrunk down to our house and garden (but thankfully we have a garden!) but after a few tears (mainly the thought of not seeing my own family properly for this long) I’m actually going to embrace the family time and the slower pace of life. I can already see the bond strengthening between Charlie and Jack as they become each others sole playmates.

It’s a scary time for the world but i’m hoping that we can stay safe in our home, take delight in the flowers that continue to bloom in our garden, bake cakes, do arts and crafts and generally enjoy each others company. I’m excited for summer days in the garden and hopefully Jack taking his first steps. His first birthday won’t be the family party we had imagined but we can make sure it’s a great day, just the four of us and celebrate with everyone when it is safe to do so.

Thankfully we live in a society where FaceTime, Zoom and HouseParty mean we can communicate and see our friends and families virtually even if not in person and hopefully the more people that take note of the #stayhome message the more chance the NHS has on the front line.

In the grand scheme of things, 12 weeks is nothing – and who knows I might actually start to get this blog underway the way I hoped to last year!

I hope you all stay safe and well too.

Wow, I can’t believe we are in a new decade. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. As much as I feel September is the time for me to set goals (I love the back-to-school feeling and its my birthday month) I like to have a little list of things i’d love to try and achieve at new year too. I’m an old school lover of lists so while my babies are napping I thought i’d share some of my goals with you…

1. To try and take more time for myself. Life is busy with two boys to run about after and I’m guilty of spending all my evenings folding washing, putting on washing, preparing bags for pre-school etc so i’ve vowed to try and have more ‘me’ time. More in terms of going back to basics like reading regularly, listening to podcasts and exercising.
2. Getting into an exercise routine. Since September i’ve successfully managed to get to a reformer pilates class at least once a week so i’m also going to try adding a run and/or a YouTube yoga class into the mix too. Getting to a studio can be tough with childcare etc but a nap time YouTube practice is totally do-able.
3. Eat at least two vegetarian meals a week. We all know about the impact on the environment that our current consumption is having so I’m going to try and eat vegetarian twice a week with the view to upping that at some point. I feel rather than going full throttle veggie this will hopefully be more sustainable.
4. Learn some new skills by the end of the year. Primarily Stand-up-Paddleboarding (SUP) and learning to crochet. I was desperate to start SUP last summer, but having given birth in May I had to let my body recover so this year is the year to try and get strong and fit.
5. Come up with new, exciting recipes for meals for the boys. I want them to be really excited about food. Jack is turning out to be very focussed on baby-led weaning so I’m looking forward to coming up with meals that work for both him and Charlie, who is already a great eater.

I’m hoping writing these goals here will make me accountable for taking steps to achieving them. What are your 2020 goals?

This is a sunset picture I took in Pembrokeshire on NYE.

Here’s the five things that are on my radar this week…

Peonies: With June being their prime season, i’ve already started to notice less peonies around, my favourite flower, so good while they’re around, until next year, beautiful (When I’ll hopefully have grown my own!)

Beauty Pie: I’ve been a member of Beauty Pie for a few months now and am really enjoying getting such premium products at a fraction of the price, especially now i’m on Mat leave! I use the One Palette Wonder on a daily basis and i’m also loving the Smart Powder Blush in Peachy Dreams for summer.

Sex Education on Netflix: My husband and I have binge watched Sex Education this week…I really liked it, but I couldn’t understand why it seemed to be set in the seventies (The decor, fashion) but was totally current (Smartphones, cultural references) Totally love Maeve though.

Al Fresco dinners: Now BBQ season is officially here we’ve had a few dinners outside, but my ultimate fave is a BBQ. Here’s to many more over the next few weeks.

Podcasts: These are such a great way of listening to something really interesting while getting things done (like the ironing!) they’re making an otherwise boring chore easier. At the moment Deliciously Ella and Happy Mum Happy Baby with Giovanna Fletcher are my go-to.