It’s been a busy week, but I am glad that we are settling nicely into a routine. Despite having an amazing summer we needed a bit of routine in our lives. Of course in true Christie form our quiet weekend was not quite as quiet as anticipated but such is life I can never say life is boring.
So here is what I have loved and liked in the last week.
Celebrating My Birthday
I did not take one photo would you believe? But had the most wonderful day, during the day I went for a swim with one of my close friends then we had a long leisurely lunch. And after taking Toby on a long walk Chris cooked a meal. I felt thoroughly spoilt and had the loveliest day; I got some lovely presents including lots of gin, fizz and wine. One of my friends did ask what that says about me ha ha. And yes I love all of the above. Oh and birthdays.
Visiting Stylist Live At The Trafford Centre
On Saturday I got to spend the day immersed in all things fashion at Stylist Live. It was such a wonderful event with fashion shows, talks and pop up shops all over the Trafford Centre. The beauty of the event was that I got the chance to have a shop in between events. I might have bought a few cosy knits, I almost did a couple of weeks ago, but felt I was selling out on summer. But decided on Saturday that its time.
The colours for the season ahead seem very strong with lots of reds, not my fave colour at all. But I was relieved to also see some beautiful plum shades, which I do love. It was also great to try out a few new products in particular I love this dry shampoo from Living Proof which is silicone and paraben free. I am so fussy about dry shampoos so many feel greasy and heavy but this is great, really light.
They also had some amazing speakers I got the chance to listen to Dame Kelly Holmes and Michelle Keegan talk about their careers and mental health. Both are such inspirational ladies in different ways. They talked a lot about state of mind and working hard to achieve your dreams and goals. I think these are such important messages, especially with how social media is today. And that success comes from hard work and grit, there are plenty of people out there to knock you but success comes from believing in yourself and working blooming hard.
Read
I am reading The Runaway Wife by Dee MacDonald another fab recommendation by Kate over at Mum Reinvented. It’s about wife, mum and grandma Connie whose family all rely on her but don’t appreciate her. So she takes off on an adventure. It’s a lovely book and I am really enjoying Connie’s journey.
Tried The September Birchbox
I am in love with product subscription boxes. Its like getting a really exciting present every time they arrive. My fave in the September box is the Benefit Blusher and Nuxe oil, you can use it on your hair and face, how amazing is that. It’s just so great to be able to try out products without the commitment of buying the full size. And I am loving the little product goody box I am building up.
Finally Getting Rid Of Slugs From The Garden And My Dahlias Growing
I am not sure if it is living in the country but our garden is horrific for slugs and snails. Until this year when I read this amazing tip; did you know that if you leave a little tub of beer out in your flower beds, (something yeasty) slugs prefer that than flowers. I kids you not it works. This year is the first year I have kept flowers in pots and they have grown without being eaten. When I told my Dad a couple of months ago he didn’t look convinced, but I made him try it too. And he could not believe it but it really works. This year I only dared try one Dahlia, as they never last more than a week. But hoorah I have had this one months and it’s still going strong.
Visiting Batch Gin And Learning All About Distilling
Seriously I have fallen in love with them as a company. One of my good friends works for Batch Brew and invited myself, Karen and Colette on a behind the scenes tours. I can’t wait to share more but I love the whole ethos of Batch and the gin is pretty amazing too.
And Lastly Being A Finalist in the BIBs
Being announced as a finalist in the photography category and Cruising With Kids for Fresh Voice for the BIBs blogging awards by Brit Mums means the world. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with my camera when I started blogging, so to be recognised amongst some of my good friends is just amazing. And Cruising With Kids is so new but having a second blog is mega hard, but we just love our little blog, Claire, Lisa, Donna and I are blooming thrilled.
Next Week?
Chris and I are off to one of our fave hotels in the Yorkshire countryside for a romantic stay and meal. And next week proves to be crazy with a lovely jewellery event, I am also off to see Matilda at the Palace Theatre arghhh I have wanted to see it for years so am feeling giddy.
So that’s my week, it’s been so much fun and days like my birthday make me realise how lucky I am to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Have a great week what ever you are up to next week.
Linking up with the lovely Jocelyn over at the Reading Residence.
Well done on being a finalist and happy belated birthday to you! Sounds like you’ve had a busy yet exciting week. I love a good gin so rather jealous about that.
Author
Ah thank you I am over the moon, and omg the gin is amazing x
Happy birthday! Sounds like you had a perfect day, so lovely and relaxing. Your dahlia looks beautiful, glad you have managed to keep the slugs away! The gin tour sound fascinating, look forward to hearing more about it x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Author
Ah I did thank you, the gin tour was amazing its funny it was so much smaller than I imagined but omg the quality of the gin is amazing. And yes I cant believe the difference the beer makes my flowers have been so much better this year x
Happy birthday. Sounds like you’ve had such a good week. Glad to hear red is in, as it’s my favourite. It’s not an event I’d think of going to, but you make it seem quite intriguing. Beautiful dahlia. I bet you are already planning more for next year. Have a good weekend. #wotw
It sounds like you had a lovely birthday with friends and family and been spoilt too, as you should on your special day ! Thanks for the beer tip I will have to remember for next year, we planted two Dahlia this year and thankfully the slugs have left them alone. Congrats on being a finalist for BIBS fingers crossed for a win. Have a wonderful weekend x
Happy birthday to you! It sounds like you had a lovely day.
Stylist Live sounds like a lot of fun.
It sounds like you have had a great week….Congrats on the BIBs nomination! Good luck x #WotW
Happy birthday beautiful lady. Enjoy your weekend getaway together too. Sounds amazing. What a fab week.
Sounds like a lovely week. Happy birthday!! The Stylist Live sounds amazing!! I love Michelle Keegan she always looks so lovely. Have a great weekend.
What a busy week!
Sounds like a suceesful birthday and Fashion Live looks so cool!
I have seen that book at Waterstones. Really interesting by the looks of it. Might add to my reading list =)
#wotw
Sounds like you’ve had a great week celebrating your birthday and diving into vats of gin 😉 Ha ha I need to start a book blog don’t I! Make sure you read the sequel too, it’s fab. Have a great time in Yorkshire x
What a lovely week Sarah and huge congratulations on your BIBS nominations. Your birthday sounds the perfect day with plenty of relaxation, food and no doubt gin for good measure. Interesting about the slugs as we too seem to suffer with them in the garden, and occasionally we find slug trails in our dining room where they have snuck in !!!!!! argh x
Author
Ah thanks so much Tracey, and yes birthdays and gin go together x
Looks like you had a fab birthday week! I found your blog via the #bibs shortlist – good luck!
Author
Aw thanks so much that is so kind x
just popping by to wish you a very happy birthday! Dame kelly holmes is fab – she is local to us and my son met her last year to pose for a photo – she was great. x
Happy belated birthday sounds like you had a great day. Congratualtions on the Bibs nomination, I dont know how you have two blogs I struggle to keep up with one. Enjoy your romantic break x
A huge congratulations on being a finalist in the BiBs, so very well deserved and you certainly have my vote! Happy belated birthday, glad you had a lovely day. Stylist Live sounds like it was an interesting event. Hope you enjoy your romantic break this week 🙂 #WotW
Congratulations on the nomination, much deserved. And a happy birthday sweetie, I hope the stayover is perfect x