DATE NIGHTS

Wow, can you believe it’s the 1st of August already, crazy.

Anyway, back to business and date night’s. I don’t know about you but with one of us working long hours and then the weekend being used to see friends and family, my husband and I rarely find time to have a night to ourself doing something different or special. Yes, we have the night’s in watching television but that’s not really quality time as you get so engrossed with the programme you don’t talk and so I wouldn’t class that as a date.

At the beginning of the year I decided that we would do one thing each month that was new, interesting, just the two of us and exciting. I think we managed a couple of planned trips and then it tailed off. The day’s, week’s, month’s just fly by and before you know it the diary is full and the date night’s are back to non-existent.

I follow Shannon Brown’s blog http://shannonbrown.typepad.com/life_in_general/ and she did the most wonderful thing for her husband as a present. She created an envelope for each 12 months of the year and inside them thought of and created a special date to go on, something to enjoy together,and away from the everyday routine. Some of them are quite simple, some more elaborate and I think it’s great. Click on the picture below to see how she created each envelope and for ideas.

I can imagine you thinking oh my goodness, what a lot of planning/work involved, or I’m not creative enough to make this. I can see where your coming from but I’m going to give it a try giving myself some time, 5 months in fact as I know it will take me ages and at least there is no rush (talk about planning). This is a lovely idea but I could see it getting expsensive so not all of the dates need to cost something, go to a museum or on a picnic and you don’t need to pay for everything in advance, its the idea and thought that is in each envelope that counts.

Annoyingly, my husband reads this blog so will see what is in store for him, but hopefully he will forget and at least he wont know whats in each envelope as that’s where the real surprise is anyway. Also, I don’t know about your husband/boyfriend but mine always prefers a doing present rather than an object, maybe it’s a man thing or just mine, so this is just perfect. I can’t wait, let the planning and creative me come out!

FRIDAY FAVOURITES

Excuse me whilst I do a little dance round my office….. it’s Friday and the sun is predicted to show its face. Yahooo! My post about positive thinking and happiness on Wednesday obviously did the trick. Now, if only 5.30 would hurry up and make an appearance I will be one happy lady. Ever since I woke up this morning I have been dreaming about getting back into bed. Tonight is going to be a wild night of bed and tv and I just can’t wait! I know, I know I have a crazy life!

Now back to the important matter in hand, Friday Favourites. Please take a look at a few of my finds this week and hope you enjoy! 

Favourite Hairstyle

I’m in between haircuts at the moment so am trying to find lots of styles to make up-do’s look a little more interesting. This is a fun twist to a top knot.

 

Favourite Treat

I recently went to Asia de Cuba at St Martins Lane Hotel and had the most delicious mini doughnuts for dessert and since then been reading that they are becoming increasingly popular in London restaurants. These Nutella filled doughnuts look divine. (Click on the picture for recipe)

 

Favourite Outdoor Dinner Setting

This is just beautiful, if I lived near a beach and could create this I most certainly would. Simple yet so effective.

 

Favourite Hotel Wonder

The Nagano Hotel in Japan has a room with a tunnel of lights. Who doesn’t love fairy lights and ones that when put together create a spectacular display.

 

Favourite Smile

No words, just adorable. Think I’m going to try to get Daisy to recreate this pose, poor dog 🙂

Hope you have a lovely weekend and get to feel some warmth from the sun at some point.

BE HAPPY

Happy Wednesday everyone and I hope you’re all having a great week.

I’m dedicating this post to happiness! The weather in the UK has been and this is putting it mildly RUBBISH this summer and I think it’s getting to most people. Where is the Sun? I said to myself I wouldn’t complain about it but at the moment I’m feeling a lot of anger towards the sky. It’s a fact that a little Vitamin D does your body and mood the world of good so please sun, I beg you to return and stay until at least the end of Summer. Although saying that if and when the sun does make an appearance I’m going to have to slap on a lot of fake tan as my skin is so pale it’s almost translucent at the moment!

I’m also in desperate need of a holiday to wind down, relax and have fun. I have 2 1/2 weeks till a much-needed week off and cannot wait. We have decided to do a staycation and am praying that the rain holds off, I’m all about the positive thoughts at the moment ;-). What have you all got planned for your summer holidays?

So to keep us all feeling happy, positive and raring to go I have found a couple of ‘happy’ quotes which are below. Always smile, even if you don’t feel happy the smile will make others happy and you will in turn feel the benefits!

In the meantime I am going to be dreaming of this beach and hope that I can visit one very similar before the year is out.

FRIDAY FAVOURITES

TGIF! That is all I can say! Since Wednesday I have been waking up thinking it’s Saturday, such a horrible feeling. My body must be needing some rest and relaxation, which I am definitely up for. My lovely Sister is coming over this weekend and I’m hoping the sun carries on shining so we can go on a bike ride with Daisy in her basket.

Anyway, back to business. Please see below some of my favourite finds from over the last week.

Favourite Look – I will definitely be channeling this look when the weather starts getting a little cooler in a couple of months

 

Favourite Treat – Homemade Lavender Ice Cream (Click on the picture for the recipe)

 

Favourite View – I am transported into a daydream every time I look at this photo.

 

Favourite Wedding Decoration – This table centrepiece is so simple and pretty, perfect for a rustic country wedding.

 

Favourite Salad – Tomatoes, chorizo and red onion, refreshing, simple and delicious. (Click on the picture for the recipe)

 

Favourite Door – Isn’t this door just beautiful, the way the light picks up all the different colours in the glass is captivating.

 

Favourite Smile – I can’t stop looking at this adorable picture, how cute is this little kitten?

Hope you enjoyed the favourites and you all have a lovely weekend!

HEALTHY SNACKING

I’ve mentioned before that I am a snacker, a nibbler and a picker and I just can’t seem to help it. It’s not a totally bad thing that I pick as the experts say you should eat more regularly to maintain your metabolism and to stop you overeating with your main meals, although I would prefer not to pick at all in an ideal world.

A lot of the time I think it’s becuase I’m not satisfied by lunch or that I’m bored but even though I have this awful habit I try to make the most of it and eat as much healthy as I can. Saying this no matter how many pieces of fruit or vegetable crudities with humus I eat, I crave more variety and then tend to head for the chocolate which isn’t the best for the waistline. I do hope I’m not the only one who has this problem?!

I have been on the hunt for healthy yet appetising snacks which would be perfect for a mid-morning or the afternoon slump.

Oatcakes with Extra Low Fat Cream Cheese and Grapes. The oatcakes could be substituted for ryvita or the cream cheese for cottage cheese depending on what you prefer.

Apple and Peanut Butter. Slice the apple and very thinly spread the peanut butter on, almond butter is another tasty alternative.

Raspberries with Dark Chocolate Chips. Place a few chocolate chips inside delicious fresh raspberries for healthy treat which allows you to get a quick chocolate fix.

Baked Courgette Chips. These are a super alternative to potato crisps but any root vegetable could be used for example carrot, parsnip and sweet potato.