That Friday Feeling...The 80's, Some Reading and Beautiful Sounds

First working week of January completed - woo! I think that having such a lovely and relaxing Christmas has made the shock of the new year and being back to the daily grind even more noticeable!

It's been a great week though, with lots of nice scattered moments throughout.

Here's a few pieces of happiness from this week:

What I've been watching:

Sing Street - This film quickly and quietly worked its way into my heart and onto my favourite films of all time list. It's a film about an Irish lad, growing up in the 1980's and dealing with all the difficulties of life at that age (and then some, to be honest), who escapes from all of the negative by starting up a band. His relationship with his brother, who introduces him to new bands, and influences the style of the band and their music each time, is quite honestly beautiful. It has some laugh out loud moments (some of the throwbacks to the bands of the '80's are just perfect) and is also touching throughout without being overly sentimental. Can't recommend this film enough!

What I've been reading:

I've joined a book group - yay! It's the Poppy Loves Books Club (more on that to come).  The first book I'm reading for it is Sofia Khan is not Obliged by Ayisha Malik. I'm only a little way in but it's already had me laughing aloud so I'm looking forward to reading more this weekend.

What I've been listening to:




I feel so sad about George Michael's passing. He was a beautiful man who just never seemed to realise how amazing he was. I've been listening to his performance at the Palais Garnier, Paris. This is one of my favourite songs of his. Beautiful.

This week I've also been trying my hand at some very simple candle making (review to follow!) and sulking that the Christmas tree and decorations have been packed away. Having a tree in your lounge should be legit at any time of the year!

Whatever your weekend holds, I hope it is a good one!

Bye for now.

xx

Collection Crush - Next Happiness Range

It's January...which means new seasons in homeware...which makes me very happy indeed.

Next is one of my go-to stores for homeware and they haven't disappointed this year with their 'Happiness' range - lots of beautiful yellows to brighten up any home...and they'll be perfect for welcoming spring. Four of my favourites are above. The black elements in the doormat, canvas print and vase set add a nice contemporary feel to the designs which I really love. The pig planter is a little bit kitsch but my indoor garden is suddenly looking very bare without it.

If you'd like to find out more about any of these items, and bring a bit more sunshine into your home then click on the links below.

1. Bee Happy Doormat

2. Yellow Pig Planter

3. Canvas Print

4. Set of Vases


Bye for now

Kat xx

The Happiness Planner - A Review

I've written diaries on and off all my life, and have used a filofax for a significant part of my working life, so I've always loved having something tangible to write and plan in.

That said - I hadn't tried using a planner until last year when I bought my first Happiness Planner. I bought it part way through the year, but still found it so useful for helping me organise my priorities and focus on the good things that had happened in the day, rather than the bad. Unfortunately I didn't commit to using it every day and then got out of the habit of using it at all, so the positive effects wore off.

This year I bought A Happiness Planner in time for a January start and have committed to using every day so support in the achievement of my goals and to help train myself to focus on the good and not beat myself up about the past.

There are several different options of Happiness Planner available, but this is the one I opted for, and now it has arrived I could not be any happier with it. The design, and more importantly, content are beautiful and well written to support a manageable level of planning.

The overall presentation is beautiful, when you open the box you're presented with a little bubble wrapped parcel of loveliness.

As well as the main journal the set comes with a pen, 2 binder clips and 3 x paperclips (mine are rose gold...the metal colour depends on your overall colour options). Also included are some separate planning pages for undertaking activities including a 2016 Reflection, 2017 vision board and New Years Resolutions.

Inside the journal I was greeted with a positive message...

...and then some pages of activities to complete before getting to the main journal. These activities, and the additional sheets, were so incredibly supportive in helping me take a mental step back, think about who I want to be, want I want to do and how to get there. There is a really important focus on taking positive action - not being passive and expecting good things to fall into my lap. I love the overall tone of the planner, the questions it asks and the way it encourages you to think.

The main part of the journal provides space for planning/ reflection at the beginning and end of each month, and a page for each day to think about what I'm excited about that day, what my main focus is, what exercise I've done, what I've eaten, schedule, to-do list, notes, and then a daily reflection on what was good about the day, what I'm grateful for, and what I hope for tomorrow.

I've obviously only being writing the main part of the journal for two days but it's already been really supportive. I had a bit of a stressful thing happen yesterday, but the process of writing the journal in the evening and reflecting on the good things that had happened really supported me in putting the bad thing that happened to rest and not letting it eclipse the day.

I think it's going to be interesting to see how things go with the journal when I'm back at work full time (tomorrow...sob) but I'm determined to keep going with this for a year and see if it continues to support my personal development and levels of positivity.

If you've found a planner that works for you I'd love to hear about it.

Bye for now
Kat xx

7 Days of Sales Day 7 - Anthropologie

It's the last day of 7 Days of Sales. Today I'm feeling a bit sad that it's the end of the Christmas hols and almost time to go back to work...and that coupled with the fact that I've left my favourite shop until last means that I'm extra vulnerable to some sales shopping...oops.

Anthropologie is definitely my go-to store if I want to do some window shopping - beautiful and pretty items that are just that little bit different can be found still in stock in their sale (must...resist).

These woodland wreath coasters are so pretty and would compliment my lounge colour scheme beautifully ( yep, I'm weak today...very, very weak). Reduced from £6.00 to £3.95 per coaster.

This cushion is a thing of beauty (and yep, you've guessed it - would look lovely in my lounge). Reduced from £68.00 to £36.95.

This velvet clutch bag is a gorgeous buy -  reduced from £68.00 to £40.95.

These birthstone necklaces would be a lovely purchase to put aside for a loved one's birthday - the months are disappearing fast though! Reduced from £34.00 to £24.95.

You can view all of the sale here. This is the last of my posts on sales...but now all of the new season stock is appearing - get ready for some new Collection Crushes!

Happy Shopping.

xx

My 2017 Resolutions

Happy New Year to you! I'm feeling very happy that we're sat here in 2017. We don't know what this year is going to bring but I'm going to stop stewing in worry and try to find positive actions to take instead. Here are my (admittedly a bit vague in places) resolutions for the year ahead!

Blogging Resolutions:

1. Keep on track with a blogging schedule of a minimum of three posts each week

2. Stop worrying that my blog and lifestyle don't necessarily fit with the blogging 'norm' - stay positive

3. Write more posts sharing places I visit/ explore

4. Get back to crafty posts - they're what I love the most

5. Get more involved in the blogging community


Personal Resolutions:

1. Focus on my health - in every aspect

2. Keep a positive mindset and look for the good and not the negative

3. Get back to crafting - at least a couple of times each week

4. Set time aside every week to do something lovely with someone awesome

5. Start up an online business

So that's my focus for the year ahead - I'm feeling really excited for 2017 and can't wait to see what's ahead. Number 1 & 2 under personal resolutions are the most important for me - if I can get those right then I think the other resolutions will fall into place. I hope to see you around this blog space a lot more in 2017.

Wishing you lots of happiness and health for the year ahead, and luck with your resolutions, whatever they may be.

Bye for now xx

2016 - A Personal Review

I've started writing this post a few times and then deleting it each time. 2016 has been a difficult year - both for me personally but more importantly for the world. Tensions are high and although I'm seeing messages across social media that people are very happy to be waving goodbye to 2016, I think we're all wondering what 2017 will hold. It's hard to write a retrospective of 2016 without acknowledging the world events that are probably going to shape years to come, and the deeply sad losses of some very talented people - but that then leads me into a negative spiral which achieves nothing!

Sooo...instead I've taken a step back with a little bit of help from my Happiness Planner (more on that to come) and have realised that there have been some seriously lovely personal moments through 2016, and that I've learnt a lot about myself - which is always a good thing!

Some of my favourite moments this year...

These photos were all taken this year and capture some really lovely memories. We've had some beautiful days out - two of my favourites were The Lost Gardens of Heligan (bottom left picture) and Trelissick (top middle picture). 2016 has definitely been the year of 'outdoors adventure 'for me, and I've loved it. I've seen some really beautiful things this year that I don't think I'll ever forget.

My husband also took part in #wearehere - a modern memorial of The Battle of the Somme led by Turner prize winning artist Jeremy Deller. It was a really emotional day and I couldn't have been prouder of him (bottom, middle picture).

I've also really enjoyed some of the smaller moments - tea with friends, a chai latte with hubbie, and a gin festival with a good friend - happy times.

This little guy has also brought nothing but happiness my way. He's a hilarious comedian in disguise as a little teddy bear/ ewok, who knows when I need a good laugh, or when I need a snuggle. I can't begin to talk about some of the adventures we've had this year, but I'm so happy we found the perfect doggy addition to our family. Having a dog has definitely encouraged us to explore more places, and one of my blogging goals for 2017 will be to share more of that here.

So what have I learnt about myself this year?...

I think I've actually re-learnt some things about myself that I'd forgotten. Nothing earth-shattering, but I've remembered that although I'm a bit of an introvert by nature, I actually feel better when I push myself out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I can also have ostrich-like tendencies and bury my head in the sand when it comes to certain issues. A big challenge for me moving forward will be to keep my inner-ostrich at bay, and make sure I do the things I need to do. Maybe resisting the urge to procrastinate is a goal for 2017.

An important lesson I've learnt is to give myself time to do the things I enjoy. It's a blindingly obvious lesson, but one it's taken me until December to learn! So that's a huge goal for 2017 - be it outdoor adventures, time with loved ones, crafts or blogging - I'm going to make sure I do the things I enjoy!


I hope 2016 has brought some moments of happiness your way, and I look forward to sharing more thoughts, ideas, projects and adventures in 2017.

Bye for now - see you next year!

xx

7 Days of Sales Day 6 - Not on the High Street

I was spoilt for choice for sale items on Not on the High Street - so many beautiful items still available! Some of the discounts aren't huge but on items this lovely I'm still very tempted!

This penguin cushion quite honestly couldn't be any cuter - if you have friends or family with an anniversary any time soon I think this would be the loveliest present (as long as they don't have a fear of penguins - then it would suck). Reduced from £30 to £21.

After visiting a gin festival recently I've become fascinated with botanical gin and the different flavours it can pick up (and must try them all...naturally). This set looks perfect for starting to try and make my own infused gin. Reduced from £16 to £12.80.

I don't think this print needs an introduction - it's cats wearing glasses. 'Nuff said. Reduced from £13 to £10.40.

I'm still in love with all things triangular and these necklaces are no exception - so pretty! Reduced from £22 to £17.60.

And lastly - I literally love this backpack. I think I'd feel really organised and ready to go back to work in the New Year if I had this on my back. Reduced from £68 to £54.40.

You can view all of the gorgeousness that is the NotHS sale here.

Happy Shopping!