Well here we are again, another month has ended and a new beautiful month begins. July was full of ups and downs, stresses and happiness – a pretty mixed bag! Getting all prepared to move at the end of the month was heavy going and then our moving date got moved back by two weeks. The change in date was gratefully received as it’s given us more breathing time.
I’ve been tired as hell with late nights and deadlines, not to mention Aiden falling ill with an ear infection and not sleeping well. Then some idiot broke the wing mirror on Alfie’s car and just drove off! Taking some time out to spend some quiet time with my brand new books has felt like bliss. Alas, enough of the moaning a new month is here and I’m full of optimism that it’s going to be a good ‘un.
WHAT I GOT UP TO IN JULY
Actually, despite the lows, there were some great moments in July too. The weather was incredible and we made the most of it with a wonderful family trip to Poole and Brownsea Island.
The heat has been the perfect excuse to face plant myself in lots of ice cream, not that I actually need an excuse! Salted caramel is my favourite flavour what’s yours?
I love treating myself to some flowers and they always brighten up our home. I picked these up at the local farmers market from a stall full of interesting flowers that I’d never seen before. I’m not even sure what these are but they really caught my eye.
There’s nothing like starting the day with a nourishing breakfast. My favourite has to be mashed avocado on toast topped with a fried egg with runny yolk, chilli flakes and coriander, yum! I’ve really been working on getting as many nutrients in all my meals after a couple of months of not making the best choices for my body, with lots of sugary food and overeating. I’m getting back on track and feeling less like crap.
Now that I don’t have a half marathon to train for my running has taken a nose dive. I’ve lost all the fitness that I’d built up during my training and I’m keen on getting some of it back. Doing my Sunday runs by the beach has been a great motivation. Running is hard, so I’m not expecting to ever be up to Usain Bolt’s standards, but I do enjoy a leisurely run at the weekend.
In other news, the blog has been featured over on Olivia May online magazine, where I gave my Top Tips on How to Get That Glow. Also, I was chuffed to be asked to give my first ever talk in front of a big brand as a health and wellness expert. I was totally nervous and suffered some anxiety issues about not being worthy of such an opportunity, but it went amazingly well. The brand was so passionate about wanting to learn more about current wellness trends and really engaged. Seriously, I was floating on air afterwards, such a positive experience and the feedback was awesome too.
FAVOURITE READS FROM AROUND THE WEB
- The 5 Ways I Make Time For Exercise (With A Toddler & Baby on The Way)
- What Daily Self-Care Really Looks Like
- How to Sleep, No Matter What the Heat
- Detox Your Mind: 3 Ways to Take a Social Media Cleanse
- 5 Workout Apps To Help You Easily Achieve Your Goals
- Making Healthier Choices While On Holiday
- Challenging Negative Thoughts About Yourself
- Tips For Managing Stress Every Day, Everywhere
- Unlocking Your Authentic Self & Owning It
- The Easiest Healthy Dinners You Can Make In Under 30 Minutes
- Battling Mama Guilt – Personal Thoughts & Experiences
- Why Your Beauty Routine Needs Coconut Oil + Our 10 Favourite Ways to Use it
GOALS FOR AUGUST
- Move house and get settled into our new home
- Record another video for my YouTube channel
- Find a new nursery for Aiden
- Get involved in some local business networking workshops
- Stick to the food shopping budget
- Save, save, save!
Obviously, moving house is a big deal for this month and it’s going to mean massive changes for us all. I’m thinking about this as a positive experience that is going to enrich our lives for the better. I can’t wait to have my mum nearby for babysitting duty!
My YouTube channel has really tanked lately, it’s my fault because I haven’t uploaded anything for ages. I’m making a conscious effort to resurrect it with recipe and wellness videos – check out my recent recipe video here. I’m also keen to get involved in the local business scene in Nottingham after the move and start networking with other business mamas.
That runny yolk looks perfect. I am literally counting down the days until I can have one haha
I love pistachio ice cream. In July my home was filled with flowers and plants, looked so good especially with the sun blazing through. So glad to hear your talk went well, think a lot of us have nerves when it comes to talks. Hope the move goes well x
Oooh, pistachio ice cream sounds amazing – really have to try that!
Good luck with the move- I think pretty much all house moves are put back at some stage- the paperwork for ours took a while and in the end our move was only put back a couple of weeks but that was because we had a holiday booked so anything else would have pushed it back another month or so.
Thanks, Maria. Hopefully, things go well, but it’s always such a stressful thing to do.
Gorgeous photos! I can’t believe how much you read in July! I think I managed one or two books 😉 That ice creams looks delicious 🙂 xx
It was a great ice cream, yum!
Wow seems like a busy month to me! Love the photos. Lovely to have a recap like this to appreciate the happy moments too.
That’s why I love these posts. It’s always nice to reflect and look back.
Sounds like a pretty great month despite the stresses and strains of life! I had a great July – I did loads of travelling. No exercise, but back on it today with Day One of the 30 Day Shred!
You’re July sounds wonderful. I love 30 Day Shred, good luck!
Good luck with the move.
Thank you!
Salted caramel ice cream yessss. I love mint choc chip too. But otherwise I’m not a massive ice cream fan I must say.
How rude someone did that to Alfie’s car – awful!!
Well done with the talk!
Thanks Anna! It was such a fun experience, definitely want to do more.
I never need an excuse for ice cream either, I do like a variety of flavours but vanilla is my all time favourite. Good luck with your move and look forward to seeing how it went, with hopefully everything going smoothly x
You can’t go wrong with a classic vanilla ice cream! 🙂 Thank you lovely, fingers crossed the move goes well.
I need to get better at a shopping budget! Lovely photos, I am now craving ice cream! x
Ha! Ice cream for breakfast sounds good.
That ice cream looks delicious. Gorgeous photographs too. Wishing you a wonderful month and good luck with the house move too!
Thanks Rebecca, hope you have a great month too!
It sounds like July was at times stressful for you but it also looks like you managed to have some good times too – and eat some pretty decent food! 🙂
It was a pretty nice balance I think. 🙂
didn’t the weather really perk up in july? I want an ice cream after seeing that pic! Congratulations on those fab sounding opps you had – well done!
Thanks Rebecca! I really do love blogging and the amazing opportunities it can bring your way.
Yum that ice cream look really nice. The weather in July was lovely! Perfect summer weather I feel. xx
It was gorgeous wasn’t it!
Wow well done in having your blog featured in an online magazine – I’d be really happy with that! Feel free to come and link this post up to my Monthly Loves linky on my blog!
Thanks Ali, I might just do that! 🙂
Sounds like a good month, glad you seemed to have some good weather for your trips away x
The weather was gorgeous last month. August has started on a bad note weather wise.
I’m glad you had such a great July! Good luck moving! Can’t wait to see your journey!
xoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
Thanks Candice. I’m sure I will blog about it.
It sounds like you’ve had a busy month, I’ve been trying to get back into running after a long break so I know what you mean about fitness taking a nosedive after a big event!
It always happens to me. IthinkI’m going to keep it up but never do. I’m enjoying running just for fun though.
Aw good luck with the move hun! I just moved myself, salted caramel is my favourite flavour too!
Thanks lovely, I hate moving!
Wow I just love the flowers you bought from the market – so unusual, I’d have to have bought them too!
The fact that they were so unusual is what attracted me, so pretty!
July was great! I’m hoping we can spend more time outside this month though. I’m liking your August goals!
Yay! Lovely to hear you had a great month.
I can’t believe moving house isn’t the only thing you’re planning to do next month; it’d be more than enough for me!
On another note, can you come and cook breakfast for me? My shopbought breakfast biscuits just do not compare…
Sounds like a very busy but successful month for you. I hope August is even better! 🙂
Ashleigh x
http://www.beingashleigh.com – UK fashion, lifestyle and travel blog
Aw, I’m sure your Youtube will make a come back. It’s hard when you’re creating content for more than one platform.
Well done on your speech too! I have major anxiety issues and public speaking is my worst nightmare. i love seeing people get up and own the stage 🙂
Salted caramel is one of my fav’s, although I am partial to a bit of run and raisin.
Those flowers are gorgeous! Sounds like mostly a good month.
I love salted caramel ice cream too, and one of my goals for August is also to save!
It looks like you had a great July! I’m in love with just how perfect your picture of your friend egg is haha!
Thanks for sharing some of your favourite reads in this post. I’m going to an appointment tomorrow and theres bound to be a long wait so I’ll give them a read then! xxx
Good luck with the move, we have been enjoying quite a few ice creams this month too, my favourite is still good old fashioned vanilla – with a flake obviously!
That ice cream looked delicious – I need some!
What a fantastic month you have had! Ice cream by the sea is always the best thing ever!!!
Mashed avocado on toast does make a great breakfast I may have it tomorrow 😉
Ice cream & fresh flowers are the best cure for anything! That salted caramel looks divine, I also love mint choc chip!! Hope the move goes well lovely. xxx
Congratulations on your health and wellness talk, what an amazing opportunity. Can imagine you must have been floating on air afterwards. I love those flowers! And that is one of my favourite breakfast too, delicious x
We keep meaning to pop over to Brownsea Island, it looks lovely there. Those flowers are beautiful