This past week I have challenged myself to do things that are the furthest out of my comfort zone. It felt incredibly strange, and in the back of my mind I wanted to doubt myself, but I got on with it and for the first time in years I felt like I had achieved something.
When I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize myself. It felt like I was a different person, no longer was I the shy girl who could barely speak a single word, or so caught up in my own troubles that I couldn't smile or dare to enjoy myself. I felt different, the worries and stresses were all now broken down into manageable portions, instead of stacked up against me.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, I can fully appreciate that now, but slowly things do change and what I have to do now is welcome that change into my life.
♥
This weekend was spent clearing some more rubbish from the allotment, and whilst on our travels we took a trip to the tip to get rid of some of the rubbish. Whilst I was at the metal skip, the Mr had been getting rid of some general waste and whilst there he spotted a box full of toys in the skip. Now its strict council rules that no rubbish is to be taken from the skips, however a creature so small and cute sat on the very top of a box.
He knew instantly this was something worth recusing and reached for the miniature toy, it was when we got back into the car he placed a small figure in my hand. I knew instantly what it was, and it brought back so many childhood memories in an instance. I would always buy a Slush Puppie at the bowling alley, and at the seaside and it would always be a blue one. For me it’s always been such a gimmick buying a slush ice drink.
As you can imagine this little fella has been by my side all weekend, I’m totally smitten and the fact I’ve been carrying him around in my pocket shows just how much I love him.
♥
I’ve been working on my desk space for a while now, it was today I realised I quite liked it. I am pretty sure there’s a lot more to add, my obsession with adorning wall space has got a little out of hand lately.
I’ve always loved cluttering up walls and having all my junk on display means I never forget where anything is.
♥
Last year we put our name down for an allotment, we didn’t hear anything for months, and then out of the blue we got a phone call saying one had become available. We spent last summer trying to clear the plot; it had been abandoned for some time and was littered with a mountain of rubbish and broken glass.
With work commitments and life getting in the way, it was hard finding the time to get everything done, and we were genuinely disappointed when we couldn’t get it all cleared, but vowed not to give up on it.
The plot next door to ours had also found new tenants, and had actually originally been a double plot, so we were keen to fence it off and gain some much needed privacy. We were without any type of building so had to make do without for the time being.
We knew this year was the year in which we would work towards making some real progress, and hopefully get growing. Setting a side our weekends for the allotment has meant we have been able to clear all of the existing rubbish and completely start a fresh. It’s been hard work and very disheartening having to clear so much rubbish, but it has been worthwhile seeing the results.
It was just as we had got our plot clear and ready to dig over, we got asked if we would be interested in the plot next to ours, as the new tenants had decided to give it up after only a year.
It was a bit of a shock for us, because we had planned our plot and was due to build a fence in the coming weeks. You could say it was crazy even contemplating taking it on, double the size, double the amount of work to do. But we knew this opportunity would not come around again, it simply was just too good of a chance to miss.
The plot next door had already got some buildings and trees on, this instantly meant we had more space to store tools and equipment and of course the possibility of fruit meant what we had gained in space outweighed the amount of rubbish we now had to clear.
Now the clearing is finally over, it is time to really start the planning and planting, of course I’m sure this is where the real hard work begins!
This Easter weekend as seen our plot finally be dug over, we very kindly lent a mini digger, so managed to get it done in the space of a day. We’ve began covering it up, to prevent the growing of weeds and the idea now is to unravel small parts at a time. It may take a few years to get it exactly the way we want it, but this is a project that has no finish line or strict deadline, and one we hope will occupy us for many years to come.
With rent at £25 a year, it sure is a worthwhile investment and of course the prospect of being able to stock our kitchen full of fruit and veg each year sure does make this little adventure all the more exciting.
♥
In an attempt at de-cluttering recently, I gladly stumbled upon these loyal characters from my childhood. As I reached inside the box, a huge sense of familiarity rushed over me. When I dug a little deeper I felt a thick red woolen scarf, which could only have ever belonged to Orinoco of course.
Great Uncle Bulgaria was always the one I took the most care of, as he was so much older than the others, and far wiser and mature, everybody would look to him for advice, for he had all the knowledge.
I always dreamed of having hair just like Alderney’s, and a striped tee to match. She was very much my favourite, I guess I wanted to be just like her.
I think The Wombles where way ahead of their time, what with their kind-hearted ways and recycling ethos. If only we lived amongst such lovely creatures today!
I fully hold The Wombles responsible for influencing my bargain hunting and thrift- like ways. Even though ironically it defeats the object of de-cluttering, I just can’t find it in my heart to part with these guys.
♥
It’s been a few weeks since I returned home from my trip to Paris, and I am still completely smitten by the place I will always hold so dear in my heart. What with my surprise engagement and fairy tale adventure to Disneyland, I never did get to share my photographs of the most beautiful and iconic piece of Paris.
You guessed it, The Eiffel Tower.
The size is by far spectacular and far taller than I could have ever imagined, the setting is also beautiful and although buzzing with tourists, spacious enough to feel like it is completely your own. The bronze colour really stood out for me, for I never imagined it to be as clean cut and pristine as it was, of course it’s design is pure iconic and one of a kind.
I know it’s famously known as a romantic place, but I can actually say my heart skipped a beat when I first caught a glimpse of it, I felt the same butterflies I felt when I went on my first date. I always believed romance was something of nighttime, but being presented with the most eye-catching and enchanting tower in daytime, I finally realised romance can exist in any place, at any time.
One thing I am most certain of is that I will visit again, and I know in my heart I want to see it in all seasons covered in snow and watch the sunset on a hot summer’s day, that is my dream.
This is a landmark which will never disappoint me and one I will never ever fall out of love with.
♥
I've always been fond of my teenage bedroom, so when stumbling upon some old photographs I couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic towards the room I once loved quite so...
I was quite a girly teenager, I certainly loved fashion and shopping. This may explain why I ended up with so many shoes and handbags. This picture holds so many memories, because I remember each and every single pair of those shoes!
When friends would sleepover, they always expressed their love for my room, and were forever complimenting factors of it, now looking back it seems so weird to have had a room that I could decorate in any way I wish.
My walls were vibrant pink plastered with posters, photographs and anything I could find. My television was bright yellow from the 90s and was a video combo. I adorned it with stickers and glitter. When my Mum told me she had thrown it out a few years ago, I was actually a little bit sad.
I had fairy lights around my bed head and my frame was one of those horrible metal types that were actually very uncomfortable. My love of perfume and collecting started at a young age, I was a huge collector of perfume bottles. Anna Sui started the whole thing off for me, and I have never looked back since. I still cherish these very bottles as much today.
It’s a weird one, you don’t really realise how precious your bedroom is growing up, until you have moved out and have a home you can call your own. The funny thing is, this is a room I will never get back, but one I will always remember so fondly for the rest of my life.
What was your teenage bedroom like?
♥
