Zoe Loves the Second Act

  One of my daughter Belles 18th gifts was a mum & daughter mini-City break to Berlin. This was originally booked for June 2023 but had to be changed a few times for various reasons, so we ended up going in cold January. Unfortunately, the weather is a bit like the UK at the moment, grey & wet but Berlin has had a big bout of snow recently, so the city looked quite waterlogged from melting snow.  However, bad weather certainly wasn’t going to spoil our trip and, after an extremely seamless journey from Manchester, we arrived at our hotel The Hotel Riu Plaza. The hotel was slightly clinical but extremely clean with a great breakfast - all you need on a city break really- along with drink making facilities in the room, our hotel was ideally located not far from the main city attractions. Although very touristy, I’ve always found a hop on hop off sightseeing but is great on the first day in a new city so you can get your bearings and, with the weather being misera...

January can be a tough month for many people. Where the colder weather before Christmas can be cosy with the twinkly Christmas lights, hot chocolate and the excited anticipation of the festive season, once it’s all over we’re left with a long, dark, dreary time ahead of us in the first two months of a new year. The Spring & lighter mornings and evenings seem a long way away, money is tight and we’re often trying to cut down on food & drink after overindulging during the festive season. There doesn’t always seem much to look forward to in these two months so it’s important to keep yourself going and try to get motivated for the new year so you’re on top of things & ready when Spring starts to peek through.   1.    Make the most of the daylight Luckily in January, the shortest days of the year are over and the days gradually begin to get longer. However, try to make the most of the days & get up a little earlier. A short walk in a morning does wonders ...

    FABULOUS THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH 1. We had a wonderful family Christmas 2. My latest exam went really well 3. Family time! 4. Time off work 5. A lovely New Years Eve with friends   LIFESTYLE, LEISURE, PLACES & HOME Hot Yoga I started Hot Yoga last year but I plan to go weekly in the New Year. One of Tony’s Christmas gifts to me was a 10 week course at ‘Be Yoga Space’ in Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield and so I’ll be starting 2024 as I mean to go on. The classes are cathartic & really help reduce any stresses & tension. ‘Be Yoga’ is a purpose built Yoga studio with excellent facilities and a lovely ambiance.  www.beyogaspace.co.uk   BEAUTY, HEALTH & STYLE   January reset & detox  So as I now move into the year I turn the big 5 0, I’m really determined to live my best life this year & getting my health & fitness in top condition is my first priority. I’ve done a lot of internal work on mysel...