Zoe Loves the Second Act

  With my beautiful daughter Belle just starting her first year at University in Leeds it has given me even more opportunities to visit & try out the many fabulous restaurants this city has to offer. There are many wonderful restaurants to choose from offering every cuisine imaginable & these are currently in my top 5.   1.     The Ivy – Victoria Quarter I’ve visited The Ivy in many cities now and have never been disappointed. The standard throughout the chain is first class from the appearance and attitude of the staff the minute you walk in to the delicious food and wonderful menu. The style and aesthetics are similar in each restaurant which is classy, luxurious & welcoming with immaculate attention to detail. The Victoria Quarter restaurant instantly transports you to the luxurious feel of the Art Deco era of the 1930’s and the food and staff are faultless. A restaurant I continue to return to regularly. www.theivycollection.com/restaur...

I know it’s a cliché, but I absolutely love the start of a New Year! I love new beginnings, setting goals, writing lists and this January was no different. I always make a list of goals I want to achieve in the year & last year I achieved most of them. I also write a list of books I want to read, I aim for 2 a month but last year it was closer to 4 a month and I loved it. Last year was a good year of self-growth & self-development for me and I plan to continue this in 2023. I’ve got into a good morning routine of gratitude, meditation, exercise, affirmations and a healthy breakfast followed by a dog walk & I’ve realised the importance of daily self-care, exercise, time outdoors & time for myself no matter how busy I am. Last year was an extremely busy year for me and this year my diary is already full but, by ensuring I took a little time for myself each day made it so much better & I was much calmer in myself. I’m also in the early stages of perimenopause...

  10 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S DAY SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS In a very self-absorbed world, taking just a few minutes out of your day to give someone a random act of kindness can go a long way. In a world with a lot of stress & worry, a random act of kindness could be just the thing that person needs to lift them from a sad, lonely or troublesome place. A random act of kindness helps people restore their faith in others & psychologically, kindness can positively boost your levels of serotonin and dopamine giving you feelings of satisfaction & well-being.     1.      BUY A STRANGER, FRIEND, CHILD’S TEACHER ETC A COFFEE So simple, not expensive and is always extremely appreciated.   2.      VOLUNTEER, GIVE TIME TO CHARITY, DONATE TO FOOD BANKS Charities always welcome donations & volunteers to help & it’s such a worthwhile thing to do.   3.      CALL A FRIEND THAT YOU...

  I’ve always loved Easter, it’s a holiday from school & work but, unlike Christmas, although you might be entertaining, the whole affair is far less stressful. I’m extremely affected by the seasons but I’m definitely a Spring & Summer girl and get excited at the first signs of Spring peeking through. At the earliest possible time I put my winter candles away and get my fresh cotton & spring scents out to fill our home with Spring aromas. Daffodils are one of my favourite flowers as they symbolise new beginnings, so my house is always filled with them and everyone who knows me brings me daffodils when they come around. I love a seasonal wreath on my door and my Spring wreath, filled with beautiful Spring flowers, is placed lovingly on our front door, then towards Easter I get my Easter decorations out. Obviously it’s nothing like my Christmas decorations but I do like a few pieces here and there such as a lovely Easter wreath centrepiece on my table and a table top Ea...

  I often feel that ‘new year new me’ type declarations can put a lot of pressure on at the beginning of a New Year and then, if you don’t live up to all your own expectations within the first week of January you feel like you’ve failed yourself! I’ve been guilty of this myself many many times and so over the past few years I’ve enjoyed giving my life a makeover in the Spring. January is hard anyway at the best of times, you can feel quite sluggish, you’ve overspent and, when it’s cold & dark outside its very hard to feel motivated. I adore winter pre Christmas but let’s face it, January kind of sucks (don’t tell my son Max I said that though as it’s his birthday month!!!). By the Spring I know I feel like a different person, the days are getting longer, the weather is improving, the flowers are blooming and I certainly have a new ‘Spring in my step’ pardon the pun!! Spring is a time of new life & rebirth! This is why a spring clean is popular and we can start get...

  Many people begin to enjoy gardening in midlife. You’re children are young adults by now & although they still require your time you’re often not quite as rushed off your feet as you were filling every minute with your kids activities. So, at this stage we’re often looking for some activities for us and, if you’re lucky enough to have any kind of outdoor space, big or small, it’s nice to make it look & feel good. As Spring starts to appear, the nights get lighter giving us more opportunity to get out into the fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. The temperature is increasing and getting a daily dose of Vitamin D is vital for our health & wellbeing.   Mental Benefits The mental benefits of gardening are countless, spending time outdoors in nature immediately helps with well-being and is proven to improve mood. As the seedlings start to sprout & flowers begin to bloom it gives you a sense of achievement & gives you an anticipation of what else will b...

  I’m very lucky to have a wonderful mum & one of my birthday gifts this year was Afternoon Tea at the wonderful Manor House in Lindley, Huddersfield. Manor House is a luxury hotel, restaurant, wedding venue and event space situated in the West Yorkshire village of Lindley. The Georgian Mansion has been stunningly restored and any visit is a luxurious treat. Whether dining at the exquisite Lantern Room restaurant, enjoying brunch, lunch & coffee in The Kitchen or indulging in Afternoon Tea in The Clock Tower Lounge you won’t be disappointed and will leave wanting to return again & again. We were seated in The Clock Tower lounge immediately and handed our plush menus. There are 3 choices of Afternoon Tea which consist of the same delicious sandwiches, scones & deserts but this can be taken just with tea at £27.50, with a G&T or prosecco for £33.50 or a glass of moet for £38.50.  We chose the glass of prosecco then had an additional G&T afterwar...

  1.      Challenge the perception of Midlife – 50 is the new 40! It’s never too late to start something new or pursue your passions so, make that career change, write that book, climb that mountain – you’re as young as you want to be.   2.      Practice Gratitude! Getting into the habit of practicing gratitude daily is proven to reduce stress & anxiety, help you sleep better, lower levels of depression and support heart health. It only has to take a few minutes in a morning or evening and before long it will be a habit you swear by.   3.      Practice daily self-care! Finding time to practice self-care daily is not a luxury it’s a necessity for your well being & health. Self-care doesn’t have to mean a day in a spa (although this is certainly a lovely treat now & again) but it can be simple things such as a bubble bath, reading a book with a cup of coffee in complete peace for half an h...