HELLO AUGUST 2024

 

Chapter 8

Out of office on, Summer is here, bank holidays, sunshine – fingers crossed, Bees buzzing from flower to flower, bbq’s, homegrown potatoes, humid nights, open windows & doors, dog walks in fields with beautiful views, airports, packing & unpacking, time to recharge & reset!

 

FABULOUS THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH

1. A wonderful few days in beautiful Prague with Tony

2. Another successful exam completed & passed with a very high mark!

3. Some lovely meals out with friends 

4. My beautiful Mum’s birthday & lots of celebrations! 

5. I got my ‘mojo’ back at the Gym!!!

6. A great day watching Gladiators live with Max

7. And……. we’re getting a new puppy!!!!!!!!!!! A miniature Dachshund!!!!!!

 

LIFESTYLE, LEISURE, PLACES & HOME

Beautiful Prague

Tony & I have just spent a couple of days in the beautiful city of Prague. I’ve wanted to visit for a while & it truly is a beautiful city with such pretty views & sights within its rich history.

On first arrival it seemed quite a complex place to get around however, it didn’t take us long to figure it out, especially as the city has such an efficient tram system.  

We explored the old town in depth, taking in the castle, enjoying a drink & lunch whilst people watching in the beautiful old town square & walking across the stunning Charles Bridge with its beautiful views of the river & wonderful statues.

Our highlight was definitely an evening Dinner Cruise on a beautiful boat with a fabulous dinner & wonderful live music.

The city, whilst busy, was certainly not6 as crazy as other cities get in the height of summer & we were also blessed with glorious weather which makes everything 100% better.

I must also note that the airport in Prague is wonderful and so organised compared to many others which made the trip back home completely hassle free!

A city we’ll certainly visit again.   

 

BEAUTY, HEALTH & STYLE

My beauty routine as I’m approaching 50!!!!

Ageing doesn’t worry me too much, both my brother & I lost close friends when they were in their 20’s who would give anything to be our age now, so I see ageing as a privilege and it’s certainly better than the alternative. 

I also believe age is how you feel & a state of mind. If you decide you’re old, you’ll feel old and if you grab life with everything you’ve got & ‘live’ you’ll have energy!! Happiness & energy are a state of mind, providing you have your help of course.

This doesn’t mean to say however that I don’t want to make the best of myself and try to look as good as I possibly can for my age.

I have put on a bit of weight recently and I have re joined the gym as I’m not happy with the weight I’m at at all. It’s taken me a while to get my fitness ‘mojo’ back, but I now feel like I have got a good balance of cardio, toning & yoga whilst enjoying it at the same time.

Good skincare is vital & I love Elemis products for my skin. SPF each day is vital, and I love using my Gua Sha as part of my evening skincare routine. I give myself a home facial every Sunday & I go to my therapist for facials as often as I can.

Teeth can yellow slightly as you get older, so I’ve recently been using whitening strips which do work to a certain extent. Having my teeth professionally whitened is something I’m considering this year though so watch this space.

Tanning is a personal thing & I don’t get spray tans very often but I use Garnier holiday skin daily for a healthy glow.

As I’ve got older, I do prefer my hair a bit shorter but it’s still at a length where I can wear it up if I want to and I still like to keep my hair colour ash blonde. To avoid it becoming brassy though I use John Freida Violet crush shampoo & conditioner for blondes to keep the colour fresh.

Keeping my nails, toes, bows & lashes groomed on a regular basis is important to me so on a daily basis I know I’m set to go. I get acrylic tips on my nails which I love!

 

RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

315 Bar & Restaurant

I’m lucky to have this beautiful restaurant practically on my doorstep and we go quite regularly. Last Saturday we had a lovely evening for my mum’s birthday with my mum & dad, my brother & sister-in-law and Tony & I. We adore having all the kids with us normally, but it was nice to be able to have an adult conversation without distractions just as a one off!!

The food at 315 is always high quality and we all chose well & enjoyed our meals. I went for the delicious belly pork which was cooked to perfection. The service is always very attentive and the restaurant itself is high class with wonderful views if you go in the daytime.

The prices reflect the quality of the food and service, and it is definitely value for money. A lovely treat on a Saturday night with my gorgeous family.

www.315barandrestaurant.co.uk

  

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

Sparkling Rose Margarita 

Ingredients

10 ounces strawberry-basil infused blanco tequila

5 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice

4 ounces agave syrup

1 bottle sparkling rose

Garnish – 1 cup of sliced strawberries, lime wheels

 

Method

1.    In a punch bowl, combine the tequila, lime juice & agave syrup

2.    Add cubed ice and stir with a ladle

3.    Top with the sparkling rose

4.    Garnish the punch with the strawberries & lime wheels

5.    Serve & enjoy!

 

FILM/TV SHOW OF THE MONTH

America’s Sweethearts - The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

Ok, so this has become my guilty pleasure this week which I’ve binged watch during a bad few nights of insomnia!!!!!!

It’s all American, all cheesy, all trivial but I love it & I’m now very invested to find out if Jenna & Britney make the squad lol!!!!!!

 

BOOK OF THE MONTH

My (not so) perfect life – Sophie Kinsella

I read this when I was very busy at work and just needed an easy read & this book really does what it says on the tin!!! Very light-hearted, a bit silly and nothing to challenge you what so ever but it was an easy read and a few hours of escapism which I needed at the time. 

I liked Sophie Kinsella’s books when I was younger, especially the Shopaholic books, but I won’t be reading any more of them.

 

THIS MONTH I'M LOVING

Some time off from work!!!

 

THIS MONTH I'M NOT LOVING

It’s been illness month in our house first with me getting ill, then Isabelle with a horrendous eye infection & shingles at the same time & now Max is ill!!!!!!!  

 

THIS MONTH’S FAVOURITES

1. VO5 invisible hold hairspray – love the coconut fragrance 

2. My new Calligraphy set! Learning calligraphy is one of my 50 things to do before 50! 

3. Emmerdale & Corrie!!! As a long time watcher & supporter of the soaps, they’ve been a bit rubbish recently but this last 2 weeks they’ve both really ‘upped their game’!!!!

4. Pink Roses – just perfection  

5. Our new miniature Dachshund puppy Frank!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

 

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH