Life can sometimes feel like a non-stop rollercoaster can't it, juggling family life, work as I/we try to be everything to everyone.
The last few months have seen me take time out more, to relax daily and prioritise on what really makes my family and I happy. I always say, happy parents, happy children.
After a month of illness in this family, we finally all felt better and were in much need of a retreat, a break from the norm, not far from home to simply rest, relax and feel rejuvenated once more.
The universe must have been listening, as the wonderful Gorgeous Cottages got in touch to see if we wanted to break in a luxury holiday home, The Coach House in Yorkshire.
As you get older and perhaps a little wiser (or in my Dad's case, sillier, much, much sillier-it can go both ways) you start to realise what really matters in life.
I think having kids can do that to you, that whirlwind of new love for the kid you made merged with the mammoth overwhelming weight of responsibility (no more spontaneity in life is pretty sobering) and puts everything that came before, and after it, into sharp perspective.
You don't need to have a kid for this I should add. Yay for being wiser without having to actually use your cervix! Life experience, travel, pets, nurturing plants, charity work, whatever it is that takes you out of yourself, can be enlightening,
It got me thinking about all the tiny touching moments that make up the bigger picture, the intricately woven happy-making little things I reflect on right before I go to sleep or if I'm away from my kids, missing them madly, or my zone out to more joyous times when I find the children fighting over toys/films/my affection and I need a happy place pronto.
We love to fill our weekends with wintry walks and precious family time, mostly eating, playing and enjoying all that beautiful Yorkshire has to offer us.
I usually focus on style, mine and the kids, over on my style blog Mummy's Got Style but every so often, I like to showcase what we rock, right here too!
On Saturday, my eldest son, my floppy haired, bright eyed Oliver turned 5. I actually can't believe I'm typing this out-5, it sounds so, well grown up.
Although I was born in Leeds and we've now lived in Leeds for nearly 4 years after many years in London, we are still discovering new happy-making places in this beautiful part of the world for all the family.
Before our fabulous London trip, we were offered press tickets to view the Northern Ballet's latest production for kids, the enchanting Elves and the Shoemaker- a sold out week long performance in the October half term, the last day being today.
The National Media Museum, situated in the heart of Bradford, UNESCO City of Film, frequented often as child, truly contributed to me becoming a filmmaker.
Folks, it's nearly Christmas! I know, it's hard to believe as it's only just October tomorrow but before you know it, you'll be buying Christmas trees and posting off letters to Santa (I've already got my hand hovering over the Chanel site, crossing fingers and toes)!
It's funny how things can work out just when you need them to...I was feeling a bit down in the dumps that I'd not seen some of my closest London buddies for what feels like forever when I received a text from my male best friend Will that he'd be in town for an anesthetist conference pretty much round the corner from where I live in Yorkshire-yay!
We're now back from a glorious holiday to Halkidi in Greece (1 1/2 hours from Thessaloniki) and have returned totally refreshed and relaxed full of vitamin D, uplifting sea air and great Greek food (of which you can see more of the latter in my post A Taste of Halkidiki)...
Some days I feel like I have a little Buddha in the making on my hands, a four year old son (4 and a 1/2 to be precise) seemingly wise beyond his years offering me kernels of wisdom only innocent children who so often so clearly see life as it is, can.
