just a minute january

*Writing: Content about personal training for work

*Trying: to exercise 3 x a week (yoga and spinning)

Watching: TV - Season 2 of Girls  |  Film - Take this Waltz

Listening: Of Monsters and Men  |  James Vincent McMorrow

Buying: Leaving cards and gifts for friends going on fabulous adventures

Loving: Work - starting to settle into my role more now and loving that I get to write every day!

* Instead of 'Making' I've added 'Writing' and 'Trying' to encourage me to write more and try more :)

more love letters

Every week at work I have a blog day (I know, I seriously love my job) where I have to research and write various blogs on different things. Today I wrote a blog about writing love letters to strangers, and I had to share it here too.

"The world needs more love letters"

The story started when Hannah Brencher moved to New York after college and felt incredibly isolated. After struggling with depression and loneliness she decided to reach out - to anyone.

And so her letter writing journey began. She wrote little love notes to strangers saying things like 'have a bright day!' and 'you're brilliant, even if you think nobody else thinks so' and left them in public places like the subway, cafes and park benches.

The idea is now 10,000 people strong and is slowly but surely brightening the world :)

Has anybody ever done this? Think it's such a great idea.

p.s for those wondering, I am now working for this company as a content writer (writing for their various directories) and I have never been happier in a job :)

snowed in

So this weekend my plans quickly changed thanks to all the snow falling in Surrey. Instead of going to the cinema, going out for drinks and spending time with my boyfriend, I was snowed in. 

I've made the best of it though and have actually quite enjoyed my weekend at home! Saturday morning I got my butt on the exercise bike (yes, the 'get healthy' resolution is still going strong) and gave myself the permission to be lazy for the rest of the day. Cue lots of terrible TV, playing the Sims, watching 'Take this Waltz' (great film) and pampering myself with a face mask.

Today is my 'productive' day. I've cleared out my drawers and threw away a lot of junk, tidied and cleaned my room top to toe, caught up with my washing and even tackled some boring tax stuff. Now that's all done I plan on taking a long bubble bath and cosying up with a good book :)

Anyone else get snowed in?

want, need, wear, read

Loved the simplicity of this post idea from Bleubird, so have totally stolen it for Limbo :) 

Something I want, something I need, something to wear and something to read.

want

Stencils from Anthropologie

need

this

wear

rose gold boyfriend watch

read

currently reading

2013

So as we say goodbye to 2012, it's time to say hello to 2013! I do love New Year's, the clean slate, the chance for a fresh start - it always gets me excited for the 12 months ahead. I feel this year is going to be a particularly good one, for one thing 13 has always been a lucky number in my family...

Resolutions

I always make resolutions (see 2012, 2011 and 2010) and this year I am more determined than ever to make things happen. At the end of 2012 I got myself a full-time writing job after years of trying, so now I am free to focus on other areas of my life.

Learn to drive

Yes, I am a 26 year old non-driver. It is time to change this, I owe people a LOT of lifts.

Get healthy

I have been feeling very unhealthy lately and it is starting to show, I've put on weight and my skin is breaking out. Time to look after myself. I will be getting back into Yoga, exercising more in general and will attempt to curb my serious chocolate addiction.

Cook more

I love food, but hate the cooking process. Alas, as much as I wish I could have my own personal chef living with me - it ain't gonna happen. Therefore, this WILL be the year I cook more for myself and for others.

Look after my finances

I want to buy a car this year. I want to move out of my family home this year. I cannot do these things if I continue to spend all my money on meals out, drinks and cinema trips! Time to cut the spending.

Looking back at previous lists, I have not achieved every resolution I've set myself, but I'm hoping this will be the year this changes. If not? Well, there's always 2014 ;)

What are your New Year's resolutions?

2012

Oh hi there... long time no see! First of all - Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a brilliant one. I know I've been a bit sporadic in my blogging lately, but thanks to a change in my working situation, I will now have bucket-loads of time to blog so I have no excuse! My Christmas was particularly lovely this year, I spent time with my family during the day and enjoyed an evening of champaign and nibbles with my other half. I'm thoroughly enjoying the break in routine and feel rested, rejuvenated and ready to take on the new year!

The picture above is just a quick look at some of my outfits this year from instagram, it's funny, I always thought my style was quite simple and minimalist but looking back - I do seem to have a soft spot for prints!

Apart from wearing pretty clothes, 2012 was the year that.....

I was treated like a queen for my birthday in London

drank rum from a hip-flask and bowled with friends like we were 16

celebrated my good friends wedding in Godalming

went on boat rides in Windsor

enjoyed many, many pub lunches

danced my butt off in Poland at my boyfriend's brother's wedding

finally went to film four summer screen in London to see 'Apocalypse Now'

holidayed in Spain and enjoyed a week of sun, sea and sangria

celebrated a whole year with my love

got myself a new job where I write everyday

It's been a good one :)

How was your year?

besotted

 With Christmas slowly creeping up on me, I've been thinking about packaging/stationary etc. and in my researching frenzy discovered Besotted Brand, where I became rather *ahem* besotted....

I love the simplicity and the vintage styling, perfect for any occasion. I may even have to start writing letters again just to use the stamps, papers and envelopes!

Are there any great stationary brands you guys would recommend?