New Year, New Me?

I’ve never particularly been one for New Year’s resolutions, mainly because I rarely have the resolve to keep them. But this year over the Christmas period I found I had time to stop and reflect. I saw my crazy dashing around, trying to keep house, child, husband and blog in check with fresh eyes. Realising that, as my wardrobe and travel budget has shrunk since starting a family so has my capacity to ‘do’ things. I’ve been tempted to continue in the same fashion as my pre child days and all it results in is, exhaustion and frustration. So, it put me in mind to make a few changes. Tentatively I make these resolutions

To Read

First and foremost I am a bookworm, but if the past year were a yardstick to measure that by, I’d come up sincerely lacking. In 2015 I watched Dr. Husband receive a book a month from Mr. B’s Emporium of Reading. Each evening he’d be engrossed in another fantastic novel while I slowly dragged my way through the dullest book I’ve ever read, I am not one to give in easily. Over Christmas I read Jessie Orton’s first novel The Miniaturist, which is set in 17th century Amsterdam. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you haven’t read it please please do. I was able to totally lose myself in the story, in only the way the best books can do. But what should I read next? I’d love to hear your recommendations.

To Relax

I find it incredibly tempting to spend every ounce of free time working. As a parent, I find time for work is often pressured, by illness and other family chores. So work often spills into free time. Nap times, Daddy and Daisy time and evenings are spent writing, photographing and emailing. Yet it can totally take the joy out of what I’m doing. In Sweden they have a word, Fika, which means taking a proper break to enjoy coffee (or in my case tea). So I’ve indulged in a new pair of velvet pom pom slippers from Boden, frivolous but warm and comfy. They put me in the right frame of mind to sit down for a cup of tea. I’m also keeping Essence + Alchemy’s Tranquility Mist to hand. The combination of vetiver, geranium and patchouli is wonderfully relaxing.

To Photograph More

These past 6 months I’ve been obsessed with my 35mm f/1.8 Nikon lens. Yes if I was uber trendy I’d be using an Olympus Pen, which to this day I seriously covet, but we own a Nikon, so Nikon it is. For Christmas Dr. Husband bought me a 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens to capture the incredibly creative outfits I see on the streets of London. I’m no Bill Cunningham, but I’d love to share them with you. Imagine: here’s what you’re wearing on the streets of Angel, Shoreditch and Brixton. The possibilities are endless.

I guess I should have added to do more exercise or move house, both things I/we really need to do. But I am trying to be realistic. So, I hope you all had a very Happy Christmas and New Year, and I’d love to hear about any resolutions you have made.

Shop the Edit

Book, Amazon £3.85

Slippers, Boden £20.30

Mist, Essence + Alchemy, sold out

Lens, Nikon 2nd hand