HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW ME?

Happy New Year, Happy New Me?

I’m two weeks late to the party, shouting those  celebratory welcomes to 2019 and presenting my goals, but sometimes it’s OK to rock up fashionably late, hell I can even go far as to say it’s my party so why not?

Anyway Happy New Year Everyone! Even though we’re a few weeks in I do wish everyone the best year they could possibly dream of, because whats a life without dreams right and you know, kindness is kinda my jam. But as the clock struck midnight and we emerged on the other side, I sat and wondered what the year would have in store for me, what resolutions would I put in place, what spring clean and good habits would I install. Like Lori v2.0, except I’m getting on a bit so actually it’s more like Lori v38.0

So it’s a Happy New Year but will it be a Happy New Me? I found 2018 was the year of being present, you might have noticed as this little corner of the Internet was mainly quiet and I dipped in and out of instagram, instead swapping the online time for cuddle time, soaking up the first year with Romi, all consumed and drunk on love. I didn’t focus on myself, and if I tried it didn’t last long. But on reflection this last year of standing still has done me wonders, it has taught me patience that I couldn't quite grasp the first time round, to be humble and just enjoy our time learning about each other. I let my body rest and didn’t worry about what I ate as long as it nourished me. As they say time flies when you’re having fun/getting on with stuff and it’s hard to believe in a few weeks my baby will turn the big one!

This blog has acted like a raft for me, something to cling to during stormy waters, a place to while away the time, taking me on wonderful crazy adventures and always teaching me new skills, like a castaway getting to grips with the ropes. Normally I set a word for the year, something to reflect upon, but this year I’m switching things up, if this space has been my raft then this year I am setting up the sail. I shall drive myself forward, compass in hand with the shore in sight. Not just on here but in all areas of life.

Generally I struggle with consistency and maintaining my vision, but this time is different. I feel a change is near and I am using different methods to set a clear path, so I thought I would share my strategy here with you:

MANIFESTING
I am such a strong believer of the law of attraction and manifesting good stuff. Sounds a bit woo woo but throughout my life if I needed something, then within a few days or weeks I would be presented with it or an opportunity to get it. At first I just considered this to be extremely Lucky but now I understand it’s more than that.

In a nutshell you need to have a clear vision of what you want, believe that you not only want this but you whole heatedly deserve to have this, be open to opportunity and then live the best those desires and vision. If you’re interested in learning more then there is great easy breakdown here.

PLUS I have been loving Sarah Akwisombe and the Money Medium 3 Day Money Mindset Accelerator, it’s a must if you want to manifest money.


SMART GOALS
It oh so easy to say this year I’m going to be super healthy, loose the excess Christmas pounds, grow the business, go out more etc etc. But there is a reason why most New Years resolutions fail. Because a goal without a path to achieving it, is just a dream said out loud. Instead I’ve been focusing on creating SMART goals

S - Specific. What is it that I want to achieve? what is the desired end result?
M - Measurable. How can you measure the progress of achieving your goal?
A - Achievable. What steps can you take to achieve it? Break it down into smaller tasks.
R - Relevant. Is you goal relevant to you? Do you need to learn new skills to achieve it?
T - Time. Have you set a realistic deadline? Create a realistic flexible deadlines that work for you.

I’ve invested in a MiPlanner which I picked up at Papersmiths to help me get my goals organised and you can learn more about SMART goals here.


SELF CARE
This year I am going to nourish myself and feel strong again, regain ownership of my body and mind. I’m starting slowly with exercise and good foods, sticking to a more vegetarian based diet, using short online courses to develop my parenting skills, healing any old emotional wounds and focusing my energy on good nourishing people.The grass always grow where you water it! So it’s time to let go of any drama and toxic relationships. And finally travel, because this is what makes me happy.

So these are my main techniques I’m using, plus creating as much work time around two kiddos as possible. The hustle continues!

I would love to hear if you have any intentions for the year?

HELLO 2018!

Happy New year you lovely lot and hello 2018! I ended up taking a big chunk of time off at Christmas, which wasn't intentional but was definitely needed so apologies for the radio silence and slow return to this little corner of the Internet.

Going into Christmas I was 35/36 weeks and exhausted, so it was nice to switch off and let everything take a back seat while I watched the kiddo get excited about presents, board games, festive films and woodland walks, as well as cope with my nan going into hospital.

I've been spending some time nesting and reflecting on the past year, writing down intentions and trying to focus on a word that will be leading 2018. Obviously there is going to be a huge change with a new baby on the way *Less than two weeks to go until D-Day eek!* but aside from the new routines and sleepless nights, I want to be sure to take some time to reflect on myself and allow myself not to be lost in the process of new motherhood again.

So what word? I've been toying with Brave and Embrace but haven't quite settled on which is best, it might be that I use both. Brave for all the new challenges and change ahead and Embrace so I can move with them rather than against them, while looking after my mental and physical health.

2017 gave me a miracle, a new life that I was told I couldn't have and with it bubbled up all of the loss and grief of the last five years that also needed to be waded through, so I have definitely felt challenged. Now I am looking forward to a positive year full of firsts and laughter.

I am planning on taking a small amount of maternity leave once she arrives - although that could be any day now - I want to take the time to soak up those newborn baby days and snuggles. Hopefully I'll have a few post scheduled to keep me going over here and I will still be sharing over on my Instagram as I slowly emerge from hibernation.

For now though I just want to say thank you all for following Wild & Grizzly and this little journey of mine and here is to a year of positivity and adventure.

Are you making intentions for the 2018? Or coming up with your own word?

MOODBOARD & MUSES 05

How is it even March! I can't believe how quickly time is slipping and I feel like I have so much to do, the diary is filling up and I really must get myself organised *do you have any tips?* I've been super busy creating content, styling commissions and photography this last month, working with some fab brands – all will be revealed soon – and had a feature in the March Style at Home Magazine showcasing the bedroom makeover from last year, as well as being spotted in Very Magazine for some pinterest inspo– YAY!

So let's dive straight in. 

Things I'm loving:

// Magazines. Yep as much as I love scrolling through various feeds, down the Pinterest rabbit hole and other such visual feast, there's nothing quite like flicking through the pages of a beautifully designed mag. Currently on my radar is Lunch Lady (family kitchen stories), Dog (love this), Oh Comely (obvs), Human Being, Aperture and the Chloe Sevigny book.  

// Podcasts and radio shows. I've got into a bad habit of working in silence, mainly because I forget to put anything on in the background, which is a) boring and b) not that productive. So to combat this I've been listening to various podcast for inspiration and hoping some info seeps in while I work. I've been getting some instagram joy from Me and Orla's podcasts and nice to find a small radio slot I listen to is back on....makes me chuckle. Oh and if you have any music recommendations then let me know.  

// Goals. My new motto is 'if you have some, write them down!' I think I've kind of bumbled along a little too long without stopping to focus on what I want to do, or at least revisit dreams I once had, but as we know life is waaaay to short to overlook this sort of stuff and thinking about things isn't really going to make mountains move. Now is the time to start achieving, planning and making it happen. At the beginning of the year I received an upsetting diagnoses health wise, which has made me stop and evaluate my next move. It's never to late to follow your heart people. go go go.

// Wolfgang Tillman exhibition at the Tate Modern. Surely no explanation needed for this one! Go check it out, it's on until June :)

Things I'm Not:

// Tumeric. yep turns out when you have a brace this lovely little spice has a very interesting effect. Think gold grills/full on bling! Oh My Eyes. So a quick trip to the dentist and off I go to swap them elastics out for some refreshed white ones. eek.

Other Things:

// Ok let's have a quick talk about kindness, yep you should sprinkle that stuff like confetti. Now perhaps my expectations are a bit out there, who knows, but my friends know that I'm pretty straight up, open and honest, supportive and generally very forgiving or at least tolerable. But just incase there is any doubt let me just write it here. What is not cool is bitching, bad mouthing and generally being a dick. Be better than that and remember karma's a bitch. 

Top left: Amber Vittoria's illustrations make me super happy. // Top right: Maia Boakye feed is aworld of peachy colours and I have no idea how she hasn't got a gazillion followers, definitely one to watch. // Bottom left: New to me Nette Rose has the most beautiful handmade lingerie from Cape town and the pictures are dreamy. // Marize feed She Is Visual is total goals! A combination of design and style. 

Also let's take a sec to swoon over these pins! I am so feeling the need to be by the water. I was brought up living by the beach and watching the water change depending on it's mood and am always drawn back there. 

What has been inspiring you this week? 

NEW YEAR, NEW ME? MOODBOARD & MUSES 04

Oh hey! So I seem to have silently slipped through the whole transition of the dud that was 2016 into what I'm hoping will be a much better and more positive year. I took a step back over Christmas from pretty much all social media and didn't pressure myself to jump back on the horse as soon as the clock struck midnight, in fear of a Cinderella type scandal. Nope I want to start the the year with both feet firmly planted in those glass slippers, grounded and full of intent. I could look back over the last year, pop together a review but to be honest it was a pretty crappy one peppered with some awesome highlights, not to mention the global sigh of 2016, and I'm quite relieved it's been given the boot to be honest.

HELLO 2016

Hello 2016 and you lovely lot! I hope you all had a beautiful start to the New Year and thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas festivities with family and friends. Sorry I've been a little AWOL, nope I haven't been eaten by crocodiles or kidnapped and held at ransom in a lonely mountain scene somewhere far far away, although at times over the last few weeks it has felt like that.

On entering Christmas I made the decision to give myself time off, to fully be present, put down the camera and my phone – although I struggled a little at times – and to enjoy a break from all things work/technology related. It was much needed and I enjoyed the space, but now it's time to to come back to this cosy little nook I've created for myself and I'm looking forward to sharing lots with you.

You might remember I started the year with the word Self, full of good intentions and determination. I loved all the adventures: Amsterdam, Berlin, Palma and those closer to home with festivals, glamping and beautiful hotel stays. I loved exploring and taking in all things new. However looking back I didn't uphold my chosen word, I also faced challenges and heartache, more than I had expected or wanted... but as midnight struck I was dancing, hands held high, raising the roof with laughter and it was all good.

I had aimed to start January with much gusto, however I feel like I've been allowing 2015 to wash over me as 2016 slowly comes into focus, and so I've sat and wondered what this year would hold for me, what words and intentions would guide me through the next 12 months. To be honest there has been many and also a desire for none.

Instead I'm allowing time for myself, for growth, for self development, to create new connections to love and be present, as well as my usual lust for travel, laughter and coffee. I'll be here planning, doing, creating, learning, documenting, sharing, except when I'm not, because sometimes I will be absent and that will also be ok.

I am so grateful for all this space has brought: the friends, the opportunities and I'm excited to see what the world has in store. I hope you all have a fabulous year full of love and adventure. xx

HELLO 2015

Just dropping in to say a quick hello and Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful evening however you decided to celebrate and the first day of 2015 has been kind to you (and your heads).

Reflecting back on the year and re-reading this post and my hopes for 2014 I've decided to stick with choosing a word for the year rather than resolutions which are made only to be broken. So although I didn't DO as many things as I'd hoped for last year, what I did achieve was still pretty amazing for me: First solo flight, facing my fears, a finalist for two awards thanks to you lovely people, meeting some amazing people and making new friends.

The ups were equaled with the lows, but that is life, you take what you can and choose to see the positives and take the opportunities that are given to you.

So my new word for 2015?

SELF

To know myself, be kind to myself, know when to be selfless and when to be selfish. To further myself, challenge myself and trust myself. It's only when we know ourselves that we can make ourselves happy which in turn effects others. So here's to a year of self discovery and all that goes with it. 

What word would you choose for 2015?

HAPPY NEW YEAR – TAKE TWO

Ok so I know the 1st January was technically yesterday but due to hangovers, the worlds most disappointing coffee and torrential rain, we spent most of the day in pj's curled up under blankets. So I am having a do-over day, new year so my rules. Today the sun is shining on this crisp cold wintery day, perfect for some time outdoors. So this morning we woke early, got dressed and headed outside to this super Italian deli for a perfect coffee to start the day where F enjoyed his babyccino and marshmallows. After a quick stop off at the supermarket we headed back and made sandwiches before heading to Bristol Zoo to meet friends. It was so great to watch the boys running around laughing and getting very excited about the baby crocodiles.

So 2014 what do you have in store? Reading lots of blogs over the last two days I have seen many people choosing a word they want to take into the new year, well I have chosen mine.

DO.

These two little letters are going to serve me well in 2014. No more questioning, wondering or hesitating. I'm going to put my thoughts and words into action and just do. I spoke about regretting the lack of travel last year, so I have already contacted a hypnotherapist to help with my fear of flying and there are plans in motion to visit London, Paris, Berlin and potentially Amsterdam. Hooray!

Of course I have the usual resolutions of eating healthy, exercising, drinking less, read more etc but keeping this one word in mind should do more than restrictive one liners. Here's to a year of action, it's going to be super!