STAY MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED IN SEPTEMBER

Waving goodbye to the summer holidays and packing of the kiddo's back to school, I'm not sure if it's just me but some of you might find the shift from a slightly relaxed routine to throwing yourself into work a little daunting? For all of you who are self employed/freelance/creative/full time stay at home super hero parent *delete as appropriate* trying to stay motivated and inspired in September can be hard work in itself. A shift in the seasons is coming and soon people will start whispering the jolly ole C word and oh where does the time go.....spiral spiral.

STYLING THE SEASON // SEPTEMBER

When the lovely Katy from Apartment Apothecary asked me to be involved in Styling the Season this summer, I was super excited to join in. Not only did it mean curating a small space in my home with treasured objects, but it was a great reason to give a bit of love to the fireplace in our bedroom. This beautiful marble mantlepiece normally bears the weight of misplaced clutter, emptied pockets and handfuls of pennies up until now.

This new series celebrates and embraces each month, where people are encouraged to decorate and style an area of their home to reflect what it means for them; for me September is always a transitional month, a month to buffer the end of summer and the start of autumn, a month of change where anything is possible

So after sifting through the clutter, I filled the shelf with the last hints of summer pinks and the warm hues of autumn setting in. Nothing beats freshly cut flowers and these Dahlia are no exception, placed alongside a succulent, a decorative gourd and fallen leaves, these small touches brings nature into the home.

The vintage mirror was handed down to me from my mum, and has been spruced up and hung using cotton ribbon making use of the original picture rail, while the circle print is new and something I had my eye on for a while and can be found here. On the other side of the mantle is my collection of Sasek books and The Deer Wedding picture, that has travelled with us over the years and is by a Croatian artist, Ivan Generalic.

The recent issue of the wonderful Lionheart magazine – which I suggest you promptly go out and buy right now – is all about home and it has struck a chord, I need to spend more time cherishing the home, making laughter ring inside these four walls, so F can look back at his childhood with loving memories of the rooms we shared. I remember reading the lovely Hannah's blog when she moved up sticks from London to Kent and her love affair that started with the house, all these things stick in my mind as we busy ourselves, rushing around and seemingly missing a trick.

To get involved all you need to do is share your photographs of your styled surface on any day this month – use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or your blog, if you have one. Please tag Katy and Charlotte and use the hashtag #StylingTheSeasons. You can also search the hashtag for styling inspiration from the other wonderful bloggers and creatives who are taking part.

I can't wait to take a peek at your September. 

MAMA LOVES // STYLE

Image Source

Autumn is here and my jewellery of choice changes from silver to gold, like the leaves falling from the tree. This beautiful 24ct gold plated Wishbone Necklace by Angel Court has totally caught my eye and is on my must have list this season. Teaming it up with my loose black sleeveless shirt, jeans and leopard print boots will set you up for any kiddy day and will give that effortless casual chic style,  when all you feel like doing is crawling into a hole for another forty winks after a toddler fun fuelled night. According to Jenny Scott at Mothers Meeting, having a statement piece of jewellery is the only way to go when facing the early morning school run.

What is your essential must have for the school gates?

TAKING SOME TIME

You may have noticed a few weeks ago this post which spoke of hardships endured. Once again I have been silent on the blog as my small family has struggled through the last few weeks with heavy hearts and a fighting spirit. After loosing Alex mid-pregnancy last year it left me shellshocked and heartbroken. I struggled for what felt like an age to grasp a sense of myself again as life carried on around me. F was my driving force, if I couldn't be OK for me then I would do it for him. Pulling myself together with the help of friends, family and counselling, I faked a smile until it came back naturally with time and carried on. I never quit my dream of a large family, house bursting with energy and noise and the idea of those cosy winter nights all together. So we tried again.

For fourteen months nothing happened – maybe this was how long my body needed to heal – until last month. I pee'd on a stick and saw those two beautiful lines. I was pregnant. Finally. Our little flat once again filled with excitement and optimism. I was so confident that this time would see me with a babe in arms and I happily gave up on my love affair with coffee and focused on my belly. But for some that is not the way life unfolds and nature can be cruel.

After a week of pain, I was admitted to hospital for a potential ectopic pregnancy which after three days was ruled out. But something was amiss. The doctors told me to hang in there and be positive but it was clear within a few weeks that I had suffered a silent miscarriage. A silent heartbreak.

With no sign of my body doing its job, I underwent surgery to have everything removed and sent home empty. As I sat sipping my beloved coffee once more, people chatting around me, I wonder if they can feel this weight upon me. I lift my cup and take a sip. Autopilot engaged once more.

I will pick myself up, dust myself off and be OK. These things just take time.

A GOOD BOOK // The Storm Whale

 

Every now and then I yearn for a glimpse of the sea and the ever changing tide. I often wonder if F will have the same longing as me, even though he hasn't been brought up exploring the sandy coastline for simple treasures as I was. I hope to bring the beach to him with this good book.

The Storm Whale had me from the moment I lifted it off the shelf. This gentle tale of friendship and love, follows a boy called Noi – wearing the best balaclava – as he finds a small whale washed up on the shore after a stormy night. An instant friendship is formed, and the lonely boy rescues him from the sand and takes him home to his bathtub. The stunning illustrations captures the tenderness of the boy and atmosphere of the sea beautifully. Such lovely detail can be found in Benji Davies drawings: from Noi's whale paintings to the bunting flapping wildly against house. My favourite page shows father and son rowing out to sea, the boys small face as he looks down at his only friend about to be released back to the sea.

A heartwarming and magical story for any child, or adult who might want to be by the sea.

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS

Sometimes life gives you lemons, sometimes it throws you a curve ball, but every now and again you find yourself in the middle of a shit storm. Think creek, no paddle and you're getting the picture. The last few days have been overwhelming/unbearable – I'm hoping to be able to write about it soon, when I've managed to get my head round it all. Once again I've been stretched to my limit. Not breaking but oh so close. This has to be the end to my run of bad luck. Enough is enough.

It can only get better right?



Image Oh So Pretty