This week I have been

This week I have been 

Tired, busy, smiling. On repeat.

I’m finding the transition from Summer to Autumn a little harder than expected. It just seems to have hit hard over night. How are you finding it? I’ve definitely struggled to wake in a morning. I’ve even hit the snooze button which is not like me. And then I realised, I need to kick back in with my training, my morning sessions really do make all the difference. They give me the boost I need at this time of year.

Life is really busy right now, which is why my training has stopped. I’m going to change that, readdress the balance. I’m going to give myself the weekend to switch things up. To remove summer and replace it with Autumn. To carve out some order. I am going to welcome Autumn and embrace all that comes with it. Cosy Sunday afternoons really are my favourite thing about Autumn.

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And so, this week I have been:

Watching

Our gorgeous George in his first cross country race of the new School year. He is a superstar. Last year he took part towards the end of the year, found a real passion for running and couldn’t wait to try out again. He made the Y5 team which is actually a whole year up for him. Oh my goodness my heart was in my mouth. He ran against 42 boys and placed 5th. I’m a proud sports mum. How amazing is that? It was like watching the Olympics, he paced himself after watching the previous 3 races which we haven’t seen him do before. It was a new approach that worked for him but gosh it worried us and his running coach. As he approached the last stretch we watched in awe as he took over each child one by one, there must have been twenty children he overtook. I’m a proud sports mum.

 

 

Writing

Although I missed writing this post last week, I have managed to update the blog a couple of times on some content I’ve wanted to share since our trip to Florida. As there was so much planning that went into it – I always knew that I wanted to use this online space to share some tips. And so I’ve written about our experience of the Early Morning Magic at Toy Story Land as well as 10 Travel Tips for visiting Florida.

 

Instagramming

I’ve enjoyed sharing some of my favourite street art in my stories from local spots. I started to notice more and more painted walls appearing and then realised that they are part of an initiative. The Stoke-on-Trent City Business Improvement District (BID) involves 436 businesses. They teamed up with the YMCA and Entrepreneurs Network – a gallery and print shop in Hanley – to tap into the area’s creative talents. They are brilliant.

 

 

Capturing

A day out with friends in Manchester. Which of course involved street art, cocktails and amazing views of the skyline from 20 Stories. As well as a couple of outfits shots, because you know I’m always thinking of the gram. And of course a selfie with my beau, because that rarely happens. I said this on Instagram last week, it’s so important to take some time out. Just a few hours together as me and him. Switch up the conversation, hold hands, drinking cocktail and of course good food with friends. We always miss our boy but I guess that makes the phone call before bed and morning cuddles all the more exciting.

 

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Thinking ahead

We are starting to think about Chirstmas. About what we’d like to book in the diary. I’m already so excited about the first weekend when we decorate the house. And of course the weekend in November when we pop on our boots and head into the Christmas Tree Farm to pick out our trees. Both traditions we’ve followed since we moved into our house almost 12 years ago. And then there’s all the days out. We plan one event for each weekend – oh I am started to feel a little excited. Especially for the glow of twinkling lights all through the house. Do you have any festive traditions?

 

And lastly, as I mentioned in my last weekly round up I was a little shocked by the BiBs announcement and only found out by some blogging friends telling me. To be a finalist in the photography category is pretty great – actually just being nominated let alone a finalist is awesome. So thanks. Thank you very much. So I guess there’s only one thing left to say (inserts cringe emoji) – if you’d like to vote for me then you can do so here. You’ll also be able to see a few others you know in other the categories that you might like to cast a vote for as well.

Have  great weekend and week ahead.