Haircut 100

 

 I have had a lockdown haircut!

My hairdresser sent me a message on Sunday after the lockdown news to say they would be extending the opening hours to anyone who wanted to use their services before the lockdown.

I have been heading to a one length cut for a while and I decided to go for it.

I am very pleased with the haircut. I went on my day off so it was nice to wear a dress to instead of leggings and this is one of my autumn favourites. 

Taking photos is still a work in progress!

Have a lovely weekend.

Today I wore:

Boots - Marks & Spencer

Dress - Wallis

Belt - TK Maxx

If I Could Turn Back Time

 Today was Tuesday, November 3rd and when I started this blog in 2009, it was also a Tuesday and I wore this outfit.

I loved that top and red is one of my favourite colours.

You can read the post here.

That day I was getting ready for one of my writing projects to be finalised and I was also working as a writer in residence at a men's prison. 

My children were then 9,12,14 and 18.

It was such a busy time - how on earth did she do it?

Today I was teaching most of the day in two different schools - 10 yoga and mindfulness classes in total.

The theme of our sessions was gratitude and I am thankful, that despite the lockdown, the schools still want me - even if I do look like a welder channeling my inner Flashdance vibe.

But today I am also thankful to my 2009 self who was never afraid to pursue projects that made her soul sing.

Here's to the next 11 years, wherever they may take me.

Mindful Monday

 

I spent today editing the 30 videos I made last week for the Mindful Classrooms programme that I have been working on.

At the time of going to press I teach yoga and mindfulness in four local primary schools, working with around 400 children a week, but I keep being asked for more. 

My new programme is a six week scheme of work where the children practise some form of mindfulness for five minutes or less every day.

After five changes of clothes to add variety to the videos I settled on my new favourite jumper from Cos.

I love that shade of blue - it reminds me of Greece, a place I have never been but hope to visit next year.

I wore it with my pre-loved Alexander McQueens from Luxe Collective.

I am back in two schools tomorrow and looking forward to seeing my students - I have really missed them over the half-term. But for how long will schools stay open?

I will take my own advice and enjoy the moments.

See you next time.

I wore:

Shoes: Alexander McQueen

Leggings: Dorothy Perkins

Jumper: Cos

Half Term Holiday Planning

As a yoga teacher my work is divided between teaching adults and children.

During term time I teach yoga and mindfulness in four primary schools, while my adult classes run year round.

Even though I am still teaching  six adults classes a week (in gyms and online),  half term still feels a bit like a holiday when I get the chance to do more of what cooking, writing, gardening and blogging.

Today I am working on plans for the next half-term which  means a halfway house outfit that I can move easily in without looking like I am in my gym gear.

These Dorothy Perkins faux leather leggings are perfect for dressing up or down and sooo easy to move in.
 

Today I wore:

Leggings: Dorothy Perkins

Shoes: Clarks

Vest: Sweaty Betty

Top: Lipsy

Down On The Farm

 

After retiring from Merseyside Police in July 2018, my husband took a while to find his new vocation.

July was a busy month that year with the wedding of our son, but as the summer led to autumn and a stint delivering prescriptions for a local pharmacy became a little dull, he decided to switch part time jobs and became a delivery driver for Majestic. Although the discount came in handy for his red wine habit, he still failed to find a post that scratched that public service itch.

By the following autumn he decided to try something new and took a post as a teaching assistant to a troubled young man at a nearby school. Sadly, funding ran out but he decided to search around the education sector. 

And then last January a new job appeared at a local farm which is a day centre for adults with learning disabilities.

 He was interviewed in the children's section of a local library by a man sat astride a toadstool while a rehearsal of Dad's Army was going on in the next room. But reader, he got the job and he couldn't be happier. A contract of 20 hours a week means lots of time left to pursue his love of walking and birdwatching but he often helps out in the art room and on the farm.

As the farm is located just a few miles up the road I often accompany him to help with animal feeding duties and during lockdown I filmed a few relaxation and yoga videos for the clients so they could keep in contact while they were at home. Happily, everyone is back now and it's happy days.

My favourite time of year was Spring at Bridge Inn Farm.

Every four weeks it's his job to take care of the animals over the weekend which is where I took these photographs and where I get to see my favourite pig, Pebbles who featured in the video.

It's been almost a year now and over two years since he left the police but his new job is just a dream.

And I can wear my new dress with wellies!

I wore:

Boots - Hunter and Marks & Spencer

Dress; Anthropologie from eBay

Coat: Trespass

Hat: Lipsy

Wet Weekend

 

Just about got these photos taken before the rain came and it didn't stop for most of the day.

I have only got a small space in my wardrobe so I rotate my clothes each season and always get a shock when I discover some old favourites.

This denim shirt is about 7 years old and the boots about similar.

Today was a day of shopping, errands, foraging for pine cones for my daughter's Halloween display and charity shop book finds.

As Liverpool were playing and my husband and sons watching the match I snuggled down in my favourite chair with a great book and glass or 3 of red wine.

I wore:

Ankle Boots - Marks & Spencer

Leggings - Next

Vest - Next

Shirt - Top Sop

eBay Hunter

 

During the lockdown I kept myself amused by trawling the BNWT section of eBay for anything in my size that I liked the look of but it had to be under £5.

These DKNY trousers caught my eye and the thrill I got for a £2.18 win was such a big one.

They fit perfectly and as I'm only 5ft 1in I expect that is the reason they were for sale.

I love the pockets and sporty stripy side panel.

After  my morning workout, I walked to my appointment to get my toe nails painted - an important part of my work when my toes are on show. As its my day off teaching I mooched around the shops, completed 10,000 steps and came home to potter, blog and plan some more.

But before I pop off to deliver some books to my local little library I wanted a close up of this top. 

I've had it almost 10 years and is probably my favourite top of all time. I just love the detail, the shape of the neckline and its so light to wear and wash. 

I hope you have a lovely day.

Today I wore:

DKNY Trousers from eBay

Top from a local charity shop

Shoes - Clarks - this season.