Be Here, Now

Beautiful sky on a cold summer's evening: Leeds festival 2011

Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.  

Thích Nhất Hạnh 

The sun sets eaach night and rises each morning; each day is a new beginning. We all have memories of special days in our lives, yet how much do we appreciate the normal run-of-the-mill days? We spend so much of our lives looking to the future or to the past. Could the secret to finding peace and contentment be in valuing the normal days and finding beauty and enjoyment in the everyday? 

You know those mundane days when nothing much happens or changes? Those are the days to truly cherish. 

Just a simple thought for you today.
Keep well xo

Just Chill

YESTERYEAR WHEN I WAS finding life tough, my husband kindly wrote me a list of quick stress busters. They were all simple things but his list was a useful reference and each one helped me to feel better. 

Sometimes you just need to perform a simple action to change your mood and perspective on things. You can't always change the situation you find yourself in but you can change how you react to it. And sometimes it helps just knowing that someone cares. Here's the list:

Quick stress busters

1. Take some deep breaths.
2. Take some gentle exercise.
3. Have a bath.
4. Count back from 20.
5. Relax your muscles.
6. Check your posture.
7. Cut your to-do list.
8. Make yourself a nice drink.
9. Take a break or walk away.
10. Plan something rewarding for the end of your day.
11. Chat to a friend.
12. Laugh.
13. Play some favourite music.
14. Think positively.
15. Hug someone or something.
16. Imagine a relaxing place.

My favourite is the last one. In my head I like to return to Ibiza and chill out. Just a wannabe hippy at heart!

Which relaxing place do you like to visit in your head? Do you have any favourite ways to rewind?

52 Weeks of Happy (6/52)

HELLO AND WELCOME to week six of this project - well, OK I've only done five. Started by Jen, the aim is to share four happy things each week. 

Come take a look ...

Happy for me:

♥ owl of cuteness quickly sketched by my youngest 

♥ still loving my Autumn walks 

♥ tiny clementines from my Mum (keeping me healthy)

♥ bedtime and my oh-so-snuggly nightshirt

Feeling blessed, despite a tough week.

Hope this week brings you a little happiness. 

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama

Minimalist Monday: Running

Running has been my main form of exercise since I was a teenager. I have tried swimming, yoga and exercise classes but running is the exercise that I always return to. This is because, for me, running is the ultimate minimalist exercise. Minimalism is, in my opinion, about less: owning less and having less commitments and distractions in order to live a more meaningful life. Running fits in with this lifestyle.

10 Reasons Why Running is the Ultimate Minimalist Exercise:

1.  It's flexible. Running is easy to fit into your schedule because you can go for a run at any time of day to suit you. You are not subject to complicated timetables and cancelled classes. You can run anywhere even if you are away from home.
2.  It's eco-friendly. Unlike the use of high-tech gyms, running outside does not require any heating costs or use any electricity.
3.  Running makes you feel happy and improves mental tenacity. Running releases endorphins which gives you that feeling known as runner's high, a feeling of exhilaration. Also, running can be challenging at times (running through wind, rain and up hills) so it can help build up determination and resilience which you can use in other areas of your life.
4. It requires little equipment. A decent pair of running shoes, some high visibility clothing for running in the dark and a sports bra for women will be all the specialist items that you need to buy. You can run in cheap old sports clothes, hardly anyone will see you. Running requires very little set up costs with no joining or membership fee.
5.  Running doesn't have to be competitive. You don't have to enter races, you can run with others or alone to suit you. If you run alone, just make sure you take your phone or let someone know your route.
6.  Running takes up less time than other types of exercise. You don't need to drive anywhere to take part, simply leave your front door. A short 20 minute run, followed by a quick shower can give you essential exercise without taking up too much of your day.
7.  Running is tranquil. In our busy lives running provides an opportunity to get outside, away from the house, the car and the office. Even if you don't have countryside close by you should be able to find a park to run around somewhere nearby. Connecting with nature can be a great stress relief.
8. Running outside can help look after your eyes. Looking into the distance whist running can help relax your eyes - great if you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen. 
9.  Running is meditative. A rhythmic pace can enable your body to experience what psychologists call flow, a state where mind and body work in unison to create a sense of calm and well-being. This is great for relieving anxiety and is why you often feel more energised and positive after a run.
10.  Running is a great for all round health. You can get so many health benefits from running such as weight loss, stronger muscles and bones, lowered cholesterol, reduced risk of heart disease, strengthened immune system and improved co-ordination. All in one simple exercise.

So, if you've lost your exercise mojo why not give running a try?

 Photo, taken at the Great North Run 2006 - I'm in that shot somewhere! 

Keeping Sunday Simple: November

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. 

          John Steinbeck 

Taking some time to stop, stare and enjoy the changing season: 
Azure skies showcase bare branches ablaze with berries. 

Have you managed to keep your Sunday simple? 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend xo

Start a Gratitude Journal

SOMETHING I'VE BEEN MEANING to begin for months.
A gratitude journal. A simple way to feel good about your life and beat the blues. Each day I shall write about five things that I am grateful for .

It will be ...

◊ handwritten
◊ a simple diary
◊ personal 
◊ a way of keeping things in perspective
◊ a discipline
◊ a study of what constitutes happiness
◊ a record of happy times spent with family and friends
◊ a record of special days
◊ a way of finding optimism on difficult days
◊ an appreciation of simple pleasures

My gratitude diary will be private but I will let you know how I get on.

What about you? Have you ever kept a handwritten diary or gratitude journal?

Just a little help

FLASHBACK TO 2010 and my monthly food shopping fluctuated wildly. I owned one fridge-freezer, a separate freezer and separate fridge and a walk in pantry. I cooked little from scratch and I regularly couldn't think what to dish up each evening. 

Over the last two years I have gradually calmed my reckless habits. I shop once or twice a week and spend a consistent amount of money. I have a monthly food budget and I stick to it. Menu planning and keeping a spending diary keep me on track. I now own one fridge-freezer and quite often there is space in my kitchen cupboards. I cook from scratch and spend less time panicking about what to cook each day. Shopping list and recycled bags in hand I approach the supermarket ready to battle.

I used to insist on only frequenting nice shops; ambling up and down the aisles imagining I was Nigella having a busy day. Now I shop in four-letter word supermarkets and online to avoid distractions. I'm not loyal to any one store or any particular brand. If there's a decent coupon or offer at hand I'll venture anywhere.

Talking of coupons/vouchers. I went online yesterday to check out my unused Tesco clubcard vouchers, in readiness to exchange them for restaurant reward vouchers, and made a new discovery. After logging in and going to 'My account' and then 'My vouchers' on the sidebar I spotted 'My statement coupons' directly underneath. One click and I had unearthed fifteen unused coupons sent to me in the last six months, including four vouchers to save £22 over the next three months if spending over £50 at a time (in store or on line). I swiftly completed an online order to said supermarket. 

Not bad – eh? Meal vouchers on their way for Café Rouge and money off my shopping for the next few months. 

What are your shopping habits/tips? It would be lovely to hear from you.

Happy Friday xo

Image source here

Signature Style

As a wannabe minimalist I am trying to edit down my clothes to a point where I own just enough pieces that I like and wear often. Over the last two years I have pared down my clothes collection to a point where my entire clothes collection, including shoes, bags and accessories, fit into my half of the wardrobe and chest of drawers (hubby and I have exactly half the wardrobe and chest of drawer space). I have previously posted about how to get started with editing your clothes collection see here for some tips. 

For me, the benefits of a small functional wardrobe far outweigh the tempting lure of gorgeous new garments. However, I enjoy clothes and fashion and believe that feeling good about my appearance makes me more confident. Therefore, I want to develop a clothes collection that suits me; what fashionistas sometimes call a signature style: a style that doesn't slavishly follow trends but reflects an individual's personality. Finding your signature style is about knowing that boot fit jeans look better on you than skinnies; that you feel fabulous in ballet pumps but ridiculous in heels; it's having the confidence to wear pearls in your twenties as well as in your seventies. Ultimately, it's about choosing clothes that compliment your personality as well as your body shape and colouring.

Still not sure what suits you or what your signature style might be?

Here are my suggestions:

• Only wear clothes that make you feel comfortable.
• Edit out clothes that are uncomfortable, feel cheap, or make you feel fat or frumpy.
• It doesn't matter how much or little an item cost, if it looks good wear it more often.
• Choose items that accentuate your best features and distract eyes from your worst.
• Don't save your favourite clothes for special occasions. Wear these items more often. 
• People watch: if someone has a style you admire, study how they put their look together and try a similar look.
• Browse magazines from time to time to keep up to date with new trends. You don't have to buy new clothes, you might already own something similar.
• Got a celebrity girl/boy crush? What's their style? Could you put a similar look together?
• Shop for clothes in charity shops where the look isn't so homogeneous. 
• Think back to what you wore when you were a teenager or student. Is there a more grown up version of that look around?
• Find out where stylish people shop. Follow them (discreetly) into shops you might not have been into before.
• Choose a statement piece, it doesn't have to be expensive. A striking ring or handbag could enliven your look.
• Make your look individual with accessories. You can be braver and take more risks with accessories because they are cheaper and take up less space.
• Experiment. Try different combinations of items you own.
• A good haircut can be your signature style, as can a beautiful pair of shoes or well-cut coat.

This may all sound a bit frivolous. But finding your signature look can be liberating: you will need less clothes, you won't be at a loss as to what to wear; you'll feel happier and more comfortable and it'll be one less thing to worry about.

Oh, I almost forgot, my signature look... Well, this tunic above (charity shop find in a well-heeled area) over leggings or skinny jeans with boots (flat or slight heel) always make me feel good. Add an owl pendant (also charity shop sourced) and I'm done.

Got any wardrobe tips or experiences? (good, bad or ugly)

Please share xo