Ohhhh I know. I never kept to my promise of getting back to a regular posting schedule. If I am honest, I cannot even say I tried! I have neglected my little space here badly. It is so weird though, because I genuinely miss writing it. So why the blooming heck don’t I just get on with it? Your guess is as good as mine! However, I am here today. I have no less than 3 blog posts almost finished, that are coming your way after this one. But for today, I thought I would do a little catch up post. Get us all up to speed so we can move past this awkwardness together…Grab your cuppa. Random chat coming your way…..
A Little Catch Up on – Our Travels, past, present and future
If you follow me on social media, (yep, I have neglected over there too), then you would know that Nik and I have just returned from Crete. It was our first “proper” holiday since our family holiday to Cape Verde in 2018 . By that, I mean a holiday that you go on to relax on the beach, eat delicious food, read a book and just take life easy. Now, let’s keep it real here. I did travel to Praia Da Luz in Portugal in 2018 with my Mum for 5 days, and Nik and I have had a few wonderful City Breaks, (Sofia, Prague, Budapest) since then. So I promise you, I am not saying for one minute that we have been hard done by. We know we are very fortunate. But a relaxed break with no agenda, a luxury hotel and just doing as we please feels like forever ago!
I will tell you more about Crete, and the absolute corker of a hotel we stayed in, in my next post. But, let me leave you with the knowledge that the week we had was truly magical. It was everything that we needed, and more. We have returned with a head full of new memories, and hearts full of gratitude that we got to have this holiday together. For a long time, throughout Nik’s cancer battle, that seemed like a very remote possibility. How lucky are we x
A blissful week in Crete
We have booked to go to Tallin in late November, early December for a little pre-christmas break. We have wanted to visit Tallin for so long. It looks like such a beautiful, cultural, historic City. Prior to the pandemic, we would go away to a European City the first week of December every year. A little festive joy with Christmas markets always signals the start to Christmas for us. I just love it. It feels so good to make plans to travel again.
Travel posts coming your way - Crete, A Norfolk Staycation, A Lavenham Hotel Stay, A Windsor Staycation
A Little Catch Up on – Life and Home
First thing first in this little catch up, Nik is doing amazing. Since his partial lung removal in January, he has felt well, looks well and is well! Having said that, he is going into hospital this week. However, it is for a good thing. He is having the damage that multiple surgeries has caused in his stomach, repaired. Compared to the surgeries he has had throughout his cancer battle, this is a walk in the park. It also feel symbolic. It feels like finally shutting the door on this terrifying, humbling, perspective bringing chapter of our lives. It’s all good.
A sad thing that we did have recently, was losing our little cat, Purdy. She was only 7. She had stopped eating, and was rapidly losing weight. I took her to the vets, and it turned out she had a huge mass in her tummy. It was attached to vital organs, so inoperable. I was devastated. She came to us a scrawny, terrified little rescue cat, having had a litter of kittens at just 8 months old. She was supposed to be with us as a temporary foster to let her gain trust in people. She never left! She was quirky, vocal, and so very loving. I am missing her terribly, but know she had the best life with us, was loved deeply by us, for 7 years. RIP little Purdy cat.
Sleep tight little Purdy cat
Im pretty sure you will still be able to find the comfiest sleeping place, wherever you are now x
I told you in a previous little catch up post, that our plan is to move to the Countryside when our boys are settled in their lives. We are in no huge rush, (I don’t want the boys to move out yet, not ready for that), but it will happen. A weird side effect of these plans, is that I find my interiors style slowly changing. I think it started with new things I bought for the home. I found myself thinking, “will this go in the new house” whenever I was considering a purchase. This has led to my style gently transitioning from clean lines and simple, to more of a modern, cosy country feel. I am obsessed with neutral tones paired with natural texture and soft colour. Recently, we did a little renovation project on a wooden chest we have had for around 15 years. It is solid wood and great quality, it just didn’t suit our home anymore. After seeking advice from the wonderful community I am lucky to have found on Instagram, we did a little up-cycle. A little prep, a couple of coats of Farrow and Ball paint, new handles and this is what we ended up with. Let me know what you think.
A Little Catch up on….. Work
I feel like this area of my life has changed a lot! I have three jobs, and sometimes, I struggle to keep up with myself! As if I wasn’t the Queen of a planner before, I am now The King, Queen and all of the Princesses of the planner. Every evening, I write out my to-do’s for the next day. Having a list is the only way that I get everything done.
Whist – my brand;
Some of you may know, that after almost 9 years of deliberation, nearly launches, illness and pandemics, I finally launched the brand I had been dreaming of. Whist is my wellbeing home fragrance brand. Somehow, it is already, an entire year old and I just do not know where the time has gone. This first year of owning a product based business, has been the biggest learning curve. Again, I really want to share with you all the pitfalls, lessons and things to avoid should you too be thinking of starting a business. I learnt lessons that would suit any type of business, so I will get around to writing that post. Launching a small business, (in let’s face it, a hugely saturated market), has tested me to the max at times. But, I absolutely love it and am totally in my happy place creating scent. I have always loved working with essential oils, and harnessing the wellbeing benefits that they provide. I have so many plans for Whist, and have a detailed 5 year plan for it. It’s my baby. I spend every day working on it, and consider it my full time job.
Wishlist Escapes – My Travel business
This one is not one I talk about on my socials or blog, ever! Probably never will again, but since we are having a little catch up, you are getting it all! The reason I never talk about it is because I don’t ever want to “sell” to anyone. That is not my vibe. It is pretty obvious that I love travel. It is both mine and Nik’s, (and now our boys), passion. About three years ago I looked into training as a travel agent. I have always booked our travel, and that of my family, so it really appealed to me. Anyway, after much deliberation, I decided to go for it. I was so blooming excited. Then…..our mate C***d hit. It went on the back burner and not much happened with it, (other than lots of training and getting my ABTA etc qualifications), until earlier this year when life opened up again.
Wishlist Escapes is the business name I use for my Independent Travel Agent business. I absolutely love it. I do it for my love of travel, and my love of booking travel. That’s it. I have no desire whatsoever to build a team, build a travel empire, or do anything other than book travel, hotels, events, attraction tickets etc for myself, and other people. It genuinely brings me so much joy and I do not consider it work. So, if ever you want me to see if I can get you a better deal than what you find on a hotel, staycation, trip etc, just give me a shout!
My Facial Business
I now only work one day a week in my treatment room. I still enjoy that one day a week, and I LOVE my clients. However, when we move, I have no desire to start building a client base all over again. So I treat my clients that have been with me years, (some of them 20+ years), and enjoy my one day a week with those I now consider cherished friends. It keeps me in the loop, fulfils my “nurture/carer instinct, and brings me a little steady, regular income. I think my boys were hoping that I would give up beauty altogether as we emerged from the pandemic. Im pretty sure they had measured up my studio, ready to convert into a garden bar…..
Recommendations – Books I have Read
I must admit, I have not read as much as I usually do. Iv been busy! Like the title of this post says, at times I have felt like I had too few fingers, and too many pies! However, I have three corkers that I feel you need to know about. Feel free to pass me any recommendations that you have for me.
I absolutely loved this book. It is about manifestation, but in a much easier to digest way than The Secret. It gives practical steps and advice on manifestation, but that can/should also be implemented into general life! Its a great book and I totally recommend it if you have an interest in this area.
The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
I know I am late to the party with this one, but ohhh what a book! It is about living with regrets, letting go of how you think life should be, and appreciation of just living. It was a book that made my thoughts go in a million different directions. It was a book that ignited many conversations around the dinner table in our house. It was a book that stayed with me, long after I read it. Everyone should read this book. Thats it.
The Lies You Told – Harriet Tyce
If you were a fan of the authors break out book, Blood Orange, then you will enjoy this one. It’s a page turning thriller, that has you guessing. It builds up as the book progresses, feels a little unsettling, then BAM! Hits you between the eyes with the ending. Its a good one!
And Finally…..
That is it really for this little catch up. I know it’s an eclectic, random mix, but hey, we all know that I am a bit that way. I feel that this post draws a line under my missing in action, and I can get back to writing about the useful stuff. Travel, days out inspo, cuppa and a chat posts, hotel stays, recommendations, all of the stuff we used to cover over here. If you have made it until the end of this post, thank you! I appreciate you being here.
Bye for now,
Kerry xx