Category Archives: fitness and exercise

Summer Vibes

Posted in fitness and exercise, interiors, out and about, outside spaces by

Welcome or welcome back as I should say as it has been a while since I was last acquainted with my blog!  I guess sometimes no matter how gung-ho you are about a new venture (my blog in this case) and promise yourself you are going to keep the new routine going – some times life just gets in the way …………. and so I have been living – well working and living, doing the things I enjoy ….. and taking time to go on holiday:)

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Last month we had such a special holiday in the Scilly Isles.  For some years I had been thinking about booking a swim activity holiday but for reasons unknown even to myself had stalled on the idea,  but this year I just decided to go ahead and book it, because life is too short and I knew that I would live to regret it if I didn’t ever get around to challenging myself and hopefully having a great experience to remember.  I heard a saying recently ‘pure joy is on the other side of fear’ and this resonated with me – I hoped I would have this feeling once I had conquered riding with the waves – as I had not been sea swimming since I was a child.   I had also been hankering after visiting the Scilly Isles for some time – so why not combine the two!  This was all the reason I needed to up my swim training in the pool and by the time the holiday arrived I felt ready for the challenge with some trepidation.  The Scilly Isles sit to the south west of Cornwall and takes a 2 and a half hour ferry ride, or there is a small plane if you are not one for boats.  It is certainly not easy to get to and maybe that is what makes them so special.  It is like taking a trip back in time.  There are 140 islands altogether but only 5 are inhabited – with only the main island of St Mary’s having any kind of transport system.

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This is the path from our hotel to the beach – we swam back from the island you can see to the left of the photo

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Of course I had to take some photos of the pebbles whilst I was there!

We stayed on the isle of St Martins in a luxury hotel perched right on the beach with a small group of like minded people and just had such a wonderful time swimming between islands, along bays, being driven by our own private speed boats to deserted islands for picnic lunch and then swimming to one of the other islands.  The water was cold but manageable in a wetsuit and was just so amazingly clear – we swam through seaweed and seagrasses which would normally freak me out a little but because we could see everything it just felt amazing.   On our last swim we headed out to the eastern isles to visit the seals and jumped into the water and bobbed along with them – just amazing!

Our guides were amazing hosts who stayed with us the whole time and organised for us to attend a comedy night on the island and also introduced us to the local jeweller on the island – just a small cottage that opens for a few hours a day – the jewellery is influenced by the surroundings and so there are charms of seashells, urchins, starfish, fishing boats etc.  However what caught my eye were the pebblestone charms (of course given the name of my blog!) Hubby bought me some of the earrings in advance for my birthday which I am not allowed to have yet!, but what really caught my eye was the ring.

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It was on display in silver – but all the rings I wear are gold – and so after great deliberation i decided to order one – and it has just arrived!!  I am so pleased with it – I will wear it all the time and will always be reminded of the special holiday we spent on the Isles of Scilly.

 

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Whilst I was away I read a book – something I never normally have time for – a kind of self help book called Life Tonic by Jodie Shields who I have started following on Instagram.  It was such a pleasure to read – it is all about opening up to positivity and coming to terms with things that may have happened in your past and how Meditation can help you to restore more of an equlibium in your life.  I can’t say I have settled into a formal routine of meditation but I am definitely hoping to start practising on a regular basis and am feeling a positive happy chilled summer vibe.

How does this chilled summer vibe translate into my love of interiors?  Over the past few months I have been taking some inspiration from Instagram and have started following some vintage/bohemian sites.  I just love the way the style evolves over time and enjoys a mix of old and new with lots of comfy cosy places to rest and with lots of plants thrown into the mix the whole vibe just makes for relaxed times.  You may remember that some time back I began searching for a mid-century style bookcase for my new office space.  As yet I haven’t been able to find what I am looking for, but that is all part of the fun – the searching, the browsing in vintage and second hand shops.  I know I will get there eventually……….

 

 

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A selection of boho inspired rooms I have been drooling over on Google Images

 

Until next time…………………….

 

 

Homely Cosiness

Posted in fitness and exercise, interiors by

Welcome, Here in the UK we have just endured a really cold spell of weather – waking up to harsh frosts each morning and the much berated defrosting of the car before starting out on our morning journeys.  However I am now trying to embrace these cold winter days – there is something to be said in the comfort of drawing the curtains or blinds in the late afternoon, shutting out the cold dark evenings and enjoying the ritual of lighting some candles and snuggling down on the sofa for the evening after changing into some comfy clothes and settling down with a nice warming drink and soft cushions and blankets.

The Danish term ‘Hygge’ has been much written about and its concept is being embraced by folk all around as we seek refuge from the daily grind of of work and commitments and teaches us to enjoy the moment spent in good company; to feel content and at ease.  It is about bringing a sense of balance and calm into your life.

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Candles are a relatively inexpensive way to bring around a sense of relaxed atmosphere into the home – their light is soft and soothing and a good scented one can give off a warming cacooning aroma that fills the house and makes for a relaxing atmosphere.  I love to burn the Winter candle by the White Company during the winter months.  It is infused with cinnamon, clove and orange and literally burns for hours.  It is also more soothing to have small pools of light to complement the candles – turn the overhead light off or have on a dimmer and have glowing lamps dotted around the house.  Make your surroundings homely with personal photographs and souvenirs and piles of cosy blankets and cushions.  Hanging out together in the kitchen is at the core of the ethos of Hygge.  Maybe drinking some wine whilst pitching in and making a meal with your loved ones and then sharing the fruits of your labour whilst enjoying each other’s company – this is the best way to keep those chilly nights at bay.  Indulge in some home cooking – a hearty warming homemade soup paired with some crusty bread is perfect for a weekend meal.

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Some of my favourite Hygge images from the internet:

 

Of course to balance the snuggly cosy feelings of Hygge – it is also important to get outside and on a crisp sunny winter’s morning there is nothing better to get out for a good long walk to make the most of the rays of sunshine that are all too few and far between at this time of year.  Maybe the walk could even finish at a favourite country pub with Sunday lunch in front of a roaring fire!  After a bit of a lull I have started getting out for a run again and am enjoying the cold crisp weather especially when I know there is a nice bowl of hot porridge waiting for me at the end.  Here are some photos from a recent run – the frost makes everything look magical.

 

Of course, as much as most people I am looking forward to the first signs of Spring but with a positive outlook winter does not have to be something to be endured – we must make the most of each season enjoy the nuances of each one – so here’s to a happy Hygge:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

Posted in fitness and exercise, interiors, out and about by

Welcome

If you are anything like me, I’m sure you will agree that the last few weeks have passed by in a flash – it certainly feels like we have enjoyed a good summer this year, despite all that rain throughout June!  I feel guilty that I haven’t updated the blog in a while, but I found that what with working full time, and getting out and about during the weekends, I was getting very little time to write my blog….. and this began stressing me out, which is not supposed to be the idea, when I started the blog I wanted it to be a fun hobby……. and so I decided to put it on the back burner for a few weeks and enjoy my summer, and now as Autumn approaches hopefully I will get fired up with enthusiasm for it again:)

You may be wondering what has been taking up my blog writing time, so I just thought I would take a few sentences to let you know what I have been up to – and my plans for the coming months.  Well, there have been several trips out on our tandem bike, great rides on sunny days, through straw coloured fields with white fluffy clouds above, the breeze on my face and feeling like I don’t have a care in the world, just great!   A weekend in Norfolk visiting the National Trust’s Blinkling Estate and taking part in a 40 mile Tour de Broads bike ride.

Time catching up with old friends, visiting London to watch the Proms – a new experience for me – and also to visit the V&A museum for their ‘Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear’ exhibition.

I have to say that after some rather humid, sticky weeks in the office I am rather looking forward to Autumn – it is my favourite time of year – well, it is my birthday month after all!  I just love the warmer range of colours from ochres, through to forest greens and burgandys both in clothing and interiors – the touch of a scarf around the neck, the feel of faux fur and the comforting effect of pulling on your trusted old cardigan.  I love the smells of autumn with its woody, earthy scents. I still have a feeling like September is the beginning of a new term, full of new opportunities and possibilities.  For me this year it will mean a new job – an internal move but working within a legal property department – not exactly interiors – but that’s ok, as I find all things property endlessly fascinating:)Image result for next autumn interiors

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Our other exciting news is that we are getting a puppy!  Last Christmas our beloved cocker IMG_1764spaniel, Lilly, passed away very suddenly and the whole family was distraught.  We needed some breathing space  to grieve and remember her; for us life without a dog is not complete, and we feel the time has now arrived for us to welcome another bundle of joy.  So Poppy will be joining us towards the end of the month after our holiday.   We now have a few weeks to make the house ‘puppy proof’ – I have a feeling my nice new kitchen chairs will have to be packed away for a while!

 

In other news I am making plans to decorate my ‘snug’ – this has been a while coming – I was hoping to start this straight after we decorated the kitchen, but time and cash constraints have meant it being postponed – but I am looking forward to sharing my plans with you over the coming weeks – a word of warning – I am going dark!

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Farrow & Ball ‘Plummet’

Finally, I have been inspired over the summer by the recent phenonenum here in the UK who is Joe Wicks or ‘The Body Coach’.  If you follow social media you won’t be able to miss him and he even has a TV show.  I am inspired by his healthy eating and HIIT exercise regimes and will start in earnest when I return from my holiday as I need to fit back into my jeans before the winter!

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Well, that is a round-up of my summer, I hope to start writing more regularly once again so see you back here again soon:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to my blog!

Posted in fashion and style, fitness and exercise, interiors, music to the ears, out and about by

 

I have been planning writing this blog in my mind for so long I can’t believe I am actually here!  My name is Annette and  I am passionate about visual imagery and interiors; particularly how our living spaces can make us feel; the psychology that our surrounding spaces have on us – whether they make us feel energised or conversely relaxed and calm. Maybe if we have a lot of outstanding DIY to undertake our homes can make us feel stressed and despondent.

So I have decided to start a blog all about this subject, fuelled on by my recent graduation and diploma from the on-line course with the interior design institute.  I am now looking forward to pulling together cohesive schemes for my interiors. My areas of particular interest are organising schemes that give flow and harmony to rooms whether that be from the colours used – through to fabrics, furnishings and accessories. I have just commenced the interior design institute’s advanced module in home styling which will further enhance my understanding of how to pull schemes together which is particularly useful for when you may wish to sell your home.

Along with my love of interiors the other main passion in my life is exercise and fitness.  I believe that exercise is as good for a person’s mental wellbeing as for their physical state.   I honestly can’t remember ever coming back from a training session wishing that I had stayed under the covers or settled down on the sofa.  As soon as the blood starts pumping and the adrenaline kicks in I just get a buzz.  I indulge in the gym, aerobics, body balance (mix of yoga, pilates and tai chi), swimming and running and I am the first to admit that I am not the fastest or most supple, but I enjoy what I do and I think that is what counts – when the music on my ipod gets me through a mega session on the cross-trainer and in my mind I am in the middle of a club with disco balls shining!  So I will have a category for fitness; what I am up to and any events going on.

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As you can see from above music plays a big part in my life.  From around the age of 10 I have listened to the radio and don’t feel right if I don’t have a soundtrack playing in the background.  Of course there were some great songs and artists when we were growing up in the 60s, 70s and 80s but on this blog I would like mainly to concentrate on some of the great current artists shining through which I think are worth sharing.

Another of my categories for the blog will be everything fashion and style – I do love to shop!  Although like most of us I do have to reign it in  but there is no harm in dreaming about that £600 Mulberry handbag!

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Along the way I am sure I have had many fashion disasters, but like to think that now, at shall we say a more mature age, I have managed to find ‘my style’, although it has to be said I am still partial to a touch of leopard print!

 

I shall also be documenting holidays and days out and about.  I enjoy nothing better than a day out in London going to visit an exhibition or gallery, just soaking up the history and culture.  I recently visited the V&A Museum to see Shoes – Pleasure and Pain – which was an invaluable insight into shoes throughout the ages.  I am also a member of the National Trust and get a real sense of nostalgia when looking around their historical buildings as well as a sense of paying my part for the upkeep of our outstanding British heritage.

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Wimpole Estate

So here we are, a quick overview of the essence of my blog.  I hope you will enjoy reading it and pick up a few tips along the way!  I am hoping to blog on a weekly basis, maybe more if I have been particularly busy!  So until next time…………….