The Garden Sessions #1

When I first found out about my furlough from work I had great plans, I was going to bake loads, I was going to do a different online course every single day and get up early to do Yoga every morning.

Fast forward a few weeks and I've largely watched Netflix and emptied my buscuit supply.

I did start the Curly Girl Method on my hair so I'll give myself productivity points for that! 💪

I decided today with some encourgement from my boyfriend to hit up the garden with a deckchair.  The wifi works out the front under my bedroom window so I can listen to Disney songs through my earphones and footer about to my hearts content until my laptop loses power or I succumb to Springtime sunburn. Combining vitamind D and fresh air with a bit of creativity. 

I don't know how often I'll feel the urge but I figured it might be fun to use the garden as a bit of a Staycation.  

I can read, I can listen to a podcast, I can write. Provided the old man isn't cutting the grass or one of the neighbours we share with isn't also the garden, it can be my creative spot for the next wee while.

It's actually quite peaceful out here, although anyone in their garden who can hear me typing may disagree! 

I'll confess to very rarely taking time to pay attention to nature, so far this afternoon I've enjoyed spotting a butterfly and a robin - both of which were too fast for me to get a photo of but maybe thats not such a bad thing, I see too many things through the lense of my phone. 

Today's Garden Session

I'm listening to: A generic Dayly Spotify Playlist - lots of Disney and randomly S club 7, I'm guessing that will be the result of looking for Reach a few weeks ago! 

I'm reading:

Nothing today - just scrolling. 

Today's training:

Found a really cool video on Skillshare explaining the difference between American and British Spongecakes and how to get the technique right. 

Today I'm bingewatching:

Community, though technically I was binge watching series one yesterday

Today's Shoes:

Todays Outfit: 

Messy hair and messy background - might talk mum into helping me with a Garden photo next time haha.

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What I learned about myself in 2019

Around this time of year I have a tendancy to feel self-depracating and make a list of things that I feel I need to change about myself in order to be the best me I can be, tick all the right boxes and meet the societal standards of my every day surroundings. 

I decided a few years ago that this nonsensical notion was counterproductive and have now decided that instead of thinking how I will change myself for the year ahead, I will spend this time reflecting on what I've learned about who I am. 

Yes, I know I'm a 30 year old woman but anyone who tells you they have all their ducks in a row in order of date of birth, know exactly who they are, what they want and have the secret to obtaining/maintaining it, is either extremely lucky or talking rubbish. 

In the spirit of reflection, here is what I've learned about myself in 2019. 

I let the big things go, not the little ones.

I let a lot of things go, sometimes big things that I should really call others out on and I'm far more likely to lose my cool over something tiny and trivial. 

I'm not suggesting I should spend 2020 with a projector and screen waiting for the right moment to pounce on someone with all the reasons why I'm justified in being annoyed with them, but I should maybe speak my mind a little more when its merited, instead of storing it up and getting to breaking point over something that doesn't matter. 

When others don't like me, I don't care as much as I thought I would

I've spent a lot of my teenage and early 20s agonising over the thought of not being liked.  Today, I'm not massively fussed. I won't be everyone's cup of tea - all that matters is they don't complain that there is coffee on the menu. 

Earlier in the year, I changed my hair. In the grand scheme of Rachie hair, it was tame but for those who haven't known me long enough, it probably seemed drastic.  I overheard a conversation I wasn't intended to (humans by default aren't as discreet or subtle as they try to be, or in some cases don't)

"Do you like her hair?"

"I like it about as much as I like her"

A few years ago that would have stung, particularly coming from someone I find quite funny and engaging.
I didn't bother me in the slightest, zero fluffy ducks were given.
I'll remember it, but it won't influence how I behave or my opinion of them. 

My mood is easily influenced by the mood of others

It may be the same for everyone and is something I should have realised about myself before but it really hit me this year. 

If I'm around people with a negative mindset (usually in a confined environment like an office), constantly focussing on the negative, it's detrimental to both my mindset and my wellbeing.  The thing to do in those instances isn't always to interject with positivity and sunshine (sometimes it is) sometimes the thing to do is to remove myself from the situation. I find headphones, a change or scenery or a change of focus can help. 

I don't totally hate coffee

Okay, I still kind of do in the sense that I don't like the taste of coffee.  I did discover that I like flavoured coffee.
This probably doesn't count!

So, what about 2020?

I have a rough idea of the direction I'd like 2020 to head in and some items I'd like to tick off a metaphorical list.

Here's to the journey, hopefully I remember to put something on my blog before this time next year! 

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Quirky and 30: Camping

I've been camping before but only for a few days.
About 8 weeks ago I agreed to step completely out of my comfort zone and partake in a week long camping holiday. 

I'm really more of an indoors kind of girl so the idea of sleeping outside for the whole week was a little daunting. 

I'd be lying if I said the whole week was entirely up my street, I have a pollen allergy, I hate dirt and like my home comforts but I did enjoy my time camping. 

I learned a few lessons about myself on that holiday which have been useful since I came back:

1. Being a light sleeper isn't the worst thing in the world, it's annoying at home when I have work to be up for in the morning but when you are in the middle of a field and are woken by the sound of a barking dog or someone coming back from the toilet, it doesn't really matter. 

2. There is plenty to enjoy that doesn't come from a screen.  Yes I had my phone with me, was able to charge it and could keep in touch with friends and family but in all honesty, if I hadn't been able to charge it, it wouldn't have been the end of the world. There was plenty to see and do nearby. I'm trying to disengage with my phone a bit more, so I don't miss out on the beauty near home.

3. You can make whatever environment you are in one that feels like you belong there. We put lots of nice quirky touches to our tent, particularly things like lighting, throws and blankets my sister in law had loaned to us to make it look like a nice living space for the week and one that reflected a space which felt familiar and comfortable. 

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Loving the Crap Out Of...#1

I've done a few 'Favourites' posts in the past which weren't spectacular but that's because I was trying to write what I thought a favourites post should look like based on ones I'd read on other blogs. 

That's not me and it's not my blog so from here on out, no more feeble attempts at monthly favourites. 

What I will do sometimes is a round up of things I'm 'Loving the Crap Out Of' at that particular moment in time. 

Any products mentioned below are not gifted, no brands I've mentioned have sponsored me to mention them, I'm just presently loving the crap out of the stuff below and thought I'd share it in case you love the crap out of it too! 

Mixx Audio Headphones

I'm loving the crap out of my Mermaid Mixx Audio headphones right now. I bought a marble pair for my dad (primarily for selfish reasons - I couldn't be bothered listening to the radio programme he listens to on a Saturday morning) and decided to pick myself up a pair too.  You can plug them in or go wireless and connect to a phone or device with bluetooth. Podcasts,, Music, Meditation, deterrent to chatty strangers when I'm tired - all possible. Majorly improved my morning journey to work! 

Chocolate Oatly

Can I just talk for a minute about how I'm loving the crap out of Chocolate Oatly? I enjoy Oatly in general (Orange and Mango is also the shiznit). It's tasty and super versatile. 
Heat it up for a super chocolatey hot chocolate or freeze it for a super chocolatey ice lolly - see mine above!
I've also found that pouring it over cereal is a game changer! 

Owl Backpack

Found this a few weeks ago in a shop on holiday. Couldn't tell you what the brand is, all i know is I had to have it and am presently loving the crap out of carrying my lunch and keys to work in it! 

Irregular Choice Trainers

I have quite a few pairs of Irregular Choice but this is my first pair of trainers. I love the two different designs on them and I think the floral and the polka dots go well together without being too busy! It also helps that they are super comfy! 

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Quirky and 30: Late Night Excursions

Star Gazing

During my camping holiday this year, my boyfriend and I decided to do a bit of stargazing. 

We left our campsite when it started to get dark and drove to a nearby dark sky spot with some marshmallows and our camping chairs.  The sun took a while to set but once it did we began look up at all the stars in the sky.  I've obviously seen stars in my 30 years on the planet but never so clearly or so many at once so it was a really cool moment! 

Also marshmallows and strawberry laces by the side of the road taste amazing! 

Sunset Walk

Another evening, we left the campsite again to go for a walk and this time James picked a nice cliff top walk above a beach just as a the sun was setting. 

Looking back it was lovely, at the time I was a tiny bit freaked out by the overgrown walkway to the cliff top and the nosy cows (literal cows, I'm not being derogatory)in the field we passed by deciding to walk in our direction.

We got some lovely pictures of the sunset and then headed back to the campsite. 

Both of these were different experiences for me, normally at 10pm I'm thinking about pjs, netflix and sleep not sticking on my shoes and hoodie for an excursion! 

30 Things Total: 8

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Quirky and 30: Kayaking

It's no secret that I'm fairly inactive, I'm not very outdoorsy or sporty but when I went camping last week I decided to indulge my boyfriend in his request to do something active.  We opted for kayaking and despite being apprehensive I ended up loving it!

I struggled for the first 5 minutes or so, crashed into James' kayak quite a few times and couldn't quite get the hang of how I was supposed to hold the oar, after a quick lesson from James (despite the centre we went to already giving me instructions) I began to get the hang of it!

We probably did about an hour and a half and for someone who does very little voluntary exercise besides walking I coped pretty well, I could feel it in my arms and my butt but other than that I wasn't completely dying!

I may even explore the possibility of doing it again closer to home.

If you've never tried kayaking I'd thoroughly recommend it. 

Rachie's Tips for a Fellow Novice

Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind getting wet
Bring a change of clothes for after

If it's a sunny day - wear sunscreen.
I got a bit of sunburn because I'm an idiot and forgot!

Take your time, enjoy, and don't worry if it takes a bit of getting used to!

30 Things Total: 6

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Quirky and 30: Vintage Makeover

Although I'm into all things quirky, when it comes to my hair and I'm fairy low maintenance. 

I do get my hair dyed in quirky colours from time to time but for the most part I let it grow out until I can be bothered getting my roots done.  I'm not great at styling so I straighten it now and again for a treat. 

For my 30th birthday a few months ago, my friend Nicole decided to take me to a Vintage salon she'd visited as part of a Hen Day as she thought I'd love it. 

She was right, we arrived at the beautiful Pin Ups Salon in Glasgow on a Saturday afternoon and I was transformed into a different area as the stylist began taking me from Rachel to Marilyn. 

I'd chosen a 50s style as it aligns quite well with my shape and my taste in clothes. 

I'm not really into make up do I didn't bother with that but I was so happy with my hair and received loads of compliments. 

I'd thoroughly recommend the experience to anyone else. I'm so grateful my friend suggested it as it's not something I would have chosen to do for myself but something I really enjoyed. 

We made a day of it by going for unicorn lattes and then dinner post makeover! 

30 Things Total: 5

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