trying for sighs: January

Sunday, 8 January 2017

make the most of january

As promised in my last post, here is my bucket list for January. January is always a busy month in our house with friends birthdays, lovely hubby's birthday and family parties. There never seems to be enough hours in the day!

Here are my goals for the month:

Dry January
Well, here we are once more celebrating the start of a new year. It always takes me a few weeks to remember that we're not still in the previous year. I'll be writing 2016 for a while to come. Is that just me!

My first goal for this month is to complete Dry January. I was really pleased with myself last year as I completed the whole month. It was a struggle at times; especially on Steve's birthday when it would have been nice to have clinked a glass. The nice waiter who served us at Steve's birthday meal, made us a rather yummy mocktail which was a good substitute but this year we've decided to have a glass of bubbles to celebrate. So in a way, I'll be cheating but only for one evening. Surely, that's okay!

Make gin
One of the Christmas gifts we unwrapped from one of my daughters was a fabulous gin making kit. She knows us well. Before you think the temptation will be too much for me lol, I'll be making it towards the end of the month and giving it time to mature. The kit has everything in it you need apart from a bottle of vodka which we already had.
I have made damson gin in the past which was delicious so I'm looking forward to trying this.

Weekend trip
We always try to have a little getaway around Steve's birthday, it's become a tradition even though it's a chilly month. With thermals, long johns and woollens we'll be fine. Normally, we head into beautiful Yorkshire to Saltaire which has our heart. It's a lovely place all year round to visit. But this year we are having a change and heading to Runswick Bay which is on the Yorkshire coast above Whitby. A brisk walk on the beach to blow the cobwebs off will be perfect. Note to self; waterproofs and walking boots needed. I can't envisage using an umbrella on a wet, windy beach somehow if the weather isn't great.

We have been known to sit on a beach in gale force wind with a picnic, wrapped in a blanket which amused a lot of people walking their dogs. But we were determined to stick it out as we'd travelled two hours to get there. How stoical were we!

See a movie at the cinema
This is something I'm really excited about! I've been counting the days down until 'La La Land' comes to town. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love Ryan Gosling. My daughter bought me a fab Christmas gift of a Ryan Gosling colouring book which I adore. I'm so looking forward to hours of colouring his cute face in! In fact, my daughters said they nearly got me a life size cardboard cut out of him but changed their minds. I said I would love it for a Christmas present this year.

Read a new book
I'm trying to get back into a habit of reading a chapter a night of a book, as it helps me relax and I'm sure it helps me nod off to sleep. (It's the waking back up I have a problem with). I usually read something light hearted; either true stories of people that have upped sticks to live in another country or good old romantic chick lit.

I fancy a bit of a change but as much as I like sci fi and fantasy films, I'm not a big reader of them. I love watching all the Harry Potter films but I've never got to the end of one of the books. Should I say that out loud? Have you read any good books lately? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Have a great week ahead lovelies.

Monday, 4 January 2016

make the most of january

New Year, new beginnings. How are you settling into the new year so far? Have you made any resolutions? This year, instead of New Year resolutions, I am going to have a bucket list every month, as I have done previously. I have given myself reachable targets as I was finding that ten a month was quite a lot. I'll let you know how it goes!

Finish e-book

I am in the process of writing an e-book about how to get married in New York at City Hall. I'd been playing around with the idea since we came back. It will be full of info that we found invaluable while we were there.

Eat Clean

As much as I love Christmas and all the eating and drinking that goes with it, my body is crying out for some clean eating. I'm not going on the scales for at least a month, then maybe I might just be back at the weight I was before Christmas! Well, there's always hope! Our impending summer holiday is a huge motivator.

I'm loving these new little Fitbit gadgets that you wear on your wrist. I hear they motivate you to get more active and right now that is just what I need!

If anyone sees me walking into any fast food chains, please barricade the door! I will thank you for it later.

Capsule Wardrobe

I have been known to go to the sales and buy anything that looks like a bargain, which means I end up with bits and pieces that don't work together. Convincing myself that it's a good buy because 'it's pretty, I haven't got a pair of gloves in bright green, I'm sure that skirt will be great for summer'. Guess what; the said pieces stay in my wardrobe until I have a sort out and take a visit to the charity shop.

I tend to talk myself into holding onto these pieces 'just in case' or 'I might wear that this week'. Recently, I had a clear out and begrudgingly put things aside for the charity shop. I was sure I would miss these items but I have to say honestly I haven't.

Personally, I think the French have it sussed. They rely on quality key pieces and elegance rather than keeping up with the latest fashions. This results in clothes that last longer, less time figuring out what to wear and more money in your purse.

I love the basic, simple style of Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, Kate Moss and Audrey Hepburn; Simple t-shirts with jeans, capri pants with a striped Breton top, mens shirts, ballet flats, a classic trench coat, a little black dress, a blazer, a cashmere sweater, a leather jacket and simple accessories. A 'made in Paris' look.

I've been drooling over a Burberry trench coat for a long time now but, as you can imagine, my purse strings don't stretch that far. So I have been on the hunt for something very similar and low and behold I have found it. Zara have done it again; this shop really is coat heaven! I have found the exact trench I wanted! My first French styled capsule wardrobe piece.

Dry January

Now this is going to be quite a challenge for me as I do tend to like a drink or two! I am prone to a glass of wine or two in the evening and a couple of cocktails at the weekend. Awwwww, just writing this I can feel the bubbles of Prosecco in my mouth! But no, I can do this! Steve and I have decided to do it together so that when one of us tries to reach for the wine bottle, we can place a bottle of sparkling water in the hand instead.

I'm hoping to see an improvement in my sleep pattern, a boost in energy and some weight loss. I will be so proud of myself if I can do it, especially as we have a few nights with friends arranged and it's also Steve's birthday at the end of the month.

I can and I will! Good luck to all you lovelies taking part too.

Spa Break

I can feel the tension falling from my shoulders just thinking about a visit to a spa. Is there anything better for relaxation than a massage, a soak in a hot tub or a skin treatment? I often think massages should be available on the NHS!

I have only had the pleasure of a spa day once. It was a lovely gift from my daughter and boy was it good. I came out feeling like I was floating on air. Well, I've been thinking what I can get Steve for his upcoming birthday and the spa break pinged into my mind. I'm still looking for ideas on where to go so if you know anywhere good, I'd love to hear from you.

Do you have any goals for January?

Have a great week lovelies.

Happy Book

Sunday, 8 January 2017

make the most of january

Monday, 4 January 2016

make the most of january