Good Morning,
I am starting the week feeling a real mixed bag of emotions. Last week was nothing short of heart breaking, if you follow me on Instagram you may already know that it was our time to say goodbye to our darling sixteen year old Yorkshire Terrier, Gracie. It’s inevitable, the circle of life, yet I don’t think we can ever be prepared for the heart ache that comes with loosing a beloved animal or person for that matter.
It’s funny isn’t it, the unsuspecting animals that we bring into our lives and love unconditionally have absolutely no concept of the enormous joy that they bring to us. I constantly say to Jack each evening, when we watch Basil lying on the sofa in front of us, nestling his head in the pillows fast asleep “What did we do to deserve dogs.” They spend their lives devoted to us, we are so special to them, and I hope they perhaps have some understanding of how special they are to us too.
After spending time surrounded by my family last week, reminiscing on all the wonderful times we have spent with Gracie and the real joy that she has brought to us over the last sixteen years, I almost felt at peace. Knowing that she is rested and although her time in this world has come to an end the memories and love we have for her are without a doubt timeless. I have received so many heart warming messages from people that knew her recently, many years ago when I was at school and those who saw her through my YouTube vlogs and Instagram posts over the years, and one thing has become so clear to me.
The small things really are so important.
A simple message from an old school friend that I haven’t spoken to for over 10 years sparked this chain of thoughts. A message sending love and remembering her, something so simple, yet it held such magnitude for me. It felt so special. An act that took perhaps a minute to fulfil can bring the recipient a whole world of warm emotions.
In the same breathe, remembering someone’s birthday and sending a quick text. Expressing a compliment to a stranger when you love their outfit or just a simple smile and wave at a neighbour passing by. It’s the little things that I think really lift us up.
Have you ever experienced any of the above and thought about it for a while after? I know I have. One situation that sticks in my mind. I was walking through Regent Street a few years ago around Christmas time. The street was roaring with last minute shoppers, dashing from one store to another, a fast stream of people milling around without a second to spare. Staring at their phones, talking on their phones or simply walking too quickly to think of the above. I felt anxious with the amount of people and exhausted after a long bitterly cold day traipsing around the city. Counting down the minutes until I was sat in the comfort of a warm train on my way home. Amist all of this chaos a lady rushed across the road, smiling and waving in my direction. I noticed her and smiled in her direction, admittedly probably looking a little confused as I didn’t recognise her. She explained that she loved my coat and noticed it as she was walking in the opposite direction across the busy road. She went on to explain that it was the perfect merlot shade that she had been looking for something exactly like it for a while. When I shared with her where it was from she couldn’t thank me enough, apologising for wasting my time and wished me a Merry Christmas before we both continued on our way,
As I followed the crowd walking to the train station I couldn’t help but feel so warm inside. Such an unexpected random connection with a stranger m n a place that perhaps I would never have expected it. Of course, she just wanted to know where my coat was from it wasn’t necessarily about me personally, Karen Millen by the way, but the way she delivered the question in such a polite and wholesome manner I felt so honoured and a momentary air of pride I suppose.
I often see videos popping up along my TikTok timeline where a young man will gift flowers to unsuspecting ladies passing by on the street, for no reason other than just because he wanted to bring a smile to their day. On the surface it is such a lovely thing to do, but the cynical part of my brain often questions the sincerity of the act, perhaps because it is being filmed and his intent of doing so may be to go ‘viral’ as a pose to genuinely wanting to spread happiness.
Seeing these ‘random acts of kindness’ are potentially a lot more common in the slower areas of the world. I find that living in a village instances arise quite often. Many times I have noticed farmers assisting neighbours when they have broken down, or their car is stuck in the mud. Honesty boxes outside houses with apples, flower bouquets and eggs. Neighbours helping each other when a pet has gone missing. You only have to have a scroll through the village facebook group to see the generosity and kindness. I am so grateful to have been brought up in a world that encourages small gestures with nothing in return.
Perhaps it’s the Aries in me but I am always alert to bring joy to someone’s day, because I know how much it would mean to me if the shoe was on the other foot. Putting an old mans trolley back for him in the supermarket, holding a lift door open so a mum and her buggy can make it without rushing, picking up a toy from the high street that a child has dropped. It’s those little things that in someone else’s world could really have a huge impact.
Each and every person we pass by each day is dealing with something and sometimes the smallest thing can bring joy to an unsuspecting person, who might just really need it.
Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Lots of love, L x
BUYING
Slowly I am adding pieces to my Autumn wardrobe this gorgeous knitted jumper (I adore the crest detail) and also these incredible suede knee high boots (so chic!)
READING
Country Comfort by Hari Beavis - A beautiful recipe book with simple meal ideas. I love how Hari has split the recipes by timings.
Kitchen Garden by Lucy Mora - The perfect guide for all things growing, companion planting and soil prepping. This has been incredible for the start of our vegetable growing journey.
LISTENING
We Need To Talk - Paul Brunson. A new addition to the podcast world and a very refreshing interviewer in the space. I love the way Paul poses questions and deeply listens as a host.
ON MY MIND
Anything and everything burgundy. Next on my wishlist is adding a deep merlot red bag to my collection.
DOING
Set a timer for a quick power hour between 5pm - 6pm to get any mundane tasks done that I have been putting off. A quick hoover of the living room, empty the dishwasher and fold some washing. I wake up the next day feeling so grateful.
WATCHING
Mothers Instinct - Netflix. A movie set in 1960 suburban America following two neighbouring mothers. It starts of slow but the story becomes wildly gripping as events unfold.
The Perfect Couple - Netflix. I am only a couple of episodes in but so far I am really enjoying it. Set in the picturesque Nantucket, a mystery mini series that follows the chaos after a body is found just hours after a lavish wedding. It is also based on Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling novel.
MAKING
I’ve really got back into yoghurt bowls topped with granola and I love making my own. This recipe is just delicious and so easy to swap anything out that you don’t have in your cupboards.
Items marked with * are affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission if you shop through this link.
Hi Lauren, I am so sorry to hear about Gracie, it is incredibly difficult to lose a beloved family pet. I hope you feel comfort in that it was her time to go and she lived a wonderful life with family that cherished her.
A few years ago a lifestyle television program was filming in the main street where I live and I was walking toward a shop door with my daughter. I don't watch commercial TV so I had no idea who they were. They stopped me and said they were performing random acts of kindness and wanted to give me a large tin of quality street chocolates. I was so embarrassed and thought they weren't going to give them to me and would film my negative reaction (very paranoid). Anyway they eventually persuaded me and I accepted them and said thank you. They gave my daughter a tin as well. Then I walked into the shop and a customer there said "What happened out there?" I explained how embarrassed I felt and undeserving and she said that she thought it was wonderful and I should be happy, so I offered them to her because I felt she needed a random act of kindness more than me. She was so delighted and said she would give them to her mother who was in hospital. I felt much better about her having them, than me keeping them 😁.
I finished watching The Perfect Couple last night and it has confirmed to me that I must make it a mission to holiday in Nantucket! I've always wanted to go but now I am desperate 😍