The Next Chapter: May.
The start of May, the pinnacle of Spring. A month typically filled with the first signs of warmth and a sense that summer really is on the horizon.
The start of May, the pinnacle of Spring. A month typically filled with the first signs of warmth and a sense that summer really is on the horizon. We may have had a bit of a damp start to Spring here in England, but I can’t help feel optimistic about this month. Driving through the village last week I noticed the cow parsley has shot up along the hedgerows the last week, signs for the annual duck race have been put up, the lambs are bouncing around their exhausted mums in the fields and I just felt a sense of light. Spring has always had that care-free, airy feel to it for me. This month is a very exciting one at home for Jack and I, which I will share with you all soon.
This week I wanted to share some things that are currently consuming my mind. The big, the small and the in between. A curated brain dump of sorts…
The Breakfast Nook
If you are new here, Jack and I moved into our home a year ago this month, but I have been stuck for a while with our kitchen space. It’s an awkward layout with little to no sunlight during the day, cold red quarry tiles and a barn style backdoor that is used as the front door… A typical farmhouse kitchen with functionality at is helm, as a pose to the softer more modern entertaining, comfortable, candle lit space that I would like.
Now you might be wondering, why don’t we just rip out the kitchen, extend it and put in some sky lights. This would be my first choice however, the reason we bought our home was that it has a lot of future potential to grow and become our dream family abode. Which is why we are reluctant to throw a lot of money at renovations at this stage as things will inevitably change and become even more expensive in the future.
But, I think I have found a solution. A banquette seating breakfast nook, typically pretty old fashioned and not really seen in modern houses these days. But a style of seating that our kitchen really lends itself to. Picture this: An ‘L’ shaped bench (handmade my Jack of course) with thick linen bench cushions (handmade my me, hopefully…) A circular washed wooden dining table with a rug underfoot. All the elements to create the warmth our poor echoey, cold kitchen is crying out for. A comfortable spot for morning breakfasts, quick and easy midweek dinners and even a really nice work spot for me during the week.
My Current Obsession: Juicing.
I seem to really enjoy the things in life that involve a long process and a quick reward. This week I woke up in the mood for my green juice (pear, spinach, cucumber and 200ml of water) however for some reason my blender wasn’t blender-ing this day and my juice came out thick, grainy and quite frankly a bit gross in the texture department. I didn’t want to abandon ship so I spent a good 7 minutes laboriously pushing the sludge for want of a better word through a sieve until my glass was filled with clear, vibrant green yumminess….it was a very delicious juice but the process not so delicious. Which got me on the hunt for a juicer. I want to be able to create all sorts of concoctions in my kitchen, much like the days my brother and I would create potions in the garden from mud, flowers and anything else we could get our hands on. The idea of making fresh orange juice to accompany Jack’s Sunday morning bacon sandwiches, stock my fridge with my signature green juice, but also trying new recipes for leftover fruit and vegetables.
Working From Home, But Not At Home.
Whilst I was living at home with my family I would often take myself to a coffee shop in town, armed with my laptop, headphones, notepad I would park myself for a few hours of hyper focused work. I loved it, no distractions, the white noise of a café, the silent community aspect of like minded individuals also working from their laptops. So why did I stop?
Since moving to our first apartment and now 2 years later into our home I haven’t worked from anywhere but my house. Firstly because I just love being here, but also I think I created a subtle barrier that if I am not at home I am not getting my most efficient work done, driving to a coffee shop felt like a waste of time, money spent on a coffee, a faff, what if there isn’t any internet, I need to set myself up ready to fulfil the tasks. Honestly, these are just the excuses I make in my internal battle of decision making.
So, with that being said, I am taking it upon myself to get back in the swing of taking myself to coffee shops for admin, editing, writing sessions. I will report back how I find it.
Interaction With Strangers
This week I had a few wholesome interactions with fellow villagers, much like I always do. The first was in Waitrose, I had just finished the weekly shop and took my normal route back to the lifts to travel down the rickety, very unreliable elevator to the carpark, as I was meandering along with my trolley, getting distracted by the flower display in my own world, little did I know an older lady was watching me holding the door of the lift. As I got there she said “I knew you were coming in here” and we had a brief interaction about the temperamental lift service, the fact that it was all closed off a few weeks ago and as we parted ways and said “have a nice day” my mood felt significantly lighter.
The second was with a neighbour, passing our house on a dog walk. As he does every morning 8.30am on the dot but on this day at that precise moment I happened to be taking some cardboard outside. Of course I stopped and chatted. I speak to this particular neighbour regularly, he is roughly in his 70’s a purebred farmer, living in a house that his parents and their parents before that also lived in. We chat about the weather, the goings on of the neighbourhood, people we have in common, funny anecdotes from his former years and of course a little gossip about fellow neighbours on the lane. I find him hilarious and so interesting, sometimes we are out there for nearly an hour chatting away, much like the previous encounter I went back into the house and my mood felt so lifted.
It got me thinking, it really does make such a difference to you, the little interactions you have throughout your day. Whether it’s the bus driver, the young guy who makes your coffee every morning in Pret on your commute, or the lady next to you in the bathroom at a restaurant. A smile, a compliment, a conversation or even just a “have a nice day” really goes along way.
Anyway, thank you for reading this weeks newsletter and delving into my slightly sporadic mind. I have lot’s of topics I want to discuss over the next couple of months there will be an entry based around Finding Your Personal Style / Interiors and Clothing. A seasonal based entry surrounding Summer and lots more…
Lots of love, L x
EATING
If you are in need of a quick and easy dinner, one of my favourite go-to’s is a one pot recipe (that I made up) I boil some pasta, any kind will do, and after a few minutes I add in any veggies that I need to use up. This could be broccoli, asparagus, peas, edamame - basically anything green. Drain the water and turn off the heat, pop the pan back on the heat and add spinach, a good healthy grating of parmesan, some butter and lemon juice. You could also add pesto if that’s your thing too. Serve in a big pasta bowl… delicious and so quick.
USING
Summer is coming and I always feel better with a glow. The new launch from Tan Luxe, said to be a spray tan in a bottle,* is my new obsession. A fine water mist that develops into the most bronzed, glowing tan in just 1-2 hours. I was a bit dubious at first but it was so easy to apply and buff in with the provided mitt, so quick and easy, no transfer and no wash off - love!
WEARING
The last couple of weeks I have been reaching for the same outfit formula over and over again. Jeans, tshirt and a cardigan. An outfit that feels like an elevated chic uniform, ticking all the boxes for me. Comfortable, put together, warm and involves layers for this ever-changing weather. I think if I was a character on The Simpsons that would be my look.
WATCHING
Rather than something I have watched, this is something I want to start. The series that is all over my timelines, Baby Reindeer. A Netflix series that unfolds a true story and to my knowledge the main protagonist Richard Gadd who is also the creator and the victim of the real life story. I will report back…
LISTENING
This week I have found two new podcasts that I have loving! Firstly is A Cast which features Abby Clancy in conversation with entrepreneurs unveiling their life stories, hurdles, advice and much more.. a very Diary of a CEO style approach, but I am loving it! Secondly is CEO Yourself. Another entrepreneur based podcast with Hermione Olivia, what set this podcast apart from the others for me is the question she gives to her guests prior to coming on. What word sums up your CEO style? Guests bring adjectives such as confidence, perseverance and courage, a really inspiring destination.
COMING UP THIS WEEK…
A big house reset video is coming to YT tonight at 5pm as well as a wholesome few days at home vlog coming on Thursday - we get to work on the kitchen seating area & lots more.
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Good morning and thank you for a lovely bank holiday newsletter. I love chit chatting with people out and about, we have lovely neighbours who enjoy a catch up and having a dog often means we stop and chat around the village to fellow dog walkers, it does fill your heart and we’ve met some of the nicest people on route.
I can’t tell you how excited I am that you’ve decide to go with banquette style seating in your kitchen Lauren, I have been thinking of this as an option when we redo our kitchen, I love the look so much, I have so many Pinterest inspiration pics, so I honestly cannot wait to see yours come together 🤗. Have a lovely week x
I loved reading this! Always a nice read in my inbox ❤️