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Fake Tan, Getting Lost in Lisbon and Three Girls #LittleLoves

rooftops ofLisbon

Life. It’s a funny old beast isn’t it? Eating ice cream in Lisbon one day, reading the horrific news of yet another terrorist attack, the next.

I’ve seen so many posts on social media this week about not letting hate win and I absolutely believe that. I think it’s important to remind ourselves that we still live in a beautiful world; a fallen one yes, but beautiful nonetheless. When the world feels like a dark and scary place, we need to focus on the hundreds of good people who stopped to comfort a lost child, stroke the head of a dying stranger and calm down a teenager in the throes of a panic attack. There are far more good people in this world than there are bad.

hatred stirs up conflict

In a way it seems strange to move on to my Little Loves for this week but it also seems important – we have much to be thankful for, don’t we?

Read

Books haven’t been anywhere on my radar lately. Must. Try. Harder.

I went on holiday for a few days so as is custom, I purchased a magazine or two. I didn’t think I would ever say this, but Good Housekeeping is my new favourite! I really think that they should consider changing the name though, isn’t it a bit 1970s? Maybe that’s the secret to its continued success but it does make me cringe. Having said that, it’s full of interesting articles and recipes for women such as me; I would highly recommend.

Watched

Three Girls. Oh my, this was tough viewing. I recorded it last week to watch without the kids because no matter how close to ‘real life’ it is, I don’t want to expose them to stuff that they don’t need to deal with just yet. I was emotionally drained at the end of the first episode, willing the girls to make different choices. So, so sad to watch and even worse to know that it’s probably going on right now in a town not so far away – the very reason why I think we all should watch this programme.

I also caught the first episode of ‘Long Lost Family: What Happened Next?‘. Initially I thought it was a bit of a rip off as much of it was regurgitated from previous episodes (I’ve watched every episode they’ve ever made!) however, it didn’t let me down. Suffice to say, if you are going to watch it, make sure you’ve got a box of tissues to hand!

Heard

Does some terrible Portuguese music during a sight-seeing tour of Lisbon, count?

Other than that, I’ve discovered a new male artist who has replaced Ed Sheran for me this week. I think I’m probably late to the Tom Odell party but yeah…have a listen. I would probably describe his music as indie pop and being a piano player, he gets a double thumbs up from me!

On another note, I’ve listened to two great podcasts on the teenage brain and how to parent ‘it’ this week. Would highly recommend for anyone with teens. Sheesh they can be hard work, can’t they? Apparently, girls start around 11 and boys 13 – I’ve got a few months before all three are at it then!

Made

Several wrong turns? We got so lost in Lisbon! Have you ever been? It’s a very confusing city made up of different districts, with seemingly no direct routes! We had exceeded our 10,000 steps by lunchtime on most days. Such a quirky and bustling city though, with something different to feast our eyes on at every turn.

Due to my absence for a few days, I haven’t managed to make any goodies to share with you today. Going away, even if only for three days, manages to put everything out of whack.

Sadly I missed Little Loves last week, the one time I could have shown off my culinary skills. Jamie Oliver’s salmon en croute went down a treat with friends a few weekends ago. If you haven’t tried the recipe, it’s an easy one to follow and the finished article definitely has that ‘wow’ factor.

Wore

Painted toe nails, fake tan and flip flops were the order of the day this week. It was so hot in Lisbon and we actually managed to bring the sunshine home with us! Everything seems a lot brighter (physically and metaphorically) when the sun is shining, doesn’t it?

I love my Havaiana flip flops so much – they go with everything and only one blister was acquired as I pounded the streets of Lisbon.

And Lastly…

We are off to Wales for a few days next week, just for a little break to visit family. Fingers crossed for sunshine wherever you are!

Inside, Outside & Beyond

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9 COMMENTS

  • Oh my goodness, Three Girls! Such a tough watch. And so awful that it took all those years for anyone to listen to them and not judge them as bad girls.
    I must listen to those podcasts. So even though my kids are younger than yours, I’ve beaten you to three kids with a teenage brain?!
    Lisbon looks lovely. If my son does VERY well in his GCSEs, he’s allowed to choose a holiday for the family in October. Lisbon is currently his top choice.

  • Morgana

    I’m with you, Three Girls was such a tough watch but an immensely vital one.
    Oh Tom Odell is wonderful isn’t he? My favourite song of his must be Another Love, it’s so beautiful.
    Enjoy the long weekend! xx
    Oh and I need all your parenting teens wisdom, just 18 months until my eldest is 11 😉

  • I’ve been getting more into magazines lately, and wouldn’t have thought about giving Good Housekeeping a read, but I’ll definitely look into it now. I agree with you on the title! I hope you had a lovely time in Lisbon and enjoy your upcoming break in Wales #LittleLoves

  • Plutonium Sox

    Oh I like that Tom O’dell song. I think I’ve heard it before but didn’t know who it was. I like the piano with it and his voice reminds me a bit of Jack Johnson. I haven’t watched Three Girls yet, I really should get around to it. Have a fab half term.
    Nat.x

  • Jenny

    Oh jealous of your travels, ice cream, flip flops and off to wales soon too have a great time. The news was horrific it’s hard to blog positive and upbeat when so many are suffering and sad from such things the world can be scary. We are right to focus on the positives and the good people helping though.Glad to be apart of a united community here. Hope you have a great bank holiday weekend ahead. #littleloves

    • Suzanne W
      AUTHOR

      Totally agree with you Jenny, it feels weird to try to think positive amidst tragedy isn’t it? Hope you have a great BH weekend too! x

  • Tracey Williams

    Your girlie weekend in Lisbon sounded so much fun, and it seems such a popular city at the moment. I definitely need to check those podcasts out having an 11 year old girl. Though I might just build an underground bunker instead. We watched Tom Odell a few years back at a Forest concert, he was fab x

    • Suzanne W
      AUTHOR

      I can’t believe that i’ve not heard of Tom Odell before! And yes, I definitely recommend the bunker option 😉

  • Donna

    Your trip to Lisbon looked so, so lovely! I bought Good Housekeeping this month too and love it – I didn’t think I could ever admit that out loud 😉 x

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