If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you’ll know that I like to write a quarterly catch up; think a one-sided natter over a coffee. I tend to use the words ‘Inside’, ‘Outside’ and ‘Beyond’ as prompts, with ‘Inside’ referring to my thoughts, ‘Outside’ focussing mainly on fashion, lifestyle and any interiors updates, ‘Beyond’ being solely about venturing outside of these four walls.

So what has this spring had in store for us?

Inside Spring 2019

One glance at my blog and you’ll know pretty quickly that I’m a deep thinker. I’m passionate about getting the very best out of life and always gleaning new ideas on how to do that well.

I really enjoyed sitting down to ponder on what makes me tick not so long ago and was pleased to see a common thread running through: the great outdoors, new projects, spending time with those I love and adding value to other people’s lives.

Truth be told, I’ve felt a bit restless over the last few months, just a general frustration at my lack of progress. Home life continues to be very demanding and those new projects that I mentioned earlier? Well they have inevitably been somewhat thwarted.

But hey, that’s life and I’m learning to sit it out during the periods of waiting because there is beauty to be found there too. ‘One day at a time‘ is a life motto of mine and it’s kept me going over the last few years.

You may remember that during winter I had taken to hibernating a bit and that season was important for a while,  I’m realising more and more, that life needs to carry on. I’ve picked up my blog again and have started trying to invest time in writing as well as cultivating some of my interests.

Cue ‘Outside’….

Outside Spring 2019

I had a month during winter when I bought absolutely no new clothes; I decided to do the same in March and think I will continue with this tradition every season (based on my recent purchases, July is looking like a strong contender!).

We had some beautiful weather mid spring, didn’t we? The less said about our current weather the better! A while back I wrote a post all about my spring must-haves and the oversized shirt has been a firm favourite ever since. So much so that I bought another one from New Look (the first image below). I have worn it loads and at £11 for a linen/cotton mix, it really is great value for money.

A project I was able to work on this spring, was my staircase gallery wall that I featured in a post last week. I love to update my home and sometimes, all it takes is the addition of a few new pictures. Desenio is a company that I’ve featured before as I bought a couple of pictures for our playroom/snug. I was therefore really pleased to be able to work together on this project and absolutely love the finished result.

What do you think?

My garden has been a particular joy this spring; a garden is truly at its best in the spring months, don’t you think? Our wisteria finally came out in full bloom (wish it lasted longer than a few weeks though) and various other flowers began adding some colour. I’m not going to pretend that I know the names of each one but I enjoyed looking at them.

Some of you will know that I am a Crisis Volunteer for a charity called Shout; you might have seen the official launch on the news back in May. William, Kate, Harry and Meghan, aka The Royal Foundation, have backed the initiative so it’s a pretty big deal that I’m proud to be a part of.

I have been a Crisis Volunteer for almost a year now and was invited up to London to hang out at HQ for launch day. I *almost* didn’t go for one reason or another but am so glad that I did!

It was great to meet people who I have been conversing with online for the best part of a year. I enjoyed taking a shift on the text line whilst actually sitting next to a real life person. Having free Five Guys on tap throughout the whole day was an extra bonus – those milkshakes are divine!

Beyond Spring 2019

Right now, I would say that I’m desperate for a holiday but looking back through my phone, I’ve realised that *actually* I did venture beyond these four walls quite a few times in spring.

Firstly, I had a girlie weekend in the Cotswolds at the end of March. Two nights of fun, laughter, Prosecco and cream teas. It seems like an age ago now but it really was the perfect escape. Sometimes, two nights is all you need hey?

The villa we rented on Cotswold Water Park (don’t be alarmed, it’s not an actual water park) was an absolute bargain at around £40 per night, per person. With it being only about an hour from where I live, it was a perfect weekend destination. We even went home with a sun tan (okay, a burnt nose)!

Then a month later, during the Easter holidays, the OH and I took our girls and dogs to Devon for a couple of days. The Boy was skiing with school and we fancied a last-minute break – fresh air, long walks, time at the beach, a mid-afternoon beer by the fire and cooked breakfasts every morning. Perfect.

We opted to stay in a country pub in Chagford (a cute, traditional Devonshire village) where we played board games every evening and they welcomed our dogs like their own.

Did I really just say that I need a holiday? I haven’t even mentioned the short camping trip that we squeezed in in half term! But camping isn’t really a holiday is it? We spent two days at Big Church Day Out which we have never attended before. We all really enjoyed it – great music, fun memories made with friends and enough distractions to take my mind off the portaloos!

On Monday morning the site was transformed into Wildfires, a 3-day Christian festival that was equally good in a slightly quieter, more chilled way.

Are you still with me? If yes, you deserve a medal! Now it’s over to you, I would love to hear how spring treated you and yours.