Tag: Lifestyle

Friendship goals

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I have spent an evening with a bunch of friends. Friends that are like family. Who let you into the fold no matter of the time that you’ve spent apart.

At the end of another eventful week of work and home, I could have quite easily put my pyjamas on and settled in for the night. 

But something makes you power through when you know the antidote is laughter, smiles and being yourself.

So, it made me wonder why some friendships last a lifetime through all the ebbs and flows and others disappear without any true understanding of why.

I have certainly lost friends at a time when I thought they needed me (and I needed them) but it was a friendship built on one sided compromise – a square peg round hole type

And yet, I’ve gained friends when I didn’t feel like I deserved them. Not being present, not making an effort and taking days to reply to one simple “hey how are you?”

But it’s those friends that seem to have stuck – through the thick and thin with me just being me, them being them and not giving too much but not taking too much either 

Relax into a friendship if you want it to last. When choosing where to spend your time, say no politely or yes with enthusiasm. Don’t apologise but don’t seek an apology either. We live our lives the best we can and the best of friends will make room for that no matter what.

To my bungalow bunnies and my BATS & NCT family 

x PB x

I was coasting through life

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Before Christmas, I suffered with about 5 colds in 3 months and had reached rock bottom – I was trying to learn a new role in a big organisation whilst juggling the responsbilities of parenting. I think I must have slept through September and October because they are a blur in my memory. I was coasting.

I knew that I needed to change some things and some of these things needed to be drastic in order for it to feel like I’m actually a human being who can cope!

  • I started taking vitamins – the WellWoman multivitamins, one table a day, to try and boost my immune system and improve my energy levels.
  • I upted my water game, drinking at least 1 litre a day
  • I dramatically changed my eating habits – a cold turkey routine of no snacks (other than fruit or veg) and reduced my caffeine intake.

However, I knew that eating and drinking properly wouldn’t solve the juggling and trying to be in 2 places at the same time.

Something had to give.

An honest conversation with my employer reassured me that there were no expectations around working hours and truly I was putting the pressure on myself, so I started to say no more.

  • If I had a day working from home in the diary, I stuck to it and joined meetings remotely.
  • I ensured I left promptly even if it meant leaving a meeting early to make sure I wasn’t rushing in rush hour to get back to Little PB.

No-one blinked at any of this – it was all considered to be the means to an end when you are a working parent.

But most importantly, I asked for help. I realised that I am not invincible and there are family and friends who want to help, particularly if you are struggling.

In addition to all of this, I realised that what I was missing was time for myself and given I didn’t want to sacrifice time with Little PB either side of work, I needed to create that time either before Little PB wakes up or after he has gone to bed.

I did both.

Mr PB gets up around 5.30am to get ready for work. So I got up at the same time too.

  • Whilst he makes coffee and eats breakfast, I wash my face. I find washing my face as soon as I wake up, helps me stay awake. It also gives me a surge of energy and gives me proper time to enjoy the process too.
  • I make myself a tea and whilst its brewing, I’ll do some stretches, perhaps do some hinching and feed the cats (I like my tea strong so I leave it to brew for a good few minutes)
  • Whilst Mr PB is in the shower, I climb back into bed and read – I will read from Simple Abundance, a page a day book, and a chapter of my Mindfulness in a Frantic World book.
  • Once Mr PB leaves for work around 6am, I jump in the shower and have at least 40 minutes to make the bed and get myself ready for work before Little PB wakes up.
  • I don’t look at my phone until 7am at the earliest and deleting the Instagram app during the week has certainly minimised the draw for mindless scrolling

But in order to have an effective morning routine, my evening routine is where it starts.

  • I will head to bed around 9.30pm.
  • In addition to the usual skincare routine, I will get my clothes ready for the next day and pack my bag.
  • I will also write my to-do list for the following day , reviewing my meetings and the top 3 things I want to achieve. This helps me sleep better, knowing what I have ahead of me – I appreciate that some people prefer not to know!
  • I’ve also created a evening routine station on my dressing table – eye cream, moisturiser for my feet, hands and face, cuticle oil, sleep oil, lip balm & sleep spray.

Climbing into bed around 9.45pm, I read a chapter of my book and drift off. Unless Lilttle PB stirs in the night, I will comfortably sleep through until 5.30am.

By giving myself this time both in the morning and evening has transformed my energy levels and focus during the day as well as my overall mood.

I hope this helps to inspire some of you who perhaps feel somethings needs to change

We are all here for each other

x PB x

 

 

January Favourites

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Thank you to all those who voted on my Insta Story last week – the chosen blog topic was January Favourites (not sure if the title gave it away!)

Wellbeing:

Affirmation Cards – those who follow me on Instagram will have seen that I started dabbling in Affirmations in January. I was very selective on the cards I purchased – it took me a good long while as I’m not particularly spiritual and I’m not religious so I wanted a set of cards that would match with my values along with a bit of humour. And these cards do just that! I purchased the Work version because, lets face, we spend more time at work than we do at home and working full time as well as being a Mummy, you sometimes need that extra push of  motivation and positivity

Reading – Apart from a brief pause whilst I was poorly at the end of January, I’ve been loving reading at the moment. I find its the best way to wind down at the end of the day, and even though I’m guaranteed to fall asleep mid sentence, I certainly find I’m more refreshed the next morning from having that de-stress. You will have seen my earlier blog post on my 2019 Book List – I keep adding to this and will share my purchases on Instagram
Hazlenut porridge – I never thought that porridge would appear in my favourites! I normally hate the stuff BUT I’ve found a brilliant combination which makes me want to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Here’s my recipe:

1 cup jumbo oats

1/2 cup hazelnut milk (Innocent do the best I think!)

1/2 cup full fat milk

Leave the oats to soak for about 30-45 mins – I will usually put them in a bowl when making my tea first thing and then by the time its breakfast, they have really plumped up.

For those with time in the morning, I would suggest a gentle simmer on the hob but I usually microwave for 1 minute intervals being sure they don’t go too thick.

Add a bit of honey or brown sugar (or golden syrup) and your good to go! The hazelnut milk makes it taste like you have chocolate spread in your porridge!!

(Excuse the empty bottle pic but that shows just how much I love it!!)


Beauty

I have cleaned my face every day with Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean twice a day and I can honestly see a difference in my skin texture and pores. It leaves such a squeaky clean feeling and a little goes a long way


I’m not usually an eyeshadow fan, partly due to time and partly due to no talent! It normally goes everywhere. But, I was intrigued by the burgundy reds I’d seen across social media and thought I’d give it a go. I found the perfect palette for me – Barry M, Fall In Love 2. I didn’t purchase for the brand but the range of colours. I literally sweep across the crease of my lid and the pigment gives enough colour without being dramatic. I purchased mine from Boots.


I love when I do a show and I get to wear false eyelashes! I’ve finally found a masacara that recreates the look without the faff of eyelash glue! Benefits Bad Gal Bang….


A well-timed business trip for Mr PB meant I was treated to some duty free. Having had a sample of Twilly D’Hermes in my John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar, I fell in love. I’m usually only a fan of Jo Malone but this fragrance is so unique and the bottle is adorable with its little Hermes scarf!


Clothing

Having watched Styled By Susie on Instagram for a while, I’ve picked up a lot of her tips on the importance of basics in a wardrobe. My shopping routine for clothes is always a bit ad-hoc and I will generally buy something and then a few weeks later fall out of love with it. So, I’ve gone back to basics and purchased some well fitted basic jumpers from good old M&S and its really helped me to pair with my more colourful scarves as well as my long-forgotten jackets and accessories. I highly recommend you follow her and even download her brilliant PDF’s for guidance.

Home

This may sound bizarre, but I’ve been loving my cleaning routine this month. I’ve finally nailed The Organised Mum Method (TOMM) and am now in a rhythm of 30 minutes cleaning a day leaving the weekends free to play! I’ve adapted the routines to suit me and my work commitments but I’m thoroughly enjoying what I’ve achieved and Little PB even helps too!

x PB x

New Year, New Start?

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Day 11

Intentions planned on 1st Jan = 11

Intentions that are continuing = 5 (ok….4)

Hands up who finds the whole New Year, New Start thing a little tedious. And yet, we seem drawn to pushing ourselves and jumping on that bandwagon.

On 1st January, I created a little 1 page spread in my planner documenting the 11 intentions I wanted to stick to this year.

Maybe 11 was too many to start with but I, nonetheless, bounded out of bed on 2nd January with gusto to start my fresh routine and make 2019 the year of a new me!

Days 2 – 5 went well – I drank lots of water, I walked a lot, I read quite a bit and I made some plans for my blog

Day 6 – I forgot to drink water

Day 7 – I forgot to take my book for the train journey

Day 8 – I fell asleep on the sofa at 8pm

Day 9 – I finally sat down with a gluestick and some paper and created something

Day 10 – I sat absorbed watching Manhunt

Day 11 – I was too hungry to try and be healthy

So, some of you may read this and think I have no handle on my intentions and I can’t hold down a habit for longer than 24 hours. An accurate assumption to make….but….I see the above as a true reflection of what intentions are about.

Some days, I won’t do any of what I’ve set out to achieve. Other days, I’ll do it all. As a mum of 1 and working full time, I’ve learnt that this is ok. I still pat myself on the back even if the only thing I have managed that day is read the news.

Don’t let the expectation from social media make you think you’ve failed if your ability to hold down intentions every day gets bulldozed by life. That’s just how we roll!

What intentions/resolutions have you made this year?

Love Hannah x

I just love to tidy!

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A friend very kindly complimented on how tidy our house is and asked how I achieve it given I work full time and have a 2 year old.

Well, I think given that I am out of the house most of the week and little one is at nursery goes a long way to keeping the house tidy but it did get me thinking if my method and storage choices would be helpful to others, so here goes.

  1. Everything has a place which I think is a huge help in putting it away – and if it doesn’t have a place, it doesn’t last long in the house. I honestly think I could find anything in our house with my eyes shut!
  2. Little PB doesn’t have a play room so I have ensured that his toys are kept to a minimum sorting through them every birthday & Christmas and passing them onto friends or charity. Little PB also loves a good game of tidying up…..no, really he does
  3. Cheap canvas drawstring bags are great for storing a collection of toys. You can buy them via Amazon and as well as looking prettier and lasting longer than cardboard boxes, it makes putting toys away super quick and easy
  4. Storage is in keeping with our interiors , for example, a toy box that is a distressed travel chest, dresser with drawers and shelving for maximum space and wicker baskets (I do love a pretty wicker basket!)
  5. I tidy each room completely before I move onto the next – if something in the lounge belongs in the kitchen, I just put it in the kitchen and finish the lounge first. This lessens distraction as well as multiple trips up and down the stairs! I work clockwise through the house so I know if I’ve missed anywhere easily
  6. Well plumped cushions – this may sound odd, but a set of cushions on a sofa that make it look complete, will help to allude this vision of tidiness!
  7. I always make the bed!! I dont think I would function properly each day if I left the house without making the bed – it makes a bedroom go from messy to tidy in minutes!

I hope this gives you some good ideas! Please share any tidying tips you have – I find tidying quite a mindfulness task and feel so much more prepared with a tidy home

x PB x

Why I love my early mornings

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It’s 5.56am and I’m up, writing this blog post. Some of you will be shouting at the screen saying why, why, WHY?! Well, I’m about to tell you.

Since becoming a mummy, I have become increasingly grateful for the time I have to myself. Please be reassured that I would of course prefer to spend time with Little PB over and above anything else, but working full time and being mum means stuff needs to get done.

With the sun rising and the birds entertaining my with their dawn chorus, I potter in the silence of the house, preparing for the day.

I tried the Miracle Morning method in its entirety for a bit – that didn’t work for me. And I think its because I took it too literally. The principle behind Miracle Morning is to set you right for the day by giving yourself time to reset your mind, focus, do some exercise and rehydrate.

So, my morning is a deconstructed version of this and here is my routine:

  • Sunrise alarm set for 5.50am. Little PB usually wakes by 7am so I know I have around an hour to get s!@* done.
  • 5.50am – Get up! (I do have to push myself to get up straight away but it’s improving!)
  • 5.55am – A big glass of water and a lemon tea (basically 2 slices of lemon in warm water)
  • 6am – Feed Pineapple & Button Co. whilst the kettle is boiling
  • 6am – 6.30am – Spend 30 mins either planning my day, painting my nails, writing blog posts, or having a pamper session in the shower. I also pack my bag for the day (although I do try to do this before I go to bed in the evening)
  • 6.30am – 7am – Get myself ready (with a cup of builders tea!) because trying to do a decent attempt at hair and make up with a toddler to entertain is never going to work

By the time Little PB stirs, I can give him my full attention until we go to nursery and I feel ready for the day.

I have had experiences where I haven’t achieved the above and I can honestly share that I feel discombobulated that whole day as a result.

So, if you want to feel more productive, positive, motivate and in control of your world, set that alarm for an hour earlier…..and then share how it goes! Good luck!

x PB x

Baby Destinations: Disneyland Paris (with a 1 year old)

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I was dubious, very dubious. Some may think it was selfish of us to decide to do a trip to Disney knowing that a certain little someone would be strapped to a buggy for most of it but with a little bit of forwarding planning, we made the most of our trip.

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Given that Disney is all about family, you won’t be surprised to learn that they are very well set up in accommodating all ages.

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Here are my top tips:

  • Take advantage of the Baby Switch – one adult queues and the other waits with the baby by the exit and ‘switches’ when they have finished the ride. Certainly eases the pain of some of the longer wait times on the bigger rides. You’ll need to check for each ride how the baby switch works as it varies depending on where the exit is etc, however, don’t be afraid to ask as it appears to be a very frequent occurrence given the number of fellow parents I stood next to waiting for our other halves
  • If you staying in a Disney hotel, be sure to be in the park when it opens at 8am and miss the crowds! I’m guessing being parents that, like us, you will be up early anyway so 8am won’t feel too painful. It’s certainly a bonus to get some of the bigger rides out of the way, leaving the rest of the day to queue for Dumbo or It’s A Small World and not feeling like you’ve missed out
  • Most of the restaurants are buffet style which is great for weaned babies as you can grab them a plate of bits to nibble on while you eat. I would recommend that you book in advance as some places in peak times have long queues and the last thing I wanted was a hungry baby screaming at me!
  • Get a spot near the entrance of the parade – you’ll see a set of gates near It’s A Small World – being near the entrance meant we saw all the floats come past quickly and there was little hanging around which kept the little one entertained
  • Walt Disney Studio Park doesn’t have much to entertain a 1 year old but as there are fewer rides, you can get round them using Baby Switch pretty quickly – still worth a visit
  • An absolute must is a character breakfast which takes place in the Palace Gardens Restaurant. Again, a buffet but with the added bonus of Mickey, Minnie & Friends! Have a camera ready to take photos of your little one pooing their pants when Mickey creeps up behind them – they’ll thank you later!

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Rides that we all enjoyed (i.e. no height restriction!)

  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Dumbo The Flying Elephant
  • Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
  • An Encounter with Darth Vader
  • Mad Hatter’s Teacups
  • It’s A Small World

We shall certainly be returning to Disneyland (before the little man turns 3!)

x PB x

 

Back in business…

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I’m pretty certain that I speak for most new mummies out there that planning every small detail in the anticipation of your little bundles appearance to this world is fun and exciting!

It’s fun and exciting to put your focus into deciding whether to have a hospital bag AND a labour bag……what colour to paint the nursery……what the new arrivals first outfit will be…..who will look after the dog when the waters break……

And the key to why it’s fun and exciting is because we have oodles of time and (for the most part until we are doing an impression of a weeble) we have the energy.

1 year later….

I can honestly say that along with not knowing a love like I have for our little human, I have never known tiredness and a lack of energy like I have had over this past year. The learning curve is intense, the sleepless nights feel relentless (even though there really weren’t that bad!) and no amount of coffee could put that sparkle back in my eye. But, I’ve loved every minute. Well, almost…..

Parts of what made me ME became hidden in this last year….which made me feel resentful…. which I then regretted for feeling that way! Vicious bloody circle!

But after a very relaxing holiday and an opportunity to reflect, I’ve decided that this  can change.

Being able to balance a full time job and being a mummy means that it’s equally important to invest time to myself and my old life and the main area I want to focus on is right here. You’re reading it.

Pineapple & Button Co is back in business. I’ll be writing more blogs, I’ll be creative with P&B Co products and will share photos of beautiful places and even more beautiful planners.

However, I can’t ignore that my new accessory is now a changing bag, so I will be writing a series on Baby Travels sharing our experiences of holidays and day trips and how they can be baby and family friendly, even if at first they don’t seem it!

As a mummy attempting to be creative and stylish, I hope you enjoy what’s to come as much as I’ll enjoy writing it!

Intentions, not resolutions….

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For me, past years have started with the obligatory resolutions. Whilst my desire to buy stationery seems to ramp up in September, I have also been keen to have a focus for each new year – the Christmas decorations come down, the house is bought back to normality (no more hoovering up pine needles!) and I like to have that same “out with the old and in with the new” when it comes to my attitude to life and work.

However, this year will be different. Not only can I not include trimming down and getting fitter this year for personal reasons, I also had a very engaging chat with a good friend of mine that made me re-think the value of resolutions.

This good friend of mine is a person that everyone should have as a friend – someone who is level headed and balanced with a flourish of creativity and oodles of inspiration. When asked what her resolutions were, she shared that she aspires to intentions, and after reflecting, she is absolutely right.

Why should we feel pressured to achieve resolutions that stereotypically last 3-4 weeks and then we spend the rest of year feeling disappointed with our lack of will-power or commitment. Surely what we should be aiming to achieve is to be a better person and with that, better intentions in our day to day life.

So, as a way of commitment to my 2016 intentions, I am sharing them with you. By putting pen to paper (almost), I hope that these intentions become a way of life for me and not just a whimsical existence that I will suddenly remember I had discussed with a friend over coffee one day.

  1. Enjoy reading again. I slipped out of regularly reading during last year and I missed it greatly. (I will share my reading list in another post but would welcome recommendations!)
  2. Commit to my passion for sharing my love of Stationery + Style through The Pineapple & Button Co.
  3. Embrace each day with purpose and dress to impress!

I would love you to share your intentions! Let’s make 2016 count.

x PB x

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