April 2015 Primark Spring Haul

Hey everyone,

This week I did a quick holiday dash for some spring clothes for a weekend away.
Due to my recent weight loss I has no clothes suitable for this weekend that actually fit.
I only wanted essentials that I can wear in different mix and match combos.

Therefore I bought,

• Vest tops (lemon and green)
• Mint Green cardigan

• Navy striped (nautical) cardigan

• Beige cut out shoes

• Beige and black £5 skater dress

• Black Shape ware Swimming costume

• 2 pastel colour scarf's

I am planning on taking black and dark blue Jeggings / skinny jeans for the day and mix the dress etc in for a meal.

As i work 5 days a week I feel I don't get change to be 'pretty' on a weekend. Therefore I wanted simple cheap items to give some colour but without too much effort.

I am loving the pastels for spring. I want to try and transfer this over to my make-up too. As I am still on my winter browns.

What do you think?

Nicola

Do what makes you happy:

Do what makes you happy:

Over the last few weeks I have had a few things going off in my life. There are ups and downs for everyone and I think I have finally realised that you need to to what makes you happy. Whatever that may be sometimes you just need to forget everything else and have some you time.

I have wanted to embrace the good weather we have been having, I had some help to restore the garden to its former glory. They also helped me to build a bench. I have as a result this morning had an hour out in the warm sunshine with my favorite breakfast, music on the Ipad and a good cup of tea. I felt very relaxed and happy and only had to leave my spot to come and write my blog. 

I have found that when I am low I don't eat very well and as a result over the last month I have lost almost a stone in weight. I have however started to feel a bit better and I have started feeling hungry. Eating good food is another thing that makes me happy. I generally don't not eat anything, ill have anything in moderation. I do really enjoy my fruit and veg therefore if I want chocolate cake I will have it. On a shopping trip this week I had seen an cream tea on the menu. So you guessed it I had it, and it made me happy.

I am a typical girl, I love having a bath and pamper session and sitting on Netflix with a cheesy TV show. Sometimes it is good to simply have you time. I know it can be good to talk things out and not bottle up. But is is very good to simply sit and shut out any issues for a few hours clarity.

Friends make me happy, sometimes I feel like I am the one my friends come to when they need to talk and get things off their chest. I had been feeling like people were too busy to bother them with my problems. I have realised there are a few good true friends out there that are there no matter what or when you need them. I am very thankful to them for many things and I know you may be reading.

My house makes me happy, we were very lucky to inherit a house which enabled us to buy the lovely house we live in today. I take pride in my house and keeping it tidy and homely. I have been making sure things are in their place at the minute. Yes this may be a sign of my OCD creeping out and heaven forbid if a plug socket is not turned off. But doing these things help me feel at ease and then momentarily happy.

So whats the point in this blog, well I have waffled on a bit. I just wanted to say I am human I do have happy and sad times and there are lots of things we call all do that are personal to us that can make you happy. Wether it is a short term fix or a longer term result you need to find what makes you happy and cling to it.

Try not to let your feelings overwhelm you, sometimes life is hard and doesnt always look great. But take every day as it comes and slowly things should get better and you turn a corner. Its not always easy and some tough choices may have to be made, and not everyone may be happy with the path you choose but do what you feel is right and make yourself a priority. Its your right to be happy.

Nicola 

x

5 Things of the week:

5 things:

I have recently been quite busy and have seen this idea from one of the lovely bloggers I follow. So here are 5 things I have done this week.

1: I have this week had a change at work in my day job, as my manager was off on her holidays leaving me in charge. Meaning a few later nights at work and more than usual on my mind in the day. Needless to say as a result I have been enjoying coming home, having tea and relaxing on the sofa with the TV. 

2: Communication, I have realised that sometimes people have things going on in their life and it is very appreciated when you can be a shoulder to lean on in a harder time. Of course I'm not going to name names, or discuss private matters. But I know I appreciate people who can be there when you need them. Hopefully they feel the same when they need me.

3: This week we have tackled the jungle that was the garden. Now I had mowed the grass about 4 weeks ago but due to other commitments had not done this again since. Well thats not a good idea as it took me twice as long as is still not finished. I shall today (as the sun is shining) go out and finish the garden this morning. As due to the bank holiday weekend I would like to go outside.

4: Food: after a few weeks of not eating very well I think I may be back on track. I have been trying really hard to eat fruit and vegetables. I have been feeling much better now that I have been eating correctly. I had not realised how much of an difference it made to you. I felt sluggish and tired all of the time. I think it has given me a wake up call to look after myself a little more.

5: Planning: I am trying to make plans rather than just float around on my day off and have nothing to show for time. I am currently trying to have trips out and plan a holiday for the summer. I hate it when my partner comes in from work and says so what have you done today? and my answer is .. nothing. No wonder days and months fly by, But its not a good thing to have nothing to show for it. What do you do with your time off?

10 Things you didn't know about me:

10 Things about me: (and 2 you probably did)

Where do I live:

I live in Doncaster, South Yorkshire

How old am I:

I am 27 (just)

Where did I go to school:

I went to school in Doncaster and University at Staffordshire (stafford campus)

Where do I work:

I am a warehouse manager at an online furniture company based in Doncaster. I also have my own photography business that covers weddings, studio photography and corporate photography.

What car do I drive:

I answered this in a recent blog: I drive a 100% electric Renault Zoe

http://nicolasnewthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/have-you-met-zoe-i-love-her-very-much.html

Are you in a relationship:

Yes I am married and have been for around 5 years, I went to 6th form and university with my husband so we have been together for what seems like forever.

What is your favourite food:

I have to be careful with what I eat as I am coeliac, I love Chinese food but I cannot just go to the chinese as usual and have to make it at home which takes away the sparkle. Therefore my safe favourite is a good steak and chips - (http://nicolasnewthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/about-me-im-coeliac-and-what-that-means.html)

What is your favourite beauty product:

May favourite thing ever is perfume, I love love love, D&G the one. I would safely say this is what I always smell of.

What is your favourite home product:

I love candles, At present my favourite is my Partylite jar in Iced Snowberrys. It has a very fresh and clean smell, which is not too overpowering. 

What is your favourite electronic:

This is a though one for me as I do love my gadgets. From my I-pad, to my phone (nexus 4), to my car, to my camera and lenses and many more things besides. I would class myself as a gadget lover. 

I think ..... the award goes to ...... my Canon 650D (and the lenses to match of course)

Where is your favourite place you have visited:

I have been very lucky to have visited a number of countries. The best holiday I have been on as a whole was one big surprise by my husband. It was kind of a late honeymoon but I knew nothing of the location for nearly 2 years. We went to Singapore via a stop off in Dubai. This was amazing and the country is so beautiful to visit. I don't understand how many people just stop off here and never leave the airport. I would love to go back again, we spent 10 days here and we did not see everything.

Who are your favourite bloggers:

I do have a few, from the famous to the not so famous.

I do love Tanya Burr and her style and the way she is so effortless. Also I love Louise - Sprinkle of glitter and how down to earth and real she is.

I also love to read from http://wonderfullyrandom.blogspot.co.uk/ this is one of my school friends Kiri. She has a lovely baby son and she is a very keen baker she always shares something insightful.

And my home and beauty go to guru: http://lucyywrites01.blogspot.co.uk/

This girl is Coeliac like me and loves to bake, she knows home style and is a beauty guru. I have on many occasions direct messaged her with beauty problems and she always responds to me.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me more.

Speak soon

Nicola 

x

Our spring day out to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park:

Our spring day out to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park:

This weekend we braved the weather and donned the ski jackets, walking trousers and boots to have a rare day outside. As we set off the weather looked grim and dull but the trusty weather man said it would not rain. 

We arrived at the park and proceeded to the entrance. The park is free to enter but you pay per car for parking at £7 for a full day,  therefore great for a low cost family day out.

Upon entering you arrive in a modern building with a shop, restaurant and information desk. Where we were supplied with our maps. I had not realised quite how large the park and grounds were. They explained that the artwork was being changed around at present and some pieces were not on show. I didn't mind this as I had gone for the scenery and greenery as my preference.

I loved to see the first daffodils of the year out showing their lovely sunny colour. It was a great way to instantly cheer up the dull day.

On walking around there were lots of sculptures to see and a few enclosed exhibitions for if the weather had turned. I looked at a few of the intriguing pieces of work and carried on walking. The ground is a little hilly and mainly walking on grass rather than pathways therefore I would not really recommend this for push chairs or wheelchairs. Also due to the wet weather we have recently had our walking boots were well appreciated.

I had then seen this sign. I love the concept of that everything is intertwined and that every action has a purpose. Giving everyday life and aims a purpose and structure. 

After a walk of about an hour we realised we were ready for lunch and started to head back up to the entrance. This was when we realised how far we had walked and that it had all been downhill. We had seen other car parks down by the lake and the lower sculptures and had not thought anything of it. We now realised these were very clever people who had thought of the hill or been before.

We passed a lovely conservatory with lots of newly blossomed roses and while appreciating the flowers I spotted this door and wondered where did it go?

We got up to the restaurant and sat at a lovely table by the window, overlooking the gardens and the lake. By this point the sun had come out and the day looked truly spring like. The food in the restaurant was amazing, all home made and locally sourced. I had a large bowl of Beef Stew and a bucket of twice cooked chips for £9.50. Therefore the food was not cheap but of a high standard and very yummy. (I wish more attractions had a selection of real food and not processed rubbish.)

Overall I would recommend going to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I would probably suggest going when the weather is better, as there is not a lot of shelter. It is a great place to go for a wander, take lots of photos and appreciate the scenery.

If you were thinking of having a day out here is the website address: http://www.ysp.co.uk/

I shall be looking for more affordable options of what to do with my weekends throughout the year. Any suggestions are more than welcome. Where do you go?

Speak Soon 

Nicola