Let the tears flow 😰

Hi Ladies

Have you ever noticed how sometimes you can cry at a movie 

waaaaaay more than you expect to? Yes, the movie is sad but maybe 

not as sad as the millions of tissues scattered around you would 

suggest?  

We all have emotional days & even super emotional days but crying 

whenever you feel the need is not always convenient.  Crying while 

walking around Sainsbury's could be a little uncomfortable for the 

other shoppers (I've actually done that) & even crying at home in 

front of the ones we love can be a worry for them.  

Holding in those emotions actually feels uncomfortable in our 

bodies so us Seasonals have come up with a plan to let it flow!  Once a month,

or whenever the need arises, we should be kind to ourselves.  Stay

in our pjs & watch that weepy movie (even if we've seen it a 

million times before) The Notebook is my favourite but we could 

go with Love Story, or basically any movie with that feel good 

music that builds & builds when someone does something they 

thought they couldn't or they fall in love - you know what I mean!

The same works with a favourite song or book, whatever or however -

Let the tears flow...

Go through the entire box of tissues....

Look like a puffa fish!...

So the plan for not making our loved ones worry is to wear a 

beauty pageant style sash with the message 'I'm crying but I'm OK'.  

Of course we don't want you to feel sad but we encourage you to let 

it all out when you do feel it.  

Tears are healing. 

Embrace your inner puffa fish!

Victoria & Ally xx

A little palm tree obsession

Hi Ladies

Just a little thing to share today, I'm a little obsessed with Palm trees! Everywhere I go I'm seeing these beautiful trees but best of all with the fabulous blue California sky behind them.

 Greetings from the sunshine!

Be back soon

Victoria xxx

Welcome Spring, we've been expecting you!

Hi Ladies

Flip Flop season officially started 1 March but today was my first trip out with my toes on show ☀️ The skies looked very grey so it was only a little trip to the butcher in the village.  Looking down at my feet got me thinking about the new season colours for nail varnish. I'm a 24/7/365 painted toe nails kinda girl so no start of season panic for me but I didn't love my last choice of paint! I'm leaning towards candy colours this early in the season. It's like having daffodils in the house, encourage a little 'pretty' into your life. 

I'm absolutely not strict about matchy matchy (toes & fingers) but coming out of winter & getting into flip flops does make me consider the combination a little more carefully. My favourite brands are NYC & Collection 2000, perfectly on trend colours which are friendly to your wallet.  Go on.... Go candy!  😀

I just had a message from my very fabulous mate Steph asking me what I'm giving up for Lent. Not being a religious girl, I've never joined in before but this year I think I will. It won't hurt me to give up chocolate & sweets for 40 days & may even help me feel a little more fabulous in my summer clothes at the end of it. So after my pancakes tonight (shop bought, I don't have the inclination to get mad at the frying pan) I'll be dropping the sugary treats (only for the 40 days, don't worry) & stepping out in my fabulous purple walking shoes a little more. Gently does it! 

Enjoy your pancakes ladies & get those toes out!

Victoria 

Hi Ladies
So, the holiday season is well and truly behind us and we've stepped into 2014 ..... I'm not really a 'make and stick to' kind of girl when it comes to resolutions but I have made some changes!
I am sticking to my no caffeine rule and feel so much better for it! I've explored different varieties of herbal teas, my favourite two being camomile and peppermint tea pigs. I had read about the benefits of warm water with lemon and wanted to add this to my morning routine (as long as I remember to buy lemons!)  The juice of one lemon in boiling water every morning, before the usual mug of tea with breakfast, is great and most certainly makes me feel awake!!! 
I am making sure I get up earlier to make an effort for the day. I always feel better after I've done my hair, chosen something nice to wear and put some lip gloss on, so I'm making sure I give myself enough time to do this every morning so I feel good. I really can't bare it when I hear 'it's only the school run' why shouldn't we feel great doing the school run, or the food shopping or even walking the dog? I plan to continue my feel great routine....
My main change, on a health, cost, clear conscience move, has been to shop locally and support our small businesses, avoiding food miles.  I find that I don't buy half as much food, I know where it's come from and the service really does come with a big welcoming smile! The produce tastes amazing too. And for me, going home and opening up all the brown paper bags adds to the glory!!
I haven't gone down the 'cleaning my surfaces with bicarbonate and lemon juice' route yet but certainly when it comes to fruit, veg and meat I am making good, clean choices.
I personally believe that happy food makes our tummies happy and we should all be more aware of what we are eating.  I think it's really important that children know where their food comes from, what cuts of meat the animals give us and how best to source their food.  E will go in to the butchers and ask for a piece of steak, very specifically a big piece, that can be cooked rare! A girl after my own heart!!!
Do you eat with the seasons? I have been reading one of my favourite books 'River cottage year' learning about what to eat throughout the changing seasons, really enjoying and putting to good use the limited selection available for that time. 
I have spent the week making lists for food shopping and meal plans... Now to put it into practise!


I have turned my attention to baking today though, thanks to Mary Berry, this recipe is the easiest cake in the world to make, great for kids to do as it's weighing, pouring and stirring and eating! We vary the toppings from just plain white icing, melted chocolate, apricot jam or the one below is equally yummy.  I like to have a treat in the tin during the week, you never know who might pop round for a cuppa or when you might feel the need to eat cake......... A whole one!
 
Basic traybake


225g soft butter or margarine
225g caster sugar
275g self raising flour
2 level tsps baking powder
4 large (free range if poss) eggs
4 tblsp milk


Topping - warm 4 tblsps raspberry or strawberry jam and spread over the cooled but still warm cake. Sprinkle with desiccated coconut, around 2-3 tblsps or till it looks enough for your tastes!


Pour all the ingredient into a bowl and mix, or into a food processor. Blend till smooth. Pour into a lined 39x23cm (12x9in) tin, bake for 35-40 minutes.
Leave to cool and cut into generous chunks and store in your favourite cake tin. This cake is particularly great with custard too!


Lots of love and remember to do one thing everyday that makes you happy, dancing to your favourite song, painting your nails or having a bath! We deserve to spoil ourselves with the simplest things!


A xxx