a little planning ......

February has certainly felt a little like a hibernation month for me. With a cold blast freezing most of the country for the first 10 days it only now 3 weeks in does it feel like there are signs of spring and that winter is very slowly falling back to sleep. This has given me lots of time in between working and walking to think about what I would like from 2017 and also some small things that I can give back.

I have definitely found that I do like to have one lovely thing to look forward to each month and that kind of makes up for the weekend working and juggling of calendars with friends and loved ones to see everyone and fit things in. I now have planners for planners and also a lovely countdown app which helps me countdown that days to the lovely things booked, which currently include trips to the rugby, opera, holiday and concerts.

2016 was a huge year of change for me with a new job, weight loss and lifestyle and  I hope to continue with those during 2017, although not planning any big changes, I'm still on a path of discovering and lots of new things in my life.  One of the things that I am continuing is my fitness, it has been an instrumental part of the weight loss (especially the last 3 stone) and I know that to maintain the loss that I need to keep active. I have finally invested in a Fit Bit and have spent an hour last night setting it up and I am already having little competions with myself J

I am hoping that it will also aid my last stone of weight loss that I have set myself along with track my training and activity for some challenges that I have set myself for this year.

As some of you know actively took part on the 10,000 steps a day challenge in September for Cancer Research and will be taking up the challenge again for March. Here are some of my memories from last year. I am looking forward to this again and I hope that I have as much fun with it as last time.

I have also signed up to a 10k walk and a 10k run (although I am having serious doubts about my capability to run 10k – still struggling to run 10 minutes) and then later in the year I’m  planning a big walk with a friend of mine. Here's to a fitter February and 2017. I will keep you updated on my progress.

Insta Love Sunday ~ October

Both my Instagram feeds in October have been filled with lots of Autumnal loveliness and today I am sharing some favourites. On TCake31  I am loving the following:

1. GrandCentralNyc - this lovely image of autumnal sunshine in one of my favourite places in New York. This instagram feed showcases everything gorgeous about this rail station in the city.
2. More from New York this time from the Upper West side taken by Elena from pictures_of_newyork
a lovely feed showcasing amazing an the normal of new york.
3.Dandoherty_ goes to work in one of the best venues in London and along with fabulous food, shares the views from his hightop restauarant Duck & Waffle. this stormy sunrise is stunning.
4. My lovely friend Lee captured all the colours of autumn in this woodland scene from sheffield park in Sussex.
5.Love this image of the walkway in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park taken by Leanne from brokeinthebigsmoke with a fab spooky night feel about it.
6. love this autumnal pumpkin on a park bench captured by naomiostroumoff - liking this styling insta feed lots.
7.Pumpkin cookies styled perfectly by quineeee love the cookie cute and flour sprinkles. new find for me for this month and loving the home bakes lots from Emily.
8. Social media Sunday wouldn't be complete without a Claridges or Mcqueens image post, glorious autumnal hues & mini pumpkins perfect for the halloween week. Love Claridges instagram feed, a slice of luxury within the ordinary.
9. October wouldn't be complete without Pumpkin pie and this great shot from chalkboard queen valeriemckeehan - absolutely love her instagram and chalkboard images.
Thankyou all for sharing such lovely images in October and showcasing Autumn so lovely.

Over on my other feed the craft and planner world was in glorious autumnal shades and golden hues; heres what tcaketess was loving in october.

1. mailboxhappiness - simply styling with washi for fall. just gorgeous.
2. anneheartslife - love this quote a planner styling from Anne; the little deer is gorgeous.
3. iheartglitter46 - so many things i love about Jinny's inage, complete Kate Spade love for this image.
4. heidiswapp - whats not to love about HS's golden washi treats
5. plannerbysara - 2 images in my favourites this month from Sara - love her white munchkin and her halloween To Do week is simply styled and lovely. - more planner envy.
6. commit30 - perfect quote and pumpkin starbucks sums up my october.
7 stephaniehowell - lovely styled planner from Stephanie, not sure where she gets the time with 5 girls.
8. mrsbrimbles - host of October daily and a great snapshot of her autumnal planner. delicious.

I hope you have had fun with my social media summer loves... here's some from previous months... thank-you all that have featured for brightening my month with your gorgeous images and ... I've loved them.

October Daily....

Last month I shared that I had discovered a whole new world on Instagram for Planners and that I would be participating in Mrs Brimbles October daily.
This is my first foray into the fun of instagram daily and I have really enjoyed it.

1. October - kicking off month with #octdaily.
2. Brown - breakfast plans in shades of Brown.
3. Autumnal - hues on the desk and across the planner.
4. So me - whenever friends read my blog the first thing they say is its "so me"
5. Chocolate cake & cupcakes made by me.
6. Favourite - favourite things of autumn, sunrises, scarves, pumpkin latte, cozy jumpers, flowers & sunsets.
7. Snuggly - lots of Kit snuggles in October.
8. Journal - lots of page shares for the planner.
9. Warm Drink - coffee to stay and coffee to go New York style.

10. Colours of Autumn displayed in technicolour from blooms, pumpkins & conkers.
11. Orange - through back to summer shades of orange & pink.
12. Memories - getting ready for NY trip and memory journal.
13. Book - reading an old favourite before I see the movie.
14. To Do - long list in this months planner.
15. Leaves - lots of gorgeous autumnal leaves on  commute to work.
16. Selfie - loath selfies but did share this one of my new hat for NY.
17. Out & About - cake delivering today with this Harry Potter creation.
18. Dashboard - sharing this snap of Taylor's dash

19. Cozy - nothing says cozy more than Uggs, candles, blankets, sofa.
20. Soup Season - home-made soup & ryvitas - staple lunch for October.
21. Apples - Plums & apples for breakfast
22. Decorate - Selfridges decorate for Christmas, journey to the stars.
23. Conkers - signs of autumn
24. Stickers - lots of sticker treats for the planner.
25. Toasty - eggs & toast in brass rail for breakfast
26.  Preparation - thinking about November.
27. Crisp or Crunch - leaves underfoot love the sound as you walk on them through the trees.
28. Pumpkin - T's terrace decorated with pumpkins and candles for halloween.
29. Changing - as October comes to an end you stay to see more leaves on the floor than on the branches, signs that the season is changing.
30. Treat - a day off and a treat to spend it out in the streets of London
31 Halloween - Calendar corner a treat for the halloween weekend.
Thanks Mrs B for hosting October Daily I had so much fun.

Planner Love ....

Recently over the last few months I have discovered a whole new world on Instagram through the love of stationery, lists & planners, so much so I now have a instagram feed especially for it.

My Kate Spade planner has featured lots in my styling this year
Here are some of my favourites from this year.

Its a while since I shared a Social Media Sunday post, and this months it has a different twist.

The planning community is full of some gorgeous images, monthly challenges and stationery love.
Here are some favourite images from the last few weeks:
pearltheplanner  -
self confessed washi lover, it is a feed filled with folls of love.
heenabeena - love the kate spade planner & the coffee cup divider.
imvintagerose 's feed is glorious, filled with beautiful things and lovely styling.
coffeewithpaper's have complete pen envy with this gorgeous pen stash.
chensnippets loving both the washi and the studious post from Rachel - love all of her feed.

ohprettylittleplanner - whats not to love about a simple plan & a tiffany pencil
1creativebee - along with a planner etsy shop Melissa posts some great finds out & about.
and finally this simple plan your life post from mymindseyeinc currently full of fall & halloween images

Aside with loving lots of images I have also started to play along with 2 challenges; this month I am participating in Mrs Brimbles October daily on my instagram feed.

Looking forward to November & then December Daily!.

Back to school in style....

September really did have a back to school feel for me, especially when I spent the morning at The Langham hotel learning how to write with a fountain pen!
I have always had a love affair with stationery and writing, my granddad always wrote with a fountain pen and I inherited his writing bureau and pen collection when he passed. As a gift for my birthday I received the opportunity to attend a Modern Calligraphy workshop with Judy Broad in the luxurious style at The Langham hotel in London.

Judy was lovely and made everybody feel so welcome on arrival. The table was laid out beautifully with personalised luggage tag envelopes,ink, inkpot,nib, pen  and macarons.

Inside the envelope was the materials and alphabet guides to help you master the art of Modern Calligraphy. From teaching you how to master the art of holding the pen, key nib strokes through to the alphabet in upper and lower case, Judy was patient, encouraging and coaching.
Soon we were joining up letters and creating words.
I have never used a dip pen before and loved it. Judy uses some glorious colour palettes with her calligraphy (here is her colourful instagram feed) I really love the white and gold inks.
 I had a lovely morning at The Langham with Judy and learnt so much. I look forward to using my new learned skill over the coming months and during the holiday season.