We found Helsinki to be a very relaxed city with genuinely friendly chatty locals. We visited at the end of December last year and stayed for three nights and two days. You can certainly pack a lot in to that time without feeling completely frazzled . At it's coldest it was -12 degrees which was pretty chilly. But we didn't need any specialist clothing, we just layered our normal clothes which kept us warm and snug. Like other Scandinavian/Nordic cities we have visited, we f

Do you sometimes feel directionless, not know where you're heading, just going through the motions of everyday life? Do you try to make new year resolutions or goals but find that they don't materialise? If this sounds like you, you're not alone.Now that the dark heaviness of January is behind us February can provide some optimism for the year ahead. So I thought I'd share how I use vision boards as an effective proactive planning tool that's quite fun to do. If you've stumbl

If you'd like to make some meaningful plans for the year ahead but haven't got round to it yet please let me assure you that you aren't 'behind'. At the beginning of every year we are bombarded with pressure to set resolutions, live like we are in control of every aspect of our lives and have bucket loads of motivation. But I actually think that January is the worst month to set intentions for the year. Many of us are in hibernation mode, conserving energy and maybe just claw

Here's what I have been loving this year Everything here I have used, loved, gifted or received and I think they make excellent gifts. Prices range from £4.50 to £399. As always I'm not encouraging, in any way, mindless purchasing. It's just here to serve as possible inspiration if you're looking for it. Home Neom Ceramic Star or Ceramic Circle Natural Diffuser £6.00 This is a really cute ceramic star which can be infused with your favourite scent and hung to fragrance your s

Christmas is considered a particularly stressful time of year for many of us. Schedule overload, family tension, emotional strain and financial pressures. With four weeks to go until the 'big' day, some of us are fully embracing the festive craziness whilst many are completely overwhelmed, overstretched, emotionally drained and generally frazzled. Here are some techniques that can help to calm the mind, bring about some balance and allow us time to step off of the metaphorica

I've seen quite a lot of posts recently about Autumn Resets. How we should be doing this and how we should be doing that. Getting this...

The change in season has really got me settling into my evenings and embracing the coziness that is synonymous with Autumn. Here are some...

What I do to try to reduce stress during my kids exams I originally wrote this article a year ago just before both of my daughters...

Here's what I've been loving these past few weeks: Service John Lewis Personal Styling Service This is a free service available at selected John Lewis stores and I highly recommend it. I wanted to find a pair of jeans (many of us know how difficult this is!) plus a few key pieces to update my wardrobe. I'd fallen into a bit of a rut and wanted to try some new looks. You can book either a 'Wardrobe Refresh' (2 hours), which is what I opted for, or a 'Key Look' (1 hour) if you'

I originally wrote this article three years ago but am moving it to the top of my journal for anyone that wants to or needs to read it....

If you'd like to make some meaningful plans for the year ahead but haven't got round to it yet please let me assure you that you aren't...

It's really fun in our house at the moment! One teenager is about to start A Level exams and the other GCSEs. How did this happen?!?! Some might say I'm a glutton for punishment! I am tired already, and I'm not particularly looking forward to these next few weeks, but I am hopeful we can get through without too many tears and tantrums. I've learnt a few strategies over the last couple of years that have really helped to reduce stress levels all round. I am by no means an ex

One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. It’s a scary thought, isn’t it? However, treatments are continuously...

Do you have an inner critic? That negative voice that questions how 'good' we are? This can be so self limiting, stopping us from doing...

If you haven't given much thought to the year ahead but want to make some meaningful plans just know that you are not behind. Social media has been full of new year resolutions, what's in and out and posts about smashing goals and being a success. If you'd like to take control of 2024 but have felt weighed down with the heaviness of January, now is an ideal time to give it some thought. No matter what social media may lead us to believe we are exactly where we are meant to be

Every year the month of September feels like a new beginning for me. It's the most appropriate time to reset routines and focus on a few small things I'd like to achieve every day. The spontaneous, sometimes chaotic, nature of the summer holidays are over and I'm craving the return of structure. What helps me achieve this is to set some new non negotiables for every day. I'm not sure I like the name 'non-negotiables' but I can't think of anything else. September is also a per

When the weather is this hot there are a few things we can do to keep our skin comfortable, hydrated and protected. 🔹Thoroughly cleanse...

The colder weather has well and truly arrived. This wintery climate has the potential to wreak havoc with our skin. The change from warm...

Perimenopause and menopause often arise at a time in our lives when we are spinning lots of plates, looking after everyone else and...

It’s all well and good talking about living mindfully but it can often be difficult to do. However, if we can become more aware of what...