I love having the chance to reflect each week through Morgana’s #LittleLoves.
My week started with a half marathon on Saturday, (the one I wish I hadn’t signed up for) but I survived and I even ran without headphones. I really enjoyed some parts of it, but it was unbelievably windy in some parts and incredibly hilly in others. Of course, I knew it was a trail half marathon but the wind was insane! The scenery was the best of rugged, untouched countryside and I loved running down hill with my arms outstretched through the wind.
One thing is for sure – I won’t be running a long distance race ever again. I don’t enjoy running more than 5 or 6 miles, and I was so pleased to be back at the gym this week!
The back door into our garden has been open all week and I have loved watching the two of them play. I’ve also enjoyed the house being much tidier! A little sad, I know.
Read
A bit of a funny one this week, but it’s been very much on my mind. Emails. My blog inbox is getting a lot busier, which is really fantastic and exciting, but I’m not really sure what to make of it all. I’m getting over not feeling bad about saying no and not worrying if they think I’m awful. I have no intention of posting more frequently, as I don’t want to spend every evening buried under a laptop or write about anything and everything. Blogging is very much a hobby and I feel very happy with the balance – I would like to keep it that way. I’ve realised how precious I feel over my blog.
The other thing is that I set up a Facebook page for my blog. Lots of people have asked me over the last few months to set one up as it’s the best way for them to follow it. After I’d set it up I felt so anxious all day. Blogging is such a funny thing – it is so enjoyable, yet really quite stressful if you find social media and ‘putting yourself out there’ so uncomfortable. Anyway – it’s done and it’s there.
Watched
Lots of fellow Little Lovers recommended ‘The Truth About Teeth’ and ‘How the Other Half Eats’ last week and I watched both on Tuesday night. I knew both of them would be right up my street and they were. I found them both fascinating. It was so interesting to hear what each family was saying about the other in ‘How the Other Half Eats’.
I also went to see Pitch Perfect 2 with one of my sister in laws last weekend, needless to say – I loved it!
Heard
I feel so awful that I bore you all each week with my bad taste, but the teeny bopper in me cannot be quashed. I have been loving ‘Love Me Like You Do’ by Ellie Goulding this week. I would love to know what connects us to certain songs at certain times. I really dislike the fast version though.
Made
In April we felt ready to rid our home of gluten and sugar. Jared has real problems tolerating both, and neither do favours for my waistline, so in April I nervously removed it from our cupboards. I’m pleased to report that we’re feeling fine about it and it’s something we probably should have done years ago.
This week I had a go at making Madeleine Shaw‘s granola and her squash curry. Both were really lovely. I’ve been a fan of Madeleine’s for a while so I was thrilled when I found out she had a book in the pipeline.
We don’t eat dessert very often, but this week I’ve been making little yoghurt desserts for the boys each night and they love them! Ru starts going a bit wild when he sees it. It’s usually combination of natural yoghurt, banana, berries and chia seeds. I know, my kids are deprived, but they taste so good.
Wore
The sun seems to have summoned a whole host of floral blouses that were hiding away in my wardrobe – some old, some new, some bright and some…yellow.
And lastly…
I won something – I can’t quite believe it. My story telling finger puppets were entered into the Sykes Cottages crafting competition and I won! I’m SO pleased. £100 worth of crafting goodies will be heading my way very soon. Can you believe it? I can’t.
In a weeks time I’ll be heading to London for Brit Mums – it seems to have crept up on me.
Happy weekend to one and all!
E xx
#LittleLoves is a chance to remember all the things that made up your week. Linking up with Morgana.
So much to love this week! Well done for doing he run! I really should get myself in to gear! I totally agree, I do not like the fast version of that song! Love your blouses! Have a wonderful week ahead xx
Thank you and thank you. You too xx
Well done on the half marathon! I am a terrible long distance runner, not sure I could ever do anything like that!! Loving the prints on all those tops, just gorgeous. I know what you mean about putting yourself out there, I was the same when I launched my FB page but not all your current friends see it so you can manage it however you like. Have a wonderful weekend xx
Thanks Sian. I’m definitely not a long distance runner. It was fine but never again! Absolutely – it freaks me out massively and I always worry that people think I’m forcing my writing on them. Such a funny thing! xx
Well done on your half marathon. It is quite an achievement. Well done too on winning the craft contest, your puppets were ace. Isn’t it lovely to get out the summer clothes and enjoy the pretty prints? Have a great weekend x
Thank you! Yes – I’m with you on the summer clothes! So uplifting and fun to discover hidden clothing. I hope you had a lovely one too xx
Lovely round up! Well done on your half marathon, I really want to start running again, i’ve been making an effort to do my post natal tummy exercises which i feel proud for sticking to for the last few weeks! Love all your outfits, I almost got that yellow top the other week! x
Sticking to any exercise routine is such an achievement – particularly when you have three littles! Well done!!! Everybody asks me if I made the yellow top…I love it xx
What a ruddy week! Sounds mint! Well done on winning and loving all the floral blouses..schweeettt! Looking good. Massive well done on the 1/2marathon sounds intense, I deffs dont like running long distance, I like the whole sprint..stop scenario!
I agree with the whole blogging for a hobby, some nights I think “chill out, its loosing its funness and therapeutic side” ! Cant wait to check out your fb page. Xx
Thanks M! I’m so glad it’s out of the way. Definitely – I couldn’t blog everyday! x
Oh yeah and we saw pitch perfect 2 for date night before the hols, my second time (stalker) ..its brilliant x
Yay for BritMums! Look forward to saying hello. Those yogurt pots look delicious! Have a wonderful weekend x
Yey! I’m pretty sure I’ll be in the craft room…almost the entire time! Thank you – you too xx
Well done on completing your marathon! Those chia seed desserts looks yummy, I only tried one for the first time on Thurs,it was coconut flavour. I really must make one now. Look forward to meeting you next week xx
Thank you! I love making little pots of bits and bobs – sometimes I get a little peckish in the evening. I’m going totally alone so will appreciate seeing a familiar face! x
Well done on completing your half marathon! And for winning all those crafty bits too. Have liked your facebook page 😉 Have a great weekend x
Thank you, thank you and thank you! I really hope you have a fabulous week! xx
Well done for your half marathon! Loving your floral prints, so summery. I’m such a sugar fiend, I must get on some of these healthy alternatives…I feel like I say that every week :p Pitch Perfect is great isn’t it, must get the soundtrack. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend xx
I’m definitely a natural sugar fiend but it’s amazing how much energy I have about two weeks after cutting it out…and how easily I forget!!! Pitch Perfect is awesome – might have to get the soundtrack myself great idea! xx
MASSIVE well done on your half marathon, that really is a huge achievement and one to tick off the list! Thank you for posting that link to Madeline Shaw’s website- I have been having a right old read of it. I’ve been feeling pretty rubbish of late, food and drink-wise. I too feel much better without sugar, and I’m finally cutting out booze as I really feel I’m intolerant to it, it makes me so ill the day after now, that it’s just not worth it 🙁
Hopefully will get to see you at Britmums! x #littleloves
Thank you – it was so windy, but so glad it’s done! I love Madeleine!!!…along with Deliciously Ella. I feel so much better without sugar…but after a month or so I forget how I felt before! Yes – hopefully, I’m feeling far less scared than last year! xx
What a lovely post. Congrats on the half marathon and YAY for floral dresses! Oh and Britmums! Can you believe its THIS weekend coming! *rabbit in headlights expression*
Thank you! I know! I haven’t had chance to think about it, but I’m looking forward to it! xx
I love reading your little loves Esther, I think you and I are really similar, in our running, our style, our bad music tastes. 😉 Congrats on running your half marathon- running without headphones is the worst for me! x
Don’t you mean good music taste? 😉 Apparently we weren’t allowed to wear them but because it was so windy I couldn’t hear my own breath anyway…which is the thing I hate! x
Such a fab littleloves post. Well done on the race! I’m defo not a long distance runner so hats off to you mrs. xx
Thank you!
I love all your little loves this week Esther, I don’t even know where to start. Congrats on winning the comp and on running the half marathon. I’ve signed up for one in September and really need to start some more serious training. I love your floral blouses and very jealous of you going to watch Pitch Perfect 2, I think I’ll be waiting for it to come out on Sky.
Hope you’ve had a lovely week xxx
Thank you so much Jo. You really should see Pitch Perfect 2. It is so so good and very funny – as expected 😉 A half marathon in Sept you will be fine! xx