#BEDN {World Kindness Day}

You'll know I love writing letters to my snail mail friends. I just love writing in general, it's so therapeutic!

I came across this wonderful project when I was searching for some snail mail inspiration and I was overwhelmed by it all. People's kindess in writing encouraging words to strangers and just how these words can help someone, even just a little.

Words can make your day {and sadly they can also ruin your day}. I think if we all took 5 minutes out of our busy days and wrote a letter to a stranger.. words to inspire, boost, encourage, give someone hope.. the world might just be a better place.

Try it.

Visit www.moreloveletters.com

A x

#BEDN {My Hometown}

I'm going on holiday today {I may have mentioned!}.  I've scheduled some posts for my BEDN challenge, so if you pop a message - I'll reply when I'm back next week x

I wrote about my hometown / village not so long ago, you'll find the link here.  I imagine it will be looking a lot duller than these photos but it's still a beautiful place.

A x

#BEDN {remembrance day}

I'm lost in thought for the brave...

#BEDN {something different}

We're doing something different today / tonight...having an overnight stay in Glasgow whilst the littlest stays with her Grandparents.

We're staying at the Art House Hotel. We checked in about 3 pm and headed to Starbucks for festive drinks. We then picked up some last minute things for our holiday. I eventually got a swimsuit!

Right now we're chilling in The Butterfly and Pig in Bath Street...I've never been here before, it's described as shabby chic with vintage charm! It's a bit like having a drink in an old aunties house...It's quaint!

We're shattered though, so one more drink then going back to hotel to have dinner there then an early night...busy day tomorrow packing!

A x

#BEDN {blog chat}

I've had many blogs, going back many years, but I've never kept them going. I often get bored.

I go through stage thinking 'why on earth do people want to read about my mundane, often too busy life'... do people keep reading your blog out of habit? Do they glance over it, just scrolling for an interesting image or for a word to jump out of the page?

I follow many blogs {on bloglovin'}, some are fabulous and I hear myself saying 'Yay' when their blog shows on my list, but some are truly awful! I do hope that my blog doesn't fall into the truly awful category! But you can't please everyone.

I think the best thing to remember about a blog, is that most are just a snippet of someone's life. Some are made up entirely. Don't believe everything you read. But if you do enjoy someone's style of writing then keep following.

My favourite type of blogs are ones that seem genuine and give an insight into how their life is, they share common likes with me and they sometimes make me laugh, sometimes make me want to hug them, they make me feel like I know them! They seem like friends who are writing to me... yes, tha'ts what I like.

What blogs do you follow?

Here's some of my favourites:

Glasgow Mummy
Olive Dragonfly
More Than Toast
The Tales of Sonny and Luca
Miss Beatrix
She's Eclectic
The Mrs Makes
This Mummy

Have a look, you might enjoy!
A x

#BEDN {day in the life}

Tada... I can't believe I'm at Day 8 in the Blog Every Day In November challenge, a new record for me! So, on to today's post 'day in the life'... here goes:

I woke up {the first time} at 6am when the Mr's alarm went off {he started work at 7am today}. I dozed off again and woke up {for the second time} at 6.30am when my Son's alarm went off {he left for work at 6.50am}. I tried to doze again but my alarm went off at 6.45am... yawn!

Littlest was still asleep so I got washed and dressed for work and by 7.15am she was awake too... we got ready chatted about the day ahead. She was going to her Gran and Grandad's today for an outing to the shops and for lunch, we headed downstairs and had breakfast which was weetabix and toast. My big girl was then awake and by 8.10am we were all ready to leave...

First drop off is my big girl, she got dropped at work which is 10miles from home, takes around 30mins to get there {if traffic is OK!}, I then drove another 4mile to my in-laws to drop off the littlest, then I went to work which was another 3mile and I eventually got there around 9.30am.

I had a busy day planned... I work at a huge shopping park in Glasgow and we had a new store re-launch today! Exciting as it's not every day you get to see a brand new store concept knowing it's the only one of it's kind in Scotland! We had a local VIP open the store and they got lots of prizes! The rest of my day was working through emails, scheduling social media updates for work, updating the website and preparing for my TWO WEEKS OFF which started at 5pm when I finished {yipee}.

The Mr, who is now also on annual leave, was also meant to finish at 5pm but he got away at 3.30pm so he nipped to the shop for some supplies and then picked up the littlest {saving me the journey}. I made a pitt stop on way home to pick up a birthday gift for my friend's little girl, also picking up another Christmas gift for the littlest as I couldn't resist!! I got home around 6.15 pm, a quick kiss and cuddle {I love the welcome I get when I come home from work} and I then nipped out to deliver a print order, it was just around the corner so that was a bonus!  Back home to watch ten minutes of Snow White {this is the new favourite film} and read my latest #PostCircle letter then it was time to tuck my Princess into bed.  Quick tidy up then we had take away for tea - result, no cooking!

The Mr and I have a little work to catch up on then we are going to 'attempt' to watch a film {I always fall asleep!}. Tomorrow is packing day as we're heading off to Tenerife on Tuesday {It's OK I've got all my post scheduled already}!

So, there you have a typical day... although today was not as busy as normal as there was no cooking or cleaning or laundry involved, oh and no picking up kiddos on my return journey!

A x

#BEDN {10 things}

I love lists!!! 10 things... Hmm 10 things! I know... a Birthday wish list of 10 things! {hope the Mr reads this, I'm sure he'll be looking for ideas soon enough}...

My 10 Things! {9 pictured}

I love the Radley red letter day purse and it's on SALE right now!

Yummy Hotel Chocolat goodies! I love this brand, it's so expensive so I don't get it often

Orla Kiely weekend bag - I love this brand, this is a total splurge and I'm just dreaming on this one

I have loads of watches but only one in working order. Most are years old though. I do love the Michael Kors rose gold ones but I feel they are now becoming a bit common as I've saw so many wearing them... that puts me off a product

I've lusted after this Swarovski ring for years {size small}! Every year I try it on and vow I'll buy it with birthday money but I never do and gift money gets absorbed into the purse usually

PJs - I LOVE comfy PJS.. I've yet to find the perfect pair so if you've found them please let me know. I hate silky / satin ones, don't like fleecy ones and I'm not keen on button shirt like PJ tops. The ones pictures are Cath Kidston, another brand I love! But I'm too big or their sizes are too small for me... boo!

Starbucks - have you tried the red cups? The new Orange Mocha is amazing! I'm planning on having one today with my lunch AND I've heard they are going on Buy one Get one FREE from tomorrow (8th Nov - 11th Nov between 2-5pm.. yippee!). I do love a good coffee and Starbucks is my favourite but it is so expensive so I don't often treat myself to one. A gift card is a great idea for someone who likes little treats.

I've been looking for a new perfume for some time now. I don't have an absolute favourite. I had a sample of Daisy by Marc Jacobs and I really liked it! What's your favourite perfume? I don't like vanilla smells...

Spa day - who doesn't love a spa day, well I don't know as I've never had one! Maybe one day!

The last thing on my list is a new rain coat, there's no photo as I can't find one to fit my fussiness - here's what I'm looking for in case you've seen it... Shower / rain proof, not padded, not flimsy or thin, has a hood {no furry bits}, zip up the front, 3/4 length, not patterned (unless it was subtle), not fussy on colour.

There you have it... my 10 things!

#BEDN {national stress awareness day}

If I take time to think {when I have time} then I know I am very stressed. I'm a born worrier... I worry about things that haven't even happened and I have waking nightmares about things that could happen. I always fear the worst. Sometimes I can't sleep for stressing about things I need to do the next day.

My job can be quite stressful as there can be very tight deadlines and a huge workload for the small team we have. I know I stress myself out in everyday life trying to keep the house tidy, home-cooked meals and making sure I spend as much time as I can entertaining and educating the littlest. I'm often drained, which then adds to my stress. Plus, I don't talk to anyone about what stresses me out. It's a vicious circle.

I don't do much to de-stress, although I would love to AND I PLAN TO. Here's my list of things I'm going to do to de-stress:

take a long soak with some essential oils
go for a swim
take time out at work and sit and have a coffee {starbucks red cups} and people watch
have an early night
sing
exercise
cycle
declutter {my head and house}

What do you do to de-stress?

A x

#BEDN {bonfire night}

We've had such a fun day today. An impromptu day off together {the Mr was meant to be working until 4pm but got away early at 9.30am!!}, we went to soft play and littlest had such fun. Then some shopping {for beach shoes in the Winter, yeah that was simple..NOT}. After dinner we got wrapped up and took a stroll around the village so we could see some fireworks.

I'm not a fan of fireworks at home {probably due to my Dad being a <retired> fireman}, but I do love to watch a organised display. Maybe next year we'll venture out to one.

Stay safe everyone!

A x

Meal Planning {Monday}

So I planned my meals well in advance last week but that's now changed as I have a few meals out this week {yipee}. Yesterday I made some scrummy minestrone soup and some mac 'n' cheese with garlic bread it was all very tasty indeed!

The rest of the week looks like this:

Monday
Sausage, mash and beans {for kids as us Adults are dining out.. tapas!!}

Tuesday
Spaghetti carbonara and garlic bread

Wednesday
Stir fry chicken for kids {Adults dining out again}

Thursday
Pitta bread pizza and homemade wedges

Friday
Mediterranean Pasty Ring {recipe here}

Saturday
I'm so hoping we get take away as we will be packing for our holidays {leave on Tuesday}

Sunday
Staying overnight in hotel in Glasgow, with dinner!

You can link up... just click the logo above to go to Mrs M page, here you can join in.

#BEDN {food glorious food}

I love food! It's like this subject was made just for me! I'm always contemplating a diet whilst thinking about menus for the following week... yes I do always think about food.

I love baking and I love cooking. Each week I plan our meals around what we have left in the fridge freezer, write out our meal plan for a week or two, grocery shop online {usually at Sainsburys}, we have a fruit and veg box delivered once a fortnight and we shop for our meat at Costco. We're very well organised when it comes to shopping and meals. We have to be as we both work full time. My slow cooker is my best friend!

I often post photos / recipes over here, which is a page I started to share weight watchers recipes {when I once lost over 20lbs... then went on an all inclusive holiday and the rest is history}.

Tonight's menu... the Mr and I are dining out {I have a service assessing job on at a lovely restaurant} the kiddos are having sausage, beans and mash - a comfort food old favourite!

What's on your plate?

A x

Ps... watch out for my Meal Planning Monday post popping up soon!

#BEDN {light}

Diwali is the biggest Hindu festival, known as the 'festival of lights'... I had never heard of it before but after a little reading it sounds wonderful! A few words that I would use to describe the celebration are: joy, kindness, peace, sharing, family, inner light... there's also the sharing of sweets, a good ole spring (autumnal) clean and fireworks.

Often in this world we live in (in my experience), we're often too busy with the bustle of life and work that we forget to embrace our own inner light... faith and trust in guidance from above.

I miss my faith and I often feel melancholy for letting go... it was an inner and uphill battle to be the only one in my entire family that believes and practised. In my parish I was an outsider and I never felt part as I was new, that made me feel disheartened.

I've lost my inner light, hopefully I'll find it some day... who knows where?

A x

#BEDN {Something I made}

My three precious babies!

Biggest age 22, littlest age 2 and middle girly 19!

Ax

#BEDN {Introduction}

Here goes... my first #BEDN post.

I'm AnneeApple. Wife. Mummy of 3 (1 boy, 2 girls). I work full time and also manage my little graphic design business. I'm a service assessor (in my 'free' <hahahahaha> time). I love to craft and cook! Love to snail mail more.  I have an obsession with stationery!

When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina. I went to ballet school full time once I'd finished Senior School and for a short time I was that ballerina.

I have a REM sleep disorder (nothing to do with the pop group).

In August 2002 I was told I'd lose my sight within 6 months. I can still see!

I have 9 and 3/4 fingers. I lost part of one in 2006 when I got it caught in a letterbox.

I love: my family, routine, being organised and tidy, chocolate, classical music, silence, tea.

I hate: celebrity TV shows, horror films, violence, cream soda, busy places, crocs!

So that's me... I look forward to catching up with everyone's introductions on #BEDN

A x

{Cafe Ceramico}

We had such a fun day yesterday. An impromptu day off together (once we'd jumped on the bed to waken the Mr from his night-shift sleep... he didn't mind!)

We arrived at Cafe Ceramico around 12pm. We hadn't been before but I had read a review from Glasgow Mummy and it looked like heaps of fun! I had emailed Cafe Ceramico in advance to ask if the activities would be suitable for my littlest as she's just turned two. One prompt reply later Simon assured me that it was all about having fun and that it was!

When we arrived we were greeted by friendly staff who talked us through what to do. We chose a ceramic to paint... this took some time as there was so much to choose from. We chose a dragonfly as it was just the right size for the littlest to hold. We sat at a big table where a family was already painting their ceramics, everyone was having a great time. We put on an apron and got to work painting away.

Little one has such fun, choosing colour, painting dots, then painting over them all and starting again... 'more paint Mummy'. Once we had finished a member of staff took the dragonfly away to let it dry and to coat it with some shine and glitter. We headed down to the cafe area and ordered some lunch. We had toasties and coffee and littlest had a toddler lunch which was a ham sandwich, juice, crisps, chocolate fingers. It was great value for money.

There is also a small soft play area. This was a perfect size for a two year old! We're not regular visitors to any soft play so littlest took a few attempts to climb up the platform, but once I showed her how to hook her foot she was off and had great fun! By this time there was only another 2 or 3 kids there so it was nice and quiet.

Here's the finished piece...

We'll definitely be visiting again, it was a great activity for a rainy day!

You can visit Cafe Ceramico website here and Like them on Facebook here

A x

Dina Dina Dina... batman!

I'm trying to get in the blogging zone in preparation for my 'Blog every day in November' ... stop laughing, I'm going to try!

This week we're going to be eating:

Monday
Pasta bake and garlic bread eaten!

Tuesday
Spag bol

Wednesday
Mexican beef and potatoes

Thursday
Chicken tikka and nan bread

Friday
Salmon with....... something!

Saturday
Chilli con carne (slow cooker)

Sunday
Minestrone soup and mac 'n' cheese

Monday
Sausage, mash and beans

Tuesday
Spaghetti carbonara

Wednesday
Pitta bread pizza

Yes, I know it's more than a week but I've just done my online grocery shop at Sainsburys and I planned this far in advance.

What's on your plate?

Remember to link up with Mrs M (click the logo at top to go straight to her page)

Blog every day in November?

I saw this challenge on a few blogs I follow back in May when it was 'Blog every day in May' (doh, you knew that right?) and I've been looking for some motivation to blog more, so this is the perfect challenge for me!

I am going on holiday mid November but I'll fit in some scheduled posts, I will.. won't I?

Ax

{The Autumn Tag}

Thank you to Glasgow Mummy for tagging me in 'The Autumn Tag' meme.. I do like a meme and Autumn!

Favourite thing about Autumn...
The colours, deep golden hues... crisp leaves, the fresh air and cosy nights! Autumn is my favourite season, not too warm and cold enough to get cosy with my Ugg boots and scarves!

I'll be drinking...
Tea! I am enjoying mugs of peppermint tea and green tea right now but I am looking forward to a Starbucks Gingerbread Soya Latte as time draws nearer to Christmas!

Favourite scent..
Fresh bread and baking. You'll know I do love to bake and for the last few weeks I've been baking my own bread. I love the smell.

Best Lipstick...
I'm actually on the hunt for a new lippy. I have a make-up consultation at Clinique tomorrow so hopefully I'll find my best lipstick there?

Go to moisturiser...
I love taking care of my skin. I use Clinique 3-step and also their laserwear repair serum. I LOVE IT! I also use Estee Lauder advance night repair eye cream. I'm old but hope I don't look my age.

Eye colour...
I love smoky eyes, no favourite yet maybe pick that up too at Clinque tomorrow?

Favourite singer / band...
Apart from the Beatles I really enjoy Findlay Napier, if you can check them out then do so. I was first introduced to them many years ago at Celtic Connections and have been to so many gigs. Great talent... and Findlay and his wife have just had a baby - yay!

Outfit of choice...
My wardrobe is terrible. I really need a whole overhaul and restyle. I have no idea what suits me so all my clothes are a riot! So my outfit of choice will have to be my PJs (even they are hideous)

The place to be...
I love walking in the countryside... just being out in the open soaking up the world.

I'm going to tag the following bloggers:

The Mrs Makes
Claireabellemakes
Transatlantic Blonde


I look forward to reading your Autumn Tags, if you link up :)

Meal Planning!

Hello! Where have I been? Right here, and very busy. Recovering from my op whilst still working and looking after littlest, then catching a throat infection and cold virus... but I have been right here. Stressed I must add, but that's just hectic family life for you! No matter how you debate how you think work / life balance should be in your head, it doesn't work out that way and sometimes (all the time) you just have to grin and bare it!

In a vow to be more organised so that those little stolen 5 mins of family time can be achieved I'm meal planning again... here it is!

You can join on with Mrs M too - just click the link above.

...then this happened!

Oh I've been neglectful of my blog.. but this little Princess turned two!