What a week it’s been! I definitely need a holiday to get over the hustle and bustle of these past seven days, perhaps a nice fortnight in the Bahamas sipping coconut water from a sun lounger or even to be spared from the rain on the school run tomorrow morning would be nice, I’m really not that fussy!
I spent last weekend filming in Provence in the south of France and it was beautiful. The weather was fantastic, the people were lovely and the food was divine. I’ve only been to the north as a child so it was lovely to pop across and see a little more of such a stunning region and I can’t wait to return again. I hate to admit it but despite studying higher French for my GCSE’s and having not spoken the language for almost ten years I struggled to find my words and felt like a complete tourist. I took millions of pictures of the beautiful landscape, food, antiques and gorgeous items along the way giving my Instagram a good seeing to, it’s impossible not to!
I Spent The Weekend In France Buying Antiques
A few days after my plane touched down I was back in London on Friday the 13th for two days of filming and had a bit of a pamper in preparation for my busy week. I had my eyeliner tattoo’d and eyebrows tinted by the fantastic Caron Vetter at Whitethorn Fields Mediclinic; she is a pure genius and perfectionist and it gave me back my sparkle having such beautiful makeup. I also had my teeth whitened and did a spot of sunbathing because a girls got to find the time to make an effort when sleep is at a premium! And believe me without it I’d easily get mistaken for an extra on a Thriller video.
I Had My Eyeliner Tattoo’d, Eyebrows Tinted And Teeth Whitened For Filming This Week
I also caught up for a spot of lunch with the lovely ladies from the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Stoke Mandeville where they gave me a beautiful thank you card and a gift after I donated my time to produce a marketing video for their services. I believe in helping others, being thankful and fortunate for what you have and recognising those who need your time. We are all human, we are all fallible and we could all do with a kind word and helping hand at one time or another, so in giving back when I can I like to think that I keep karma on an even keel.
And if you find yourself with a spare couple of hours across the week, after juggling the children and running the rat race of life, why not take yourself away from the stresses and routines and go and help out at a charity shop, take a donation or give time at an event. It really is the smallest things that can make such a big difference to so many, and it’s a humbling experience that we can all benefit and learn from. Giving to charities has opened my heart and mind to so many worthwhile causes and amazing people, I feel incredibly inspired each and every time I’m fortunate enough to help out.
A Thank You Card From The Florence Nightingale Hospice
Millie has loved her first week back at school and surprisingly took to it like a duck to water. Early morning starts? Not a problem! Walking the forty-five minutes to and from school each day? Bring it on! Her enthusiasm is literally at bursting point and I adore seeing her so happy.
She still has two very stubborn but wobbly bottom front teeth that have thus far evaded the tooth-fairy. I’ve tried to keep some coins in my purse in eager anticipation for their arrival under her pillow, but they’re taking so long to wiggle free that I keep spending them and have to break a note each time I realise. Millie has been telling me that her friends at school have swallowed and dropped their teeth so they received books and toys after writing a letter to the tooth fairy instead of putting it under their pillow; so Millie is now deciding on a long list of treats and expenses should she ‘accidentally’ lose her teeth once they’re out. I had to explain to her that the tooth fairy prefers to give the gift of a gold coin in exchange for teeth because she’s so small it’s the perfect size for her to carry. And I couldn’t help but laugh how as children we feel so excited about losing our teeth and receiving money, but as an adult losing teeth is petrifying and costs a small fortune but thankfully I’ve never had so much as a filling and I pray that it stays that way. Prevention is better than cure.
The Children Decided To Play In The Dog Cage
Poor little muchkin Gabriele has had an awful time with his teeth, his incisors are cutting through and he’s had the reddest cheeks, hot temperature and gone off of his food again. He’s such a happy baby and never stops smiling, but this week he’s had a little grumble and a whine as he rubs his sleepy eyes and chomps his gums down on his milk bottle. It’s such a horrible time for babies to go through teething, but as it’s his last few teeth now I’m hoping it won’t last for much longer bless him.
And it’s certainly not stopping Gabriele and Millie from having fun, as they were playing in the kitchen earlier as I was making dinner and I heard a lot of giggling and funny noises behind me whilst I was chopping vegetables only to see them bundled up in the dog’s cage when I turned around. Well if they’re that easily pleased then Christmas will be a breeze this year! The weather has completely turned to cold and rain in this past week and I’m resisting the urge to put the heating on, hang the Christmas decorations and heat the mulled wine for a nice cosy night in front of the TV with the kids in bed. It’ just three weeks until Millie’s sixth birthday and four weeks until my twenty-sixth and thus far I’ve made no plans or preparation so I’ll have to get my skates on because Christmas is never far behind. Eek!
I Spent Two Days Filming In London
I spent the end of the week filming in London and had an incredible time, but I couldn’t wait to return home and fall face down into my pillows with a nice cosy duvet and cuddles from my babies. And along my travels I came across the fantastic Jam Tree bar in Chelsea/Fulham which serves jam mojitos, yes jam! Possibly combining two of my most favourite pastimes of both food and drink, am I in vegetarian heaven right now?
The Fabulous Jam Tree Bar In SW6
I love the quirky interiors you find in London, which are a million miles away from my life in a sleepy little country village and I have to pinch myself each time I return home and bring myself back to reality with a bump. It’s important to push yourself beyond your limits and test your own boundaries to discover the most beautiful things in life. If we all stayed within the same five mile radius how dull our dreams would be. We’re on this earth to explore, learn, grow, develop and understand and after a hectic week of doing all of that and more I’m off to bed for some much needed sleep and to store it all in my memory bank. Zzz…
