November 2017

Life Things

Festive things I’m excited for | Christmas is coming!

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. I love everything about it! Crisp winter days, hot chocolate, fairy lights, Christmas decorations, lot’s of food and spending time with loved ones. What’s not to love!

I always find the build-up to Christmas the most exciting part. There’s so much to see and do. So in today’s post, I’m going to spread a little Christmas cheer!

This is what I’m most excited for:

1- Putting up the Christmas tree – This is always my favourite thing to do. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always spent a Saturday afternoon with my Dad putting up the tree. We listen to Christmas Music and drink hot drinks and it’s super festive and fun.

2- All the twinkly lights – I’m a sucker for fairy lights, I bloody love the things. There’s always twinkly lights everywhere you go at Christmas time and it makes me so happy.

3 – Christmas shopping – Christmas shopping; you either love it or hate it! Personally, I love it, I get so excited trying to find the perfect gift for someone… and let’s not forget the tea and cake breaks as you shop!

4 – Watching Christmas movies – There’s honestly nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with a blanket and hot chocolate and a good Christmas movie! Elf is my personal favourite.

5 – Christmas music – When we get near Christmas, my work always put the music channels on the TV’s so we can listen to some festive songs, it makes the day so much more enjoyable! I also love listening to Christmas songs when I’m at home.

6 – Festive baking – What can beat a bit of Christmas baking?! Most years I usually make Christmas shortbread, chocolate orange cheesecake and sausage pinwheels (I’m still not sure why I class pinwheels as being festive?! haha).

7 – Christmas with the family – We’re a very small family so every year we spend Christmas together. My mum cooks and all the family come over for presents and food. This year is going to be hard as my wonderful Nan is no longer with us. But we’ll still make the day as festive as possible. My Nan bloody loved Christmas so she’ll definitely want us to have lots of fun and enjoy ourselves.

8- Family games night – Around Christmas, we always have family games nights. We get out Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly etc and spend the evening playing games, listening to music and eating lots of food.

9 – Christmas Eve bowling – Ever since I was 5, every year on Christmas Eve I go bowling with my dad, brother, grandad and uncle. It’s a tradition that we’ve had for 20 years and it’s so much fun. This year Shaun is coming too, so it’ll be extra special that he gets to be part of our family tradition. As you can tell I get very much outnumbered by men! haha.

10 – Indulging in festive food – My mum does the most epic food shop near Christmas every year. It’s honestly the best thing ever. I mean it’s not healthy, but who cares?! Christmas should be a time to treat ourselves.

What are you most looking forward to during the festive season this year?!

Charlotte xx

November 10, 2017

byCharlotte Shares

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Motivation and Goals

3 positive lifestyle changes I want to make

Anyone can make a lifestyle change, but it’s having the motivation to actually do it. Whenever it hits January, we all sit and write our New Years resolutions about how we’re going to change X, Y and Z and be an amazing person. Most of the time I get to the end of the year and I’ve still achieved nothing I said I would. Other people are bound to be like this too so I’m not alone.

I don’t know if there’s a thing around turning 25 – but since turning 25 this year, I have more motivation to actually try and get my shit together! I suddenly feel like more of an ‘adult’ and life suddenly seems to be a whole lot more serious. Did anyone else get this when they turned 25?! haha.

Let’s make some positive life changes

Of course, we all want to make positive life changes and this is something I’ve really been thinking about lately. I’ve been reflecting a lot and trying to come up with ways that I can impact my life in a positive way. I’ve come up with a list of 3 things. I’m trying to start in small steps, so I’m not going to suddenly dive into 10 changes. I believe that taking small steps is always the best way to start.

1 – Go to the gym twice a week

To some people, this probably seems like nothing. But the reality is I NEVER exercise and I know it’s not good for me. I recently joined a gym that opened around the corner from my house (what a PERFECT location! haha) and I’ve set aside 2 days a week to make sure I go. I’ve only been going for a couple of weeks, but I already feel like my sleep pattern is improving and I feel like I have more energy. I’m really hoping that going twice a week will have a positive impact on how I feel and my general wellbeing.

2 – Keep learning new things

Being a child and learning new things was always one of my favourite things. I loved going to school, college and university. I got so much enjoyment out of learning new skills as it gave me a real sense of achievement and confidence. This definitely had a positive impact on my life. I really want to focus on keeping my brain active and learning new things. I’m always finding things on the internet and thinking ‘I want to try that’. Next on my list is to teach myself calligraphy as I love anything creative.

3 – Connect more with people

I will openly admit that I am terrible with this. I very much like my own company and being alone (or with Shaun). I’ve always had a very small group of close friend, but that’s just the way I like it. The thing is, as we’ve all gotten older, life has got in the way. Everyone works different hours, and trying to arrange a meet up is always such a chore! I really need to start making more time and effort to see my friends and family. At the end of the day, they’re always the ones that make me feel better, keep me smiling and support me through the good and the bad. I think seeing them more regularly will definitely have a positive impact on me.

If you could make 3 lifestyle changes, what would they be?

Charlotte xx

November 7, 2017

byCharlotte Shares

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Motivation and Goals

My goals for November | 2017

How is it November already? We say this every single month, but it’s honestly scary where the time goes. A new month, of course, means it’s time for another monthly goals post. My main focus this month is to have some fun and enjoy myself. I’ve been feeling totally down in the dumps recently, so I want to kick away the negativity and enjoy myself!

So here goes – my goals for the month

Date night

I think we all get to that stage in a relationship, you’ve been together for a few years and everything gets a bit same old and boring. Well, that’s what it’s got to for me and Shaun. We spoke about it the other night and decided we need to kick start date night and start going out and doing more. We’ve reached a point where we just sit and watch Netflix. This isn’t good for us and we seriously need to get out more.

Arrange a festive gettogether with my friends

Christmas is quickly approaching. I really want to arrange an evening to get together with my friends and have a good catch up! We’re thinking bowling and a meal out is going to be the plan as that’s always good fun and a great way to enjoy yourself.

Write my Christmas list

I have a few ideas floating around in my head of what I would like for Christmas this year, so I need to actually write out a list to pass on to people. As we’re buying a house, we’re mainly asking for practical presents like toasters and kettles. But there’s definitely some fun bits and pieces that I’d like as well.

Join in more blogger chats on twitter

I really enjoy it when I join in chats on Twitter, but I rarely ever do it. I always forget they’re on, or remember when they’re already halfway through. This month I definitely want to make more effort to join in some chats.

What are your goals for the month ahead?

Charlotte

xx

November 3, 2017

byCharlotte Shares

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