Picture books, paper goods & pretty things.
My sister brought this beautiful song by Alex Cornish to my attention as we drove back from Cornwall. I love the simple nostalgia of the lyric, “I was in the crowd with you.” It inspired me to paint as soon as I got home.
I keep seeing lots of vloggers and folks on Instagram recommending Adriene’s videos for forming a yoga practice. I had a little look at her account and can see immediately why she’s so popular. I started with this seven minute meditation and loved her gentle, easy approach. I especially like the moment when you bow your head to your heart. It felt really meaningful. A lovely treat for a Sunday.
Sunday morning and three bananas going slowly brown in the fruit bowl, perfect time for a little baking. I found a recipe on BBC Good Food and adapted it by swapping the sugar for maple syrup and plain flour for spelt. The end result was quite dense but super tasty and I could feel the goodness in it : )
Ingredients
3 large ripe bananas
75g coconut oil
65ml maple syrup
225g spelt flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla essence
50g chopped dates
Method
Mash the bananas in a big bowl and add all the wet ingredients. Give it a good stir. Then add the dry ingredients and stir until everything is combined. Cook for approximately 40 minutes at 180 fan / 200 degrees. Cover with foil if you feel the top is browning too much.
Allow to cool on a wire rack and then enjoy with a coffee and a pile of good books.
This beautifully made video from Holly Exley is the epitome of a quiet life. I’ve recommended her videos on here before and they just get lovelier and lovelier. There are some lovely tips for sweet things in this little gem.
I subscribed to Pick Up Limes' channel as soon as I stumbled across it. Sadia has such a lovely manner, absorbing and kind. With all the stress of life these days, this is a much appreciated little piece of calm.
One to dance round your kitchen to : )
I've been working abroad for the last two weeks with barely a moment for myself so this weekend called for a complete switch off and reboot. My recipe for relaxation? My sofa, a pack of triple chocolate cookies, a box set of Sex & The City and my watercolour set so I can paint while I half watch the screen. Because let's face it, I don't really need to watch as I know every episode off by heart which is the whole point of comfort TV.
Like many of us I spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer working and often, drawing or writing. A lot of time being stationary. I'm conscious of this and know I need to counterbalance it with exercise. I've also been talking to friends lately about how running makes them feel. Both mentally and physically. About how it can help to deal with stress and clear your mind.
One morning about three weeks ago, I woke up at 6am. It was light and bright outside. So I got up, put on my sports kit and trainers and headed out the door. And I ran. Only for one minute but I ran. As the books advise, I alternated running for one minute with walking for two. I didn't push myself. I listened to music. I looked at the sun shining through the trees. I noticed how many other people were out running! And it felt good. Two days later, I set my alarm for 6am and I went out again. And dare I say it, it was fun.
And as I turned in the direction of home, there was a little note on the pavement. My two new favourite pieces of advice - run and paint : )
Sometimes there's nothing better than curling up on the sofa for a night in with Netflix. And sometimes you find a real treat hidden amongst the recommendations. This week I realised that Chef was squirrelled among the thumbnails. I've seen it several times already but it's one of my favourite go-to movies. If you can watch it without wanting to go to New Orleans and eat an entire block of cheese melted on toast, let me know.
We couldn't get a table for lunch until 5pm so we thought we'd go with it and enjoy an Early Bird special dinner. Champagne at 5pm and home by nine, my new favourite thing!
