New Year, New Me?

Happy New Year (3 of 5)I’ve never particularly been one for New Year’s resolutions, mainly because I rarely have the resolve to keep them. But this year over the Christmas period I found I had time to stop and reflect. I saw my crazy dashing around, trying to keep house, child, husband and blog in check with fresh eyes. Realising that, as my wardrobe and travel budget has shrunk since starting a family so has my capacity to ‘do’ things. I’ve been tempted to continue in the same fashion as my pre child days and all it results in is, exhaustion and frustration. So, it put me in mind to make a few changes. Tentatively I make these resolutions

To Read

First and foremost I am a bookworm, but if the past year were a yardstick to measure that by, I’d come up sincerely lacking. In 2015 I watched Dr. Husband receive a book a month from Mr. B’s Emporium of Reading. Each evening he’d be engrossed in another fantastic novel while I slowly dragged my way through the dullest book I’ve ever read, I am not one to give in easily. Over Christmas I read Jessie Orton’s first novel The Miniaturist, which is set in 17th century Amsterdam. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you haven’t read it please please do. I was able to totally lose myself in the story, in only the way the best books can do. But what should I read next? I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Happy New Year (4 of 5)

To Relax

I find it incredibly tempting to spend every ounce of free time working. As a parent, I find time for work is often pressured, by illness and other family chores. So work often spills into free time. Nap times, Daddy and Daisy time and evenings are spent writing, photographing and emailing. Yet it can totally take the joy out of what I’m doing. In Sweden they have a word, Fika, which means taking a proper break to enjoy coffee (or in my case tea). So I’ve indulged in a new pair of velvet pom pom slippers from Boden, frivolous but warm and comfy. They put me in the right frame of mind to sit down for a cup of tea. I’m also keeping Essence + Alchemy’s Tranquility Mist to hand. The combination of vetiver, geranium and patchouli is wonderfully relaxing.

Happy New Year (2 of 5)Happy New Year (1 of 5)

To Photograph More

These past 6 months I’ve been obsessed with my 35mm f/1.8 Nikon lens. Yes if I was uber trendy I’d be using an Olympus Pen, which to this day I seriously covet, but we own a Nikon, so Nikon it is. For Christmas Dr. Husband bought me a 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens to capture the incredibly creative outfits I see on the streets of London. I’m no Bill Cunningham, but I’d love to share them with you. Imagine: here’s what you’re wearing on the streets of Angel, Shoreditch and Brixton. The possibilities are endless.

Happy New Year (5 of 5)

I guess I should have added to do more exercise or move house, both things I/we really need to do. But I am trying to be realistic. So, I hope you all had a very Happy Christmas and New Year, and I’d love to hear about any resolutions you have made.

Shop the Edit

Book, Amazon £3.85

Slippers, Boden £20.30

Mist, Essence + Alchemy, sold out

Lens, Nikon 2nd hand

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8 Comments

  1. January 6 / 2:33 pm

    Good resolutions:) Ross (husband) and I have also said we are going to read a couple of nights a week instead of watch tv/be on the computer etc etc…I totally agree – you can get consumed with work and realise you are not giving yourself any free time at all. I have just started reading Us by David Nicholls…

    • N4 Mummy
      Author
      January 6 / 2:53 pm

      Abbie good idea. I can get totally obsessed by a TV series and a whole evening has gone by and I’m no more relaxed than when I started. Just had a quick look at Us and it looks good, let me know how you get on and I’ll put it on my (very short) book list X

  2. Lucy
    January 5 / 5:15 pm

    can we see a photo of the slippers?! I’m currently reading books by Elizabeth Fremantle – historical fiction. Those who love Phillipa Gregory books won’t be disappointed! We should do another book swap soon xxx

    • N4 Mummy
      Author
      January 5 / 7:33 pm

      The slippers are attached to the fluffy black pom poms you can see. Good tip I love historical fiction, thanks. Another book swap is a great idea x

  3. Azura
    January 5 / 10:22 am

    Do you mind sharing which Nikon body do you use?

    • N4 Mummy
      Author
      January 5 / 7:34 pm

      Not at all Azura, I have a very bog standard D3100, so nothing fancy.

  4. Kate C
    January 5 / 9:31 am

    Ooh I LOVE Mr B’s Book Emporium – definitely one of my favourite shops! Have you read The Children Act by Ian McEwan? It’s short so good for when you’ve only got a bit of time to read! I’ve just started ‘A Spool of Blue Thread’ by Anne Tyler which seems good so far too. Xx

    • N4 Mummy
      Author
      January 5 / 7:36 pm

      I’ve not read either of those Kate, thanks for the suggestions I’ll get them and let you know how I get on. xx

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