diary

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Each month I reflect on what’s been happening for 1O 1O 1O, sharing what I am grateful for and looking to the month ahead.

November can sometimes feel like an in-between month - with Christmas on the horizon November can quietly pass by. This year I’ve tried to make the most of each month and being at home. One thing I’ve noticed is this November has been milder and allowed more time in the garden and out for walks than I remember for the previous year. It deserves to be enjoyed as the final hurrah of Autumn.

Author Beck

As days get shorter and colder, November can take a bit of getting used to. Ironically, it is when I feel most motivated to start a new exercise regime and I have begun working with my PT again over facetime. Maybe it’s the prospect of the indulgence over the festive period that kick starts my focus to health, but getting in shape during lockdown will be no easy feat!

With potential good news about vaccinations on the horizon, our thoughts have turned back to our wedding and potentially that is another motivator to get moving too? Either way, it’s been good for the soul and despite finding the first few sessions tough, I can say I am beginning to enjoy the challenge ahead. 

Work It

My firm favourite when it comes to workout gear is Gymshark. I’m not endorsed or affiliated to them, but I just find their quality is really good and their leggings don’t ‘grin’ as others do. (This is when you stretch the fabric and it becomes see-through.) They’re mid-range in terms of price, so invest in a few pieces, which you can mix and match together and you’ll be well on the way to achieving your goals in style. They also do some great lounge pieces for around the house (I am currently wearing one of their jumpsuits, which I have practically lived in during lockdown)

Here are my top picks - I’m a bit of a fan of blues, greens and warm colours as they look best on a fair, UK complexion!

Winter Steals

This month saw Black Friday - perfect for those bargain hunters looking for a deal. This year, we are mainly planning for our custom build home (hopefully starting next year) so most of our efforts have been focussed on that, with Christmas and birthday presents all gearing up towards our new home.

Some retailers are still offering deals in the run-up to Christmas, so set aside some time to sniff out a bargain. Here’s a selection of some of the things on our wishlist. As always I have followed Scott’s mantra of low maintenance aka ‘easy to clean and built to last’. No affiliates here :) just good honest quality!

Ok, you may be thinking asking for knives, pots and pans is not particularly exciting for Crimbo, but two of ours have broken in the last month and we’re looking for the best quality. These come with a lifetime guarantee and are dishwasher safe - tick!

Life By Design*

This month’s newness we can’t be without is the Fontaine 8-Light chandelier by Aerin. It featured in our Must-Have Lighting post, and those eagle-eyed subscribers may have spotted it on our Hallway Inspo board. Although it is a splurge, I really can’t wait to have it hanging in our new hallway! it is both understated with the white plaster finish (with a lovely texture) but has enough presence to fill a double-height space.

It’s All is Good

So with Christmas approaching, now is the time to reflect on all the things we are grateful for.

I am grateful for seeing Scott’s family once a week to watch the football, which adds a little variety to our week, as the days can blur together at the moment. We’ve set up a television on a table outside, with sun loungers, sleeping bags and heaters under a pergola (in case it rains). It’s meant that we feel safe but get some company to keep ourselves sane.

I am also grateful to my parents, who will be shielding from the beginning of December to allow us to safely visit for Christmas. It’s a big ask for them not to go out at all for a few weeks, but hopefully, it’ll be worth it as it’ll be a whole year since we saw them.

I hope you are finding some things to be grateful for and making safe plans for the festive season x

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