This photo reminds me of a great day we had as a family recently during Lockdown. We cycled out to Severn Beach and back, with a picnic in a field on the way. The dog ran the whole way - about 10 miles! - and we had a lovely time. 

You don't have to go for to feel like you're some place totally new and away from home, sometimes. 

Lou x

I made huge strides last year in going plastic-free. We started having a milkman, buying soap in bulk, using laundry soap nuts and much, much less cling film. 

Finding the right shampoo and conditioner has been a hard mission to complete, but I've finally done it. My hair is fairly dry and curly, frizzy if I don't use a serum or mousse. It's never been oily, happily, and I was using a scaled down version of the Curly Girl Method with liquid products before I moved to bars. I would wash my hair twice a week and condition every night. That soon changed.

LUSH - 3/10
I started on a whim at a Lush store. The staff recommended a 'jungle' shampoo bar and a curly hair friendly conditioner. These smelled good but were both TERRIBLE. The bars didn't  lather up at all and I felt like I wasn't putting anything at all in my hair... which didn't feel especially clean afterwards and got greasy quickly. Added to that, I found them a little more expensive, but justified that by saving on postage by grabbing a bar when I was at the Mall anyway. However, the colours weren't too nice and there was very limited selection.

SUDSMK - 5/10
I totally fell in love with this small home based business. The owner lives a few houses down from where I used to live, for one thing! Anyway, the bars from Suds were better at lathering up some soap but still not much. After around 3-4 weeks my hair adjusted and wasn't  greasy any longer, but El Husbandio not-so-tactfully said my hair smelled like an old mop. Thanks. I hadn't noticed so it couldn't be THAT bad, could it?! My main problem with these bars was the bogey-looking lumps they left behind in the tub after a wash. Ick. One plus point has been added just because when your delivery arrives, the artisan maker has handwritten an inspirational feel-good quote on the box. Nice touch!

ETHICAL SUPERSTORE - 9/10
Until now, I thought I'd just have to settle with a 5/10 satisfaction level. I now use a shampoo from Faith in Nature and a conditioner from Friendly Soap, both available at Ethical Superstore - the same place I get my soap nuts, so I can whack it all on one delivery charge, too. The bars are £5.79 and £4.95 respectively, very reasonable, and they're a clean white/cream colour with no lumpy bits. They both lather up properly, and have a decent level of scent. 

My shampooing has increased in frequency (now every other day) but these bars last so well, and conditioning every day keeps on top of any grease building up. 

Find the bars here >> https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/beauty-health-and-wellbeing/hair-care/

I'm proud to be plastic-free and all natural with my shampoo and conditioner! I've already started giving bars as gifts, look out, friends and family!

Lou x

Charity shops are closed.
Marathons have been cancelled. 
Public events (like cake sales and summer fairs) are off.
I bet you anything government funding cuts are in. 

Charities have very limited ways of getting crucial donations during these strange times. However, I saw something advertised on my Facebook - possibly the first ad I've ever clicked on! - which said the Alzheimer's Society was running Cupcake Day (again), remotely. 

Now, cake and volunteering are two of my favourite things, so on the 31st of May (this Sunday) I'm going to be baking cupcakes for people I know around Bristol. They've kindly donated something between £5-20 to have a batch, so I'd better make them good ones!

I've raised £150 - smashing my first target of £100 -  which has already gone to the charity, helping those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It must be truly terrible to have such a lonely condition when the whole world is already feeling a little isolated. 

So that's my something for someone else today. Proud. Stay tuned for photos of the bakes!

I've also been thinking how else I can help charities in this time. I've had a huge clothes clearout and bagged up three lots for when the shops reopen. Any other ideas welcome!

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Something for me: I read loads today. I'm shooting through Sue Perkins' EAST OF CROYDON. What a luxury when you have an under one year old!

Something productive: I collected some spare sand my brother had on his driveway so we can crack on with our paving outside the backdoor, and did his Sainsburys shop as payment in kind. 

Lou x

This isn't a huge ask for me, as it's kind of like a paper blog, right up my street, especially when I have a pretty notebook to scribble in. We've been encouraged to do whatever we wish for content, just to record something every day to help with anxiety, depression, boredom etc during Lockdown. 

I know writing can be therapeutic - have even blogged about it in the past - but I hadn't realised just how good journaling can be for your mental and physical health.

For me, it helps me keep my brain ticking over while I'm not working. It's a fantastic outlet for emotions and can help with clarity. When I'm in a bad patch with my anxiety (thankfully not for several months now) I feel confused and foggy, and clarity is something I really need to work towards, so this really helps. 

On good days, like today, journaling helps me to appreciate the small things. Today I wrote down three  good things which came along today. 

1. I made a new type of sweet bread - Dulce Milanese. (Not worth the 6 hour prove and 25 mins of kneading!!)
2. The sunshine was amazing today.
3. I spoke to my grandma who's isolating with my uncle in Norfolk. 

It's easy to see here how journaling can really give you a boost. The blog on Positive Psychology says there's 83 benefits!!!!

https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/

Have you ever tried journaling? It doesn't have to be much, just listing three good things each day counts, but some people write poems, sketch, 'flow' write, do a diary... you can do whatever takes your fancy really, as long as you do it every day.

Stay well,

Lou x

I found an old cookie recipe book and am baking with renewed enthusiasm! These are camomile tea cookies, and soooooo tasty. 

At least, I think they're camomile flavoured. I took a punt on the teabags type, they smelled about right but weren't labelled... 

Either way they taste amazing!

Lou x

Recipe here:

Yes, they stop you breathing in vapour trails of other shoppers.

Yes, they protect others when you might not know you have covid-19.

Yes, they stop you touching your face so much. 

And yesterday, I was asked for ID at the supermarket because the cashier couldn't see my face. Boom, I liked that. At 35, it's a thrill, trust me. 

The stupid thing was, the cashier looked at my driver's license and let me pass with my box of beer, but didn't see my face without the mask.... so how could she check it was me on the card?

Totally overthinking, I know. 

Here's that photo again of me in hospital, with my mask. Just cos I like that photo.

Stay safe, stay home.

Lou x

For the last two weeks, El Husbandio, our baby and I have been shielding following my appendicitis. Today was the first day we could leave our house.

We've been so grateful for the garden, especially during the first week when it was lovely and warm. I was really dreading it, but was so thankful that we decided to isolate together, so I wasn't holed up alone in a room by myself. How miserable would that be, and honestly, I don't see how I'd be protected when my husband would have been grocery shopping, cooking for me, using the same bathroom, passing me Rox for her feeds... 

I spent a lot of time baking bread and playing with Rox. She's now learned to lift the flaps when we read Dear Zoo! We watched very little TV, which I'm pleased about, and even got a board game out when the babe was napping. 

We were really lucky to have people supporting us, from friends, neighbours and family... grocery runs, an emergency formula delivery, a bunch of flowers... all of that helped us get through, thanks very much you kind folk, much appreciated.

So what did we do for our first outing today? We went to Lidl. Needs must! I have just come back from the post office too, having had seven parcels for birthdays etc sat in our hallway for almost a fortnight. 

It may not be all exciting stuff, but it's a relief. And when  play parks, cafes, cinemas, restaurants, and most shops are still closed, theres not a whole lot of choice. I will definitely enjoy my dog walk later!

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Something productive: I think the post office run counts? Definitely glad to see the back of those parcels!

My 'do something for me' thing: I have a mums therapy session online today, for new mums with anxiety. It's part two of ten, and last week was helpful, so I'm feeling positive about that.

I made someone smile by: Meeting a friend and her kids for a socially distanced dog walk in our local park. It's been too long, friend!!! 

Lou x

Government guidance is now to wear a mask in confined spaces. That's basically Lidl for us, as we don't luckily need ride the bus or anything like that. 

It's harder than you think, not touching your face. I have hayfever so my nose and eyes are itchy and runny. El Husbandio and I both wear glasses, and we habitually, unconsciously touch our face all day, I am sure. 

We plan now to wear a mask when we are finally released to grab the groceries, which may help, but eurgh!

Hooray for being let out the house soon though! 

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Productivity today: I fixed a photo frame that's been staring at me for weeks. 
Made myself happy: I parcelled up some family tree info for my mum and a book for my brother-in-law. I love posting fun things, and I'll be down that Post Office tomorrow! Oh the things we now look forward to...!
Brought a smile to someone's face: Rox has learned to lift the flaps in the Dear Zoo book, which she enjoys reading with me. 

Lou x

And, hey, they are delicious. They're a sweet bun containing icing sugar, desicated coconut, and two eggs. Sorry baby, another one you can't nibble, Miss Egg Allergic! 

I could eat the whole batch. I won't. I shouldn't.

Productivity today: See above!!!
Thing to make me happy: I started season 3 of This Is Us. Love it.
Something to make someone smile: Rox was introduced to bubbles today, we went through two tubes with a giant wand, fun!

Lou x