APRIL ROUNDUP

LATE AGAIN - what am I like! I feel like I'm either super super busy lately, or super exhausted/ill. *rolls eyes*. I feel like I've done tonnes this month, (and I wonder why I have no money, ever). Lots of exciting things have happened, news shared, people met etc.
This month kicked off with a trip to the Zoo with my step sister Elly, she's not long found out she's pregnant with a baby girl and we're all kinds of excited. I've never had it where someone close to me/my age is expecting before, its super cool to finally have someone to buy all the cute bits in work for.

THE ZOO:

I haven't been to Bristol Zoo in what feels like a bazillion years. Forgetting Spring time is baby animal season, I don't think we could've picked a better time to go! A picnic and cup of tea after our arrival, and we were ready for ALL THE ANIMALS. My personal favourite was the new baby pigmy hippo (!!!!!).

PARENTAL DISBUTE:

                         

As always this month saw a tonne of pretty dog walks. I feel like me and my friends as a collective are going through the phase we tend to go through once every couple months - feeling the strain of living at home/with parents etc. Its been nice to catch the end of the day sunsets, talk it out together, watch the dogs play, grab a prosecco, and just chill. An occasional breather, from the fact we're drowning in a sea of unaffordable houses, argumentative households, and underpaid jobs - is always welcomed. Its pretty awesome we all live within a close proximity of each other so we have a means of escape from time to time. Speaking of which, the last photo is from one of our dine in nights at Esther's. We're getting pretty good at the whole cooking a meal for more than one person thing. Tasty ones at that! 

ROAD TRIPPIN':

This month I've had a few *super proud* moments. Ever since getting my new car I've found a new confidence in long distance driving, (maybe because it doesn't shake while travelling over 70mph). On Easter Sunday I plucked up the courage to ask my mum and oldest bestie, Maddie, to accompany me to my aunties BEAUTIFUL house, in Tring, Hertfordshire.  I completed the drive there in just over 2 hours, managed to stop over at a services and gave Theo his first experience of stretching his legs and tasting the communal dog bowl of Reading service station. The day saw us having a countryside walk, consuming lots of Earl Grey, catching up with my cousins, drinking champagne and eating a roast dinner. Something I definitely want to make the effort to do more often!

MORE SPRING WALKS:

I don't think these photos really need any text, I'm just so obsessed with this time of year, photography wise. I've never really noticed how pretty everything is during Spring, before this year. I think the fact I now have Theo to walk, definitely makes me appreciate the finer details of the outdoors more. Every flower, tree, or pretty scenery I see I instantly snap it, without really thinking about the composure or lighting etc. (Here are the good ones).

FOOD & BEVS:

Ah Food and Drink, how you are such a staple of my free time. The above photo was at Zizzi's with my step sister. Every time we meet we are ALWAYS, ALWAYS hungry.. I mean she has an excuse, shes eating for two.. I do not. ALAS, this was a calzone with dairy free cheese - don't mind if I dewww. Below was ANOTHER bank holiday Monday a couple weeks back (can I just say how much I'm loving all these bank holidays, popping up all at once). We went to the Golden Heart and enjoyed a cider & some pub grub (while escaping the most HORRENDOUS weather bipolar I think I've witnessed this year).

PLAYTIME:

I don't think I will ever tire of little tripz out with my friendlings. Even though we now have cars, jobs, and responsibilities, I still feel like giggling teenagers whenever we do such activities. Whether it be somewhere more far fetched, or just our local town center. I just love the freedom of grabbing an over priced beverage and bundling into each other while we walk, giggling about the night before. As most people who know me, Clifton is one of my FAVE places to hang on a sunny afternoon, or wonder round in a hungover daze. (See photos above). I couldn't resist asking Christina for an 'OOTD' in front of this very bright and bold graffiti we came across. I feel like I haven't done outfit posts in LITERALLY years, (maybe because I haven't), but its definitely something I want to try and put more effort into again - considering the amount of clothes I have could open a small shop at this point, it might be nice to show them off once in a while...

FUR BABIES:

As always, but especially this month, I have been loving SO HARD on my little mol's (ani-mols). I don't really like to dip into it too much on my blog, because I want it to be a place I can reflect on over happy times and remember good memories, however my depression and anxiety have really fucked with me this month. Even saying 'my' before those two dreaded words makes me feel weird. Me? Depression and anxiety? surely not - (on top of all my other health problems, bladdy 'ell). However, I'm also not really scared to talk about it. This months seen me break down in work numerous times, countless doctor visits, questionnaires and referrals. All good things, in my mind. A step in the right direction. I honestly don't know how people live without pets of any kind. They literally feed my soul with all kinds of good vibes, happiness and hope. (ALSO AREN'T THEY JUST SO CUTE?!)  

POORLY SICK:

I've just about recovered from the dreaded Tonsillitis that seems to be doing the rounds at the moment. It was one of those illness' that seemed to brew so slowly for me. I was SO drained for around 2 weeks, (more drained than usual *rolls eyes x2*), achy and I kept getting numerous headaches (which is one thing I never get!), so I knew something was up, but kept trudging on. Alas, my body failed me at the beginning of May. Thank god for Penicillin and puppy cuddles!
I'm SoOoOo excited for the Month of May, again (like March' late blog post), I've done quite a bit already! Me and Christina are going to Budapest at the end of the month which I physically cannot wait for, I feel like its been forever and a day since I've escaped the streets of good old Bristol town.

I PROMISE TO MYSELF I'LL BE ON TIME NEXT MONTH!! 

Thanks for taking the time to read, 

Madi x

MARCH ROUNDUP

So I'm totally late with my monthly roundup this month, mid way through April, alas, here I am.
March - you've been ok. Luckily for me the good parts of this month have balanced out the bad parts pretty nicely. I feel like I've done a lot this month, (aka my bank balance is utterly shocking).
Weather is finally starting to pick up a little (legs out weather though, please hurry). I've managed to keep myself really busy with friends and family, which has actually been rather lovely. Theres been tragedy and loss but with that has come togetherness and lots of cuddles - which I could never complain about.

Unfortunately, this month started off with my first ever funeral. A surreal experience for me, as I've never really witnessed even the smallest of details of such events - such as a coffin, or a vicar making speeches. I've only ever been to one church wedding, and that was when I was 6 years old, so church events are pretty unknown territory to me. Although absolutely heart breaking, and upsetting beyond words - I'm glad my great auntie Jan is out of pain now. A free spirited lady with so much energy and adventure in her soul, now free. 

The beginning of the month also greeted me with 9 days off work - absolute bliss. If theres anyone that needs a break from life - mind, body and soul - its me. I'm a pretty delicate flower, so any time to recuperate and renew my little self, is very much welcomed. My first day off I decided to wear no makeup (and no bra), and take a walk in one of my favourite dog walking spots (Westonbirt Arboretum), with my mum and brother (a pretty rare occasion to get us all together). Theo always loves it here, especially when there are tonnes of leaves to run through, other dogs to sniff and chase, and an air full of Vitamin D. 

A first for me: COSTCO. I always, always, hear my friends/friends families etc rant and rave about Costco and the bulk goods it offers, (Including a freshly baked pizza bigger than my face x5). Me and Christina ended up browsing every isle, which resulted in 3 different tasters of food that were on offer, and a humungous bag of Chia seeds, which look as though they will literally last my life. 

As always, after work, weekends, days off, are always spent finding out new little secret pathways/routes for me to walk Theo. Just a couple of photos from the past 4 weeks. FYI, Frenchay and its surrounding areas are literally the best, for peaceful, beautiful and exciting walks for your pooches. 

Theo's first beach experience! At least, one where he wasn't violently sick the entire time. (I once took him to Bournemouth beach and instead of frolicking in the sand, he ended up keeling over throwing up bile for about an hour straight... poor little man). This Lab/Spaniel cross is my dads dog, Maisy. She is absolutely insane, and gives Theo an absolute run for his dog treats when it comes to the amount of energy she has to burn. A beautiful sunny day spent with my step sister & plenty of fish, chips & ice cream.

Day adventures with Christina Louise. Pretty sure these are a monthly occurrence for us too. This time around we went to Old Down Country Park, we ended up seeing a BABY dappled miniature dachshund, which I practically died at (before its teeny claws nearly ripped my brand new, expensive, luxury tights from Sainsburys....)(no photo soz). We also saw llamas, sheep, horses, and an array of other wildlife - not to mention a beautiful baby lamb which made me consider vegetarianism for a good 24 hours :( 

March always brings around Jamie's birthday - an occasion always celebrated, usually in the same tradition we've always had. The three of us (me, Jamie & Maddie), will travel up to London, all dressed up - ready for a night of beautiful food, cocktails, and Holiday Inn special Pre drinks, followed by some form of amazing Super club. This time we decided to go to Birmingham, a place I'd never actually visited before. I was amazed by the amount/size of all the shops there - however I hated how very busy it was. Although I enjoyed our Birmingham adventure, I'd have to say that London would win my heart a thousand times over when it comes to its night life.

Theo making me laugh as per usual. This month saw all the Spring flowers bloom, everything becomes that little bit more beautiful and the air noticeably change to that fresh Spring smell, (usually freshly cut grass and the odd BBQ). When I tried to get Theo to pose next to the daffodils, he reminded me of a spoilt teenager, with a 'FINE.' attitude, resulting in a daffodil perfectly placed on his little head. Then pissed all over them. 

Catch up with my o2 pals. Always so lovely (even if they do consistently bully me). We always seem to have so much to say about our lives over the past 1/2 weeks we haven't seen each other. We actually ended up going to Zizzi's and I tried their new vegan cheese on a pizza. To my delight, and surprise, it was amazing! Nothing beats eating something that I know would usually make me suffer, with complete enjoyability. The last photo is when me and Austin took a walk with Theo, to my usual local dog walking spot. The day was beautiful, until we ended up going into town and I accidentally ate some sushi that was purely egg based. ERROR - alas, I'm still alive. 

Me and Christina decided to take a little overnight trip to Cardiff the other week. Completely last minute, spontaneous and reckless - a little like we've been in general, over the past month or so I guess. It was so nice to get away from Bristol for the night, crack open the prosecco, whack on the 'out out' outfits, and be free from all responsibility we'd left behind at Temple Meads. (Something I must admit, we should probably tone down in coming weeks, LOLZ.)

Considering we're currently half way through April, I'm excited to update my blog with what I've been up to this month! Things are very slowly starting to turn around from mildly dismal, to kind of ok. I'm on the path to getting the help I've always needed with managing other peoples and my own mental health, I've met new people and I've booked a holiday - but enough about that - thats for Aprils roundup ;) 

Hope you're having a lovely Spring time, its currently the Easter Bank holiday here in England, I'm enjoying it by spending it doing things I enjoy, visiting family & chilling the FEWK out. 

Thanks for reading! Madi x