SUMMER LOVIN'

Summer? Is that you?! How awesome is it that it finally feels like Summer here in the UK. I feel like our weather has been in the hands of a bipolar maniac the past few weeks - We tend to have blazing sun at 6am, rain all day, then blazing sun at 5pm. Either that or we're just landed with grey clouds, all. day. AWESOME ENGLAND, CHEERS. 

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT SUMMER:

BEING ABLE TO WEAR MINIMAL CLOTHING AND NOBODY JUDGES YOU:

It's pretty renowned that I'm the girl that will 100% not wear underwear if I think I can get away with it. As soon as I get home from work/being out, it's usually around 5.5 seconds until every garment from head to toe is off my body, and I'm roaming the house in one of my many, XL mens tshirts, (which I'm actually proud to say, none of which are any of my ex boyfriends - you grab that independency by the balls girl, and buy YOURSELF a mens tshirt to sleep in). I just can't stand the feeling of clothes on my body - can you tell? 

EATING ALL THE NICE FOOD:

It isn't Summer if you don't go to at least one food festival during the Summer, right? I'm getting super excited for the Welsh Vegan Festival in Cardiff coming up next month. I've only ever been to heavily meat and bbq infused food festivals before, which don't get me wrong - are great. However, considering I'm starting to make more conscious decisions when it comes to my diet lately, I'm excited to see what's on offer! (Plus it means I can eat all the cake - allergen free yaaaas)

THE FEELING OF THE SUN ON YOUR SKIN:

I think this is one of my favourite feelings in the entire world. For someone with such naturally hot skin, and the fact I'm a redhead - this seems bizarre, I know, I feel the same. However, I think if I were an animal I would 100% be a lion, lying around in the sun, cuddling with my pride, occasionally roaring for stress relief - sounds like a pretty perfect life to me. You just can't beat the feeling of sitting with your face to the sun, or the feeling of the evening sun set beaming onto the backs of your legs. The sun seems to give me an inner glow of happiness and content, which I think is SO needed in our little human lives.

THE WAY IT BRINGS EVERYONE TOGETHER:

Left, right and center, all of a sudden, everyones out, everyones half naked,  and everyone wants to be outside, cooking meat over heated coals. Suddenly, the entire country goes into a mode of panic - We MUST get all the ice lollies our freezer can hold, put on the most impressive BBQ spread we can manage, wear our swimwear in the garden, whack out the summer clothes you've been hoarding for the entire year and Whatsapp everyone in close proximity to see if any 'chills' are to be had, in the glorious 30 degree sunshine. (Which usually takes us a maximum of around 2/3 hours to complain about - Brits ay!). 

NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES:

Isn't it just the best, when you put your eyes to the sky and don't see a single cloud in the sky? It always reminds me of being on holiday. The air is still, all you can hear are birds tweeting, and the leaves rustling in the occasional light breeze, us flustered, not used to the weather, English bods, crave. That peaceful moment when you look to the sky and feel.. free? Suddenly worries become smaller, the oxygen you breathe appears more clear,  and the rush of endorphins engulf your body. Per-fect-o. I'd like a daily dose please! 

EVENING WALKS TO THE PUB:

If you've got a dog, you'll know its pretty unsafe to walk your dog during the times of the times of the day when the temperature is at it's highest. I usually wait until around 8/9pm to walk Theo when its as warm as it has been. Me and my mum will usually walk Theo down into the Village we live by, which of course has a Village Pub. I've been going to said pub on Summer days/evenings since I was around 7 years old, so its like a blast from the past every time I sit in the beer garden, watching the sun set and sipping an ice cold lemonade. 

As you can tell I'm a Summer girl over a Winter girl ANY day of the week. I almost don't trust the few of my friends that actually PREFER Winter... I sometimes don't even have a reaction for that kind of sentence coming out of peoples mouths - how dare you! 

I hope you're all making the most of the glorious weather we're having, making sure you and your pups stay hydrated, and generally appreciating the sunshine before it all inevitably turns to rain again, *rolls eyes*. Whether it be getting merry with friends, reading a book accompanied by your favourite ice cold bev, spending the day on the beach, or simply admiring the weather from inside because you're a 'THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH" kinda being. I hope you're doing our British Summer proud whatever you chose to do. 

Thanks for reading, as always!

Madi x

JANUARY ROUNDUP

Considering I'm pretty much the worst blogger ever when it comes to consistency, I thought I'd try my very best to do a little summery of each month up this year, for me to look back on next year! (This was originally going to be a 'my day's off', which then turned into 'my week in photos', alas, here we are - 'monthly roundup')

This months been a mixture of emotions, flitting from 'new year new me', to 'oh my god I'm so poor, how can I do anything', to 'I am so grateful for everything in life right now', to 'I wonder if I'll ever do the things I want in life..' Its been very though provoking, I'll say that much.

Here are some raw/unedited snaps of the month of January (although not horrendous - I'm so glad you're over!):

At the start of the month I really wanted to get my dreams for travelling off to a flying start. I've always stalked (and stalked), people who are my age and off travelling the world, I couldn't be more jealous. After having a gander around some of the shops on Park Street (something I haven't done in years!), I went to STA travel on the triangle for an appointment about travel options. After a general chit chat about what I wanted to get out of my experiences, and a few brochures later, I actually felt a bit overwhelmed. The money it costs - doesn't bother me, I can save for that. The fact that just getting myself into the centre of my own town, to enter a building by myself, to sit down with a man I don't know, to talk about getting around North America/Asia on my own, unfortunately, freaks me out enough as it is. However I am still determined to see the world. I need to realise everybody is different and maybe I'm not the true free spirit I'd like to be. However, I still believe in my own time I can achieve my dreams. (This day was actually beautiful weather wise, this is the top of Park Street, Bristol)

I was one of those people this month that turns up to work when they've booked the week off. D'oh!!! I've never ever done this before, feeling slightly frustrated (I get up at 5.30am to start work at 7am), I drove home and ended up having a really productive day. Heres my breakfast from said day - Fresh mango with Coconut soya yoghurt and honey. 

One of those days I was super grateful that I wasn't scraping ice off my car at 6.30am. Snuggled in my dressing gown, drinking a green tea, and not envying Theo's poor little paws, as he ventured onto the icy grass for his morning business. 

Another beautiful day! Complete with hot air balloon. 

I've been using this a tonne this month, the limited edition cleanse and polish from Liz Earle (pink pepper and mint). If you know me, you'll know I've been using Liz Earle's cleanse and polish for well over 5/6 years now!? Back when I had really bad eczema on my face, it seemed to be the only thing that didn't flare it up and left it feeling squeaky clean (without that horrible tight/drying feeling!) Love love love!

The day it slightly snowed and everyone lost their shit (as per usual). This was at 7.25am on one of my days off, I happened to be awake and decided to take a look out the window to see what my Twitter/Facebook timeline was really talking about - even though I don't get the hype, theres always something so pretty about snow, eh!

A treat from my mama. The most beautiful fishcakes I've tasted in a long while! This was at the Willy Wicket in Bristol.

As most people my side of town might have noticed a couple weeks ago, we had some fabulous sunsets. The sun seems to set so beautifully where I take my dog for a walk/drive home from my dads house. I was just envious of that plane trail in the sky - take me on holiday! 

...Told ya.

Some absolutely amazing cocktails I was treated to by my friend Esther, we have gone out SO. MUCH. the past two months, I think we've both agreed to give it a rest... for now. This was in a beautiful restaraunt/bar in Bristol called Browns. I've always loved it in here, occasionally we would go for a drink in here after my 'Founders Day' at school (when we'd march round Bristol in red gaberdine's - google it).

NAUGHTY DRIVING PHOTO. This day I had put down a deposit for my new car, something about me felt so emotional - I'm not sure if was the amazing red sunset, or the fact this was the last week I'd be driving my infamous Punto - Paolo. He has lasted me a long 3 years, and cost me around £250 in maintenance costs, never let me down, and travelled to various cities with me, (despite shaking when hitting anything over 70mph). After being told he was pretty much doomed due to welding problems, it was time to let go.. so sad! 

A catch up with old friends. We went to Zizi's and I actually had a salad (wut.), however I have to say it was tasty AF. Plus we realised I get a hefty discount due to where I work - happy days!

What felt like the most tiering day of my LIFE. Car hunting with my dad - I think this day I had test driven 3 cars in the past 24 hours and we were nearly losing hope, due to all the ad's I liked the look of had sold or were 3892580 miles away. This was in a cute cafe in Thornbury, called Shelley's Cafe - so cute! and the perfect sized brunch to keep us going for the rest of our search.

Yet another dog walk with a pretty sky - Looking at this photo, those crows must've been huge! I've never seen Theo chasing birds before, so this was quite a hilarious first.

After looking at these photos, I pretty much just go for dog walks and go out for dinner (lol), to be fair, these are my favourite things to do... However, I'm planning to do a little more this month, and be more proactive with adventuring rather than spending all my money and time on/with alcohol..
Saying that, its not like I've had a bad time - #lovedatpartyscene. Heres to a February full of adventures and new experiences (in my new car! eee!)

Hope you've had a lovely January, as far as January's go!
Madi x

THE MOST, WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Theres something so beautiful about this time of year. Maybe its the way the sun hits the burnt orange leaves on the trees, or reflects on the dewy grass. One of my favourite things to do is to walk the scenic areas surrounding where I live. Sometimes my life is filled with a lot of negativity, so much so its almost as though it will spill over the top of my head, it has a way of consuming me so much. Walking is my best form of therapy - especially with Theo. I love pulling on my thick socks and pointing my feet into my wellies, stuffing a couple of poo bags into my pocket and leaving with nothing more than my keys and Theo's lead in my hands. Its a time where I take a breather from having to talk to anyone, and have space with my own thoughts. I escape the confinements of the house or work, and just breath. I find walking takes me away from everything and be grateful for the simple things. That I can see the sun setting, I can watch Theo leap through the long grass, I can smell the crisp autumnal air, and be thankful I can carry myself across the fields without thinking about it.

If anyone has any good suggestions for dog walks in the Bristol area, let me know! 

Thanks for reading,

Madi xx