V-Day

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:16 (NLT)

Happy Valentines Day everybody! 

I have had an amarzing couple of days!  I have finally cashed in the gift voucher I was given for my birthday last May for Tea at the Ritz in London!!!

OMG.  I have never been in such luxury in my life! The resturant was just beautiful.  Only pictures can discribe.  We were seated in the Palm Court, at a beautifully laid table, offered the tea menu and a three tiered cake stand was swiftly brought to the table.

Then the food decended.

Finger sandwiches, scones (with jam and cream), pastries, tea, coffee. Refilled regularly as we ate.  We were stuffed. Boy, genuinely, so much food! Then, we were given Cambridge Creams (still no idea what that is) and offered a slice of Bakewell tart or orange and pistachio cake. What?? We had to say no, we were just sooo full!!!

It was probably the best present anyone has ever given to me, I loved every minute.

Thank you Hubby!!!

Freya May

New Printables

Hello! 

This month I've been a little bit obsessed with organising my home and my time, and I wanted to share with you my new 'To Do' list and cleaning schedule.

I had previously printed off a daily schedule from Pinterest which had lots of useful categories to help organise my time, but I found that I just wasn't using it daily.  So, I thought to my self, what if I just have to fill it in once a week?  And seeing as some things on my 'to do' list tended to roll over each day any way, this system should work much better!

Then, I had my cleaning schedule, which worked perfectly (when I remembered/ could be bothered to follow it- naughty Freya) so I just changed the design to fit in with the 'To Do' as I'm a little anal about things matching as much as possible.

Pretty new things to laminate and hang in my kitchen- yay!!!

And, both of these will be copied in to my brand new Family Folder- another Pinterest inspired project I'll share with you all shortly.

Freya May

*Both printables are free to use- enjoy*

Work, eh.

Source: someecards.com via Freya on Pinterest

So, half term is now in just two days! I'm so excited! Time off from work, a trip to London, some home DIY projects, parties and time to relax with hubby (and I wont let him do school work at the same time).

The last 5 weeks have actually been quite enlightening.  Kind of.  I've finally found my step as 'Receptionist' at work, but now the challenge of learning the ropes has gone, I feel...bored.  Basically, I now know for sure I don't want to be a receptionist my entire life.

And it's not just 'its work, of course you're bored' bored, but 'ready to move on and find a new challange' bored.  Not that I have anything to move on to as of now, so I'll probably stay at school until the summer.  No point in quiting a perfectly good, income bringing, job just yet. 

But this is forcing me to realise that I really do want to find a job/career that challenges and stimulates me, sooner rather than later.    And I kinda miss studying (I know, I'm a geek, but knowledge is fun!).

So, decisions must be made, and applications must be sent for experience and training. I know now isn't the best time to be picky about work, and I just thank God that I have a wonderful husband who has the stability in his work to give me the oppertunity to go after what I want too. 

Source: livingasimplelife.com via Freya on Pinterest

Watch this space, I hope soon there'll be more to report.

Freya May

Awkward Gym Moments

*Pic

Except when your in the gym, going about your business on the rowing machine, working hard and feeling good, then you hear a banging noise that coincides with your movements. 

You look up and notice your jumper is now behind you, not next to the machine, where you could have sworn you put it. 

Then you spot it.  You've moved. 

The effort you've put into rowing has shuffled the rower forward and you are now a good four foot from where you started. 

And the noise?  That you banging up against the wall. Yep.  Everyone is looking at you as you move it back to where you started and walk out.  Yep.  Awkward. 

Done anything particularly embarrassing today?

Freya May

Found on Pinterest #7

Today, my 'found on Pinterest' brings you 'Quotes and Such'.

Source: Uploaded by user via Freya on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Freya on Pinterest

Source: bahava.wordpress.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: madamecupcake.tumblr.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: motivationintohabit.tumblr.com via Freya on Pinterest

Feeling all happy and inspired? I hope so :D

Freya May

Dumpster Diving...

Kind off.

Look what I found in a tip on the way home from work.

I can't believe these were just being thrown out.  There was a few other plates and saucers but most were broken :(

I have a small collection of miss-matched cups and saucers, so I'm always looking out for new (and CHEAP) pieces to add to it!

Happy freebies :)

Freya May

Where are my weekends going?!?!

Source: etsy.com via Freya on Pinterest

Another really busy, wonderful weekend has flown by.

We had a dinner party with friends on friday.

Then I went for coffee with my Mum and then shopping in Leciester with Nao on Saturday.

AND we went to visit to Keele to see as many people as possible on Sunday.

Tired, yes.  But would never wish it any other way.

How was y'all weekends?  Hope you've had a lovely time too!!!

Freya May

Found on Pinterest #6

This week, on Pinterest, I've been obsessing over colours for decorating our house. 

**Please note, we live in rented accommodation so we're not allowed to redecorate properly, but this doesn't stop me wasting hours and hours on the Internet :D**

So, these are the kinds of shades I'm thinking about- usually inspired by film sets such as Lilly and Marshall's house from How I Met Your Mother, the Swan house from Twilight, Monica's flat in Friends, Sheldon and Leonard's flat in The Big Bang Theory.

Source: design-seeds.com via Freya on Pinterest

I love these colours for the bedroom, but I don't want it too girly.

Source: design-seeds.com via Freya on Pinterest

I like these colours for the main house, but there are so many similar colour selections that are slight variations I can't decide (like its important anyways).

For example-

Source: design-seeds.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: design-seeds.com via Freya on Pinterest

And now for something completely different-

Source: photocardboutique.com via Freya on Pinterest

For the kitchen.  Or, is it too random to pair with the other pallet?

Day dreaming as always,

Freya May

Friends are Fabulous

Look at that beautiful girl with me in this photo- this is Fran, who got married in September last year and came to visit me and Hubby yesterday :D

Having not seen her since her birthday, I was so excited to see her face!

We hung out, chatted, and cought up with each others lives.  I cooked us all dinner and we played Monopoly.  We drunk a lot of little wine.  Just like old times.

I miss all my people from University so much, so last night was really awesome.

Love you, Franface!

Freya May

Moving Church- an update

After posting that Hubby and I were looking for a new church last week, I thought I should keep you updated on how that was going!

Last two weeks now, we went to the local Elim Church, and have really enjoyed it.

They have a lot going on, which is important because we really want to get involved with church life.  That is super important to us.  Personally, I would love to get involved with as many groups and stuff as possible.

And the sermons have been engaging and encouraging.  It's been a little odd because they are half way through a mission series, but, none the less, we're really gotten into it.

We'll have to pray and decide whether to go back again in a couple of weeks or visit a different church.  I think we tend to settle in places too quickly, which is what happened last time. But we certainly like what we see so far.

Freya May

A shameful moment...

Source: lululemon.com via Carol on Pinterest

These past two days, I have played scrabble against two twelve years olds at work.  And lost.  Twice.

Now, being dyslexic, I'm not unused to losing at word games.  I rarely even play scrabble with people my own age.  So I thought, sure, their kids, not exactly the toughest competition, so lets do it.

Boy, I can't catch a scrabble break!

Now, to regain some credibility back, I would like to say that the only reason they won today was because I showed them the word 'Quark' (a type of soft cheese) (we were playing an open game) which gave them a staggering 48 points, from various triple letter squares.

So really, today's loss wasn't really a mark against me.  However, what ever happened yesterday, I have no come back, nothing to say that makes me look any better.

The truth is, I was bested by 12 year olds.  Darn it.

Freya May

Gym Day!

Source: google.com via Freya on Pinterest

Been to the gym today- I LOVE the gym! 

I've had a free pass to visit husband's gym for the last two weeks and been making the most of having access to the treadmill. 

I'm not a Runner, I'm a runner (see the difference?).  I just love to move, and today I ran a personal best.  About 3km, solidly for total of 25min!  

Makes me happy.

Freya May

Changing Church

Source: journeyinsidemyhead.tumblr.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Hubby and I have decided to keep looking for a church in Loughborough.

We have been going on and off to the one chruch since September, it has really good sermons, but we've never really settled or felt like we found the place we belong. 

So with the new year we've decided to keep looking for our place in the church world.

Freya May

January Sales Update

I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for a bargain. 

And the January sales have not brought the best out in me.

I may, or may not, have spent a little more than I intended to in the sales this year.

But I have bought some really beautiful items, for example...

This silky pink blazer jacket from Topshop, reduced from £55 down to £25.

This gorgeous skirt, from Topshop, £24 down to £12.

annnnd...

and these fabulous shoes, from Forever21 (ok, they weren't on sale, but still a bargain at £20 :D )

Now, if you've checked out my 25 before 25 list, you might be thinking 'this doesn't bode well for number 3'.  But, I feel it's always a case of where do we go from here.  So, new plan, to balance out the January sales I'm going to create for my self No-shopping February.  Can I do it?  I blumming hope so!

Freya May

P.S. *just wanted to share how awkward I feel, posing like that! Felt too silly!*

Found On Pinterest #5

Hey, I'm mixing up my Found on Pinterest feature this year.  Each week I'm aiming to make and show some thing I've been inspired by Pinterest to make.

Source: sewliberated.com via Freya on Pinterest

I found this link a while back and was disappointed to see that it was for purchasing the pattern for the apron- I like free things, please.

But after looking at the picture a while, I decided to test my rudimentary sewing skills and see if they were up to the challenge of recreating it myself.

I took my measurements, and got cutting!

This is the result-

Not perfect, but pleased with the general result.

Freya May

Where do I fit in?

Joke :-) ( I hope...)

Source: annieee.tumblr.com via Annie on Pinterest

I've been feeling a little uninspired where it comes to blogging lately.  I'm kind of trying to find a niche to fit in to.  I don't want it to become purely a 'what have I done lately' blog, because, lets be honest, I don't lead a especially interesting life. 

I'm not a fashionista, I'm not the constant crafter I would quite like to be, not a foodie, and I'm not this 'perfect housewife' figure either.  I know I don't need a niche, but I think that it would help me to have one so I can always have something to blog about, and not feel like I'm just writing for no reason. 

I've been writing this blog for about 9 months now, and I still haven't figured it out.  I take inspiration from a number of excellent bloggers out there, and not all of them know where they fit in either.  But I want this to be some sort of measurable achievement.  Not in numbers, but in content- something I'm proud to have written.  Can I do that with no focus?

Any way, that's what I've been thinking lately, don't know what you think- do we need our niche?  Or does writing about what ever the heck we feel like at any given time create a blog that is worth writing (and reading)?

Freya May

Back to work

Started back at work on Monday, and it feels like I never left- why cant holidays be 3 -4 weeks long like at uni?!? :-(

Never mind though, always one to look on the bright side, I must tell you its only 4 weeks and two days until the next half term holiday! phew!

Source: elephantonawire.tumblr.com via Bryan on Pinterest

Freya May

Deciding on New Years Resolutions

Source: toribaldridge.blogspot.com via Freya on Pinterest

I always find picking my new years resolutions tricky, because the nagging feeling at the back of my mind that says its a waste of time, they'll be broken before you hit February.

But I've come up with a list, 12 things to aim for in 2012.

I think the aims rather than specific goals makes the whole idea far more approachable and feel more achievable.  So here we go-

1. Exercise more - I always say I want to be fitter and go through ups and downs in  my fitness levels, this year I'm aiming for a up!
2. Learn healthy recipes - linked to number one, no point working hard at the gym and letting yourself down in the kitchen.
3. Read more - starting the aim of 52 books in a year from my 25 before 25 list.
4. Watch Less TV-  far too much was watched over the last six months, time to change that!
5. Organise!- My Monica tendencies help with this but there are still things to work on in the home.
6. Meet more people - moved to a new town 6 months ago and still don't know many people.
7. Be more creative when planning dates with Hubby- We always do the same old things, lets make things more interesting, yeh?
8. Create more- I love crafting, so lets do more and more of that please!
9. Be more lady like- because, just because.
10. Become the 'fashionista' I've always wanted to be- i.e. have that 'perfect wardrobe'
11. Be wiser- by reading my bible and stuff as much as possible.
12. Be happy- happy is a choice, one I choose as much as possible.

Lets see how this year goes!

Freya May

A little project that is way over due!

Source: oocities.org via Freya on Pinterest

This week I am (finally) going through and scrap booking all the photos Hubby and I have collected over the last five years. 

I literally had a box full of them, that we have now gone through them, discarding the naff, out of focus and just ugly ones, and I have gone through them organising them in to chronological order.  next step, sticking them in!

I'm quiet excited because I love looking through old photos and I want them to be organised and smart so when we're old we can look back and remember all our good times!

Freya May

NYE and my first photobooth

Had a little get together for new years, and set up my very fist photobooth.

People got in to the swing of it and we managed to take some good photos!

Freya May