Autumn Daze

 It's finally

and I am so excited for these last 3 months of 2013.

I've finished working in the lab now and have started back at uni. Post-graduate study is much harder, and I've been a bit overwhelmed looking at the syllabus, but I know I can do it, and it's going to be so interesting. 

I get to do another dissertation on a topic of my choosing, so I'm going to look at post-traumatic stress disorder in war veterans. I haven't a clue what angle to go in at, but I'm hoping to link it to treatment/management of the disorder.

I've also applied to the Doctorate for next year. Although it's very rare for people to get accepted first time, I'm optimistic. I'm not expecting anything, but there's always hope, right!

I can't believe how much our little fluffball has grown! He's now 12 week old and has had his second lot of jabs, so he's been on two walks around the block too. He wasn't too sure about it - he doesn't like the cars or the sound of other dogs barking, but he did extremely well otherwise and I can't wait to let him meet my cousins dog soon to socialise a little!  

His favourite game is spinning around until his feet come off the ground. His little tail goes around like a propeller. I love watching his eyes bulge like this - he's so happy!

The weather has just turned and its getting a lot colder and starting to rain more.

Starbucks are starting to do their pumpkin spice lattes soon, and the cooler weather means the summer clothes have all gone away for the next 8 months. But that's fine with me - I can't wait to get back into my winter clothes!

Maxi skirts | Leggins | Knee boots | Leg warmers | Knitted cardi's

(all images taken from Pinterest)

It also means it's getting closer to my three favourite celebrations...

Halloween

My Birthday

&

Christmas!

I'm determined to start a tradition of somesort this halloween,

and am hoping to take the Mr. to a pumpkin patch so we can pick our own pumpkins to carve.

Netflix also has uploaded Halloween Ressurection, so that will keep us entertained :)

I might try my hand at crock-potting this, too...

I'm majorly stuck on birthday ideas though! 

I'm tempted to have a little get together at the house, but in all honesty, what is there to do other than chat, watch ridiculously embarrassing baby videos and drink punch? 

My sisters always made me a really cool cake, so I'm going to start dropping hints for this years theme....

2011 cookie monster

2010 crime scene cake

2009 giant pink fondant fancy cake

Me and my best friend have birthdays within 2 days of each other, so we usually do something. Last year, we went to a roller disco...

It was so much fun.

There are a couple restaurants I always think I'll pick somewhere exciting this time, and we just end up going to our favourite Mexican or Seafood place. Not that there's anything wrong with Chiquito or Maritimo.

xo

Sunday Social 29/09: Jobs

   

Happy Sunday everyone :) Can you believe it's September 29th already?!

That means it's almost October...and we all know what that means - 

Autumn is finally here!  

Anywhoooo. This weeks Sunday Social is all about jobs! I can't wait to read about what you have get up to, and what you've done in the past.

 

1. What is your dream job?

I want to be a Clinical Psychologist. I want to help people, through counselling, psychotherapy, etc. That's the goal, and I'm well on my way there. :) It really will be a dream come true when I finally get that 'Doctor' prefix!

 
2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would you do with your time?

Blog. A lot. Haha! I think me and hubs would probably buy a few houses and do them up to sell. We like that sort of thing and it would be nice knowing you're getting something out of it at the end, too. Oh, and I'd pop out a few kids ;) 

 
3. What piece of career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?

Psychology is a vast area, and to get a good job in the field you need to spend a good 6 years in education (3 years undergrad, 3 years postgrad). So don't study Psychology on a whim. It takes a lot of hard work and effort. I won't have my Doctorate until I'm almost 30. Think about that!

 
4. What would be your ideal "just for fun" job?

I have it! I work part-time at the ice rink here, and I love it. I started when I was 18 (now I feel old...!), and on and off for 7 years I've been so lucky to call ice skating my job. I love it, and as much as I want my career to take off in Psych, I would miss the rink so much. It's been an awesome experience. 

2007

Me and my friend  Hannah, 2011

2013

I'd also quite like to be a stunt woman. How cool would that be?!

 
5. What was your first "real" job?

My first job was at 18 in the ice rink. I then worked in the Theatre Royal. Both of those jobs were great fun and I learnt so much. But for me, they were more for money and less for a career. I love the rink but it wouldn't pay the mortgage, and I loved the Theatre but it was something hubs and I both grew out of (although I do miss meeting some of the more well known celebs!).

I guess my first career-related job then was working in community care, but that's a memory I'm trying desperately to repress. 

 

I can't wait to read all your answers!

See you next week, and don't forget to head over to Ashley and Neeleys

blogs and link up! ;)

xo

Sunday Social 22/09: Handbags

Hey folks :)
Today's questions are all about handbags! This was a really hard week for me because I am not really into handbags, at all. I've also never taken photos of them, being that they all cost less than £10! Anyone who knows me will laugh at this... I've really had to concentrate on this one lol!
1. What is your favorite handbag you've ever owned?

Ever?! I have no idea. I don't really go through many bags.

Currently I'm using this awesome Animal bag - I love it, it's huge. But it's falling apart so

I definitely need to think about getting a new one!

 

I also always loved this bag that I got as a teenager and still use now.

2. What is your dream handbag you lust over?   Haha, I don't really lust over handbags. I would like these ones though...

3. What are the daily essentials in your purse or work bag? I always carry my wallet, keys, phone, a spare phone charger, two pens, mints, gum and sunglasses.

4. What's in your purse (with pictures)?

Sunglasses, keys, wallet, charger, mints, lip balm, watch,
drink and USB flashdrive.

Your turn! 

Answer the questions, grab the button, and link up!

Next week's questions

1. What is your dream job?
2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would you do with your time?
3. What piece of career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
4. What would be your ideal "just for fun" job?
5. What was your first "real" job?

Have an awesome Sunday! :)

xo

Sunday Social 15/09

Hey guys!

Today is a little different - this weeks SS is all about US!

Let's all get to know each other and learn a little more about our lovely

community of Sunday Socialers! 

1. What is the name of your blog?
Living in the moment. It comes from a Jason Mraz song, a) because he's the coolest, and b) because it's something that we all want (and should) do, but don't.
It just seemed to fit, with all the changes that have been happening, life has been very much about enjoying and appreciating the moment you're in right now. 

 

  2. What do you love most about blogging?

I love all the hints and tips that you wonderful people have given me! 

You guys know everything! I love how I've made so many friends from blogging, and

I love that you guys drop by and leave a short message just to say hi. 

:)

3. Why did you start blogging?

Two reasons. Firstly, a friend of mine I met through her blog really inspired me to start one, and secondly, because I had a private one and people were curious, so I decided to start sharing a few posts on a public blog, and it went from there! 

4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in the blog world?

 
Blog for you, not for anyone else. You're the one that'll look back in 10 years time

and wish you'd written this and that. 

Blog about what you love and enjoy.  

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?

 
Always remember that anyone can read your blog (friends, family, enemies, strangers).

Then remember not to give a crap about what anyone else thinks! ;) 

6. What are three blogs you love?

My all-time favourite is Joanna's Running on Sunshine,
my lovely sister Kerri's Awaiting Ozi
and of course Lyzi's Being Little

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab the button, and link up!

Next week's questions

1. What is your favorite handbag you've ever owned?
2. What is your dream handbag you lust over?
3. What are the daily essentials in your purse or work bag?
4. What's in your purse (with pictures)?


Have a wonderful Sunday, y'all!

2 weeks after moving in...

....and I finally find my makeup bag!

It's been driving me stir crazy - I had to resort to using an eyebrow pencil I found here as an eye liner. Yeah, real cool.

But other than that, we're settling in really well, and so is Scout, 
when he's not testing his boundaries. (Yes. We're in that phase!)

We gave ourselves a few days off to just live in our home.

No pressure, no time constraints, just enjoying the change and 

letting it all sink in. But this weekend, we got the DIY bug again and decided enough was enough - this house needs finishing!
Catch up with the progress here.
 

Here are a few snaps from the last week...

 

Our last photo from the flat.
There was a huge rainstorm coming.

Our first two cards from my parents and our old neighbours <3

 

I'm excited about our new (working!) oven.

Gorgeous tag from my sister.

Not a bad view ;)

Went swimming with Ozi!

Scout learnt 'paw'

Ice tea / juicing obsession...
getting us through this experience one vitamin at a time!
Thanks to my lovely Mother in law for the juicer!

Oh, and I'm the proudest Blonde in the whole of Hartley because Woody got a job offer today! I'm so happy for him. It's in an area that he didn't plan to go into, but is something that he really enjoys so it seemed right to do something you like to do, and get paid for it too. 

I'm still working at the lab this week and next, conducting experiments and collecting data, and although it's not the most exciting thing to be doing right now (helloooo, I have a house to decorate!), I'm concentrating on the money! 

 I think people underestimate the amount of time and effort it takes to make a house a home. If only it were as easy as just moving into a house that was completely modernised and in great shape. Buying an older house comes with a million problems challenges, and adding a hyperactive, sharp-toothed and teething springer spaniel puppy to that bodes for long days and short nights. 

I'm squeezing work in between, barely getting time to sit down and relax. Morning are my time to dog-sit whilst the Mr. has an extra hour in bed, and evenings are where he winds down with Scout whilst I sit here and have an hour to blog/pin/Zzzz...

So I hope you all  

have a super week!

 

xo

 

Sunday Social 08/09

Straight from summer questions straight into fall questions!

The weather has changed dramatically here from gorgeous sun to rain,

and the temp has dropped considerably, too.

But fall is a great season, fashion-wise! I get to weat my favourite outfits - layers! 

Last fall I invested in a lot of longer tee's, to team with my 5 year-old (and still going strong!) La Redoute boots, and black leggins. I can't wait to get back into them, although I'll miss flip-flop weather! 

Oh, and of course, it means that Starbucks pumpkin spice latte is back! 

What do you love about Fall?

Anyway...let's crack on!

1. What is your favorite fall activity?

I love taking the dog for a walk in Autumn. It's not so hot that you get sweaty quickly, and the leaves are just starting to fall from the trees which makes the park look beautiful.
I have to say, though, it's got to be carving the Halloween pumpkin! 
I missed out last year, as I was working and didn't have the time to get a pumpkin.
We're going to plant our own next Spring in our vegetable patch!

Last year I made a pumpkin stencil for our sun jar.

And decorated the rats play area :)

2. Do you follow a football team? If so, which one and why?

It's not football season here in the UK like it is in the US. 
Plus their football is totally different to ours. 
 But anyways, I don't follow football. The only sport I really follow is ice hockey.

3. What is something fun about fall in your area?

We've just moved, so we'll be keeping a look out for things happening in the area.
Plymouth has a Seafood Festival on Sep 20th which I'm excited to go to!

4. What are your favorite fall staple outfits?

Ah! I didn't see this when I wrote about fashion just now.
Yesterday I got to start wearing my favourite outfit again.
With everything still being unpacked, though, I can't find any cardigans!

This outfit consists of a Superdry long tank top/dress, black leggins, dark brown La Redoute knee boots, and a Bench hoody. Warm, comfy. Lovely. 

 

5. What things are his looking forward to most about this coming fall season?

 Halloweeeeeen! For some reason, I'm extra excited about everything this year.
It must be due to having so many things to look forward to! 
This Fall, I want to....

• carve a pumpkin, 
• watch Halloween 3 (my favourite of the movies), 
• drink a pumpkin spice latte 
• buy a new cardigan...!
• celebrate firework night in our garden for the first time.

Celebrating Halloween at work.

6. What is your favorite fall holiday? Tradition?

I'm looking forward to starting our own traditions this year
for our first fall in our new home <3 

I know Thanksgiving is during Autumn, but here in the UK it's not something
we celebrate. However, last year, in accidentally ended up celebrating it with a family roast :) I wonder if we do it again this year without realising lol

 


Your turn!
xo

And then there were 5....

We thought our lives were complete when we brought home two little balls of fluff, namely our rats, Einstein and Freud. But then came 28th September 2013, when we picked up the little ball of fluff (and very, very sharp teeth!) Scout, the 7 week old springer spaniel puppy.

Like any doting (fur) mother, I have to 
share these gorgeous photos with you.

On the way home with Daddy.

Visiting his neighbours who absolutely loved him.

So, I sleep here, and you sleep on the floor? Yes?

Apparently every flower in the garden is for eating...

Attention ME!

Until I fall asleep.

Momma tastes better than any chewtoy, it seems.

First bath!

So far, he's been pretty good. For a puppy, anyway! 

Establishing a routine is easy, but sticking to it is much, much harder.

Do any of you guys have pups? Have you raised them?

Advice is always appreciated! Although we had Kip for 8 years, we got him at 6 months and he was easy to train then, even though he had some bad habits. I hope that once Scout matures a little in a few months he'll become a strong, confident dog and we can really train him to his full potential.

But until then, I'm happy to be his favourite chew toy, and Woody his favourite nap spot. :)

This is your world, little man.

xo