Things I’m Loving Lately {August}

August is one of my favourite months for the sole reason that I get to be a stay at home mum for its entirety.  We have no timetables to stick to, no places that we really have to be and can take each day as it comes.  If it’s sunny (come on now, don’t laugh) we can head out for a walk and see where we end up.  If it pours it down we can cuddle on the couch watching Blaze and the Monster Machines on repeat.  Sadly, August is coming to an end and with it those lazy days, but here’s what we have been loving.

Beauty

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Last week I took myself off with two of my oldest school friends for a spa day at the gorgeous Hale Spa and Country Club.  Oh my days, it was heaven, I honestly could have stayed all day.  We did stay a bit too long and hit awful traffic on the way home so I may have been 2 hours late, oops!  Sorry for the lack of photos but I left my phone in the car and actually it was really nice to be technology free for a few hours.

After spending an hour catching up on heated sun loungers in our dressing gowns we had lunch with a glass or two of Prosecco.  I’d gone all healthy but then had total food envy at the girl on the next table who had a mini fire pot for toasting marshmallows and a chocolate dip too.

After lunch we chilled out in the steam room, sauna and fire and ice room before lazing in the outdoor jacuzzi looking out at the Cheshire countryside.  After all this it was time for a hot stone massage and facial.  Can I do that every Friday please?

Fashion

Arghh, August has been a bit of a fashion nightmare.  One day I’m in my black tights and Autumn gear, the next I’m back in my summer dresses.

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To be honest I’m kinda looking forward to the cooler weather and rediscovering my winter wardrobe.  And there may have been a few new additions too!

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Home

I think I have a 5 year itch where the house is concerns.  Not so much that I want to move, we are planning never to do that again, but where I want to completely redecorate.  I’ve made a start on O’s room.  The inspiration is this gorgeous wallpaper from B&Q which will be going on one wall.

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I’ve bought a new storage unit and put up a few shelves (good old Ikea) so I just need some new curtains and bedding to finish it off.

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I’ve made a start on decluttering what was the old office and will be turning it into a guest bedroom/Jo’s little escape room once we have got all the junk out.  This is the before shot, watch this space!

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I have loved being able to fill the house with flowers from the garden over the past few weeks.  You can’t quite beat heading into the garden with a pair of scissors to collect a few blooms to scatter around the house.

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Food

Food has taken a bit of a back step since I started slimming world a couple of weeks ago, I am trying to be so good as I am determined to go down a dress size by Christmas.  I have been making a few of the Slimming World recipes which mixed success.  The leek and potato soup was delicious but the tuna pasta bake ended up in the bin.

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On Sunday me and hubby are having a night away in Manchester and so I am having a cheat day and not worrying about how many syns I’m having.  I can’t wait for a Pornstar martini (or 2) and a portion of chips.  Such a classy girl!

 

And Finally…

One of my favourite things about August has been having my school best friend around for a while. She now lives near London and largely makes flying visits up North so we manage a quick lunch a couple of times a year.  As she’s been up for a few weeks we’ve had play dates and spa days (see above) and just hung out.

There’s something really comforting about being around someone who has known you since you were 11 and it’s made me realise how much I’ve missed her in the past few years.

And that was August, as always it has passed way too quickly and in just a few days September begins and with it a new school year.  A time for fresh starts and new beginnings.

I’m linking up with the just so lovely Emma at Life At The Little Wood to share what we’ve been loving lately.  Please pop over to see what she and some other lovely bloggers have been enjoying this month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6 Comments

  1. August 26, 2015 / 8:22 pm

    Oh Jo, I love absolutely everything in this post! You are looking wonderful and your spa day sounds amazing! I definitely need a heated sun lounger in my life!! 🙂 I totally know what you mean about the weather. I’ve literally no idea what to wear these days. Yesterday I had sandals on and was freezing and today I put on a woolly jumper and was roasting! I do look forward to Autumn being a bit more consistent. Thanks so much for joining in poppet! Xx
    lifeatthelittlewood recently posted…Things I’m Loving Lately {August}My Profile

  2. Potty Mouthed Mummy
    August 26, 2015 / 9:05 pm

    I’ve found it so hit and miss finding recipes that are tasty, filling and low calorie but have a few favourites now. It’s all experimenting. Loving the look of the new clothing bits, can’t wait for autumn to hit properly so I can wear my new clothes!! xx
    Potty Mouthed Mummy recently posted…August 15 | Papery PeepMy Profile

  3. Naomi
    August 27, 2015 / 12:25 pm

    I’m just a little bit jealous of your spa day! It sounds like you’ve had a fantastic month. I love the honesty of your ‘before’ photo as well – can’t wait to see the ‘after’ one.
    Naomi recently posted…Things I’m Loving Lately: AugustMy Profile

  4. August 28, 2015 / 6:04 am

    Oh I love that wallpaper. I had great plans to turn R’s playroom into a den this summer but I can’t seem to get rid of any of his younger toys and books. I like to keep them for when younger children/niece/nephew come to visit but am running out of space. I need some inspiration for a den to suit a 9 year old!

  5. Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
    August 28, 2015 / 9:30 pm

    Such a great post, Jo. My brother has just moved to Hale so I might just need to pop and visit him via the country club 😉 I love your purchases. I keep looking at new clothes but am struggling to make decisions at the mo. I think it’s the odd weather. Can’t wait to the wallpaper up on the wall. It’s so cool!
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely recently posted…Our #AviosAdventure on the railwayMy Profile

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