hearty vegan stew.

Don't worry pals, this isn't going to be one of those recipe posts with 40 paragraphs of my life experiences with beans - let's just jump right in. It isn't the prettiest, but it's so easy, and so so delicious. 

sustainable swaps.

Like a lot of people currently, I'm painfully aware of the state of the world. The world is on fire and it feels like there's no way to stop it, and yet so many people in positions of power are claiming ignorance.. anyway, this isn't a political rant, this is just about the little changes that I've been making that are better for the environment, and ease my woes slightly. 

I've been thinking a lot about the things I use frequently which are actually incredibly wasteful. I've started gradually making a few changes in my life, and I thought they might be of use to you lovely humans.

swimming in late summer.

5 days in lisbon - city guide.

Oh beautiful Lisbon, I miss your cobbled streets, tiled buildings and trams! 

It was a citybreak that had been high on my list for quite a while, so when my friend Sarah suggested we go, along with her friend Kirsty, I said yes straight away. I hadn't left the country since my big trip to Canada almost THREE YEARS AGO (what!) so I was super excited.

out with the old and in with the new.

It takes a long time to change bad habits.

It's hard to stop the voice in your head that says "you don't deserve good things." It's hard to stop believing that you only deserve love if you look a certain way. It's hard to make those voices stop and to go outside and enjoy life, sometimes. 

cruelty free summer look with boots.

• this post is an advertised collaboration with Boots, but all thoughts are my own •

Summer is here (although I don't think anyone has told the weather) which means a change in beauty routines for many of us. More focus on the prep and protection, and a little lighter on the make up. We want glowing skin which is allowed to breathe, rather than being caked in make up - especially if we get another heatwave this year... I'm crossing my fingers and hoping we get one soon! 

A hazy childhood memory - I wasn’t sure if this place really existed, or if I’d dreamt it up. 

one for me and one for you - muru jewellery.

• gifted items •

The moon is a symbol of female empowerment.

It reminds us to celebrate the most important women in our lives, because there is no limit to what they can achieve.

When Muru offered to gift me some jewellery, I decided I wanted to share this with someone I love. Matching necklace for me and my kindred spirit. Someone who really deserves something special. 

crying in the shower.

I don’t know how long I’ve lived with a chronic illness, but some days it feels like forever. Dragging at my heels, holding me back. I am one of the lucky ones - most days I barely even notice it, thanks to medication. I’m not used to feeling bad anymore, so the bad days hit hard.

I’ve felt tripped up by it lately. I was smugly going along, doing all of my 4 jobs to a reasonable degree, having a busy social life, and even getting to the gym when I could fit it in. And then the crash came.

dinner at lost & found, bristol.

A couple of weeks ago, we were invited along to Lost & Found to try out the menu and sip a couple of cocktails. Having not been since the opening weekend, I was keen to see how they'd settled in and what had changed since then..

snapshots from 31.

Such a lovely week, despite the bouts of anxiety. Anyone else get birthday anxiety? 

Thanks everyone who celebrated with me in some way! 

I'll let the photos speak for themselves. 

most worn.

It's slightly warmer, the sun is out for longer, and I just don't want to be reaching for dark colours anymore. This is what I've been wearing a LOT lately - comfy, cute, and springy. That's all I want. 

There's a running joke with my boss at Rhubarb Jumble, that I never take these trousers off.. and well, it's almost true. I wear them numerous times a week at the moment! They're the perfect transitional trousers, and the fit is perfect - cropped and high waisted. Ideal with my chucks (although I'm hoping to be able to swap those for sandals more regularly soon) and a cropped sweatshirt, showing just a hint of skin. 

What are you wearing a lot at the moment?

Read on for outfit details!

cut out poetry.

I recently came back to this fun way of writing after about 10 years. I loved creating slightly abstract poems in college by way of black out or cut out poetry, but somewhere along the way, it got lost. 

My wonderful friend Bee reminded me of it in one of her Patreon posts, and one evening after work, I spotted some books for free on somebody's wall. I took one home. I didn't want to read that book, but I did want to cut it up and make something of my own.

A scruffy little thing, waking among the pebbles. Breath sour from sleeping in the day again. Clothes creased, undone, torn and worn in.

Some rocks are sharp, and some rocks are soft.

making tactile memories with papier.

• ad - this is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own! •

I take photographs of everything, all the time, but I very very rarely get any of those photos printed out, no matter how much I love them. I am obsessed with nostalgia, and love to look back on photos that remind me of particular times, so when Papier got in touch & asked if I'd like to make my own photobook, I said yes.

an evening of beer & cheese with two belly.

Otherwise known as my ideal evening! 

In the interest of transparency and adhering to the rules - I was invited along as a guest/gifted this cheesy, beery extravaganza, but I am under no obligation to write about it - I just wanted to share it with you! 

lying dormant.

Chapped lip, a little holiday weight, a few blemishes, pale legs, dirty hair, something written on my hand, waiting, happy. 

This time of year, I really do feel like I'm waiting for it all to start. Spring feels much more like the beginning of something to me, and these first few months I'm lying dormant, just waiting for the warmth to come back.

grief.

I think a lot about grief.

I wasn't sure whether to publish this post, but a few people have encouraged me to, and agree that it's good to be open about grief and death. I find it hard to talk about in person, unless I'm in the right mood/environment, but writing things down always helps.