The Summer that seemed to last forever with it’s glorious temperatures and sunshine came to cooler close in August. What a busy month it’s been! August isn’t tinged with that sadness that it was when I was a teacher, it’s now filled with excitement for the changing seasons, the next few months are jam packed with lots of days to celebrate and I always embrace every opportunity to do that. I love writing these posts, I think they’re a true ‘blog post’ an open journal that allows me to record and reflect on the past four weeks and connect with those that might be experiencing the same. So with without further introduction, this was my August 2018.
Amara Interior Blog Awards Nomination
This nomination means so much to me, more than I realised it would. Obviously, any recognition for something you’re doing is off-the-chart encouraging, but this feels different and I’ve been reflecting on why.
Two years ago, my Mum became incredibly ill and after an extended hospital stay, was completely bed-bound. It was a time filled with such anxiety for all of us. My Mum has been poorly for a long time and my Dad always made decisions, figured things out and cared for my Mum with all the love and devotion that was their marriage.
Without Dad, this became the role of my brother and I and it was scary. What if we made the wrong choice? What if something happened?
So, I moved in with my Mum and left Mr SV to eat sweets for his dinner and with my brother and my Mum, we did it. We all got through and it was as wonderful as it was worrying.
My family always comes first, but as I watched my readership fall and the world moved on, I felt so overwhelmed – I wondered if it was time to call it a day on blogging and I very nearly did.
My life is a little less complex now, I still care for my Mum alongside my brother and it’s still a role that I feel very proud to carry out and last year I decided to head back to the keyboard, dust myself off and start again – because that’s what life is about, isn’t it?
The Beginning of So Victoria
I shut the doors on Victoria’s Cottage and started So Victoria – a fresh start for a new direction and over the last year I’ve loved writing and sharing my posts on everything from interiors to Monty.
There’s still time to vote and if you’ve enjoyed So Victoria over the last year, head over to the Amara Interior Awards and place your vote.
A Cosy Experience at Cosy Club
I’d never reviewed a restaurant before and was so excited to work with Cosy Club in Worcester. Supporting local businesses is important to me and Mr SV and I went along to sample the Summer menu. It was such a lovely treat and if you would like to know more, the full review, filled with many yummy pictures is available on the blog.
Mouthy Women- Episode 2
Episode 2 of Mouthy Women was released at the start of August and the feedback has been so encouraging. Thank you to everyone that has sent messages, shared your thoughts in-person and enjoyed the podcast so far.
Both Hannah and I are really enjoying our Sunday morning podcast recording and we can’t wait to share more and more of our lives, thoughts and experiences. All Mouthy Women podcasts are available on Spotify and iTunes.
Feeling brighter
Those that follow me on Instagram will know I’ve been experiencing some health issues over the last few months and in the last week of August, I started to feel the benefits of treatment for my anaemia; I woke up one sunny morning to find I had more thoughts and was less light headed when I moved around. I hadn’t realised how much of a tired zombie-lady I had become.
There’s still a little way to go until I’m back to my normal self as my haemoglobin levels were so low, but I’m so happy to be feeling more like my usual self. I used all my new found enthusiasm to enjoy myself a little more this month and said yes to a couple of evening’s out that I really enjoyed.
Out on the Town…Twice!
I enjoyed my very first cocktail masterclass, hosted by All Bar One for Absolut and learn Red to make a Pornstar Martini. I went along with my friend, Kelly and it was such a lovely evening; so relaxed and informative too. So now, I need an excuse to get the girls round and put my cocktail making skills to good use. Cin cin!
Maribel Restaurant
My second night out, (get me – shocked face) was hosted at Maribel in Birmingham, where I enjoyed the most lovely vegetarian taster menu. I’d not experienced a taster evening before and loved trying new flavours, paired perfectly with wonderful wines. Here’s a little sneaky peek of some of the delicious food I enjoyed.
The evening began with champagne a canapés, including my favourite’s, Tomato and Artichoke Salad, Quail egg with cos and berkswell and incredible Adams sour dough with yeast butter. The six course meal was a real flavour sensation, each dish expertly paired with incredible wines. It was so much more than a meal out, it was a foodie experience that I so enjoyed.
To start, the Tomato with curds, seeds, olive oil and marjoram was as beautiful to eat as it was to look at. The main course, an artichoke and egg salad was served with the tastiest potato gratin that set me up perfectly for multiple desserts; a crisp Eccles cake with Yorkshire blue cheese, a strawberry and vanilla rice pudding with yummy meringue shards that finished off the meal perfectly.
Magical Monty Moments
Litte Montgomery continued to enjoy his first summer with us. After enjoying the sweltering months in his paddling pool, August, we enjoyed many strolls and even out first pub garden lunch. He was such a good boy (we thought he might terrorise everyone for their food.) and we’re looking forward to enjoying more and more Monty moments over the next month,
Celebrating the End of Summer with Marks and Spencer
Saying goodbye to summer was a real landmark of the year with a little help from Marks and Spencer. I had such a wonderful time visiting Withers Farm in Hereford, one of M&S’ berry suppliers and you can read all about my visit on the blog.
The final goodbye to summer took the form of ‘berry’ wonderful family gathering. Autumn and winter is sprinkled with opportunities to gather with loved ones, and it was so good to feast and celebrate with family in the warm months too. Head on over to the post to see all the details
It’s been such a busy and wonderful month and I’m so enjoying all that I’ve been so lucky to enjoy. So come on Autumn, I’m so ready for you.
Love,
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