#bookofthemonth - The Holiday Cottage Sarah Morgan

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan

This books is a perfect Holiday read, I know we are out of Holiday season but it's worth it. I love Christmas books. This one was no different. You can't help but root for Imogen through the story. A heartwarming story that had a twist in the middle that I wasn't expecting; which in, my opinion, made the book better than most Christmas stories. You should definitely read the story of Imogen and Holly Cottage

To the outside world, Imogen is a marketing dynamo. Her colleagues don’t know that while her high-achieving professional image is real, the happy childhood stories she spins are as fake as her pretend enthusiasm for Christmas. Working 24/7 has always been her solution to surviving the festive season—until burnout leads to a catastrophic blunder.

Suddenly, Imogen is handed a holiday gift she definitely doesn’t want: enforced time off work to recuperate. Then an invitation arrives from her favorite client, Dorothy, to stay at her guest cottage in the Cotswolds. From the thatched roof to the cozy open fireplace, Holly Cottage is a picture-perfect haven… Can it provide the fresh start Imogen so desperately needs?

For Dorothy, helping Imogen offers a longed-for chance to make reparations for her own past. But as her daughter Sara keeps reminding her, it brings risks, too. Yet Dorothy knows that only a leap of courage will allow her family to grow and heal. And perhaps this Christmas, with Dorothy’s help, the new life that Imogen is slowly piecing together could be better than anything either of them could imagine…"

OOTD - Midi and Sweaters

 

30 Day Wellness Challenge

Ever since giving birth I have been saying I am gonna get back and focus on my health, but postpartum is HARD. Took me ten months to feel sort of like myself again. While I did managed to go back to my pre pregnancy weight almost immediately after giving birth my weight is in weight places and makes me feel uncomfortable.

My goal has always been to feel good about myself and be comfortable in clothing not so much about being skinny or losing crazy amounts of weight. So I started a 30 day challenge for myself to focus on being more healthy from inside. These are simple things, I can incorporate in my everyday.

Starting weight: 90.8KG

In 30 days I m gonna focus on 5 things:

drink 3L of water

drink green gut glow

get 10,000 steps in

getting two movements in a week (yoga or gym or something)

journaling 

My baby is very active so I had to be mindful of things I can actually accomplish and set myself up for success. This 30 days are more of a health from within kind of focus - things that will help me be healthier not necessarily skinnier. 

So follow along here and on instagram. 

OOTD - Perfect Holiday Dress

A long black dress that is perfect for any occasion - holiday part? Check. Wedding guest? Check.

This dress is great because its lose and comfortable but also has a mid length sleeve.

shop all my look ob LKT

5 Things You Should Do Before the End of the Year

Setting yourself up for a successful new year requires a mix of reflection, preparation, and intention. Here are five things you should do before the end of the year to set yourself up for your best new year yet:

1. Reflect on the Past Year

Assess your growth: Take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, what worked well, and what didn’t. Review your goals and achievements, both personal and professional. Celebrate your wins and learn from your challenges.

Journal or make a gratitude list: Writing down key lessons from the past year helps you gain perspective and shows you how far you've come. It’s a great way to foster a positive mindset for the year ahead.

2. Set Clear, Intentional Goals for the New Year

Create SMART goals: Identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for the year ahead. Whether it's in your career, health, or personal life, setting clear intentions will keep you motivated and focused.

Break them down: Don't just think about big yearly goals—break them down into smaller monthly or weekly tasks. This makes them more achievable and provides momentum.

3. Declutter Your Environment 

Clean your space: Start the new year with a fresh, organized environment. Clean out your workspace, home, and digital space (emails, files, etc.). A clutter-free space promotes mental clarity and productivity.

Purge unnecessary things: Get rid of items that no longer serve you—whether it’s physical clutter, old habits, or toxic relationships. Free up space for new opportunities.

4. Create a Financial Plan

Review your finances: Take stock of your financial health by reviewing your budget, savings, and investments. Assess any debt and make a plan for how to manage or pay it off in the new year.

Set a financial goal: Whether it’s building an emergency fund, saving for a large purchase, or investing, having a clear financial goal will help guide your decisions throughout the year.

5. Prioritize Self-Care & Wellness

Assess your health: Make sure you’re taking care of both your physical and mental health. Schedule any necessary doctor visits or check-ups. Make a plan to adopt healthier habits, like regular exercise, eating well, or practicing mindfulness.

Create a self-care routine: Start the new year with practices that recharge you. Whether it's meditation, journaling, reading, or spending time with loved ones, having consistent self-care rituals will help you manage stress and stay balanced throughout the year.

By doing these five things before the end of the year, you'll not only close out this year on a positive note but also set the foundation for a successful, fulfilling new year.

#bookofthemonth The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft

The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft

This was the perfect book for the season. Her books always deliver and this one was perfect for the festive season. An easy read with good characters and it just flowed along. 

" secret romance was just the start of the story…

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar—an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey—until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.

Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she'd thought it was…"

Simple Focaccia Bread

Everyone was making bread during the early stages of the pandemic, and i stack with it, Focaccia is one of my FAVOURITES. Easy, homemade and the best Focaccia with garlic, rosemary and tomatoes is my go to but your toppings can change. This focaccia bread recipe is soft, fluffy and great as an appetizer. 

What you need:

5-6 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon instant yeast 

1 teaspoon sea salt flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoons chopped rosemary

5-6 tomatoes cut in half

Green onions

How to make it:

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9" x 13" pan.

Combine water, olive oil, salt, flour and yeast ingredients, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer for 60 seconds.

Scoop the sticky batter into the prepared pan, cover the pan, and let it rise at room temperature for 60 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Gently poke the dough all over with your index finger.

Drizzle it lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt, minced garlic, rosemary and tomatoes.

Bake the bread until it's golden brown, 30 minutes. 

Remove it from the oven, wait 5 minutes, then turn it out of the pan onto a rack and cut into pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.