Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:27 am
As a working parent I am constantly running ragged. I try to squeeze in more in twenty-four hour period than I probably should or is actually possible to be accomplished. Day after day, I feel there is no time left to even just breathe. I have been guilty of this for a long time and way before I even started blogging. Now, adding a blog into the mix, I have to create time for it out of thin air. I guess the beauty of write a blog rather than a novel is that you can jump in, write a bit and come back to it later whereas when I was write my book I really need hours to dive into my characters and plot. I love being busy but there are times when it gets a little overwhelming I will admit and I usually come down with some plague right about the time I think I need to relax. I am really looking forward to this Christmas for time to chill out with my family as we will have limited access for two weeks in Ireland…..eeek I know! But I think I am the type that needs to be forced to take it easy, and step back sometimes otherwise life will pass me by, I am afraid.
HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOVING THIS WEEK…
We have been reading a ton of new Christmas stories with our “A Book A Day” advent calendars. The kids love unwrapping their surprise bedtime stories each night leading up to Christmas. I love wrapping them all pretty under our dining room twig tree too! Some people do any kind of book for their reading advents but this year I wanted them all to be festive Christmas stories as it will be the kids’ first proper Christmas where they both understand and know what’s going on in terms of Santa, presents, and the whole magic of it all. I am lovely reading all about preparing for Christmas the book called Happy Christmas to Mog Christmas so far!
I know it’s Christmas time now but we just celebrated Thanksgiving. For those that haven’t “heard” what it’s all about we made a little family video for you to see what a full day of our UK-version of Thanksgiving entails. Watch it below and let me know what you think!
I have watched my daughter sit on every potty from here to the next city, in every shop, in every toilet in our house, and yet she refuses to go. Potty training has become the week from “how long can MM hold it until she bursts” week of hell. I will give her credit she does number two fine on the potty and nursery says the two days she is there with them she pees every time on the potty for them. Today, we skipped into a store to grab a new coat for myself and within ten minutes she had peed all over the floor while I was waiting in line to pay and a whole ray of audience looking down and witnessing our very first “public puddle”. MM smiled on while I was horrified and had to get resourceful and turn a diaper inside out and mop it up. Luckily I still had one in my diaper bag. Phew! A quick change of clothes before we dashed to gymnastic with no socks on. Why didn’t I think to bring spare socks when I had spare shoes? It’s a learning in process.
This week I am all about the tall almost to your knee high boots. I have been adorning these taupe colored ones from Mint Julep paired with a Mint Julep sweater they kindly sent me. I also been strutting around in my black leather boots I scored in the sale at Dorothy Perkins. They are so comfortable. While staying cozy in this awful weather with over size tshirts and sweaters I have been in my pjs a lot longer on the weekends then I normally do. I love my “Blogger” tshirt my lovely friend Katie sent me and my leopard print bottoms from Next. They pair nicely together.
I made a new festive Christmas drink called Candy Cane Irish Creams. They are absolutely delicious on ice or with whip cream added to the top. You can see other festive drinks I came up with using Feeney’s Irish Cream this week here. I also have a giveaway for a Christmas Spiced Vodka that will surely make some festive drinks and it closes in a few days so get your entries in pronto.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I have started an instagram community. Just a little space using the hashtag #lifecloseup for all those zoomed in everyday moments we share on instagram. I love getting to know new instagrammers to follow and seeing what everyone is capturing from their point of view, zoomed in. I really hope you will all join me and add #lifecloseup hashtag as you go along. There are no rules, you don’t have to follow me. I will be sharing all my favorites every Sunday on my blog and linking back so do join in so others can find you too. I hope it helps us all come together, practice our detailed photography and meet more instagrammers. You don’t have to be a blogger to join in. You can peak here and see who already is joining in the fun or read my post about being apart of an instagram community here!
Linking up to #LittleLoves
I am potty training Harri and feel your pain, it’s always when you are waiting in a que or just about to sit down on a café when they need to go. All your outfits look lovely.
Your instagram community sounds good, I keep meaning to join instagram as I love looking at people’s pictures. Have a lovely weekend x
Exactly, I swear if I have food or a hot drink it’s I need the bathroom then an hour later out of the said bathroom everything is cold and I don’t want it anymore. lol Oh yes come join instagram and join in it’s a great way to get other to know your feed too that are joining in.
I need to start potty training my toddler in the new year (once my energy comes back fully and before I become too heavily pregnant!). I love all your outfits. The instagram community sounds great. Most of my shares are close ups so I’ll try and remember to join in once I have my new phone (the camera has packed in on my current one).
Oh no I hate when you don’t have a phone and it’s on the outs. Yes please join in that would be lovely. Potty Training is never fun but it’s not forever is it? lol Thinking we turned a corner tonight.
I love your photos Jenny they are all looking so beautiful. Love the idea of your new instagram hashtag and i’ll try and remember to join in. Potty training sucks i was so lucky that i haven’t had the public puddle with LB but you can guarantee now I’ve said that it’ll happen! You always look so stylish too-very jealous! I never have anything nice to put in this section x
I haven’t had the public puddle ever with B but I guess never say never I have now. Hopefully we turned a corner tonight. Oh yes come hashtag away lovely I love sharing my instagram obsession with everyone and all my faves each week.
I always love your fashion photos, you have great style. Off to check out those drinks recipes as that photo makes me want a creamy drink right now – so festive! Have a wonderful weekend Jenny x
The drinks came out lovely. Thanks for the fashion compliment although I seem to feel frumpy and not wanting to put anything but sweats on I blame bad eating and cold weather. Have a lovely week ahead.
Oh I don’t miss potty training! Its hard as a child to adjust and as a parent! But other than the little puddle,it sounds like it is going ok? Its a whole new learning curve! l love your Instagram idea, will have to join in at some point, may give me the nudge to take more photos! Have a lovely weekend lovely x
It was two good days, two really sh***y days literally and then I think we may have turned a corner here tonight. Fingers crossed. It’s not fun but it’s not forever is it? lol Oh yes takes any zoomed in close up of whatever you want and join in darling. I am sharing my love for instagrammers.
I love your fashion posts Jenny, you are so gorgeous. And those boots are amazing. I will definitely have to join in on your instagram community, what a great idea. x
Oh dear making me blush katie dear, not at all. I like cozy and statement necklaces lol Thanks that would be so amazing if you did lovely mean alot. Look forward to seeing you there.
Your book advent is the prettiest one I have seen, I will definitely be doing it next year (if I remember! ). We are going through potty training too, definitely not my favourite stage! #littleloves
Oh thanks lovely it’s just ikea wrapping paper and some ribbon and twine with tags from Hobbycraft in the sale. lol No not my favorite stage either but hopefully by end of the week this week we will be getting somewhere closer to ok. lol
Hi Jenny!
I love your blog! I don’t even know how I found it but I’m glad I did! I’m in BC Canada and have been following your blog for a while now 🙂 I love your book advent calendar, I think it’s a genius idea! I’m going to start that next year! I have a 2.5 year old daughter and I we are also potty training! I have not been brave enough to leave the house without her wearing a diaper yet, but soon!! Merry Christmas!
Oh thank you so much Stacy. I used to live in Eastport, Idaho only five miles from the border so not far from good old Canada.Thanks for stopping by and I am very glad you like my blog and are a loyal reader that means the absolute world to me. Thank you so much.
Book advent calendars are such a wonderful idea! Yours is so pretty!!! Do you tong your hair every day ? If you do – that is amazing. I aspire to be like that! At the mo it’s once or twice a month, but I always love how it looks. Need to make more effort. Two weeks in Ireland – enjoy! xx
Oh man, reading about potty training totally brought back horrific memories! It’s not a stage I loved I must admit!
Loving your instagram community idea, I must join in again this week.
Hope you’re managing to squeeze in some rest in between the busyness! xx
Rest for me! Never. hahaha Thanks hunny and yes do join in I love seeing everyone’s amazing captures of life zoomed in. Potty training is hell not going to lie but also think we may have turned a corner yesterday with no accidents Whoop Whoop.
I love the idea of a book advent, I must try and be organised enough to do one next year with the kids. I love your twig tree as well, very pretty. Hope you’ve had a great week x
Oh thank you. We buy cheap bundle books from scholastic at school. So sometimes you can get like 6 books in one package for four quid it’s great and stock up leading up to christmas. I have enjoyed reading them this year each night after they open them for bedtime. The twig tree now stays up all year long hahaha I do love it.