Last updated on March 4th, 2024 at 08:25 pm
Happy Friyay everyone! I hope everyone had a great Christmas break and New Year! I am back to blogging with some much needed time off and I think the batteries have been recharged prepared for another amazing year. My new year’s resolution is to find a better balance in our lives here at LTM.
I am loving the new #littleloves and here I start my very first one of the year with “The One Where I Slowed Down”. My little loves post have always been a summary of what we have been getting up to over the past week. It’s a great way to share with those that don’t have the opportunity to read every post or those that are just stopping in to get a taste of our adventures all in one place. This year I will be writing mine with “the one where I….” in mind. Highlighting something special from the week or a theme!
Read
As I just had extra time on my hands, I managed to read ALL three of the Divergent box set books. They were so good. I think I even read the last two in two days. It felt amazing to dive into a series again and get lost in the adventures. It had been so long since I did that and I would love to do more of it this year.
Heard
I am still rocking Taylor Swift’s new album “1989” and even the kids are feeling it. We love finding up-beat music to dance around the kitchen to, it’s just what we do to chill out and have fun.
Watched
Scandal started last night! Hurray!!! (do a little dance) as does Revenge on Monday, I can’t wait. I love January when my shows all back on. I am looking forward to Grey’s Anatomy, Downtown Abbey and few others to start too.
I have been trying my best to better my youtube skills, here is my “New Year’s Eve Hamper” for those that stay in, that I did for MumTalkTV. If you haven’t had a chance to watch MumTalkTV it’s on every Wednesday and Sunday night at 7pm. Would love to hear your feed back or if there is a topic you want us to cover leave me a comment please.
Wore
I have been rockin’ my two toned brown and black boots a lot lately and I got this outfit in the Hurley’s 70% off sale during the holidays. Win-win as they all match so nicely together. The top was actually size 3 and I normally wear size 0 or 1 in tops from there but I like the style of this top being more baggy. Sometimes if you go bigger it can change the look of the top for the better as this would have been way too short, more of a crop top if I had bought it in my size. I like the bagginess of it too as I wore it on New Year’s with black leather leggings to dress it up.
Made
I have been baking like crazy lately with the holidays and my waistline is not thanking me for it. So you might find that this made section turns a bit healthier after January. There might be more salads and healthy snack making, going on but until then I have a few more comfort foods to share like these yummy Tomato Basil Twists, recipe to follow soon.
And lastly…
It’s a new year, my last year with both kids at home before Buba starts school. We are planning a lot more adventures and little moments to capture before he starts school to make his last few months as my little baby, magical. Yes, that seems contradictory of my slow down this year goals but it’s really not. We are planning more picnics in the park, casual walks around our village, scenic drives on the weekends and maybe Mommy puts her guard down and lets them have a little more treats in their life. All these things are relaxing and enjoyable for all of us but it’s less running around with our heads cut off to do major things. Sometimes we need to realize as parents the little things are just as fun for the kids as much as the major things. It doesn’t have to be disneyland to be disneyland for the kids, if you know what I mean. So I have slowed down in my planning major things and my list is full of more simple things like messy play and craft time this year. Things I know the kids will absolutely love but won’t stress Mommy out to the max. (ok maybe messy play still is stressful for me).
I have not only slowed down on things for the kids but for myself too. I now completely understand I cannot do it all not even close. I now am organizing my time more wisely and it feels more calm already. My blog is still a part of my life everyday in someway but that might be just chatting on twitter or facebook one day or finding my new found love of my pinterest boards again. I was longing for the days I could be inspired and pin to my hearts content, well I am doing it now. I have reorganized my boards, and started some fab new ones for inspiration and sharing my love for home decor more. My newest board is my “Mantelpiece Inspiration” as I add new things everyday looking for inspiration for my own new mantelpiece in my front room! If you have any great mantelpiece boards or pins tag me in, would love to see them.
Follow Let’s Talk Mommy’s board Mantelpiece Inspiration on Pinterest.
And that is my slowed down process to this year… what are your new year’s resolutions for yourself, your family and your blog? Would love to hear them!
Linking up with the beautiful Butwhymummywhy for her #littleloves linky!
Those basil twists look so good! Cant wait to see more of your recipes! I heard about those books as I went on wikipedia to find out what else the main characters from The Fault In Our Stars had been in and this came up! Once I have finished the book I may purchase these 🙂 Great little loves xx Have a lovely weekend xx
Yes they are great reads and the movie is fantastic too! 🙂
I’m glad you’re slowing down a wee bit Jenny. You make me tired just listening to everything you are doing! I admire you so much for your drive and energy. I only wish I had half as much! Oh my goodness, those tomato twists look amazing! I’m excited to see your healthy January recipes too. Have a great (relaxing!) weekend poppet xxx
Thanks Emma. I hope that this year will be a definitely healthier one. Oh sometimes I wish I would just sit down and do nothing I exhaust myself. Hahaha
I saw the Divergent film and it was very good so I’d like to read the books. Do they compare well to the film?
Good look with the messy play. It took me years to allow it but I’m getting better with it ( a tuff spot is a life saver).
I love pinterest. I saw a great pin that had a plug socket actually fitted into the side of the fireplace so you could plug lights and garlands in but not have the flex trailing across the room. Genius. x #littleloves
They are exactly to the movie or the movie sticks exactly to the books. The second book starts right where the movie left off so you can easily skip the first book and read the other two in the series. I am still struggling with messy play indoors hoping the weather gets nicer and we can do it out back. That’s amazing for a plug on the side of the fireplace I have one right next to it for fairy lights. Been trying to decide what I want to do with my fireplace still… need more inspiration before I decide.
Oh my, those twists look absolutely amazing and have made me feel so hungry now! I think it’s nice to sometimes slow down a bit and take a step back from constant planning. I try and do this myself. x
Thanks Alex. They were scrumptious. Recipe will be up soon. I have a few to catch up on first. I can’t stop baking but my waistline is begging me too. Yes a break is always a great way to regroup.
Love your posts Jenny, always so uplifting & can relate so much. My biggest girl is meant to be starting school this year too, i’m trying to get my head round it. We will also be soaking up all the time this year especially, as we will never get it back. i’m actually emotional typing this! silly i know… I just find it crazy how time goes so fast, more so when you’re watching your children grow.
I can also relate to the ‘not having to do it all’ and organisation front. I am trying to get this part right, organisation is a key point for a mama, but finding the balance is hard! one day at a time!
p.s i love your baking! x x x
Oh I know what you mean I am an emotional roller coaster about it and he will be absolutely fine without me. lol *tears. We can cry together come September. Thanks hunny I love to bake and cook but mostly I absolutely love to style and photograph food. If only we had more hours in the day we wouldn’t need to balance. hahaha
I’m not surprised you need to slow down, I do not know where you find the time for all your projects! I have kind of lost my way with pinterest but I need to start again! I hope you have a fabulous 2015, and I look forward to reading your future posts.. and maybe making those twists!
Thanks Mel! You are too sweet. I do exhaust myself sometimes thinking about all I need to do. But not this year. It’s a calm and slow down kind of year. Yes i do the same with pinterest, follow in and out of love with it. That’s the beauty of it, it just stays there forever waiting for us to come pine over things.
Wow Jenny, I’m not sure about you slowing down. Just reading all that big post had me in a spin. You are one amazing and inspiring lady! You look fab in that outfit, I wish I had you’re lovely body shape. I hope though that you can find the right balance this year for you and the family, one that makes you feel busy but calm. xx
Thank you hunny. Appreciate your lovely comment. It is slowing down but it also is a process. Can’t change habits in one night. lol This girl is finding more to do in other areas like be healthy, relax etc. lol
I’m not sure you’ll ever relax! The whole time I’ve known you, you are always on the go! You are an amazing lady x
Thanks hunny so true but a woman can try right. Haha
Oh your outfit is fantastic, I love a dressed up casual look and those boots are amazing! You are rocking it 🙂 Your twists also look scrummy, I need to get back in the kitchen x
Thank you so much Donna that’s so sweet of you. I love casual dressy always makes me feel good. The twists were amazing and just like my favorites from the bakery nearby but better hot out of my own oven.
I am still to read the Divergent series, they are on my TBR pile though! I love a bit of Taylor Swift!
I love all of your pinterest boards, just followed you now 🙂 So keep pinning 🙂
Ahh thank you so much for the follow. I am trying to work hard to sort it out as it was a mess. Loving it at the moment. So inspiring. I have so many to read books on my list. Need more time!
Loving the outfit this week Jenny! I need to get some new boots and these are fab! I’ll be taking note of your mantel board as living rooms will be next on the agenda. I’m carrying on with my declutter posting throughout the year with more posts on organising, so hopefully you’ll check those out 🙂 Glad to hear you are getting back to the things you enjoy. Sometimes life just gets a bit cluttered. Nothing like a New Year to hit the reset button. Have a great weekend 🙂 #littleloves xx
Thanks hunny so true. Always great to start a new year clutter free and calmly. Happy New Year!
Good to see you slowing down Jenny, I honestly don’t know how you manage to fit everything in!
I have Revenge on Sky+ and can’t wait to catch up with the craziness. I’m saving it for tomorrow afternoon when hubby is out and O is napping so I can give it my full attention #guiltypleasure
Have a fab week lovely xxx
Oh yes Revenge definitely needs full attention. Yes well while i love being a busy body i need to sleep more and tale care of myself more. But i am sure there will still be plenty going on here.
How on earth was I not following you on Pinterest until now?! Just as well I checked!! The tomato basil twists looks so good!!! Hope you have a good weekend x
Thank you so much for the follow darling. I hope other do too. I don’t think maybe realize how into pinterest I am or that I am even on there. I must do a better job of promoting it as it’s my most quiet gathering out of all of them. I love it though. It’s so inspiring although I just get envious of the talent on there.
Oh my god, those tomato twists are right up my street! Yummy!!! I will def be making these when you post the recipe. Good for you recognising that you needed to slow down rather than keep going and burn out! Happens so mNy people. Have a great weekend xxx
Thanks Triona. Yes I need to catch up on my recipes. I have a few to post this month. Yes i definitely think chill out time is in order.
Oh Jenny, those Tomato Basil Twists look delicious. You will have to let me know when you’ve published the recipe as would love to give these a whirl for the boys. Can totally relate to you feeling the need to slow down…..life is so crazy at the minute and i’m really struggling to find the right balance between it all.By the way, that outfit looks gorgeous on you! xxx #LittleLoves
Thank you so much Vikki. I feel the same way. I haven’t been able to comment or even read most of the blogs I love so much. I can’t keep up with replying and my own comments and blogging and life in general. I am trying to slow down without missing out on the children or anything else and its a struggle. But there has to be balance or eventually things just get half assed done or neglected altogether. Life is funny that way. So busy and everyone always seems to want more time. We should all just do less than we wouldn’t have the feeling of pressuring to do more to catch up with everyone else. If that makes sense. hahaha
Just wrote a comment but think it got lost – basically love the post and everything in it, hope you have slower yet brilliant year 🙂 xx
Yes so sorry, Bluehost, is down and having major issues. I hate when that happens to me. They have ensured that it’s being fixed. Not the first time its’ happened though. Boo. Thank you for your lovely words.
Hi,
What a lovely week!
I love your idea of naming each week “The one where I” – it reminds me of Friends.
Your You Tube video is really great! I am definitely a ‘Swifty’ fan but haven’t got her new album yet – heard lots of good things about it though xx
Yes get the album it’s great. Thanks for watching my youtube video. That’s sweet of you. I need to do more just need more time, and here I was vowing to slow down! lol Yes I love Friends and got it from that… this its a great way to theme each week but not sure I will do it for a whole year. lol Ideas still floating around my head.
So pleased you’re slowing down a bit Jenny, I’ll defo be shouting at you if you start to over do it again! 😉
We are big fans of that album too and have been dancing to it loads with my girls. Looking forward to properly catching up with you soon xx
Me too, lots to tell you as well. Miss you, always seems like we see alot then get busy and then see you lots. It’s like a Morgana tease! lol Thanks hunny. Yes be my busy police please… now I just need to find a food police! I would be golden.
Sounds like 2015 is really your year!!
I think sometimes those little things in life make us the most happy x
Thank you Laura. OH I really hope you are right about this year. I have more calming, relaxation planned ahead. Life is too short not to slow down a bit.