The High Fives- April 2018

Well hello there May, how the devil did you get here so quickly?! I could have sworn it was only just April. You've got your head firmly stuck in work-mode and before you know it a month has whizzed right past you and now the night's are finally getting lighter. YIPPEE! I'm delighted to welcome May if it means we can finally ditch the several layers of clothing and not have to put the heating on every evening. Despite blinking and what feels like missing an entire month, I have a few recommendations for April that I think are worth checking out. 

PODCASTS

Having followed both Liv Purvis and Charlotte Jacklin for sometime on Instagram I was excited to learn these IRL buddies were creating a podcast together called The Fringe of It. Discussing a variety of topics from body image to stress, personal style to people pleasing, their laid-back conversational approach to each subject matter makes it feel like you're having a right good natter with your mates, putting the world to rights, as it were! I particularly like the weekly telly viewing chat and an insight as to what these stylish gals have been purchasing. This podcast series is an ideal commute companion. Be sure to check it out! 

Find The Fringe of It here:
 https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fringe-of-it/id1348045075

BOOKS

It's not everyday TV presenter and upcycling genius Max McMurdo sends you his latest book now is it?!  Upcycling Outdoors, (published by The Quarto Group) offers great ideas for creating quirky yet practical pieces for your garden from unwanted materials. A step-by-step guide with photos to help you, there's inspiration for all manner of alfresco pursuits. Got an old bike lying around? Why not transform it in to a picnic set?! Or my personal favourite, a giant domino set made from pallet wood for your next summer garden party. The perfect coffee table book this would make an excellent gift for a friend who fancies themselves as a bit of a creative recycler.  Clever ideas that require minimal tools, time and expert know-how, each project is unique and is clearly explained with handy tips peppered throughout. Now that the sun is starting to make an appearance, I'm keen to get outdoors and start building some masterpieces. 

Find Upclycling Outdoors here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Upcycling-Outdoors-Creative-Reclaimed-Materials/dp/1911127225/ref=sr_1_1/260-6469058-2664913?ie=UTF8&qid=1526327939&sr=8-1&keywords=upcycling+outdoors

TELLY

Photo courtesy of www. chateaudelamottehusson.com

I'm more of a Netflix chick when it comes to 'telly-time'. I tend not to tune in to anything religiously every week, opting for a documentary over a series or the soaps. However I have been hooked and a loyal devotee of Channel 4's  Escape to the Chateau and more recently Escape to the Chateau DIY . France meets vintage meets DIY had me sold, with Dick Strawbridge and wife Angel Adoree (whom I have followed online from when she featured on Dragon's Den) embarking on an adventure to restore Château-de-la-Motte Husson into their new home and a wedding venue business. 45 rooms and 5 stories high this was no mean feat and with a family in tow seemingly impossible but with the abundance of skills, boundless energy and imagination they both share the dream became a reality and this series brilliantly documents each step of the way. 

 Escape to the Chateau DIY marks the journey of fellow château owners across France working hard to breathe life back into their dilapidated buildings. It's fascinating to learn just what is involved in such restorations but also to see what their plans for the future entail. Unearthing historical artifacts, breathtaking views, living off the land and getting your hands dirty are par for the course, with each couple or team overcoming the many obstacles they are confronted with to get one step closer to realising the transformation they are striving for. Angel and Dick also feature in this series, lending a hand and their tried and tested know-how along the way. Great viewing but be warned....you'll want to move to France and buy a château for sure! 

BODY

I have to fess up with this one and inform you that I didn't just discover Garnier Summer Body this month but have in fact been using it for a few years. However in my defence it's one of those products I rediscover around this time of year when the weather picks up an I dread exposing everyone to my pasty limbs that I've concealing over the winter months. I've become increasing lazy when it comes to self-tanning so anything that is a fuss and mess free alternative is a winner in my eyes. Following a few days in Mallorca I had so many comments on my 'sun-kissed look' which subsequently I had to attribute to my daily post-shower application of Garnier Summer Body and not the Mallorcan sunshine (that didn't come out to play until day 3!). Moisturising, easy-to apply and a lovely apricot scent to boot this is the perfect way to tan without cooking all day long on a lounger or getting the Ronseal out. All good chemists/drugstores stock it so go get your glow on before the we blink and the summer disappears for another year!

GRATITUDE

I was inspired to start taking note of the things I am thankful for each day. I think it's so easy to get bogged down with what didn't go your way of a day, negating all the lovely moments and milestones we collect without even realising. No need to get too philosophical, a gratitude list can be as long as you see fit and compiled from the seemingly mundane occurrences that you are still very grateful for. Beans on toast and a charity-shop rummage have featured on mine, alongside time with family and new creative opportunities. Anything goes...it's your list! 

I find it cathartic but also inspiring to take the time each night to look back on my day and take stock of all the good (and the not so) it has offered, to then jot it down in black and white to reflect upon. I highly recommend you give it a go. To make peace with the last 24 hours that may have seemed absolutely rotten feels very freeing. We can spend so much of our lives wishing time away trying to fast forward to the weekend, your summer holiday or when you win the lottery and I think this is the perfect way to realise there are small but never insignificant nuggets of magic in each and every day.

 And there you have it...April in a nutshell. May is proving to be rather fruitful in terms of new finds already so expect a juicy collection of High Fives in a few week's time. Enjoy discovering some of my recommendations for now and thank you again for supporting the blog!

Weesse x