Be yourself

Putting it all into practise

Not Your Average Garden Party @The HighField

~ Nicky M ~ 4 Comments

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Watching the weather forecast all week, I wondered if the garden party would be wonderful or a wash out.

Summer is a little hit and miss at the moment in the UK – you can’t leave the house without taking both umbrella and sunglasses. However, fortune smiled upon us and sent some sunshine between the clouds.

The High Field is a gastro pub that always delivers fabulous food in a friendly and stylish setting (click here if you’d like to read about my previous experience). And I was excited to attend their garden party especially when I heard that The Glamophones were performing.

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We sat by the fire pit and relaxed with a beverage of the alcoholic kind…

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There was a selection of games to play…

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We even had time for a card trick or two…

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…and finally enjoyed the ladies performance of 40’s classics and modern pop songs all sung with beautiful harmonies in their unique vintage style.

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It was a fabulous afternoon full of good company, great food and glamorous gals.

Here’s to a Summer of more of the same (fingers crossed!).

Tell me – what’s your idea of a great garden party? Who would you invite – real or imaginary; alive or dead?

Let me know in the comments below…

The High Field

22 Highfield Road

Edgbaston

B15 3DP

 

This event was open to the general public and I did not receive any reward for this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own and all photographs were taken by me unless otherwise stated.

 

It’s the little things 19/06/16

~ Nicky M ~ 4 Comments

It’s the things that make me wanna sing like no one’s listening and dance like no one’s watching.

Here’s a selection of little things that made me smile this week.

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Yorks benedict sliders – perfect for when you can’t choose which one you want…
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 Hubby surprised me with new Gymshark leggings 💛
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Spending a lovely afternoon at The Highfield‘s garden party
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Espresso martini vs pint of Guinness!
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Meeting the lovely Glamophones
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Card tricks with Hubby 

Luckily the sun shone on us this weekend. I hope you find some sunshine this week – actual or metaphorical.

If you can’t, remember to take your own sunshine wherever you go!

Smiles,

Nicky xo

Not your average late night shopping @Aspire Style

~ Nicky M ~ 9 Comments

I’m not a fan of late night shopping – but if I’m going to do it, a glass of bubbles in hand is certainly the way to go.

We all need to partake in a little late night shopping every now and then – and I can’t think of a nicer way to do it than with a glass of bubbles in hand, wandering around a newly refurbished boutique, talking to the owner Sue and her friendly staff (who were very accommodating in showcasing some of their beautiful accessories – thank you ladies).

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Aspire Style is a small chain of independent lifestyle boutiques catering for women who are looking for a modern twist on vintage styles.

I’ve personally shopped here for years. It’s a place where I can always find something beautiful and I always walk away with a gorgeous little something, beautifully wrapped in pink tissue paper.

So, I was super excited when I found out that my local branch was having a shindig to celebrate it’s new look.

Aspire pride themselves on selling everything a woman could want. And by everything I mean only the most beautiful, glamourous (and a little flirty!) unique gifts, clothing, jewellery and accessories.

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I was happily seduced by the selection of alcohol themed lovelies.

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I mean, who doesn’t want to spend the day lighting Mojito candles and applying Prosecco lip balm?

There was also an abundance of flowers; on dresses, stationary and gifts for the home.

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Floral charm without the chintz.

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Aspire Style also stock a range of modern vintage styled clothes and accessories.

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I took these beauties home.

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Looking for some fabulous gifts to inspire and delight?

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Sassy…

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Inspirational…

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This is so my mantra!

Tongue in cheek…

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I think this one was my favourite!

If you’re looking for something fine, flamboyant or foxy for your home, to wear or simply a gift for a phenomenal female – you need not waste your precious time trawling from shop to shop.

Aspire Style is full of fabulousness – go check it out.

Branches in Coventry, Warwick, Solihull, Stratford, Oxford.

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The Aspire Style relaunch was open to the general public and I did not receive any reward for this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own and all photographs were taken by me unless otherwise stated.

Do you practise gratitude?

~ Nicky M ~ 9 Comments

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Week 5 of The Kindness Challenge is all about being grateful.

It’s so easy to wish, want and wonder about a different life. But it’s a fine line between being envious; wishing you had someone else’s life and aspiring to better your own life through hard work and learning.

You can have ambitions whilst accepting and finding enjoyment in where you are right now.

Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful.

After the death of my younger brother, I found it difficult to be thankful or find pleasure in anything. I spent a large portion of my time asking “Why me?” I felt that life was unfair, and was consumed with wishing things were different. I was in a very negative spin.

Understandably.

Every situation – even difficult ones have opportunity for learning, even if we cannot see it at the time. It’s the proverbial every cloud has a silver lining – difficult as that may be to acknowledge.

I survived the difficult times and am now stronger.

I am able to relate to people who are going through tough times because I have been there and have empathy and understanding.

I am clearer on what’s important in my life and therefore live more authenticly.

That is because I am grateful.

I understand that all it takes is a telephone call to change your life. All we have for certain is this moment. When you understand this – you become grateful for the little things.

I post weekly about the little things that make me smile – they’re small moments in the mundane that make me smile and I acknowledge them with a photograph.

That’s the important bit – don’t let the magical moments pass you by.

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Make a note of them, journal or photograph or simply list them in your diary at the end of every day.

The more you notice, the more little miracles you will find.

Don’t know where to start? Before you go to sleep think of three things that went well today or before you jump out of bed in the morning, spend a couple of minutes jotting down who or what you were thankful for yesterday.

Interested in finding out more about The Kindness Challenge? Hop on over to The Richness of a Simple Life – you can join at any time.

 

It’s the little things 12/06/16

~ Nicky M ~ 5 Comments

It’s the little things that make me so happy I could burst into a million pieces and shower you with happy glitter.

Here’s a round up of all the little things from my week that have made me smile ’til my cheeks hurt.

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Inspiring messages with my morning cuppa
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Sandals and pink toes – the sun made an appearance for two days this week!
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Raising a glass to all who are weary from the working week
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Celebrating award nominations – I have an amazing tribe!
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Pretty pink tissue packages
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A quiet Satyrday night in

This week has been warm with little bits of wonderful sprinkled throughout.

I’d love to hear about your little bits of wonderful.

Nicky xo