The Liebster Award

May 13, 2016August 26, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 2 Comments

How exciting to be nominated for an award – I’m just so happy people are reading my ramblings and enjoying them.

I was nominated (err…last month, I do apologise for the delay) by the lovely MimiTa from Musings of a Blueberry. She describes herself as the quirky girl next door who’s into good vibes, all things cultural, kittens and pretty much anything on the planet! You should check out her blog for a quick fix of poetry, quotes, life hacks and…well, musings.

Thankyou MimiTa 🙂

There’s a bunch of things you’re supposed to do once nominated…

Thank the blogger who nominated you – why would you not?

Display the award somewhere on your blog, or at the very least your post – I used this link

Answer a set of 11 questions provided by the blogger who nominated you – scary!

Post 11 random facts about yourself – even scarier!

Nominate 11 blogs of your choosing with less than 1000 followers – exciting!

Create your own set of questions for your nominees to answer – or use mine

So, let’s get this party started…

How did you get into blogging?

I felt I had a story to share. I was familiar with ‘rock bottom’ and had been through the experience of recreating a stronger, more authentic version of myself. I wanted to encourage others and writing about it on a blog seemed the easiest way to do it.

What are your thoughts on writing, creating art, and being a blogger?

As a therapeutic practitioner I spend most of my days being creative and as a blogger, spend most of my evenings writing. It’s hard juggling both – but it makes my soul sing and that feels right.

What do you think about blogger stats?

I probably pay more attention to them than I should – but I am interested to see if people enjoy my writing and I love connecting with the people who comment.

What are your thoughts on art, poetry, and music?

Similar answer to previously – I create art and poetry on a regular basis and love being inspired by it. But music, I could not live without. I’m a bit of a mixed bag – heavy metal, jazz, 80’s hair metal, 90’s house/hip hop, movie soundtracks – depends what mood I’m in.

What do you hope to achieve (though this blog and/or in your life)?

I write to inspire people to go and do stuff that makes them feel happy and confident in themselves – so I guess I’d like to find more ways to do this. I would also love to find a tribe of like-minded gals who inspire each other to create what makes their soul sing. I’d like to wake up and be excited about what my day could look like if I had both of these things

What is your “happy spot” in life?

My kids. If they’re happy, I’m happy. Failing that – a nice cocktail bar!

How would you describe yourself using a poem? Or, if you prefer, list 5 words that you would use to describe yourself and say why. AND did I forget to mention…if you pick the second option, these 5 words must all start with different letters of the alphabet!

Caring – I’m genuinely interested in how you are

Reflective – I love looking back and wondering about stuff I’ve done

Observant – I notice stuff

Grateful – I’m very thankful for my life

Feminine – I like flowers, pretty things and dressing like a sexy lady

What is your prime time to work, and what do you think about having a “prime” working time?

I produce my best work when I’m inspired. I find it hard to create on demand and dislike routines immensely. I believe everyone is different when it comes to work ethics – you have to find out what environment, noise level, time of day etc works for you.

How do you balance everything—life, blogging, your social life, etc?

Like a novice juggler, wearing heels, blindfolded, balancing on a tightrope in a hurricane – ie. I do the best I can, when I can, with what I’ve got!

What are you passionate about? Any issues? Pet peeves? Current events? Hobbies? Artists? Irksome people?

Smiles! I am passionate about making people smile. My aim in life is to help people, especially young people, find what makes them happy and encourage them to do more of it! If I can help you feel just a tiny bit better about yourself I. Am. Happy.

What are 3 positive things about yourself? (Everyone needs a bit of self-encouragement, ya know?)

I’m a good listener, I’m hard working and I give lots of compliments.

Random things you need to know about me…

I have tiny feet (Uk Size 3)

I have tattoos

My first ever crush was Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) in Back to the Future

I think motorbikes are sexy

I am a sushi whore

I have a thing for handbags – read about it here

I’ve been with Hubby since I was 15 years old (nearly 30 years!)

I recently became a bit of a gym bunny

I love reading teenage fiction

I wear red lipstick nearly every day

I always sleep naked

Blogs worthy of a nomination…

I’ve not been around that long, so haven’t got 11 blogs to recommend – however these beauties caught my eye so I thought I’d share them.

Alice at Help Down The Rabbit Hole – writes about life, her experiences and offers from the heart insights and advice. Her website is so cute (not to mention the name), clean and uncluttered. Check her out.

My lovely three is a brand new, outta the box blog – ‘mom’ shares every day musings and gratitude for her three cheerleaders. There is something so lovely about the way she writes about finding the beauty in the everyday stuff.

The Princess and the Blog is where Noelle shares all her knowledge about blogs and encourages you to go after your dreams – all sprinkled with a little Disney. Not going to lie this blog is so amazing I’m surprised she hasn’t already been nominated for this award (apologies if you have!)

Things I need to know about you…

What inspired you to start a blog?

Do you have a routine when constructing blog posts? ie draft, edit, add photos etc – or are you more of a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ kinda gal?

What’s the one thing that you have to do every single day, without fail?

What’s the kindest thing you have ever done for someone or that someone has done for you?

What things do you do when you’re feeling uninspired, struggling for ideas or overcoming writers block?

Name one thing that you are known for – answers must be nice things only!

What’s the most important quality you believe a friend should have?

Name 3 things you are grateful for right now.

What’s your mission statement or mantra that you live by?

What misconceptions do you think people who don’t blog, have about bloggers?

Name your superpower and tell me what colour would your cape be?

I apologise if you’ve already been nominated or this just isn’t your bag, baby – it’s totally okay to ignore it!

Otherwise I cannot wait to get you know better – drop me a message when you post. And enjoy 🙂

Not Your Average Fish fingers @ Hogarths

May 12, 2016September 4, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 3 Comments

Spontaneous lunches are always a fabulous idea in my book. After an hour in the gym, Hubby and I were suitably famished so set off in search of local food.

Hogarths is situated just outside Solihull, West Midlands and sits in 30 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and woodlands (it even has a secret private island for weddings!)

When you arrive, after following the long driveway to the entrance, you are greeted by Mr Gilroy. This steel sculpture by Ray Lonsdale is breathtakingly beautiful and placed as a stark reminder of how the horrors of war changed young people forever. I’m told it’s one of Hogarths most photographed features.

Mr Gilroy isn’t Hogarths only sculpture; in fact there are many contemporary pieces of art throughout the hotel and grounds. I noticed that apples are a common theme, with each piece as individual as the next.

The staff are welcoming and quietly attentive giving the whole place a relaxed, yet proficient atmosphere.

The hotel itself has a fresh, vibrant feel to it with a bright colour scheme incorporating purples, pinks and lime green. Trust me – it works.

The restaurant (Bar8 brasserie) and hotel have won a number of awards over the years including Good Hotel in 2015 and Midlands winner of hotel restaurant of the year.

We sat in the champagne bar, with fabulous lighting (which was needed as it was a grey and miserable wet day) and started with a coffee.

The restaurant has a full A la Carte menu whilst the bar boasts a great selection of sandwiches, hot things, light bites and afternoon teas. Hubby and I both settled for a fish finger with tartar sauce sandwich…

…and the most amazing triple cooked, not to mention enormous chips that were perfectly crispy on the outside whilst light and fluffy inside.

I can recommend Hogarths if you’re in the neighbourhood – we fully enjoyed our impromptu lunch and have even been back in the last week to partake of the fish fingers again!

Hogarths

Four Ashes Road
Dorridge, Solihull
West Midlands
B93 8QE

This meal was not complimentary 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 8/05/16

May 8, 2016May 8, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 2 Comments

It’s the little things that make me smile, brighten my day and make me want to chase rainbows.

Here’s a round up of all the little things from my week that have done just that!

First time at Digbeth Dining club – amazing food from Open Sesame

…and this amazing caramel & chocolate toastie from The Jabberwocky

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Messing about with effects on my new camera

Whatever the weather – however your week has been, keep holding on. I know the sun will shine eventually.

Hugs

Nicky xo

Not your average breakfast @The HighField

May 5, 2016July 2, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ Leave a comment

The minute you step through their door you are embraced by The High Field’s warm and friendly atmosphere.

This modern gastropub situated in Edgbaston is a mere 5 minutes away from Birmingham city centre and known for serving brasserie dishes and top quality pub food. I’ve eaten here a few times recently and always left feeling the same – relaxed and well looked after. On this occasion we decided to join them for Jazz and Breakfast. Self explanatory – eat breakfast whilst listening to jazz!

The bar is the first thing you see on entering and it’s the heart and soul of this establishment. Well stocked and ready for action; it has a great atmosphere, not too noisy but there’s definitely a good vibe about the place. With a choice of seating areas it’s also the perfect place to relax with a coffee or sample a cocktail or two.

The restaurant’s split into two parts – one has an area that’s bright, light and perfect for soaking up some Vitamin D whilst having a bite to eat. There’s also outside seating but I’ll save that ’til the warmer weather!

Just around the corner is the main restaurant – with a mixture of seating, tables and chairs and booths. It’s not too crowded but well spaced and can cater for large groups and children too.

We escaped the hustle and bustle of the previous week by leisurely sipping Bucks Fizz and listening to Keli and Jay who eased us slowly into the weekend with some jazz. It was a lovely way to relax whilst contemplating the breakfast menu.

There was plenty to choose from, but Hubby finally settled for the devilled beans and poached eggs on toasted sourdough – with added mushrooms and sausage. He said it was lovely – and he certainly ate every morsel!

I was slightly more awkward as I wanted something I had sampled on a previous occasion – BBQ brisket and sweet potato hash with a fried egg. Despite it not being on the menu, Head chef Ian went above and beyond and rustled one up for me.

It was magnificent.

In fact the whole morning was divine. It was that fabulous combination of good food, attentive staff and the right atmosphere that you wish you could bottle and take home. Some places just seem to get it so right – and The High Field has…and then some. It has you looking forward to your next visit before you’ve even said “Bye” to the pig!

So tell me, what’s your favourite way to start the weekend?

The High Field

22 Highfield Road

Edgbaston

B15 3DP

This was my first ever review – let me know in the comments below if you have any suggestions of other places or events you think I should check out!

It’s the little things 01/05/16

May 1, 2016July 13, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 5 Comments

It’s the little things that make me want to break out the good china, eat ice cream straight from the tub and drink wine on a school night.

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

Amazing morning at The Highfield, Birmingham (post coming soon)

These flowers – reminding me that it’s supposed to be Summer despite the snow this week!

Killed it in the gym this week – been 6 times!

Hope your week has been cool, but not too cold! Enjoy the bank holiday and I’ll catch you later 🙂