What I loved this month: April 2019

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April.. what a beautiful month to be alive! I’ve been relishing the opportunities to get outside again. Just being able to sit out with a book, have a BBQ, or cycle without rushing back because it’s cold is so great. Aside from the temperatures going up, this month I have loved:

1. Podcasts

There are some amazing podcasts out at the moment! I used to work as a podcast editor and at that point in my life just couldn’t listen to them, having spent all day editing speech. However, now I’m obsessed with them whenever I go out walking. I’m really enjoying Fearne Cotton’s ‘Happy Place’ and the Girl Gains’ ‘Fit and Fearless’ podcasts. However, my absolute fav this month has been Deliciously Ella’s series. She covers some great topics, from brand identity as a small business, vegan food, sustainable living and health. Some of my fav topics!

2. Afternoon Tea

At the start of the month I had my first full weekend off in weeks. I decided I would have a proper ‘treat myself’ day in London. It started with vintage shopping at Rokit in Covent Garden where I got a new dress for shooting weddings. I absolutely love this shop and think most of my summer wardrobe is now Rokit! I then wandered up to Knightsbridge for a vegan afternoon tea at Duke’s London with one of my girl friends. It was delicious! We had the best tiny sandwiches, rich avocado based chocolate treats and the yummiest scones. I am now on the look out for a great vegan scone recipe so I can make them at home. After stuffing ourselves silly and relaxing in Duke’s drawing room I walked to meet a friend for birthday drinks on the Southbank. My day finally ended with Sundara Karma at Brixton. What an ace day! If only every Saturday was like that (although I would probably be broke if it was).

3. Books

Part of my Happiness Planner resolutions for this year was ‘doing more of what I love’. One of these things is reading and this month I have been ploughing through the books! I’m currently on #4 of the month. I’m definitely spending a lot more time in the evenings reading instead of watching TV. With spring here, I also spent a ton of the Easter bank holiday sat outside on a picnic blanket reading. This month’s reading:

1. A short history of (nearly) everything – Bill Bryson. I can honestly say this is the most fasncitinating book I’ve ready recently, if ever! Every 5 mins I was asking whoever was closest to me ‘Did you know…?’. Right from the Big Bang, atoms, space, the dinosaurs etc, Bill Bryson goes through the history of the natural world and how we discovered its secrets. 5/5
2. Silence of the Lambs – Thomas Harris. I know this is a classic so figured I would read the book before watching the film (finally). I ploughed through this in just a couple of days. It was a real page turner and the character of Hannibal is so well written. 3.5/5
3. Sh*t my Dad says – Justin Halpern. After Silence of the Lambs I wanted something a bit lighter so chose ‘Sh*t my Dad says’. It had me laughing out loud with some of the quotes from Justin’s Dad who is a straight talking, no bull kind of guy.

4. A weekend of engagement shoots

Early in the month I had a weekend full of engagement shoots. I went to St Albans for a walk with lovely Hannah and Olivia at the Verulamium. The weekend was sadly super grey and cold but I still really enjoyed hearing about their proposal and wedding and taking photos amongst the blossom. The next day I went to Stoke Newington to photograph my competition winners, Sarah and Steve. We went for a stroll around pretty Clissold Park, next to the Town Hall where they will marry next year. Unbelievably I’ve never been to Clissold park before! It was beautiful and offered up tons of spots for an engagement shoot. There’s something about a cemetery…

5. Sundara Karma live

As mentioned above I went to see Sundara Karma at Brixton this month. I only discovered them last year but since that time they’ve become one of my favourite bands. It was the ultimate feel good show, perfect for a Saturday night. Even though they’ve only had 2 albums, the set was banger after banger! If you ever get the chance to see them live, do it!

6. Tone It up

I do love trying out new workout plans and this month I am experimenting with Tone It Up. I’ve always loved their brand and ethos so did a week long trial of their workout app. The workouts are videos and have minimal equipment. So far I’ve found them really fun and they’ve definitely pushed me. However, they do make me wish I was working out on Venice Beach and spending my life drinking green smoothies.

Well that was a pretty long list for this month. I’m also loving Game of Thrones and Line of Duty, but more on those once they’ve finished next month! What have you enjoyed this month?

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