Oreos & Gin

Now that's an odd title for a blog post but bare with. My hair is a very accurate barometer for where I am in my head. Anytime there's a change (first time I lopped it off- leaving home for boarding school at 11 & then preggo with 1st kid ) or even more pressing, a dip into the pit of depression (the other times it's been cut off). Anytime things are overwhelming, I reach for the clippers . It gives me a sense of liberty that I can't actually replicate. However this time around, I'm cutting my curls off because I actually can't keep up with the demands of coloured  hair care. My life is too busy & active to be doing with the whole shebang. During my runs I can feel the heat radiating through my fro. I'm not a fan. What I'll miss though are my crazy curls. I love them so much!! Missing them made me try growing them out. I even gave my hubby strict instructions to not let me cut them off.  You see, I know what I'm like! I'll probably j...

Funny how people have opinions when they've never been in that situation before. I think News anchor, Alistair  & Mum Lucy both handled the situation perfectly. Have you ever tried to get a toddler to sit when they don't want to? Armageddon occurs ok? So all you "she needs discipline" brigade , please take several seats. Instead of seeing it for what it was , an adorable incident at a an inconvenient moment, you choose to preside as judge & jury.  I don't know Lucy (the mother) personally but I am a mum with two rambunctious kids who also suffered with allergies. I can tell you now it's not a walk in the park. Parenting children with allergies mean you end up being hyper aware of things around you (in case of cross contamination etc) It's always said "It takes a village to raise a child, bring back the village" blah blah blah... how about YOU BE the village? What are YOU doing to support a mother that you know? Please think about i...

" She's got lions in her heart A fire in her soul he's a got a beast In his belly that's so hard to control Cause they've taken too much hits, taking blow by blow Now light a match, stand back, watch them explode When you've been fighting for it all your life You've been struggling to make things right That's a how a superhero learns to fly (Every day, every hour, turn that pain into power)" ~ Superheroes, The Script  My favourite Irish rockers are back on the scene so that means going through their back catalogues in readiness for what I'm sure will be an awesome album release.  Anyway, I actually listened to the lyrics even more closely than I usually do and these words have taken on huge huge significance for me. This past year 2016/2017 has shown me a lot about life, love, pain & what you ultimately do with it. I have a few friends (old & new) who inspire me everyday in how they handle thei...

postcard to Justine Greening Now except you've been living under a rock, you'd know that our current government is obsessed with Austerity. This has spread to our fundamental services. The NHS, PIP (formerly DLA) & now, Our Schools . The government says these cuts are necessary . We are the 5th largest economy in the world and so I really don't understand how it is justifiable to cut our safety nets. If you haven't visited the Schools Cuts website yet please do, I find that when numbers are made personal, they make a larger impact. For me, these cuts equate to my son's school losing 3 teachers. We are already seeing the consequences of these cuts in our schools. Here are the figures for The Isle of Wight as a whole: It's only going to get worse. We as parents have to speak up, It is our responsibility to advocate for the voices of tomorrow. Our education system is at risk from these cuts. I cannot overstate the need to snap out of the apathy t...

At the beginning of the year, I set myself a few goals (like i always do) but this time it pushed me past my cushty corner. It boiled down to living 2017 with intention & not letting Fear, Anxiety and all that stop me from trying to achieve my dreams. Lofty stuff wouldn't you say? In business, it meant starting Lucy Benton Photography & Daisy Meadow Designs. Whilst also working with my hubby on our baby - MB Carpentry. Some may say that it's a lot , which sometimes it can feel like but the other option is to not do it and resent myself. I've been steadily working on both. However, DMD got a lot more attention as i prepped for the fun day hosted by Wessex Cancer Trust. It was an intense day, with not much to say £ wise but validation was in abundance. Also I met lots of lovely crafters - Networking. It helped me clarify business models too. So all in all, a good experience. What's more a few of my items are being worn by actual people i don't know! ...

Well what can I say? My first ever planner meet up was all I thought it would be! I had an absolute ball. I had wanted to come to the last one but being an islander meant it was just too far for me to consider however things changed when this date was announced. 22nd July was only a few days away from our wedding anniversary. We'd planned to spend it at Disneyland Paris so it made perfect sense to do the crafty catch up on the Saturday, and then continue on to France the following day. Serendipity. What I didn't account for was the mania that it would entail. Kids breaking off for summer Friday afternoon, finishing packing, cleaning the house etc , getting the 7am ferry, driving to Kent, etc on the Saturday. As I arrived, I saw the beautifully laid out Lydd Community Hall. In the hallway was the table plan, I was on table 3... I met great people! I was reminded that all kinds of people love crafts, I was inspired by their creativity Specifically the mummy/daugh...

I've been on a hamster wheel lately.   One foot in front of the other is the only way to be.  Stop & smell the flowers is the advice I'm given,  can't you see? I'm trying, I'm trying. There are boxes to be chequed, i 's to be dotted, T's to be crossed.  Who's going to do it if it ain't me!?  Live simply Live happily  I repeat to myself,  The melodrama & the rhythmic chanting takes over  "Live simply  Live happily " Can't you see?  I'm trying, I'm trying  Let me off, I want to get off.  I'm not a hamster, I don't need the wheel. These two feet will take me as far as I want to go.  I don't live simply - though I try..  but I certainly live happily.  Happily,  putting one feet in front of the other.  Breathe. Stop. Think REPEAT.