Keeping life simple in 2016 #littleloves

Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:28 am

Oh the weekend is upon us now. I have to say the first week of January has really been slow. I have struggled to get motivated and get back on track with my healthy eating. I know I was begging for a slow pace lifestyle at the end of last year but now that I have a lot to do, I need to get motivated. It always takes me a full week or two to get back into the swing of routines hence why I rarely get out of a routine then I always stay motivated. 🙂 But it’s good to have a set of recharged batteries for the new year.

I am not setting specific new year’s resolutions this year but more little changes here and there to work on throughout the year. One of them is to give myself more credit, I am my own worse critic. Also to simplify life a lot more. Sometimes I can really complicate things and get overwhelmed then I look back and think why was I so worked up. I have been getting organized too. Our garage and loft have been cleaned out. Every room in the house is getting a fresh lick of paint this year and all the cupboards, cabinets and shelves have been cleaned out and organized. I think spring cleaning came early for me this year. Now I feel the house is fresh, I am fresh and now I can get back to work. I am adamant that I will keep my life simple for 2016!coffee

THINGS I AM LOVING THIS WEEK….

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I didn’t have wifi access much on my two weeks in Ireland so I am desperately trying to catch up on my blog reading as well as my book reading. Although I did a fair bit of the latter while I was away. I read this post from Pouting in Heels, it’s brilliant for the new year. I love moving away from new year resolutions and just think about changing things all year long. Why do we always wait for it to be January to change things. Katie hits it on the head here.

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I “heard” that we spent Christmas in Ireland, come have a little peak at our many adventures. Would love if you could give us a thumbs up.

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I have been watching How to Get Away with Murder on Netflix. The verdict is out (no pun intended) if I truly love it or just want to know answers. It’s from the same writers as Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal so it’s still worth testing out. Next up Scandal should be back on and I have been catching glimpse of MIC (secretly) but just not loving it like I used to. Anyone have anything good to recommend on Netflix or TV to start the new year with a new series while I wait for the season 5 Suits to come back on?

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I haven’t taken many outfit photos this past two weeks off but I did get some lovely new things for my birthday and christmas to share over the next few weeks. These mustard peakaboo socks are just the beginning. I have a small love (ok huge love) for anything mustard/yellow color. My nails have gone from Christmas red and gold to a more fresh look for January with pink and grey. As you can see I have a theme going this week and it’s not on purpose either with my stripes and ripped jeans. I clearly have a small love for them too. All three of these tops were in the boxing day sales (or I call it my birthday day sales). I did look for some more ripped jeans but I couldn’t find any dark wash blue ripped jeans. Where are they hiding?

what I wore this week #littleloves

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I have made so many things since Christmas it’s a whole blog post waiting in itself. So I will pick one project we made and one recipe I whipped up for Mr P’s birthday. Since we were staying at Mr P’s late grandparents house in southern Ireland we had to make sure there was plenty to do for the toddlers. There is no wifi and no tv (or bath which got tricky). It’s like stepping back to 1920’s in a great way. So we got this amazing Shrinkables Pirates kit from Little & Fierce to make one day while we were there.  It was the best project ever. I say that because it kept the kids entertained for hours. They were so excited to color the pirates then cut out the pirates and oh no, the fun didn’t stop there, we then got to bake them in the oven or rather I attempt in a forty year old oven/grill, eeek. Then they colored the backdrop while they waited for them to cool off. Once the pirates were cooled and made into solid plastic figures they played with them all afternoon and a few more evenings before bed too. It’s the best make-your-own make believe pirate show! Perfect for traveling as long as you have access to an oven for two minutes, color pencils and scissors.  We highly recommend this for a rainy day or after school project. B was thrilled with it and even MM joined in the coloring and playing afterwards. * Quick the shrinkable pirate set is on sale right now click the link above only £3.99.

Little & Fierce Shrinkables Pirate kit kids crafts

Each year, I try to out do the last year for Mr P’s birthday because well he really has a crappy birth date next to my own of course. Everyone is broke, hungover, partied out, and hiding their Christmas spare tire on January 5th and back to work for most too. It’s not the best of days to celebrate. With that in mind, every year, I make up a new recipe for his birthday cake. This year has topped them all with this delicious Cadbury Crunchie Coffee Cake with a Twirl! Literally, it is packed full of melted crunchie and twirls inside the coffee cake as much as it is pouring over top. Even the kids said, “wow” when I brought it out as a surprise.

Cadbury's Crunchie Coffee Birthday Cake with a twirl

 

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“Let’s travel”.

That is my motto this year while MM is still young and B may be in school but we will make it work with bank holidays, half terms and holidays to see the world. MM and I might be taking a few girlie trips too before she starts school herself. We have been so good budgeting and planning out our 2016 family travels it’s going to be a year to remember. I love being able to show more of the world to my kids to show the different cultures and countries out there. I think it educated them and makes them worldly to appreciate the things they already have in front of them at home too. Being an expat family we would always be traveling to the states and Ireland to see family but we want a few more long weekends away to places we can try the cuisine, learn a new language, or culture to experience. Places that bring something to our life story more than just a sunny beach to enjoy. We also want to take a cruise too. We have had mixed recommendations on cruises with whether or not to take the kids with us or do it with a few couples. I would love to know your thoughts below. I have heard cruises are amazing for kids but then I have the added pressure that Mr P wants to do an Alaskan cruise. I don’t think that would be one for the kiddos, do you?

What I love most about January is it’s the month we sit down, write all the days we are available to do something as a family and we plan the entire year out, budget and all. That way we know where we are going, how much we need to save, and who we will see for the year. It’s been a little tradition since I met my hubby years ago, we do it every year. It gives us all something to look forward to while the weather is still cold, the skies are grey and everyone has the January holiday blues.

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47 thoughts on “Keeping life simple in 2016 #littleloves”

    • Oh thanks Emma I was worried I hadn’t videod enough from Ireland wish I had more of Christmas dinner but too much enjoying the moment which is what it’s all about though isn’t it? We cant wait to visit again. I love the opening present glad you liked it I thought it might bore others wasn’t sure to add it or not. Oh yes lots of adventures to come hopefully with yall again soon too.

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  1. Oh I love this. I’ve been struggling with staying motivated this week. I think the first week of January is always the worst. I tend to get a real urge to be productive about half way through the month! And we have the same “resolutions”. Well… not that they are real resolutions, just little changes really! Good luck! xx

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    • Oh me too it’s the Jan blues I blame for it. I need a potion to get me going I think. I am the same about half way through I have a little argument with myself. Thanks and happy weekend.

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  2. Hello lovely… 1) Thank you so much for the mention (so chuffed you liked the post!) 2) I need to watch that Murderer programme, everyone is raving about it! 3) I have stripe envy,you look stunning as ever 4) love your simpler life mission and 5) THAT CRUNCHIE CAKE!!! (I have to make this soon!)

    Fabulous post! x

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    • Of course lovely you write beautifully and I love your points there too. Thanks I am a little obsessed with stripes always have been. Yes I think I really need the simpler life for a little bit. Last year was hectic. It’s a easy cake to make too. Let me know if you like it.

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  3. That cake is amazing!!!! Looks devilish! Definitely one to make! I love your mustard socks! Very cute.. Looking lovely as always Mrs, you never get it wrong.. Have a wonderful weekend xx

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    • Thanks AM they were so cozy having tall softs on on these blistery cold days. I do get it wrong just have to try a few times to get it right lol Happy weekend.

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  4. Oh goodness that cake looks amazing!! You are so clever with your baking and creations. I love the idea of sitting down and planning out the year; my hubby doesn’t get much time off work so this would be a perfect way for us to look ahead…I might pinch it. Have a great week lovely x

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    • Oh thanks I really just end up mixing a bunch of recipes together to create things nothing made out of thin air if that makes sense. I am trying to work on that more this year along with my food styling that’s kind of took a back seat in the rush of life. Yes planning the year out helps us budget and has us looking forward to things in the new year.

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  5. That cake looks amazing!! I will have to remember it for Chris’ birthday, crunchies are his fav. Hope you had a lovely time in Ireland. I will have a watch of your video later today. I’m trying to spring clean and spruce up our home too, it is taking a LONG time!! Christmas threw our house into chaos, there are piles of ‘stuff’ everywhere. I haven’t a clue where to put it all and it’s Charlie’s birthday in a couple of weeks, so we’ll have even more things to find a home for! Happy New Year xxx

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    • Oh yes it’s super easy to do I promise. We had a blast and yes do check the video out not the best filming but I am still learning great memories though. That’s what matters most. I have a ton more spring cleaning to do still for sure. This weekend going to hit it hard.

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  6. Just wow at that cake, it looks absolutely amazing, and honestly my mouth is watering just looking at that picture! Loving those colourful socks with your boots too, just what you need for this miserable January weather xx

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    • Thank you so much. It was delicious and worth the diet break and calorie intake for hubby’s birthday. Oh yes I have a big soft spot for yellow mustard color anything. Happy New Year.

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  7. J has already requested that cake for his birthday in a couple of weeks! It looks amazing!
    Thanks for featuring the Shrinkables, so pleased that the kids loved them.
    Right I’m off to watch you video now.
    See you soon I hope xxx

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    • They are so much fun for the kids and a great travel projects to keep them busy too. I was impressed. The cake turned out better than expected too. I loved it. Although hurts the January health kick though. Start next week.

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  8. Jenny I love the idea of planning everything ahead for the coming year. All I can think of at the moment is holidays and where we are going on days out this year. I am a woman obsessed lol. I love having the whole year planned out. And omg your cake looks utterly amazing. Hope Mr P had a great birthday. We have 2 birthdays this month, and I have to say I love January xx

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    • That’s great that you love January and have so much to look forward to for it too. I love being organized and knowing what’s to come in the new year. Thanks lovely. Happy New Year.

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  9. Your travel plans sound very exciting. I love the look of that cake and those socks. Your video is on my list to watch tonight. I loved that post from Kate too.

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  10. Happy new year! I have started watching season four scandal and I love it! I’m the same with MIC I just don’t love it like I used to, I’m worried it is a sign I am getting older! I want to make some travel plans for the year, have something to look forward to. Have a lovely weekend x

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    • I said the same thing I must be getting too older to like this reality stuff. lol So sad but true. I have to face the facts. Yes I love having thins to look forward to ahead in the year. Thank you.

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    • I know I love that part of the video getting their reaction was priceless although MM was very very confused at first and opened on present and then just stood watching B go crazy then realized oh we are supposed to keep going hahaha Too funny.

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  11. I love how you plan the year! I cannot wait to see where 2016 takes you. I also love that you had a traditional – no wifi – Christmas! It would be like our own childhoods. Happy New Year lovely x

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    • It really was like when I was growing up. There was no tv or anything we have a log fire every night and it was magical indeed. I loved every second of it. I can’t wait for this year and all it holds for us but at the same time I always get a little apprenhensive that I won’t accomplish all I want to accomplish in one year. High expectations of myself and all hahahah

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  12. Oh the socks!
    Oh the cake!
    Oh the outfits!

    So many things to love in this post 🙂 I love January planning too – it helps kick my butt into gear after the Xmas PJ days.

    Happy New Year to you all,
    Kerry x

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  13. THAT CAKE!!!!!!! Aww love the video, your two are so cute together. Gotta love a bit of January planning and simplifying things too. I just need to get my butt in gear and actually start doing it. Have a great weekend x

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    • I know I really need a good kick up the back side to get me motivated and moving onto my goals and missions this year. I am dragging lately. Not sure if it’s the weather or holiday blues or both. Happy New Year glad you like the video and the cake well it was heavenly I have to say.

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    • It’s easy to cope with a simpler lifestyle and things being organized. I am still working on the organized house though. Finished the loft moving onto the garage then all the closets and cupboards. I am on a mission.

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    • I get that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I think for us because we have no family here we have to plan ahead to see them and we are tied to school holidays so that kind tells us what dates so we don’t have a lot of room for randomness until they are older. I look forward to that.

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  14. Wow, that cakes looks amazing, well done you. I completely agree with you about making changes, I never make New Years Resolutions, if I want to change something throughout the year I just do it, no point in putting it off! I hope you have an amazing 2016 lovely, and can’t wait to read about your travels. xx

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    • I think we should think about how to improve in all areas all year long and slowly make changes throughout our lives it’s less pressure just means we might actually do them too. lol

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  15. Loving your outfits as always Jenny! So stylish and funky, i wish i could look like that but my jobs tend to mean i live in yoga pants-comfy but not something to photograph! Oh my goodness that cake yummmmmmm! And what a great idea to budget and plan as family -i think we go into denial and B thinks everything’s perfect the way it is so news years resolutions don’t really happen for him. Loving your videos too x

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    • Thanks glad you like the video and it’s great not to have new year’s resolutions but to keep us on our toes all year long not just at the beginning. We can change something or remain the same if we wish anytime of the year. I always thought it was weird it had to be the beginning of the year to make goals etc. I am constantly planning, organizing and changing throughout the year.

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  16. I am loving your posts and that you share those precious moments on video. Your kiddies are beyond cute.
    2016 is my year to get organised and simplify everything in this house so posts like yours justify my addiction to blogs ;0)

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    • Ahhh thank you ever so much for your lovely comment that means alot. Sometimes I think are my readers getting bored yet. I always am trying to share something new and inspiring as much as share our lives.

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  17. I so have to make that cake for my sister, crunchies are her favourite. She would go crazy if I made that for her. Although she’d eat like a teeny bit and then our kids would probably end up finishing it off. I love that you sit and budget your travels each year, that’s a great tradition. I can’t wait until our life is more stable and we’re able to do the same. You’re rocking those stripes as always and I’m now going to go and watch your video xxx Happy New Year

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  18. That cake looks amazing! I think your style is possibly quite similar to mine if I actually made an effort! Haha. I loved ‘How to get away with murder’ and was a bit gutted when it finished – can’t wait for the next season xx

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