In a series of Blogs, I’ll be sharing with you how an hour can be really powerful when focus and determination is combined. Each blog will have a different theme to your dedicated hour each day. So, step by step, you’ll have a host of tools to help you organise your lifestyle, therefore freeing up time for things you love.
However, what can you do when there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day?
Have you ever found that when you have a mountain of things to do, you just don’t know where to start..?
Don’t worry, take a breathe. Let’s remove the overwhelm.
Or perhaps you have just ONE thing to do and that task seems so totally overwhelming, so big (maybe even bigger) as you’ve over thought it!
What happens?
We procrastinate, put it off, scroll through our phones..
Maybe do everything we shouldn’t be doing just to put that task off a little more!
Does this sound familiar?
Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs”
Henry Ford
OK bare with me on this quote! I’m a firm believer that if we look after the small things, then bigger things, which might seem impossible, take care of themselves…
Let me introduce you to a tool that I created years ago: the Power of an Hour.. It’s so simple but really helpful to just get started and make some headway with that task or tasks..
Don’t worry, I promise not to add overwhelm to your life, but help to take it away..
Here’s what to do:
Decide on your Mission, what it is that you want to achieve.?
Turn off your notifications and put your phone down.
Set your timer for one hour maximum.
Get to work, with intention and without distraction.
Why does it work?
By simply putting some urgency around your Mission, knowing that you have just one hour to make progress, you’ll find you’ll achieve so much – especially without any distractions! It’s amazing how quickly and easily we can be distracted!
“The Power of an Hour is such a help to me as I can’t physically do as much as I used to do. The Power Hour is such a string and positive name, it doesn’t make you feel feeble that you can only manage an hour!! Thanks for sharing, it’s been life changing for my husband and I’
Alice
Sometimes we don’t have have an entire hour to dedicate to a Mission, that’s OK. Often it’s simply the getting started that we struggle with. If you only have 20 minutes or half an hour, that’s fine too.
Incidentally, your Power of an Hour doesn’t have to be all about getting stuff done and ticking things off a list. It can be for whatever you want it to be. Self care and a happy mental health is far more important than an empty email box or a completed “to do” list.
A walk along the coast in the fresh can be super powerful.
Most importantly, whatever you decide to do with your Power of an Hour:
Do it with intention
Without scrolling through your phone
Without interruption..
This is YOUR time!
What do you think?
I’d love to know how you find using this simple tool and what an effect it has on your daily life and routine.
The Power of an Hour is a great way to inject intention into your day or evening. I’ve shared free daily planner (and more) in the Organisation tools.
It really helps keep me focused and find it invaluable for my Power of an Hour.
What will you do with your next Power of an Hour? I’d love to know, join in the conversation on my Instagram or comment below. Feel free to tag me into your #powerofanhour and use the hashtag!
Here’s to feeling more in control and less overwhelmed!
Find a space where you can take a moment to catch your breath.
We are gradually returning to our normal lives here in the UK. How are you feeling about life post Lockdown? Anxious? Excited? Maybe a bit of both..? I really hope this blog post will help you gain some perspective on what you can do about feeling overwhelmed at a time when we feel we should be excited about life returning back to normal.
It has been 16 months like no other hasn’t it? Life as we knew it changed beyond all recognition. We had to learn, and fast, how to manage our lives with a global pandeamic.
Our homes have been our sanctuary over this last year. Love this calming space and gorgeous Olive Tree from Charles Ted
Whatever you feel today is totally OKAY. Repeat that out loud!
How you are feeling in this moment is totally OK..
No one can take that away from you. We have all had our own individual experiences of the Covid-19 pandeamic, some good, some horrific, yet it would be wrong for anyone to suggest how you should be feeling..
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”
Brene Brown
You are not alone, 1/2 of the UK are feeling anxious and overwhelmed about the changes to ease Lockdown and indeed what about life post lockdown will now be like. For many of us, we are now used to logging on from home to have meetings, workouts and order our food shopping, all online, without leaving the house.
We’ve learned that our new normal is to stay at home. The commute is as far as from the bedroom, to the kitchen, dining room or study and as we reach these longed for dates, the thought of the work commute on the tube or heavy traffic is something we’ve not missed and the heart starts to race..
Postives and negatives about working from home, this was a postive!Homemade cookies and coffee Sunrise walks on Dartmoor was a huge positive to this last year
Many of us will feel excited, many of us apprehensive. Lots of us maybe feel a bit of both. Join me in trying to navigate these next few weeks together..
“Self-reflection entails asking yourself questions about your values, assessing your strengths and failures, thinking about your perceptions and interactions with others, and imagining where you want to take your life in the future.”
Robert L. Rosen
Let’s take baby steps..
It will take time to find our feet again. (I can’t even remember when I last wore heels!) In all seriousness, much like last March when we were told to stay home, it took time to adjust and adapt accordingly. Now the reverse is happening and again, it will take time us time to adjust and get back into a natural rhythm. Be easy on yourself!
Keep talking! Share how you are feeling with friends, family, colleagues. (and even in the comments below) Be open and transparant, I’m sure they will resonate with you too. This whole situation has been a BIG deal. Our mental health and wellbeing is truly key.
“Journal what you love, what you hate, what’s in your head, what’s important. Journaling organizes your thoughts; allows you to see things in a concrete way that otherwise you might not see. Focus on what you think you need to find in your art.”
Kay Walkingstick
Journal. Consider writing down how you’re feeling. We have good days, great days and everything inbetween and by writing them down, we can distinguish between. Writing down can be freeing, can help figure out what you truely think and can be very therapautic. Love this journal from Gisela Graham Leather Effect Mini Notebook A6 – Grey
You don’t have to do everything at once! Breathe, take your time.. (Although I’m trying to remain calm about the sports fixtures that are coming in thick and fast for my children and me as taxi driver!!) I shared in a previous blog thoughts about feeling a little happier and less overwhelmed. I believe these ideas haven’t dated in 12 months and so hope you may find some inspiration.
Go at your own pace – if you’ve ever been off work with an illness or had maternity leave, then you may have had a phased return to work before. Much like a return to work, consider adapting your own phasing back to your “new normal” This is a motto I’ve shared on many occaisions and especially with my clients:
Start Low, Go Slow, Aim High
Start Low – With anything new, decide what you want to achieve and start with low expectations. What is the minimal thing you’d be happy with? This isn’t a negative by any means, but by starting with low expectation instantly removes some pressure and you’re more likely to feel in control.
Go Slow – Once you have your new routine in place, take it steady before you start adding new pressures to your daily life. Get used to the new normal, adjust the sails if you need to.
Aim high – Remember the saying “begin with the end in mind?” This concept of aiming high, is similar. You may have had time over the last year to really think about which direction you wish your life to take – so go for it!
I’ve created some planners which I find really useful in keeping me focused and organised which you can find here.
I hope these will give you a little inspiration so that you can create a feeling of being more in control and less overwhelmed. You can then concentrate on the things that are most important to you.
Spend time with people that make you happy, where you can be your true authentic self. Go for a walk in the wind, rain and sun! Make time for the coffee..
Let go of the people in your life who add to the anxiety and stress, or the situations that don’t serve you. So hard to do but trust me, you deserve to be happy and not worry about the people that don’t champion you. This might help..
Pratice gratitude and being vulnerable. It’s no secret that I’m a huge admirer of Brene Brown’s work, having first read The Power of Vulnerability years ago.
She taught me that there is absolutely no shame in being vulnerable, that you don’t have to be in control of every situation.
Easier said than done, I know! Writing down 5 things that you are grateful for can really help gain perspective.
Empty the mind – many struggle to sleep, with the brain starting to whirl the minute you turn out the light.
Keeping a notebook by your bed so you can scribble any thing you think you might struggle to remember in the morning can really help.
How pretty is this one from LifeStyled Planner? The Journal is an A5 bullet journal with high quality pages printed with dotted graph for all of your planning needs. Great for creative bullet journalling and making notes.
“Journaling is paying attention to the inside for the purpose of living well from the inside out.”
Lee Wise
Take care of yourself today, tomorrow and all 365 days of the year. Beautiful flowers from Bloom and Wild
I really hope this blog post has helped you gain some perspective on what you can do about feeling overwhelmed at a time when we feel we should be excited about life returning back to normal. I’d love to know your biggest take home / lightbulb moment in the comments below, together with how you’ll take action this week.
What will you be keeping in place from our Lockdown days? Maybe you’ve opted to continue to work from home? Maybe you’ve decided to change career altogether?
So that you don’t miss next weeks blog, sign up to receive it straight to your emails, it’s quick and so simple to do, simply follow the link
Whatever you decide to do, stay happy and healthy – those two things are priceless.
Welcome to the second of a series of blogs that will bring you the Best of the South West. This edit is all about where to shop for your home, the Interiors Edit. Our house is our home, our castle, the place we feel safe and special. We spend our downtime there and from tomorrow, in the UK, will be able to welcome friends and family back into our homes – oh how we’ve missed that!
With that in mind, perhaps you’re considering a little makeover or even planning on a staycation in the beautiful South West. Over the last year, we’ve all spent much more time at home and that of course, for many, involved looking at our homes and spaces with a new eye.
We apparently spent 147 percent more time gardening and improving our homes during Lockdown, according to the ONS*
(*Please note this blog is not in anyway a sponsored post but if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know it’s a joy for me to share and support local businesses I love and have purchased from for years)
Right, let’s get started. Hope you’re sitting comfortably and have a cuppa in hand. We’re going in!
The focus on the interiors and lifestyle stores based in the South West that I love which I really think you’ll love too.
Their doors have now re-opened and I know from chatting to each of the featured stores, they are very excited to be able to welcome you back.
“Real comfort, visual and physical, is vital to every room.” Mark Hampton
Mark Hampton
Salcombe Trading
The Salcombe Trading Company have stores both in Salcombe, Devon and Bath. I adore this store and have been a customer since they first opened over 20 years ago. They have an exceptional range of products for the house and garden, with kitchen, dining and entertaining taking centre stage. Inspiration comes from the sea and moors of Devon, and the sophistication of Bath, giving their range a distinctly New England and Scandi feel.
Salcombe Trading specialises in Scandinavian interior design and representing the best British artisans, they’ve have hand picked a stunning array of accessories for your home and garden.
You’ll find top brands such as Skagerak Denmark, Menu, Kosta Boda, seamlessly blend with Somerset blacksmiths and carpenters.
I’m particularly in love with the Jutland Collection. (above) It’s named after the Danish peninsula in the North, where you’ll find powder soft beaches and stunning Summer Houses to make you green with envy. The collection is full of warm teaks, soft mint greens, beautifully calming tones of blue and white; it’s perfect for a neutral scheme.
Their customer service is exceptional – nothing is too much trouble and they’ve been so helpful in assisting me in finding pieces for our home over the years. You’ll love visiting Salcombe Trading I’m sure.
They have very kindly given me a discount code especially for you; simply quote womanonamission10 to receive 10% discount online.
Be sure to visit when you come to Bath, or Salcombe in Devon or visit their website to take a look at their whole collection. You’ll also find them on Instagram.
“I have seen the future of food shopping and it’s not in London, Manchester or Edinburgh but on a road that runs alongside the Exe Estuary in Devon, a few miles south of Exeter”
The Times, Nick Wyke writing about Darts Farm
Darts Farm
Darts Farm is a vibrant, nationally award-winning farm shopping experience, with a working farm at its heart. Situated just off the M5 near Exeter, it’s a perfect place to stop and stretch the legs if you are driving further into the South West to reach your destination or to visit for the day. It has something for everyone; including relaxing in the Treatment Loft with a massage or enjoying a pamper from the hair stylists at the Energy Hair Salon.
Their food hall is filled with hundreds of hand-picked local and artisan suppliers; the best British Farmhouse cheeses, handmade artisan breads, pastries and pies, incredible local wines, craft beers and much more!
If you’re feeling peckish, a visit to the Restaurant is a must. The chefs use the food hall as their larder, creating delicious seasonal meals; perhaps a gourmet steak sandwich, an artisan charcuterie platter or a traditional Devonshire cream team.
I especially love the Orange Tree on the second floor. A huge space filled with fabulous gifts and inspiration for your home. Darts Farm features iconic retail specialist retailers such as Fired Earth and AGA. It’s a dream, the bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor space are designed to feel as if you are in individual rooms. It’s stunning and will give you lots of ideas and inspiration.
Darts Farm is certainly a place to factor in as part of your journey if you’re travelling to the South West this summer. Find out more on their website and on instagram
Jo and Co Home
Jo and Co home has a beautiful home and lifestyle store just off the Atlantic Highway just outside Wadebridge in Cornwall.
Based over two stories, you’ll find everything you need for your small and larger interior projects, gifts and for you too. It’s the store I always make a bee-line for whenever I’m over the border from Devon.
The store is beautifully light and airy and the second floor is where you’ll find the Jo & Co Home furniture collection, carefully curated to delight the budding interior designer.
Their designer sofas and statement armchairs are made to order and are guaranteed to provide style and comfort to your living space. You’ll spend a while here enjoying the collection and enjoying the space I’m sure!
Visit Jo & Co Home in Cornwall to see the furniture collection in person or order online. You’ll also find lots on inspiration on their instagram.
“Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”
Billy Baldwin.
Nkuku Lifestyle Store
I feel very lucky that the Nkuku Home and Lifestyle Store is hidden in the beautiful Devon countryside not far from my home. They are known for working with artisans throughout the world, combining timeless design with traditional skills and natural materials.
The store is located in a courtyard of barns, in Harberton, Totnes, Devon. The barns provide the perfect backdrop to showcase their collections of stylish home accessories, lighting and furniture.
The café is currently closed for the time being, due to the restrictions. However it’s worth allowing time to stay for an artisan coffee, delicious cake or lunch when you plan your visit.
I’m excited to discover Nkuku have a brand-new furniture showroom, which is located just across the car park from the main store. There you can explore their broad selection of furniture and lighting. Nkuku’s beautifully handcrafted sofas are available to order and have delivered direct to your home.
As you can see, they have a treasure trove of unique one-off pieces, to add character to your home.
Be sure to visit when you come to Totnes, Devon or visit the website Nkuku You’ll also find Nkuku on Instagram for additional inspiration.
“A house is much more than a mere shelter – it should lift us emotionally and spiritually.”
John Saldino
Holly Keeling Interiors
I’ve known Holly for years and am delighted to share her gorgeous style with you.
Holly is not only a super talented interior designer and stylist both residential & commercial, but she also has her own store & design studio on Totnes High St, in Devon.
Holly Keeling Interiors sells the most stunning homeware, antiques, fashion & soft furnishings, including a full range of fabric books, swatches, carpet and tile samples. She is the official stockist for the following designer fabrics:
Vanessa Arbuthnott, Jane Churchill, Clarke & Clarke, Colefax & Fowler, Elanbach, Kate Forman, Pierre Frey, James Hare, Linwood, Ian Mankin, Titley & Marr, GP & J Baker, Malabar, Roger Oates, Peony & Sage, Thibaut, Lewis and Wood, Sanderson, Design Forum, Anna French, Volgar Linen, Little Greene and many more…
You will find a wide range of weaves and prints in a multitude of colours, patterns and textures to suit a vintage or contemporary interior. Holly and her talented team will help you select some truly inspirational fabrics to transform your home. They also offer a service providing custom made curtains, blinds and soft furnishings using highly experienced makers.
Other Interiors stores I love and think you will too;
Jas Interiors, Ivybridge
Escapology, Plymouth
Distinctly Living
Enjoying the space in your home doesn’t mean you need to spend big bucks. I’m a firm believer that your style is found through things you love, places you’ve visited and inspired you. I’ve always said that it’s the little things, the finer details, that make all the difference. If you love to enjoy a coffee in the morning, why not enjoy it from that special mug. Enjoy reading in the evening? Create a special reading space with your favourite armchair and throw.
“Feather your nest with designs you love.”
Jo Eldridge, Founder and Digital Creator of Jo and Co home.
As ever, I do hope you’ve enjoyed this blog, feel inspired and will have fun visiting these beautiful interiors stores, both when you visit in person or online. We really are very lucky here in this part of the world.
Do let me known your favourite place to visit in the South West, you never know, it might just feature in the forthcoming blogs; Best of the South West!
Wishing you happiest of days, wherever you are.
Be happy and healthy,
Reference:
Office for National Statistics (ONS) the report, titled Coronavirus and how People Spent Their Time Under Lockdown:
The UK is beginning to open up again after the Pandemic, hurrah! With thoughts of visiting friends and staycations in the air, this is the first of a series of blogs that will bring you the Best of the South West. I’m talking where to stay, where to eat and of course shopping! This blog is all about the food…!
Over the last year, we’ve all spent much more time at home and that of course involved more cooking and baking. (Will the poor banana bread now forever be linked to 2020 I wonder?) Having lived in South West Devon for the last 26 years, I’ve never felt more lucky to be near the coast and Dartmoor. It’s been something we as a family have always treasured, but certainly now more than ever before.
I want to share some of that with you, although I’ve been warned by close friends not to share all the top restaurants and beaches! Some things have to remain a secret to us locals right?!
The South West is really a beautiful place to live, regardless of season.
One thing you might need before continuing is to download my FREE menu planner, complete with shoping list. Having created it years ago for my clients, I would not do without it. Not only does it save me time but it saves me money too.
No more waste, just need to remind the family to check the board in the kitchen before they ask what’s for supper!
There are numerous amazing chefs, all with fabulous establishments throiughout the South West and I wish I could share them all with you here. However, I’ve selected some of my absolute favourites and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Classic Fish and Chips – Nathan Outlaw, Outlaws, Port Issac, Cornwall.
I couldn’t share with you some delicious recipes from your South West chefs without sharing a classic fish and chip recipe now could I! Nathan Outlaw is one of the loveliest chaps you could ever meet and is known as perhaps Britain’s best fish and seafood chef. He’s also written several fantastic cookbooks, his latest one being “Restaurant Nathan Outlaw”
FISH 4 hake fillets, each weighing 130g
TARTARE SAUCE
1 tsp English mustard 1 tsp white wine vinegar
250ml of rapeseed oil 2 gherkins 3 egg yolks
1 tsp each of fresh tarragon, fresh chives, fresh chervil, fresh parsley, all chopped
2 tsp capers, chopped salt & pepper
BEER BATTER
350ml of ale. 230g of plain flour
15g of dried yeast. 1 tsp salt. 1 tsp sugar
CHIPS: 6 large Maris piper potatoes, salt, vegetable oil
TO PLATE: 100g of peas, boiled
Method
For the tartare sauce, start by making the mayonnaise. Whisk the egg yolk, vinegar and mustard together in a bowl until well combined. Slowly add the rapeseed oil in a steady stream while continuing to whisk until emulsified
Finely dice the gherkins and add to the mayonnaise along with the capers and chopped herbs. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
For the beer batter, combine the flour, yeast, salt, sugar and beer. Whisk together to form a smooth mixture and leave in a warm place for 10 minutes to activate the yeast and develop the flavour. Move to a cooler place until ready for frying.
To start the chips, peel the potatoes, then cut into large chips. Put them in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Cook until still slightly raw in the centre, strain and cool.
Heat some vegetable oil in a deep-fat fryer to 180˚C ready to cook the fish and chips. Once the fryer has come up to temperature, add the chips to the fryer basket and drop into the hot oil. Cook until golden brown, remove from the fryer and allow all the oil to drip off. Place in a bowl and season generously with salt.
To cook the fish, mix the beer batter again to ensure it is smooth. Drag each fillet of hake through the mixture to evenly coat and drop into the fryer. Cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Always drop items into the fryer away from the body so the oil does not splash back.
To serve, place the fish on top of the chips and serve with peas and a healthy dollop of tartare sauce.
Aubergine and Tomato Gratin – Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, River Cottage.
Serve this hearty bake with a green salad on the side, or precede it with a delicious raw dish, such as fennel, melon and basil. Serves 4.
2 fairly large aubergines (about 700g in total), trimmed
4 tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra to finish
A small bunch of basil (25g), leaves picked from the stems and -roughly torn
4–5 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked from the stems
30g flaked almonds
For the tomato sauce
2 x 400g tins tomatoes, 3 garlic cloves, sliced, 75g cashew nuts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 bay leaves, a pinch of sugar
Method
To make the sauce (which you can do ahead), put the tomatoes into a medium saucepan. If you’re using whole plum tomatoes, crush them in your hands as you add them, removing any stalky end bits. Add the garlic, cashews, oil, bay leaves and a little salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly.
Remove the bay leaves. Add the sugar and blitz to a purée, using a stick blender or a jug blender. Stir in about 50ml water to thin the purée to the texture of lightly whipped cream. Taste and adjust the seasoning. (If making ahead, cool then refrigerate; reheat gently before using.)
Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Cut the aubergines lengthways into 5mm thick slices. Heat up a griddle pan (or a barbecue) or preheat your grill. Measure 4 tbsp olive oil into a small bowl and use to brush the aubergine slices on both sides. Griddle or grill the aubergine slices, in batches if necessary, for 2–3 minutes each side, until tender and marked with brown patches or grill stripes, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.
Layer one third of the aubergine slices over the base of an oven dish (about 2 litre capacity). Scatter over one third of the basil and thyme leaves. Dollop one-third of the tomato sauce over the top and carefully spread it out over the aubergines. Repeat until you have used up all the aubergines, herbs and sauce. Scatter over the flaked almonds and add a final trickle of oil.
Bake in the oven for 30–35 minutes, until bubbling and lightly coloured on top. Let it stand for 10–15 minutes before serving.
“An awful lot of people have childhood memories of holidays in Cornwall, and the holidays are old-fashioned and hugely successful. You stick a child and a dog on one of the beaches, and they just light up; they just love it.”
Martin Clunes
Crab Linguine, Jude Kereama from Kota Collective, Porthleven, Cornwall
This recipe for crab linguine is an easy pasta dish and makes great use of white and brown crabmeat. Serve with a rocket salad and a glass of perfectly chilled white wine.
500g linguine
Extra Virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 1⁄2 red chilli, de-seeded & finely diced
100ml dry white wine
2 tbsp chopped Italian parsley
2 tbsp chopped basil
2 tbsp chopped chives
24 cherry tomatoes cut in half
300g white crab meat
100g brown crab meat
2 tbsp crème fraiche
Juice & zest of 1 lemon
Cornish sea salt & black pepper mill
Method
Cook the linguine in a pot of boiling salted water.
Mix the brown crab meat and crème fraiche until smooth. Reserve.
Add olive oil, garlic, and chilli into a saucepan. Cook until just toasted then add the white wine. Reduce white wine until the wine has reduced by around two thirds.
Add the tomatoes. Add the cooked linguine and reserve a bit of pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
Stir in both crab meats, herbs, lemon juice, lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. Add a drizzle of Extra Virgin olive oil.
Serve immediately with rocket salad dressed with Cornish sea salt, lemon juice and Extra Virgin olive oil.
The Graden Trading Company have the perfect set up for Beach BBQs.
Barbecued marinated chicken breast with lime, coriander, ginger and chilli – Michael Caine MBE, Lympstone Manor, Exmouth.
One of THE most inspirational chefs, in my opinion! Michael Caines back story is incredible, not to mention his restaurants and food.
Imagine cooking this dish on the beach with your family and friends after a long day in the surf?
Ingredients
small bunch fresh coriander, chopped
100ml/3½fl oz olive oil
2 limes, zest of one only and juice of both
20g/¾oz grated ginger
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 fresh chilli, chopped
smoked cayenne pepper, to taste (if unavailable, substitute smoked hot paprika)
4 chicken breasts
Method
For the marinade, place the chopped coriander, olive oil, lime zest and juice, ginger, garlic and chili into a bowl.
Season, to taste, with cayenne pepper and whisk thoroughly.
Place the chicken breasts into a deep dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, covering completely. Cover the dish and leave the chicken to marinate for three hours.
Preheat the barbecue until the coals are white hot.
Place the chicken breasts on the barbecue and cook for 15-25 minutes, or until cooked all the way through, turning occasionally.
“My best holidays were in Devon and Cornwall when the children were growing up. We always used to stay on farms because our children were pretty wild, and it was great going to the beach every day. We used to go to Launceston and Salcombe and all over those two counties.”
Mary Berry
Raspberry & Almond Brownies – Chris Eden from Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I’m a lover of chocolate and brownies, so really couldn’t not include these!
Serves 12
110g dark chocolate
110g unsalted butter
150g dark brown sugar
150g caster sugar
2 eggs 125g flour 1⁄2 tsp salt 125g raspberries
50g flaked almonds
Preheat the oven to 160°c.
Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl over hot water, being careful not to overheat.
Add the sugars and allow to sit for a moment before whisking in, off the heat.
Add in the egg followed by the flour and salt and mix well.
Pour into a lined tin and sprinkle with the raspberries and flaked almonds.
Cook in the centre of the oven for 30-45 mins depending on how you like your brownies; in our house we like them quite goey so the ‘stick coming out clean method’ doesn’t apply here!
There’s something quite magical about being on Dartmoor at sunrise, although I might have to switch the breakfast cookies for Chris Eden’s Brownies!
The Table Stylist – Sandbanks Collection
Is this setting beautiful? It’s from a new start up brand called The Table Stylist. A selection of curated boxes designed to make your table look stunning whatever the occasion. Nothing soothes the soul quite like being by the sea, but with holidays uncertain this year you can at least bring the beach to you with this seaside tablescape. Each setting includes a sea grass place mat, scalloped bamboo side plate and white cotton hemstitched napkins with twisted rope napkin ties to add some rustic, coastal charm. Perfect for your staycation don’t you think?
The Comfort Cookbook
I want to share with you this very special Cookbook that I’m totally inlove with for many reasons. The story behind how it came to be, the fabulous recipes and that something really special came out of the pandemic.
The best of the South West chefs, food and drink producers and industry insiders came together to create a truly special digital cookbook. The Comfort Cookbook is a snapshot of the unique and diverse food and drink culture that’s nurtured here in the West Country, and the rich network of chefs, producers and pioneering entrepreneurs which together make the South West a world-class gourmet destination.
Just a few of the chefs involved include Nathan Outlaw, Jude Kereama, River Cottage, Mitch Tonks, Michael Caines, Paul Ainsworth, Ben Tunnicliffe, Mark Dodson, Mick Smith, Ben Prior, Emily Scott, Elly Wentworth, Tia Tamblyn, Philleigh Way Cookery School & Daaku.
Everyone involved in this project gave their time and expertise free of charge, so that all funds will go directly to the Hospitality Action Covid19 Emergency Appeal. Rather than buying a copy, you’re invited to pledge on a ‘pay what you can afford’ basis. Why? Well, everyone involved want this book to be available to everyone in this time of financial hardship. To those that can give more, please pledge generously to support people in the industry who have lost their livelihoods. Once you have pledged, you can read your copy online or download a PDF of the book:
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could help this incredible project raise some money?
It won’t be long before we can sit inside and dine with friends and family.
As ever, I do hope you’ve enjoyed this blog and will have fun recreating these recipes from the best of the South West chefs. We really are very lucky here in this poart of the world. Please do make sure you donate to The Comfort Cookbook Comfort Cookbook and support the Hospitality Action Covid19 Emergency Appeal in anyway you can.
For now, let me know what you’re up to this weekend. Do let me known your favourite place to visit in the South West, you never know, it might just feature in the forthcoming blogs; Best of the South West!
Wishing you happiest of Bank Holiday Weekends, wherever you are.
Let’s talk about habits; the ones that serve us well and the ones that don’t. It’s a bit like choosing your paint colours, you are neither right or wrong. I’ll be sharing my top 7 habits with you, we’re going in deep today!
Over the years habits are made. We shower, get dressed, have breakfast, brush our teeth – these are all habits that we have created and stuck too since being very small. They set us up for the day ahead and can easily be replicated without much thought.
Small habits can creep into our lives without us even realising until we sit up and take notice.
(Tell me I’m not on my own when I might have got into the habit a few years ago of letting the paintbrushes dry without cleaning them? May I add that I have now stopped this habit, honestly!)
Or going online to research something then going completely off topic and finding myself 360 degrees somewhere else? The Scrolling Habit its real! On that note:
Grab a cuppa, a cosy seat and a notebook! (How stunning is this Bear Love Seat from Loaf by the way…?)
Right now you are comfy, take a moment and jot down ALL the habits that you do that work well for you AND those habits that don’t serve you so well.
Take your time…
Be really honest with yourself – no-one has to see this list (you can share with me if you wish, for accountability, but it won’t go anywhere!)
Now you’ve bought attention to those habits – how do you feel? (Keep this list with you, you’ll need it for a bit later on in the blog.)
These small habits, the ones that serve us and the ones that don’t serve us so well, all add up.
Consider this: maybe you’re saving for a new house..
Saving up pennies adds up. Yet, would you give up if you had to save up £10k for a deposit on a house and knew you possibly would never get there?
How do you know you will reach that goal?
Who told you that you will?
Are you really sure?
Have you started to save pennies?
What’s your plan?
The larger goal can be overwhelming, so sometimes we can sit back and do nothing, procrastinate. Telling ourselves the same old story each month, each year, not going anywhere, still stuck, when it’s YOU that holds the key to your sucess..
It’s all up to you.
“Paradigms are powerful because they create the lens through which we see the world…
If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude.
But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm.”
Dr. Stephen R. Covey
7 Habits of (Effective) Daily Living
I am a huge fan of Franklin and Stephen Covey, having studied a course with the Foundation years ago. The many lessons they taught have stayed with me, from time management, paradigm shifts and especially the 7 Habits of Effective Daily Living. For this reason, I’m sharing Stephen Covey’s Habits in this week’s blog, in the hope that they really help you too. Each habit links to the next, hold onto your hats – they are good!
Habit 1: Be Proactive® Focus and act on what they can control and influence, instead of what you can’t.
Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life. Proactive people recognise that they are “response-able.” They don’t blame genetics, circumstances, conditions or conditioning for their behaviour. They know they choose how they behave. Reactive people, on the other hand, are often affected by their physical environment. They find external sources to blame.
If the weather is good, they feel good. If it isn’t, it affects their attitude and performance, and they blame the weather.
Proactive people focus their efforts on their Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about: health, children or problems at work.
Reactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern – things over which they have little or no control: the national debt, terrorism or the weather. Gaining an awareness of the areas in which we expend our energies is a giant step in becoming proactive.
Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind® Define clear measures of success and a plan to achieve them.
Habit 2 is based on imagination – the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes. It is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There is a mental (first) creation, and a physical (second) creation.
If you don’t make a conscious effort to visualise who you are and what you want in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default. It’s about connecting again with your own uniqueness and then defining the personal, moral and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfill yourself.
Stephen Covey suggests one of the best ways to incorporate Habit 2 into your life is to develop a Personal Mission Statement. (Remember those from your Uni days?) It focuses on what you want to be and do, your plan for success. It reaffirms who you are, puts your goals in focus, and moves your ideas into the real world.
Your mission statement makes you the leader of your own life. You create your own destiny and secure the future you envision.
Can you tell why I love Dr Covey’s work? I’m all about the Missions, focus and as you know, I love my Power of an Hours to stop the procrastination!
“People are working harder than ever, but because they lack clarity and vision, they aren’t getting very far. They, in essence, are pushing a rope with all of their might.”
Dr. Stephen R. Covey
Habit 3: Put First Things First® Prioritise and achieve their most important goals, instead of constantly reacting to urgencies.
Habit 1 says, “You’re in charge. You’re the creator.” Being proactive is about choice.
Habit 2 is the first, or mental, creation. Beginning with the End in Mind is about vision.
Habit 3 is the second creation, the physical creation. This habit is where Habits 1 and 2 come together.
Habit 3 is about life management as well–your purpose, values, roles, and priorities.
What are “first things?”
First things are those things you, personally, find of most worth.
If you put first things first, you are organizing and managing time and events according to the personal priorities you established in Habit 2.
“Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.”
Dr. Stephen R. Covey
Habit 4: Think Win-Win® Collaborate more effectively by building high-trust relationships.
“Think Win-Win isn’t about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration. Most of us learn to base our self-worth on comparisons and competition. There is only so much pie to go around, and if you get a big piece, there is less for me; it’s not fair and I’m going to make sure you don’t get anymore.” Stephen Covey.
Win-win sees life as a cooperative arena, not a competitive one. Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. (I love win, win situation!)
Win-win means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying. We both get to eat the pie, and it tastes pretty darn good!
A person or organisation that approaches conflicts with a win-win attitude possesses three vital character traits:
Integrity: sticking with your true feelings, values, and commitments
Maturity: expressing your ideas and feelings with courage and consideration for the ideas and feelings of others
Abundance Mentality: believing there is plenty for everyone.
To go for win-win, you not only have to be empathic, but you also have to be confident. You not only have to be considerate and sensitive, you also have to be brave. To do that–to achieve that balance between courage and consideration – is the essence of real maturity and is fundamental to win-win.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood® Influence others by developing a deep understanding of their needs and perspectives.
Communication is the most important skill in life. You spend years learning how to read and write and years learning how to speak. But what about listening?
Most people, seek first to be understood; you want to get your point across. In doing so, you may ignore the other person completely, pretend that you’re listening, selectively hear only certain parts of the conversation or attentively focus on only the words being said, but miss the meaning entirely.
So why does this happen? Most people, according to Covey, listen with the intent to reply, not to understand.
You listen to yourself as you prepare in your mind what you are going to say, the questions you are going to ask, etc. You filter everything you hear through your life experiences, your frame of reference.
You check what you hear against your autobiography and see how it measures up. And consequently, you decide prematurely what the other person means before he/she finishes communicating.
You might be thinking, “Hey, now wait a minute. I’m just trying to relate to the person by drawing on my own experiences. Is that so bad?” In some situations, autobiographical responses may be appropriate, such as when another person specifically asks for help from your point of view or when there is already a very high level of trust in the relationship. By listening autobiographically, you tend to respond in one of four ways:
Evaluating:
You judge and then either agree or disagree.
Probing:
You ask questions from your own frame of reference.
Advising:
You give counsel, advice and solutions to problems.
Interpreting:
You analyze others’ motives and behaviors based on your own experiences.
Habit 6: Synergize® Innovate and problem solve with those who have a different point of view.
To put it simply, synergy means “two heads are better than one.” Synergize is the habit of creative cooperation. It is teamwork, open-mindedness, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. But it doesn’t just happen on its own. It’s a process, and through that process, people bring all their personal experience and expertise to the table.
Together, they can produce far better results that they could individually. Synergy lets us discover jointly things we are much less likely to discover by ourselves. It is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. One plus one equals three, or six, or sixty–you name it.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw® Increase motivation, energy, and work/life balance by making time for renewing activities.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know this habit so well. I love the whole concept of Sharpening the Saw. The concept means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have – YOU.
It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual. Such as:
Physical:
Beneficial eating, exercising, and resting
Social/Emotional:
Making social and meaningful connections with others
Mental:
Learning, reading, writing and teaching
Spiritual:
Spending time in nature, expanding spiritual self through meditation, music, art, or service
Sharpen the Saw keeps you fresh so you can continue to practice the other six habits. You increase your capacity to produce and handle the challenges around you. Without this renewal, the body becomes weak, the mind mechanical, the emotions raw, the spirit insensitive and the person selfish.
Trying to create the habit with my family that the hallway isn’t for hats & coats is an ongoing issue! Bench: Cox and Cox
Go back to the list you created at the very beginning.
Have these 7 Habits provoked some thoughts into your own habits? Find your list that you created and re-examine the habits you wrote down..
How did you get those?
What made you so successful at those habits?
Consider ONE thing you can do to create a good habit and ONE thing you will do to ensure you stick to it??
Consider ONE thing you can do to adjust the habit that doesn’t serve you – do you wish to adjust it in anyway?
Start right now, not tomorrow and not next week, right now, change one thing, promise yourself, don’t let yourself down, don’t expect thanks from anyone except yourself. (It’s “tough love” Claire today!!)
You can make a habit of taking a lunch break instead of working through all day.
You can make a habit of taking a walk every day for just 10 minutes, instead of scrolling through social media, getting lost on Pinterest, FB, reading what other people are doing and feeling resentment, feeling sorry for yourself.
You can make a habit of changing something about your nutrition, just one thing a week or a month..
Drinking an extra glass of water a day to replace a cup of tea or a can of fizzy drink is a good habit.
Gratitude is also a good habit to practice feeling it once a day.
It’s all up to you. You’re responsible for your own life, thoughts, feelings, actions.
Promise yourself one thing, stick to it. Repeat tomorrow!
I’d love to know which of the 7 habits are your favourite and why.. Also which habit you might be dropping and which new one you might start..
As always, I read the comments and would love to know your thoughts.
Remember if you’d like to join in the weekly conversation and the Missions I share each week, then please head to Instagram, I’d love to chat there!
I’m the creator of Woman on a Mission, a lifestyle space dedicated to helping women bring more calm, confidence and balance into everyday life. Born from my own journey to slow down and live with greater intention, it offers inspiration around wellbeing, organisation, home and mindset, one meaningful mission at a time
Decide on your Mission, what it is that you want to achieve.?
Remember if you’d like to join in the weekly conversation and the Missions I share each week, then please head to 
