Brunch, Banana Bread and a Mid-Year Reflection
Summer is here! June has come to an end and the sun has finally made an appearance. This weekend I’ve alternated between working on my blog, soaking up the sun and having my head stuck in the devastatingly beautiful, ‘A Little Life’.
As I write this, chain-drinking tea and very much enjoying the sun shining through my window, I’ll catch you up on the little things I’ve been loving lately.
First blog event
Yep, I crushed my social anxiety and attended my first blogging event. To say I felt anxious about going alone is an understatement, to the point at which I was in two minds about even going. I’m so glad I did! Northern bloggers were invited to the Edward Pavilion, located at The Albert Dock, to have a tour around the new workspace run by Clockwise. It’s a large modern-looking space with sound-proof meeting rooms, a cosy lounge area and an on-site coffee shop. I look forward to making the most of the space whenever I’m in the city with my generously gifted free access pass.
We were also treated to some brunch courtesy of Thoughtfully Café and the chia pudding was on another level. Overall, I’m happy I pushed myself to attend. I just hope that by challenging myself more often, stepping outside my comfort zone will gradually become easier.
Reflecting
We’re halfway through the year and lots of us are reflecting on the goals we set ourselves for 2019. As I chatted about in my Two Thousand and Nineteen post, this year I set myself broader intentions rather than specific goals. One of these intentions was to strike a good balance between maintaining a social life, work, health and self-care. While I still deem striking a perfect balance futile, I have allocated myself more ‘me-time’ to curl up with a book and a mug of tea or binge-watching a series on Netflix.
In terms of my reading challenge, according to Goodreads, I’m currently 19 books ahead of schedule. Will I hit 100 book by the end of the year? Or is that a tad aspirational? I also intended to read one classic each month, and so far, so good. My plans now are to continue tackling my Summer Reading List and see if I can surpass my goal.
Oh, I also intended to travel to either NYC or Tokyo this year, neither of which look as if they’re going to happen any time soon.
Years and Years
This. Show. Years and Years is one of the best, albeit most terrifying, things I’ve watched this year. This drama follows a family over the course of 15 years offering up a chilling forecast of where our country might be heading. What made this show so frightening was how tangible it is. The characters are your family, they are living your lives, they’re relatable and full of flaws and imperfections and they’re completely lovable.
Anna Reid deserves an award for her ‘Our Fault’ speech alone. Even if you don’t watch the show, do yourself a favour and scout out this chilling monologue somewhere online. It’s the most apt criticism of our consumerist society I’ve ever heard.
Climate change transforms the UK into a soggy mess, chocolate is a luxury and bananas are extinct. I just hope that most of the eerie forecasts contained within this drama will never happen. But, what an insight into our current failings as the human race this show is.
Banana bread
Anyone else purposely let their bananas go spotty so they can bake banana bread? It had been a hot second since I last baked anything, so with my bananas way past their prime I baked one of my favourite desserts inspired by Cookie and Kate’s Healthy Banana Bread recipe. I served mine with a dollop of Biscoff spread and oh, what a combo. What shall I bake next?
Couch to 5K
I love working out in the morning, especially now with the summer season providing us with extra daylight hours. With bright and early starts, I thought it was an apt time to tackle the Couch to 5K and incorporate the challenge into my summer morning routine. Tomorrow, 1st July, marks the start of Week 3, and I’m surprisingly enjoying it much more than I thought I would! However, running for 20 minutes straight at the moment is unthinkable. Has anyone else given this a go?
Recent Posts
My Summer Reading List
A Reintroduction
As always, be sure to let me know what little things you’ve been loving!
What have been the highlights of your week? Do you have any new TV recommendations, foodie finds, summer plans? Let me know in the comments!
Evie
♥
Ahhh so much goodness in this post! First off, I looooove me some banana bread. You made me wanna go out and make some now lol I think you will probably surpass your reading goal and it must feel so good to be told you are somewhat ahead of goal. Reflecting is so good though. I think I might do some of that today as well.
The banana bread was delicious! Need to make some more soon haha. Yeah definitely, I’m reading more than ever recently and really enjoying it, thank you!! x
I don’t know if my last comment made it because I lost internet for a second, but I ran for 40 minutes the other day, and it was hard!!! Also, since seeing your insta post on that banana bread the other day, I’ve been wanting to make some myself. I’ll finally have the time in a couple of weeks, and I’m ready to bake!
twinklexthoughts.blogspot.com
40 minutes is incredible! Week 3 entails running and then walking for 3 minute increments for approx 30 minutes overall, and it’s been challenging!
Ah yes get baking! It was so good that I might have to bake some more soon haha.
Loved this post! That banana bread looks delicious and i’m so pleased that you pushed through your anxiety to attend that blogger event, it looked like a fab day!
Jess x http://www.jessistrying.co.uk
Thank you so much! It was fab x
Woohoo! Congrats on overcoming your anxiety to attend your first blog event! I was really nervous for mine as well, and there were a few lulls in activity that felt awkward, but overall it was a great experience. How cool that you have an access pass to the workspace now! I often go to cafes to work on stuff because I’m not always the most productive in my own apartment, but all those coffees add up. Plus, sometimes you have to fight for outlets haha. A workspace membership sounds like a great investment; even better that you got it for free!
I’ve read 39 books this year so far, and last year I read 38 total! So I’m pretty happy with that :3 // omg reading 100 books in 2019 would be so impressive! How do you do it??
I made zucchini bread a month or two ago! Love how easy quick breads are 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Thank you! Yeah I did feel awkward at times, especially given that I didn’t know anyone, but it was such a good experience! Haha exactly. I love changing up my location whenever I’m working so I’m excited to make the most of this new workspace!
Ah that’s amazing! I honestly have no idea how I’ve managed to read so much this year, I guess I’ve just been overwhelmed by how many books I want to read and I’m trying to get through them all as quick as I can haha.
Oh I really want to try zucchini bread! Sneak in them veggies whenever I can haha, thanks for reading! xx
This post was such a lovely and positive read. Keep writing x
Congratulations on kicking your social anxiety’s butt! I also struggle with it and I find seeing other people confronting and overcoming those anxieties to be really inspiring so thank you for sharing that achievement.
Hayley | https://www.thriceuponadream.com
Ah thank you so much, I was so close to not going, but I’m so glad I did! Seeing other people push themselves is exactly what encouraged me too! x
Oooh the banana bread looks so delicious. Congrats on the blogging event as well lovely!
Lucy | Forever September
Thank you Lucy! x
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