5 happy things:: week 3

Half term has unfortunately reached its inevitable end.. It's been a good one though. Here's my five best bits.

1. I spent a lovely morning with my best friend and her little girl. We've been friends for 20 years and I miss living on each other's doorsteps.

2. Wagamamas. No more needs to be said. We haven't been in so long and our revisit this week was everything I needed.

3. Finding beautiful editions of books I read when I was younger. I'm currently retreading northanger abbey and appreciating it much more than when I first read it.

4. Finding lots of interesting recipes to try. We are home a lot this summer and I'm excited to try out making my own soups and other summery dishes.

5. Birthday plans. My birthday isn't for 3 months but I've already made plans with my family to go to the last night of the proms in the park near our flat. We went last year with friends and I'm looking forward to going with my favourite people.

I hope back to work week has as many high points.

5 happy things:: week 2

It's officially half term! Teacher pals around the country rejoice. It's been a hectic and stressful week but here are my happy things.

1. It is half term. I get a whole week where my 5:30am alarm is turned off and I get to wake up naturally. I'm looking forward to a week of coffee shop hopping, lazy days and pub afternoons.

2. One of my students bought me a gift. This seems tiny and silly but I'll miss those guys and they even came to find me for a maths photo - things like that make the stress worth it.

3. Duck sung. Seriously the best starter I've ever had at one of my local restaurants.

4. Pay day. Pay day means I get to buy all the things I've been browsing for the last week without fretting that my money will run out.

5. The sunshine. Some of my colleagues, Johnny and I spent a wonderful hour sitting outside having a cheeky drink on the last day of term and the sun was out. It was a great way to wind down after an incredibly tough 7 week half term.

What made you smile this week?

5 happy things:: week one

This week has been a tough one... Work has been stressful, I've been poorly and I haven't been sleeping. Bad times. However, I think writing 5 happy things will make me value the little moments that happen amongst bad ones.

1. Getting up early both today and yesterday. Getting out of the house early (even if it is just for coffee and pastries) makes me feel productive and like I'm getting the most out of my weekend... Add in good coffee, random chats about life and ever so slightly undercooked pastries (yum!) and I'm a happy girl.

2. Johnny and I went out for dinner at one of our local restaurants last night with friends and managed to wangle a birthday discount even though it was no ones birthday. Score.

3. Rediscovering Waitrose's coffee shortbread. We first had it last year when we went on a trip and it's one of the best biscuits around. It's lush.

4. Making sure we make our bed everyday. This sounds so lame but it really makes me feel less sad about getting up and going to work because when our bed is made, it looks so nice! Next bedding is my absolute favourite and I'm excited to buy some more sets come winter as our current 'christmas' set is becoming a bit tired.

5. Bagels. Poppyseed bagels with apricot conserve to be specific. These have been my staple lunch all week and they've made work days a little easier to get through.

I'm trying to do these every week. Let's see how long it'll last.