Ten happy things – August 19

Every month I like to look back and reflect on the month just past and what brought me joy. Here are my ten happy things for August!

Floral day out with Fee

I was invited to explore Covent Garden as part of a brand sponsored post so I took along my friend Fee and we had a fabulous floral day out! Covent Garden in spring and summer is just so pretty as many shops and restaurants decorate their entrances in beautiful floral displays. We had a lovely day eating good food and enjoying bubbles on a rooftop.

Afternoon tea on a bus

I was also really lucky to be invited by Buyagift to enjoy afternoon tea aboard the B Bakery bus , which was such fun! The cakes and sandwiches were so delicious and I even got to take some home for the husband (who was delighted). It was a really good afternoon out and I met some lovely fellow bloggers.

Meeting Mitzie

It’s always so nice to meet Instagram friends in real life and I got to do just that in August! Mitzie (@MitziesBubble on Insta) and I arranged to meet for lunch at Bob’s Lobster in London Bridge and it was fab. The food was delicious and the company was great – we’re planning our next lunch!

Also, I’ve already inspired two people to visit Bob’s Lobster so I guess that makes me an influencer? 😉

Lunch with Emma

My husband and I had lunch with our friend Emma aboard The Grand Duchess in Paddington. We hadn’t seen Emma for a few months so it was great to catch up over delicious food and good wine. We’ve now planned a trip to Ireland to visit her sister Claire who has just moved over (it was an expensive lunch, lol!).

Lunch at Petersham Nurseries

Fee and I had lunch at Petersham Nurseries on our floral day out and whilst that could have been included in the first ‘happy thing’, it deserves its own space! I’ve been to their restaurant in Richmond a couple of times and it is amazing – the food but also the setting. I genuinely wasn’t expecting the one in Covent Garden to be as nice but it really was – especially as it was a lovely day so we could sit in the courtyard.

Massage at Cucumba

For my birthday (which is in February), my mom and sister gave me a gift voucher for Cucumba spa in Soho. Six months later and I finally used it! I got a lovely back massage and a manicure – it was wonderful. I love a good massage! Also, the polish lasted almost two weeks – definitely impressed.

Ran an Instagram comp

I ran my first ever Instagram competition, in association with buyagift, for Afternoon Tea Week and I couldn’t have been happier when my friend Kerry won it! The prize was a Smartbox for Afternoon Tea for Two and I can’t wait to see where Kerry goes and who she takes.

Wrote for the Independent!

Every year the Independent recognises amazing people who make Britain better, through their Happy List. It’s meant to be an antidote to the lists that celebrate wealth and I was asked to write an article on small charities as honorary Happy Listers! You can read it here. Not only did I get to write an article, my lovely friend Jude Habib is actually on the list! I wrote about Jude on this very blog in 2017 as one of three inspirational women I know. Congratulations Jude!!

Bought sunflowers

I always have fresh flowers in the flat but I’ve never had sunflowers. I spotted these at Sainsbury’s and just had to buy some. Aren’t they just gorgeous? They really brighten up the room! You can’t not look at them and feel happy.

A weekend in Vancouver

At the end of August I flew over to Vancouver and flew my mom over from Edmonton, Alberta for a weekend. Vancouver is just such a lovely, friendly city and we had a great time exploring it. I’d love to go back and spend a bit longer.

So those are my ten happy things for August! How did your August go and what brought you joy?