Pretty Muddy

We did it.  On Saturday myself and my sister-in-law took part in Pretty Muddy Essex.

I'll be honest, I had absolutely been dreading it.  I wasn't quite sure exactly what to expect.

Once I arrived though and we were preparing to set off, I felt fine and was rearing to go.

We had our little support team with us to cheer us along, James, my Mum and Dad, and James' Mum with her partner.  There was certainly no backing out now.

You could tell that a lot of thought and hard work had gone into arranging the event and the little details such as the names of each of the obstacles did not go un-noticed.

I felt really lost going round without my phone, there were so many photo opportunities but having not known how muddy or wet we were going to get en route we both left our phones back with our supporters at the start line so there isn't much that I can share with you I'm afraid.

The majority of the obstacles were fairly easy although there were a couple that were a little more testing but it all added to the fun of the event.

I'm so pleased that we did it and the most important thing is that we have been able to raise money for Cancer Research at the same time.

There is still time to donate if you wish to do so via my JustGiving page.

Love Gem x x x

My Recent Moments on Instagram

I know many of you do not use Instagram, so I thought I would try and do more regular posts sharing some of my favourite images that I have been uploading.

I seriously love this bedroom in our little home, especially when the candles are lit and the twinklies are switched on.

To be honest, now that I am blogging more often I have been using some of my Instagram images within my posts but there is the odd occasion where they are left on the Instagram cutting room floor and don't quite make it to the blog so hopefully these posts will change all of that.

Who say's colouring is just for kid's?  This book has already given me hours of fun and the husband hours of peace and quiet.  It is amazing.

I'm sorry if you follow me on Instagram and so have already seen these pictures but at least this way I know that everyone gets to see the same things.

I've had a few craft projects in mind so an evening of foraging was had and of this pretty little lot is currently being pressed in my flower press.

I went through a phase of using all the different filters for my images but more often than not now I leave my images as they are.  All of these here in this post are all uploaded with no editing and no filters, not bad huh!

One of the many things I love about where we live is the sunsets we are able to enjoy from our home.  This was taken as I was stood in my garden, you couldn't ask for more really could you.

If your on Instagram and we have not found each other yet, I'm on there as GemsCountryLifeDream.  Do pop over and wave hello, I have been known to be over there quite a bit (whoops).

Love Gem x x x

A New Found Obsession with LUSH

I have never been a bath person, I've always preferred a shower but since being on Instagram I've always been slightly envious of those people sharing dreamy pictures of their baths using gorgeous LUSH products.

I've always loved the smell of their stores and have been in on numerous occasions to check out their shower products, but have always been put of by the boring black tubs and never before bought anything.

There was nothing for it but to bite the bullet and buy one of their bath bombs, I had to see for myself what all the fuss was about.

The first one I tried was one of their Easter themed bombs, 'Hoppity Poppity'.  I couldn't leave this little fella behind in the shop, he was just way too cute.

I spent a good hour or so soaking with my book and actually found that I quite enjoyed it.  Who knew!

The next product I tried was one of their bubble bars.  For me, how something looks definitely has an impact on whether I would buy it or not.  I know all about the cliché - never judge a book by it's cover but I just can;t help myself, image is pretty important.  

Personally I wasn't too impressed with this one.  I didn't get nearly as many bubbles from it as I was expecting which was a shame.

More recently I've tried this one 'Bubblegrub .  Another bubble bar.  It reminded me of my childhood.  Stories of the hungry caterpillar and my dad telling me all about Cecil the caterpillar, I just had to buy it.

Again not as many bubbles as I'd hoped for but the colour of the water was very interesting ha-ha.

I've still a few more to use before my next shopping trip, these ones are both bath bombs, 'Little Baby Bot' and 'Butterball'.

I think it is safe to say though that I have been converted to the odd occasional bath every once in a while.

Are you a fan of LUSH products?  What ones are your favourites?

~ Gem x

Green Laning in the Land Rover

Back in October not long after the wedding James bought a 1970's Land Rover with a couple of mates.  They have been working on it ever since.  On Friday it passed it's MOT.  I officially became a Landy Widow.

It was a lovely afternoon, perfect for a drive through the countryside.  

James has been researching all the local green lanes for quite some time, now it was time to test them all out.

It was an experience, something I'd never done before, but I can see why people enjoy doing it.  

The views through the countryside were gorgeous, and like the country walks we go on, you see things that you wouldn't otherwise see, and of course because you are driving you can go that bit further afield. 

No doubt there will be plenty more outings of this sort.  Well it would be rude to let him have all the fun wouldn't it!

Love Gem x x x  

Thinking Out Loud....

It has taken me some time to write this post.  I've thought about it over and over in my head for some time now, occasionally popping back here to type out a few words, but then I stop.........

I've never been one to write about thoughts and feelings, it has always been a place for me to share the things I have been getting up to.  I worry about what people will think, I worry about sharing too much, I worry that it isn't what people want to read.

I spent some time away from blogging last year.  Not intentionally.  I found it hard to know what to write about.  I struggled with time.  I found Instagram so much easier to share the little snippets of my life.  But the truth is, I missed this little space and I knew I had to come back to it.

I still spend a lot of time on Instagram and I have been taking little breaks every now and then from blogging but I've been trying to make more time for blogs at the same time and that is still something I'm working on.  Catching up with bloggers I have followed for years, but also discovering some new bloggers and I'm really glad that I have made time for that, as well as popping back to my own space to update you all on what has been going on.

I've been thinking about what direction I want my own blog to take.  I've been thinking about what direction I want my life to take.  I'm almost 28, I'm feeling as though I have achieved nothing with my life, although what I expect to have achieved, I don't know.  I'm in a job that I hate.  I don't feel challenged or inspired.  How I would love to be doing a job that I love, something I am passionate about, something that makes me happy, something creative and exciting.  Blogging full time would be incredible, but we all know that is pretty unrealistic and is just not going to happen.

I'm waiting for that sign (you know, like in the film P.S I Love You) and I'm hoping it appears soon. I dream of having my own little business.  A pretty little tea room with miss-matched vintage china, or maybe a beautiful scented flower shop, or even a gorgeous gift shop stocked up to the rafters with handmade gifts and home furnishings *sigh* who knows, perhaps one day.

There has been a lot of change and at times a lot of uncertainty in my life over the past year and no doubt that is going to continue.  I'm not sure what I'm expecting to achieve from publishing this, or even whether I will leave this live for everyone to see.  Life is a funny thing, you never know what hand you are going to be dealt with next.  Never know what is lurking around that corner.  For now I'll carry on each day as I have the last and see what the future holds.  But part of me feels as though I should be doing something more.  Exactly what, I'm not yet quite sure.

Love Gem x x x

Around the Garden

I love being outside, enjoying our garden.

Watching it change and grow with the seasons.

We were really lucky to have some beautiful plants in our garden already when we moved in, however we have added a lot to it.

I'd like to add even more, but as we only rent our property it would be a shame to keep planting and then not be able to take it away with us to our next home.

I dream of one day owning our very own home with a beautiful cottage garden, that we can keep adding to and watch it grow with us over the years.

Not having to worry about packing up and leaving it behind, or having to think about digging it up to transport to another place, wondering whether it will survive the journey.

For now though, we are enjoying this time right here, right now.

Oh how I love taking time out, even if only five minutes.

Wandering around the garden and looking at all the pretty flowers, breathing in their scent (especially the white roses, divine), and from time to time cutting a few stems to bring indoors to brighten up a windowsill.

Quite often, there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

Love Gem x x x

A Walk Through the Countryside

There is something quite special about being able to step out from your own home and seconds later be walking across open fields.

It is times like this that I feel so thankful that we live where we do, although we don't take advantage and go out for walks half as much as we should.    

There is so much to see.  Things you would never see driving along in the car.  

Being able to stop and look at things properly, in detail.

Being able to breathe everything in and appreciate things for what they are.

We have walked part of the route before but this time we took a slightly different course.

It is amazing what was literally right around the corner from the footpath we took the last time, hidden from view yet so close from where we stood.

Oh how I would love to live right here.  A true hidden gem, literally in the middle of nowhere.  It is just so beautiful.

It felt so good to be out embracing nature.

Hopefully there will be plenty more opportunities over the next few months.

So long as the weather warms up and summer actually makes an appearance long enough for us to enjoy it.

Love Gem x x x