Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 24 - Photoshoot with my best friends

So I'm getting on with these challenges, I'm quite proud of myself to have completed 2 out of 40 so far! 

I was going to say this was another little cheat as we already had this booked, but it's not a cheat, it was still on my list of things to do! 

We originally had this booked for my birthday, but we were rained off. A few days later and we were booked back in and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results. We spent the day trailling the most insane weather, our whatsapp group was blowing up with the constant updates, we had hail, rain, wind, thunder - you name it! But on the way there the rain was immense, but then a rainbow appeared and the sun shone from out of nowhere. 

We got there and had the most lovely time, there was the three of us 'Wine O'Clock' girls and we were joined by a special guest and an honoury 'Wine O'Clock' member. It was my friend's daughters 13th birthday the day we were re-scheduled, so she came to join us! 

The pictures were taken by 

Dimples and Daisies photography and they are just amazing. I've had lots of photos taken by their sister company Liberty photography and took the plunge and had a family shoot last year with Dimples - and loved it and the results! So when I was thinking about having pictures taken with my best friends, I knew they were the company to choose. 

We choose a sunset on top of Butser Hill, there were two photographers and a videographer and they made us feel so special and nothing was too much trouble. And as I'm a Liberty girl, I may or may not have convinced the girls to have a cheeky bum shot too! 

When I say I am the luckiest woman alive, I really and truly mean it. These girls are part of that reason. We have been friends for 30+ years, we have been through so much together, we have survived so much together and we are always there to smile together. I am so grateful to have them in my life and I thank the Universe every day for their unwavering friendship. 

This shoot was to celebrate that, to have some nice (not drunken!) pictures together and create more special memories to look back on. Thank you, you wonderful women for being the family I chose. 

Dimples and Daises on 

Facebook and Instagram

Liberty photography on Facebook and Instagram

 TTFN, I'll keep you posted! Sammy xx

Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 17 - Coaching Session

Well I'm never one to hang around! But this was a little bit of a cheat, as I'd already done this task before I published the whole list. But it was on my list and after my birthday - so I'm counting it! 

17. Have a coaching session So this is something I've thought about for a while. I am the best person ever to be 'fine' and not have anything to think about, dig deep about or talk about - I am Taurean after all! I've seen loads of people have coaching sessions and become coaches. I've also seen lots of things that don't align with me and my values from coaches, so I've always been a little wary. For a start - I'm not one to be 'challenged' or told what to do, so most aggressive type coaches would not work out for me! But still I've been intrigued - so on the list it went. 

While thinking about this, I had seen these beautiful doodle posts on instagram from Charla at The Grateful Hearts Club and they were produced from her one off coaching sessions. I have attended a few workshops with TGHC and I loved them (would recommend them to everyone!) Charla's ethos and positivity attracts me to her like a bee to a flower. I love Charla's attitude, her honesty and passion, she is one in a million for sure. So when Charla advertised the session she is running this year at TGHC, 'Tune into You', I knew I needed to sign up and give it a go. 

You can find The Grateful Hearts Club on Instagram 

here

The call was for 20-30 minutes, so I was able to do it in my lunch break which was amazing. The cost of the session was £20, which was really reasonable and super affordable. It was super easy to book, TGHC website is really easy to navigate and Charla was on hand if I had any questions, I chose the date and time from a selection available. The confirmation emails, the reminders and the journal prompts I received were all great and had me looking forward to the session. 

The time came, and I was a little worried I would struggle to open up, but I needn't have been worried at all. The prompts Charla used had me talking freely and openly. Charla's kind nature and calming tones were just the thing I needed on a busy Friday. We reflected on the last year, what happened in my life not just society or Covid, what the positives are, what changes I needed to make and what I wanted to carry through into this year. We reflected on boundaries, what I struggle with and how sometimes my brain needed a little unjumbling! 

I absolutely love my doodle!  It was a great experience and I am so glad I got to do this. I'm so gratfeul to have had the opportunity and I loved every minute of it. I would thoroughly recommend The Grateful Hearts Club to all! 

You can find The Grateful Hearts club website 

here or on Facebook here

On to the next challenge! I'll keep you posted. 

 TTFN, Sammy xx

Growing Old Disgracefully

I turned 38 this year.  I'm not worried about that, at all.  Age is just a number, one I'm proud of - definitely, because I'm grateful to reach it.  I always remind myself that growing older isn't something that is afforded to everyone, so I'm grateful I'm one of those few.  And also of course, growing older is inevitable, but growing up is optional!

As people keep reminding me... it’s the slippery slope to 40 now, it’ll be here before you know it!  I've thought long and hard about the run up to my 40th birthday.  It's one I'm so looking forward to, and of course there will be a big party at the end of it!  But also there are some things I want to do before I turn 40.  

I've thought about this list of things for a while, writing and re-writing and trying to find challenges I want to do.  I must admit my list started with things like, 'lose 3 stone', 'go to Mexico', 'visit New York', but I realised that some of those things may be out of reach and actually I need to concentrate on the small joy bringers in life too, that and losing weight DOES NOT DEFINE ME!  So I waited for the New Moon in Taurus, meditated, got real with what I really wanted and revamped the list.  Today I am ready to reveal it to the World, so here it is....

THE LIST

1. Take a life drawing class ✔️

2. Watch the sun rise at the beach ✔️

3. Watch the Phantom of the Opera on stage ✔️

4. Wild swimming/Cold water swimming ✔️

5. Go away with my mum and sister ✔️

6. Go on a ghost hunt ✔️

7. Visit the National History Museum ✔️

8. Skinny dip in the sea ✔️

9. Visit Southsea Model Village ✔️

10. Go clay pigeon shooting ✔️

11. Travel to Scotland ✔️

12. Go to an adults arty pots session ✔️

13. Axe Throwing ✔️

14. Have an Angel Board reading ✔️

15. Hit a golf ball at the driving range ✔️

16. Visit Stonehenge ✔️

17. Have a coaching session ✔️

18. Take a belly dancing class ✔️

19. Complete a paint by numbers ✔️

20. Flower arranging ✔️

21. Write something, an article/book etc ✔️

22. Get a moon/witch/triple goddess tattoo ✔️

23. Complete a reading challenge ✔️

24. Have a photoshoot with my best friends ✔️

25. Gift flowers to a stranger ✔️

26. Climb the O2 ✔️

27. Complete the penny challenge ✔️

28. Make a piece of jewellery ✔️

29. Learn a new skill ✔️

30. Go for a spa day ✔️

31. Make my own candle ✔️

32. Have a singing lesson ✔️

33. Visit Clanfield Observatory ✔️

34. Make a drum ✔️

35. Take a Wim Hof Workshop ✔️

36. Learn how to decorate a cake ✔️

37. Watch a horror film at the cinema ✔️

38. Celebrate Beltane at Butser ✔️

39. Visit a Gin Distellery✔️

40. Throw a big 40th birthday bash!

That's it.  That is the list I'm about to embark on, and it starts.... NOW!  Anyone that can help out with any of the this, or point me in the right direction, do get in touch 😊

I will blog about each one, but also post on instagram too.  You can find me here if you’d like to follow me. My account is an eclectic mix, and I’m cool with that. I will also use the hashtag #MrsBChallenge40 

I’ll keep you posted! TTFN xx