current: loves

1. Story time. That girl of mine loves playing the cBeebies app or watching people opening Kinder Eggs on YouTube and so I try to make an effort to encourage an interest in books at night. And bedtime stories have become one of my favourite parts of the day. All cuddled up in her onesie with damp hair, I wish I could bottle these moments and keep them forever. Her current favourite book is the Gruffalo. But what is it with these kids talking all the way through storytime? I swear she is just trying to make that book last longer.
2. Revlon Lip Butters. The only lipsticks that I will wear. I am obsessed with Creme Brulee and Strawberry Shortcake. Moisturising yet still give great pigment. If they ever stopped making these I don't know what I would do. #notasponsoredstatement
3. Healthy bread. No matter what I do bread will never be my friend. And while I will never be able to completely cut out the odd french stick dipped in oozy melty brie or an occasional hamburger with all the toppings, I generally need to give it a wide berth 90% of the time. But I have been discovering some amazing wheat free and gluten free alternatives that are actually nice to my stomach and am loving runny eggs on rye or peanut butter smothered over Biona Millet bread. 
4. Ballerina buns.  I might have developed a bit of a girl crush on a waitress during a recent dinner date. She had that whole fifties style A line skirt and high bun thing going on and it made me wanna look like her in that way only us girls do. Cue me wearing my hair in a neat bun on the top of my head regularly now. So pretty and so much easier when you sleep in and don't have time to wash your hair.
5. Progress. I never had a huge amount of weight to lose when I embarked on my new fitness regime last October. But through a combination of running and gym time I can most definitely feel a difference in myself. I feel less bloated and my thighs are thinner. More importantly I just feel much healthier and better within myself. Exercise is suddenly a part of my life now and it makes me feel great.
6. Laundry. Well maybe not laundry. But that recent sunny spell we had up here in Scotland saw us drying our washing outside for the first time this year. And that made me feel all kinds of summery. 
7. Ice lollies. Ava took full advantage of that brief sunny spell to talk me into many an ice-cream cone or Twister ice lolly. I adore watching how much pleasure she gets from those kind of treats. Seriously makes me want to be a kid again you know? But those little hands and that little mouth aren't that fast at keeping up with the melting sun and we keep finding ourselves in all kinds of mess. We've discovered that a tissue wrapped around a cone is the best tip a mama could ask for. That and a heap of wet wipes.
8. Maps. I have a thing for maps right now. If I am not sticking little red dots on all the places I have recently visited on my wall map then I am planning road trips using my whisky map of Scotland. And if I'm not doing that then I'm Googling Scottish islands and ferry ports and cheap little B&B's.
9. Conversations. With Ava. About everything and anything. Current favourites include her dramatic change of heart over her favourite colour (green is out and pink is in) and her thoughts on our new car (that it should have been pink). Go figure.
10. Fruit. I don't know if it's the time of year or the fact that I am burning more calories but I'm finding myself purchasing bags of grapes and boxes of berries with every weekly shop. And munching on juicy strawberries and delicious cherries in front of Masterchef most nights. I guess at least it's keeping me away from Ava's sweetie jar...