Monthly Round Up: August {2016}

So that thing I said last month about not leaving it till two weeks in before writing my monthly round up, yeah it didn't happen. I'm afraid a super, sunny break away in Portugal kinda got in the way and I'm not even a single bit sorry. {Well, maybe a little, but not by much}. With the return of GBBO (not even going to mention the recent devastating news we've received) & the team GB spirit, August was a pretty damn good month, with very few hiccups!

The Good
The good obviously has to be the fact I celebrated my birthday and went on holiday in the same month- what gets better than that? In the first week I received some wonderful gifts, saw Finding Dory and scoffed my way through more cake than the Bake Off tent produces. In the last week I was spending my days lying in the sun, swimming in the sea and getting through my mountain of books.

The Bad
I ended up having a pre-holiday MOT with a trip to both the dentist and doctors after convincing myself that everything was going wrong with my body. I deemed holiday-worthy though, and was reassured that my teeth, and head, and tummy is all okay and not failing me.

The Ugly
I dropped my phone down the toilet and it spent 48 hours in a bed of rice. Luckily, it survived. However, having no phone and temporary internet down time when your trying to work from home can send you into a panic when you start thinking of all the different scenarios that could happen when you have no contact to the outside world. {I can be a bit of a drama queen if you haven't already realised}

The Weird
I passed my probation at work which means I have now been there for over 7 months. That's over 200 days. Where has the time gone? I remember when back to my first week where I managed to get blisters on both my feet to the point they bled, my salad dressing leaked in my bag and I stepped into the deepest puddle in the world.

The Wonderful
My Mumma and sister came up for a flying visit, which gave me a chance to have some well-needed girly time. They also brought with them presents in the form of Disney DVDs and Jammie Dodger tubs. I also got to play host and provided them with chocolate, haribos and biscuits- Beth's Bread 'n' Breakfast will be starting soon.  

Here's to the start of an organised blogging schedule!

Monthly Round Up: July

 

Let's just pretend that we're only 7 days into the month and not 17 days as that would be more acceptable for this post to be going up. Since I've been counting down the days till I fly to Sunny Portugal (12 to be exact), this month has been flying by. If I'm honest I'm not 100% exactly what happened in July other than the fact that I cut my hair off and started filling my flat with sunflowers, but I'm going to give it a good go.

The Good
July was full of celebrations with some of my favourite people. We kick-started the month with a Christening that included a new favourite Zara jumpsuit, a bouncy castle and fairy cakes. We then rounded up the month with a 4-year anniversary trip to a drive-in cinema, equipped with an sharing individual bar of aero and portable radio. 

The Bad
Me and a few team mates (makes it sound like I'm a sports person) attended an industry event at the start of the month and with that came a pre-networking night. This usually would be fine if I was sipping something bubbly with an alcoholic content, but due to my dodgy stomach I'm currently staying clear of the headache-causing-stuff which just made me realise how socially awkward I can become. (For visual reference: I turn into Chandler.)

The Ugly
Mr Latty started his big boy job as a Physiotherapist but it's never simple in our lives. Obviously there were complications with documents which caused some restless nights and some short tempers- who knew proving where you live could be so difficult. (In case your wondering everything is running smoothly now)

The Weird
I spent the last day in July walking round with a marrow. Yep, a marrow. Turns our the allotments near us have a little bucket of surplus veg and with our current love for Mediterranean veg it would have been rude not to pick it up. Unfortunately, this was about 10 minutes into our walk and we were out for a good couple of hours.

The Wonderful 
We finally saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and it was totally, incredibly awesome. We're yet to read the screenplay but I can honestly saw you can't read that and not book yourself tickets. The acting, the choreography, the score is all just unbelievable. I'll say no more #keepthesecrets

Hopefully, next month's post will be a closer to the actual month than the next!

Monthly Round Up: June {2016}

I'm currently struggling to keep my eyes open whilst munching my way through my penultimate Easter Egg. Yes, it's only 9pm and I'm only twenty-one but I had a late night last night and this girl needs her rest. And yes I still have Easter Eggs left, I'm just savoring every last piece of them. The end of June/start of July has been far too manic with work and going home three weekends in a row. Whilst it's been lovely, I'm super excited to get some routine back in my life as of next week, with a hopeful return to regular blog posts, but for now have my well over-due June round-up!

The Good
We chased the sun, when it decided to appear, and spent many a day discovering some new places. One of these was a gem of  restaurant in the heart of the city where I had a yummy soup and the tastiest bread I have ever had, no word of a lie. The best/worst part of it was that it was homemade so I couldn't even go and buy out the bakery it could have come from. 

The Bad
Prepare for this one. As we were over said part of town (see previous point), we took a stroll round the corner to what was my favourite little gift shop, only to discover it has shut down. (insert heartbreak emoji x 100) I'm still in shock'/ feel as devastated as I did when I first walked round the corner.

The Ugly
Booking a holiday the same month that your car insurance is due probably wasn't the wisest of moves. Especially when you're other half no longer get's his student loans and doesn't start his job till the end of July. Here's to winning the lottery sometime soon!

The Weird

This month I purchased some shoes with pom poms on. Personally, I think they're great (obvs otherwise I wouldn't have bought them). However, the looks I've received after showing/explaining my new additions has said otherwise- AKA. Why on earth would you want shoes with pom poms on you weirdo. 

The Wonderful

I received a £25 Zara voucher for completing my social media course a few months back and it couldn't have come at a better time. Zara + summer sales = heaven, although my bank balance doesn't always agree. But with £25 to spend, it just gives me an excuse to spend more, doesn't it?

Monthly Round Up: May {2016}

It would seem that we're skipping summer and just heading straight into autumn, maybe the big guy in the sky has had enough of short shorts. Or maybe we're just being teased and temperatures are going to soar into the thirties, a girl can dream. This month has been a great one for holidays. I had no 5 day working-weeks in May, how I'm going to get through June I don't know. I did however finish another book and started a new TV series- I think the main reason I like it is because it has Jennifer Morrison aka. Emma Swan in it, although whenever she makes out with someone I instantly feel a pang of betrayal to Hook #CaptainSwan4ever

The Good
We joined the RHS at the start of the month and are loving life with our new, flash membership card. We're probably in the running for the award of 'Youngest RHS Members' but who doesn't love spending their weekends wandering round garden centres, drinking tea and eating scones.

The Bad
Once Upon A Time has finished for another season and I feel a little lost. *insert emoji with tear dripping from eye* I know it's 18 days until Pretty Little Liars is back, but that will introduce characters we've never heard of, start relationships that should never start and tell us who A is then introduce a new A.

The Ugly
Waking up on the Friday before your holiday feeling like you've downed a whole bottle of vodka is never fun. It ended up with me calling in sick, as I couldn't even sit up without the room spinning, and taking a trip to the doctors. 1 ECG and 1 pregnancy test later confirmed I have a healthy heart, I'm not pregnant and it was most likely the flu. Out of the three, the flu is probably the best result, however, no-one wants to be poorly on holiday.

The Weird
I've managed to keep my sunflower alive for nearly a whole month. As in I grew it in a little pot, and then moved it to a bigger pot and it's still growing. {I've marked the cane it's supported by, and I feel like a proud mummy seeing it soar past it!} This RHS stuff must be paying off.

The Wonderful
The back end of May, makes it sound like some kind of animal, was spent overseas, approximately 1,105 miles away. We hopped on a plane and flew over to Barcelona and had an absolutely fabulous time. You can read all about it here. And if you want any tips then you can check out my recommendations of where to go. Self-promo is great.

Until next time

Monthly Round Up: April {2016}

So when did May happen? This post was meant to go out last week, but it feels like I blinked and bam, hi May. Not that I'm really complaining as May has started off as a wonderful month, and with what I've got planned, it's going to be a banger. When I look back at April, my memories are clouded with the extra-ordinary weather we experienced last week, but there was also some great moments like nailing my sister's birthday present or having a grand day out with a fellow colleague.

The Good
Our Queenie has to get a mention here, doesn't she. I'm such patriotic bad ass, and I revelled in the nationwide celebrations, everyone loves singing Happy Birthday round a flaming beacon.

The Bad
5 week months are a recipe for disaster when it comes to a healthy bank balance. Whoever thought it was a good idea to pay you a week early was wrong, it is never a good idea.

The Ugly
My new, replacement converse aren't so feet friendly at this current moment in time. I know we've gotta build the bond to break down the hard heel wall, but seriously, a walk round York and I feel like I've climbed a mountain.

The Weird
We currently have two kids bikes stored in the corner of our bedroom, but there is a legitimate reason for this which isn't that I'm starting a second-hand bike shop as a secret side job, or is it...

The Wonderful
I headed out to see The Jungle Book on an evening and it was an evening extremely well spent. Am I now dreaming of quitting my job and flying out to explore the jungle, hell yeah.*

Here's to a magical May which includes a 5 day trip to Barcelona, have I mentioned how excited I am?

*In case my boss is reading this. I'm not actually quitting my job. Please don't fire me.

Monthly Round Up: March 2016

There are daffodils everywhere, lambs in the fields and the sun makes an occasional appearance, which can only mean we're now in Spring. I mean if you were judging March on weather alone, then the 4 degree temperatures mixed with downpours of rain would make you question that. But, the flowers and bundles of wool make up for it, and the weather can only get better, right? Lol, jk, don't kid yourself Beth, this is England we're talking about. However, putting British weather talk aside, I managed to have a pretty chilled out March. I can now put in and take out contact lenses*, I've spent hours on Pinterest saving the perfect iphone and desktop backgrounds and the kitchen is stocked up with ingredients for Spring related recipes- what a combination. There are also a few other highlights that are probably worth mentioning which include all things Easter and weather (obvs). 

The Good
Once Upon a Time and Daredevil returned to Netflix- what a month for TV series. Admittedly I'm a week behind Once Upon a Time, but that just means I get to watch two episodes back to back #winner

The Bad
My converse have come to the end of their life and it's a very sad time. They've been with me for years now and the idea of having to chuck them out, replace them and wear new ones in is killing me slightly. 

The Ugly
I organised an Easter egg hunt at work, and lets just say things got a little hairy. Some people take competition pretty damn seriously. I probably should have realised that from the Office Olympics I organised the week before in aid of Sports Relief- yes I'm stepping up my internal social organisation game. 

The Weird
That time it snowed enough to build a snowman at the start of the month. When you leave York with no snow and arrive in Leeds with a good few inches of snow it throws you off a little bit. Especially when you wear dolly shoes and have a 12 minute walk to get to work. 

The Wonderful
That wonderful long weekend where I got up too all sorts of fun activities with families and friends. It also meant we scored to short weeks at work, which is heaven to all us monday-fridayers. 

Monthly Round Up: February 2016

It's getting to that time of the month where I generically come out with something along the lines of 'oh my gosh, where did this month go?' We all do it, lets not pretend it's just me. As you're probably more than aware, February marked the start of a journey into work life and the good news is I'm still loving it. It also marked me booking my first sunny escape for this year, I tried my hand fins at swimming and baked my first successful round of office cakes. 

The Good
Being a bus anchor-with-a-double-u I have noticed the beginnings of spring creeping. There are lambs in the tummies of the ewe's opposite the office, daffodils line my walk into work, and lighter mornings and evenings make the standing around at a bus stop hoping that the bus turns up a little more bearable. 

The Bad
Day 4 at work. I made a poor footwear decision, got off the bus a stop early and my salad leaked in my bag. I turned up to work feeling very sorry for myself with very sore feet and a bag that smelt of mango dressing.  

The Ugly
I faced a painful battle against the office bug. (I won the battle with a bit of help from some tomato soup, my scarf/blanket and numerous cups of tea) 

The Weird
We still haven't quite beat the cold weather yet. This week I have seen snow, sunshine and rain in the space of two hours, mental.  

The Wonderful
Today = payday. I know work isn't meant to be about the money, but it is, it's nice to finally have some dollar in my bank account that I've earnt, and bring it back up to a healthy number again. I also have a holiday to Barcelona to pay off, but we won't think about that. 

February has shaped up to be a pretty damn good month with very little mishaps. We do still have a few days left including an extra-special day, so here's to hoping that I haven't just jinxed myself and the last few days will be just as good. 

Monthly Round Up: January 2016

The first month of 2016 is nearly over, how crazy is that! For many people January is a bit of a blue month with the back to work feeling after the jolly holidays, but for me it's been a whirlwind of a month. I saw the New Year in with some of my besties, started and finished many TV series and bagged myself one of those adult things called a job. I can definitely say that I'm ready for February to begin with a whole round of new beginnings, but for now lets look back at what January had to offer. 

The Good
Pretty Little Liars has returned! Should probably rename this as 'The Confusing' though, as every episode leaves me wondering what I just watched, with 9348 questions spinning round my mind. Nothing is ever simple in Rosewood.  

The Bad
Bills. That time of year where all companies think it's a great time to remind their people that they owe them money. Not up there with my top ten January moments I'm afraid. 

The Ugly
It has rained far too much for my liking. If it was snow then I wouldn't be complaining, but this wet weather can sod off, especially as I'm joining the commuting world, rain is not what I want to see at 7:30 in the morning. 

The Weird
I took up running, and stuck to it. It definitely gave me a boost of energy and left me feeling slightly less guilty about the four packs of mince pies I still had left to devour. As I'm no longer going to be able to go out in the day I'm going to swap my running shoes for my swimming costume as no-one wants to run in the dark. {Fear not, when the evenings get lighter, I will resume}. 

The Wonderful
I am an employed human being, in case you didn't already realise. My new job status has meant I have been out buying office-appropriate clothes and getting inspo for my desk- my fellow course friends have been super helpful.   

So there we have it. Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood have returned to our screens for a short while and I'm sipping away on a dreamy hot chocolate. Time to go and watch some more Dickensian, we started the series late, and snuggle under a blanket. See you next month for the second round up of twenty-sixteen. 

December 2015: The Monthly Round Up

So in less than 24 hours it will be 2016, how crazy is that. And to put into perspective how fast this month has gone, Christmas Eve was a week ago today. 7 days has passed. I'll just let that sink in a little. What have you done in that time you're probably asking yourself. If you're like me then eaten too many chocolates, spent days opening the fridge to cold meats and party food which didn't seem to be disappearing, and woke up each morning wondering what day it was or even what date it was. I have loved this month, even the bad parts, but I have to say I'm looking forward to a fresh year with hopefully some new beginnings and a little more luck. 

The Good
I always find that December is the month that no matter what you make time for your family and friends and I have spent the majority of my month doing so. December is such a special month and makes you appreciate those you have surrounding you. 

The Bad
Coming down with a horrendous cold four days before Christmas what not what I had envisioned. But that huge supply of Christmas tissues I received  from Jason's mum (an annual tradition) has been put to good use. Just call me Beth the green-bogeyed-snot-monster. TMI?

The Ugly
Waking up on one of those in-between-Christmas-and-New-Year-days to see that York has been flooded. Luckily we're on the top floor so if the water reached us then we'd have a bit of a problem on our hands, but it still left us worrying that we had no electricity and my chocolate ice-cream would have melted, priorities. {In case you were wondering we have electricity and the chocolate ice-cream is safe!}

The Weird
Daffodils in December. You heard me. Morrison's are selling bunches of daffodils, and tulips for that matter, in December! Madness! I very nearly bought some until I reminded myself that spring isn't for another three months yet. 

The Wonderful
You can probably guess this one, and it only really needs a one word answer, Christmas. I will say no more. 

Another month, another year. December is definitely my favourite of them all but it's time to dust away the cobwebs and prepare for January. In other words, get moving Beth as you have guests arriving very soon to celebrate New Years and you're still in your pjs. Until 2016 sailors!

  

Monthly Round Up: November

Happy December 1st! It's finally acceptable to have chocolate before 7am and play Christmas songs with the volume on max! I can't wait to fully indulge into everything Christmassy but first it's time to reflect. As Tim and Ann once taught me, reflection lets you track your journey in life and fall asleep whilst looking after a stone. November was a strange month, a bit like a roller-coaster with many ups and downs, and twists and turns and loop-de-loops. I can't say it's one I would like to re-live, but there were many good parts to even out the bad parts. 

The Good
Winter is finally upon us. A bit of a strange sentence coming from someone who is always cold but I enjoy winter this side of Christmas. It adds that bit of magic to the festive build up. Once January hits it can do one, but for now I'm enjoying layering up under woolly jumpers and big scarves. Not to mention the huge Christmas market that is covering the city!

The Bad
I've only managed to do a small amount of my Christmas shopping so far. I've never been so unorganized. Part of this catastrophe is due to the small amount of money I have sitting in my bank with December rent just round the corner *cries* but the other half is due to having no idea what to get those really awkward family members who have everything already. 

The Ugly
Resident hamster, Bramble unfortunately passed away at the start of this month. She was found sleeping next to her food bowl, girl had priorities in life. On the upside, we do now have a new addition to the family. Willow- Webb hamster #5. 

The Weird
I suppose the weird thing about this month was how much bad luck two people can have in the space of two weeks. Car breaking down, stepping in dog poo three different times in the space of two days (Jason, not me), delayed trains, no hot water/heating, the list goes on. We musta done something awful in a previous life.

The Wonderful
I finally graduated and was reunited with all my chums. Storm Barney may have been trying to triumph the day but we trooped on, windswept and wet, and it was a lovely day. Not to mention followed by a weekend back down South too! 

So there we have it, the many highlights of November, now onto the best month of the year, December! Hope you enjoyed this post, I'm off to dance around my flat to Christmas songs whilst I attempt to think up ideas for the nearest and dearest!

  

Monthly Round Up: October

The clocks went back last weekend which means colder nights and more reason to spend them curled up on a sofa. October has been a great month, I love the seasonal feeling it brings along with the change in colour of leaves, the reason to dig out big scarfs and woolly jumpers, and swapping of flats to boots. We spent the most of our October exploring the new surroundings, sprucing up the flat and getting into the swing of adult life, I seem to have a never ending pile of ironing to do. It's been a super month, and I can't wait for what November brings. 

The Good Great
October has brought us some great TV. We had the Great British Bake Off Final, go Nadiya, Dr. Foster, the return of Googlebox, Dr. Who and of course DIY:SOS. I've also been introduced to Sherlock, I know, I can't believe I haven't watched it before either, and I am hooked. So that teaser that we were treated to recently has got me super excited. 

The Bad
I have spent many a days with a snotty nose or a splitting headache leaving me feeling down in the dumps. 

The Ugly
We killed Frank. Well Jason killed Frank. Don't worry, Frank is a plant, not a person, however our parenting skills weren't top notch. 
  
The Weird
Blue mash, and the strange thing is it doesn't taste any different to 'normal' mash. These salad blue potatoes are super eye-catching, and something you can surprise guests with!  

The Wonderful
Pumpkins. Pumpkin everything is the most wonderful thing about October. The nights are darker and colder, but as long as you have a pumpkin candle glowing in the corner you can feel super cosy. 

Hope you all had a lovely October.  

Monthly Round Up: September

I feel like I say this at the end of every month but where has September gone? So much has happened in the past 29 days that it's made time pass even faster, I mean at the start of the month I was blogging from a little town in Bedfordshire, now I'm blogging from the big old city of York. Upon this reflection I have decided to start a new monthly series of looking back over the past month, the good, the bad, the ugly, the weird and the wonderful. It'll be a nice way for me to look over my favourite parts and see what I've learnt from the previous 30/31 (or 28) days. Don't worry, it's not going to be an extremely pessimistic post! 

The Good
September has been filled with many precious family moments. Moving away from home makes you realise how important those people you grew up with really are to you, and any time spent with them is a moment to treasure. 

The Bad
I suppose getting locked out of our flat after 15 minutes of arrival wasn't the best part of the month. Or breaking a photo frame. Or Dudley failing his MOT. {We haven't killed each other yet though}

The Ugly
Bills, bills and more bills. You'd think I'd be used to receiving bills in the post after being at Uni for three years, but opening that envelope and seeing a large amount of money at the top never fills me with joy, unless it's a pay slip.  

The Weird
I went to a pub golf filled with physios that required me to do odd things such as lie on the floor, get off the ground when the sharks attacked and to be piggy backed on three whistle toots.

The Wonderful
September has been filled with lots of yummy hot chocolates, good food and gorgeous smelling candles. (I gave in again and have a campfire marshmallow one burning right now, my living room is smelling divine. I also have a cinnamon hot chocolate in my hand too!)

A month of changes and new surroundings, it's very cold in York but I'm enjoying every minute and can't wait for October to bring the crispy leaves and pumpkins in the fields.