Being content

Seeking contentment is something I have always struggled with. I tend to get very excited for the next stage of life, which can mean I feel dissatisfied with what I have, where I live, where am I in my life. It's not that I don't find joy in my everyday being - I am very happy. But sometimes I look back on situations and think that I didn't appreciate how great it was at the time. For example, when I lived in Aberdeen I went to school 2 of my best friends -  we saw we each other every day, spending many hours of the day together, and rarely going a weekend without hanging out. I was so blessed to have met such amazing friends there, and I so appreciated it at the time - but only looking back did I realise how good I really had it.

There are 2 things that I've read recently that got me thinking about being content. 

Hannah Maggs (www.hannahmaggs.co.uk) - who writes a blog/makes youtube videos, is a new mum, and has recently started a business - has spoken about the concept of blackout. 'Project Blackout' is a challenge to switch off the internet for a set amount of time, regularly, and spend time doing things without feeling the need to be updating facebook, instagram, twitter etc. Myself, I feel that I have to re-learn how to relax and spend leisure time, as currently my automatic way to relax is my grabbing the laptop and a cup of tea (sometimes for unhealthly periods of time). Whilst the internet is an amazing way of connecting with people, exploring interests and learning; an unhealthly proportion of it can exacerbate discontentment, feelings of inadequacy and make it seem like everyone else is living a more perfect, successful life than you.

During the same week as thinking about blackout, in church we studied Psalm 73, which describes someone who feels frustrated and discontent with their life, away from God. They are envious of those who have money, health, and seem to have no worries. However, the psalmist realised that all he was envious of was temporary. I took this passage as an encouragement to continue to trust in God; to look to Him for contentment and happiness,  and not be consumed by desire for material things and to know things that pain, stress, are only temporary. 

So in summary, I want to balance both enjoying each day, without internet dominating my time, or feeling reliant on it to relax; and try to keep perspective that God has all the big (and little) things planned out for me, and that truely being content will come from knowing Him more.

Fi x

A little trip to Paris

This July we took a little trip to Paris. John had been a few years ago when travelling around Europe, but I hadn't been since I was a toodler squeezed into a cot in Disneyland Paris.

This trip was a treat to celebrate my birthday, graduation and our 3 year wedding anniversary. We stayed for 4 nights in a studio apartment in Montemarte that we found on airbnb (https://www.airbnb.co.uk/). I would really recommend that Montemarte area if you're planning a trip to Paris - it's more reasonably priced and still very easy to get into Central Paris via the Metro.

For this type of holiday - a 'city break' - 4 days was an ideal amount of time, as we didn't have to try and squeeze everything in too quickly, but managed to see most of the places we had wanted to (minus the Musée d'Orsay). For me, the highlights included the amazing cathedrals, Eiffel tower at night (cheesey but true) and the delicious food. Paris is just such a beautiful city to walk around and spend time in, I would love to visit again.

John & I decided to 'vlog' our trip - as a fun way to look back and to share with our friends & family.

Here are the videos documenting our trip.

Fi x

Liverpool favourites - Bold Street edition!

It's been a few months since I noted down a few of my favourite finds in Liverpool, since then I've found a few more stand out places - which all happen to be on Bold Street. John & I resolved at the start of the year to make sure we spend more quality time together, which has happily resulted in us trying more food/cafe places. So, here's round 2 of my favourite places to hang out/eat in Liverpool...

[The Italian Club]

I first visited this quaint Italian restaurant with a friend, which we stumbled upon when walking past. From the outside, it looked like it had a really nice atmosphere. The prices are so reasonable - we split a salad and a massive pizza and it only came to about £5 each! (This restaurant is listed on the Indepdendent's top 50 cheap eats.) The pizzas are totally amazing, the best I've had outside Italy without a doubt. Yum yum!

(The picture is from when I took John, who, being a boy, refused to share a pizza and therefore we had waay to much food! We did get it packaged up to take home though.)

There is also a sister seafood restaurant called The Italian Club Fish, which is also on Bond Street, and also amazing (albeit more expensive).

[Leaf]

Leaf is an independent teashop/cafe/bar. It's open 9am til midnight - and serves delicious food to suit any time you go. It also a venue for some small gigs, and other events you can pay for (such as the 'pudding club' - where pay something like £12 and get a 5 course meal consisting entirely of deserts - amazing). They do a lovely afternoon tea, which I treated my sister to for her birthday - I'd highly recommend it for a treat/special occasion. (You need to ring up and book at least 24 hours in advance for afternoon tea.) 
The best bits in my opinion: the large menu of teas, the rich chocolate brownies, and weekly (free) acoustic nights.

[Bakchich]

Bakchich specialises in Lebanese street food (if you've not had it before, think humous, yummy marinated, chargilled meat, baklawa...). But really, you just need to go there and try it - it's so delicious! Everything is really fresh, and there's great veggie options too.  I'm now completely converted to falafel after being totally against it (I blame the dodgy supermarket pre-packaged falafel wraps).

All this talk of food has made me hungry, so I'm off for a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits!

Fi x

Recipe book: blueberry muffins

Blueberry muffins are my favourite kind of muffin. This recipe, has developed through trying many other recipes. These, for me, are the ultimate blueberry muffins because  of the yummy "coffee shop" style crumbly topping.

Ingredients

For the muffins:

3 cups plain flour

1 1/2 cups caster sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

2/3 cup veg/sunflower oil

2 eggs (a very ripe mashed banana works well as an egg substitute)

2 cups blueberries (I use fresh, but tinned or frozen would work)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

For the topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup plain flour

50g butter (cubed)

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

Method

1. Make the cake batter...

Beat the eggs, then mix in the oil, sugar and lemon juice. Mix the baking powder and flour together (do this in your weighing bowl to save washing up) and add to the wet mixture. Carefully fold in the blueberries. It helps to lightly coat the blueberries in flour before mixing in, as it prevents the blueberries breaking up.

2. Make the topping...

Mix the dry ingredients, then rub in the butter. You can adjust the amount of cinnamon to your personal preference.

3. Assemble & bake...

Put the cake butter into muffin cases, and top with the topping. Bake in an 180°oven until ready (25-30 mins).

Enjoy with a cup of tea! 

Fi x

Quick beauty tips #2 - How to make your hair last longer between washes

Here we are with the second instalment of quick beauty tips! Washing your hair every day is "unhealthy" for your hair as it strips it of it's natural oils. Here's a couple of tips I found for how I actually shampoo and condition my hair to help prolong how long it will last between washes. 

Tip 1. When shampooing, place your shampoo on your scalp and concentrate on massaging it in there. Since the scalp is where your hair will become greasy fastest, it is the area that needs the deepest clean. You can then let the shampoo wash through the length of your hair as you rinse it out. This is will enough to wash the rest of your hair.

Tip 2. Before conditioning, squeeze the excess water out of the ends of your hair. This will make your conditioner more concentrated and help give your hair a deeper nourishment. (It will also mean you can use less product so you won't run out as fast!) Only apply conditioner to the ends of your hair as that hair is the oldest therefore most dry and damaged. I like to leave in my conditioner for a couple of minutes before rinsing to let all the goodness soak in to my hair. 

Hope you found these helpful!

Fi x

5 years.

Today is a very special day for me as it marks five years since John and I started dating. Even though we now have a wedding anniversary to celebrate, this date will always hold a special place in my heart. Let's take a little trip down memory lane...

[2009]

Our first couple selfie! We took this after walking up the Law, which is the big hill in the middle of Dundee, to watch the sunrise (aw, how romantic). It was freezing but very fun.

[2010]

Our first anniversary trip to Broughty Ferry (just down the road from Dundee). We took a walk along the beach and enjoyed the sunshine.

[2011]

Taken the day after we got engaged (by my lovely sister). I was working in a chalet in the French Alps for the winter season (5 months) and John was in his final year at uni in Dundee. He came out to visit for a week with my family and asked me to marry him!

[2012]

This is from our first camping trip in the Peak District as husband and wife. It was so sunny and hot, living in England felt like a foreign country to me that summer!

[2013]

A sneaky kiss at a friends wedding.

[2014]

Ringing in the new year!

I can't quite believe it's been 5 years...! As cheesey as it sounds, my life really did change when I meet John. Before, I didn't really understand relationships and why people would want to spend so much time with their boyfriend. I remember a few weeks after John & I starting out going, I had a big long conversation with my sister about what love is, and how you know if you are in love. (She will probably remember it and laugh at me!) When we met, I was going to be a doctor live in Scotland and John was going to be become a scuba diving instructor in Mexico. Somehow God put us on the same path and brought us together. 

John brings out the best in me, always encourages me, looks after me and makes me laugh. I am so blessed to have had him as my best friend for 5 years!

                                                                            Fi x

Recipe book: tattie & leek soup

My mum makes the best soups. Not only are they totally delicious and healthy, but she has the talent of whipping them up so effortlessly that you don't even realise she was cooking until you have a steaming hot bowl of yumminess before you. Here is her recipe for tattie and leek soup (potato and leek) as requested by a friend. This is a great easy-to-make cheap lunch or dinner option. Enjoy!

Ingredients (to serve 4)

2 chicken stock pots/4 chicken drumsticks/bones from a roast chicken

4 medium leeks

4 medium potatoes

200ml milk

Salt, Pepper, and Bay leaves.

Method

Make the stock according to directions, or if using drumsticks/chicken bones boil just covered in water with salt and couple of bay leaves until the meat is falling off (approx. 45 mins). 

Note: if you use chicken bones that are quite fatty, you might need to clear some fat off the top of the stock. You can use kitchen roll to do this, or allow it cool & solidify so you can lift off the fat.

Slice the leeks and chop the potatoes into chunks (mum leaves the skin on). Add these to the stock and boil until the veg are soft (approx. 20 mins).

Use a potato masher to break up the potatoes so you get some lumps and also thickening of the soup. Add milk, salt & freshly ground pepper to taste.

Fi x