Getting The Most Out Of Your Evenings

There was a time where I would be a night owl. I would be on my laptop whilst my son was in bed, but would feel super sleepy the next day. So now I make sure I wind down and read, have a couple of cups of tea and then watch some TV on my phone and then get to sleep.

The Thai Green Curry I made from scratch

It is good to plan what I'd like to watch. Last night it was watching the football. Women's Euro 2025 or last week it was watching Live AID concert as I never saw it as a kid as my dad didn't want to watch it and was around the time we, my brother and I, didn't have a TV in our rooms and so wanted to watch the concert and the documentary that was on iPlayer.

I am really liking to exercise in bed. I do leg raises. I like to do my skincare. I use E45 for feet as advised by my diabetic nurse advised, Nivea for my face and Care brand from Avon on my hands. 

I am enjoying my showers of the evening at the moment. It is good after my son and I have been out walking and just helps to prepare of a good sleep ready for the next day. 

We tend to eat between 16:40 to 17:00 and my husband comes home from work that time and really got my buzz for cooking again and made some really lovely meals. I made Thai Green Curry, Homemade Pasta Sauce, BBQ Chicken, Stir-fry's and Roast Dinners. 

My son likes to play out in the garden. In the summer time whilst it is lighter for longer. I like to sit out there to read with a cup of tea or when the tennis was on a Pimm's and Lemonade and enjoy the summer days and cooler outside. 

We tend to do our laundry in the evening and thankfully it taken care of by my husband. When it Wimbledon it is in the morning, but all depends on if we have gone out and the weather. 

I am not one to go out in the evening unless it is to see a show or a concert, if we go out for something to eat but I don't go out drinking and I like a cozy evening indoors and very much a home body. 

So do you enjoy your evenings? Keeping it clean, how do you get the most out of your evenings? You can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

 

 

Having a Back Up Plan for those unplanned events

If something is not working or something has cropped up that needs your attention, then do it. I plan, plan and plan. It is good to have a back up plans if something has not worked out and is good to be flexible. 

When you planned to do a some shopping but you get a call from your child's school that they are sick then we have to assess and of course we have to put our children first, but always have back up plan, like back up idea for meals for the week. It is always, if you like them is have a tin of beans in the cupboard and you can freeze bread. We have pasta and a sauce which is good and easy. If suddenly the oven breaks you have tins of food, like I like Tin Curry's, soups and a block of cheese in the fridge. Milk, Eggs and crackers. Princes is always our choice when it comes to tinned produced and Heinz and no this post in not sponsored but these companies. if they did then I'd oblige. 

It is good to have games on hand, like a pack of cards, board games or DVD games. There are games you can download and use, if it you had planned to go out but the weather has changed. It is good to have days where you can all watch a film together and have a cold foods to hand, like club sandwiches, with pieces of fruit and I love carrot sticks, sliced pepper and tried gluten free tortilla style chips (crisps) and sliced pitta breads. You can get brown or white pittas or wraps. 

This can be a back up if you planned a BBQ but is raining. Living in the UK you never know at times and food that you can freeze if your fridge goes example, goes faulty. 

It is good to have blankets and thick duvets if the heating stops working and mobile fans for when it is very hot, but you have no air conditioning. If you have a cool box if your fridge breaks down to keep food cooled and buy bags of ice rather making ice cubes depending on where you live and how clean you tap water is. 

If you lose your Oyster card then make sure you have a cash your bank card stored on you, separately from it and can still travel. If there are issues with the train then check to see if you can get the bus instead or if your car has an issue if you can use public transport where your heading. See how much it can cost in a taxi. Use Black cabs as they are licensed.  

It is good to have some sort of back up to reduce worry, it may be more cost affective and that life is full of unpredictable events and you have a your phone on you fully charged if you are stuck somewhere, money to pay for a call or when my mobile stopped working whilst in the Science Museum the Customer Service desk let me use their phone to contact my mum who I was meeting. 

I hope these are good ideas and that you have a good half term. It i the last week of term and then it another set of school holidays.

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Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

When you have a lot of responsibilities

It really is a funny time of year as my motivation to get things done gets harder. I feel more tired and I know it is just my body adjusting to the season because of the change of daylight. Yet I have to get up making sure my bed is made, look after my son to help make sure he is ready for the day and getting few tasks done before my son's taxi arrives to take him to school. Then once he is at school pop out if I need to pick up any groceries or other items, work on my content and then be ready for when my son returns and tidy and clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Meal we like to have shops and vegetables and mash potato 

Having a lot of responsibilities comes stress, so I take my time and give myself less to do on each day and like I am clearing out my closet and just by doing a bit each day I can already see the room take shape and have more space so I can organise my clothes. The items that has been stored, my craft items in the closet, is to go in the shed we have in our back garden which is going to be where I will be doing my crafting. 

So I am focusing on what I can do still to work towards these plans and each morning I have been working on another book and finding secondary schools and means putting other things I want to do on hold and do what I can. 

I will wash up through out the day as I don't have a dishwasher so wash by hand and that we have all eaten and that my son has his schools clothes ready along with his clothes to change into when he comes home from school.

Divide the tasks, going through what is your main focus? This time of year I do a reset programme, called, Autumn reset to get certain tasks complete to prep before the festive season and focus Christmas and holidays leading up to it and do this reset from September to October. Check out my blog Everyone can be build a castle. 

Divide your year up into quarters. we are now in the last quarter for 2024 and I use Notion to plan, google calendar and notebook. 

To plan meals I use a planner and put this up on the kitchen wall and when it comes to shopping go through what is to be used in a food cupboards and fridge, to check your essentials, like ours is bread, milk, tea bags and coffee, food, like cereal, fruit and what we drink all of the time and plenty to make a meal out of. 

So spend sometime just going through what is the first thing you want to do and put on some good tunes, audiobook or a podcast and lets spend time getting our lives together. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie  X 

  

Organising for the summer holidays and half term

It is half term, well almost, and so organizing for half term can bee hard. I have been there with my son, travelled to London thinking it will stay warm and dry, with my son and got drenched, due to the heavens opening up. 

Local park where I like to walk through in Epsom

Also it's money and I am on a tight budget, so I go through ahead of time of booking my son to go to a holiday club he likes to go to, in the holidays and is a company called Youngstars: https://www.young-stars.co.uk/holiday-camps/

If not that then I look at what is available locally and living in London and Surrey they will often in certain areas have a funfair near by. It can be expensive, so I take in consideration of what is cost effective and right age of your kids, as often theme parks and funfairs have restrictions on some of the rides. 

I like to take Henry by train to different places and have a list of the places he wants to visit and check for deals on travel and what is there at the place we visit and how long it will take us to get there.  

Then it is the challenges, If there is going to be industrial action that will affect travel and have a plan B and good way to set up games that they haven't played yet, as my son has lots and check what films are on that the whole family can watch. 

At the weekend it is the FA Cup final and a great time to get out the dips and snacks or hot dogs, burgers and to have friends round who have or don't have kids, but a great event to organize a get together. To those that like football that is, and this weekend we are going to my brothers rugby club and if its not rainy play out on the large pitches it has. 

Then Monday plan to stay local but it is good to not have a plan as such but ideas. I will be seeing family in the week and so Monday perhaps is weather is good, to have a picnic and my son can go around the local parks on his scooter and when he is at the holiday club and sunny want to sit in a park and read, do some writing with a nice cold coffee and pastry. 

So you can still have time to yourself and delegate, if you can and so you not on your own trying to entertain your kids. 

Have a good weekend and have a super if possible, half term.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Do we consume too much?

I feel we do. As I write this blog I am thinking about a mug I saw in TKMaxx that I want to buy and soon we will going to ASDA's to pick up a few bits and thinking about buying an item of clothing and ordering a top from Amazon. 

If you not checked out my Youtube channel, then check this one out:

It is time to cut down, and I will be doing No spend January, and that means using my money on the essentials, such as food, bits for my son for when he returns to school. So, going to go through what I already have and use up and checking that his school clothes still fit him, because he is growing so fast, but no spending on items that I don't need, and can wait.

When it gets to this side of Christmas I get sick of spending, and so doing No Spend January helps me to do that, and save.

The problem with me is that I get bored, and the only thing that fixes that is buying something, but then I am spending money for the sake of it, I feel I have wasted it, and could have been saved for more important items. 

So going to change up my wardrobe of what has been worn and what I have not. Shop my wardrobe basically, and packing for when I am in Epsom, and wear what I have already got. I am so glad we had a quiet Christmas, and didn't over do it. 

Before the new years though I will be buying a jar of coffee, as I am running out in Epsom, and some face wash. So a few bits I need to get, but enough of what I need, and will get me through the month. Not meaning that after January I can go on a shopping spree, in fact it will be the opposite, and doing No spend days. 

I am going to challenge myself to make sure that before I buy anything that I already have and run out. This means my toiletries, clothes, food and buy less snacks, and go snack free. 

There will be temptations, but make sure I have a break between meals, and that I eat food that properly fills me up. 

So, going to keep going through of what I have got and save. I am going to pay of my credit card, and save so we can have a holiday this year, and a proper one. 

Why not join me in use up what we got and consume less.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Ten things to Organize on a regular basis if not each day or week

So soon we will be entering into a new year and means that we have to take down our Chrisstmas decor and get ready to get our homes back to normal and organized. 

I went through my presents that Santa got for me to give to family and my Christmas Ornaments were smashed, and so will need to make sure that I can replace these in a different place before the next Christmas. 

My desk in Wimbled when it has been cleaned and tidied on a regular basis

So, here are 10 things to organize on regular basis if not each day or week:

1. Clothes. I travel a lot because I live in Wimbledon but spend a lot of time in Epsom too, and because of the trains and buses issues, been staying in both places and so living out of a bag. So I go through clothes not worn, and so before I buy anything else make sure I wear what I have already got. Check my Youtube channels My way of living, where I have talked about using up what you already got: https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602

2. Toiletries. I have plenty of shower gels, toothpaste and skincare, that I don't need anymore and organize them so what I have, gets used, and don't get forgotten about and store them to see what I have got and bought a new toiletry bag to store make up and toiletries to carry around with me when I travel, and keep them altogether so I don't forget them.

3. Stationary. I love a notebook and did a video about how I can live in Notebook a few years ago: https://youtu.be/f6YVEziXlA4 and so for my Autumn Reset sorted out my notebooks and kept what I wanted out of them, and put them into a folder, and so make sure I use once again what I have, and still buy plain notebooks, to help write notes as I do have a Filofax but it can be quite heavy to carry around. So I will make sure I have plenty of pens, a ruler and scissors and file cards and post its. 

4. Presents. Yes, after Christmas where should your presents go? I find they can add to clutter but have them in a room that you can display them, and an area they can take them off, like low shelf, and if it is money or a gift card, put it on a board where you will see it and remember to use it. If it is bedding then it is time to strip the beds and wash their existing sets and if it for children have them help you, depending on age. and word: If they are still toilet training, I would wait, and explain that they can go on the bed, but they have got to keep the bed dry.

5. Books. I love books and would live in a house of books, along with notepads, because I love to read and so I have some on a book shelf and then in a storage container, and not bought anymore until they have been read. and I have used Library but find it hard to renew them, and so visit Charity shops and books shops, but make sure I go through them and are stored in a place that they won't get super dusty.

 6. Money. I make sure each week to go through my finances and check my account everyday and use my filofaxt to help stay on track and a spreadsheet on Excel and budget, along with doing spending plans and budget on different areas where my money goes on a regular basis. 

7. Bags. I decluttered my bags and wanted to have minimal amount. I use a handbag, but will go through my bags, to clean them and keep tabs of what is in them and that they are easy to carry, but trying not to overload them, but can carry multiple items. 

8. Food. I make sure I check the fridge and cupboards to see what needs to be replemished, and I don't have to buy so much food, just bits to add or if we need bread or milk. I like to go through what needs to be cooked food and make sure it all gets used, and trying to eliminate wasting food. 

9. Equipment. Take things not used off the work tops and have a cupboard just for them, that you can easily lift out and put back in. Clean out your toasters, as they can build up crumbs inside. I put my laptop away on the table I use as a desk, ready for when we have dinner and then can bring back to the place on the table, to continue using laptop. I no longer have my phone near my bed and that has made a real difference in getting a good nights sleep. 

10. Draws. Yes they can get clogged up, and the main ones for me is, cutlery draws, trays, fridge draws and odds and sods. So junk draw. I have a hack, and that is to put tin foil in the draw, if you don't have any draw inserts as this can really reduce the time to clean them. If you have craft paper, you can use this too. 

Please put in the comments of the things to organize on a regular basis. 

We can have a lot of clutter so having a sort out can make a huge difference, with our minds and that everything has a home. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

 

Getting through the festive season

Yes the Christmas season is upon us and many have already decorated and then their is dinner. I usually go to someones home or stay in and have a dinner at home, and this year we may be going away. 

When I say getting through, I am not meaning that I don't enjoy it and I am looking forward to it, but with people having to go to foodbanks it can be really effect how we feel about it, and that there will be families not having a Christmas dinner.

My first Winter Cider for Christmas 2023

So when you go to the supermarket and you have a local foodbank to donate to, then why not donate an item of food, and some supermarkets are working with charities like Tesco, has done where you can donate part of your shopping bill, and it is only pence, but it doesn't have to be a lot, a little bit still goes a long way.

I use this time to visit Charity shops for gifts and decor. They do a lot of Christmas Ornaments and I like these types of decor as they can passed down to the next generation of family and buying someone new decor for Christmas is a lovely gift, and a keepsake for other Christmases to come.

I did a video on my Youtube Channel My way of living about not Worrying over Christmas and just enjoy seeing family and friends, and it is not about how much you spend, but you being there and catching up and have everyone contribute: https://youtu.be/9agww2YOWIU 

To save time on getting things done do some prepping of wrapping gifts and you can donate toys too in many supermarket, this time of yer, and do it when it is time for yourself with a movie on or Christmas music and getting food bits done. Like chopping up vegetables and meats that you are going to have in the freezer and just make sure they defrost before cooking. 

Have a station in your home of all the decor if not put up yet, and a good way of having a clear out, before buying some new decor. 

If you know someone who is going to be on their own, why not invite them to join you for Christmas dinner or if not able to, make one to take one over to them, and have a drink with them too, as I hate the thought of people on their own, with noone to see and talk too. 

I want to do something for others at Christmas, and so going to plan and think of ideas, and please give me your ideas and what you do during Christmas. You can leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Managing my money

 It has been a real up and down when it comes to me and money and would try to avoid looking at it and so now I check my bank account everyday and write down everything that has gone in and what has come out and got this tip watching a guy name Grant Cardone and if you don't know who he is, then "Hello where have you been?" the man is a billionaire and everyday he still checks his bank accounts, and I don't use any special system, I use a spreadsheet on Excel and a notepad. 

Check out this video I did for my channel My Way Of Living: https://youtu.be/PcJCQ2LrypA

When I was a kid I would hide money and forget about it. My mum got worried about it so cleared and looked for it and I had over a £100 and this was in the 80's as a kid and I was a super saver and then when I first went to America, I began to spend a lot of the money I had and then when I began working I would be out a lot, I began to follow a rugby team every week and stay over at my friends places and buy a kebab or a Chinese and before I knew it my Money went it became a love hate relationship. 

I became reckless and it has taken a lot of heartache to now have money again. Chasing every penny can cause stress and so now I make sure I manage it and this year by being more vigilant, have paid off one debt and that was a amazon credit card and now paying my other credit card. 

Being debt isn't fun, and feels like it is hanging in the air for it to drop and hit you in the face to realise I need to take charge now and still buy the things I want but in moderation and make sure I get rid of items that no longer I felt had a place in my life  and items that do.

I check and go through my budget and money spent each week and make sure I save as much as I can and pay money into my son's account and cut down on spending on clothes and toiletries because I have enough and there are some items I want to buy in terms of clothing and get ridding of items that have gotten too big and worn, and I buy second hand like books and clothing. The stop I wore today was a second hand and finding items that will last and not get worn straight away and make sensible choices. 

Before I fell pregnant I was made redundant and did get redundancy, tried to get a job but my tummy was growing and survived on Maternity and then in back in 2014 I decided I wanted to go back to working and did a bit of work in a Tescos, which I didn't like the managers of it weren't very nice and then got a weekend job which worked better and was on low wage and so used my credit card and it s dangerous cycle to be in, and so now I never want another credit card, and save for the dreams I have as I want to take Henry on a proper holidays and half term was tight but we did manage to do a lot that was free and went to the seaside at the weekend, and not want more time away and near a swimming pool and I no longer want money worries and going to continue to build my blogs, youtube channels and continue to self publish on Amazon, and I am not doing those for the money but because I enjoy it and now want to work outside too, to help with the goals I have and plans. 

You can't let money control you, but you be in control with money and not have a constant fight with it, and build my wealth and invest in my sons dreams too.

Lets do this together and lets build our lives to get our life on track and stop the fears we have financially and I want to give money to charity each month, and invest in doing fundraising walks and runs again as I want to use my money to make a difference too.

So gonna leave this blog here, and let me know what your one financial goals do have and if you have tips too, leave them below in the comments. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Challenge for March 2022/Decluttering month

Hello and welcome to my blog Organize for the better. I hope you are ready for this blog. If you haven't read this blog before, so it is all about organizing if you didn't know, and this blog is to introduce my challenge for March 2023. My last months challenges were, January 2023 No Spend and February Finding good deals. Check out my other blog I wrote on these challenges, https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com  and my Youtube channel where I filmed videos for these challenges: https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal

So the have started to plan where I will be decluttering, and will be filming and will going to begin this week. Last week I was doing a course and still got a bit of content to film for my last monthly challenge so they are going to overlap, but it is to encourage you to do the same, to see the different areas in your life and where changes need to be made and create new habits. I want to be more minimal. 

This is what these challenges made me realise. I need to wake to the fact that clutter is clutter and does disrupt my wellbeing, and so want to change my desk and think of storage options I have, and what clothes I can get rid off, and is my sons and my clothes that I am referring to.

I like having a functional space, and need to go through my notebook I have got too and have them more organized and thinking about down sizing my make up a bit more, as I don't wear it all of the time, and so I will be doing some more shop with me's to find some different storage ideas, and will be looking at Pinterest for ideas.

Check out my pins that I have put together for this blog: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/organizing-4-the-better/

So lets get decluttering. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

  

Get ready for a new year

Planning my content

I will be getting my content planned more for 2022 and organize when I will be writing my blogs and set up my projects better and it is good to make changes when something isn't working anymore or needs to be better.

I love the fact that anyone in the world are reading my content and watching my Youtube video.

 

Setting out my goals 

When it comes to setting my goals I do this quarterly and use this time of the year to start thinking about them and one is to do some fundraising events again, and want to get back into running again and find a new fitness plan that I can stick too. I can imagine that there are others who want to do the same, and it to be suitable for your life. 

I am guilty of comparing and not feeling good enough and has been a progression to look at myself in a positive light and that everyone is different and that is okay.  

Reflecting 

I like to reflect on each year and how I felt it went and what will I do differently for the next year and what I loved and enjoyed. It should be based on the different things in my life and how I can improve in many different areas of my life. 

Completing tasks

I like to go through tasks not completed and needs to be finished. I do plan on doing another reset to get things completed and sort many of areas of my life out some more and what I want to do next. 

For me this is important and map out my goals personal and work, and then play. I would like to go to more shows and visiting the theatre and take my son to more rugby matches, as he loves seeing the London Broncos who are are a rugby league club that I have followed for many years, and would like to go on a proper holiday. 

There are still many things I would like to have in my life and that is having more books written and grow my blogs even more and do more to reach out and make a difference. 

I want to meet more people and miss going out with friends and having a few drinks. 

If you want to check out my Pinterest then you can, and have started creating pins for my Life coaching programme I have done for the last two years, the 2023 Project and so check out it out: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/life-coaching2023-project/

There will be further printables created for 2023 and let you know once these have been done. 

I still want to focus on this year as it isn't ended yet and got tasks to complete before then like my book and doing another free course. 

So what are your plans and what are you going to do for the new year? You can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Doing a total reset/Get my life together 2022

This week I am going to be doing a total reset on Friday and sorting my stuff out and get rid of items I don't need and will be thinking about the environment as I do so, by any items in good condition I no longer want will be donated and don't end up on landfill. 

I did a Autumn reset and if you'd like to see the content I wrote about this then you can by visiting my Youtube channel, Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes and on my blogsite: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com

Autumn and winter are my months that I like to declutter and organize my life, having a tea or coffee and listen to some music and focus on one area at a time. I will be filming this and so will be up on my channel next week if I can. This time of year is busy for me with birthdays and events at my sons school it hard to keep up at times. However it will go up and want to decorate for Christmas. 

I have shoes I haven't worn, and so going to find these and make choice on what I really think about if they will be worn, same with clothes and also with paper, and then it is my windowsill and just having good make over and get my life together.  

That is something I feel I want to put together and make into a Reset Programme, and so I will speak more of this when I plan this and a good idea for he beginning of 2023.

I like getting my life together and making changes, and planning as we end 2022 to do more to reach you my audience and help you to get your life together too and inspire you. 

My desk also needs to be cleaned and organized again, I do neglect it and need clean my keyboard and laptop so see when this can be done and see if I can get this done on Friday. 

So what is your plans to organize and do you do this time of year? I'd like to know you can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Managing life through half term

It is half term and currently my son is at a kids club and I have been doing a mental health course and trying to get it done before next week as my son gets two weeks and in the process of complete a book I am writing, which I did publish but still wasn't fully happy so been editing again, and so it has been a busy week so far. 

Pictures from kidstart.co.uk

I am sure I can get it done it just means rescheduling and using my evenings on some days and what ever free time I have to get it done. 

With half term I want to design a plan for next week, as my son gets two weeks, and so we will be exploring and going to make sure my camera is fully charged and film a youtube day in a life through it and I do have some videos to go up, and so going to see if I can get these up, and then I want to good some gift guides and I haven't had a look at any gift sets this year. 

This I have to schedule and that is one tip I'd give is have a schedule in mind, even if it is written on a piece of tissue or a napkin, just set it out and Groupon and Voucher.com are good places t look for ideas deals on days out and experiences. 

The other ideas are why not create things indoors, like me and my son play this game where I hide an object and he has to go and find it. He has loved this game from toddler age and still a favourite. I am going to take Henry using my Oyster card and you can get deals on travel, you can find this on rail enquiries and go on a bus late a night and walk around so he can see the Christmas lights in London and I loved doing this when I was a young child. 

It is not about spending a lot of money but having fun and something they may like to do when your children have children, and continue to be passed down to create some wonderful memories that you and your kids can talk about in years to come. 

So, I will say I hope you have had a good week with the kids off and will be writing more blogs as we get nearer to, dare I say it, Christmas. Yes it is soon. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Typical London Gal

Getting ready for the new school year 2022

Yes the schools are open and it feels strange after 6 weeks holiday as you get used to the routine of the summer holidays, only for it to change again. I don't mind though it means I can take time in the mornings again and spend time with my son each day and today me and Henry are going to make a cake. 

It is good to spend this time to do homely things and sort stuff out. At the moment I am doing a Autumn Reset, which I have created to do a sort of, of areas that need to be sorted out, preparing for the new season and used to call it a Autumn Clear up, but it is the same. It is going through my laptop, my room and closet to get stuff ready for the colder months and be get rid of items I that no longer adds value to my life, and I enjoy doing this, it means starting a fresh. 

I would like to get a autumn mug, but want to save more and get ready as this is the birthday season for me. My mums, my brothers, Henry, sister in law and step dad, so its time to budget and then Christmas yes, sorry I had to mention it, and I know neither am I fully ready and the fear of it, is rising. 

It means making sure Henry has enough uniform and ordered some new tops for when he does P.E, but they haven't arrived yet and so got that to worry about and could do without but remember, no use worrying as it doesn't fix it, it just adds salt to the wounds and I have chased it up, so I hope they turn up and if not will be emailing until they reply and it gets sorted out. 

Getting to grips with what my son will be learning this year and I thought this was tomorrow but it isn't and will be next week. I am looking forward to hearing about what he will be learning this year and do some fun educational games ourselves and going to make some sheets for him and go through other means of him learning and getting to grips with his education to improve his ability even more. 

Keeping track is important so I know what areas he needs to build on and be on the same page as my sons school and work together. 

It means making sure I get to Epsom on time waiting for him to return from school and helps to get things done whilst travelling and so going to use the time wisely and help me help him. So it means reading a book, going through my emails and listening to music, and so having quiet time ready for when he arrives as he likes to play as soon as he gets in.

I want to continue to help Henry learning about the seasons again and the months of the year and so going to set a plan for him and me and will share on my Parenting blog The parenting adventures tips and tricks. 

So lets get to it, school has returned and got to get bits done before I have to travel to wait for him to come home. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Organizing post Easter Holidays

I feel I need to write this because I think with everything going on in Ukraine the world, I want normality and to continue on, but it is hard. I feel guilty that I am able to have normality when there are people fleeing for their life because of war. 

I do watch the news now, I would avoid it but it has a funny way that keeps you captured and that is why I acknowledge it. I want a happier world and have peace like most of us want, and everyone is able to get on with their lives. 

In this blog I am talking about organizing post Easter Holidays, as you may have kids with a lot of Easter Eggs, and the one I bought for my son, I am going to give it to him tomorrow or Saturday, as if you have eggs for family, but you weren't able to see them, arrange a day nearby that you can still have Easter shared with them. 

Have a Easter Egg shelf that can be clearly seen and not forgotten and allow them time in the day to have some of them, but not eating all of them at once. It doesn't have to be all about the eggs, receiving a scented candle to light to celebrate Easter the son of god if you believe in it. My mum put in sets of pretend kids glasses and have funny hats included and masks, with Easter theme, like a bunny, or a hen. 

Recycle the packaging the Easter eggs came in and use a large box to store them in and if you have kids set chores for them to do, to earn their eggs and eat them. 

Put names on each of the boxes and eggs, so you know who is who's and saves any arguments trying to workout who's who. 

Use uneaten chocolate eggs into to a dessert or a cake, like rice cakes. I love these and if I see these in a coffee shop always invest with a coffee and is something I have loved since I was a kid. Make a chocolate pie and or cupcakes with mini eggs on top, and then nothing goes to waste. 

Make it an occasion, like a movie night and they had have piece of their Easter Eggs as a treat rather than popcorn and after dinner time, I have a rule that I am not allowed any chocolate until after lunch and in the morning unless I have treated myself with a pastry. 

Dedicate a scrapbook for the special holidays within the year and good to look back on previous Easter Holidays or a collage that you can put up on a the wall to store those family fun memories. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

   

 

Picking 4 things to do each day

Hello and welcome to a new blog I have been taking a break but now am back and spend time to update my blogs on this site, as since I first wrote this blog so much has changed. I have been working on other tasks and another year has gone and now it is 2024, and Christmas is over, I had to write fewer blogs but now we are back, my son is back at school, I now have enough time to write more and start getting back working on my blogs.

Since my last blog I have been listening to videos by a fabulous woman, Mel Robbins and she writes four things she wants to do each day and I have been trying this myself and has been successful. 

I do this everyday and not allow things to get too much now, and listening to Atomic habits, started doing 2 minute habits, like reading, writing and tidying. 

This doesn't have to be done using any fab software or computer programme I write mine down in a notebook and software already installed free on my laptop, OneNote and so, give yourself 4 things you want to do each day. Wanting is important and not about what I must get done as these words even writing them doesn't inspire me, but having items I want to do has helped make sure I completed those four things. 

It can be anything, mine today was to:

• Catch up on Youtube 
• Work on my books 
• Pick up kitchen towels 
• Edit a vlog I have filmed

So get organized and remember it is about quantity and breaking up tasks to do each day is #bettereasyliving 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Lots to do and such little time

So this evening I was planning to write some Christmas cards as Henry received some for school and then realise I won't be able to give one back as I will be there doing the drop off and is my sons last day of term to then finish for the Christmas holidays. 

WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS I CAN NEVER CATCH UP ON TIME!

I have tried different ways like planning from January to December and see that I do still do this in some way but I get the presents but forget the cards. WHAT AM I LIKE? Am I looking for an answer if you have an idea. 

Should I write my Christmas cards in January? Or should do a real plan where I count the days.

In me doing that I know this will stress me out, and so yes I bought Christmas cards tonight and realised shoot, it's too late, but in saying that there are always the neighbours where I used to live and where my son lives when not with me, so won't be a complete waste of money. 

Thankfully I don't have to cook the food for Christmas and that is a Godsend, and so really I don't have an excuse, I JUST CAN'T A CHRISTMAS CARD IF IT BIT ME IN THE BOTTOM.

Should this be something I need to address to the world? Well here it is. 

So I suppose it will be another set written but not sent, but nevermind saves a Postman a job, so there is method with my madness,

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

My first mince pie and Christmas coffee/Let's get festive

Hello and welcome to a new post. 

This time of year once the first 4 birthdays on this side of the year of my family, have passed I will start prepping for Christmas, and start to get ideas of gifts to buy and have a theme, and not gonna say what theme it will be this year as those I buy for, may read this blog, but you might find this helpful to help you plan for Christmas.

I always set a day in December, to do my Christmas shopping, and I do write a list and have a dedicated folder to help me too and a notebook, to prep and, already had a mince pie and a Christmas coffee. The one I always have is the Blackforest Hot Chocolate from Costas.

I like personal items like Jewellery, gift sets and gift cards. 

When planning for Christmas I do budget but I do go extra when it comes to buying items for children in the family, my son and nieces, and this year instead of putting items into a box or gift bag, I am going to buy some pillowcases and use this for gifts, or a tote bag, as they can use these aswell. 

I like to do different things, and I am gonna make some Christmas cards, and do a bit of decor if I can and one item I am gonna get is small Christmas tree to have in Henry's room where he lives with his dad, and going to buy advent calendars this year rather than make one and when it comes to hosting Christmas, I have no idea as not sure where I will be, but I would like to do that again and I like seeing family and seeing those I don't get to see during the year, at Christmas too.

For kids it for me is for Kids and allowing then to enjoy being a kid, and creating magical memories. I used to love a Christmas party and would have a lots of these this time of the year when I worked up in London, and living in a housing estate. They were all funtimes. 

I want it to be different to last years and not go too mad, but do little things I buy some more mince pies, buy selection boxes, read a Christmas book and buy some Advent Calendars. 

I hope this blog gives you some inspiration and go and get yourself or make a nice Christmas drink and lets get festive. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

 

Organizing for half term/How to organize birthdays this time of the year

Hello, so last week and this week kids have had, in the UK half term, and some get one week and others get two weeks, which is currently it for me, but because I co-parent with his father, Henry is spending time with him at the moment, and then back with me on Wednesday which is tomorow as I write this blot post. 

His, my son birthday next week and it can be tricky to get him bits, but I have picked up some and want to take him out on his birthday but he is back at school then, so gonna use the weekend instead, either before his birthday or after, and trying to get tickets to take him to a football match. Also the rugby is on so thinking we could do a rugby or a visit to Bockets Farm. They do, do birthday celebrations, and my niece had hers there. 

You don't have to worry about food they do it all for you. and when it comes to gifts always have a table if they can provide it to put the gifts together. It has an indoor play area and outdoor, so you aren't stuck when it is raining outside. 

My son loves Thomas the tank engine and has actually been on this train, and so check out out, as that is a great day out, and I have bought him a pop up book from Whsmiths and a big thomas tank engine train from Amazon. I want to get him or making him a writing set as he started to lots more of this now.

Going on this theme colouring books are great and making your own by the power of the internet can be even better for them and no cost at all, and kids are not worried about price but on how it will make them feel and good to get useful things rather than all toys. 

If they are having a load of kids together then it is good to set a meeting area, and have them play first and some venues will have it where the kids get to play for an hour and then have birthday party once they have had time to explore, if you want to organize something like visiting a zoo or a farm. 

When is their birthday near or during half term then plan ahead and book ahead, as places like Bocketts farm have many families booking and so you do have to get in early or you can end up missing your chance, and do forget Christmas parties will begin too at such places, and so plan ahead. 

Do a prep and check list and I often use just my notepad and often will put it on my phone aswell as I have got my ideas together and gone through what I have booked and still do get. 

So I hope this helps you and if it is your's or your childrens birthday then best wishes to you.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Keeping the home safe and preparing for the colder weather

 A lot of hazardous can accumilate in the home and we often forget about home safety as we just go about our days living. 

Yet keeping the home safe is a must and should be remembered. 

So to begin, the first tip is: Don't put candles on appliances like TV's, near curtains and near baby and not put on low surfaces kids can reach. Fires can wreck a home and one of my colleagues I used to work with had a home fire. Never thiink this can't happen in your home, because it can so be safe when purchasing candles.

The second tip is keeping dirty sponges on surfaces or in the sink. They can be covered in bacteria and can be harmful. If you have kids, they will at tiny to child age put things into their mouths and the last thing you want them to touch is the used sponge and so have them wash up but supervised, until they stop putting things in their mouths and stay at bay of illnesses caused by dirty water. 

If you have a used sponge replace and keep them dry as possible, but in easy reach for yourself to use when kids aren't nearby. 

The third is. Keep coats clean and wash regularly emptying pockets in case of used tissues and near the front door, not to high reach from your kids so they know where their coat belongs when they come home and they know where to put when dirty. Jacket accumilate outdoor germs so wash and dry hygiencially.

Keep hobs and cookers clean and store cleaning chemicals in a locked up cupboard and know before hand how to use them. Some of these cleaners are toxic and when working in a industrial kitchen you'd wear a mask when cleaning an oven or a grill.

Never play on the steps and that kids are supervised when a child uses the stairs and have bare banisters so they have something to hold on, making sure doors and banisters are cleaned safely too. 

When it comes to ourselves we are all guilty of spreading germs and we can easily do that when walking around in barefeet and so when walking around your home, make sure you clean all floors, carpteted, wooden floors and rugs. These can have lots of bacteria if not and make sure you feet are clean too. Any veruccas are cleared and treated as they can spread and wear socks in the winter and good unworn shoes and these should be cleaned regulary also when walking around on different surfaces outdoors.  

During fireworks night never store in a warm room and should be in a darkened room in a garage not in other rooms as heat can cause devestation.

Any dogs or cats, make sure they are cleaned up and their fur is picked up. Make sure that they keep indoors in the warm in the winter and in hot weather they are in the shade and can burn their paws.

I hope these tips help you and many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Organize your clothes so you always have something to wear/Having a functional wardrobe

Hello, and I hope you aren't rushed off your feet. This blog is about Organize your clothes so you always have something to wear. 

Rotate your clothes and go through items you want to add to your wardrobe, I like having a sort through and it helps in terms I can mix and match. I plan my wardrobe for the year, adding and taking away items from it. I go through, items I no longer need, doesn't fit or does not give me any joy anymore. I like Kon Marie she is a woman of organizing and I follow her, on items that bring me joy. 

I go through the staple items I love to wear and want to bring into my wardrobe and I do this by regularly sorting through, and seeing what I am missing from it, that will complete my wardrobe, and not buying items all the time. 

I like having no spending weeks, and only buying what I need, and this helps with making sure I go through and wear all the clothes I have. 

Example: I own at the moment,two pairs of jeans, blue and black, my usual colours and once worn then I replace, but I don't need 25 of them, just one blue and one black. 

I do have a fashion blog on wordpress, where on Mondays and Thursdays, I do a look book, so check it out if you would like:

https://carriesversitilefashion.wordpress.com 

I do have items I stock up on though like, tights, leggins, jumpers and t-shirts. 

When it comes to bags and jewellery I could have 100s as I am a bag and shoe girl, but know I don't need that much, so stick to a good suffiicient number, 5. 

With jewellery I like having a packs with many different earrings included, and I like to treat myself to them, but again I do hold myself back and dont' buy too many. One or two a year, is not gonna damage my purse, but keep my fashion and accessories to continue to love these items. 

So how do you organize your clothes? Do you have a house full of clothes but nothing goes together? 

You can comment below.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X