Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've recently taken a few months off blogging because I became a mum, something I've been dreaming of since I was a little girl. I never intended to step away from this blog, as I have so many thoughts to share with you all, but naturally, through recovery, postpartum and soaking up newborn life, the blog took a back seat.

I realised this morning that today marks 13 years of blogging, and what a wild achievement that is. 13 years of pouring my heart out online, sharing my biggest dreams, lessons, adventures, and documenting all my achievements. Having a place to look back and see my personal growth and experiences is such a blessing.

And now, I'm sitting here with my gorgeous baby on my lap, blessed that my 16-year-old self who wrote 20 facts back in 2013 is now living many of the dreams I set out for.

In the spirit of 13 years, here are 13 things I'm grateful for about my blog:

• The creative outlet  - I'm a naturally creative person, and having a space online has given me an outlet to write whatever I feel, whether it's a travel guide, creative writing piece or inner thoughts I've had.
• How it helped my career - This blog has always been a space for growth and a great stepping stone in my career when I was younger. It helped build my blogging and SEO skills, aided my in-house marketing career, and led me to fulfil my dream as a freelance writer.
• Reflecting on my travels - I'm so lucky I've been able to travel as much as I wanted in my twenties, but I'm especially lucky that all the things I did have been documented on here, and I can always look back.
• The seasons of my life - I started this blog as a teenager, and now I'm nearly 30 and through that, I've documented my teenage years, friendships, heartbreak, mental health journey, self-love journey, travels, the pressures of being in my twenties, buying a house and now, motherhood. It's such a special thing knowing so many of my seasons are all in one place.
• A continuous hobby - Writing and reading have always been my favourite things to do, and this blog has been a huge commitment I've had on the side for 13 years, and that means so much to me.
• Improving my writing - They say you get better at something by doing it more often, and writing this blog regularly has really benefited my overall writing skills and how to create a quality article.
• The online community - I still follow a few bloggers who started at a similar time to me, and I love seeing how their lives have evolved and how blogging has turned into social media content creation.
• A space on the internet that's mine - The internet is vast and can be scary, and even though I have social media accounts, knowing I have this domain that's mine, where I can share my thoughts and words, is a blessing and wonderful investment. 
• Reflecting on my personal journey - I love looking back at blogs where I've written goals or my experiences with confidence and mental health, as it's a great feeling to know how far I've come. 
• The evolution of my passions - I originally started this blog as a beauty blog to become a famous beauty blogger like Zoella when I was 16. But what I'm grateful for is how the blog has evolved with my life and passions, moving from beauty and lifestyle to travel, lifestyle, and books. And within that, changing to what I'm focusing on every month in my life. Also, for realising, I never wanted fame; I wanted a place where I could speak freely, which was mine.
• Learning not to be perfect - I think this blog has been one of the things in my life which has helped me not be such a people pleaser, as when I started it, I was so embarrassed about people reading it. However, as I've gotten older, I love people knowing I have a blog, reading my thoughts and knowing I'm not perfect.
• The commitment - I'm grateful to myself for committing to this blog and keeping it running, for the most part, every week in that time and only taking a couple of breaks when I backpacked and now, becoming a mum.
• To have a blog - Really, Della Loves Nutella is part of me, my growth and my future. I'm grateful that little old me created it and poured so much love and passion into this blog.

I'm excited to get back to blogging soon and share all things motherhood!

I hope you enjoyed this blog. How long have you been reading my blog for?

Thank you for reading <3  

Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Pregnancy is a wild ride; it's absolutely magical as you see and feel your baby grow, but it's also physically and mentally demanding, and alters so much between women. When I was first pregnant, I didn't see a lot about the challenges for all of pregnancy, mainly the third trimester, when the baby is bigger, and it's physically more demanding. 

I would say each trimester has its challenges, but the third is the most physically demanding. If you're a mum-to-be and in your third trimester, here are some important reminders.

It's okay and important to rest

As someone who is naturally a go-getter, resting doesn't come easily to me, and it has taken me years to learn how to properly relax. When you're pregnant, you're doing A LOT, growing an entire human being. In your third trimester, the pressure is even more intense, as it physically takes a greater toll on you as your baby grows larger. Remember, because of all this, it's okay and important to rest, crucial that you rest in fact and look after yourself.

You're not a burden

When pregnant, it can sometimes feel like your thoughts and feelings are a lot, and you may feel like a burden to others. Reminder: you're not. You're going through a huge life change, your hormone levels are heightened, and your body and mind are constantly changing. Lean into taking care of yourself and not blaming yourself for these intense feelings.

Talk about how you're feeling - everything is intensified 

Speaking of feelings, when you are feeling like a burden or have any negative thoughts, speak them out. It's much better to speak with someone and relieve your mind than bottle all the emotions up and stress you out a lot more.

Listen to what your body needs

It can be so easy to avoid what your body is telling you, especially when life is busy. However, listening to your body is key when you're pregnant, as you're feeling things you may have never felt before, you're tired, you're in pain, and your emotions are high. Listen to your body, whether it's resting, exercising, what you want to eat or drink, or not being social. 

You're strong and can do this

Pregnancy can be incredibly difficult for many reasons. But, despite what you're going through, you're strong, and you can do this. You're stronger than you think.

Take each day as it comes

Pregnancy is unpredictable; it's full of highs and lows. Take each day as it comes; some days are amazing and magical, and others can be challenging. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What else would you add?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I can't believe we're already in 2026, and time is going so quickly. 2025 was the year of my dreams: I fell pregnant, bought my first home, travelled a lot and had many gorgeous moments with my loved ones.

If you're planning your goals for the next year and need some inspiration, here are my goals for 2026.

Embrace the wonders and challenges of motherhood

Becoming a mum is a dream I've looked forward to my whole life, and this year it's happening, and I can't wait for the journey of motherhood, meeting my baby, watching him grow and becoming a family of three. I know it'll be a completely new chapter, challenging and hard work, but also exciting, magical and wonderful. My biggest goal this year is to embrace that rollercoaster, the wonders and the challenges and take each day as it comes in motherhood, practising gratitude, enjoying the little moments, accepting when things are hard and giving myself some grace.

Travel more locally, and on our first family trip

Travelling and adventures are incredibly important to me. However, I'm aware 2026 won't be the year for the big trips, because of the bigger life change that is becoming a parent and a reduction of money with maternity leave. However, adventure and exploration are more than jetting far away; it's about discovering the wonders on your doorstep. This year, I'd love to embrace more local ideas of adventure and book our first family trip as a three, showing our baby how important travelling is to us.

Staying secure with my finances

Taking a step back from the business and going on maternity leave means this won't be the most prosperous year. However, my biggest goal with money is to be stable and sensible, budget effectively, and put money into savings where possible. This means, when I eventually go back to work, I can build my finances back up again.

Figuring out running a business and being a mother

Navigating maternity leave with a business and becoming a mum is completely new to me, as there's no handbook and no 'how-to' guide on how to do just that, like there is a little bit more with being employed and parenthood. Granted, both options are difficult to navigate. I want to figure out a way to work on the business that also allows me to have as much time as possible as a mum, caring for myself and my baby. 

Read 15-20 books

I love to read, and in 2025, I had the pleasure of reading 34 books. As much as I want that to be my goal this year, I know I won't have as much free time. But I'm hoping I still get a chance to read as many books as possible, around the 15-20 mark.

Meet and build a mum friend community

Becoming a mum is a new and exciting chapter, and I'd love to meet more mums in my community, attend baby groups and find the support in people who are going through the same thing at similar times.

Prioritise relationships with my partner, family and friends 

With a massive life change, I know my relationships will alter, but I'm hoping they adapt and become stronger in the best possible way. I can't wait to see my family and friends have an amazing relationship with my baby, and how our bond with my partner and me thrives as we become parents. I want to prioritise all these relationships as much as possible, putting in that quality time.

Keep up with my hobbies 

My biggest hobbies are travelling, eating out, hanging out with friends, reading, writing, baking and crafting. I do smaller hobbies more frequently, and I hope to keep up with those as much as possible and implement the bigger hobbies where I can, like trying new restaurants or booking a trip somewhere.

Be kind to myself in this new chapter

This new chapter is likely to have some new challenges and be hard at times, and while I navigate that with my partner, my biggest goal is to be kind to myself, especially when I'm sleep deprived. 

Celebrate my 30th in the best way possible

I'm turning 30 this year, which is wild to say, but honestly, I'm so excited to enter my thirties era and embrace that new chapter. There are many ideas I'd love to do for my 30th, including a trip with my partner and our baby and a small party with my closest family and friends.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your goals?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! 2025 was the year when all my dreams came true, and I feel incredibly grateful, blessed and loved for everything the year brought me. I'm still in awe of all the big, amazing moments, but also the small and wholesome moments with all the people I love. 

2025 was a dream-worthy year, and I'm sharing all the highlights, from the little to the big moments. 

Having a baby 

I've dreamt of having a baby my whole life; all I ever wanted was to be a mum. This year, I found out I was pregnant with a little boy and excited doesn't even cover the feeling. It's like I've lived two lives in 2025; the first half of the year as normal, and from May, finding out I was pregnant, and then the rest of the year, growing my gorgeous little baby. Pregnancy has been a wild ride; I've struggled a lot, but overall, I've loved the privilege of carrying my baby and connecting with him over the last 9 months. 

I can't wait to meet him in 2026 and start our family of three!

Buying a house

After saving and planning for years, my partner and I bought our first home in 2025. We started the year generally looking at homes and figuring out where we want to buy, and then, we found the home after looking at 12 that just felt like ours. It was the longest wait, from submitting the offer and obtaining the mortgage to finally receiving the keys in autumn, but it was completely worth it. We moved just in time to prepare the house for the baby and make our place a home. There's still lots more to do, but I'm so excited for that process and to make memories here, especially with our baby. I love our house!

The best year with my partner

I'm incredibly grateful for my partner, his love, support are everything to me, and I feel so lucky to do life with him. We've had the best year with our accomplishments, and even though at times it has been stressful with buying a house, and going through pregnancy can be hard, his support, love and care have helped me through every step of the way. I can't wait to see what the next year brings for us as a couple!

The abroad adventures

I love to travel, as many of you may know, and I had the pleasure of visiting some gorgeous countries this past year, including Slovenia, France and Italy. In March, I spent a few days exploring the glorious Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj with a day trip to Ljubljana and fell in love with the country. Bled itself, even in the peak of rainy winter, was just gorgeous! In May/June, I attended my best friend's wedding in the South of France and had the pleasure of enjoying a road trip through some epic places, such as Rouen, Poitiers and Tours. 

The longest trip abroad this year was to Italy for our babymoon in September. We ventured to Genoa for 5 days exploring the Italian Riviera, and it was the perfect way to experience gorgeous sights, beach days, authentic food and a relaxing last trip away as the two of us. During the trip, we explored the wonders of Genoa and ate our weight in pesto and focaccia, a boat tour to Portofino, a day trip to Santa Margherita and Rapallo and a visit to Boccadasse Beach. 

Exploring more of the UK

I'm lucky enough to live by the seaside in the UK, but also close to many gorgeous locations to explore. This year, I went on a few staycations with my partner, friends and family, including a couple of trips to Brighton, the East and West Sussex countryside, and staying in a spaceship for my partner's birthday. I've loved exploring sweet countryside villages and beachside towns, trying out new food places and seeing local attractions, like Seven Sisters Countryside Park.

Quality time with friends and family

I'm grateful for all the massive wins this year, but the biggest blessing is the loved ones I have around me. Some of my favourite moments this year are spending time with my sister and her kids, going on walks with my partner, dinner parties with friends, and quality time with family members and close friends. The little moments where my heart felt so full, I couldn't stop laughing and smiling about how loved I felt.

Reading 34 books

I love to read, and I increased my goal this year to read 30 books, and I'm thrilled I exceeded the goal and read 34. My top few books include The Wrong Sister, Kala, Rock Paper Scissors, The Help and The Audacity by Katherine Ryan.

Spending lots of time outside at the beach and countryside

Living by the beach is my favourite thing, and I've always felt blessed that the sea is in such easy access.  This year, I loved spending as much time as possible on beach walks, swimming in the sea and exploring the local countryside. It has especially made me love and appreciate the countryside more and want to go on more hikes.

Hiring an editor for my book

I've wanted to take one of my books to the next stage for a while, and I had the opportunity to hire an editor this year to perform a developmental edit on it - and it has to be one of the best things I've paid for. The editor gave me the feedback I needed and the clarity on how to make the book the best it could be. I've spent the end of the year working on his suggestions and pitching the books to agents - let's hope one agent will pick it up!

Another successful year of my freelance business

I'm incredibly proud of my freelance business this year and the continued success of everything I've achieved this past year. My biggest highlights include booking consistent retainers and projects, working with both smaller and larger clients. I also spoke on a panel for the first time about caring for my mental health and practised slowing down as my pregnancy progressed, and planning for what maternity will look like as a business owner.

Starting my own networking event

One of my closest friends and I started our own networking event in 2025 and hosted 3 different events. I'm incredibly proud of us both for stepping outside our comfort zone and creating a community for new and established small business owners to connect and socialise without the pressure of networking. It has been a massive success, and I can't wait to see what the next year brings for the event!

Developing new friendships and strengthening old ones

I've made some cherish-worthy friendships this year, which have thrived and really shown up for me, and I feel so grateful for that. It has also been a year where I've appreciated and strengthened old and existing friendships, and my love for them is always growing.

Embracing the slower way of life 

Falling pregnant this year meant I had to fully embrace slowing down with my work and social plans and prioritising myself. Although it was hard at times, it has been the best thing for me as I've really embraced how living slowly and resting are incredibly beneficial. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your yearly highlights?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I'm a bookworm, I love nothing more than picking up a new read, browsing bookshops and adding to my to-be-read pile. When life gets busy, I go through phases of reading loads or taking forever to finish a book. However, I've found a few ways that keep me motivated to read when life is hectic and I can't find the time.

If you love books and want more time to read, here are my tips on how to read more and stick to your goal in the new year. 

Pick reading windows throughout the day

The best and easiest way to keep you on track with reading is to pick focus times. I love to read in the morning when I wake up to keep me away from screens, and then again before bed to wind me down for the evening. I also sometimes like to read whilst eating lunch as another way to not be on screens. 

You need to choose which parts of the day are your reading windows, as you can plan things around that. Everyone likes to read at different times, and this is your chance to pick focus windows.

Set a goal per month

I set a yearly reading goal, and this then gives me a target every month for the number of books I should be aiming to read. You can do the same or set a goal monthly to suit your lifestyle overall. Having something to aim towards can keep you on track with reading and encourage you to read more. There's nothing more satisfying than achieving a goal.

Buy books you actually know you'll read

This may sound like a silly comment, but sometimes when I'm book shopping, I'll buy books, and by the time I get around to reading them, I'm not as interested as when I bought them, so I'll pick something else on the shelf to read instead. Either buy less when book shopping or be more decisive on what you buy, as you'll be more excited by the next read.

Find your genre

We all have our preferences, and I'm not saying you need to stick to one, but once you find a genre of books you like, you'll know what to shop for - and it may encourage you to pick up more books.

Keep the book chat going with friends

Hobbies shared by many are a way to excite you more, and this is the same with reading. Set up a book group chat, a book club, or ask friends and colleagues what they're currently reading. This book chat will get you excited for new books coming out, know what's current, and inspire you on what to read next.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! The darker, winter days are here, and I'll be honest, they always have a massive hit on my mental health. I really struggle with lack of sunlight, darker mornings and darker evenings and the constant freezing temperature. I know I'm not alone in this, and many deal with seasonal depression during this time of year.

It's not an easy thing to deal with, whether you're dealing with seasonal depression or feeling low, here is how to prioritise your mental health in winter.

Make the most of daylight hours

Daylight hours are minimal in winter, and it can be hard to utilise them, especially if you work a traditional 9-5 or the weather is awful outside. However, make the most of the daylight hours in any way you can. This could be a walk around the block on your lunch break, stepping outside in your garden with a hot drink in the morning or if you have a more flexible schedule, being outside during daylight hours. 

Keep to a morning and evening routine

Routines always do wonders for my mental health as they give me mini goals to hit and to know what to expect every morning and night. All routines are different; choose one that works for you and stick to three things: food, exercise and joy. This could be some light movement, a delicious breakfast and reading a book. 

Stay active as much as you can 

It's much easier to stay active when the sun is out and it's warm, as it inspires us to do fun things and go for lovely walks. But when it's lashing rain outside and freezing, being active is just as important. You can go for walks in terrible weather, and most importantly, you can make use of indoor workouts, whether that's pilates or a dance routine.

Add joy to everyday

Dull and dreary weather doesn't mean life has to feel that way. The wintertime should still have joy as part of everyday, whether it's baking your favourite cake, socialising with friends, watching a brilliant show or celebrating an occasion. Whatever the day, find the small snippets of joy as much as you can to keep your mood boosted.

Make nourishing, warming meals

Food is the heart of everything, and when we're in hibernation mode, nourishing and warming meals will do you wonders as they're comforting, delicious, and will warm you up.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What do you do to help?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I'm still in awe that I've bought my first home with my partner. It's a dream I've had since I was a teenager, and I'm loving seeing the progress we make every day with decorating and organising, in the space we're creating.

Buying a house was a long process, and I thought I knew more about being a homeowner until I actually did. If you're new to owning a home, here are 5 things I've learned about what being a homeowner means.

Insurance is essential

I knew there would be insurance costs involved with being a homeowner, but I didn't realise the number of insurance types and their costs. The insurance you need by law is building insurance. 

Other insurances I'd recommend include life insurance and income protection. Building insurance covers the repairs for your home in case something goes wrong, and each policy varies. Life insurance covers your life if you die, and all the money goes to the other person on the policy. Whilst income protection helps if you fall ill or lose your job and can't cover the bills.

The level of adulting increases to the max

I love how we millennials use the term adulting, but owning a house is like level 100. Everything is now up to you: ensuring you pay all your bills, keeping on top of life admin, house maintenance and being sensible with where your money goes.

You need to gather a list of handy businesses for household maintenance 

Jobs can always crop up for house maintenance, such as boiler servicing, a broken shower, leaks, DIY, plumbing and electrical problems. You never know what'll happen, even if your house is in the best condition when you buy it. It's best to gather a list of local people who have been recommended and can help you out when you need, and offer you a reasonable price. 

Not everything can get done overnight - it's a process

I wasn't naive and thought we could have the home exactly how we wanted it straight away, but it's good to be prepared that it's a process and takes time and money. From moving in, it'll take you a while to figure out where you want your belongings, cleaning, decorating and organising. Decorating is something that could take years of planning and doing, and saving for as well. You may have an idea of what you want your home to look like, but don't get disheartened if it doesn't happen all at once. Save for it, plan for it, and your vision will come together.

Being financially secure is important, as there's always something to pay for

Being money-sensible is always important, but especially as a homeowner. Costs can always crop up for house maintenance or something breaking, and as you own it, you'll need to fix it. This is why emergency pots and savings come in handy, so always live under your means in case you have some spare cash for any instances occurring.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What have you learned?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Christmas is an expensive time, from the gifts to days out and family/friends gatherings, there always appears to be something on. You're not alone in worrying about money, how you're going to afford everything and ensure you feel included; it's a lot to take on.

If you're planning Christmas and need some money advice, here is my guide on how to stay on budget this Christmas. 

Have set budgets for everything 

The best way to stay on budget is to actually have a budget. That may sound silly, but it's easy to overspend when you only have loose figures in mind about what you want to spend and what you can spend. Make a list of your budgets for everything, including presents, food, experiences, days out with family and friends and anything else that'll be paid for over the festive period. Knowing how much you are likely to spend can help you be smarter with your spending choices and avoid extra spending. 

Keep a log of everything you buy

I love a spreadsheet and documents to log my spending habits, especially at Christmas, because I find it easy to overspend on others as I want to treat them as much as I can. To avoid this, I log everything I purchase for gifts in a document to make sure I'm on track to spend allocated amounts but not overspend, and also know how much I have left in each budget. 

Give yourself a 'just in case' pot 

Not everything can go to plan, and sometimes there are events, social occasions or last-minute things you forgot about purchasing in the festive season. Create a 'just in case' pot for this instance, as it can be used for anything last-minute or unplanned.

Lower your expectations of what you can do

With the world of social media, it feels like we have to do everything this Christmas, but really, you don't. The magic of Christmas comes from spending quality time together and making things magical ourselves, not what we buy, how much we spend or the fancy places we go. If you're on a budget, lower your expectations, as it can help you handle the disappointment if you're unable to attend certain events.

Enjoy the free and homely plans 

As I said, Christmas is as magical as you make it. You don't need to spend lots of money to have a good time. Think of all the homely activities you can do, such as craft evenings, baking, film nights and quizzes. Also, all the free things to do out there, such as roaming around the neighbourhood and looking at Christmas decorations, woodland walks, wandering around Christmas markets or visiting family and friends at their homes.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I bought my first home - something I've been dreaming about since I was a teenager. After the longest waiting process (6 months since we put in the offer), we got the keys and were in our home. I'm still in shock. It's our home, and we get to wake up and make it ours even more every single day.

Moving into your first home isn't easy, and I can see why people say it's the most stressful thing you'll ever do. If you're preparing to buy and move into your first home, here are my best tips to do it with ease.

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Pregnant mamas, I see and hear you. As I'm now in the third trimester, I can confidently discuss my experience with pregnancy, including the highs and lows, and how my feelings have evolved throughout the journey. 

One thing I've loved about this process is that other pregnant women or mothers have reassured me with their kind words, either in person or through messages I've seen online, which have made me feel better about myself and less guilty about slowing down and taking a step back. I'm sharing some reassuring reminders to hear if you're pregnant.

It's okay and important to rest

Rest is one of the most important things you can do while you're pregnant. If you're a particularly active person or always feel the need to be productive, slowing down and resting brings its own challenges. Let me assure you, though: you need the rest. I know it can be hard to take a step back and rest and prioritise that, but it can really benefit your physical and mental wellbeing.

I'm a 'I must get everything done right now' type person, so leaning into slowing down, napping more, spending more time watching TV and having restful mornings isn't in my nature. But, by reassuring myself and hearing from people around me that it's okay to rest, really gave me the confidence to lean into that and prioritise my body.

You're growing an entire human; give yourself some grace

In case nobody has told you today: growing an entire human is hard work, probably the hardest thing you'll ever do - give yourself a break. If you need to sit down more, sleep more, eat more or say no to plans, that's okay. It's okay if you've done nothing else today other than rest. Growing a human is a lot of work, and that can take all of your energy, which is you being productive. 

Everyone experiences pregnancy differently

Don't compare your pregnancy to everyone else, and also try and avoid taking on board what other people have experienced in pregnancy and tell you, as we're all different. If your friend wasn't sick and you were, if you're in more pain and someone else isn't, if you're hating it and someone is loving it - avoid making comparisons. We're all different; our journey is different. Appreciate and embrace yours, however it looks. You're doing your best, whatever you're going through.

You're valid in all of your emotions

Your emotions are valid, whatever you're feeling. I think we're told that we should be happy and excited, and all the good feelings constantly, when we're pregnant, but that's not a reality. Pregnancy is hard; there are lots of body changes, you don't feel like yourself, and it's a constant source of anxiety. Whatever you're feeling, that's okay. Don't beat yourself up if you're complaining, feeling negative thoughts or not enjoying the process. If those thoughts are bordering on dangerous, though, please talk to a professional. 

It's okay to feel like you're 'moaning'

I didn't think I'd moan as much as I have in pregnancy, but every day or week, something new is happening, new symptoms, pains and emotions. It's okay to let all that honest emotion out and explain how you're feeling, rather than keep it all in.

You're doing an incredible job

Applause for you: you're smashing it. Whatever you're going through today in pregnancy, whether it's good or bad, you're doing an incredible job.

You look amazing

Just know, you look incredible. You're doing brilliantly and you're thriving, mama, you've got this. Take it easy, practice self-love and prioritise your feelings.

I hope you enjoyed this post. How far along in your pregnancy are you?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Pregnancy is a magical time, but also a challenging journey for expectant mothers. For those around them, whether you’re a partner, family, friends, or colleagues, sometimes you may wonder what the best way is to offer support.

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Pregnancy has been a whirlwind so far. On one hand, I'm feeling incredibly blessed, all my dreams are coming true, and the baby is growing well, but the journey has been harder than I could have imagined.

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! A massive and exciting announcement: I'm pregnant! What a dream come true! 

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! As much as I'm a summer girl, I love the cosy season. There's something gorgeous about getting cosy at home. Embracing the slow moments and enjoying the cold weather. Hibernation and winding down are good for us as humans to pause, take that break and appreciate the natural flow of the weather.

If you're making plans for autumn, here is how to make the most of the cosy season.

Make fun, indoor plans

The joy of the cosy season means embracing indoor plans, whether it's game night, crafting sessions, dinner parties, or film nights. The fun doesn't need to stop because the evenings are darker; you just need to be a little more creative with your indoor plans. You can have themed evenings, baking competitions, or something simpler, like enjoying your video game collection.

Embrace and enjoy all of your home comforts 

Home comforts are what autumn is all about, from wholesome foods like stews, soups and hearty dinners, to homebaking, your favourite loungewear and pyjamas. It's about cosying up in the evenings with your favourite films, playing games with your partner or starting a crafting project.

Appreciate when you need to take a break

Hibernation and colder weather mean a natural time to slow down, rest and take a break. Appreciate this time and try to take it easy on yourself. If you're feeling tired, rest; if you don't want to be productive, that's okay. You don't need to rush; you can slow down and enjoy the power of rest, taking a break and the true reason for hibernation.

Enjoy all the comfort foods

Comfort food is the best; I love homemade cakes, soups, roast dinners and big piles of mash and beans. I love how autumn is the time to eat hearty food, make it from scratch and enjoy it more.

Plan for seasonal events

Autumn means fun seasonal events are coming up, such as Halloween, bonfire night, and of course, Christmas. You can start to make plans for these seasonal events, mapping out your calendar over the next few months, adding as much joy as possible to the cosy season.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you most looking forward to?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've always had a mixed view on networking events, as some are a lot of fun with the right vibe, some are boring and traditional, and don't feel very welcoming. As a business owner, I wanted to set up my own event, which aligns with what I wanted from an event: non-cringey networking, good food, great vibes and workshops to add value to the room.

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Buying a house is a long process, one that takes a lot of preparation, saving, and what feels right for you. Going through this process is different for everyone, as sometimes, it can be quite quick, and most of the time, it can take a very long time from accepting the offer to completing on the house. 

If you're in the process of buying your first house, it can be daunting and uncertain. This guide shares some of the things I wish I knew before buying my first house.

Don't expect it to be a fast process

Every house-buying journey is different, as you can be held up by the number of houses in the selling chain, solicitors, and whether there's a new build in the mix. You'll have to consider several factors that can slow down the process. When someone says it can take 3 months, for example, take that with a pinch of salt, because there's always some factor that can delay the process.

There will be unexpected costs 

I wasn't aware of all the costs before entering the house-buying process. I was aware of the deposit, survey and mortgage advisors, but not of other costs and how much they would all be. The costs aside from the deposit include the mortgage advisor, solicitor, surveyor, mortgage application fees, removal vans and insurances, such as building, life and income protection. You'll also want to have some money to furnish or renovate the house, whether you're moving into a doer-upper or a new build.

You'll need to be prepared that things can get delayed or go wrong

Buying a house isn't all rosy and fun, and they say it's the most stressful experience for a reason. You'll need to be prepared that things can go wrong; people in the chain can pull out, a huge issue can be picked up in the survey, or there may be a really long delay with completion.  

A survey shows every worst-case scenario

When you receive the house survey for the first time, it may seem a little shocking and worrying. It's usually an incredibly long document, stating everything about the house, including possible issues that need fixing soon or huge, significant issues that can be quite costly, such as structural damage to the property. It's likely you'll have minor things come up, but bigger problems are rarer. With that in mind, take it with a pinch of salt, because you may not need to fix the problems as soon as they say - the surveyors have to cover everything that could potentially go wrong.

A mortgage advisor helps you get the best possible deal

Our mortgage advisor has been incredible throughout the house-buying process, answering anything we didn't understand or were uncertain about. The mortgage advisor will help you with the mortgage application, see the amount you're able to borrow and apply for the mortgage offer for you. They'll be the ones to have contact with the mortgage provider and can reapply if the mortgage fees improve.

The amount of money you can borrow is based on your earnings

Everyone can borrow a different amount of money towards their mortgage, and this is linked to their annual earnings. Your mortgage advisor will do the affordability application for you, advising how much you can potentially afford. I would recommend that you borrow under what you're able to afford, as that'll make your mortgage payments lower and mean less of a deposit. 

Create an emergency fund

There are lots of unexpected costs when buying a house, including furnishing the house and decorating it. Building an emergency fund can help towards the decoration, furnishings, mortgage payments, overpaying the mortgage and any potential issues you'll want to sort when you move in, like replacing the boiler and changing the locks.

The first mortgage payment can cost more

The first mortgage payment can be higher than your ongoing monthly payment because it'll include interest from the date the mortgage provider released the funds, up to the end of the month, plus your payment for the following month.

Knowing it's the right house is a feeling

You'll probably visit a few houses before you find the right one. Don't expect the first house you see to be the one you buy. The more you see, the more you'll figure out what you want in a house and what you don't.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you buying your first home?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! In the business world, everything is busy; you're either doing client work, admin, marketing, accounts, networking, or generally thinking of ways to improve your business and maintain a good workflow. 

It is exhausting and busy, but incredibly worth it overall. However, even though running a business is busy, it doesn't mean you should fall into the burnout trap or be working 24/7. In fact, overworking and overdoing it are going to have a detrimental effect on your mental health and business. 

I've always been bad at resting, as it doesn't naturally come to me, but over the last year, I've tried to embrace it more personally and professionally. Here's why slowing down is important as a business owner and the benefits it has.

Recharging and resetting mean better outcomes

Your phone needs to be charged every night, and so do you. You wouldn't expect the phone to keep running and working when it runs out of battery - and why are you expecting yourself to keep going when you need a rest? Recharging and resetting is one of the most important things we can do as business owners, whether it's having set times to turn off your computer, having an unwinding evening routine or taking regular breaks. You must find moments in your day and week where you can reset and recharge to be fully present in your work.

With a clearer and refreshed mind, you can make better decisions, foster creativity, feel more productive and enjoy your work. You can give a better version of yourself to managing clients, employees and everything in between.

You can focus on the important things

Running a business is a lot of work, and you can't always focus on everything at the same time. Slowing down can help you plan a more manageable schedule where you focus on the more important things, whether that's big projects or breaking down your workload throughout the week, rather than cramming everything into one day. It gives you time and space to be mindful about how you want to work, when and what feels right for you.

You'll enjoy your work-life balance a lot more

You started a business to enjoy working, and that's what you should be doing. If you're constantly on the go, you're not pausing and enjoying what you set out to do in the first place. Slowing down means you can enjoy the work you're doing, what you've achieved and that work-life balance, ensuring you're living your life and working how it suits you. 

You'll feel better in yourself and about daily life

This point is the most important - by slowing down, you'll feel better overall about life and your work, as it gives you more reflection time to understand what is most important to you. You'll start to listen to your body more and appreciate what it needs, taking those restful moments and going with that flow rather than forcing yourself to do things you can't do.

You'll appreciate the little moments rather than focusing on big achievements

Life is a series of a million little moments, and the big moments are the few in between. We spend a lot of time focusing on the big goals and large achievements, rather than the everyday wins, the yes moments and the journey. Slowing down helps you embrace just that; you'll start congratulating yourself more, practising gratitude and having a better appreciation for life.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3