r.

Alex and i utilised this beautiful weather and visited Syon Park & House in Brentford. I used to live 5 minutes from there but ashamedly never visited and i wish i had sooner because the gardens are a wonder of this world. There are so many varieties of trees, plants and flowers not to mention wildlife like cranes and turtles (eeee turtles!). It was like being in 'the secret garden' with all these winding paths and bridges and little nooks perfect for a quiet or romantic picnics and view points as well (the house and gardens actually back onto Kew Gardens!). There was even a little gnome door in a tree so cute. We went through the conservatory first and i must say i want to get married there it's now top of my list with the wide pane glass and massive fountain out front and funnily enough they were prepping for a wedding when we arrived! the fields are just gorgeous and the house itself is magnificent to behold its hard to believe, despite being centuries old, that people still own and are coming back to live there. Unfortunately i couldn't take pictures of the inside but every bit of grandeur you can imagine- it has. From a vast library with real first edition copy books to pillars imported from Rome and silk wall finishing and ivory decorations. They also have a beautiful courtyard with stairs winding down from each corner down to a well crafted and well kept garden full of roses and pebbling. We learnt a lot of history about the place and each room from the amazing people that work there, it used to be a huge abbey which was knocked down to build the house and is now owned by the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Although the house and gardens is still truly someones house and garden it is open to the public and has a garden centre and club attached where me and Alex had afternoon tea and a really sweet gift shop (i'm a sucker for those) with intricate gifts. It has now made me enjoy long walks and admiring nature's beauty, though of course its all the better in the sunshine. If you're ever visiting London give it a peep!

The pictures don't do it justice, i could have taken a million more as its such a vast space; it makes you forget you're in the city.

Hope you enjoyed this post x

f.

The honour of an early rise.

I got to work way earlier than i should have and it gave me time to wander the high street and grab some breakfast. (Time. What a wondrous word in 21st century western society.) When it did finally come for me to start work i was incredibly refreshed, my mind was active not day dreaming and from this i was more efficient and for lack of a better word, happy. I'm usually rushed off my feet and exhausted before i start. What i came to realise is you don't need to stress over something you already have but fail to take. We all have time.

This clear sense of self and efficiency will in turn give time to you for other things as well : family, friends, that thing you've been meaning to do."I'm too busy! i lead a hectic life!" Of course you are busy, though perhaps your hectic life could be solved through a clear mindset and efficient action, the 'busyness' can subdue and your day will feel more fulfilled- and how can you gain such a thing? by taking time.

Do you ever find yourself laying in bed after your alarm has gone off wishing away the day and when you finally rise are you rushing? tired at work/with other tasks? you don't need a retreat because what you're seeking there is time. On holiday we often rise with the sun, happily go out early for breakfast or a town walk- why do we not do the same at home? Life, to me, is about fulfillment. Yes we all have to endure or do things we don't necessarily want to do but you can always find a way to make it fulfilling: reaching and breaking targets, networking that leads to other projects, using one path to clear another. I implore you to stop wasting time, have a great nights sleep and wake up exactly when you're supposed to and start your day.  Do not rush. If you feel like you run out of time for example before you have to leave the house; wake earlier the next day. This will soon settle in and so will a calm, aware mind and body.