I love a Bacon Sandwich

So today was my sons rugby session and part of the inclusive team and feeling very tired due to waking up early and I consumed crisps, roast potatoes, sausages and thank God I didn't have a burger and I had a few fizzy drinks a cup cake and birthday cake. I was at a party and this morning (I wrote this blog on Sunday) went back to sleep felt groggy, but after my sons rugby I fancied a bacon sandwich because we had bacon to use up, but I remembering that it is okay to have a that sometimes, just not all the time and my aim is to stop snacking that is my ultimate goal.

It okay to indulge sometimes as long as you continue to be healthy for the rest of the time. 

I can have a can of coke but not everyday. I have been drinking more water but I want to not be overly strict and be flexible. I love flexibility. It is what suits me and just making one or two changes a time is better for me, with free days and increasing the amount of exercise. 

Sundays I like to have a nice bath, a roast and a day watching a film or a concert to switch off and just enjoying life and what it has to offer. 

I don't want to be remembered for drinking coke zero but that I enjoyed life and no I am not perfect but I like that I am not. I can make myself laugh and enjoy my own company and like to having a Café breakfast. I like a coffee whilst I watch my son play rugby. 

It is good to have easy days and not have to be anywhere. I love pub food and so if I can a burger or last week we had a Fish n chips. Not a takeaway but from ASDA and it was good. Check out this vlog: https://youtu.be/plSJsTahmn4 

I love to have good meals and enjoyable ones and love soup with cut up pieces of bacon and salads. Often we will have a curry, shepherds pie and chops. I love meat but pasta I like sometimes and always got some in my food cupboard and I love my food cupboard and seeing what needs to be used up. 

Am I showing my age? 

So as much as I want to be healthy I also want traditional English Cuisine because I am a proper London Gal. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Having A Night In

There was a time where I'd be out at the end of the week but now I love a night in. We did our weekly shop and did my radio show for Epsom Hospital Radio and now winding down with some Pizza, crispy prawns and chicken Tenders and a beer. 

I am listening to my colleagues radio show and it is good to just write and listen to some good music and if that is not for you then why not watch a film or have a night in with the boys or girls. Me and my friends have done that and it just makes a change. Your never too young for a sleepover. 

It is good to go out too. I went to see Bon Jovi on Wednesday and they were fantastic but now stopping in and had the evening planned out and staying up for a bit longer. It is good to mix it up and I love the Autumn to be indoors, when it darks early and I just like being at home. 

A good way to wind down. I am out at the weekend. I am off to a birthday party and my son goes to tennis and rugby club on Saturday and Sunday and so just sitting back doing something I enjoy is a must. 

I did used to commute all week working up London and I do still like to take a trip to London, my home city but I like Surrey for its nature walks and having a coffee in the mornings, along with catching up with family and friends. 

Now we have done our weekly shop I can lie in if I want to as my sons tennis in the afternoon, but his rugby is Sunday mornings so it is good to have the option to sleep in even though I will still wake up early. I no matter what time I got to bed still wake up early. There was a time it bothered me but not now and I like getting up when it is still dark and having a cup of tea and read my book before my husband and son wake up. 

So if you fancy a night in, have one. 
Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting Ready for the Autumn

I am really ready for the Autumn. I like the dark mornings. I already had soup which is something we top up on for Autumn and wanting to be cosy, layering up and my sons rugby club is starting again and means the football season has begun and just looking forward to all of that.

It was a good summer. Walking along the beach was lovely in the Isle of wight, but I like the fresh mornings and having some good quality TV again and films and having a coffee at home and just have easy days. I have enjoyed sitting out in the garden but I am not a favourite of the heat and so for me Autumn is my favourite season and time to get those unfinished projects done. 

Check out my site: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/ I will be doing my yearly Autumn Reset programme and will be accessible to my subscribers on my above site and something I enjoy doing. 

It is good to see people and have a catch up after the holidays and starting a fresh and I love Henry's rugby and sharing what we did in the holidays and the fact we are out on a Sunday morning. I will be walking around the big lawn his rugby clubs has, around the pitches and helping when my son has tennis. I will be back doing my radio show for my local hospital on Fridays and just ready for it. 

It is also my birthday during the Autumn along with other members of my family. I am off to see Bon Jovi, The Real Thing and going to Twickenham to see the Red Roses and I am ready to buy my Puffa Jacket for the Autumn and Winter and love the sport you get during the Autumn and Winter. 

You meet such a range of sport. I would love to go and see Leatherhead FC play. I will be decorating for Halloween and not sure if we will go to a fireworks display but just going to enjoy the autumn to write, still go on walks outside aswell as on my husbands Treadmill and have some time for myself again. 

My son is looking forward to seeing his friends. I am also looking forward to some days indoors and I am getting my hair cut, so good time to spend more time looking after my skin and being in my PJ bottoms and jumpers. 

So are you the same? Please leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

I love trips to the theatre

Since a kid I have always loved going to the theatre. As a child my parents with friends, took us a lot to the theatre to see children shows and after 30 or so years of wanting to see the Phantom of the Opera, remembering when it first was on stage I finally went to see it this year. Today I took my son to see a show called Arthur at the Polka Theatre and if they'd like to sponsor me that would be a dream come true because its brilliant for kids and adults and it was the best one so far. 

When I was a kid it was Keith and Orvil Show, Sootie, Buttermoon and loved double acts and got to see Cannon and Ball in Panto and many other stars and it was a regular thing we did and I loved going to London to see a show and still now with my son I love the theatre. Every year we go to a Panto. Its become a yearly tradition and will always be my thing to do.

My son really enjoys it. I would say to take them to the Polka at first before going to a bigger theatre because my first big show I took my son, well his first, there was a guy who was really rude to me and it was the afternoon matinee and so there were a lot of children there and it really put me off and so the children's theatres are a great way to introduce them to it and people can be unkind when going to bigger theatres and it was unnecessary. I feel people should understand that children do find it hard to sit still and he wasn't being a pain he was getting restless and felt that I did my best and I didn't need for that guy to be horrible. 

If you like to go to show where there is less children then go in the evening, my advice because the afternoon shows are for children and full of kids or go to an adult type show. 

I am sad that Live At The Apollo is not continuing as I loved that and a lot are doing one woman or mans shows and seeing Jason Donovan in the Rocky Horror Show was good and never thought I'd see Jason is women's underwear but that is the good thing about shows it can really help take your mind off your troubles and just taking it in and be in a different place. 

If you recommend any shows then please recommend in the comment section below. 

I feel theatre is in my blood and just love it so much and hope it never phases out. There's going to be a theatre show of Beatle Juice and so will be one I'd like to see. I feel that its just a great thing to do on your own or with family and friends. A good excuse to dress up and be somewhere else. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

I love having a functional life

So today we took a trip to one of our favourite places where we can have a coffee and have shops and now we are chilling it feels good to begin the school summer holidays and so good to have a good Functional life.

I like having systems which is to ensure we have what we want and need, each doing things we enjoy and still doing errands but good that we can have days where we aren't worrying about cleaning but getting out and shop without spending and I did a video about the Benefits of shopping: https://youtu.be/AcnBjtyC018

It is the start of the holidays, check out this blog about Getting Ready for the Holidays: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/2026/07/17/getting-ready-for-the-holidays-2/ so will still get up early as I love to especially when we have a heatwave to go out in the morning. I will still ensure that I do some cleaning and the one thing that is effective is cleaning as I go and work out like I do. 

I do like to scroll but only at certain times. I do like to spend time reading and writing. I make sure I journal and use what I have before I buy something and I love spending time planning.

I have begun to check and jot down my finances each day in my journal and I am realising that using my journal to do this better as I had set up a Financial planner but I began to dread that method of keeping check and lost my spreadsheet due to my laptop braking. 

Today was all about sleeping in, going to Collierswood as my son does Tennis classes and wanted to get him a tennis racket and I was looking for storage bin. 

It is good to have things to do each day. I like to have somewhere to go and something to read and write about and why I blog because it helps me to help you of things I have learned in my life so far and that would be helpful to you. 

I am so glad I have a more functional life because it stops me from negative thoughts, be happy with how my life is now before worrying about the past and the future and had a good functional day. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Things I like to have in my home

I love that I can look out of the window and see nature. Nature is beautiful with the different birds and wildlife. The best time is watching the sun rise. 

There is no feeling like it and gives me so much pride and enjoy. I am thankful for the things in my life and home. 

I love that I can have toast with Marmalade or on some days a bacon sandwich. 

I like traditional English food and you can't beat a fry up or a bowl of porridge even in the summer. 

In the summertime its oranges, apples and love a bit of lime or lemon in some water or orange juice and this week bought some blueberries, along with having crackers and cheese. I love mini cucumbers so versatile and had these sliced on a cracker with butter. You can't beat it along with Dairylea. I am very old school.

I like a room that has many uses. My living room for example I use for eating in, watching TV, creating my blogs and books and working out. My garden. Playing football in the garden, journal and read. 

Washing up inspired this blog because I love my take away cup which I use for my cold coffee in the morning and can go out with it. It was from Primark and a hack. Clean inside the straw with a barbecue skewer. 

I love my mugs. I invest in a good mug for my tea and coffee, when I want a hot coffee and I have inherited some when my mum and step dad moved and I have an insulated mug for my hot drinks and takeaway insulated cup.

It wouldn't be a home if it didn't have a fireplace and even though we don't use it to heat up the home it is still a great place and would like to use it again. See if I can persuade my husband, but for now we have my sons toys and badges he's won at his sports clubs and has a shelf where we use for drinks, clock, the box that we use for heating the home and my husband and loves his dart board. 

And no this is not near the fireplace, it is on the wall and often my son and my husband will play and even I will have a go. 

Now that is not a must, but my son loves having the dart board because it has really helped with his hand grip and motor skills, and adding up. It is good to have a room that you can relax but is full of games to be played and great for getting off screens and why I love that we have a garden but also my son loves his trains and having things he can take and use, but working on him to putting things he has used back in their place once he has finished.

So what do you like to have in your home? You can leave a comment below. 

Please check out Youtube channel where I share more: https://www.youtube.com/@Carriechalloner

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Finding My Style in 2026

Yes my style has changed a lot. I still like the Rock Style look but I also trying to use what I have. I have bought a couple of new items of clothing which I am happy about as they are quality, but not over spending on clothes and I love my journaling so investing in this and currently working on creating my own journals and it is good to have money for experiences. I am taking my son to two music festivals and we have a holiday in August and I'd rather a holiday, a day out somewhere and want to walk everyday. 

I never continued park run as I had moved from Wimbledon where I was living with mum and step dad and so now fully in Epsom now and been focusing on sorting the house I live with my husband and son. 

My room is coming together along with my son. My son chose a clock for his bedroom to be put up and doing it bit by bit. I have changed my eating habits. Trying not to snack and not too much of the bad food and trying to walk each day, do some toning and strength exercise at home and then journal everyday and posting blogs on my Site Everyone can build a castle, on my Life Coaching programme, Summer Project 2026 check out this blog https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2026/05/29/life-coaching-blog-being-good-at-what-you-do/and writing a new parenting book. 

I have many books I am writing and had to rewrite some because my laptop broke and using my husbands' at the moment and posting a blog each day. It is about consistency which I am really focusing on and watching my blogs and books grow, along with posting on Pinterest and now on Substack. 

I regularly post on Instagram and on X and I have had to start over on somethings, but I feel okay with that. I am not on my phone too much now and having less time scrolling and like yesterday I focused myself on sorting out my home and then completed another blog and it is good to reduce screen time which I am doing. 

The one area I have started to be conscious of my spending. I go through phases and one is buying things from Amazon and it is handy as I buy my toilet rolls, kitchen rolls and now bought a bulk of house tissues as we get through them so much. However I have become reliant and that is not good. So I am putting things in my basket and waiting. 

I will shop around and I will change my mind. 

In my journal I wrote today after watching a bit of Youtube wrote down what I would like to do and is a great tool. I decluttered and sorting through my sons clothes and it is good to have some organisation and as long as Henry has gotten to school okay and back, is my priority and making sure he has a bath, has clean clothes, had dinner and used up some energy.

I found that if I go for my morning walk I still have a whole day to sit and watch Youtube, organising my home, do some weights and if it rains you haven't wasted a day and so I am going to walk everyday, even if it is around the block. 

Reading teaches me so much, would like to continue with Youtube and making short videos at the moment and think I will use my phone rather than my camera and change up my vlogs a bit. 

So that is my style 2026 and now going to have some lunch. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

A Productive Week Indoors After half term break

It was a good half time visiting the Science Museum, playing tennis, visiting a garden centre called Blue Water and going to Morden and just having time visiting places we haven't visited for a while and took a trip to St James park. 

This week has been a week indoors apart from Monday. My son had an inset day and focused on tidying, cooking, cleaning and working on blogs, books and videos. This week I am doing my radio show. I work for Epsom Hospital radio and so has been a good productive week. I do a show on Fridays 10-12.

It is good to clear some of my laundry basket. Had a declutter and been exercising indoors. It has been a  good time to catch up on sorting out the home, making my bed again and getting dressed as soon as I get out of bed and just have a bit of space and Henry now is in school so it is good to have returned to normality. 

A tip# Get up before your kids.

I like to be up first because it allows me time to read, get dressed and then have time drinking a cup of tea before my son wakes up and then my main focus is getting my son ready for school. 

For this helps because I can wake up slowly and I just need that time to fully awake and then I start  once my is picked up time to journal and watch a bit of Youtube, before starting on content and even did a workout this morning. 

B Tip# Have a list already prepared 

I like to have a list written. Sometimes I will decide not to do that today, but I like a list to help me decide on what I want to get done and having a list just helps me to make sure I write a blog even if not published yet and scheduled and I watch a lot of content on writing, ideas of music to play on my radio show and so I like to know what is my priority for the day. 

C Tip# Don't have so many tabs up on your computer 

I have had to learn this and wondered why my husband's laptop kept crashing and its taken me a while to accept that that is not a good idea to have so much open because I find I get distracted too, so I am only going to have a few tabs up at a time. 

D Tip# Clear you emails and check them once or twice a day

I find I get easily distracted and keeping track of my sons school emails and other important emails and helps make sure I spend time having a clear out. I like to spend 10 minutes going through my emails and again why I am not having too many tabs and going to clear my email to complete this blog. 

So a few things that I have been learning to do and I love watching different things to train the brain and geared up to write and create content..

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Listening To the Rain can be peaceful

I was listening and watching a Youtube Video but felt a bit claustrophobic. I had been out but still felt a bit couped up so I stopped and listened to the rain and it is so peaceful with the sound of the traffic and the birds. In Surrey there are towns but some really good places to visit. I do love London but for tranquillity Surrey there is a lot more greenery and love the commons and the parks. 

Some times you just need a bit of peace and so with the window open and the sounds around are really making me feel cleared and was already to walk but I am not a lover of getting wet and is super windy.

However I can still have the window open and be in touch with nature and the sounds are allowing me to type and feel like my feeling of Claustrophobia is going. 

It is also can make you feel cosy and enjoy a coffee even more and had porridge, a real hearty breakfast. 

I love my home with the garden and it makes me thankful for being alive and that there is a lot to be happy about. Yes I know there have been terrible things happening, but that makes me determined to enjoy my life and the weather along with sharing my love of life with others and have a bit of peace and quiet. 

Life can be busy and challenging, so any moments where I can just enjoy the sound of the rain and the planes flying over then so be it. 

Following a rugby team for several years you got used to being drenched and there would when I started following be a tiny stand to watch or you stood up and watched the game. 

Now though I like listening to it but not out in it. 

Where my aunty used to live in a village it was nice hearing the church bells and the cockerel. It would get very stormy but there was a little shop, Cats as my Aunty had 5 and the lady across the road bred cats and that was where my cat Toby came from and my uncle would play bowls and there was a country pub and it was nice to visit and Farnham Town was good to visit and you never worried about the weather and now I like to hear it because it makes me feel peaceful but not out in it. Am I showing my age? 

Any way it can cause flooding which is not good but when not and hear it trickling down it can feel good and I love being near nature. I like to feel calmed and the business of a city can get a bit too much and have become a Surrey Girl aswell as a Londoner. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

What I love to use each day

It is good to have days where by you do something different. I start my day by using my ottoman for clothes I plan to wear each week and love to rotate my clothes and make sure they all get worn. If there is something I have that I hasn't been used and I go by two to three years or not worn, then it goes. 

The Garden where I love to sit and write 

I love my own space and I like my room. I would like another shelf and hooks, I went through my cabinet so it is some what organised, but it is still better than what it was. I love using my cup I bought from Primark for a Fizzy drink or cold coffee. My son bought me a mug, not for any occasion but wanted to buy it for me so I use this for my afternoon cups of tea. Its things like that get my energy up and I like to use my journal and the best places to go to to buy a journal is TK Maxx, Amazon and The Works, even some have closed been down and I have bought notebooks from Whsmiths which is now TG Jones but can be expensive.

When it comes to the summer I love to make sure the garden table it clean and chairs as I love to write out doors. I spend time in coffee shops watching the world go by and journal and love hand writing now and it has been a good activity as I find when on the computer all of the time, has affected my writing and I love certain pens and I like to design my journal with stickers and washi tape and tags on products. I not longer completely junk journal but small decorative labels and tags and it really helps open my mind and come up with ideas for my blogs and books. 

I like to use the treadmill but the outdoors for me is better and walking tomorrow and love the health APPs where I can measure my steps and Notion to remember appointments and important dates when it comes to planning my week I have been using just a piece of paper. 

When it comes to cooking I like to have a bit of music on or an audio book and it just takes away my mind off from it being a chore and enjoy the cooking process more and can still be me time when cooking and reading a good book. 

Also silence. It is good to turn off the noise and listen to the keys on my laptop as I type and the clock on the fireplace. It is amazing what tools you have that you can use for piece and quiet and switch off the mind and put my phone on silent a lot so I am not distracted. 

It is about enjoying some company of what is useful and important to you. Having time to yourself and enjoying the home and the outdoors. Why can't we enjoy both. 

So live life and enjoy it and have a free day along with a favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner. I love to have porridge with honey and milk and some fruit. Tinned fruit and just what gives me the most satisfaction.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

The Perfect Set up

It is good to have different areas in the home where you can watch something on the TV or now as I write this blog, which inspired this post, watched Youtube in the kitchen whilst I cut up some potatoes for my dinner and it is one of my favourite things. 

At the moment now I have my laptop on cushion on the sofa and it is good to be sitting on a soft seat. 

It is good to be comfortable and not get distracted. I love having that time to write and now I am no longer in #Wimbledon I have more time to write and spread my time out and tasks. I like working at a desk as I watch Youtube get ideas on blog posts, planning my week and I like having a different place to write and so it is good to have a good spots around the home to do what you love and Mondays I always stop in as I like to be out throughout the rest of the week. 

Sometimes I will use the edge of the sofa to type. In Atomic Habits he says you should have a different places for different purposes, so I will use the Living room to type and create a blog or work on a book and it does not come up with me to bed, but did once upon a time when living in Wimbledon and Epsom but prefer to work in the Living room.

When watching something though it is the in the Kitchen or Living room. 

For reading I like reading in bed but going to read through the day too and today had chill out music playing whilst I read and gave me proper break from my Laptop and when watching TV I am in the Living room and when travelling like to listen to music, podcast or an audio book. 

When getting fit I like to watch Youtube. At the moment I play four songs, but also to podcasts or videos. I I love creating playlists and will play different ones depending on what I am working on. It is good to have a good set up so prepping dinner is not a chore and takes the burden of making dinner away. It helps to stop me from Procrastinating and when reading I like to have to wrapped up and so relaxing and is a ritual for me. 

What areas of your home like to write or relax? You can use the comment box below. 

I have may blog sites and post them on Pinterest, X and Facebook. 

(4) Pinterest

The Typical London Gal (@Carrie82434764) / X

Typicallondongal | Facebook

I also have a Vlog Channel: 

Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes - YouTube

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Having the perfect Set up

It is Thursday and been trying to operate my new printer and upload a vlog in my PJ bottoms and jumper and when it is raining there is nothing more perfect than working on content having a beer. I no longer binge drink, which is not good but have the odd one here and there and helps to relax, especially when it is raining and miserable outside. 

For dinner is a staple in my home, Bangers N Mash. Then got some desserts and feel so blessed with my lifestyle and enjoy the now rather then dwelling on the past and tomorrow. The day will come when I may not be able to enjoy such luxuries, so I have come to recognise that it is important to live every moment and enjoy life as much as possible and enjoy the home comforts, of good lovely comfort homely dinners and working on content and sitting on the sofa now I have eaten with the background of the TV on. 

We have been watching the Ireland Traitors. So good and tonight it is Rugby so will be watching some of that tonight as it is the six nations. I like days where we catch up on TV or I love watching comedies old and new and its just takes you away off the life for a few moments and not let the daily challenges and hurdles get you down. 

Since becoming a mum I have never treasured quiet time and having a set up where Henry can play, my son and I can work on my Laptop. I feel that the perfect setting helps to be more productive, less stressed and just comfortable. 

I have been sorting out my stuff and I do own too much. I feel I need to be honest with myself. So this year is about owning less, getting rid of the things I no longer have an interest in and only keeping what is important to me right now. Not tomorrow NOW. I like my journals, but I prefer A5 so my A4 notebooks I have given to my husband. I use A4 notebook for my radio show but that is it now and soon my son will be going to a school and so will be planning using the notebook as I was using others and want to create printables for myself rather than on notebooks and go more digital. 

So I have the perfect set up to share my joys of life and feel a good bit of peace to my life. 

If you'd like to see more content and my life please checkout my Youtube channel: (259) Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes - YouTube

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Living A Peaceful Life

This morning has been a good one and that is because there is no rushing. I popped out to get some bread and my son is getting annoyed because he wants a kinder egg and it is only quarter past seven. That boy could eat a horse if he was given the permission. 

However it is been a good morning. I have been that person who has left things to the last minute and it just did no good for my wellbeing and so I always give myself plenty of time.

I make sure I fuelled with breakfast and it will be some toast or cereal mainly, except for this morning I had a Sausage Sandwich and means I won't want much later, in terms of food. I like to start a blog which is this one today and I have another to write and just listening to some good music, with the TV news programme, GMB. I try to not consume much news but watch a bit of it.

I enjoy my evenings too. Last night Henry did some homework and then we watched a bit of TV and I just like the peacefulness of the day where I can properly wake up and then properly relax at the end of the day. 

It has taken a lot to get into having more peace but it is possible and just adjusting to the time of the day, not worrying, as I used to worry all the time. It is a habit that is hard to break but it is possible and I still get bouts but now I know how to fight it off and not allow things to get too much. 

I get nervous still and I do get anxiety but I have learned that it is not fear it is excitement and looking forward to the day and have set things into place to help reduce stress. Like I will read, write in my journal and working on writing a book. That is my happy place and watch a bit of Youtube or will do a bit more reading and will sometimes go for a walk. It has been a hard one to keep up at the moment because of the weather but just do what I can, not feeling guilt and just do what is suitable for my mind and body. 

I like to wonder. Today, now it is later in the day I have walked and checked out the Charity shops, books shops and just enjoying the outside to break up the day whilst Henry is learning and not cooped up. 

So how do you live a peaceful life? What changes have you made? You can share below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

 

What is my perfect weekend?

The weekends at the moment is spent with my son. Yesterday my son had football training, then we went on a bus ride, a train ride and then got back home and watched Gillett Soccer Saturday, played cricket and then today Henry had his rugby. On some Sundays I do a radio show and then have a nice Sunday roast. 

Our Weekend Riding through London 

It is good to rest and recharge our batteries and let the stresses of the week go. I loved it yesterday and going on different routes and I love vlogging my weekends. 

Check out my Vlogging Channel: (23) Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes - YouTube

I never get sick of my home town, London and Brixton which I realised I had not seen in daylight was really surprisingly a full of light, with people shopping, there was a band playing, market stalls and so lively and so gonna visit and take a look around. 

I love discovering new places and journeys. 

It is good to have a coffee whilst my son plays Rugby and after my sons football training. 

My son loves it on Sundays before his rugby, watching Match of the day and I like that we don't get until 7am and during the week it is at 6am and at the moment he has a tutor until he gets a place in a school and on Friday we went to the park and played tennis and last Friday I did my first walk on the treadmill. The first this year after a break. 

It is good to have some much planned and not enough hours so we make the most of our time and will be doing more and spending time just, me and my son and with family too, to explore. I would like to travel and travel and walk around towns and places in Surrey. 

#travelling is my sons favourite thing and knows all the bus routes and trains too and already planning walking from London Bridge to Fulham Broadway if there isn't too many routes that have problems as in the UK the weekend travel can be tricky as that's when they do engineering works and roadworks.

Travelling in London can be tricky but not impossible. Its just good to know the different routes we can take to get to the place we want to see and getting home. 

The joys that give you a bit of time to just enjoy the journey of life and what will be will be. Yet life is full of journeys of life having a good weekend really helps to revaluate and reset. 

I am so looking forward to 2026 adventures and have more fun at the weekend. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

I Know I can't keep everything

I do have a organising blog Organize 4 the better but wanted to write this on this blog, because I find that the more I do keep organised, my style is changing. I know I have to be strong when it comes to letting things go. I had a good declutter at the weekend and it felt good, to say goodbye to things and I know I have to get my arse in gear and sort out my room and own less. 

There is my sons work from the schools he had attended and I feel sad in letting these items go so I have a folder to put it in but kept putting this off but I know I want to clearer space I need to get my act together so have set up a plan. I want to keep them for him, so I know I need to really be tough on myself. So I think it is good to have a section as many tell you, Sell, Donate and Keep, but I also like having a maybe Category. 

Do you have any advice? 

Have you kept your children's school drawings and bits? 

Is it time to let go? 

So gonna be strong and make my mind up. I am super indecisive and it drives me mad.

My room is small and is overcrowded and so these next few month tasks is to sort it out and finally get my shelves for my books and journals. Clear the top of my closet and the bottom is jam packed after I had cleared it out.

So I am going to focus on getting my room together. I watched those who do videos of decluttering but I find it hard to sort it out in one go, so for me it is a bit at a time and to be fare I have been decluttering each day and perhaps I should get three or four boxes or make bins and each day put something in one of the bins. 

It really is about getting my act together and to start a new chapter I have to decide what has to go and be ruthless and continue to vlog. 

Then there is the Living room. I have taken over the windowsills and so these need to be sorted out and why I am sorting out my bedroom, that will make space as I do have a few journals not used yet and in the kitchen gonna make some space. 

There is a lot to get done, but focusing on the result is what is helping me to be more organised and that I can't keep everything.

Have you been doing the same?

I feel I need some encouragement. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Tea and Toast

It is good in the mornings going out. Yes it is cold but you can't beat the fresh air and you can't beat the basics of a nice cup of tea and lovely tasty toast, reading, listening to music or to a podcast. Or watching a bit of TV, watching the nighttime turn into the day. 

I feel so good about things now and loving the little pleasures of life and not on the big pleasures and I have a new found attitude to life and not thinking about what I haven't got but what I have got. 

Life is full of the life if you spend time looking around you. 

I love going for drive, getting a takeaway coffee aswell as being indoors and writing blogs, filming and planning my other things I like to do and it is so refreshing to not worry about what will happen. Let life show you what it can create and become. 

With all the love in the world feels a little strained, it makes me wake up to feeling good and spending time with family and enjoyed it, not a burden or a pleasure because of conflict or you feel uncomfortable. It can turn around by swallowing your pride and forgive those that have hurt you and move on. 

Time will never wait and just popping into see someone and chatting to a friend can help with our feelings and feel this year is about healing from passed wounds and not allow hate in the past over take and want to reunite with friends even if they don't want to. 

Wish those you keep in contact with a Happy New year. I send an old teacher I keep in contact with on  X and you be surprised what an impact that has. People want acknowledgement and surprises, like a little message. What I use social media for, is to wish people I know that I don't see anymore a happy birthday or a on congratulations, they have achieved something and just that little amount of praise and wishing someone well with a cup of tea and toast can make someone feel so good and you. Love is a strong word and I love friends and family, no matter what happened before. Live for today and just have those little pleasures. Life is yours so spend it having those little pleasures, not allowing the bad side to life bring you down.

Me and my son like to go on bus trips and train rides and having a cup tea and toast can help set your day on a high and for others it is coffee. Yes I like a coffee too followed by a cup of tea and some toast.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

So glad to be recharged and ready for the new year

We plan all year round, our goals, habits and what we want to change, but we can often give ourselves too much and instead of looking forward to the new year we dread and another year where we have still not achieved the goals we set out.

Me and My Son

It can be like being on a big wheel and we feel sad, we don't want to not go out or we are rushed off our feet that you feel so exhausted by the time it is new years, that you didn't really celebrate and then your back to doing the school run, go to work and still on that hamster wheel and we just want hibernate and ignore the jobs we have to do, 

I really enjoyed Christmas. It went exactly as I wanted it to be, a good time to take it slow and just chill. It was good that I didn't have to cook come Christmas day and boxing day. Yesterday I went to the theatre with my sister-in-law and nieces and thanks to my mum had really good seats and then went to home in Wimbledon and had bits to eat drink and then it was bedtime and it this morning slept in. 

I watched the Royle Family. For me this is a seasonal thing I like to watch, along with the Snowman, Shrek and watch the Rocky Horror Show. My husband wasn't so keen. I had a nice bath on Christmas Day, went for a drive, read my book and then listened to an audiobook and just felt so free and relaxed. 

Now that is the new year I do feel somewhat prepared and ready for it. In 2025 a lot changed. My mum retired, my Step Sister got married, my son finished primary school and in myself feel I want to do more walks, see more films and concerts. Seeing Billy Idol was fantastic and in 2026 going to see Bon Jovi in concert and gonna be moving from Wimbledon and hope to have some more days out and a couple of holidays. 

I feel that the year 2026 is going to be about transition and Growing my word of for 2026 and continue to build my life, by not having too many commitments of my own, but focus on Henry, publish another book and live each day, not focusing too much of the days past and days to come. 

So I hope you have a fantastic new year and more blogs to come in 2026. 

Many thank for reading,

Carrie X 

Cozy Living

Today I am feeling a bit out of sorts, if you know what that means. I have had a couple of coffees and had a bit of breakfast and gonna have a nice lunch of soup with bread and chill.

I was a bit of a binge drinker when I was younger, but not any more I am over that stage of my life. I don't want to get drunk I prefer a Cider indoors, only one or a nice cup of tea with a mince pie or we do have donuts. No I don't always have a donut but I fancied it so I've had one. Not today but perhaps after my soup. 

It is good to just take it easy and just let the day be what it is. I love being at home and we have our Christmas lights on which what is making me happy. It is good not to have hangovers anymore, not knowing what I did the next day. 

I am glad to let those days go. I love my friends and family and like to go to the theatre or the Cinema, shopping when it is not busy. I love the mornings when me and Henry go to the coffee shop. I like to sit in  the Library. I am journaling a lot and reading and planning my radio show. I work for Epsom Hospital Radio and I like writing and working on a book that I want to publish in February 2026. It will be available from Amazon, on Kindle and Paper back. 

I will keep you posted. 

It is good to have time with son. Check out this blog I wrote: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/my-love-spending-time-with-my-son/

Since continuing with this blog my son and I went on a Christmas bus tour to see the Christmas lights in London. Great fun as i had a Mulled Wine and my son had a hot chocolate included in the trip, with short bread biscuits and a mince pie.

We did get in late and not a fan of late nights but once a twice is okay and it was really nice and warm on the bus. 

I love good Cozy living and being in my PJs afterwards with a cup of tea is truly a requirement or a hot chocolate feels me with joy and leads to contentment and is a great way to have Easy Living. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

You Can't Beat a Pair of fluffy socks

You can't beat a pair of fluffy socks. Not so much in the summer as it is shorts and t-shirt but Winter it is a fluffy pair of socks and there is nothing better. Fluffy bed socks are a great stocking filler, along with a box of chocolates and a warm comfy PJ's and dressing gown. 

I like to put on my PJs early to then work on a book, blog or watch a bit of Youtube. 

They are great for a clean moisturized pair of feet and honestly your feet will thank you in doing so. 

Nice bath with salts and a nice glass of wine, hot chocolate or a cup of tea. 

My choice for the winter is a Bailey's ooh and a Bailey's Coffee. It is a real treat and just chill and be thankful for being you and for me is a luxury. 

I love when cooking watching something on my laptop whilst peeling potatoes especially in my PJs and getting ready for another evening and be fully refreshed for the next day. 

Do the things you love. Avoid limitations but embrace your bed, your TV and the hot or cold drink you enjoy and put on some festive music and decorating your journal. Now my son learns in the Library I like to spend time listening to some chill out or festive tunes and fill in my journal, read and plan radio shows I do on a Sunday and planning trips and on Christmas day I am going to have my PJ bottoms on with a festive jumper and just take the festivities in, with a few non and alcoholic drink and fantastic food. 

I love Advocate and Lemonade. I am going to buy the small already mixed bottles this year and will have on with my dinner and watch some good Christmas TV. With some films. In our home it is Polar Express or the Grinch. Then of course the Snowman and love Ground HOG Day. 

It is good to be comfortable and fully relaxed and let them look after your feet and your body is what holds you together so why not look after it, the best way you can. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

What I do to Relax

For me it is essential to have time to relax. I have several blog sites and a mum. I also have three Youtube Channels and on various social media and like to highlight the things I love and so the first one is.

A Pot of tea in one of my son and I's favourite Coffee Shops 

• I love to write so find it relaxing. Along with reading with a brew and listening to music. 
• In the mornings and before I go to bed is read. I like to silence my phone and have a cup of tea. 

My son is not allowed to take his tablet to bed as when he did he would wake at 3am and so now only allowed it after we all are up and no longer allowed it with him in bed in the morning.

• I like to watch a concert or some TV, but not a lot now. My bed time at the moment keeps changing because we are out early taking Henry to see his tutor. We are out by 8am to about 1 or 12 and we both so tired so this week we have been going to bed around 8pm.  

It has been my sons birthday and so we have been focusing on that and he didn't want too much fuss and didn't want Candles and feel a little sad but respect his wishes. Instead we have been testing out one of his gifts. I got him a Telescope and so been testing and he loves it. 

When I relax I feel the day fading and so won't look at my phone as I do have a Overactive mind especially when I go to sleep so I read and completely switch off. 

It has been weird with Henry not being at school and he and I both miss the routine and it has been stressful sorting out his learning as been teaching at home. Now he has a tutor the routine has changed but it is okay, as I do get that time to myself and hope by end of 2026 he gets a Secondary School place, so he can see other children again. 

I find cleaning and cooking relaxing by playing music or listening to an audiobook and it doesn't have to be rushed, so I take my time. 

Seeing the difference helps me relax and not having tasks hanging over my head. 

I at the moment enjoying a magazine to read whilst my son is learning and going for walks around town and building my steps. I love to walk and another thing I do whilst my son is learning and we like to have a drink in a coffee shop beforehand and when my son has his bath we will often sit and chat. 

Letting the day flow of the things that I enjoy and making tasks that aren't usually enjoyable fun and it seems less work but pleasurable. So what do you like to do to relax? You can leave comment below. 

Please check out my Pinterest where you can find other blogs I write and of fashion, food and how people plan their lives: https://uk.pinterest.com/thetypicalLondongal/

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X