October 2023 – Life Is A Roller Coaster Literally!

Bonjour lecteurs! And just like that, we are 40 days away from Christmas! Too early to mention the magical word? Well, maybe not because I am about to launch my annual series of Frenchie Xmas Giveaways 2023 and you are in for a treat with some amazing prizes! So come back very soon on the blog to see what you can win! But let’s go back to our adventures in October 2023. Did you have a good Halloween? Writing my last monthly highlights, it’s pretty clear that Life Is A Roller Coaster, no doubt about that

A Great Start in London

Do you ever feel like life is a perpetual cycle at times? I looked back at October 2022 and I realised that last year already, I had a mixed bag of events in my life. Well, this year was quite similaire.

After a strong end of September 2023 and a weekend in London with the boys, it was back to rituals, with a mix of work and routines.

We read we played, and Stanley was happy at school.

And to break it all up a bit, I went to London for a book launch with a friend.

Sometimes, you just need a good catch-up to talk and bounce idées with your fellow ladies.

It was so lovely and we had a yummy lunch at The Bugis Singapore Restaurant, which I really recommend!

A Week Of Illness

Slowly but surely, Autumn was coming over and all the couleurs fabuleuses that go with it. Like many others, I love this time of the year. We go to the park and have some adventures scooting.

Or we simply go to a local pub with our family and friends.

And just when everything is parfait, something goes wrong, right? Here is my life analogy to a roller coaster.

I got a bit sick and had to take some time off work, which is never pleasant because I am not good at chilling.

Personnellement, I am always struggling to do nothing and take it slow. I like being busy. Plus, it was frustrating as I had to cancel meetings for work and plans made with friends.

Looking For The Silver Linings

But on the other hand, I still managed to enjoy some simple silver linings.

We had a great Parents Evening for Stanley with his year 3 teacher and I was so contente to hear her feedback.

He is inquisitive, very bright, and always eager to learn… but can easily be distracted! Haha quelle surprise!

But after all this hard work, it was time to play hard too!

Video Games and Afternoon Tea

Life is about compromises, right?

So, the boys had a blast at EGX London playing all sorts of video games, new releases, classique ones…

The whole lot! I had not been to Excel London for ages and it was lovely to eventually check out the Elizabeth Line!

Plus, we finished the day with the most beautiful Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the stunning Sanderson Hotel.

Have you ever tried it? It’s a must! We absolutely LOVED the new menu. This really made me happy.

Being Visible Online

The rest of the month was all about routines and a lot of work for me. Backstage, I was planning and organising all my Xmas Giveaways as well as writing some new articles on the blog.

I am trying more than ever to diversify my content as I know we all have different fave platforms ? Where do you usually spend more of your time? Instagram, Facebook, or blogs? Are you even using Thread? I got started this Summer on there and have kind of given up now…

French Dream House

L’excuse parfaite to stay away from social media? Half-term or course! And this time around was super exciting as we went to France to see all my famille.

Even better, I found the most sumptuous place to stay at a super small price! This beautiful classic French townhouse is littéralement being renovated to be turned into flats and rooms to rent! We used to drive past this house every single day when I was a teen and it was my dream house!

Do you also dream about a place that might be on your commute? Or even look at houses on the market on Rightmove or Zoopla? I love looking at properties online on a Friday evening with a good glass of wine. I am dreaming of a Frenchie cottage à la Midsomer Murders!

Anyway… Dream big they say! Well, I am certainly!

Disneyland Paris & Parc Astérix

Life is a roller coaster did I say? Well, it was littéralement while we were in France.

As my family is based not far from Paris, we decided to have a little escapade down that way not to see la capitale but to check out not one but two classic French theme parks.

First stop, we came back to Disneyland Paris and it was truly magical! Even the Marvel Avengers Campus was a blast when I am usually not really your superhero gal.

And we also made it to Parc Astérix. Have you ever been? It’s such a classique family day out in France and you can now even stay at one of its hotels! I really recommend it. It’s way cheaper than Disney and still fabulous for kids! If you read my review, you will see what I am talking about; I reckon the pics talk for themselves ?

So I went on many rides and then I was up for a big deep dive on the roller coaster that life is…

Let’s Go Up… And Down

Our mini French trip was truly fabuleux! But we came home to find that our boiler leaking and after not one but two leaks, we got some big damage to our ceiling…

Not only that, but we did not have any hot water or heating on. Oh, joy! In the bigger scheme of life, I know it’s not much compared to what people are enduring in other parts of the world.

But it was such a fall after having had such a beautiful October 2023…

The désastre carried on with a problème with our heater and a massive bill that went with it.

Bournemouth Escapade

In between all the dramas during the last week of October 2023, we still managed to make it to Bournemouth where we had booked a few nights at the gorgeous Shell House.

You can rent the villa with your friends and family as it can sleep up to 12 people! How gorgeous is this place?

Now, la question est… Which place is your fave? The Shell House with its touches of pink or the abandoned French house?

So much inspiration for our future home. We were planning to do some work and looked into a few projects, but it did not happen as we had to cover other unexpected expenses…

Never mind, 2024 might be the year for more home and interior inspiration in the Frenchie house.

October 2023 – Life Is A Roller Coaster

Now you might understand why I say that Life Is a Roller Coaster. October 2023 proved once again that it comes with ups and downs.

Last month was epic with so many fab moments, exciting projects, and quality time with my boys but also full of disappointment, stress, and more.

I am still trying to find to get back to my good habits but the last fortnight already came with some difficultés and I have an ear infection.

With everything going on, I have not truly been on top of my fitness and overall well-being. My body has been making me pay for my bad décisions over the last few weeks ?

But I am not giving up and am full of idées for the weeks to come!

Planting Seeds For My Garden In 2024

Over the last few days, I have been reflecting on October 2023 and the past year.

2023 has been so successful in so many ways, yet not so good in other areas.

But I am actively thinking about what I want to achieve for next year and I am determinée to plant the right seeds for 2024 to be blooming fabulous, no more no less!

Are you already preparing for 2024?

What are you planning to do for Christmas? What’s on your list?

I am so excited for it! November will go quickly and then it will be all about the festivities and the good food that goes with it. Now, that is something we can all look forward to!

Disclosure: This post might feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a list of my highlights of the month! This a post where I share some reflections as a mum in the country and in London. I hope it will inspire you to get on more family adventures.