February 2023 – Love & Reclaiming My Crown

Bonjour lecteurs! And just like that, it was time to share my monthly highlights… But I got busy with many Mother’s Day collaborations and a couple of exciting giveaways. So I am only publishing this one now! Days and weeks seem to fly by at the minute. I don’t have enough hours to complete all that I want to do… What February 2023 has been like so far for you?

Reclaim Your Crown!

I was tuning in to some How To Fail Podcast episodes the other day. And while listening to her guest Caitlin Moran, I loved what she said ‘It’s time to reclaim your crown‘.

This is absolutely the way I feel this year. And February 2023 was l’exemple parfait to illustrate it.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Suffolk

What do you want in 2023? The last 2 years have been very challenging and I feel it will not get better, especially financially.

So I set myself some high expectations. There are times when I am clearly overdoing it, but I want to achieve so much.

Being Mindful

I have already mentioned it in my January 2023 highlights. This year is all about reaching a better harmony.

This is why we started February 2023 very slowly.

I savoured some moments simples with my tribe or my closest friends.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Kent Life, Canterbury

Something like going for a day out in Canterbury with them or visiting a friend on the coast.

Those were such beautiful periods when I would not turn on the laptop and barely looked at my phone. It felt good and most deserved!

Love Is In The Air

But February 2023 was also full of love. Of all sorts as a matter of fact. I made a better effort to make time to enjoy activities together with my partner.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, London, London Family

And even more than ever, feeling so much love for Stanley.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, London, London Family

I truly enjoyed spending more time after school with him. We did some crafts, we watched Paddington Bear a gazillion times 😝

Since starting a new job, I had to let Grumpy Boyfriend take over the childcare duties at times. I am still struggling to let it go with mum guilt on the odd occasion.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Suffolk

So I was very proud to hear all le progrĂšs Stanley was making at school during his last Parents’ Evening.

Half-term Fun

And just like that, it was half-term.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, London Life

It was packed as always, with beautiful days out and memories!

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, London Life

I made it to the Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre for a fab press event with Stanley.

Before indulging in a great shopping session. Nothing exciting for moi! Think more like Lego and the play area.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, London Life

We also went to some birthday parties. Such a hard life for a 7 years-old! 😝

Bury St Edmunds

But not to worry. I managed to catch up with Grumpy Boyfriend to celebrate Valentine’s Day at our local Wagamama.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, London Life

It was a cute date Ă  trois with the little Frenchie.

And then, we were off to Suffolk to visit Bury St Edmunds. I wrote it all en détails on here.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Suffolk

Such a beautiful place! And we got up to so many adventures encore!

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Suffolk

Have you ever visited Suffolk? Such a beautiful area with a lot of histoire anglaise!

Teaching Again

Back home and time to get to school. Not only for Stanley but for me too!

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Suffolk

I got l’opportunitĂ© to teach French in a local secondary school, so I grabbed it and I am now back to teaching.

‘Never say never‘, well that adage could not be more true! I left teaching back in 2018 and pour ĂȘtre honnĂȘte, I have been loving working freelance since then.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Suffolk

But I did not really know if I wanted to teach again to be totally out of my life. After all, I rather enjoyed it during the lockdown

So here we were, getting used to new routines. It’s just temporary. But who knows where it will lead me to?

Family Time

So this is what it’s all been about. Working relentlessly, even at the weekends. But also making time for ma famille.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, OXBO Bankside

I have had so many deadlines lately, but I try hard to make time for my son.

Or go to beautiful places such as the OXBO Bankside for a bottomless brunch 😝 You might have noticed, I never do things halfway.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, OXBO Bankside, London Life

It always has to be la crĂšme de la crĂšme. Well, that was rather sumptuous.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, OXBO Bankside, London Life

And so was the day in London, walking along the South Bank or stopping by the Tate Modern.

February 2023 – Love & Being My Own Queen

Why did I choose such a title? Because I thought it summed up well what February 2023 had been all about.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, OXBO Bankside, London Life

I felt loved and I loved all that happened to me: the good stuff, but also the challenges. Do not be fooled by those beautiful pictures.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, Suffolk

We also have our hard moments. But I decided that this year, more than ever, I was not going to avoid challenges. Instead, I will embrace them and learn even more from them. And change and grow further along the way.

February 2023 was quick-paced and I admit I felt rather knackered by the end of it. Especially with such weather. It never helps my mood.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, OXBO Bankside, London Life

But 2023 will be my year and I will reclaim my crown! Exit 2022. Last year has its difficulties and I am ready to put them behind me. So onward and upward it will be.

Monthly Highlights, February 2023, the Frenchie Mummy, London Life

What’s your mindset in 2023? Will you too reclaim your crown? Whatever it is to you, just go for it and never ever give up.

 

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.

 

10 Comments

  1. Wendy Lam-Vechi
    March 14, 2023 / 7:08 am

    I love your travel stories and your escape to the city and back to the quieter countryside. Stanley has seen so much for his age. Of course there are the snuggle times at home too which we all need to unwind. I love a feel good movie. Recently we have been watching Encanto over and over again. Can’t seem to get the theme song out of my head.

    I’m so happy you manage to go to Oxbo. It’s one of my favourite restaurants and you can see why, haha, For Mother’s day we’re finally going to Theo Randell at the Intercontinental for their infamous Sunday Brunch. I’m so excited after seeing your photos

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      March 15, 2023 / 7:34 am

      Oh I am so happy you booked it there! It’s beautiful! We are doing something local for Mother’s Day but I will definitely have to be back there this year too haha. Enjoy!

  2. Siobhan N
    March 17, 2023 / 6:55 am

    I can’t believe how quick the year is passing! So glad that the evenings are becoming ighter again!

  3. MARIA ROGERS
    March 18, 2023 / 7:27 am

    It is great to take stock and contemplate how things are going otherwise we never learn and grow. Looks like you are on track to have an amazing 2023!

  4. ashleigh
    March 18, 2023 / 8:47 pm

    Sounds like a great plan!

  5. claire woods
    March 19, 2023 / 9:08 am

    Lovely photos of your time. Working but making time for family is important.

  6. Leanne Baker
    March 21, 2023 / 1:55 pm

    Great photos of you and your family making lovely memories

  7. Priscilla Stubbs
    March 24, 2023 / 11:35 am

    Another interesting month for you and Stanley. I didn’t realise you were back teaching, you lead such a busy life I am sure that you are never bored!

  8. Laura Corrall
    March 24, 2023 / 2:12 pm

    You’ve been very busy, and such lovely photos. 2023 will be your year! I have some goals in 2023 that I want to hit before I turn 35. Such a losing some weight and travelling more. I love the idea of reclaiming my crown.

  9. Jennifer Rhymer
    April 5, 2023 / 7:24 pm

    Lovely photos, great memories for you too xx

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