Bonjour lecteurs! Time to reflect on October 2019! If I am being honest, I found Half-Term really tough, trying to juggle it all. I was physically exhausted when it was over. But now that I sit down to write my monthly highlights, I come to realise that we made so many good memories!
Red Smart Women Week
September ended with a bang as we had a blast at the Royal Opera House and we loved testing the new kids’ menu at Brasserie Blanc. So I had high hopes for October 2019.
It did not disappoint as I went to the Red Smart Women Week. This is such an empowering event taking place each year at the Carlton House Terrace.
I will make sure to book my tickets again in 2020!
A Solo Trip To France
But after having all the fun with my girls, it was time to see my family. For the first time ever, I went to France as a solo parent. No Grumpy Boyfriend but just the two of us, Baba and moi.
I was a bit worried about travelling with him on my own. So I packed a very light suitcase and off we went! It didn’t start well as my train was late in Paris Nord…
Not easy to keep him busy for an hour in the gare…But we made it and it was so lovely to see Baba interacting with my family!
And he enjoyed some French goodies such as pain au chocolat and other famous pastries! 🙂
He tried un peu to speak français. And bien sûr, he got spoiled with attention and kisses!
Breast Cancer Campaign
I must say that after surviving a 3 hours journey on my own with Baba, I felt like Wonder Woman!
More seriously, I also got the opportunité to support a great cause! Indeed, I took part in the Breast Cancer campaign featuring Chantelle with Estée Lauder.
And together, we reached 370,000 people! More importantly, Chantelle donate £2,000 to Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign to help this cause!
Remember to check yourself, ladies! C’est super important!
Work & Fun In October 2019
The second half of the month also involved me making a Bitter Chocolate Moelleux at the stunning Langham Hotel with the gorgeous Giovanna Fletcher.
Check me out pretending I am even good at this! This event was so much fun!
But I also got to work hard! Indeed, I helped to organise the first UK Kids Around Press Day! OMG!!!
I am so excited to have achieved this. You know me, I am a huge fashionista. I keep dressing Baba in the label’s clothes so when they asked me to be involved, it was kind of insane!
The day was busy crazy but such lovely feedback from my fellow mummy bloggers!
Half-Term Worries
But it was soon to be Half-Term! And as per usual, I overdid it… Silly me!
I took on many projects while I knew I would have Baba with me 24/7 that week. And let me tell you that it was a long one!
There have been a couple of tears. I just go frustrated I could not do all my work in the daytime and I was waking up at dawn and going to bed way too late to meet deadlines.
I was feeling so guilty of asking Baba to entertain himself and watch some TV.
Usually, I have a good work-life balance as a mum working from home. I have very strict boundaries so that I can manage (and enjoy!) it all. But not this time! I was physically exhausted 🙁
Hever Castle & Kew Gardens
I made the decision that next time, I will put him one day or two at the nursery. And I will not feel guilty about it.
Because I still need to work and make an income as a freelancer, holiday or not…
That being said, looking back at our pictures, the remorse is partly gone. We had some fabulous adventures with Baba and I am glad I made him the priorité!
He absolutely loved staying at Hever Castle Luxury Bed & Breakfast for Halloween!
And Kew Gardens was another succés!
So hurrah! I am not such a bad maman in the end…
Me Time
It is so difficile sometimes to not feel guilty. Even if I know that I am in such a privileged position to do a job I absolutely love. La morale? I will have to pause and not take on so many projects next time!
No money is worth this worry and the pain! ‘Work Hard, Play Hard!’ they say…
Well, after all this work, it was time to get some ‘Me Time’. And I had a lovely day out with my friends shooting at Eastwell Manor and the Secret Garden! How about that for party time! ?
It was just what I needed! And I did not even feel guilty when we did not go trick or treating.
October 2019 – Work-Life Balance
Big lesson learnt in October 2019! No work is worth feeling miserable and making yourself physically unwell!
So I am taking it a bit slowly this month. I am out on my bike and I get some fresh air. I meditate more and I switch off a bit earlier than usual.
A friend also suggested that I started pilates. Have you ever tried? How did it feel for you? I will test it this month, so wish me luck!
Thanks again for reading my monthly highlights and your lovely support!
Each time I publish those monthly highlights, it really reminds me to be grateful for what I have. And your comments are always very much appreciated!
Disclosure: This post may feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a list of my highlights of the month! And a post for me to reflect and learn too!
It is so important to look after yourself and not get caught up in the work merry-go-round especially when self employed. I was like you, a working mum, self employed, feeling guilty all the time, ran myself into the ground and even now I am suffering with my health because of it. Keep doing your meditation, pilates etc, I do mindfulness to find my inner calm and focus. Look after yourself so that then you are able to look after little baba who needs his mama 100% well.
A very interesting post. We all need time to ourselves
We can all over do things and things we need to do if we don’t do them are so easy to feel guilty about . I think you do a fabulous job don’t beat yourself up if you can’t do everything You need time out. A really good idea is to try some yoga. My daughter teaches it she used to get stressed but not much now it’s really done her good. It helps to keep you calm toning the body up. Glad you had some fun too x
I loved this post it’s great that your taking time for yourself x
Giving yourself time, to be you.
Everyday is filled with joy – sometimes its harder to see ! It is always there
I love giovanna fletcher that must have been an amazing experience! I love reading about your wonderful adventures!
What an inspirational post! And I love your dress in the top photo!
Well done for helping to raising awareness and lots of money for Breast Cancer!
Wow, you managed to pack a lot in to one month
Great blog post.
Wow! You did more than I probably do in 6 months! I’m trying to make more time for myself at the moment but it’s so difficult!
Sometimes half term can be hard, but it looks like you filled it with fun for the whole family! xx
Lots of interesting activities, great to read
so many uplifting things
So many brilliant ideas here, thank you! Xx
Wow, you achieved so much, but important to take time for yourself too!
Oh, yes, deadlines are really stressful. You got through October, though, and both you and your baba are looking fabulous.
Being at home in France must have been a joy for all of you. Hope November is going well.
Great post, lots of interesting stuff
Fab blog post. Wow you’re so busy. We all need a bit of time to ourselves.
Wow fantastic!!
Well done – you were very brave undertaking this journey and it worked out fine for you.
Wow you have achieved loads I hope your super proud of yourself
Great post thanks! We all need time to ourselves!
Wow, you had a busy month
Fabulous looks like you all had fun
Great post, sounds like you had a hectic month but very rewarding and you achieved a lot, well done
I haven’t tried pilates either but I’m thinking of it too! On another note, that pink coat is FAB.
Very interesting post. Great that you are raising awareness for breast cancer.
You look absolutely stunning and it looked like you had a fabulous time
wow you were extremely busy, well done on 3 hour journey with little one lol
What we could all get up to with some time to ourselves looks like it was fab
What a fantastic half term!! Flying to France as a solo parent is so so brave but so worth it to see your family and spend precious family moments together xx
What a great post. The photo’s are brilliant.
Life can get so crowded at times that we forget the little things that are important! Sounds like a busy month!
we all need to recharge our batteries
So busy!
You’re not a “bad mother” for trying to work over half-term! Many of us who work when our kids are small also feel guilty, but in the long run the children benefit in so many ways.
goodness, what a wonderful time you have with and without your kids – our children are always happier when we feel refreshed and happy in ourselves as we don’t have that mum ‘short fuse’ that’s all too common!
I love your sense of style, everything I see you in I want!
great post