Oh it’s been a hot minute (literally: so damn hot) since I sat down and wrote a Sundaze update. How are you all?! I’ve missed you guys! I missed last week’s edition because I was still in post-Spanish holiday mode. That being said, I feel so refreshed and ready to take on the last 6 months of the year. Bring. It. On. I shared some notes on switching off in this week’s newsletter — sign up to it here, and you’ll receive a resend this evening.

Tomorrow, my brother, sister and I fly to Vienna to explore the city for 5 days. It’s SO unlike me to book back-to-back trips, but this week has been a whirlwind of trying to get all of my work complete, unpack from Spain and repack for Austria. I’ve got a handful of other trips coming up too, and I’m trying my best to stop feeling guilty about being away so much! But hey, I’m in my twenties and according to that infamous millennial proverb: ‘You only live once’.

Trying out new blog things!

Last month I started working with a blog and business coach in a bid to get out of my own head as a business owner. While I surprise myself daily with my ability to keep my business running and flourishing, I’d started to feel like I had nobody to sit down with and really talk about what I wanted to do next, where I wanted to take both my blog and business, and how to do it. On the recommendation of Charlotte, I booked in a slot with Jasmin and have loved every second so far! You can discover more about what she does on her website.

With that in mind, I put some solid hours aside this week to work on Daisybutter and its’ connected platforms. First, updating my cornerstone content document (you can learn more about this in this week’s newsletter!) so that I can easily showcase archived posts. Then, really working on elevating my imagery.

It’s no secret that the blogging industry has evolved so much that Instagram has taken over and that photos are what draws the everyday reader in. And I’m, by nature and trade, a writer. I work with a selection of talented photographers, but have wanted to push myself for MONTHS. Enter my creativity challenge whereby I’ve managed to craft 5 Daisybutter presets on Lightroom (this took me about 7 hours collectively and was SO fun once I got the hang of it) and spend several hours honing my Instagram grid craft. I feel so inspired towards all of my platforms at the moment and can’t wait to see what’s next.

I ran the Race for Life! … then we went to London with Milo

Louise and I only went and ran the Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK in searing 30C heat! It was Sod’s Law that the heatwave ended the day after our run… But regardless, we bloody did it and I managed to do it in 43 minutes, which isn’t *too* bad considering the heat. I got through three bottles of water on the route!

Afterwards, we peeled off our gymwear, showered, packed a car full of dog toys, water bottles and portable bowls and made a beeline for London in the car. It was Milo’s first time in the city and he surprised us all, taking to the busy city like a duck to water. It’s safe to say my little mister is a city kinda dude! We bought food at Baker Street and walked through Regent’s Park and up Primrose Hill for a picnic overlooking the London skyline. Primrose Hill remains to be one of my favourite spots!

Visiting the lavender fields with Ghenet

Lastly, I got to spend an entire day with my wonderful friend Ghenet! She came up to visit me and I took her to our local lavender farm where we pranced about in the blooms and managed to each get stung by a bee. One got trapped in my dress and stung me right on the bikini line which has been a barrel of laughs to contend with.

Then I took her to my favourite local coffee shop — Groundworks in Hitchin — for grilled cheese, lemonade and a mini shoot and interview for her newsletter. (Sign up here to read my interview!) We came away with paper bags full of lavender, camera reels of floral photography, and a whole load of inspiration and advice-giving exchanges. Ghenet is one of those rare breeds of human that I instantly clicked with and couldn’t imagine not having as a friend!

Links I’ve Loved:

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I find Rosie’s blog incredibly inspiring, and her bread recipe cemented that fact. Find it here, as well as her zero waste post, over on Cider with Rosie.
Alongside my blogging kick this week, I loved Kristabel’s helpful video on creating a content calendar. I already have one that I’ve made through Google Calendar, but her tips are especially useful if you don’t know where to begin.
One of my current favourite food blogs is Cupful of Kale. Tamsin creates delicious vegan recipes (tried and tested!) that aren’t intimidating, are oh so accessible, and that are always accompanied by beautiful photos. And I adored her Creamy Brazil Nut Pesto Pasta recipe.
Ghenet left her make-up behind by accident while on holiday, and has shared a post all about a month make-up free. Such an insightful and inspiring read!
Classic diary-like blog posts remain to be my favourite and Erica’s little photo diary update felt so nostalgic to read!
After a fresh, delicious and filling breakfast recipe? Gem’s recipe for Coconut and Banana Overnight Oats sounds SO good.
Hannah’s Indonesian travel photo diary instantly transported me back to Bali, and I totally want to visit the surrounding islands too now.
And in the spirit of making conscious choices as much as I can, this post from Tilly lists essentials for any new vegan and I found it really helpful.