Sundaze 296: Summer’s here, health kick and a poorly car

Happy Sundaze, my loves!

It feels like I’ve been bombarding you all with blog posts recently, and it feels really good to be back to a ‘normal’ cadence of posting here. I spent a little time planning some posts for the next month, and I’ll be spending the next few evenings writing posts while lazing in the garden (hopefully). Between work (really busy), hayfever (really bad) and plans with friends (really fun), life is busy and full and I’m loving it. Eddie and I have started planning our wedding, which is so incredibly exciting! Sod’s law, though, that we’d set a budget and have my car run into a few problems… Eek.

A very British summer

We’ve been anointed with a spell of sunshine-filled days in England, and it’s improved everybody’s mood – mine included – by about a hundredfold. Whether it’s lunch in the garden, languid after-work walks beneath the rays, a cheeky thunderstorm to reset things, or spending hours in beer gardens at every opportunity, we’re having a very British summer indeed. On a personal level, I’m thrilled at all the book-and-vitamin-D time I’m squeezing in and how decidedly dusty the TV remote is getting. We spent yesterday afternoon fixing new fence panels and enjoying a late afternoon barbecue lunch – just perfect.

My latest health kick

Since returning from Japan, Eddie and I have been on a health kick. Isn’t that always the way after a holiday? Too much eating out and feeling a little sodium-dense? I’m really enjoying my Shreddy training programme, and I’m back into my running (albeit in far shorter distances!). This week, I had a Planthood delivery as well, which was completely delicious! It’s been perfect motivation for me to plan in simple, nourishing meals for the upcoming week.

On top of that, I’ve started acupuncture and TCM herbal medicine for some other health issues I’ve been dealing with for a while. I was terrified of acupuncture – not a needle fan! – but my first two sessions were surprisingly relaxing. Just six more weeks to go!

Poorly car week

My beloved Nissan Leaf is out of use at the moment. So, I’m Without Car until it can be looked at in July! To be honest it’s been quite nice, if not wildly eye-opening, to be without a car. I’m trading gym sessions for running, solo commutes for car shares, trips into town for walks along country lanes. Having said that, I’m counting down the days until I’m reunited with it so that we can check off a few bigger house jobs.

Links I’ve Loved

’Tis not the season, but this ghostie candle is all kinds of cute.
I really enjoy this weekly digest by Susty Stack on Substack.
My Beauty of Joseon matte sun stick is a dream for keeping me from getting hot and bothered during this sunny spell and all the summer parties in my diary.
I think I’m going to treat myself to this linen-effect wedding planner. Hey, could it even be my wedding if I didn’t have a dedicated notebook for it all?
Loved this piece by Jo on Substack about the quiet beauty of growing up.