Coming up.....

I don't know about you but the way this morning has gone, I'm glad February 29th only comes around once every four years!

Monday morning's are usually stressful but this morning was and then some! Phone calls as you're trying to get out of the door; girls stressing about school; the queue at the bank as it opens being held up by a lady trying to top up her account (with random coin combinations), so that she can bid on a tablet on Ebay.  

On top of other errands that have needed to be run, I've just got back in time for lunch and am finally sitting down to catch up on my tasks for the day. I knew there was a catch to such a smooth running weekend!

So after a quick brew, a few deep breaths and a skim-read of Vogue to restore some calm; here's what's lined up on The Cherished this week...

Thank goodness she's realised that it's all about comfort! From trainers to sparkles, we've rounded up a selection of flats that prove you don't have to compromise style for comfort.

An afternoon at The Bath Bun Tea Shoppe in #CityCountryLife

and more! In the meantime if you missed our gift guide for Mother's Day last week, you can find it *here*.

I hope you've had a good weekend and a better start to the week!

Amy

xx

Mother's Day Gift Guide

With Mother's Day just a little over a week away I've put together my gift guide for March 6th. I really enjoy looking for Mother's Day presents and love the opportunity to spoil my mum who does so much for us as a family.  From beautiful flowers and my favourite chocolates to something a little different there's something to suit all budgets.

Not On The High Street

Personalised Keepsake £14.99

I love Not On The High Street for personalised and different gifts. A few friends have recently had their first babies and I think this is the perfect gift for a new mum. A personalised mini mum  letter, poem and photo frame sent in a silver gift box for the most special of all Mother's Days.  

Hotel Chocolat Mother's Day Box £12

What mum wouldn't love these exquisite chocolates? Hotel Chocolat always put together beautiful boxes and these are no different. 14 of their most popular chocolates and the option of a personalised gift card.  

My Name Necklace

I'd never come across this website before but I absolutely love this engraved family circle necklace, which starts at £24.90 for one pendant. The necklace is sterling silver and holds the names and date of birth for up to three children.

Marks and Spencer Hyacinth Bouquet

Marks and Spencer is my go to place if I'm buying flowers as a gift. They always have a fantastic range of beautiful bouquets and they seem to last much longer than flowers from elsewhere. This hyacinth bouquet is so pretty and costs £25. 

Matalan

Coconut & Pinapple Scented Glass Candle £4 // Floral Paisley Printed Pyjama Bottoms £8 // Be Happy Print Cushion £8 // Decorative Flower Photo Frame £5

I am seriously impressed with Matalan at the moment! I used to work at one of the stores when I was at school and their homeware range has always had some beautiful pieces, however they seem to be stepping up their game in all departments. You can't beat a comfy pair of pjs and I will definitely be picking up the cocunut and pineapple candle and pretty flower photo frame. With prices as good as they are though, I can guarantee that I will end up leaving with more than I went in for!

Thomas Sabo

Charm Mum £39.95 // Charm "Best Mum" £50 // Ring from £179

Both my mum and I have a Thomas Sabo charm bracelet and we have built up quite a collection of charms. The Mother's Day collection is so pretty and I'm not sure that I can resist this beautiful ring. Definitely one of my favourite shops. 

Shopping made easy - along with a beautiful handmade or personalised card you're good to go!

Amy

xx

Style // Casual Winter Style

I've been in need of some major distraction this weekend and as usual, Pinterest has provided just that! Do you ever find yourself in a bit of a rut style wise? I'm bored of my clothes at the moment and haven't really got the extra cash to go out and splurge on a new wardrobe. Also I find it really difficult to shop since moving to the country. In Cardiff I was spoilt for choice and working and living in the city meant I was surrounded by fashion on a daily basis. So many stores to browse, high street, designer and individual boutiques in the Victorian arcades meant that that I could add a new piece relatively easily to update and give my outfit a new lease of life.  Here, there is definitely a shortage and everything takes more of an effort to get to. I've also found that not coming into contact with many people during a day has made me maybe a bit lazy and I seem to be reaching for the same combination of clothes regularly. I  miss my identity in the city!

So, from the comfort of my sofa I've been pinning away to my hearts content! For the most part I have these items in my wardrobe / crammed full chest of drawers, so these pins are just re-working pieces and giving me a kick up the backside to make a bit more effort in planning what I'm wearing. I may not be in the city anymore but that doesn't mean casual can't look together and smart.

It's been a long time since I posted weekly outfit posts but I'm considering bringing them back if only to keep myself accountable! In the mean time, you can view my style boards on my Pinterest.

Here's to a more fashionable week!

Amy

xx

Linking up with City Country Life

Lazy Mornings

Yesterday was such a beautiful day, cold admittedly but the sun was shining and I was eager to get out (bonus; sunglasses and red lippy turn an outfit and tired eyes into instant glam!).  After driving into Bath, we stopped for hot chocolate and a browse around the shops before returning home to walk the dogs around the village. By 4pm the temperature had seriously dropped and it seems that it was the day for all the farms in the village to be lighting bonfires. Combined with chimneys spouting out smoke from the log burners that heat most of the homes here, we were taken straight from a spring like day back to winter.

This morning however is the polar opposite, thick grey clouds and rain greeted me as I pulled back the curtains making me thankful that it's half term and  I could climb back into bed. Our days in the holidays usually consist of leisurely mornings, followed by venturing out somewhere for the afternoon and home for dinner. Today, even the dogs seem reluctant to leave the house although if the snow that I'm now watching fall outside settles I'm sure that it will turn into a different story. For now though, I'm tuning back to a cup of fruit tea, attending to some unsent emails, quite possibly followed by a nap. After all, half term is meant as a rest surely? 

Amy

xx

Linking up with City Country Life

Stormy Days

As Storm Imogen has well and truly hit us, between the school runs I'm sat working at home and keeping warm and dry. The wind is so bad that even the dogs are hiding in the bedroom and our garden fence and hot tub cover are struggling to stay in place. The lanes are flooding all around us and although we are lucky that we're slightly higher up, some friends are at risk and are bringing out the sandbags. Outdoor training has been postponed until the storm has passed and as I've slightly sprained my ankle an indoor rehabilitation session is called for. Hopefully by the time Wednesday arrives, Imogen will have left us and I'll be ready for a track session.

I'm having an admin day today, finishing off some work, sending emails and planning the future of my space here. There will be some changes here and if you follow me on Instagram you'll have noticed that it has become more fitness orientated. Although this will be remaining a lifestyle blog, I am aiming to post about my training and new challenges here on a weekly basis. This is something that I've wanted to do for a little while now and amongst other regular features I am looking forward to sharing my fitness journey with you here and being able to look back and seeing what progress has been made. I'm pleased to say that so far I've maintained my training and workouts this year, even if it has meant adapting some sessions to how my body is feeling. I'm looking forward to my first post later this week!

In the meantime, stay safe, keep dry and warm and brew lots of tea! I'm off to perfect driving through lanes on the school run.

Amy

xx

Olivia's Victory

Today is World Cancer Day and it is very close to home to us, as unfortunately it is to many families. This time I have some good news though. Yesterday was the first day of the rest of my beautiful niece's life! On Tuesday, Olivia saw the end of nine months of chemotherapy, surgery, blood transfusions and radiotherapy and got to ring the end of treatment bell on Rainbow Ward signalling her victory over Stage 4 cancer. 

Many of you here will know her story but for those of you who don't she was taken to hospital after falling and hurting her side, banging it on a cabinet. After passing a lot of blood after the fall she was scanned where they found a tumour in her kidney. Olivia had not been unwell up to that point, she had complained of tummy ache a few times and was tired, but she had just started full time school and was eating, drinking, playing etc all normally. Luckily she did fall as after scanning her whole body, they found cancer cells had spread to her lungs. She was transferred to the wonderful Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, where she immediately began chemotherapy and on the evening of her 5th birthday was taken back in to have her kidney removed and start radiotherapy. 

That Bank holiday weekend last May turned our world upside down, but Livvs showed us all the way forward with her courage, resilience and beautiful smile which never left her at the darkest of times. She has touched and inspired so many people, who in turn have donated blood (thank you so much to my friends who have) and raised so much money for Latch in her name. I'm so proud of Livvs, my sister and brother in law for the way they have overcome all of this and to my two gorgeous nephews who have dealt with everything with such maturity and love for their little sister.

It has been so hard moving away from them at such a difficult time, but knowing the support that my family back home has had from friends and the wider community has helped. They have all been amazing and it won't be forgotten, neither will the wonderful staff at Noah's Ark and Velindre hospital. This past nine months has been an emotional roller coaster and I'm not sure I could have coped aswell as my sister has. She is one amazing woman and her strength has most certainly been passed on to my niece. Today it finally feels like a weight has been lifted and our beautiful girl can start to get back to being a normal 5 year old. 

Amy

xx

Linking up with City Country Life