09.08

Cider-with-Rosie-34-weeks-pregnant

How far along: 36 weeks! I’m officially in my ninth and final month of pregnancy, which is so surreal. Baby is apparently around the size of a papaya this week…though I’m guessing my app means one of those giant papayas you see in fruit markets and greengrocers, not those teeny mango-sized ones you can pick up in the supermarket…

Days until due date: 28!

The bump: Allllll out front these days! I keep forgetting how much bigger I am compared to my normal self, and am forever bashing my bump into the corners of tables, my car door, cupboard handles etc. etc. I’ve even managed to bruise it a couple of times, which isn’t very comfortable!

Weight changes: No idea!

Stretch marks? None, thank goodness. I’ve been very lucky so far- hoping the luck holds out over these final couple of weeks!

Cravings: I’ve definitely got more of a sweet tooth than normal, but I’ve not been craving anything much really. Oh, though I did get a major hankering for flapjack on Friday, and ended up making a batch on a whim! They were pretty tasty. My favourite snack at the moment though is frozen raspberries- so refreshing and tasty!

Sleep: What with my constant trips to the loo, the need to sleep on my left side (which I HATE!), and just my general restlessness, it’s fair to say neither Jason or I are sleeping all that well these days! I guess it’s all good practise though, and I’m amazed at how well I’m functioning on such broken sleep. I keep waiting for the third trimester exhaustion to hit me, but apart from the odd tired day, I’m not really feeling it at all.

Symptoms: A slight touch of occasional heartburn (having to order a mild curry when Jason and I treated ourselves to an Indian the weekend before last was SO rubbish!!), and a definite loosening up of my joints. But nothing I could complain about, really!

Best moment this week: Finishing up our beautiful nursery with a lovely armchair from HomeSense! It was a total steal, and I’m thrilled with it. Oh, and packing mine and baby’s hospital bag, which makes everything feel so very real!

Worst moment this week: Probably the super stressy, hormonal couple of days I had the weekend before last (so technically not exactly this week, but still…)! I’ve been fairly chilled this whole pregnancy, and since I usually suffer so badly with my hormones once a month, it’s been both a surprise and a joy! But I wasn’t myself at ALL the weekend before last, and I think Jason was glad to go back to work on Monday, ha! But I’m back to normal now, thank goodness! Thank goodness for us both…;)

Miss anything? Oh, just cheese. I’ve been thinking longingly about all the mouldy, stinky cheeses I’ll be able to eat once baby is here, and will be totally gutted if our first meal home post-birth isn’t a cheeseboard with lots of fresh apples, grapes, and crusty bread. Oh man, I can’t wait!

Movement: Lots, though I think baby is running out of space now since the movements aren’t quite so expansive as they were a few weeks ago. Instead I’m feeling tiny knees, feet, and elbows pressed up against the sides of my belly, and a little baby bottom right underneath my ribs!

Gender: A surprise!

Belly button in/out: Out! Especially when the baby is pushing right out against the front of my stomach.

Wedding Rings on/off: On!

Mood: Pretty fab! I’m both insanely impatient for what’s to come, and also nervous about how much our lives are about to change in just a few short weeks. We’re so, SO excited to be parents though, and think we’re as ready as we’ll ever be for the chaos!

Looking forward to: Being considered officially ‘full term’ from this coming Monday onwards!

 

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31.07

Cider-with-Rosie-The-Awkward-Blog-cover

I’m so, SO excited to be sharing an interview with the wonderful Angela, of The Awkward Blog here today on Cider with Rosie! She’s been one of my favourite bloggers to follow for a good couple of years now, because it’s just 100% impossible to read one of Angela’s posts and not feel uplifted by it! I mean, you only need glance over the gorgeous photos I’ve popped into this post to see why I love it so much, right?! Anyway, enough from me, and let’s get to know Angela a little better!

1. Will you tell us a little about how you got started writing The Awkward Blog, and what it means to you?

It all started three years ago- I was working at an advertising agency and just felt like I desperately needed some sort of creative outlet to escape into. I didn’t have a clue about having a niche, I didn’t know any other bloggers personally, I just wanted a space to write things or share some photos. Over time, I loved that it connected me to this new online community and that’s really what my blog means to me- connecting to other people through our different stories.

2. How would you sum up your blog, in just 3 words?

Silly Little Adventures…because I feel like that’s essentially what my life is about-whether it’s going on a trip, having an embarrassing moment, sharing a recipe or a story, they’re all my own little adventures (and also, I try not to take myself so seriously!)

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3. Let’s talk a little about the blogging community! What’re some of your favourite things about being involved in the industry? And anything you’d like to change, if you could?

I like that blogging is a community- there’s always a social aspect to it. It’s created many new friendships that I otherwise would never have made and I love that! I love that it opens up all these conversations and exchange of stories, and a sense of kinship.

On the other hand I do feel that we put too much pressure on ourselves, to the point it sucks the fun out of blogging. There is always a sense of needing to be better, to network more, to master this, that or the other more. Blogging has always had this edge of competitiveness and its easy to start questioning yourself. So if I could change something, it’d be that. We should all be nicer to ourselves. I felt a bit burnt out by it all towards the end of last year, and I promised myself that I would remember to have fun with it again.

4. Would you share with us three of your favourite posts, and tell us why they’re particular favourites?

Number one is my wedding! I got married last year, here in London. Having all my friends and family together blew my mind (I also wore feathers, so that was pretty cool too)

Number two, isn’t really a specific post. I like sharing my Life Lately updates- if I have a few interesting links to share I’ll add them in, as well as little snippets of what’s been going on recently. I’m less strict with myself on a Life Lately update; it’s not about layout or photo quality but more of a focus on sharing the everyday (for instance, hiding out in a loo at work)

Travel posts are my favourite, but I have a soft spot for the Morocco ones. I like looking back on the photos and remembering our newly wed adventures there.

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5. Okay, let’s talk London! What would be your ideal way to spend a day in your home city, if budget were no option? :)

My favourite way of wiling away the time would be to just walk! I’d make the most of the day by grabbing a coffee and a croissant and then people watch along the Southbank. I’d explore the Tate Modern, cross the bridge over to Embankment, and head towards Soho. I’d get some tea and dessert at Said Dal café, browse the shops on Carnaby Street and maybe treat myself to a mani/pedi. I’d ride a bike through Hyde Park and wander up Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road for trinkets. I’d head south to Brixton to have dinner and drinks at the market and then to a gig at Brixton Academy, before heading home to sink into a sofa with tea.

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6. Travel is a big passion of yours, right? What destinations have been your favourites to visit, and where are you keen to explore next?

Morocco, where I spent my mini-moon, was exciting. It’s only a four hour flight away but it’s a different world. There’s an air of adventure there but also, a great place to unwind and relax. I’ve recently come back from New York and it was really cool getting to explore the city with my sister this time round. Next week I’m looking forward to a weekend in the countryside and then for New Year’s, we decided to escape winter for a bit and are planning a trip to the Maldives.

7. If you could snap your fingers and suddenly become master of any particular skill or talent, what skill would you choose?

I wish I was more musically gifted. I’d love to play so many different instruments- The guitar! The drums! The bass! But I have zero coordination. I tried to take guitar lessons but sadly, I’m about as skilled as Phoebe Buffay. I grew up on a tropical island, where it felt like everyone could play something and I was envious that my musical talents only extended to the recorder. I can play a mean Three Blind Mice (and a decent Smelly Cat)

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8. And finally, it’s our old favourite Desert Island Discs! If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring along for the ride? You can bring two albums/CDs, two books, two films, ingredients to make a meal, and one luxury item!

Two albums- Can I have a Motown and Soul music compilation? I never ever tire of Sam Cooke. My second album would be…the Grease 2 soundtrack. I know it’s awful, but it’s so bad that it’s good, and if I’m stuck on a desert island, I’d really need some laughs.

Two books- I’d take Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, because that’s my favourite of the series. Then I’d also take Bossypants by Tina Fey to keep me laughing and motivated.

Two films- I’d take Labyrinth because it’s a classic (and David Bowie) and then probably Toy Story.

Ingredients to make a meal- I would take rice, spring onions, and some sort of honey soy glaze for the fish I will catch. I’m assuming I will be an expert fisherman.

And finally, my luxury item would be a razor to tame the leg hair situation. I’m on an island, I need to remain mermaid like at all times.

~ ~ ~

Thanks so much to the lovely Angela for such a fun interview! Don’t forget to follow along with The Awkward Blog via Bloglovin, and head over to read Angela’s most recent posts too!

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20.07

Cider-with-Rosie-sunrise

A little round up of this past week so far…in verb form! >>

Watching: Old episodes of OITNB, and Eden (a new show all about a group who spend a year living ‘off the grid’- v interesting!

Listening to: ‘Islands’ by Bear’s Den. It’s most definitely my album of the summer, is what I reach for every time I get in my car for a long drive.

Eating: Salads! In this heat they’re all I fancy eating, with plenty of fresh cucumber and chunks of creamy feta. Oh, and YooMoo frozen yoghurt icelollies for afters because they’re seriously the most delicious things!

Drinking: Iced water. And TONS of it!

Playing: Would you judge me if I told you I’ve been playing Pokemon? Because I kind of totally 100% love it. I have zero idea what I’m doing (I’ve never been a big ‘gamer’, mainly because I can never remember what all the buttons do on the controllers) but I’m enjoying pottering along in the game regardless. Reminds me of my childhood spent collecting the cards, and then having no idea what I was supposed to do to ‘fight’ with them!

Wearing: Dresses, all day long! I especially love this baby blue spotty one from Seraphine, because there’s no excess material over the bump which gives a nice neat silhouette.

Enjoying: The beautiful summer sunrises and sunsets we’ve been getting just lately. Isn’t that one in the photo above so pretty? I caught it at 5am the other morning whilst I was up letting Elsie to the toilet. Totally worth it!

Hoping: That the weather stays nice for the day Jason and I are spending together in London next Monday! We used to spend so much time in town together when we first got together (I was living in Greenwich at the time), and so we’re taking a day out to visit a museum, shop, and eat great food just like we used to! We figured it’d be fun to do, before 2 becomes 3 and a day out like that requires military levels of planning and organisation! ;)

Planning: On taking a frozen hot water bottle to bed with me this evening! I’m not struggling with this lovely heat and sunshine all that much, but my feet do get crazy hot in the evenings so hoping a chilled water bottle will cool them down in bed. I’ve taken to standing in an inch of cold water in the bath whilst brushing my teeth each evening, ha! Having so much extra blood during pregnancy as well as a raised body temperature is no joke…

Loving: The set of cute PJs I bought from H&M last week! I bought them to go in my hospital bag for after I’ve given birth, but loved them too much not to wear now.

Best moment of the past week? Our wedding anniversary, for certain! We went out for a delicious Thai meal the evening before (and I wore a fancy dress with flipflops, which was the perfect compromise between style and comfort!), and then we spent the day itself at a big family party. It was the best!

Less-than-best moment of the past week? Uhh…maybe having to buy so many packs of absorbent *things* to go into my hospital bag, for post-birth!! I won’t go into too much details, but I just had no idea how much…leakage…would be going on come September. Ha!

Happy Wednesday, my friends!

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28.04

Cider-with-Rosie-Wander-to-Wonder-cover

Today’s post comes courtesy of the lovely Miho, from Wander to Wonder! I’ve been a fan of Miho’s blog for such a long time now, and can’t recommend her posts highly enough. They’re always so beautifully put together (you must go and take a look at Miho’s photos from Vietnam- gorgeous!), and Miho’s restaurant posts are always comprehensive, tempting, and informative all at once! So, enough from me- let me introduce to Wander to Wonder!

1. Will you tell us a little about how you got started writing Wander to Wonder?

Back in 2013, I was just wrapping up 3 years of studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria. Although I had a wonderful time there, I was so excited to move back to London (where I grew up), and was determined to make the most of living in the city as a twenty-something year old young professional. Combined with my perpetual love for documenting (I had kept a diary since I was 14) and taking photos, setting up a blog seemed a very natural step to take!

2. How would you sum up your blog, in just 3 words?

Curious, Hungry, Wanderlust.

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3. How has your blog evolved over the years since you began writing it? And has blogging brought about any changes, in how you see the world?

Well, I think there are basic things that have (hopefully) improved – like photography, design and organisation. But the core of it actually hasn’t changed all that much – I started WTW to write about things I enjoyed, places I travelled to and the highlights of living in London, and I still write about all of these things.

The biggest change blogging has brought me, are the new friends I have made. About a year or so after I started the blog, I started meeting like-minded people through events, drinks and dinners, who have now become true friends of mine, which I am so grateful for.

4. Would you share with us three of your favourite posts, and tell us why they’re particular favourites?

This is tough, because there are so many great memories stored on my little online scrapbook! Off the top of my head -

Visiting Tremezzo & Villa Carlotta, Lake Como: I still look at these photos and sigh because it was so beautiful there. Plus, it was the day we had the best pizza of our lives, so that definitely warrants a top 3 spot!

On a positive note: a post where I wrote about how I fought to be happy and left a perpetually negative attitude behind.

365 days post-wedding: all about the personal touches and decisions we made for our wedding back in 2013. I’m still filled with so much joy when I think back to those moments, and see those photos!

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5. You write in your ‘About’ page that food is the subject that comes up most often on WtW! Will you share with us three of your top favourite places to eat in your home city of London?

The Ledbury: probably my number one, although I’ve only been once and it’s definitely in the “luxury” category! My husband took me there for an incredible birthday lunch last year, and it was absolutely phenomenal.

Barrafina: the best tapas I’ve had in London, and I just adore the setting as well. Even though all three branches are quite small, don’t take reservations and only have counter seating (perfect for romantic dinners, but I’ve also gone with my sister and loved it), it is so worth queuing for and I recommend it to everyone.

Honest Burgers: how could I not include a good burger in this list? HB is my pick out of the bunch, and it never disappoints. It’s also the best value for money, and the staff are always friendly!

6. I’d love to know more about the ‘Year of Mindful Living’ you’ve mentioned on your blog. Will you tell us a little about what that means to you?

For me personally, my main Mindful Living goals are to be conscious of my footprints on the planet and its environment, to support independent and small businesses, and to be kind to people, surroundings and things in all senses of the word. It’s not always easy (or convenient), but taking small steps like seeking out local independent shops for birthday cards, buying produce from farmers’ markets (we buy most of ours from Abel & Cole), and supporting young artists and creatives all add up to something.

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7. It’s clear, when reading your lovely blog, that travel is a passion of yours. Would you share with us a few of your favourite recent travel destinations, and what made them so special?

I have so much love and passion for travelling – I’m not a globe trotter by any means, but I try to explore and travel as much as life/work/budget allows. My favourites so far include -

Vietnam: we just got back a couple of weeks ago, and had such a special experience there – unlike anywhere else I’ve been. Such a distinct and different culture, in a rapidly developing country.

The Maldives: our honeymoon destination, and it was simply paradise on earth. The sea life has to be seen to be believed, and it was just magical.

New York City: as much as I love reading about Rosie’s gorgeous lifestyle in the countryside, I was born and raised in Tokyo and London, making me a true city girl at heart. I am crazy about NYC and we had the best time there last October. I can’t wait to go back one day!

Santorini, Greece: Santorini holds a very special place in my heart, because E proposed to me there. But even if he hadn’t, it would still be somewhere I think about on a near daily basis, and we already know that we will definitely return – and to the very same hotel, because it was the most memorable, personal and blissful place we’ve every stayed in. We’re usually Airbnb people, but for this hotel we would willingly shell out, it’s worth every penny!

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8. And finally, it’s our old favourite Desert Island Discs! If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring along for the ride? You can bring two albums/CDs, two books, two films, ingredients to make a meal, and one luxury item!

CDs: Beethoven Piano Concertos 4 & 5 with Claudio Arrau and Sir Colin Davis, and Let It Be by The Beatles

Books: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, and The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

Films: The Untouchables (French movie, you must see it if you haven’t!) and Roman Holiday

Ingredients to make a meal: the best quality rice and raw fish to make sushi!

Luxury Item – a print out of all the emails and messages my husband and I have ever exchanged, from our very first date over 10 years ago. We used to communicate a lot over email, when he was at university and I was still at school, and then when we were doing long distance. I think that would keep me company on an otherwise very lonely island!

~ Thanks so much to the lovely Miho for such a fascinating insight into all things WtW! Don’t forget to follow along with Wander to Wander via Bloglovin‘- it really is a great one, don’t you think? :) ~

p.s. I’m offering 10% all ad spots until the end of April with the code ‘SPRINGFLIING’, so if you’d like to see your own blog featured here on Cider with Rosie, click through to the Sponsor page to snap up an advert!

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