Getting Ready for Autumn.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

Good morning, hows your Sunday going so far? Restful I hope! Grab yourself a nice warm drink and get ready for todays post.

Today I wanted to share a few things with you.

  1. This gorgeous bedding that I bought from Asda Living.
  2. My bedtime routine.
  3. Creating a comfortable bedroom space.

Because most of my shifts have been starting at 6:15am, I’ve been trying to get into bed before 10pm. I make sure that I open the window an hour before. There is nothing worse than trying to sleep in a room that is too hot. I’ve been loving lighting candles and putting fairy lights up. It feels so cozy! I’ve been slacking on my reading over the past couple of months. I haven’t been able to get into reading as much as I used to. I’ve been challenging myself to read at least one chapter throughout the day.

I’m currently reading Kalyn Nicholson’s book called Catcher. You can buy it from Amazon. 

With Autumn just around the corner I’m in the process of moving some things around in the flat, this includes, new throws, pillows, candles, and art. Yes, art. I’ve bought a couple of pieces from Etsy. I just need to buy a couple of frames then they will be ready to put up.

The boy and I have just bought a rug for the living area, it’s looking and feeling more like our home already. I bought some cushions to match the rug. They are both neutral colours.

I’m so excited for Autumn. I’ve started filming more videos over on my YouTube channel. I will have two new videos going up next week. Click here to subscribe to my channel. 

Much love,
Hannah x

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# We All Have A Story.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

After seeing this hashtag going around on Twitter this morning I just knew that I had to get involved. Created by The Blurt Foundation. I’m all about things like this, it’s such a fantastic way to get people talking about mental health. Raising awareness about mental health needs to be taken more seriously than it ever has done before. It’s important that people feel that they can reach out without feeling pressured or embarrassed.

I came across Me and My Mental Health Matter’s Blog and loved the questions they used so I decided that I would answer the same questions on here.

When did you first notice your condition?

I think I was first aware of my condition from the age of 13. I didn’t fully understand or know exactly what it was. I just knew that I didn’t feel ‘right’. I didn’t fit in, but not in a ‘normal’ typical teenage not fitting in way, as many people around me felt thats the phase I was going through. I knew something was wrong and that I didn’t feel right.

It wasn’t till the age of 18 that my doctors finally gave me the ‘depression and anxiety’ label.

When did you first get help for your condition? 

I first saw a school councillor at the age of 15. She helped me with stress management. That was the first time I was introduced to breathing techniques and meditation.

I saw three different therapists throughout my time at University. As well as a crisis team and sought help from the A&E department.

Do you take medication?

Yes. Over the past 6 years I’ve taken it on and off. At the moment I take two different dosages of Venlafaxine. It’s the only one I’ve been on that’s worked. Before Venlafaxine, no medication was working so my doctor referred me to a psychiatrist and they doubled my dose. I’ve been on this dose for the past year and 8 months. I will probably be on them for the rest of my life, but to be honest, if they help me live my life then I am okay with that.

What do you miss out on because of your condition?

In short, yes I do miss out on some things. But, as I get older I realise that my life is what I make it. Travel makes me anxious at times, but I take small journeys to challenge myself.

Would you get rid of your condition if you could?

No. I don’t think I would. It would have made my life a hell of a lot easier, but I wouldn’t have the acceptance and compassion for life that I have now. Yes there are many situations that make me anxious. There are days I feel like I can’t face the world. There are days where I feel like I can’t ‘do life’ anymore. But, I keep fighting. I keep living each day as it comes because I might feel depressed and hopeless one day but the next day I might wake up and be happy.

We All Have A Story. It’s your story and everyones is different. Keep fighting and pushing for what you want in life.

Life is so worth it.

Much love,
Hannah x

Coffee Adventure – The Curious Cupcake Cafe.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

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Hello and welcome back to another Coffee Adventure post.

For this post I decided that I would take a trip over to Margate and visit The Curious Cupcake Cafe. I’ve been wanting to visit here for the past year.

Upon arrival, I managed to snag a window seat. I took out the menu and decided what I wanted to order. Of course, I knew that cake was going to be my number 1 choice!

The interior was very cosy and welcoming. Big thumbs up for the fairy lights around the room! As I made my way up to the classic counter that I had seen oh so many times over on their Instagram. There was quite a large range of cakes, snacks and cupcakes.

After much indecisiveness from me, I decided that I would order a chai latte I’m so obsessed right now, a piece of coffee cake and a chocolate cupcake. The staff were so friendly and offered for me to take a seat and they would bring my food to me.

I so wanted to love this place, but if I’m completely honest it just didn’t live up to my expectations. I felt that the cake was very dry and maybe store bought. The cupcake too I felt was dry and claggy. As a baker myself, I just expected more.

I really don’t want this post to be a negative one, I just feel that I wanted to share my experience.

When I visited it was very busy. I feel that it’s the type of place that you wouldn’t visit alone. I’m all about taking a good book or my laptop and just powering through work or reading. I did get my book out for a while though. I just didn’t feel that this was a place that you could do that very comfortably. Or maybe it was the time that I visited?

I would visit again, however next time I wouldn’t go alone. Next time I would probably branch out and grab myself some lunch too, their sandwiches looked lovely!

Follow them @ Facebook
Follow them @ Instagram

The Curious Cupcake Cafe
4/5 Market Place
CT9 1ER,
Margate,
Kent

Have you visited here? What were your thoughts?

Also, I am making it my mission to visit more and more coffee shops around Kent, and the UK so if you have any suggestions for coffee shops to visit please let me know.

Much love,
Hannah x

Coffee Adventure – Hessian Coffee Company.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

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Hello and welcome back to another Coffee Adventure post. This weeks post is a little different in the sense that I will be sharing with you some coffee that I have recently received, rather than a coffee shop. It’s still an adventure though!

I have followed Hessian Coffee Company for a while on Instagram and they’ve been a company that I’ve wanted to work with for some time. I’m very excited to have received these sample packs for me to try!

Go follow them on
@ Instagram 
@ Facebook
@ Twitter 
@ Hessian Coffee Website

Okay, lets jump straight in!

Out of the three I definitely preferred the Bourbon Select and the Espresso Reserve. I feel that they were a bit sweeter. I have a very sweet tooth and the espresso No.1 was just a little too bitter for me.

I brewed the coffee for about 4-5 minutes.
I added a drop of caramel. Because why not?
Foamed a bit of milk and I was ready to indulge.

It made the perfect morning coffee to kick start my day!

I love that the Bourbon Select already had that hint of caramel, it was certainly enjoyable. Although, I do have to admit that the Espresso Reserve would easily become my everyday coffee.

I also used this coffee to make cold brews too and it was delicious.

It you are feeling super adventurous and want to make your own cold brew a little more creamy and luxurious, try this!

Ready?

  1. Brew your coffee as normal.
  2. Get your blender ready.
  3. Scoop a serving of vanilla ice cream in into the blender. (use milk as a lower calorie alternative) soya milk also works great!
  4. Add a couple of ice cubes.
  5. A drop of syrup.
  6. Add your desired amount of coffee to the blender.
  7. And. MIX!

And that’s it! It’s kind of like a homemade Frappuccino.

Give it a go, and if you do, be sure to tag me in your pictures over on my Instagram. @paint_me_a_smile_

I got a few questions last week asking why am I trying different types of coffee and traveling so much to different coffee shops?

Firstly, I love coffee! Like so so so much. And, I love coffee shops! I’ve always done this amount of coffee drinking and coffee shop going it’s just, I’ve never talked about it as much. (I don’t think…)

Secondly, it’s probably no secret to the people around me but in the next year or so, I will hopefully opening my own coffee and cake shop. It’s a project I have been working on for so long and I want to get it right. That means, the best coffee, the best location and I am in the best place possible to do it right.

Thirdly, I’ve wanted to do a coffee shop adventure type series on this blog for a while. I just decided now was the best time to do it.

I hope that you enjoyed this post and if you have any question coffee related or not feel free to drop me a message.

Are you a coffee shop owner or manager or does your company make coffee, I would love to work with you!

A massive thank you to Neil over at Hessian Coffee Company for kindly sending me these samples (I still have the tea bags, I will review them over on my Instagram very soon)

Stay tuned for next weeks Coffee Adventure post.

Here’s a hint about next weeks post: …Margate!

Much love and happy coffee drinking,
Hannah x

 

 

Coffee Adventure @ The Little Kitchen, Dover.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

Hello and welcome back to the Coffee Adventure series.

Today I would like to share with you a lovely little coffee shop in Dover, South East Kent. I’ve been here quite a few times now and each time I fall more and more in love with this place.

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Last week when I visited I decided that I would grab a pastry and my usual cappuccino. All together it was just over £3.00. What a bargain!

The Little Kitchen has such a friendly vibe. The atmosphere is so welcoming and relaxing that it makes you want to come back. I spent the majority of my visit planning Christmas projects (yes, I know it’s early haha) and reading my book. I’m currently reading Catcher by Kalyn Nicholson. I’m loving it so far!

 

The cappuccino here is lovely! They have a wide range of vegan and gluten free options too which is great! All homemade! As a baker myself, I truly appreciate this!

I can’t wait to go back, I’ve been eyeing up their all day breakfasts.

I’ve only been in Dover for 6 months, and this is a coffee shop that I want to go back to time and time again.

The Little Kitchen @ Facebook

The Little Kitchen @ Instagram

The Little Kitchen Address:
3 King St, Dover CT16 1NW

Have you visited here? What were your thoughts?

Also, I am making it my mission to visit more and more coffee shops around Kent, and the UK so if you have any suggestions for coffee shops to visit please let me know.

Much love,
Hannah x

Coffee Adventure @ The Fig, Hastings.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

Hello and welcome to the first post of the Coffee Adventure series!

I love coffee, and I love traveling and discovering new places. For a while now I’ve been contemplating creating a series like this. After many conversations with the people around me, I decided to delve right in.

A few weeks ago my partner and I decided to go and explore Hastings for the day. We took the train from Dover, changed at Ashford International and an hour and a half later we arrived. It was my first time visiting Hastings, I was excited as my partner had been raving about the mini golf courses for a good part of a year!

After a stop off at a gorgeous fish and chips shop and a lengthy round of mini golf (mostly because I’m terrible! Haha) we made our way through the old town. There are a lot (and I mean, A LOT) of sweet shops.

Before I visit a new place I spend a good amount of time looking on trip advisor to see what coffee shops are about. I read about The Fig a while back and I was super excited when we came across it as we were walking through.

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We walked in and immediately I was in love. When I talk about coffee shops, I talk about the ‘coffee shop experience’. I’m a big believer, when you go to a coffee shop, it is an experience! It’s about how you feel when you’re there. It’s about the friendly smiles and light conversations with the barista’s. It’s about the carefully placed decorations around the shop. The paper menus! The cups and saucers. The fig has a lot of plants in their shop, and I loved that! It makes the space just so welcoming and fresh.

I ordered my usual cappuccino and my partner ordered a fresh juice. As we were paying I noticed a bag of their house-blend coffee, I picked some of that up too. (I will be posting a review of that very soon) The lady gestured for us to take a seat.

*Cue Instagram picture time*

There were quite a few people in as we arrived. I took myself over to the window seat, there is something very therapeutic about people watching. The use of space in The Fig was impressive. They cleverly used window seating mixed with a table and chairs to maximise the space.

Our drinks arrived and I was almost giddy! Trying new coffee just gets me so excited and enthusiastic. Plus, they had this beautiful F design for the chocolate sprinkles on top of the cappuccino. I also want to try and get my hands on some of the cups and saucers they had, they were gorgeous!

The coffee was beautifully presented. The foam was on point! And the coffee, oh my! I added a little sugar. It was… dare I say, dreamy? Haha! I was so overjoyed that I had decided to pick up their house-blend. (Good decision, Hannah!)

Overall, the experience was lovely! It will definitely be the coffee shop I go back to when visiting Hastings! I truly recommend you pop in here, you will not be disappointed!

 

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The Fig @ Facebook

The Fig @ Instagram

The Fig, Hastings address: 
43 George Street,
Hastings
TN34 3EA

Have you visited here? What were your thoughts?

Also, I am making it my mission to visit more and more coffee shops around Kent, and the UK so if you have any suggestions for coffee shops to visit please let me know.

Much love,
Hannah x

Monday Must Have.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

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Good morning, I hope that you all had a great weekend!

Today I wanted to share with you a hand soap that I picked up from the poundshop last week.

Love Parma violet sweets? Then this is the hand-wash for you! I can’t get enough of it.

What is your favourite scent of hand-wash?

Much love,

Hannah x

P.S.  I still have some bubblegum flavoured hand-wash in the cupboard.

My Bedside Table Essentials.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

Hello! I hope that you all have had a great week and are taking the weekend to just relax and recharge. If you’re working this weekend (like I am) make sure you get some ‘me time’ in during the evening times.

Today I want to share my bedside table essentials with you. I’ve been thinking about uploading a post like this for a while now. I always find it so interesting to see what other people put on their bedside tables.

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I would love to know what you have as your bedside table essentials.

Much love,

Hannah x

My Morning Summer Smoothie.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

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I’ve been doing my breakfast smoothie diet for a couple of months now and I’m absolutely loving it.

Here’s what I add to make my summer smoothie.

2 Bananas
1 Cup of Strawberries
1 Cup of Yogurt

AND THAT’S IT.

It’s that simple, but I love it.

I have it every morning and it really adds that healthy and positive element to my day. I hope that you guys give it a go.

If you do, remember to tag me in your pictures over on Instagram. My username is: @paint_me_a_smile_

Much love,

Hannah x

Lets Talk: The Mental Health Community.

Posted on by Hannah Louise

Hello and welcome.

Today I wanted to share with you a new video that I’ve uploaded talking about the online mental health community.

Much love,

Hannah x