Running on lots of hot coffee right now, the kind that feels less like a drink and more like a survival tool. We’re about two weeks back into normality and Christmas already feels like it happened forever ago. Yes, it technically was last year, but the festive bubble has definitely burst. Decorations are down, fairy lights are packed away, and real life has very much resumed.
The rhythm of everyday life has settled back in: early alarms, work routines, and that slightly strange January feeling where everything feels slow but also somehow overwhelming. The new year always starts with good intentions, but easing back into routine definitely takes time.
A Beautiful Winter Wedding
Last weekend brought a much-needed break from the everyday as I spent it celebrating a truly beautiful winter wedding in Telford. Heavy snow had fallen in that area in the days leading up to it, which made travel feel a little uncertain, but by Friday the main roads were thankfully clear. White mounds of snow lined the roads, making everything feel magical.
The sky was a bright, crisp blue with not a single cloud or drop of rain in sight. Although it was absolutely freezing, it was one of those winter days that felt completely worth it. The bride looked stunning, the groom looked so proud, and the entire bridal party brought everything together perfectly. There’s just something about winter weddings that feels extra special, cosy, elegant, and full of warmth despite the cold. I really do love a wedding.
When Your House Looks Like You’ve Just Moved In
Sunday was a very different vibe altogether. I had planned to spend the afternoon making the house feel calm and liveable again… but instead, Luke and I decided to create complete chaos.
Just after Christmas, we ordered new bedroom furniture, one bed, two chests of drawers, two bedside tables, and a blanket box(chest). Very exciting, but also incredibly disruptive. This meant dismantling one wardrobe, moving another, and redistributing what feels like our entire life (slight exaggeration) across the house.
At this point, our home genuinely looks like we’ve just moved in. Boxes everywhere and clothes piled in places they don’t belong. It’s messy, overwhelming, and slightly stressful but I know once it’s finished, it’s going to look amazing. Sometimes you have to live through the chaos to get to the calm.
The Longest First Week Back
Last week (the first full week back at work) somehow felt as long as the whole month of January usually does. Every morning felt early, every afternoon dragged, and coffee became my absolute best friend. I don’t think I’ve ever relied on caffeine more, it’s been powering me through long days and easing me back into routine. On a happy little side note, Essex finally got some snow too, not as much as everywhere else but the crispy cold snowy morning dog walk was very much welcome.
Cosy Evenings & Small Comforts
In the evenings, I’ve been leaning into small comforts wherever I can. One of my current favourites is my options 40-calorie hot chocolate, cosy, warming, and the perfect little treat to end the day. There’s something so comforting about curling up with a hot drink, especially when the house is still upside down and everything feels a bit unfinished.
January, One Day at a Time
So that’s where I’m at right now, winter wedding memories, a home that looks mid-move, and a serious caffeine dependency. January may be moving slowly, but I’m trying to enjoy the little moments in between. One coffee in the morning, one hot chocolate in the evening, and the reminder that the chaos won’t last forever
