Monday, March 28, 2016

Thistles and Pine


Carl and I have wanted to start a new adventure and open our own Etsy shop ThistlesandPine. We have been planning for a few months and now it's really happening (eeeekkk). We both love woodworking and nature so why not combine the two into some unique pieces of art.

Behind the name –

Carl is a born and raised Californian boy who grew up spending his summers out in nature fishing, hiking, camping, basically doing all things manly. I, myself am Scottish. Born in Glasgow and raised in London and Edinburgh. I moved to California nine years ago and fell in love with the laid back attitude, sun and of course a Californian. Living in southern california is magical because you feel like you live in by the beach, in the city, and in the mountains as they are all within an hours drive. Our brand name ThistlesandPine is a piece of us, our heritage and our passions. 

We continue to spend as much time in nature as possible, going up to Carl's old stomping grounds in the Sierras every summer. We are always looking for new adventures to go on, speaking of which this weekend we are off the Zion National Park for a four day camping trip to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. 

We are counting on word of mouth and social media to promote our hand crafted pieces of woodwork. This is a very exciting new adventure for us and we can't wait to see where this all goes. 

Follow us on;

Thanks
The Hansons x





Monday, March 7, 2016

The year of me.

 After all of last years incredible shenanigans, the realisation that I am fast approaching thirty (sshh don't tell anyone) and beginning to start planning for a family has really made me be aware of taking better care of my entire being.  I like to think I am a fairly healthy person. I eat three well balanced meals (my mums a dietitian so I am constantly channeling all that she taught me about food) , don't drink a lot, go to the gym a few times a week, have healthy friendships and marriage but even with all that there is so much more that goes into being healthy. 

I've decided that after going through back to back sicknesses in the new year that this year I really want to focus on taking better care of myself. Most of it being very simple common sense things like;

  • Eating my five fruit and veg a day (my mum always gets mad when people take vitamins because she says if your eating right there is no need to take synthetic products).
  • Drinking enough water throughout the day (which is 2/3 of your body weight).
  • Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night.
  • Working out at least 3 times a week.
  • Being in the sun for at least 30 mins a day.
But then I decided it needed to be more than the simple things. 

I wanted to take better care of my skin so after much research I decide to try Rodan and Fields, which so far I have to say is working amazingly. I don't have acne or anything but I wanted to rejuvenate and balance my skin. A friend of mine happened to be a rep for them and so it was easy peasy and I can really say after two months my skin has really never been better [I even got Carl on board and he started using Dove for Men skincare products and he gets so many complements about looking younger and healthier]. I also decided to stop bleaching my hair as much. I have a naturally dirty blonde color but like most women enhance it making it blonder. So now I am letting it grow out but bumping my root color every six weeks so its not drastic and luckily balayage ombre is in style so I don't look lame. 

My next step is my heart and mind. I hate reading, it's just not something I enjoy but really wish I did, I bought Shauna Niequeist new devotional book 'Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are'. It's a whole year of short little devotionals. I didn't get started til recently (because I hate reading). I have a little me time on fridays at my local starbucks before starting work, so Carl encouraged me to start off there as it's a perfect time to get into it and so far its pretty good,
My husband and I are christians and believe that we have a very real relationship with the Father. So we made it a point to pray together every night, which we have always tried to do but always fell asleep or forgot). Honestly this has really been a game changer for us, it is so easy and sometimes we pray for a long time or sometimes just a few minutes because we are exhausted (we both have fallen asleep whilst the other one was praying, but thats okay). It has strengthened not only our relationship with God but also in our marriage. We have prayed and seen answers to our prayers for not only ourselves but for our family and friends who are in need but as we have struggled through situations it's so comforting to be able to be honest and come to our good God and feel encouraged. It's incredible!

All of this is not easy to keep up as life is never plain sailing but taking it day by day makes it simpler. I am on month two and can honestly I feel so much energetic, calm, healthier, weirdly whole and free.

Keep me accountable and thank you for joining in my journey of 'me' this year. 



Thursday, March 3, 2016

MIA

Well I am back...


It has been quite a while since I last sat down and wrote a blog post, so let me catch you up.
 I took a break from my blog as last year starting in September was a very busy and overwhelming time for me.

I kicked off September as a bridesmaid in my most adventures friends wedding then quickly turned around and traveled home to Edinburgh to celebrate and be a matron of honor in my sisters wedding. Carl and I then took advantage of already being out in Europe and scooted off to Italy for a get away (that will be my next blog of adventures through Italy). Upon arriving home in November my parents came to visit for a week which was amazing and helped me readjust to homesickness. Mid november came so fast and I was yet again a bridesmaid in my roomies incredible wedding. The holidays hit with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year full of family get togethers and traditions. I brought in the new year and rounded out my matron of honor duties in my best friends wedding mid January.  It was a crazy crazy five months and with no surprise when coming off such a busy few months I got so sick, then sick and the sick again. Sickness after sickness my body tried to fight my tiredness and lowered immune system.

 I can happily say that March is a new beginning. I have not been sick for over a week and my life has seemed to settled. I told Carl I am so excited to have 2016 be a year of zero plans (besides our holiday to Hawaii in August).

Stay tuned as I plan to be blogging a lot more and more on my real life and adventures.