tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83815095007937265362024-03-13T21:12:29.524+00:00Little Miss JoeyLittle Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-29552409197161905902014-04-30T20:21:00.002+01:002014-04-30T20:21:30.336+01:00Joey goes to Typepad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPL2_yo3qfE/U2FMuw2XpXI/AAAAAAAAGFE/8VmIQURAK1g/s1600/JoeyonTypepad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPL2_yo3qfE/U2FMuw2XpXI/AAAAAAAAGFE/8VmIQURAK1g/s1600/JoeyonTypepad.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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LMJ the blog has moved to <a href="http://www.littlemissjoey.com/">www.littlemissjoey.com</a> provided by Typepad.</div>
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I really hope you'll join me there!</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-58719457722252849902014-04-27T22:20:00.001+01:002014-04-27T22:20:24.870+01:00nós por cá, todos bem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQZxgUDdaJU/U11lohNXfWI/AAAAAAAAGEs/TULg5_Yb47A/s1600/ChocolateCakeBlog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQZxgUDdaJU/U11lohNXfWI/AAAAAAAAGEs/TULg5_Yb47A/s1600/ChocolateCakeBlog.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love Sundays! My absolute favourite ones include a full house, chatter, laughter and good food. This wet Sunday was just that and it felt so much like home that once again I was reminded I am home; this too is home.<br />
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I have been busy preparing a big blog move - to <a href="http://www.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Typepad</a>. I have been very happy on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">Blogger</a>; its service has been very good to me and I am thankful for it all, but the time has come when I want a bit more from my provider and I believe Typepad is the best choice for that.<br />
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I will keep you posted on progress! In the meantime, enjoy Spring and Sunday cake.Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-14751499046042818502014-04-22T07:07:00.000+01:002014-04-22T07:07:00.143+01:00Happy baby quilt - Part three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yM4Lyn3dny0/U1VHuZlYp8I/AAAAAAAAGDM/xpxViycZ5u0/s1600/_DSC7508+-+Baby+quilt+11+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yM4Lyn3dny0/U1VHuZlYp8I/AAAAAAAAGDM/xpxViycZ5u0/s1600/_DSC7508+-+Baby+quilt+11+BLOG.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the final post in my Happy baby quilt series.<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> I hope my musings help anyone wishing to venture in some quilting. You can read the first post </span><a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/happy-baby-quilt-part-one.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> and the second post <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/happy-baby-quilt-part-two.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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It's amazing how you can be both excited and scared about a project from beginning to end! Quilting this baby quilt was one such project. <div>
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Once I had the top of the quilt ready, time has come to join it to the batting and backing, with a little bit of binding, that simple (not to me) technique! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jd0_NWpCxqg/U1VFSUO1gMI/AAAAAAAAGCk/qrb2VITfYa8/s1600/Baby+quilt+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jd0_NWpCxqg/U1VFSUO1gMI/AAAAAAAAGCk/qrb2VITfYa8/s1600/Baby+quilt+20.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">I layered the backing, batting and quilt top as neatly as I could and began the long and slow process that is pinning it all together. With what felt like the greatest of cares to me, I moved the whole 'sandwich' to my sewing machine and slowly quilted the three layers together. I did a straight line to the left of the columns and the same on the top of the rows, using yellow thread and a walking foot (great little thing!).</span></div>
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I then made my binding from yellow fabric. Binding really makes or breaks a quilt and I believe the yellow binding was the final push for my happy quilt. I cut <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.5" strips and used this <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/august2012/BiasBinding.pdf" target="_blank">tutorial</a> to make my bias tape.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HRPRz9Lq-w/U1VFGUKDJyI/AAAAAAAAGCc/NSSfKk6vS-Q/s1600/Baby+quilt+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HRPRz9Lq-w/U1VFGUKDJyI/AAAAAAAAGCc/NSSfKk6vS-Q/s1600/Baby+quilt+21.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><span style="line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">I knew I wanted to machine bind my quilt from the word go, for two reasons: 1. I wanted to be 100% sure the quilt would survive heavy use (I'm hoping it gets so heavily used the fabric goes thin!); and 2. it is a much quicker way of binding and time was (is?) precious. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6l2JvbVQ6c/U1VF_vW0EtI/AAAAAAAAGCw/Y9mAU37jeqE/s1600/_DSC7513+-+Baby+quilt+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6l2JvbVQ6c/U1VF_vW0EtI/AAAAAAAAGCw/Y9mAU37jeqE/s1600/_DSC7513+-+Baby+quilt+8.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">I looked around for machine binding tutorials; you can tell I put a lot of emphasis on this. For me, the binding really is key to the whole process and I wanted to do it properly. I found a very good <a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/11/zigzag-binding-tutorial.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> for machine binding which added the stitching as a feature rather than trying to hide it by doing it absolutely perfectly. I love how it turned out and will definitely use this method again!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oTVNVK-PAr4/U1VHA2DEVyI/AAAAAAAAGDE/tbWCDQyYQgI/s1600/_DSC7490+-+Baby+quilt+1+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oTVNVK-PAr4/U1VHA2DEVyI/AAAAAAAAGDE/tbWCDQyYQgI/s1600/_DSC7490+-+Baby+quilt+1+BLOG.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Hope you've found this short quilting series helpful and... happy :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">***</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">You can read Part 1 of my </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Happy quilt series</i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> </span><a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/happy-baby-quilt-part-one.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> and Part 2 <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/happy-baby-quilt-part-two.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-78451689799234140202014-04-15T07:07:00.000+01:002014-04-15T07:07:00.838+01:00Happy baby quilt - Part two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDTJSL9HmBA/U0A6O2XSZqI/AAAAAAAAF2k/1-BouV_Wcoc/s1600/_DSC7510+-+Baby+quilt+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDTJSL9HmBA/U0A6O2XSZqI/AAAAAAAAF2k/1-BouV_Wcoc/s1600/_DSC7510+-+Baby+quilt+10.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last week, I started a short series on how I made a happy baby quilt. I hope my musings help anyone wishing to venture in some quilting. You can read the first post <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/happy-baby-quilt-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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When I got home with my cute fabrics, I was both excited and scared; more excited than scared, to be fair, but still! I prepared my sewing room for the task in hand and refused to think of the mammoth (ok, not really, just to me) ahead. Why bother myself with all the unknowns, right? The best thing to do in these situations is to go for it. So I did.<br />
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<b>Prepare the fabric</b></div>
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Rosie said I didn't need to wash any of the fabrics as I was buying it all together and they were all the same. I wish I had followed her advice... But I didn't. Too many years of washing every single little piece of fabric I use could only lead to a certain resistance to said advice. It was fine, of course, but the cut edges of my fabrics frayed a bit; it was mildly annoying and I could have spared myself from it. Oh well! I also washed the batting. You either wash it all or wash nothing, can't pick and choose with this one.</div>
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Then I ironed it all... Oh the pain!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-Ortt9TFag/U0A6_UhWjAI/AAAAAAAAF2w/o7rnkOpALmM/s1600/Baby+quilt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-Ortt9TFag/U0A6_UhWjAI/AAAAAAAAF2w/o7rnkOpALmM/s1600/Baby+quilt+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Cutting the fabric</b></div>
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I needed 6" squares, with 1/2" seam allowance. Seven columns in eight rows of 6" squares. Thanks to my good quilting tools, this was easy to do. I just lay my fabric strips neatly onto my cutting mat, got my see-through ruler on top and went for it. It took a while and it required concentration, but it was easy as I was just cutting squares, and large squares. </div>
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For my next quilt, with triangles, I may need a tip or two on the best way to cut them quickly and neatly. I may just need to call Rosie!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWGjv94vwjA/U0A8KEMIkwI/AAAAAAAAF3I/_xF-PzgGlDg/s1600/_DSC7495+-+Baby+quilt+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWGjv94vwjA/U0A8KEMIkwI/AAAAAAAAF3I/_xF-PzgGlDg/s1600/_DSC7495+-+Baby+quilt+12.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Sewing the quilt top</b></div>
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I had a diagram of how to distribute my squares so they were evenly spread, thanks to Rosie. I then colour-coded and animal-coded my diagram so I could see it at a glance. I really enjoyed doing it and REALLY think this was an amazing time saver throughout the process.</div>
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I organised my squares in rows. I'm not sure this is the best way to start, in comparison to doing the columns first, but there you go, I started with rows. A tip I've picked up along the way is to sew the squares in batches. How? I prepared all my squares in pairs (right sides together) and had them ready to go on the machine. Starting with the first pair, I kept sewing past the edge of the fabric for a little bit (I left about 2") and got the second pair onto the machine; I kept going until all the pairs were seen together. Then I cut the thread linking each pair and voila, I had all my first pairs ready to go.</div>
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Once I had all my squares into pairs, I joined them to make the first four squares of each row and repeated the method above. Eventually, I had all my squares in their respective place in a row. I pressed my seams all to one side, alternating sides with each row (ie row one has seams to the left, row two to the right, and so on). Time to attach the rows to each other.</div>
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Joining the rows required a little bit of patience to make sure the squares that would form the columns aligned the best way possible. Once down together, it also required me to let go of perfection and embrace the bigger picture! In the grand scheme of things, who will notice if two squares don't match exactly? Nobody!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn-qt09XDWM/U0BAAyv1bHI/AAAAAAAAF3U/aJHQe31FuOM/s1600/_DSC7493+-+Baby+quilt+13+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn-qt09XDWM/U0BAAyv1bHI/AAAAAAAAF3U/aJHQe31FuOM/s1600/_DSC7493+-+Baby+quilt+13+BLOG.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next week, I'll go through getting the quilt layers ready and adding the bias tape. And voilà, a quilt will be done!<br />
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You can read Part 1 of my <i>Happy quilt series</i> <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/happy-baby-quilt-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-66105921461982411312014-04-08T07:07:00.000+01:002014-04-08T22:19:17.659+01:00Happy baby quilt - Part one<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0eE2kERjf0/U0A2j2oByEI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/F9wCX3TkIHc/s1600/_DSC7509+-+Baby+quilt+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0eE2kERjf0/U0A2j2oByEI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/F9wCX3TkIHc/s1600/_DSC7509+-+Baby+quilt+7.jpg" height="424" width="640"></a><br>
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<i>"A quilt is a labour of love."</i></div>
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Oh my, the amount of times I've heard this... And now, finally I know it to be true. So very true!</div>
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I've recently become a godmother to a baby girl and I wanted to give her something special. Something made by me, especially for her. Something that would be happy and telling of how much I love her already. A baby quilt was just the thing! </div>
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This was my first ever quilt; I had done a little patchwork blanket before, but that was about it. I learned loads! It was mostly a fun journey, with a bit of head scratching with the binding, but nothing too overwhelming. My experience was made much smoother thanks to the loveliest, most knowledgeable fabric shop lady ever, Rosie of <a href="http://www.villagefabrics.co.uk/" target="_blank">Village Fabrics</a> (don't let the website put you off, that shop is quilting heaven!!).</div>
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In case you're interested in doing your first ever quilt, or you'd just like to know more about what I thought of it all, I'm writing a series on my process, from fabric selection to finished quilt. Here is part one.<br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-To9nbRJkKdg/U0A5yWjfSVI/AAAAAAAAF2c/vnOJXLC9MA4/s1600/Baby+quilt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-To9nbRJkKdg/U0A5yWjfSVI/AAAAAAAAF2c/vnOJXLC9MA4/s1600/Baby+quilt+1.jpg" height="480" width="640"></a><br>
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I would strongly recommend going to a quilting fabric shop near you, if you possibly can. There may not be a Rosie there, but there will be someone a bit less lovely but hopefully just as friendly who can help you and advise you. I now think of myself as an experienced sewer but I don't need to reinvent the wheel; quilting is a different sewing game and experienced quilters can give you precious tips on how to tackle your project.</div>
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Rosie taught me to calculate how much fabric I'd need and how I could lay it out to keep it varied and fun. She helped me find the solid colours that best matched the animal fabrics I had chosen. She found the backing (I love that backing!!) and for that I am so very grateful to her. She told me what threads to get and how to use them. She also held my hand when I said "I really love these fabrics but they're not pastel like the other baby quilts I see... But I love these best!". "Your quilt will be just great!"; sometimes us novices need a bit of support like that. </div>
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How did I choose the fabrics? Well, I wanted something with animals, that was mandatory. I wanted yellow as a unifying element and knew all along my binding would be yellow. I thought I'd find some baby fabrics, with a few animals in pastel-y colours; I didn't. Instead, I fell in love with these strong coloured oh so very happy animal prints and that was that. Once I had those, I needed to pick some solid fabrics to bring it all together; Rosie was essential in this and after a bit of trial and error, we nailed it! Originally, I wanted the backing to be yellow but once I saw those cute little owls I knew I had THE quilt for me.<br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zhd0gxTigI/U0A7SihBURI/AAAAAAAAF24/4WyT-U4wHvY/s1600/_DSC7501+-+Baby+quilt+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zhd0gxTigI/U0A7SihBURI/AAAAAAAAF24/4WyT-U4wHvY/s1600/_DSC7501+-+Baby+quilt+6.jpg" height="424" width="640"></a><br>
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<b>Materials</b> </div>
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I have a cutting mat, a see-through quilting ruler and a rotary cutter. I found them essential.</div>
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I also used my thread-picker quite a lot with the binding; it's the cheapest and best little thing I ever got!</div>
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I have a quilting foot for my sewing machine, which was excellent as all this quilt was done by machine. It's a bit too early in my quilting obsession to do it by hand... Maybe something for the future?</div>
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Copious supplies of tea, leafy red fruits. </div>
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Good music or light comedies are also helpful to have in the background.</div>
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Next week, I'll go through the cutting and sewing. In the meantime, I'll be hanging out on Pinterest looking for inspiration for my next quilt! It will be with triangles, that's all I know for now :)</div>
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<br>Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-22567219998027652042014-04-05T17:39:00.000+01:002014-04-05T17:39:56.829+01:00Preparing for a half-marathon<div>
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Tomorrow, I will be running a half-marathon, my first but hopefully not my last. So far, my journey has been most enjoyable, possibly because this is something I really (really!) want to do. </div>
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If you read this post, you know that I'm kinda new to running and I'm not a natural born runner. No matter how much effort and training I put into it, it's very unlikely I could ever do a sub 2:00 half-marathon. But I can do one, in whatever time it takes me. As Dad collected me from my 16K run last time I was over and asked me how it'd gone, I complained I was too slow. "You are doing it and that's all that matters", he said to me; you're so right, Dad, so right.</div>
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So, what's been making my training so enjoyable? In addition to the <i>I-REALLY-want-this </i>factor, there are a few little (BIG) things which make the pain seem like a short jolly to the park.</div>
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<b>A running partner</b></div>
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Right now, I don't think I could do this without the best running partner ever - my friend <a href="http://erraticphotographer.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nicky</a>. And maybe I could, maybe, but it wouldn't be the same. At all. He plans routes for us, making the long runs that bit more interesting; he checks up on me if we're not in the same place and I need to go out by myself; he pushes me and motivates me whenever I think I'm just gonna fall head straight to the pavement; he soothes my moods and ensures me the only thing that matters is doing it at my pace; and he paces me when I think I can do it all too fast to last. Sadly to you reading this, he's not available for loan, but if you can find such a friend who runs with you, consider yourself INCREDIBLY lucky!</div>
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<b>A running programme</b></div>
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It's very useful to have a running programme, especially if you're new to running or lazy. You look at it and there it is, all you need to do, and when, to get that mileage under your belt; so simple and hassle free. We've been using this <a href="http://www.actionaid.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/half_marathon_schedule_0.pdf" target="_blank">one</a> and I really like it. We don't follow it religiously during the week days but have been pretty good with the long runs at weekends.<br />
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<b>Good running gear</b><br />
I have good running shoes, which I bought at <a href="http://www.upandrunning.co.uk/oxford" target="_blank">Up & Running</a> after a fitting session. I'm a firm believer in looking after my body, seeing that I only have this one!<br />
I also have fairly decent running clothes, things I'm comfortable in and which dry quickly. Being that I am a girl, a very good bra is also a must!<br />
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<b>Post-run massages</b><br />
I have been fortunate enough to get my feet massaged after every single run. This is not only enjoyable but awesome for my recovery. Michael has been a star in making sure my feet are well looked after! And I have had two leg massages which were key to recover from the long runs.<br />
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<b>A cheery crowd</b><br />
Having supporting friends and family makes all the difference. To me it does, anyway.<br />
For my first ever 16K run in Porto, Dad picked me up at the end so I could run to and by the beach; he brought dry clothes (yep, it rained throughout my run, what are the odds??) and bought my favourite bread (regueifa, <a href="http://instagram.com/p/T2yPnsGCkO/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regueifa" target="_blank">here</a>) on the way home. Dad also reinforced the idea I seem to forget on occasion - you are doing it and it is amazing you are! Warms my heart every time, that Dad thinks something I do is amazing; even when it's not, it kinda becomes amazing it because he thinks so.<br />
Tomorrow, I have a few dedicated friends coming to support me. I will be forever grateful to them for making those 21K way more interesting and ensuring I don't forget to smile every so often along the way. And once again.... I'll have Nicky running it with me, every step of the way!<br />
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I have setup a Just Giving page for Cancer Research UK, if you're kind enough to sponsor this adventure for an excellent cause! Thank you!<br />
<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Jo-Silva">http://www.justgiving.com/Jo-Silva</a></div>
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<br />Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-69030794319836674612014-03-24T18:39:00.000+00:002014-03-24T18:39:00.172+00:00::inspiring Mondays::<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xisILior5so/UzB7GnVBw5I/AAAAAAAAF1Q/IYcfFxBuNCg/s1600/Joey+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xisILior5so/UzB7GnVBw5I/AAAAAAAAF1Q/IYcfFxBuNCg/s1600/Joey+selfie.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The sun was shining this morning and Michael and I had a long slow breakfast sipping coffee and chatting away. Such pleasure, usually reserved for the weekend, could only happen on a Monday... the week is just starting, we're bright and fresh, and filled with that sweet touch of promise that a new week brings.<br />
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We had a good weekend. We had long slow breakfasts, which are a mark of good weekends. We had gardening and curling up on the sofa under a blankie and a long run and cheese platter for Saturday dinner, with my favourite Portuguese wine (<a href="http://www.garrafeiranacional.com/planalto-2012-branco.html?___store=international&___from_store=default" target="_blank">Planalto</a>, if you're interested; available at <a href="http://www.majestic.co.uk/search;pgid=aKBEK3mizEZSRpgLaYyS_1gq0000t1VKJlS9;sid=hF6aOm05nDubOj4J_oGROF0zHLpcr_XdQssMlBvY?SynchronizerToken=01a660c31c1ce8c99c50c945373463d8a583f81cd42e5ffd1a842abf7405a423_xuFwmV412myt9VzEqUN1Mw%3D%3D&SearchTerm=planalto&ViewType=1" target="_blank">Majestic Wine</a> in the UK).<br />
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The #nomakeup selfie* above is to raise awareness for cancer. The initiative has already <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26683817" target="_blank">raised a fair bit of money</a>, but the more the better when beating such a horrid disease is the end goal. Text BEAT to 70099 if you're in the UK and join the <a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/donate-money" target="_blank">movement</a>.<br />
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:: my friends. I cannot begin to explain how much better my life is to have such supportive and true friends.<br />
:: crisp early spring mornings in our cute cottage.<br />
:: my running buddy, <a href="http://erraticphotographer.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nicky</a>. <br />
:: our garden, ivy and all.<br />
:: yellow roses. I so want yellow roses!<br />
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I hope you had a lovely sunny Monday, filled with good news. And yellow roses, if possible :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*as my dear brother pointed out, I very rarely wear make up anyway, so I should add the disclaimer that this is a normal face day for me.</span>Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-20064375210991287332014-03-17T22:38:00.000+00:002014-03-17T22:49:38.204+00:00::inspiring Mondays::<div>
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(for Elke)<br />
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Last week, my dear friend <a href="http://estudiosdecococita.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Elke</a> wrote to say she missed my inspiring Mondays. My heart was warm instantly, even before I realised how much I missed it too. That time in my week where I would focus on all the good in and around my life. That time of the week where time would stand still as I smiled at all the little things that made my life great, often seeing them for the first time. That time of the week where I would go against the trend and embrace the beginning of a new week with the same joy as the new year.</div>
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Life has been good around here. And life has been overwhelming and stressful too. As I struggled for time and found myself irritated and irritating, I also smiled and laughed more. Way more. As if I was just living more intensely... And I was. The good news are that things are settling now. The other good news is that my laughter is now lighter. The bad news is that I'm now obsessed with gardening and I know as much about it as most people know about quantum theory. Yep, not much at all!</div>
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:: good friends that remind you of the little things that make you happy.</div>
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:: having a garden and loving it. </div>
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:: spring weather when it's still winter... Oh the joys of being a rebel!</div>
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:: fabric. I LOVE good fabric.</div>
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:: running. And having the best running <a href="http://erraticphotographer.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">buddy</a> ever!</div>
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How was your start to the week? I hope filled with sunlight and smiles.</div>
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Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-81985817333904096722014-03-13T20:49:00.001+00:002014-03-13T20:49:05.679+00:00choose :: February update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tz-waynWQzQ/UyIZMuPiH6I/AAAAAAAAFzY/rOflSPft0Sg/s1600/_DSC7684+-+Joana+e+Sara+v1+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tz-waynWQzQ/UyIZMuPiH6I/AAAAAAAAFzY/rOflSPft0Sg/s1600/_DSC7684+-+Joana+e+Sara+v1+BLOG.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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It's now mid-March and whilst I'm behind on my blogging, I'm not behind on my goals and goal setting.<br />
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In February, I became a godmother and love it. As I held that baby girl and kissed her sweet cheeks, life was good and time sat still for just a moment. For the first time ever, I wasn't scared of <i>breaking</i> the baby; it felt natural and easy and perfect!<br />
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I achieved all my <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/february-goals.html" target="_blank">goals for February</a> and that makes me happy. I made a baby quilt which I'm proud of (more on that to come), as well as the most adorable and cutest baby tunic (much thanks to the fabric choice!). And I accepted the greyness; that really was key to making the most of February.</div>
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I find myself more and more thinking about my choices; the daily power of my choices and their consequences. Who I want to be in my choices. It's a good feeling and I like how it's helping me become a better person.</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-35215891611089650742014-02-20T13:07:00.000+00:002014-02-20T13:07:00.089+00:00Joey goes to Barcelona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love Barcelona. My second time in this wonderful city and I'm once again convinced I could live there. Happily. If not forever, almost forever.<br />
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As a Portuguese person living in the UK, visiting Barcelona in January means one thing and one thing only - an obsession with its AMAZING bright blue sky! I spent so much time looking up my neck hurts, but hey my soul is filled with happiness and light. Gotta agree that's a good trade-off!</div>
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The good thing about second visits is that you don't have to do the touristy things and instead you can get lost in the city. You can wander around; oh the joys of just wandering around under a bright blue sky. You can absorb the city's atmosphere, people's grumpiness and all and think it's endearing. You can fall upon a certain fabric shop (yep, it's <a href="http://nunoya.com/" target="_blank">Nunoya</a>) which you can still remember how to reach and indulge in a small adorable purchase. You can people watch and appreciate the little things. You can be happy. And you're even happier if you can enjoy a fantastic hidrotub in your hotel room at the end of a long day of wandering.<br />
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I ate ever so well in Barcelona. Always. Everything is fresh and full of flavour. Tapas are a current favourite and I have a few recipes in my book to make us go back to Cataluyna without leaving the sofa; even if I would much rather leave my sofa and go there frequently. </div>
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The trip wasn't all perfect. Sadly, I've realised my photography has really gone backwards. I mean, really! Whilst I still think I have my eye, I don't feel creative about it nor able to achieve what I have in my head when I do. So glad it's an aim for the year to go back to photography and let my camera capture what my eyes see.*<br />
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I saved the absolute best of this trip for last and will largely save most of it for myself. I met up with a very dear Portuguese friend and her adorable Cataluynian family. We went for one dinner and one lunch by ourselves, so much catching up to do, you know? It never ceases to amaze me how things work between good friends, that feeling you met up yesterday whilst you enjoy every minute you have with them now knowing how much you'll miss again when you leave. And as much as our time together as two was wonderful and precious, my absolute favourite was going for dinner at her home, her family of three and my family of two, and knowing life can be this good. Yep, it really can. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*This is what explains the lack of variety of photos in this post.</span></div>
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Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-4105884010621672752014-02-18T13:07:00.000+00:002014-02-18T13:07:00.238+00:00February goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-GB">Starting February in Barcelona was a great
choice! We had sunshine, quality time with dear friends and superb food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Planning monthly goals when one is happy
and surrounded by blue skies is such an easy task. Life is smiling at you and
you know it. Inspiration <i>just</i> flows!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">:: choose to accept these grey skies of
ours and be happy.<br />
:: start and finish a happy baby quilt for my god-daughter.<br />
:: start and finish a mini baby tunic for my god-daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">As I look at this list thinking how small
it looks, I realise how larger than itself it really is. It’s the little things... the little things that make life huge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-44828088358679377452014-02-17T09:17:00.001+00:002014-02-17T09:17:18.227+00:00choose :: January update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5W3OGgauslA/UwHTU3vvL0I/AAAAAAAAFlw/YPeVqzRbS-E/s1600/_DSC0150+-+Porto+January+sunset+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5W3OGgauslA/UwHTU3vvL0I/AAAAAAAAFlw/YPeVqzRbS-E/s1600/_DSC0150+-+Porto+January+sunset+BLOG.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">January has been a wet month in
Oxfordshire. We had (and still have) grey skies and rain, lots of it, and
floods. All of the above ask for indoor time, with tea and cookies; or ice
cream under a blanket while watching Breaking Bad. We’ve also had Barcelona and
blue skies and a good relaxing break. So much can fit in a month, hey?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I have thought a lot about my one little
word – <i>choose</i> – and what to make of it. There were times when I paused and took
a deep breath and made a different choice; and there were times when I didn’t. But
I always thought about it! I’ll count that as progress, if I may.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I had been reviewing this space only to
realise I don’t have to. This blog is evolving naturally and I write about what
makes sense to me when it makes sense (or when I can, but that’s a different
story). I write about things that are important to me right now, in a variety
of ways; hopefully, some of it can amuse/be helpful to someone else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Project Life; no need to plan my approach,
it sort of planned itself. I still need to finish last year’s and haven’t done
anything this year… guess I’ll be documenting it monthly then. Solution found! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wet January, there have been a lot of good
things in you!</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-29087800238005053662014-02-16T18:49:00.001+00:002014-02-16T18:49:18.761+00:00Guiva<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wm8MlUPdpp8/UwEHsz0QXbI/AAAAAAAAFlg/Ut0vm9UsPHE/s1600/OxfordMail+-+Guiva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wm8MlUPdpp8/UwEHsz0QXbI/AAAAAAAAFlg/Ut0vm9UsPHE/s1600/OxfordMail+-+Guiva.jpg" height="640" width="383" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Things that have been keeping me busy. <a href="http://www.guiva.pt/" target="_blank">Guiva</a>, that is (not the <a href="http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/life/10976441.Sew_far_so_good_for_business___interview_with_Joana_Silva/" target="_blank">paper</a>).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-85620318930390973432014-01-30T07:00:00.000+00:002014-01-30T07:00:03.714+00:00January goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KzQca9133k/Uui_3cB6UqI/AAAAAAAAFek/wETQ5QEJaQU/s1600/_DSC0084+-+Porto+love+by+the+sea+BLOG+FLICKR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KzQca9133k/Uui_3cB6UqI/AAAAAAAAFek/wETQ5QEJaQU/s1600/_DSC0084+-+Porto+love+by+the+sea+BLOG+FLICKR.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Goal setting was a major thing for me last year, so I'm really excited about doing it again in 2014*. Yay!<br />
<br />
<div>
To start me off well with my one little word - <i><a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/choose" target="_blank">choose</a></i> - I've been considering it more this month and really appreciate all it means to me at the beginning of the year. I also want to have a rough plan to my year in terms of my business with my brother, as well as think about this blog and my online presence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
:: absorb <i>choose</i> and all its potential as my word for 2014.</div>
<div>
:: plan my business year with Little Brother.</div>
<div>
:: review this blog, its content, and direction.</div>
<div>
:: plan my Project Life approach for the year.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am excited about my goals for January, very excited. And I'm excited about having another one little word to guide me through.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Little disclaimer: Whilst this post is only coming out at the end January, my goals for the month have been decided in late December and I have been working towards them.<br />
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* <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">If you'd like to know how I've addressed monthly goals in 2013 and get a few tips on how you can do it this year, you can read my monthly contribution to Fe-line </span><a href="http://fe-line.co.uk/goal-setting-for-2014/" style="background-color: white; color: #e30917; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">.</span><br />
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<br />You can read all my 2013 monthly <i>goals</i> posts <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/goals" style="color: #e30917; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>, my <i>change :: one little word</i> posts <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word" style="color: #e30917; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>, and my <i>choose :: one little word</i> <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word%202014" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-43341662672309025162014-01-29T08:30:00.000+00:002014-01-29T08:30:02.343+00:002014 in dreams and goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have goals for 2014. I do. And I have dreams and plans and hopes which will carry on past 2014 and into the rest of life. Some will come true, others maybe not, others yet I may forget along the way. Such is life. It all changes, always, slowly and yet so fast you can barely grab a moment.<br />
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In addition to my monthly <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/goals" target="_blank">goal</a> setting, which I will be keeping in 2014, I also want to set goals for the year, embracing my dreams and <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word%202014" target="_blank">one little word</a> - <b><i>choose</i></b>. </div>
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:: <a href="http://www.guiva.pt/" target="_blank">Guiva</a>. Make our dream business a reality.</div>
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:: Run a half-marathon this Spring and run the Lisbon Half-Marathon in the Autumn.</div>
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:: Embrace my role as a godmother and finally learn how to hold a newborn. </div>
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:: Keep in touch with dear friends.</div>
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:: Reconnect with my camera and let my lens capture what my eyes see.</div>
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:: Be happy.</div>
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As you can see, my plans for the year are a blend of dreams, goals and aspirations which are making my heart tick and my eyes smile. </div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-62853032146739303512014-01-19T09:52:00.002+00:002014-01-19T09:52:31.759+00:00choose :: my word for 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7g63xOir4eg/UtueZ5puRSI/AAAAAAAAFUE/ygSPALEd7pg/s1600/_DSC0166+-+Farol+e+Choose+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7g63xOir4eg/UtueZ5puRSI/AAAAAAAAFUE/ygSPALEd7pg/s1600/_DSC0166+-+Farol+e+Choose+BLOG.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Choose</b>.</span></div>
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For 2014, I choose <i>choose</i> as the word to focus on. Life is made of choices. Simple, hard, quick, slow, spur of the moment, pondered choices that can change our path and the way we feel about our life. <br />
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Last year, as I focused on <i>change</i> I realised that part of the process to dealing with change is <i>choosing</i> how to deal with it. Sometimes, our options are limited and so will our choices be; sometimes, things will happen and we'll be left feeling we have no choice... But we do, small as it may be... We can choose to deal with it.<br />
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Last year, both my parents had health problems; that made me think of all the change that is forced upon us. The kind of change that makes you feel powerless even when your word for the year is helping you deal with it. The kind of change we have no choice over, other than be the best people we can for them and for us. <br />
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This year, I want to feel empowered by knowing there is always a choice, no matter how small. I want to choose how I deal with what comes my way. I want to choose how I speak to people, especially the ones closest to me. I want to choose how I spend my time. I want to choose to launch a business with my brother. I want to choose to enjoy life. I want to really choose by knowing I have a choice... No matter how small.<br />
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<br />Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-8125067803362995352014-01-17T18:17:00.004+00:002014-01-17T18:17:44.316+00:00change in 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cyuf772l0s/UtlzpHOZXiI/AAAAAAAAFTs/cIJZH1-lRBk/s1600/IMG_0378joey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cyuf772l0s/UtlzpHOZXiI/AAAAAAAAFTs/cIJZH1-lRBk/s1600/IMG_0378joey.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Having a word for the year, and that word being <i><a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word" target="_blank">change</a></i>, was really important for me, more so than I could have imagined when I embarked on this <i><a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word%202013" target="_blank">one little word</a></i> journey. 2013 was definitely a year of change for me, some which I had been dreaming about, others which were incredibly undesirable. All of those changes required adjustments.<br />
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<b><i>Change</i> </b>as my word gave me a much needed focus for the year. Not just to get things done but also to cope with all the change I had to <i>just</i> accept. <i>Just</i> accepting can be difficult. <i>Just</i> accepting was in fact the hardest lesson of this year and one of the hardest of my life. I can't say I've learned the lesson fully, but I learned to cope with the situation the best way I could.</div>
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<i><b>Change</b></i> as my word also gave me an appreciation for <i>good</i> change. Sometimes, even good change can be a little bit scary; Michael moving to Oxford was one such change. We crossed a bridge [LINK] and I'm so thankful we did.</div>
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Finally, <i><b>change</b></i> made the year a lot more fun! I can't wait to reveal my word for 2014 and let the year unfold once more, sometimes randomly other times with intent.</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-1988527196923520222014-01-16T15:00:00.000+00:002014-01-16T15:00:09.976+00:00change :: December update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIggRBXb72k/UtcDzDbbOkI/AAAAAAAAFSk/m3p-vU4HMyQ/s1600/_DSC0074+-+Porto+beach+love+BLOG+FLICKR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIggRBXb72k/UtcDzDbbOkI/AAAAAAAAFSk/m3p-vU4HMyQ/s1600/_DSC0074+-+Porto+beach+love+BLOG+FLICKR.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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December was filled with good things, the kind of things that warm you up inside and make you feel happy. There was time in Portugal and family time. We were all there and that is the most priceless thing of 2013 - we were all there. <br />
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As far as my <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/december-goals.html" target="_blank">goals</a> go, I haven't yet finished my Project Life album. I love this project and am working up a way to keep it up in 2014, but... I have a few weeks to complete of last year. I can live with that. For the rest, whilst I did manage not to check the internet in bed I didn't keep it up this year and I really want to; work in progress there. And last but not least, I absolutely did make the most of being home, oh yeah!<br />
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This was my December, fast and slow, happy and full!<br />
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<br />Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-24103088615520771942014-01-15T21:37:00.003+00:002014-01-15T21:37:59.284+00:00a fair bit to come<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9XnZzh_wfU/Utb_mJWy2YI/AAAAAAAAFSc/lmfW0blhh24/s1600/_DSC0001+-+Porto+love+BLOG+FLICKR+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9XnZzh_wfU/Utb_mJWy2YI/AAAAAAAAFSc/lmfW0blhh24/s1600/_DSC0001+-+Porto+love+BLOG+FLICKR+small.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Happy New Year to you all!</b></div>
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2014 is here and so am I, even if it hasn't quite looked like that so far. Very much like what happened <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/notes-on-unplanned-break.html" target="_blank">last summer</a>, I ended up taking a break from the online world and making the most of my time at home for Christmas. I think I will be making these two breaks - summer and Christmas - a regular affair; clearly, it's what works for me!<br />
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I do have a few things I'd like to share with you, past and future. I am writing and writing and will soon be posting about my views on my <i><a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word" target="_blank">one little word 2013</a></i>, the December update of my monthly goals, my one little word for 2014 and my goals for January (yep, doing it again!). Stay tuned for that.<br />
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In the meantime, if you'd like to know how I've addressed monthly goals in 2013 and get a few tips on how you can do it this year, you can read my monthly contribution to Fe-line <a href="http://fe-line.co.uk/goal-setting-for-2014/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Back to writing... :)Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-65728156886450099542013-12-21T10:07:00.000+00:002013-12-21T10:07:00.352+00:00Kiva <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzqrzJ8gxAw/UrRtptWY9eI/AAAAAAAAFQo/P1L0IEw2Yxc/s1600/Kiva+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzqrzJ8gxAw/UrRtptWY9eI/AAAAAAAAFQo/P1L0IEw2Yxc/s640/Kiva+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.kiva.org/lend/645594" target="_blank">Maria</a> and <a href="http://www.kiva.org/lend/646668" target="_blank">Javohir</a> are entrepreneurs looking for investment in their business to better their lives. I am lucky enough to be one of the people investing in their business, through <a href="http://www.kiva.org/" target="_blank">Kiva</a>. Go over to <a href="http://www.kiva.org/" target="_blank">Kiva</a> and learn how you can lend to other entrepreneurs. <br />
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<i>About Kiva in their own words</i></div>
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"We are a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world."</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-43780145661967392032013-12-20T15:55:00.000+00:002013-12-20T15:55:03.354+00:00nós por cá todos bem<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf3BXX6OQ4s/UrRjXPxr-sI/AAAAAAAAFQI/OM5Z4GCWac0/s1600/Home+decor+fireplace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf3BXX6OQ4s/UrRjXPxr-sI/AAAAAAAAFQI/OM5Z4GCWac0/s640/Home+decor+fireplace.JPG" width="640" /></a>I've been knitting and sewing. I've got back to running and had to pause because of a harsh cold. I've been watching Breaking Bad and finished Homeland season 3. I've been feeling more and more and home in our ever so cute little cottage. I've been enjoying the Christmas spirit and Christmas dinners and traditions and British festivities. I've given (not posted) Christmas cards. My second article for <a href="http://fe-line.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fe-line</a> came out <a href="http://fe-line.co.uk/sewing-from-hobby-to-business/" target="_blank">here</a> and I'm still pinching myself that I'm doing this!<br />
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<i><a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/nos%20por%20ca%20todos%20bem" style="color: #e30917; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Nós por cá todos bem</a></i> is a randomly scheduled feature for when images describe what's happening around here so much better than words could. You can read the first post <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/nos-por-ca-todos-bem.html" style="color: #e30917; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-14259281444056830992013-12-09T22:00:00.000+00:002013-12-09T22:00:01.810+00:00::inspiring Mondays::<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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December mornings are quite possibly the hardest ones for me. I'll confirm in January, but at the moment leaving my duvet when it's dark outside is difficult, very difficult. I pat myself on the back everyday for this big achievement that is getting up. Go, Joey!<br />
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There's been a lot of talk in my circles about Christmas presents; we discuss where people are buying their presents from, going local, aiming for meaningful presents rather than <i>just</i> something, and so on. I have a few presents sorted and a few which aren't, but I don't mind and somehow don't feel rushed to get it sorted just yet. I'm making some of the presents and in all honesty, those are my favourite ones; things I've made which someone I care about will enjoy! As I think of this, I realise how lucky I am I can make things.<br />
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:: photography. I am so inspired by it and so grateful to have so many photographic records of my family and friends.<br />
:: Flickr. I've been away from it and I'm now going back; it's truly inspiring to see others' photos and makes me want to push myself in photography.<br />
:: sewing. I am doing a sewing course where we are learning to make trousers; My Grandma would be so proud!<br />
:: knitting. handmade gifts, garments to wear, anything; it makes me so happy to be able to make things.<br />
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It's sunny. I love sunny winter days! How's your Monday been? Hope you're enjoy the season and the sunshine :)<br />
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<br />Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-40114360609768986662013-12-05T19:46:00.001+00:002014-01-15T22:09:45.455+00:00December goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's December and I'm over the moon with the fact I made it through the year with my <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word" target="_blank">one little word</a> and monthly <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/goals" target="_blank">goals</a>. Absolutely ecstatic! I am proud of myself and I'm so very happy I made it. As the year comes to an end, I look back at all that's been and can't quite believe it all fitted in these incredibly fast paced 12 months. I'm sure only yesterday was January and I was home surprising Dad on his birthday.<br />
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I have goals for December which extend (just a little bit) beyond enjoying Christmas and the ever so comforting family time. I also have little dreams and big dreams. And I have this incredible changed view on change... sometimes, it's actually nice.<br />
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:: not check the internet in bed; it's so comfy there, just enjoy that!<br />
:: finish my Project Life album. I so love this project!<br />
:: embrace the season and make the most of being home.<br />
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This is my last monthly goals post of the year. I will write the December :: update and a review on the series possibly at the end of the year. I'm still not sure how I will do my goals for 2014, I just know I will do something. I love it and it gives me focus!<br />
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You can read all my monthly <i>goals</i> posts <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/goals" style="color: #e30917; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> and my <i>change :: one little word</i> posts <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/one%20little%20word" style="color: #e30917; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-42536451047709509952013-12-01T12:42:00.000+00:002014-01-15T22:09:45.459+00:00change :: November update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ycwqvp7gyGs/UpkHv7L5W8I/AAAAAAAAFKo/2LKnqj5--EA/s1600/_DSC7386+-+Joey+e+Michael+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ycwqvp7gyGs/UpkHv7L5W8I/AAAAAAAAFKo/2LKnqj5--EA/s640/_DSC7386+-+Joey+e+Michael+BLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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November was a good month and I can't help but be in awe of it. If I had to pick the most bland or boo for no reason month, I'd very likely say November. The days are short and there's still a long way to go until Christmas. It's cold and you're surrounded by Christmas adverts. Yep, poor November has the worst bits of December and none of its major points. Yet, November was good and I embraced it. I felt at home!<br />
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Michael's Mum visited in November. It was good to get to know her better and spend time with her. It was lovely to have a guest to pamper and be a hostess for. It was delightful to hear about Michael's children days... there's nothing quite like an embarrassing childhood story to makes us see how similar we are!</div>
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I also became an official <a href="http://fe-line.co.uk/contributors/" target="_blank">contributor</a> to Fe-line; you can read my first post <a href="http://fe-line.co.uk/a-brazilian-portuguese-gastronomic-tour-of-oxford/" target="_blank">here</a>! It's all about cool places to sample Brazilian and Portuguese food in Oxford. I hope you enjoy it and, given the opportunity, get to sample all those places when you visit.</div>
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I did finish my <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/november-goals.html" target="_blank">little birds cardi</a>... as knitting goes. I now need to find buttons for it and block it. Can't wait to wear it! And can't wait to photograph it and show it here. I have largely <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/november-goals.html" target="_blank">planned</a> the baby quilt for my cousin and know exactly what I want; if only the fabric could magically appear in my stash, that would be fab! I haven't checked, but I think I did write here <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/november-goals.html" target="_blank">twice a week</a>; not more, but at least that. That's how habits are made, surely ;)</div>
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Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381509500793726536.post-19480516678775046092013-11-28T21:26:00.000+00:002013-11-29T22:43:02.543+00:007 things I learned commuting by bike<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gcFgZ1sBqv8/Upe0r03vwhI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/z3D2bKA6rJ4/s1600/Joey+cycles+to+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gcFgZ1sBqv8/Upe0r03vwhI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/z3D2bKA6rJ4/s640/Joey+cycles+to+work.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I have been cycling to work since mid-June
and love it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I started commuting to work by bike because
I was plumping up, in a nutshell. Several things happened last winter which
culminated in a big loss of inserted-into-my-day type of physical activity
for me and by the time we reached spring I was a more huggable version of myself, shall we say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I decided the best thing to do was make the
most of the summer and cycle to work. I prefer to have physical activity naturally part of my day, it’s easier to stick to it and you do it regularly. Going
to the gym can be ok, but it can also be a pain and requires will power.
Cycling to work is just how I get there and basically it’s either that or
nothing… I should say I don’t have a car and lift sharing requires organising
in advance, so I can’t just feel lazy on the morning; that helps too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">When I started, I had a bike I loved,
panniers and my running clothes. That was more than enough to get me biking. A
couple of weeks in and I realised I was in love with my new commute. So much so
I started making plans to cycle through winter for as long as I could. A couple
more weeks and I already had a pretty good idea of what worked for me and what
could be useful to others thinking about commuting by bike. My commute is
around 8.5K each way, which takes me 30-35 minutes on the bike (clearly I’m not
the next <strike>Wigans</strike> Wiggins).</span></div>
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<b>1. Start
today*. </b></div>
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I mean it. If you have a choice, commute to work on your bike. It’s
healthier, ecological and great fun. I feel more energised and happier. For
the first week, I was a bit more tired but once I got in the groove of it,
my energy levels went up. If I feel tired for some reason, I cycle slower,
and I have no problem with that. </div>
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*unless today is raining; then start tomorrow. You can’t see potholes if
they’re filled with water!</div>
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<b>2. Eat
breakfast. </b></div>
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I repeat, eat breakfast. Breakfast is incredibly important to give your body energy for the day,
and more so if you’re about to cycle a fair bit. I have a slice of <a href="http://littlemissjoey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/everyday-bread.html" target="_blank">homemade bread</a> with cream cheese and some yoghurt or fruit. I have breakfast around 7am and then have a piece of fruit with cheese
around 9:30/10:00. For me, it’s important to eat regularly and also more
enjoyable ;)</div>
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<b>3. Clothing.</b></div>
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I change in work, so I can cycle in more appropriate gear. When I started
commuting by bike, I already had running stuff, which largely sufficed;
some running capris and running T-shirts did the trick. For the colder
weather, things are not as simple and I’ve had to invest in a couple of
base layers which I wear under the summer T-shirts, gloves and a very
basic lightweight high viz cover I picked up at TKMaxx. As winter settles
in and temperatures plummet, I've had to wear a thinner pair of gloves underneath my decent winter ones. It's very important to keep the extremities warm, so I wear two pairs of socks or thick walking socks if it's really cold. I also wear a headband and a thin buff to cover my ears and head. I'm thinking of maybe getting shoe covers, but have survived without so far...</div>
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LINKS to my gear.</div>
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<b>4. Be nice.
Be careful.</b></div>
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Smile at other cyclists, say hello. It does brighten everyone’s day. </div>
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Know the road code. And then always assume the car has priority… as a
cyclist, you are the weakest link (even if you are in the right!). Whilst
I’m not a nervous cyclist, I’m a cautious one and I would really recommend
that approach, always!</div>
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<b>5. Wear a
helmet. </b></div>
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Your brain rules your body. Protect it! Bike helmets are frequently
overlooked by cyclists; reasons for this are plenty, but the most frequent
one seems to be hair style. Without wanting to sound alarmist, your hair
won’t protect you if you fall and it will get messy too! </div>
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<b>6. Have lights.</b></div>
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According to my favourite bike shop* guy, there are three types of bike
lights: 1. Lights to avoid a fine; 2. Lights to be seen; and 3. Lights to
see. I would strongly recommend you go for sets 2 or 3, visibility is key
on the road. I have had lights to be seen forever, and have recently
invested in a good set of lights to see. I cycle in dark areas and want to
see where I’m going.</div>
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*<a href="http://www.beelinebicycles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Beeline Oxford</a></div>
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<b>7. Get a
sports watch (optional, but oh such fun)</b></div>
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Any sports watch. It really adds fun to your journey! Luckily, I was given
a very cool Polar watch for my birthday. Originally, I wanted it for
running but have since found it works beautifully for cycling and it’s
such fun too! I know exactly how long it takes me door to door, I know
exactly on how many kilometres I’ve done in a day, I know time and
distance differences between routes instantly, I know if I need to speed
up to make it, or if I can just chill and enjoy the scenery (doesn’t
happen often in the morning!).<br />
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I hope these seven tips will encourage you to get on your bike and change your commute to work for the better. If you have any questions or comments, do let me know in the comment section. Happy riding :)</div>
Little Miss Joeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351593318546168600noreply@blogger.com4