4 things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work:
1. My friend Andy popped in while passing through. He lives a long way away so we don’t see much of each other. It’s weird to think we first met at school 36 years ago – how in earth did THAT HAPPEN??!! It was nice to catch up.
2. Mr F and I went for a long dog walk which culminated in an unplanned glass or two of rosé and dinner outside in the sunshine. I’m glad we did it as it feels like we caught the last bit of summer.
3. I chatted to my son Fin on the phone for two and a half hours. It’s been a bumpy few years while he’s been away at uni (any parents of kids who started during Covid know what I mean). We caught up on all sorts of things – films, telly, books, psychology, theology… I think we covered it all! This was a snap I sent him mid chat to show him my view of Teddy.
4. We went to Notting Hill Carnival today! Growing up in Trinidad means it’s always pretty special. We got there early, I had my curry and roti, we chipped along behind a few bands then we headed home before it got even busier. It was Amy’s first time – I was around her age when I last went to Carnival in Trinidad, which is a strange thought! This week seems to be a reminder about all the changes that have happened in my past and present… an unexpected reflection.
#4things
4 things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work:
1. My friend Andy popped in while passing through. He lives a long way away so we don’t see much of each other. It’s weird to think we first met at school 36 years ago – how in earth did THAT HAPPEN??!! It was nice to catch up.
2. Mr F and I went for a long dog walk which culminated in an unplanned glass or two of rosé and dinner outside in the sunshine. I’m glad we did it as it feels like we caught the last bit of summer.
3. I chatted to my son Fin on the phone for two and a half hours. It’s been a bumpy few years while he’s been away at uni (any parents of kids who started during Covid know what I mean). We caught up on all sorts of things – films, telly, books, psychology, theology… I think we covered it all! This was a snap I sent him mid chat to show him my view of Teddy.
4. We went to Notting Hill Carnival today! Growing up in Trinidad means it’s always pretty special. We got there early, I had my curry and roti, we chipped along behind a few bands then we headed home before it got even busier. It was Amy’s first time – I was around her age when I last went to Carnival in Trinidad, which is a strange thought! This week seems to be a reminder about all the changes that have happened in my past and present… an unexpected reflection.
#4things
So…
I filmed this a few hours ago, when I’d not long got up and caught the train into London. The face hadn’t ‘settled’ yet. 🥴
The auto captions barely make any sense even though I’ve tried to correct them. So I hope between the strange wording and traffic noise you can figure out what I’m talking about!
I thought I’d put it up anyway because it kind of sums up my day so far. And it talks about the latest Midlife Conversation with goes live at 10am tomorrow on YouTube, which is all about those Sliding Doors moments we have in our lives, where a tiny action or event can change everything. I chat with the very lovely Jennie Becker about the podcast she hosts which is based on the iconic movie starring @gwynethpaltrow and @iamjohnhannah It’s awesome.
The link is in my bio. I hope you like it!
P.S. I bought a T shirt to replace my coffee stained top and took my horrible socks off. I now look 50% better. 😅
#midlifeconversations
4 things I did last week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work.
1. I went to the book launch of my friend @your_emmalucy brand new masterpiece on manifesting with crystals! Unfortunately I did not manifest staying long as I had to turn round and go straight back home as Amy got locked out the house and rang with 1% left on her phone. The few minutes I was there was lovely though, as I managed to catch up with @beckshumps – for the first time in real life! So nice.
2. I went for a facial at @dthomasclinic and felt very looked after. It’s a new discovery since our house move – I will be back! They really know their stuff when it comes to skin. (The session was #gifted)
3. Went to the driving range with Nick and Amy. This was one of the better shots. 🤭
4. I have started reading Cultural Amnesia – Notes In The Margin Of My Time by the late Clive James. I loved him back in the 90s and noughties,and for many years he was my secret celebrity crush because he was a wonderful writer (I devoured his books and articles) smart, funny and interesting beyond measure. You might remember him from the telly, he was brilliant. I was fortunate to meet him a few times and discovered he was also quiet and pleasant to everyone (even star struck weather girls, as I was then. I also stumbled across him at a tango class at a random, nowhere fancy part of London and saw he was surprisingly light in his feet! He would have been in his early sixties then. I last met him in 2007 when I was anchoring Loose Women and he came on to promote this very book, and the embarrassment I feel now at reading it is palpable. Perhaps it’s age – I’m now in my 50s, so closer to the age Clive himself was back when I first became aware of him – but I now fully appreciate what a life’s work this book is, something I realise I didn’t when I interviewed him. Like Clive himself, it’s not an easy read. Like him, like all of us, it has its flaws. It takes concentration, but like anything that requires effort is more rewarding because of it. I’m glad I stumbled on it again after unpacking boxes following our move. It’s been a joy to rediscover it, and him.
4 things I did last week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work.
1. I went to the book launch of my friend @your_emmalucy brand new masterpiece on manifesting with crystals! Unfortunately I did not manifest staying long as I had to turn round and go straight back home as Amy got locked out the house and rang with 1% left on her phone. The few minutes I was there was lovely though, as I managed to catch up with @beckshumps – for the first time in real life! So nice.
2. I went for a facial at @dthomasclinic and felt very looked after. It’s a new discovery since our house move – I will be back! They really know their stuff when it comes to skin. (The session was #gifted)
3. Went to the driving range with Nick and Amy. This was one of the better shots. 🤭
4. I have started reading Cultural Amnesia – Notes In The Margin Of My Time by the late Clive James. I loved him back in the 90s and noughties,and for many years he was my secret celebrity crush because he was a wonderful writer (I devoured his books and articles) smart, funny and interesting beyond measure. You might remember him from the telly, he was brilliant. I was fortunate to meet him a few times and discovered he was also quiet and pleasant to everyone (even star struck weather girls, as I was then. I also stumbled across him at a tango class at a random, nowhere fancy part of London and saw he was surprisingly light in his feet! He would have been in his early sixties then. I last met him in 2007 when I was anchoring Loose Women and he came on to promote this very book, and the embarrassment I feel now at reading it is palpable. Perhaps it’s age – I’m now in my 50s, so closer to the age Clive himself was back when I first became aware of him – but I now fully appreciate what a life’s work this book is, something I realise I didn’t when I interviewed him. Like Clive himself, it’s not an easy read. Like him, like all of us, it has its flaws. It takes concentration, but like anything that requires effort is more rewarding because of it. I’m glad I stumbled on it again after unpacking boxes following our move. It’s been a joy to rediscover it, and him.
4 things I did last week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work.
1. I went to the book launch of my friend @your_emmalucy brand new masterpiece on manifesting with crystals! Unfortunately I did not manifest staying long as I had to turn round and go straight back home as Amy got locked out the house and rang with 1% left on her phone. The few minutes I was there was lovely though, as I managed to catch up with @beckshumps – for the first time in real life! So nice.
2. I went for a facial at @dthomasclinic and felt very looked after. It’s a new discovery since our house move – I will be back! They really know their stuff when it comes to skin. (The session was #gifted)
3. Went to the driving range with Nick and Amy. This was one of the better shots. 🤭
4. I have started reading Cultural Amnesia – Notes In The Margin Of My Time by the late Clive James. I loved him back in the 90s and noughties,and for many years he was my secret celebrity crush because he was a wonderful writer (I devoured his books and articles) smart, funny and interesting beyond measure. You might remember him from the telly, he was brilliant. I was fortunate to meet him a few times and discovered he was also quiet and pleasant to everyone (even star struck weather girls, as I was then. I also stumbled across him at a tango class at a random, nowhere fancy part of London and saw he was surprisingly light in his feet! He would have been in his early sixties then. I last met him in 2007 when I was anchoring Loose Women and he came on to promote this very book, and the embarrassment I feel now at reading it is palpable. Perhaps it’s age – I’m now in my 50s, so closer to the age Clive himself was back when I first became aware of him – but I now fully appreciate what a life’s work this book is, something I realise I didn’t when I interviewed him. Like Clive himself, it’s not an easy read. Like him, like all of us, it has its flaws. It takes concentration, but like anything that requires effort is more rewarding because of it. I’m glad I stumbled on it again after unpacking boxes following our move. It’s been a joy to rediscover it, and him.
4 things I did last week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work.
1. I went to the book launch of my friend @your_emmalucy brand new masterpiece on manifesting with crystals! Unfortunately I did not manifest staying long as I had to turn round and go straight back home as Amy got locked out the house and rang with 1% left on her phone. The few minutes I was there was lovely though, as I managed to catch up with @beckshumps – for the first time in real life! So nice.
2. I went for a facial at @dthomasclinic and felt very looked after. It’s a new discovery since our house move – I will be back! They really know their stuff when it comes to skin. (The session was #gifted)
3. Went to the driving range with Nick and Amy. This was one of the better shots. 🤭
4. I have started reading Cultural Amnesia – Notes In The Margin Of My Time by the late Clive James. I loved him back in the 90s and noughties,and for many years he was my secret celebrity crush because he was a wonderful writer (I devoured his books and articles) smart, funny and interesting beyond measure. You might remember him from the telly, he was brilliant. I was fortunate to meet him a few times and discovered he was also quiet and pleasant to everyone (even star struck weather girls, as I was then. I also stumbled across him at a tango class at a random, nowhere fancy part of London and saw he was surprisingly light in his feet! He would have been in his early sixties then. I last met him in 2007 when I was anchoring Loose Women and he came on to promote this very book, and the embarrassment I feel now at reading it is palpable. Perhaps it’s age – I’m now in my 50s, so closer to the age Clive himself was back when I first became aware of him – but I now fully appreciate what a life’s work this book is, something I realise I didn’t when I interviewed him. Like Clive himself, it’s not an easy read. Like him, like all of us, it has its flaws. It takes concentration, but like anything that requires effort is more rewarding because of it. I’m glad I stumbled on it again after unpacking boxes following our move. It’s been a joy to rediscover it, and him.
4 things I did last week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work.
1. I went to the book launch of my friend @your_emmalucy brand new masterpiece on manifesting with crystals! Unfortunately I did not manifest staying long as I had to turn round and go straight back home as Amy got locked out the house and rang with 1% left on her phone. The few minutes I was there was lovely though, as I managed to catch up with @beckshumps – for the first time in real life! So nice.
2. I went for a facial at @dthomasclinic and felt very looked after. It’s a new discovery since our house move – I will be back! They really know their stuff when it comes to skin. (The session was #gifted)
3. Went to the driving range with Nick and Amy. This was one of the better shots. 🤭
4. I have started reading Cultural Amnesia – Notes In The Margin Of My Time by the late Clive James. I loved him back in the 90s and noughties,and for many years he was my secret celebrity crush because he was a wonderful writer (I devoured his books and articles) smart, funny and interesting beyond measure. You might remember him from the telly, he was brilliant. I was fortunate to meet him a few times and discovered he was also quiet and pleasant to everyone (even star struck weather girls, as I was then. I also stumbled across him at a tango class at a random, nowhere fancy part of London and saw he was surprisingly light in his feet! He would have been in his early sixties then. I last met him in 2007 when I was anchoring Loose Women and he came on to promote this very book, and the embarrassment I feel now at reading it is palpable. Perhaps it’s age – I’m now in my 50s, so closer to the age Clive himself was back when I first became aware of him – but I now fully appreciate what a life’s work this book is, something I realise I didn’t when I interviewed him. Like Clive himself, it’s not an easy read. Like him, like all of us, it has its flaws. It takes concentration, but like anything that requires effort is more rewarding because of it. I’m glad I stumbled on it again after unpacking boxes following our move. It’s been a joy to rediscover it, and him.
4 things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work
1. Mum and I went to my son Finlay’s graduation from uni. It feels like two minutes ago from when I took him in for his first day at infant school, and suddenly this week he graduated! How did that happen? We are all very proud of him.
2. Amy and I went to see @missmikasimmons in the brilliant play Disruption at the Park Theatre in Finchley. It is SO GOOD – a Black Mirror style multi layered moral dilemma. Loved it!
3. Had a wonderful evening out celebrating @chrisbaber birthday at @langansbrasserie with @nickfeeneycoach Just a great night of great company, lots of laughter, chat and fabulous food.
4. We waved off my lovely sister Linda and husband Rory and niece Meghan who have been over celebrating Linda’s birthday. I love spending time with my sis, she’s just ace. I felt very lucky this week. It was nice. 😊
#4things
4 things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work
1. Mum and I went to my son Finlay’s graduation from uni. It feels like two minutes ago from when I took him in for his first day at infant school, and suddenly this week he graduated! How did that happen? We are all very proud of him.
2. Amy and I went to see @missmikasimmons in the brilliant play Disruption at the Park Theatre in Finchley. It is SO GOOD – a Black Mirror style multi layered moral dilemma. Loved it!
3. Had a wonderful evening out celebrating @chrisbaber birthday at @langansbrasserie with @nickfeeneycoach Just a great night of great company, lots of laughter, chat and fabulous food.
4. We waved off my lovely sister Linda and husband Rory and niece Meghan who have been over celebrating Linda’s birthday. I love spending time with my sis, she’s just ace. I felt very lucky this week. It was nice. 😊
#4things
4 things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work
1. Mum and I went to my son Finlay’s graduation from uni. It feels like two minutes ago from when I took him in for his first day at infant school, and suddenly this week he graduated! How did that happen? We are all very proud of him.
2. Amy and I went to see @missmikasimmons in the brilliant play Disruption at the Park Theatre in Finchley. It is SO GOOD – a Black Mirror style multi layered moral dilemma. Loved it!
3. Had a wonderful evening out celebrating @chrisbaber birthday at @langansbrasserie with @nickfeeneycoach Just a great night of great company, lots of laughter, chat and fabulous food.
4. We waved off my lovely sister Linda and husband Rory and niece Meghan who have been over celebrating Linda’s birthday. I love spending time with my sis, she’s just ace. I felt very lucky this week. It was nice. 😊
#4things
4 things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work
1. Mum and I went to my son Finlay’s graduation from uni. It feels like two minutes ago from when I took him in for his first day at infant school, and suddenly this week he graduated! How did that happen? We are all very proud of him.
2. Amy and I went to see @missmikasimmons in the brilliant play Disruption at the Park Theatre in Finchley. It is SO GOOD – a Black Mirror style multi layered moral dilemma. Loved it!
3. Had a wonderful evening out celebrating @chrisbaber birthday at @langansbrasserie with @nickfeeneycoach Just a great night of great company, lots of laughter, chat and fabulous food.
4. We waved off my lovely sister Linda and husband Rory and niece Meghan who have been over celebrating Linda’s birthday. I love spending time with my sis, she’s just ace. I felt very lucky this week. It was nice. 😊
#4things
4 things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work
1. Mum and I went to my son Finlay’s graduation from uni. It feels like two minutes ago from when I took him in for his first day at infant school, and suddenly this week he graduated! How did that happen? We are all very proud of him.
2. Amy and I went to see @missmikasimmons in the brilliant play Disruption at the Park Theatre in Finchley. It is SO GOOD – a Black Mirror style multi layered moral dilemma. Loved it!
3. Had a wonderful evening out celebrating @chrisbaber birthday at @langansbrasserie with @nickfeeneycoach Just a great night of great company, lots of laughter, chat and fabulous food.
4. We waved off my lovely sister Linda and husband Rory and niece Meghan who have been over celebrating Linda’s birthday. I love spending time with my sis, she’s just ace. I felt very lucky this week. It was nice. 😊
#4things
4 Things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work…
I haven’t done this for a few weeks as I’ve been up to my ears with packing boxes and then unpacking them again. But the house move is done and life begins again!
1. I went to the launch of an incredible good and vitally important new book about women’s health by @drnighatarif It’s called The Knowledge and I urge everyone to buy it, just to have in the home as a go-to for everything you need to know from menstruation through to menopause. It was attended by the great and the good of the women’s health world, including the lovely @michellegriffithrobinson
2. We went out to dinner with friends and shared an evening of laughter, honesty, lived experiences and shifting perspectives. A perfect night.
3. This week I’ve been OBSESSED with The 6th Commandment on BBC iPlayer. It was so powerful and beautifully done. Timothy Spall broke my heart. The whole story has stayed with me, more so because it’s true. So sad.
4. Today we went to a screening of the short film My Week With Maisy, directed by @missmikasimmons and starring Joanna Lumley. It was wonderful, as was everyone in it. I hope it will come to your screens soon too, it deserves to be seen by everyone.
What 4 Things have you done this week?
#4things
4 Things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work…
I haven’t done this for a few weeks as I’ve been up to my ears with packing boxes and then unpacking them again. But the house move is done and life begins again!
1. I went to the launch of an incredible good and vitally important new book about women’s health by @drnighatarif It’s called The Knowledge and I urge everyone to buy it, just to have in the home as a go-to for everything you need to know from menstruation through to menopause. It was attended by the great and the good of the women’s health world, including the lovely @michellegriffithrobinson
2. We went out to dinner with friends and shared an evening of laughter, honesty, lived experiences and shifting perspectives. A perfect night.
3. This week I’ve been OBSESSED with The 6th Commandment on BBC iPlayer. It was so powerful and beautifully done. Timothy Spall broke my heart. The whole story has stayed with me, more so because it’s true. So sad.
4. Today we went to a screening of the short film My Week With Maisy, directed by @missmikasimmons and starring Joanna Lumley. It was wonderful, as was everyone in it. I hope it will come to your screens soon too, it deserves to be seen by everyone.
What 4 Things have you done this week?
#4things
4 Things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work…
I haven’t done this for a few weeks as I’ve been up to my ears with packing boxes and then unpacking them again. But the house move is done and life begins again!
1. I went to the launch of an incredible good and vitally important new book about women’s health by @drnighatarif It’s called The Knowledge and I urge everyone to buy it, just to have in the home as a go-to for everything you need to know from menstruation through to menopause. It was attended by the great and the good of the women’s health world, including the lovely @michellegriffithrobinson
2. We went out to dinner with friends and shared an evening of laughter, honesty, lived experiences and shifting perspectives. A perfect night.
3. This week I’ve been OBSESSED with The 6th Commandment on BBC iPlayer. It was so powerful and beautifully done. Timothy Spall broke my heart. The whole story has stayed with me, more so because it’s true. So sad.
4. Today we went to a screening of the short film My Week With Maisy, directed by @missmikasimmons and starring Joanna Lumley. It was wonderful, as was everyone in it. I hope it will come to your screens soon too, it deserves to be seen by everyone.
What 4 Things have you done this week?
#4things
4 Things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work…
I haven’t done this for a few weeks as I’ve been up to my ears with packing boxes and then unpacking them again. But the house move is done and life begins again!
1. I went to the launch of an incredible good and vitally important new book about women’s health by @drnighatarif It’s called The Knowledge and I urge everyone to buy it, just to have in the home as a go-to for everything you need to know from menstruation through to menopause. It was attended by the great and the good of the women’s health world, including the lovely @michellegriffithrobinson
2. We went out to dinner with friends and shared an evening of laughter, honesty, lived experiences and shifting perspectives. A perfect night.
3. This week I’ve been OBSESSED with The 6th Commandment on BBC iPlayer. It was so powerful and beautifully done. Timothy Spall broke my heart. The whole story has stayed with me, more so because it’s true. So sad.
4. Today we went to a screening of the short film My Week With Maisy, directed by @missmikasimmons and starring Joanna Lumley. It was wonderful, as was everyone in it. I hope it will come to your screens soon too, it deserves to be seen by everyone.
What 4 Things have you done this week?
#4things
4 Things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work…
I haven’t done this for a few weeks as I’ve been up to my ears with packing boxes and then unpacking them again. But the house move is done and life begins again!
1. I went to the launch of an incredible good and vitally important new book about women’s health by @drnighatarif It’s called The Knowledge and I urge everyone to buy it, just to have in the home as a go-to for everything you need to know from menstruation through to menopause. It was attended by the great and the good of the women’s health world, including the lovely @michellegriffithrobinson
2. We went out to dinner with friends and shared an evening of laughter, honesty, lived experiences and shifting perspectives. A perfect night.
3. This week I’ve been OBSESSED with The 6th Commandment on BBC iPlayer. It was so powerful and beautifully done. Timothy Spall broke my heart. The whole story has stayed with me, more so because it’s true. So sad.
4. Today we went to a screening of the short film My Week With Maisy, directed by @missmikasimmons and starring Joanna Lumley. It was wonderful, as was everyone in it. I hope it will come to your screens soon too, it deserves to be seen by everyone.
What 4 Things have you done this week?
#4things
4 Things I did this week to fill my cup that had nothing to do with work…
I haven’t done this for a few weeks as I’ve been up to my ears with packing boxes and then unpacking them again. But the house move is done and life begins again!
1. I went to the launch of an incredible good and vitally important new book about women’s health by @drnighatarif It’s called The Knowledge and I urge everyone to buy it, just to have in the home as a go-to for everything you need to know from menstruation through to menopause. It was attended by the great and the good of the women’s health world, including the lovely @michellegriffithrobinson
2. We went out to dinner with friends and shared an evening of laughter, honesty, lived experiences and shifting perspectives. A perfect night.
3. This week I’ve been OBSESSED with The 6th Commandment on BBC iPlayer. It was so powerful and beautifully done. Timothy Spall broke my heart. The whole story has stayed with me, more so because it’s true. So sad.
4. Today we went to a screening of the short film My Week With Maisy, directed by @missmikasimmons and starring Joanna Lumley. It was wonderful, as was everyone in it. I hope it will come to your screens soon too, it deserves to be seen by everyone.
What 4 Things have you done this week?
#4things
4 things I did this week that filled my cup and nothing to do with work.
This wasn’t a ‘usual’ week as I was really sociable! I am a real home-bird and it takes a lot to get me out these days. And I don’t have a single photo as I didn’t think to take any, as we were having such a great time!
1. I met up with the wonderful Katie Taylor of @loungethelatte who is one of the nicest women ever.
2. Had an impromptu dinner with my friend Lea Anne, and her family and friends from her native Canada. We have known each other since our twenties and she makes me laugh like no other.
3. Spent Sunday afternoon with my friend Claire, who I’ve known since we worked together in a pub aged 18. We went on to share a place together in our twenties, and although our lives have gone in very different directions our friendship is just the same. I love our catch up sessions
4. And finally… we celebrated the 51st birthday of Mr F. It was a family affair, with food, cake, bubbles and out of tune singing. One of the nicest birthdays we’ve had together yet. To celebrate, and because I don’t have pictures of anything else I did this week, here are some throwback pictures taken when I cut and dyed his hair blonde because that’s the kind of daft thing we did in 2020. Happy birthday Nick, you will always be ‘Kenough’ for me. Love Barbie xx 😘
Photos all by the brilliant @nickyjohnston
#4things
We all want a quick fix to feeling good – which is exactly why I loved my conversation with @feelgoodwithlavina in this week’s Midlife Conversation – because she has proven that the quick fixes we crave are all around us, we just need to know where to look! Simply reframing them is the first step, which is why she calls them her ‘fitness snacks’ which can be grabbed on the move, no matter where you are.
In our fact-packed snack-hacks you will hear:
💪 How it’s never too late to change your mindset around looking after yourself.
💪 How you don’t need to step foot in a gym to get your fitness snack.
💪 The top fitness hack for someone who sits a desk all day.
And so much more…
Click YouTube in my bio to watch on full.
Enjoy!
#midlifeconversations
Energy. Commitment. Lights going out in the middle of a passionate discussion…
My conversation with @jenbecks28 has it all. 😅
Click the YouTube link in my bio to watch in full.
#midlifeconversations
I’m really excited to bring you Presenter – it’s a one-of-a-kind programme mixing strategy and confidence training for not only getting you the best opportunities but for making sure you’re fully prepared when you do get them!
Let your audience really hear what you have to say, because if your don’t bring confidence and assurance to the way you present, you will not engage and you will not sell.
No gimmicks, no sleazy sales, just the benefit of our learnings and experiences through our journeys to provide you with every thing you could need to be an engaging and impossible to ignore presenter.
Just click the link in my bio for all the details.
#presenter #dreambigger #queenmindset #freelancemums #womenthatdo #startupwoman #smallbusinessmum #bossbabeswanted #creativepreneurs #ukbusinesswoman #Successprinciples #smallbizsquad #girlgetters #buildingbossladies #smallbusinesstips #no9to5 #fempire #shemeansbusiness
