The Habulous Blog

Wow, it’s been a rollercoaster of a week; I became addicted to watching the voting for the Muddy Stiletto’s awards, I stayed up until 1am every night and only one of these was for social reasons. Attended a little awards drink presentation.  Finished off my card designs, sent 68 artwork cards to the printers, trained a new member of our team and managed one social walk, one run, a picnic and a great day out at our local summer fair , I also gained 2LBS (just like Bridget Jones!!!).  I’m breaking into a sweat just reading about it!

Yay, we did it, we won The Muddy Stiletto’s award for “The Best Gift Shop” in Devon, I have to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted for our stores, it was really quite overwhelming receiving so much support and hearing from so many people about why they love our shops.  We now get to put a rather beautiful window sticker in our stores to let you all know how good we are!

So rather than write any more (I want to sleep) here are a few photo’s that sum up my week. 

A great event hosted by Muddy Stiletto's to get all the category winners together.  Top right is the winner of the best Yoga fitness teacher, I tried very hard to persuade her to start a wine and yoga class, but I'm not sure she took the bait.  Bottom Right is Muddy Stiletto's blogger Sharon and of course me pulling one of my many silly faces (I am not at all photogenic).

I have missed writing my blog; it’s like the old fashioned diary I kept as an angst teenager, although most of what I wrote then was a load of rubbish about my latest boyfriend/crush.  I don’t know why, but writing about snippets of my life has a really calming effect on me, it might just be the process, I have to slow down and take time out, to review what’s been going on in my busy life before putting pen to paper or rather fingers to keyboard.

Today I’m sitting at my desk about to start a major admin job (admin is most definitely not where my skills are based).  I look pretty bad, my eyelids are buffed up and feeling like lead, so much so, that I am contemplating using match sticks to keep them open; It’s all my own doing of course, I’ve been working till midnight or later every week night for the last few weeks.  I’ve become totally obsessed with designing for our card range and whilst the desire to draw and create is strong I feel I must make the most of it.

Our card samples arrived on Saturday, I was so excited about opening that envelope, pouring the contents onto the kitchen table and then spending the next hour contemplating which card stock to choose for the real print run.  Decisions are now made and by the end of next week all of our designs should be with the printers, so in a matter of months we should be well on the way to selling our very own range of cards!

I’ve had a very busy time socially, that’s the way I love to live, a little bit like burning the candle at both ends all though I think it’s one of those slow burn candles as I can’t maintain the pace I set in my twenties.  Also a difference in how I burn the candle, yes sometimes it does still involve lots of alcohol and music but equally the odd walk/run or book club natter has started to dominate my social calendar, is this middle age?  I have been to a few really good events so I think I’ll do a couple of separate blog posts on these as they are most definitely worth a read.

Hubby Paul and I have been really pleased to find out that our stores had been nominated for an award “The Best Gift Store in Devon” by award winning blog Muddy Stilettos (well worth reading).  So as well as all of those standard work things we do, we have spent some time harassing anyone who loves our stores to vote for us.  We are currently in second place, we appear to be yo-yoing with the leader (I am one of those annoyingly competitive people) so you know what I’m going to ask.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, VOTE for us if you think we deserve to win this accolade (you could also encourage everyone you know, family, friends co-workers, pets, to do the same!!!) No I’m not obsessed......  click here to vote for Insideout in the Best Gift Store category.

Bye for now.  xxxxx

It's been a few weeks since my last blog, I have been quite lazy since my epic marathon run. I hardly moved the following week, every part of me hurt; I began to wish I lived in a bungalow, stairs equalled agony (and yes I have given birth, so I know what pain is). My body was trying to tell me not to move, it actually wanted to eat lots of chocolate and drink gin!  Incidentally I've established a new firm favourite on the gin front a Welsh number called Brecon, highly recommended to any gin swillers out there. With the help of this new gin and those marvellous juniper berries, I'm nearly fully restored (except for a wee back issue, but that is slowly healing). 

It's been a steady few weeks on the work front, my team and I have had our usual fun displaying our new stock, it’s one of my favourite jobs. I love merchandising, the process of putting different products together, to create an eye catching display. It's something we do really well, that might be because we have had lots of practice or just good old fashioned luck.

The real change in weather (excusing the downpour that’s currently going on outside my door) and the demand for our eco soy wax melts lead to a full week of melt making for me. It's now turned into one of those jobs my whole family are involved with, Ben and Ffion do all my packing. I'd love to tell you they rush in from school and get straight to work with a big smile on their face whilst we all merrily chat about our days; the reality is they slink in and hide upstairs until I twig that they are home and hunt them out, coaxing them down to help with various threats and promises!  The joys of being a family business, but on the plus side I do think it’s important that the kids are involved and understand what work is like. 

The weekend was a mixture of work and pleasure with yet another visit to London for a trades how and a catch up with some fantastic friends.  Saturday was fun filled with too many cocktails, lot of laughing and some excellent food.  We normally head towards Covent Garden but this time we stayed south of the river; starting near the Old Vic and heading to the Borough Market.  Like most of inner London, this area has seen lots of change over the last 10 years and now boasts some excellent places to eat, drink and shop.  As I have family close by, it has become one of my favourite haunts.  Our top places at the end of the day were “The Baltic” on Blackfriars road and the Oxo Tower although if you have more than one cocktail in the later, you may have to think of re-mortgaging your home (the views are well worth it!)  The Baltic is a polish restaurant with a very interesting menu and top notch cocktails.  If you’re a foodie Borough Market is a must, now London’s most renowned food and drink market with over 100 stalls to tantalise your taste buds. 

Sunday was all about work, checking out potential suppliers for our stores.  Pulse is a small but good tradeshow which tends to showcase new designer/makers as well as some of the more established companies.  I always feel very inspired by the work I see there and hope when it arrives in the shops my customers will too.

Before heading back to Devon on the Monday I managed a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  I love spending time inside its walls.  Not only is it a building of true beauty but it is a great inspiration for my ceramics and just art and design in general. 

My weekend wouldn’t have been complete without a few minor mishaps, luckily nothing too drastic. I can only confess to conditioning my hair with moisturiser. This was an accident, I didn’t want my hair stuck to my head for the weekend honestly.  How did I do that you may wonder, well I have a habit of filling small bottles with my weekend supplies then forgetting what’s in what bottle.  I should have twigged when it didn’t want to come out of said bottle but no my brain did not work out what was wrong, so after 3 hair washes normality resumed.  On my train journey home, after making use of the facilities I was trying to get the tap to work to wash my hands, a sign indicated you pressed a button, I couldn’t find the button anywhere then suddenly I noticed it under the sink.  Strange place I know, pressing the button I then waited for the water to flow, instead my ears burned with a high pitched alarm, panic ensued. (I was in the disabled toilet).  I quickly made my exit red faced and feeling every single set of eyes on me in the rather packed carriage as I made my way back to my seat.......

53,903 STEPS equals my first marathon an amazing, emotional 26.2 miles.

To say I am feeling chuffed to have made it all the way around the London Marathon is an understatement. The whole event was an amazing experience, one full of exhilaration, pain, comradery, admiration and of course relief when you cross that finishing line.

I have to say a massive thank you to Virgin, they really know how to organise an event and make every single step of the way as easy and motivational as possible.  By now many of you are used to my ramblings, so in my normal fashion I want to try to share the experience with you as best I can.

I left for London on the Thursday wanting to make the most of the lead up to the big day I had been working so hard for, over the last 5 months.  After dropping my luggage off I headed straight over to the London Marathon Expo to collect my running number and to get the strapping on my calf replaced as it was starting to peal away.  Although I went alone the atmosphere was so inclusive, a real buzz of excitement hung in the air.

I didn’t see Big Ben running the marathon but the man in that costume was the one who kindly replaced my strapping giving me the confidence to run on Sunday.  Whilst I was being treated a Spanish lady hobbled onto the stand having sprained her ankle in the airport earlier that day, my heart really went out to her, traveling so far and then injuring herself days before.  The genuine sympathy shared as the Physio shook his head and told her it was extremely unlikely to be healed enough for her to run.  I really counted my blessings at that point at least I could attempt the run.

The next day I spent with my amazing Mum, visiting art shops, with a few other stops thrown in.  The constant changes in our high streets have pretty much seen the demise of “Art Stores” much to my disappointment.  So to have the opportunity to visit two amazing shops was like a visit to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. As much as i love the internet nothing can replace the experience you get in store, the chance to touch and engage with what's around you.

Saturday was spent visiting some very good friends, it was a real trip down memory lane, we all met about 20 years ago (pre kids) and used to spend so much time together which  tended  to involve excessive amounts of alcohol, late nights and lots of laughter.  All these years on being  around a table with all of our children and old friends was fantastic.  Leaving this merry lot who were happily tucking into their umpteenth drink, was a real struggle and a good test of my will power (I found it very hard to leave), I retreated early,  leaving my rather merry husband, friends and children to it.

Sunday I was up early and downed a hearty breakfast before making my way to Greenwich for the start of those 26.2 infamous miles.  Walking to the tube station was the start of the buzz for me as I  passed many other hopeful London Marathoners making their way to the start; all of us easily identified by the same clear backpack we carried with our belongings, ready to be loaded on to lorries prior to the start of the race.  I don’t think I’ve ever been on a tube full of runners before all of us heading to the same place anxious to get the day started.

After the half hour wait for the loo’s ( a very important start to the day!) I headed to my starting point, the atmosphere had changed massively with the start so near, everyone taking time to focus on what was ahead.  I couldn’t keep the smile off my face looking around at my fellow runners, the guy running in a Viking costume, the Green Fairy running for Prostate Cancer,  the girl next to me with matching trainers.  I got talking to a young man who had become a viral sensation last year when he went down on one knee at the 18 mile mark and proposed to his girlfriend.  Best of all, we were all shapes and sizes, proving that almost anyone can do anything if they but their mind to it.

10 o’clock came and we all patiently waited in line for our chance to start the run, with warnings from the compare not to wee in people's gardens or the parks! It was over 20 minutes before I reached the starting point and then off I set at a decent pace, laughing as I looked to my left 100 meters into the run and saw approximately 20 runners (men of course) lining the side of the road doing you know what!

From the very start of the race I was overwhelmed by the amount of support from spectators, nearly every inch of the course was full of people lining the route, shouting words of encouragement.  Children lined up with their hand out hoping to high five the passing crowds.  When I started to train I had hoped to complete the run in under 5 hours not quick but it would have been a really decent time for me.

I started pacing myself to achieve my target time, but with the flexible approach of just getting around having been warned by the Sports physio and many others not to push myself as my calf would be likely to tear again.  After the first few miles I started to experience severe pain in my calf and I then started to panic about how painful it might be if it was to rip again, more importantly doubting I’d be able to finish.

Joining a queue for the loo as my nerves had got the better of me, I made the decision to ease up to ensure I made it all of the way around. Waiting in line for 6 minutes on a timed run was novel and even funnier talking to the girl behind me who got out her electric cigarette and enjoyed a good puff during her break, eight minutes later I was back running, feeling a lot more comfortable!

Every single step of the way people cheered and cried out words of support, it was so overwhelming that it brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.  By the time I reached mile 8, I had to walk occasionally to rest my calf and just got on and enjoyed the experience.  I ran by the side of the road high fiving the children stood with expectant hands held out.

Every few paces someone was offering  Jelly Babies, flapjacks, sandwiches and on one occasion wine.  On nearly every street  some one was in their garden with speakers blaring commentating on those running past.  It was truly amazing. Total exhilarating.

Just before mile 10, my marker became a Morris dancer, this amazing man, was dressed in the full gear and every 5 strides waved his hanky in the air, the crowds loved him and his bells; during the run I would often overtake him and when walking hear the distinctive sound of bells approaching. At mile 16 I really started to appreciate how my training had helped prepare me, I had the energy for the run and that never faltered, just a shame I injured myself so late in training. Those running around me truly inspired me, everyone had their reason to run.  At one water station I passed a bottle to a man struggling to reach the station due to the fact he was running with a tumble dryer on his back. I overtook and then was overtaken by a brave blind lady Nicola and her guide runner. Wonder Woman passed me early on but was walking the later part.  To many amazing people trying to complete one amazing event.

My family were out in force and cheered me on, there is nothing like seeing someone you know cheering you on. The second time I saw them at mile 22 I stopped for a quick hug before continuing on my way.  I don’t know how but I made it, as soon as I reached the line my body stiffened, but I made it.  I ran (and walked a little) 26.2 miles. I am now the proud owner of a London Marathon medal and t-shirt, I shall be adorning the shirt like a proud child at every opportunity (I’m even considering wearing it to work!)

I owe a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey in so many ways (it sounds soppy but it was a really big deal for me). Thank you to my amazing family and friends.

Only 4 days and 4 nights to go and then I will be running the London Marathon, Yes me that slightly overweight lady who likes her gin and prosecco a little too much, oh and did I mention chocolate..... . I apologise in advance to anyone who sees me running or limping along on Sunday, my running face is apparently an unhappy grimace (I do enjoy it, honest), my face muscles just don’t behave the way I want them to when I’m focussed on keeping my legs turning over.  Have you ever seen those silly YouTube clips “What I think I look like when I run” Verse “ What I actually look like when I run”, well imagine that and you’ll easily be able to pick me out in the crowds.

I started this blog nearly 5 months ago to share my training adventures and boy have there been adventures and lots and lots of hard work.  Surprisingly though, I have really quite enjoyed writing up my weeks for you to read, so if you can all cope I’ll try and keep it up.  You are all probably keen to hear the update on my torn soleus (calf muscle for those of you reading for the first time)!  After a visit to the sports Physio this week  I was cleared to try to start running again; just one mile yesterday, two today and three tomorrow.  Now he offered no reassurances that my soleus will stay intact, but he was hopeful and so am I. 

Tomorrow morning I’m heading up to London to enjoy a few days rest before the big day.  I must admit to feeling a little strange, a similar feeling to waiting for your exam results, excitement and apprehension rolled into one.  Before my mishap I was aiming to finish just under the 5 hour mark now I’d be really chuffed with 5 and a half hours, sort of like I’d have really liked to have achieved A’s in my GCSE’s, but that was before I realised that I would have to do lots and lots of revision, so I was quite happy with getting C’s (not that I’d tell me kids that).

I hope all of you with kids to occupy during half term have survived the trials of having them home all the time.  Hopefully you had some fun too.  My two have reached the stage of constant battle, telling tales on one another at every given opportunity. At times I felt like my head would explode, I really want to lie on the floor and throw a toddler tantrum (like that advert with the lady in the super market many years ago).

I was working in my Tavistock store today and got a lovely surprise when I arrived; my team had decorated the store window just for me.  I’ve got to say this really made me smile and even bought a tear to my eye.  It means such a lot as for the last 13 years I’ve always done the window displays so to approach the shop and see balloons etc was amazing, I’m smiling just writing about it.

Well on Sunday I get to tick the London Marathon off my bucket list, last year it was Venice that got a tick, no comparison really but I actually can’t wait.  Massive thanks to every one of you who has supported me, in terms of sponsoring, wishing me luck and especially to those who have put up with my moaning (sorry).