It's the Easter weekend this coming week and I am excited that lockdown restrictions are disappearing.  Okay no mass getaway for the first holiday of the year, no late ski trips or a long weekend in Devon.  We used to love our first trip away in our touring caravan when the children were younger, and when I was growing up with my parents too, Easter was always the start of the years holidays.  
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I often use the long Easter weekend to do a wardrobe declutter and if the weather is looking promising I swap my clothes over from winter to early summer.  I also love to refresh my style and buy a few new outfits especially dresses.

There is hope and optimism and Monday, 29th March 2021 - sees the next step in 'lockdown easing' and we can finally meet others outdoors (maximum six, or two households).  Outdoor sports facilities will be opening and we can travel outside our immediate area!  I am really looking forward to tidying our garden, lighting the fire pit, getting a blanket or two out, opening the wine and getting on with some garden entertaining!

Guest post from Alice, Alice Godfrey Nutrition.   I am delighted to welcome Alice to my blog this week.  We met on instagram and I loved her story. Having retrained after starting her family, she has a particular interest in thyroid conditions and especially how these can be related to or confused with menopause symptoms and how to tell the difference between thyroid and menopause.   Alice is registered nutritionist and she helps women get to the bottom of their brain fog, weight gain, low mood or lack of energy,

In this guest post, Alice explains what the thyroid is, symptoms if the thyroid goes wrong and how it can be confused with menopause.

The first day of spring, sunshine, daffodils, dog walks, lighter evenings, the vaccine, summer on its way .... so many reasons for optimism.  Spring brings new life and I for one can't wait for a new beginning!  On the first day of spring, I have been out for a walk and trying out my new 'wellibobs' from Hotter.  I didn't even know that the little short wellington boots had their own name!  Did you?  They are referred to as wellibobs by some brands and I rather like it!  

Spring is natures way of saying 'let's party' Robin Williams​ - looking for spring quotes I came across this one and it really is so appropriate this year!

Back to my walk and wellibobs!  They are the Blossom Wellingtons from Hotter and they are this years special edition to support Marie Curie.  They have been designed with the iconic Marie Curie daffodil in a partnership with Hotter and for every pair sold, £10 will be donated to the charity.  And they really do represent 'the sunshine on a rainy day' with the bright yellow detailing against the navy sole and toe-bumper.

Sleep!  Do you get enough?  Shockingly it was reported that insomnia rose from one in six, to one in four people during the lockdowns of the Covid pandemic.  I have had insomnia, in fact I am an insomniac with a recurring sleep problem.  I have to manage my sleep hygiene very carefully and the slightest change in my routine can set me off again.  And menopause only exacerbates the problem!  So I am here on World Sleep Day 2021 to share a few strategies and ideas with you on how to sleep better!

I learnt recently that those of us with various rituals and routines around our sleep are far more likely to suffer from insomnia, rather than making things better, the rituals we feel are essential can create more stress.  And it is the stress and worry of 'not being able to sleep' that adds to the very problem we are trying to avoid.  We are actually better not to try and sleep!  Easier said than done!

From supplements, to podcasts, meditation, limiting blue light and the best bedroom environment, I am going to share below some of the latest research to help improve sleep and tell you which ones have worked for me.