hello FEBRUARY
It’s that time again, that bit of time I take to look back at the month and share a little bit of what’s been going on at Sunshine Towers (and beyond!) I thought January’s split of home vs work life updates worked nicely so I think I’ll stick to that kind of format for all of these updates now…
So, here goes!
PLAY TIME
SPRING HIKE
This was such a fun day out! We came, we saw, we climbed, we slipped, we snacked, we nattered, we coffeed and we hiked (through rain, sunshine, wind and with hail b*tch slapping our faces) but most importantly we all SMILED!
#Anoraktwatsontour caught by the lovely @helloitskayley
It was great to spend a day hiking with so many lovely people (and doggos) and it was all thanks to Joe (@beardedoutdoors). Not only did Joe get a fantastic bunch of beans together for the hike but we also had incredible goodie bags thanks to some brilliant sponsors.
Chrome Hill views.
Check out the #beardedoutdoorshike hashtags for great snaps from all of Joe’s hikes and the wonderful people involved.
GIVING BLOOD
It’s been far too long since I went to give blood so this year I’m making more of an effort as it’s something so important, that I’m thankful to be able to do.
If you can and are able to make time to, go give some blood and enjoy a beverage and chocolate biscuit (or mini cheddars and a banana in my case) afterwards.
Earning my snacks!
DINKY DOORS DATE
Valentines Day was a stunner, here in Cambridge so I thought I’d make the most of having to run errands in town and took myself on a little date… to track down the teeniest-tiniest doors around.
If you haven’t already discovered the world of Dinky Doors, then you MUST go and check them out. You can get sneak peeks and insider info on new doors as they’re released if you sign up to their Patreon too! SO MUCH FUN!
Dinky Doors… how many can you find?
I also took myself for a solo lunch date too, when your fave burger joint is running a £5 lunch special for a burger named after one of your fave songs then it’s rude not to, right?
S&H Black Hole Sun special.
HOMELAND WITH MY CREATIVE HOMIES
I had the absolute pleasure of joining Cat (@twinpines_) and Menekse (@menekse.stewart) in my home town of Nottingham for a day. We chatted business, we chatted play and I’m sure we chatted absolute b*llocks over an epic Pudding Pantry brunch too.
The veggie (with added bacon) 🙊
It was a joy to finally pop into The Watered Garden down in Sneinton Market place too. That area has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years and feels like the most amazing hub for creativity in Nottingham now. I need to plan a return trip!
The Watered Garden in Nottingham is a MUST for all plant lovers!
It’s never a complete trip to Notts without popping into my favourite stockist, Handmade Nottingham. The shop is forever filling up with treats wonderful independent designers and makers and Rhea is running it like an absolute BOSS! Go and pay her a visit in the Kings Walk shop if you haven’t already, you won’t be disappointed… even the mirror makes you feel good.
Why thank you, kind mirror!
WORK TIME
AY UP YORKSHIRE
After the fun times we had on the Bearded Outdoors Hike, we continued North in Buddy the Sunshine van for a day out in Yorkshire with one of my absolute creative heroes, Kayti Peschke.
If you haven’t already heard me gush about Kayti before, she is the creative force behind Caboodle Magazine and York Zine Fest, as well as taking incredible photos for fellow indies and running her own ceramics-based biz, Here Be Monsteras. What a woman!
The one and only, Kayti!
With my wedding fair coming up (eek!) I had asked Kayti to help me capture some ‘action’ shots of me painting. I turned up armed with my new little stand (thanks to The Workbench Shop) and was ready to be pushed WAY out of my comfort zone by being in front of the camera. I’d also roped in our lovely wedding planner, and pal April (Kook Events) to pose for a couple of portraits and share any wedding fair insights she had with me.
And… action!
Kayti made me feel so relaxed and I had such a fun time hanging out with her, April and of course Kayti’s super cute doggos! This behind the scenes snap that April captured sums up the day perfectly... because we all know that Frank was the star of the show!
Trying my best to be a part time model…
HELLO SUNSHINE PORTRAITS
I made it official! I’ve been doing live portraits at weddings and events for nearly three years now but this year has been the year to get my sh*t together and launch everything officially at my first ever wedding fair.
This month everything started to come together, the stand for my first fair had been built (with the expert help and execution of Mummy & Daddy Sunshine, aka The Workbench Shop, my branding had a little make-over and I had some official Hello Sunshine Portraits business cards, leaflets and a webpage done by merge talented Cat (Twin Pines Creative)
Wedding Fair stand complete and looking super sunshine-y in Kayti’s studio!
I had a swish new set of snaps thanks to Kayti and April had helped me feel much more confident about my pricing and booking processes too (not to mention also being the perfect model on our shoot day!)
April, looking perfect in the sunshine… with her own little Sunshine Portrait!
Now all that’s left is to do the fair and hopefully continue with the bookings! It’s silly really as I’ve done this for so long now through word of mouth, but making it all ‘official’ with new branding, photos and website info is kind of terrifying!
DAVE’S BACK!
This Spring time Cheese Plant Dave is making a cheeky comeback (yay!) and bringing some millennial b*tches along with him too! I don’t know how many people managed to adopt an original Dave back in 2016 or maybe even bagged one of his cousins, Snazzy Dave who was an exclusive to Caboodle Magazine but I’m excited to bring him and some new pals back! Watch this space…
Guess who’s back? #cheeseplantdave
HANGING WITH HOLLY
Not only did I push myself out of my comfort zone with a shoot with Kayti earlier this month but I only went and did it again (who even am I?) This time it was more about capturing my work and studio space at home and any day I get to spend with my friend, Holly Booth is a bonus!
Trying to prove I do more than just drink tea and chat to the cats all day…
Holly worked her magic and took some super fun snaps of me in the studio, with the cats and working in Buddy (eek!) It was a great day to catch up and I can’t wait to share more of the snaps with you all!
IS THAT MY VOICE?
Nearly a year ago now, I did my very first podcast recording with the wonderful Ashleigh S-O and this month it went live! Eeek! Now, those of you who follow me on social media will know I’m not one for talking to camera, recording videos or even showing my face all that much but I made a vow to get better and maybe this month makes up for the whole year with all the photos and a podcast?!
Anywho, cringing at my own voice aside, you can listen to my business confession and the full episode on iTunes here: Confessions of a Small Business Owner Podcast. And while you’re at it make sure you listen to the rest of Ashleigh’s podcasts too, she has had some amazing conversations with some super inspiring, creative business owners!
You might be able to hear me, but you can’t see me!
And there you have it, February in a nutshell! It seems I got up to more than I realised at the time and I haven’t even mentioned the fun weekend when my Godsons and bestie came to play or the progress I’m making with my physic and running! It’s been a good month and I’m excited to welcome in the next one!
Until next time… Keep smiling!
☀️
