2 things...

2 things I learnt yesterday

1. Do not put on a clay mud face mask first thing in the morning,  or risk walking around with black splodges on your ears all day (well in them, have no idea how.)

2. Don't let you child eat sweets in your bed. I spent half the night kicking mini eggs around the matress, which have now melted all over the covers. (Yes I was too lazy to get out of bed, turn the light on and put them in the bin.)

That is all....

Patience is a virtue...

A virtue I don't have. My next project is looking at becoming a life coach. The soap making didn't work out...too many rules and reglations, the making other stuff didn't work out.....I'm too lazy. My latest diet hasn't worked out and a cheese straw is now my favourite breakfast. 

No word of a lie the past few weeks gave been hectic, far too much drama and I'm getting pretty snappy. So my new thing is patience.

Scarlett seems to have shredded the last bit I have, 75% of the time she is a good girl, like when she's actually asleep but she is back chatting, kicking and turning from a sweet innocent little girl into a terror, a terror who is far too aware of the world.

Yesterday I put her to bed, I heard her groan a few minutes later so I popped my head around her door she said "PUSH!" and she pulled a baby out from under her dress and said "LOOK BABY!"

I have no idea where she got that from, it has scared me quite a bit! A couple of hours earlier we were putting on face masks next minute she's having a baby. She is being locked up away from boys at ten!

So I googled patience www.lifehack.org has come up. To get patience i have to.....

Breathe ~ Easy peasy.

Let go ~ I have, that's why I feel like I'm losing my mind. I need to grab onto something!

Loosen up ~ That's why I'm a young mum.

Chew slowly ~ Oh I savour every morsel of chocolate.

Enjoy the journey ~ I should book a holiday!

Look at the big picture ~ This isn't forever. One day she will leave home.

Stop demanding perfecrion for yourself ~ I don't have to...I'm already perfect.

Practice patience every day ~ When I wake up every morning I will look in the mirror and say

"I am patient"

Then I will burst out laughing and get on with my day.

P.M.A

It's only the first of February and I want this year to be over already. Ok not over, but there has been far too much drama for the first 31 days of the year.

I have read in the Daily Mail that the dryathlon (not drinking in January) may have done more harm than just drinking responsible, so I'm glad I gave up on that one.

Katie Piper is going to get me through the daily grind with P.M.A Positive Mental Attitude.

Focus on the positive let go of the negative,  breathe deep and move on.

Today is a new day, a new start and if things don't go as I want today, there is always tomorrow. 

Smelling sweet success - Interview with Stacey Lloyd-Briden owner of Amkims Soap

My second interview with a successful Worthing business is with the inspirational Stacey Lloyd-Briden, who is the owner of Amkims Soap - Taking the bore out of smellies... 

Why did you decide to set up Amkims Soap? 

Amkims Soap started from hobby yet the transition to a business fell under tragic circumstances when my husband died. From then I was having panic attacks and spending a lot of time on my own until one day I looked in the mirror and said to myself, enough is enough. I had to try and sort myself out and the only one who could do that was me. To do this I turned to my hobby. I had been getting lovely compliments about my soaps and how kind they were to skin due to me designing all my products for people with sensitive skin, so I took my hobby to the next level and opened Amkims Soap. 

How did you come up with your business name? 

Amkims Soap is names after my daughters, Amber & Kimberley.

How easy was it to set up and get going?

Setting up a business that has anything to do with skin care can be a gruelling affair, but with enough research and dedication, it can be done. Regarding advertising, I started by word of mouth and online networking. 

What are the biggest obstacles for this type of business? 

I would think getting the assessments, the paperwork and of course making sure every ingredient within the soaps are within specific government guidelines. 

Are there any legalities for this type of business? 

Anyone wishing to set up a business similar to mine must have cosmetic assessments for the products they wish to produce. On top of this, you must be registered with the government and of course have all the appropriate insurance. 

What is your biggest seller? 

I actually don’t have a biggest seller. All my products seem to be as popular as the next, but if I would say a biggest seller within categories, I would say the soap loaf slices and sugar scrub cubes.

How do you find inspiration for new scents or products? 

When I find or mix a new scent I like, I take a piece of paper and draw a design for the soap that has inspired me from the soap. Next I would make a loaf of soap and use that design. 

What motivates you to do this business?

I think this would be my love of creating but also the circumstances I started with. I still get upset at times about my late husband but when this happens, I go straight to my ingredients and start creating. I have found this has really helped keep my mind away from grief. 

What advice would you have for someone setting up their own business? 

Make sure you understand the initial expensive and legalities before doing so. Experiment and test. Give a few samples to members of the public and see what they think. And always work hard. But the main advice I can give is to enjoy it. Running your own business should be enjoyable. 

Where can we see you? 

I attend many events throughout the year which are listed on the Amkims Soap Website and on the Facebook page. I also sell online through the Amkims Soap website and offer free local delivery. 

Getting to know you..... 

What makes you happy? 

My family and friends. I know this may sound like an obvious answer but seeing my family and friends smile really does make me happy. 

What is your secret indulgence?

Options Hot Chocolate...YUM 

What is your favourite movie? 

Princess Bride...Funny Film 

What is the best piece of advice you have been given? 

Life can get you down but never forget there is always someone else worse off.

What is the best thing about Worthing?

The area of where it is. One side the ocean, the other side the countryside. Lovely. 

To order visit www.amkimssoap.co.uk or search Amkims Soap on Facebook to experience your own little slice of deliciousness.

Do I look silly to you?

Yes I did look silly walking up to the shops pushing Scarlett's dolls pram on Saturday morning, when she couldn't be bothered to push it anymore.

Although it did answer my question of why the handle adjusts so high.... so parents don't strain their backs too much when carrying their children and pushing a dolls pushchair.

Good job my driving lessons are progressing quickly. I went 70mph on the duel carriageway, ok like 68mph but I nearly made it to the top. That's an incredible achievement for me as I didn't like going above 20mph two weeks ago. I do think my driving instructor is getting sick of me screaming

"Ahh I'm going to kill them!"

When someone walks within 100 yards of my car though. Hazard awareness is what I like to call it.

In getting back into my charity work, I did a bit on Saturday. I went charity shop shopping and bought a gorgeous Oasis faux fur/faux suede  coat for a fiver! And I am officially signed up for the abseil down the Spinniker Tower in April now I have paid the fee in full. My hands are literally sweating at the mere thought. Best lose some weight so the rope doesn't snap.

I did kick ass at kickboxing on Thursday,  well I did my best and went bright red and sweated a bit. That's a workout in my book, don't make me roundhouse kick you for being cheeky.

Aims for this week

1. Complete assignment 2 for my journalism course (with The London School of Journalism no less! Excited.com #don'tgiveupthistime as I spent a fair bit of dosh on it.)

2. Write,  write, write.

3. Don't scream throughout my driving lesson on Saturday.

4. Eat less.

5. Move more.

6. Achieve at least 2 of the above.

Onwards and upwards x

"You can do what u like, put me in prision..."

I was in the library when I heard those words, I though something was kicking off as he said it a few times, I was like...I'm off!

When I was leaving I saw it was just two homeless guys talking. I smiled at them as I walked past and as I was leaving one of them said

"When we leave here tonight...."

I was gone before I heard the end of the sentence, I walked outside into the pouring rain and I thought...where will they go tonight?

I cycled over to East Worthing,  picked up Scarlett then rode back to West Worthing. I was absolutely drenched, my muscles ached from bokwa yesterday and the last ten minutes were such a struggle but I couldn't feel sorry for myself.

I'm now laying in bed listening to the howling wind, wondering and hoping that the 2 men are ok.

Time to get back to my charity work I think. Oh and kickboxing tomorrow night, if I can walk! 

Memory lane in the rain

I have astounded myself today......I actully went to Bokwa!

Not that I didn't want to, but I got home and made the mistake of laying in bed and didn't think I would move for the rest of the evening.

I knew I would kick myself if I didn't go, so I got on my bike (literally) and made a fool of myself. I pranced around the studio with a sweaty red face and got all of the steps wrong but I had such fun!

After I decided to take a detour and ride past my old flat. It's strange how just cycling down a street can evoke so many emotions.

I felt happy for the memories I have of my 4 years there (if only the walls could talk....well the guy that lives downstairs would have a few tales to tell of me actually.)

I felt sad that we are no longer in Scarletts childhood home, where she spoke her first words and took her first steps, but I the most overwhelming feeling I felt was- relief.

No more demands for bills, no more angry neighbours moaning about Scarlett crying (she wasn't allowed to cry as a baby apparently) no more sad memories.

When I locked that door on that flat (masionette actually) for the last time and walked away 5 months ago, it wasn't just a chapter I closed, it was the biggest part of my life.

Now is the time for new beginnings,  new memories, new challenges, new experiences and to leave the past where it belongs.

Ahh insight over, my cramp is returning. I must have looked like a right fruitcake earlier....I arrived home, dripping wet from the rain, put my bike in the garage and then had to walk around in circles in the driveway stomping my feet to get rid of the cramp that was threatening to cut me down in all of my poundering-ness.

I won the battle of the cramp earlier but I have not won the war....it's stomping time again.