100 things that make this chapess happy - part 10

Hello chaps and chapesses!

So a few weeks ago I started making a list of 100 things that make me happy, and now, what feels like 5 minutes later, here's the last instalment!  I hope you've enjoyed reading through this list as much as I've enjoyed putting it together.

91. Going to London

I love the buzz of the Big Smoke.

92. Afternoon tea

Little sandwiches, a big fat scone with cream and jam, a yummy cake, and a big ol' pot of tea.  Is there anything more delish?

93. Yoga

I always feel so good after some nice stretching and deep breathing.  I've recently discovered YogaBabe, and have been doing the Good Morning Sunshine routine when I get up over the last couple of weeks, and it's really made a difference to my mood and general wellbeing.

94. Raspberries

My favourite summer berry.  I actually prefer these to strawberries.  Is that controversial?

95. Stationery shopping

I used to love starting the new school year with shiny new notebooks and pens and pencils.  The day I got the bus to town to stock up on this stuff was one of my favourite days of the summer holidays.  I kind of miss it, to be honest.

96. Maximo Park

They're a great live band, and their music reminds me of being a fresher at uni.  You could say, they make me feel young.

97. Mascara

I don't feel like my face is complete without mascara on.  I don't tend to stay loyal to any particular brand - at the moment I'm enjoying Benefit They're Real.

98. Getting myself organised

Writing down what I want to do and achieve sort of cements it in my mind and gets me all motivated to Go Forth And Achieve.

99. Trashy gossip magazines

Every now and again I like to indulge in a little celebrity gossip - it's a form of escapism.

100. Flowers

I love having fresh flowers in the house - they brighten up the room, and generally make me smile.

So there we have it - not one, not two, but a whole hundred things that make me happy.  It's been fun putting this list together - it's been an opportunity to literally count my blessings, and now if I ever feel sad or grumpy I can come back to read through my happy list.  

100 things that make this chapess happy - part 9

Hello chaps and chapesses!

So we're coming to the end of my list of 100 things that make me happy.  You can find out a bit more about what this is here.

81. Picnics

There's something a bit la-di-dah and romantic about being out in the sunshine, sitting on a blanket, drinking tea from a flask.  Apart from the bugs.  Other than that, it's lush.

82. Bank holidays

I'm writing this on a bank holiday Monday, and I have to say I love the whole 3-day weekend thing.  Having that extra day where you don't have to set an alarm, and you can laze around doing whatever you want, is good for the soul.

83. Rich tea biscuits sandwiched with butter

I often get funny looks when I tell people about this one, but trust me, it's yummy.  It's basically two rich tea biscuits stuck together with a bit of butter.  I used to have these with my Nan as a child, and I still occasionally have them now as a thrifty treat.

84. Dunking biscuits in tea

Sticking with the biscuit theme, I'm a dunker, not a cruncher.  I've never known any biscuit that hasn't benefited from a little dip in a mug of builders tea.  Yum yum.

85. Wearing big sunglasses

They make me feel a tiny bit like a Hollywood star, and I like it.

86. Reading my horoscope

I have a horoscope app on my phone, and I read it every day, out of habit more than anything.  

87. City centre parks

I like the feeling of calm and peace you often get when you walk into a park in the middle of the city - it's like getting your recommended daily dose of greenspace.

88. Libraries

I can vividly remember my mum taking me along to join our local library when I was about six or seven, because "I was costing her a fortune in books".  They're great places, and I really think they should be protected.

89. Leggings

Comfy on thin days and fat days.

90. Pudding

No matter how big and filling the main course is, there is always room for pudding.

So there we have part 9 of the 100 things that make this particular chapess happy and jolly.  Stay tuned for the final instalment next week!

100 things that make this chapess happy - part 8

Hello chaps and chapesses!

Here we are at week 8 of the 100 things that make me happy - enjoy!  Confused about what's going on?  Find out here.

71. Re-visiting cartoons from my childhood

Hands up if you remember The Dreamstone.  This was one of my favourites.

72. Weekends away

I do love a little mini break, just getting away to a new place for a night or two.  Over the last couple of years we've been to London, Liverpool, Stratford upon Avon, the Lake District, the Peak District.....it's good to explore.

73. Graeme's laugh

Graeme has an infectious giggle, and I think it's just adorable.

74. Neatly painted nails

These are rare and fleeting - rare because I don't often manage to paint them neatly, and fleeting because they so often chip after a day or two.  Still, they're good while they last.

75. Taking photos

I'm not a particularly skilled photographer, but I love it when a photo turns out well. I'm making an effort to take more photos this year, and to get some of them printed - I think it's such a waste to just keep photos on your laptop.

76. Getting compliments about my baking

It's the most basic feeling of pleasure that someone like something I've made.

77. Trying new recipes

It feels like I'm conducting an experiment.

78. Nutella on toast

Major comfort food.

79. Cuddles with Graeme

Who can honestly say they don't love a cuddle?

80. Cities

There's an energy and a buzz in a city, and I like feeling like I'm part of it.

So there's part 8!  I hope you're enjoying the Happy Monday series.  Do any of these things make it on to your happy list?  Let me know in the comments.

100 things that make this chapess happy - part 7

Hello chaps and chapesses!

I hope you've had a good week, and the rain isn't getting you down.  I can't believe we're already at week 7 of 100 things that make me happy - where does the time go?  It seems like only a few days since I started this, here.

61. Scratchcards

I buy one every now and then for a cheap thrill.  I've never won more than a fiver on a scratchcard, but it's a little guilty pleasure I like to indulge from time to time.

62. Soup 

There's nothing like a good hearty bowl of soup - it's good for the soul.  I usually make my own, and I'm quite looking forward to autumn and winter so that I can get back into soups - sorry, summer fans!

63. Pancakes

I firmly believe that pancakes are for life, not just for Shrove Tuesday.  I make mine quite thick, and have them with butter and sugar, like my gran used to make.  They're a great comfort food, probably because they remind me of being a kid.

64. Custard creams

The most underrated biscuit in Great Britain, in my humble opinion.

65. Good coffee

When I say 'good' coffee, I really just mean filter coffee.  I'm not much of a coffee aficionado, being more of a tea person, but I do prefer 'proper' coffee to the nasty instant stuff.

66. DVD box sets

I'm one of those people who tends to let new TV series pass me by, and then hears about how good they are, and watches the box set over the course of a weekend, usually quite a few months later, when the rest of the world has moved on.  This happened with Game of Thrones, Homeland, and The IT Crowd, to name but a few.

67. Chocolate with sea salt

Lindt do a really nice milk chocolate with sea salt in it, and there's something about the combination of sweetness and saltiness that is just beautiful.

68. Chocolate without sea salt

Let's be honest, I like all chocolate.  Sea salt is a nice treat, but not essential.  I'm a chocoholic.

69. Photo bombs

They just make me laugh.

70. Flowers
I love having flowers in the house - they brighten up the room, they smell nice, and they make me smile.

I hope you're enjoying these Happy Mondays.  Let me know in the comments if any of my 100 things also make you happy.

100 things that make this chapess happy - part 6

Hello chaps and chapesses! 

Welcome to Happy Monday number 6!  If you're a bit bewildered by all this, find out what's going on here.

51. Making plans
When I say 'making plans', I mean I like having things to look forward to.  Whether it be a holiday, a day out, general future stuff, or a yummy tea.



52. Period dramas
 The olde-worlde-ness (definitely a real word...) of a period drama, with the costumes and the language, is pure escapism on a rainy afternoon.



53. Walks in the country
We're lucky to live in a gorgeous part of the world, with endless places to explore.  Getting out in the countryside helps you to appreciate the little things, like fresh air, beautiful landscapes, and witnessing a sheep sneeze.



54. Gigs
Live music is so much fun.  My favourite live band is probably Maximo Park.



55. Singing along to the radio in my car
I'm pretty sure it wouldn't make anybody else very happy if they heard me, but it certainly makes me happy.



56. Rainbows
Seeing a rainbow genuinely makes my day.



57. Massages
Aaaaaannnnnd relax.  If I was a rich lady of leisure, I'd have a massage every week.  At least.



58.Stand-up comedy shows
I've seen quite a few stand-up comedians - lucky me!  Most recently, I've seen Bill Bailey, Jason Manford and Reginald D. Hunter.  They were all very different, but very, very entertaining.



59. Sun lollies
These bad boys remind me of childhood summers :)
 


60. Blogging 
I'm still pretty new to this blogging malarkey, but it sure does make me happy.  I hope reading my ramblings makes you happy too!

Have a great week, and tune in next week for part 7!