I thought this month instead of nattering along about Life in Lockdown – which, I am guessing, a lot of us have found our groove with now – I thought I’d just share with you some of my favourite things. Just as a get to know me kinda ramble. Hope that it is not too self indulgent for you 😀 More quality wedding content coming soon. Although it’ll be stuff from the archives or more of my helpful wedding planning style articles…as obviously no weddings being shot round here at the mo.

Anyway…back to me – ha ha!

The book on my bedside table is…

A few on the go at the mo. I struggle to find time to read with my baby daughter around – once my head hits my pillow at night I’m sparko. But I have Oversubcribed by Daniel Priestly; Life Without Diabetes by Prof Roy Walker and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Eclectic to say the least.

On toast, I love to spread…

Peanut Butter and a wee slither of Marmite – to take the savoury to a whole new level.

My favourite shop is…

Burford Garden Centre – and I’m not ashamed to admit it! Excellent bookshop and cafe too as well as beautiful indoor and outdoor plants, a cracking although expensive toyshop and just a great place to wander to gain inspiration.

The TV show I could watch over and over is…

Cuckoo. Always makes me laugh. Utterly daft.

The Album I’ll never grow tired of is…

Ahhhh a toughie so many to mention. I like all sorts of music so long as it is good! Favourite albums include (sorry but I can’t just say one) Plan B The Defamation of Strickland Banks; Amy Winehouse Frank; Portishead by Portishead; Jamiroquai Emergency on Planet Earth; Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life. The soundtrack to the film The Business.

Current album on repeat in my car…

The Classic by Joan as a Police Woman. I never buy CDs. I prefer to listen to podcasts or Radio 6 at home but my husband buys me the occasional random one for my car that he thinks I’ll enjoy. Amazingly he gets it right 95% of the time. The Crazy Frog album was a low point. (Even if it was a joke. Rocco now repeatedly asks for it in the car. Grrrr.)

My best holiday ever was…

I’ve had lots of memorable holidays in Italy with my family and visiting family who live out there. I feel a real affinity with the country and its people probably because I spent the first 5 years of my life living with my Italian grandparents. God bless them!

I went to the Scottish Highlands in October just with Dave for my birthday. The beauty of the place had me in tears. We were supposed to be going back with the kiddos in May but Covid kiboshed those plans.

The thing I can’t stop buying for my home is…

Plants for the garden!

My foolproof dinner party dish is…

Various curries, rice and dahl.

The mantra I live by is…

Treat others as you’d like to be treated yourself.

When I want to cry with laughter, I call…

My uni mate, Nina. She’s as idiotic and sharp witted as me and as well as being funny she laughs at my jokes too…which helps.

My foodie weakness is…

Luciana’s oozy courgette risotto. Chocolate covered Malted Milk.

Tea or Coffee…

Tea. I may be half Italian but I really do not like coffee. I keep trying it but nope.

If I could meet any celebrity it would be…

Stevie Wonder – I just love listening to him talk.

My favourite book of all time…

Easy, The Count of Monte Cristo – was gutted when I finished it!

My idea of a day well spent…

Getting outdoors as a family preferably somewhere with open water to play in; achieving something from my to do list – I am an avid list maker; having a little potter in my garden in the evening; getting both kids to bed at a reasonable time so me and my husband can at least have a little time to ourselves. (This has not been happening at all lately!)

What will I do differently once Lockdown (sorry couldn’t resist)  is over…

I hope to just continue with some of the things we have been doing that have benefitted us really including not using my car as much; not spending as much on stuff that we really don’t need (I have enjoyed repurposing stuff around the house lately); continuing to spend more time in my garden with my family and tending to it – it’s so rewarding and good for our chill factor; Oh and also I have been using the Calm app daily and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

That’s all from me, folks! Keep well and drop me a line on insta if you fancy a natter! @jordannamarstonphoto // @jordannaathome to look at my day to day life (let’s face it mainly pics of my kids – I’ll only accept you if I know you though after some total weirdo left some horrid comments on some photos of my boy 🙁 // or @and_now_home if you wanna have a nose at my house and what I’ve been doing in my garden these last few months. I can’t promise riveting content but I’m there if you wanna come see me.

The pic to illustrate this post is a phone snap from the glorious Kyle of Lochalsh in October.