Pampas and Pearls

" Focus on being productive instead of being busy. "- Tim Ferriss I’m fortunate enough to be able to work from home. One thing I can say though is that it can be extremely difficult with distractions. Here are some ways I conquer the difficulties and create a good working environment. 1. Having a “space” for your work that is separate to my chill space. Mixing the two is a big no.  Although I don’t have an office at home, I make it a priority to not work in my bedroom. This ensures that I have a productive environment whether I’m at home or in the office. 2. Having a routine. I have a very specific schedule when I am working from home. I make sure that it looks nothing like my ordinary day at home. I wake up early, cook myself breakfast and set up my “office” space of the day. Usually in my living room.  3. Avoiding your phone. Now I don’t completely leave my phone, I do reply to texts. Butttt…what I avoid is going on social media because that takes me into a rabbit hole of e

"There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand."- Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Halloween is often associated with spooky and scary elements, but it can also be a great opportunity to create a cosy atmosphere for a night in. Whether you're spending the evening alone or with friends and family, there are plenty of ways to make your Halloween night in feel warm and inviting. First, focus on lighting. Candles, string lights, and lanterns can all help create a cosy atmosphere. Consider using orange or black candles to add a festive touch. Next, think about décor. Use soft blankets, throw pillows, and plush rugs to make your space feel more inviting. You can also incorporate seasonal elements, such as pumpkins or leaves. For entertainment, consider a classic Halloween movie or a spooky book.  Here are a few suggestions: Halloweentown like all of them! Carrie, both the book and film I absolutely love the book. The Little Vampire! This is my childhood favourite.

“ Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible .”   – St. Francis of Assisi Anyone else really thrive during Summer? I know I do. I just feel so happy and in control during summer. And then autumn begins I start to feel down. It is that time when seasonal depression starts to come about.  The days feels shorter and you have less quality time with the sun. This can create a decline in energy levels.  Here are some tips of how to feel energetic and joyous during the colder seasons. Exercise : I cannot stress enough how important it is to exercise. There’s so many variations of exercise. You can dance if you want to. Me personally, I do a mix of dancing and cardio, it’s so fun and I am never upset after I finish exercising. In fact I’m happy that I pushed through and kept myself motivated. Skincare : During the colder seasons our skin tends to be drier. It’s important to moisturise it, whether that be your face or your body. For my fa

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”— Maya Angelou As we move towards the end of the year, the days get shorter, and the weather becomes colder and wetter, more wet than usual. Looking after ourselves during this time is very important so here are some reasons why self-care is especially important during autumn: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects some people during autumn and winter. SAD is a type of depression that's linked to changes in the seasons. Symptoms include low mood, irritability, and a lack of energy. While I am no medical expert practicing self-care can help alleviate some of the symptoms of SAD. For example, spending time outdoors during the day can help regulate your body clock and improve your mood, even if that is just walking to the shop or sitting in the garden. The new school year is well underway and the work season can be stressful as we get closer to Christmas. If you

“ What’s your favourite scary movie? ” -  Scream (1996) It’s almost Halloween! I’m not really one that celebrates but I have enjoyed the many amazing halloween films that came out throughout the years. This list isn’t in any specific order, just me writing along with my memory. 1. Halloween Town (1-4): Yes I’m including all of them. I absolutely loved watching these annually whenever October began. I still remember when they were brand new. It feels weird to think of them as older films now.  2. Twitches (& Twitches Too): I can still rewatch these. Surprisingly they don’t feel too childish and I enjoy them! Also super iconic. I love stories about witches and in this story it’s also a tale of two sisters, twins!  3. Corpse Bride: an absolute classic. Tim Burton is great at creating beauty within darkness. Corpse Bride really was beautiful. 4. Beetlejuice: another classic and definitely one of my most favourites! So hilarious and sweet. 5. Insidious: the obsession I had with these fi

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." - F. Scott Fitzgerald As the temperature drops, it can be challenging to keep active and healthy, especially as all the eye can see is pumpkin spice. However, with a bit of planning and effort, you can stay fit and healthy throughout the colder months and in time for Christmas. Here are some tips and tricks to help you stay active and eat well during autumn and winter: Staying Active: Exercise indoors: those songs you absolutely love...dance around the living room or the kitchen or where-ever, or workout at home using online fitness videos or apps, YouTube is always a great option! Bundle up and brave the cold: If you prefer outdoor activities, dress warmly and enjoy the fresh weather, take a long walk or even just take a quick walk around the local area. Take advantage of daylight hours: With shorter daylight hours, it can be harder to find time to exercise outdoors. Plan your workout routine for the mornings or

" His looks could kill, but his heart would heal " - Anonymous Ahh, the leaves are turning orange which means it’s the perfect time to watch  Gilmore Girls (or rewatch). I swear Gilmore Girls was filled with some great romantic interests. This isn’t in any particular order. It’s just a list of all the boyfriends on the show that I loved. Also this isn’t a list of only Rory’s boyfriends. 1. DAVE RYGALSKI! Okay so he was my absolute favourite. Not only do I have a giant crush on Adam Brody but remember the time Dave read the Bible in one night for Lane. I literally melted. It was such a shame he only lasted a couple of episodes. I believe that Dave and Lane needed to be endgame. He was literally the perfect man! 2. LUKE DANES! Although he’s known to be grumpy he’s also a big softie. He wasn’t Rory’s biological father but he definitely stepped up. His friendship and romance with Lorelai was always the sweetest despite their difficulties.  3. JESS MARIANO: Better than Dean that’s

“It’s like going back to school. You know, autumn! Time for ‘Harry Potter’.”- Robbie Coltrane  Autumn is a season that brings a lot of excitement and joy to families. With the changing colours of the leaves and the crisp air, there are plenty of outdoor activities that families can enjoy together.  Here are some more ideas to add to your list of fun and family-friendly autumnal activities: Halloween Costumes: With Halloween just around the corner, it's time to start planning your costumes! Get creative with your family and make your own costumes or go shopping together to pick out the perfect outfit. Bonfires: There's nothing quite like sitting around a bonfire with your loved ones on a crisp autumn evening. Roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and enjoy the warmth of the fire. Outdoor Movie Nights: Set up a projector and screen in your backyard and have a family movie night under the stars. Don't forget the blankets and popcorn! If you can't get outside, movie night

     “Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” - Shira Tamir   As much as I love summer. There’s just something so homely about Autumn. It’s kind of the season I go into hibernation but there’s so many things I love about Autumn approaching. 1. Sweater weather - Although it’s still fairly warm, it’s the time when wearing a cosy jumper is finally appropriate. It makes the outfit look cute but also comfortable. 2. Candles - Now I like having seasonal candles all year round. However, the idea of lighting a candle on a brisk autumn evening is so relaxing. There’s so many great autumnal scents too. 3. Gilmore Girls time - one of my absolute favourite shows is ‘Gilmore Girls’. It is the perfect show for fall season; with its aesthetic, fashion and mention of warm drinks such as coffee!  4. Physical changes - not with me but with the environment. I love it when I notice the colour of leaves begin to change. I get extra excited when I

 This month there are some changes happening here at Pampas and Pearls. We have loved running things the way we have since January 2023 but feel we need to do a few changes.  Starting from tomorrow (Monday 2nd October) our posting schedule will be altering, we are now posting on Monday's and Thursdays here on the blog.  Imaan will be posting on a Monday and I will be posting on a Thursday !  Our posting times will be changing too...we are now going to post at 8am ! This mean you will have longer to interact with us and find our content at an earlier time.  We really hope that these changes will increase our reach and enable more people to enjoy our content.  Kisses  Katie (see you all on Thursday)