Julia Hawkins

Hello everyone! 👋☀️

MEET CHARLIE! My 7 month old son 🥰

Been a while since I posted.. 😅🙈 I can’t even begin to tell you how busy these last 7 months have been - it’s been the most insane rollercoaster ever.

We’re both well though and enjoying the heat that’s finally arrived in our little garden city (yes, we’ve moved out of London!) 🌳

Will tell you more in subsequent posts, but just wanted to say hello for now - I’ve really missed you all!! 🤗🥰

Julia # # #

Long time no see!! 🖤 Number 1, 2, 3, or 4? 🤔 Doing my best trying to feel a bit more "normal" and not in my 9th month of pregnancy! 😂
Current status: 36 weeks pregnant + England going into a second lockdown + shortly moving from central London apartment living to big house country living..! 🙃
Been a turbulent year for everyone I think. The government in this country makes rules without any logic behind them and no one knows what will come next - 2020 is officially the Covid/lockdown year. It's not only taken over the news, but people's entire lives to the point it's almost the sole talking point. Crazy stuff. 🤯 We'd move to Mauritius tomorrow if the airport and immigration were open - that much I can tell you!
How are you dealing with it all? Anything happening that's non-Covid related? 😅 Hope you're well, staying sane and coping! Stay strong!!! 💪🖤🥰

Today is our 1st anniversary!!! 👰💍🤵 We also met almost exactly 10 years ago (yes, we took our time tying knot!)
Taken the day off work, have just had breakfast at our favourite breakfast place
and will then meet up again in late afternoon for an early dinner at a rooftop! 🌞🥂💕
No time for a long caption, but I'll try to post some more photos on stories!
I hope you all have a wonderful day!!! 🌞💫 # # # Julia
@ Sudeley Castle

Happy hump/(bump) day friends! 😁
Went out to covent garden on the weekend, an area I normally avoid since crowded with tourists. Well, given the 2 week quarantine for anyone traveling to the UK, not so many tourists atm..!
I've been working non stop lately and can't wait for holiday. We were actually thinking of going to one of the islands in Spain, but given the quarantine measures so suddenly put in place by the UK government, we're now thinking South of France.. Seems a hassle but being couped up for 4 months has also taken its toll.. 🤔
🌟 What are your thoughts around traveling overseas in the current climate?? Feeling torn... 🤔
Sending you all lots of love and light! 🌞🌻💫
@ Covent Garden, London, UK

Hello lovelies! 💜 Spent the last two days looking for baby boy clothes, and I have to say - IT'S A JOB! Don't get me wrong, it's a fun job! 😁 But unlike baby girl clothes, you have a much smaller selection to work with.

I've gone through most of the high street brands and so far I've found that by far has the cutest selection in the best fabrics and cuts. I've also found quite a bit at 🇸🇪, 🇸🇪 and (2/4 are coincidentally ! ✌️)

Some may be surprised that I'm not getting any designer stuff for the precious little one we're eagerly awaiting, but I honestly could not imagine a bigger waste of money!

When I buy designer clothes/bags/shoes for myself, I spend the extra money for 2 simple reasons: (1) the design 🍹 and (2) the quality 🍷. I certainly have never bought anything because it's of a certain brand (though does anyone?).

So, applying these criteria to baby clothes 👶:
For (1) design: The above mentioned brands have the cutest clothes I've found (though also have a few items that look cute, especially for toddler girls).
For (2) quality: the threshold is different for babies; the clothes need to last at least 3 months (a bit different lifespan than the dresses I've owned and still wear after x years). Based on everyone I've talked with and multiple reviews read, the above mentioned brands will pass this test with flying colours. Of course, I don't yet - but 3 months is not a high bar to pass...

Btw, these pics 📸 are from when I was only 6 weeks pregnant, ONE day after I found out I was pregnant..! Hence the happy but confused look on my face! 😂
Happy Sunday everyone and hope you have a great week to come! 🤍💫💕 # # #
@ London, United Kingdom

I may have had bars in my old office but I still felt more free!! 😂
So on Wednesday the government released new guidelines here in England. Garden centres can now open..! No, that's not an awesome place to go hang out, they sell.. well stuff for your garden... Probably would have been more useful if I had a garden 😂 but even so - how much browsing do people really do at garden centres!? 🤔 (Also note, no browsing allowed!)
One good thing is that we can now finally sit down in parks! 🥳🌞 Though you can only meet up with 1 person outside your household and you so have to be 2 metres apart, which means you have to be on your own (otherwise they'd be meeting more than 1 person). So it'll be picnics with my husband, whom I've been locked up with for 7 weeks... 😅
At least I booked an appointment on the first weekend of June to get my hair cut! They've said some stores may be allowed to open from June - whilst this is far from sure (it's conditioned on a lot of things), just having an appointment makes me feel like there some light at the end of the very long and lonely tunnel! 🙏🌞
How are things wherever you are? Anything open? 😘

@ London, United Kingdom

Happy Friyay guys! 🥳 So, you climbing the walls yet..? 😉⁠
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I've been thinking about what to do this weekend, and I got some inspiration from some lovely people. When I was little, I baked a lot with my mother. Whilst this was mainly because we didn't have much money (my mother went through a loong phase of "we can cope on our own" and that was... interesting, to say the least 😅), it didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying it!⁠
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So, this weekend's big plan is to.. BAKE A PIE! 🍰 Or a cake, or something else.. Ok, so I haven't completely decided yet. But something sweet and tasty for sure! Any ideas, please do let me know! 🙏⁠
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🌟 What are your plans for this weekend (identical as they all start to look)??

Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter Weekend! 🌞☘️🐰💕⁠
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The sun was shining today and I managed to convince my hubby to take a photo of me, though it was really windy so it didn't really turn out the way I'd planned.. 😅 Without the wind, the dress really is quite flattering (AND, it's backless)!⁠
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What did you guys get up to during the weekend? If you're off tomorrow as well, any plans?⁠
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I'm umming and ahing about taking the day off.. Since I'm self-employed I don't get paid if I don't work and there's not much else to do...⁠ 🤔 Need some inspiration!!⁠⁠⁠⁠
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@ London, United Kingdom

I know I've been MIA in regards to posting for the last couple of weeks... My profile is normally about my lifestyle and... well, it's difficult to have a life during these circumstances..!⁠ 🤔
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I would normally go out to restaurants & bars, shows, the theatre & opera, go shopping/spas/manicure/hair dresser. Or just out and about, meeting friends for lunch, AW drinks etc. (Ah, the good old days!) 😅 But, none of these things are available at the moment!⁠
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I do still get dressed for my little office (even though there's no one here but me) 👸! It's part of my morning routine, and whilst people only see the top half in my conference calls - I still like to have a nice outfit on. I guess it's like nice lingerie... people don't see them when you're out and about - but I can tell you, I feel bloody different in an awesome set of lingerie than I would if I were to wear granny panties!⁠ 🙌
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As you can see, the skirt is a bit shorter than I'd normally wear to an office but, I love it and... no one here but meee!!!⁠ ⁠
Stay positive, stay healthy and stay strong!⁠ ❤️💫
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Outfit details:⁠
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Top: (LOVE their classic Airism range!)⁠
Skirt: (NEW, need to show off!)⁠
Bag: (old)⁠
Shoes: (old, but oh so comfy)

1, 2, 3 or 4..? 🤔 Mirror mirror on the wall, are you working from home at all..? 👩‍💻

These are uncertain times but we can make the most of it! I have been working from home for the past 8 months and here are the 2 things I've realised the importance of during this time.⁠
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(1) CREATE A DESIGNATED WORK SPACE! 🖥️ 👩‍💻

Whilst it can be tempting working from the sofa initially, this will soon start encroaching on your happy home space, and your personal time will soon become muddled with your work time.

(2) CREATE AND FOLLOW A DAILY ROUTINE! 📝

It can be as simple as:⁠
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🕕 6am: Rise and Shine! 🌞 I like to start early and finish early! (Though I'm fortunate to be able to control my own hours.) Regardless, get ready as if you were going to work 👸🤴, have breakfast 🍳 and catch up on the latest news/instagram/ daily affirmations.⁠
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🕖 7am: Start work in your designated work space. 👩‍💻
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🕙 10am: 15 min coffee/healthy snack break ☕🍌 and some stretches 🤸 to combat desk posture.⁠
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🕛 12am: Lunch time! 🌮 Make a light, healthy and tasty lunch (low on carbs so you don't get sleepy). Take an hour off, and perhaps fit in a quick walk/run. 🏃
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🕐 1pm: Back to your designated work space for 3h 👩‍💻, almost done!⁠
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🕓 4pm: "Leave" work! 💃 Pack up your designated work space, or simply close the laptop. Your workday is finished and you have the rest of the afternoon and evening free! ⁠🥂🧀
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Ideally you should also walk around and do some stretches EVERY 40 MIN! 🤸 Even if you only manage to do it once an hour like me, it really does wonders for your health. You've probably heard of the expression highlighting the health issues associated with sitting down for long periods! ⁠⁠⁠
@ London, United Kingdom

Feeling I've had my dose of the news predicting Armageddon, so, here's a view of everything that is going on in a more positive light... 🤔🌻
Breaking news: The world is not ending! We are indeed in the midst of both a health and economic crisis, and we must take the necessary actions to avoid spreading the virus to those at risk.

However, think of how stressed and overworked we all have been for.. well, can you even remember the last time you weren't stressed? The last time you weren't running from one event/meeting/school pick-up to another? How many times have you lost your temper for something completely insignificant?

Friends, we're at a crossroads and we have a choice. We can choose to panick and hoard toilet paper OR we can take a step back, read a book, listen to music, dance, practice yoga, mediate or anything else you have not allowed yourself in the past. 😌 Let's take this time to re-evaluate our lives. ❤️
We CAN come out of this stronger, calmer, more confident, and with heightened clarity on what really matters in life. 🧘‍♀️
"This too shall pass..."

Wishing you all a calm, peaceful, and meaningful life!
Julia # # #
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😷🔫 @ London, United Kingdom