As much as I miss having Boo around, I love back to school – it’s that time of the year when the sun is still just about shining and you’ve got renewed energy (I think that may have something to do with being able to finish a cup of tea without having to microwave it at least twice!). I also find this time of year makes me look at my routine to make sure I’m getting the most and best out of the day.

Some of you may have ben aware that I was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia shortly after returning from our summer in Spain – talk about holiday blues! So it’s only now, after a seven-week break from the gym that I’m ready to head back to Everyone Active Westcroft. Most people find returning to the gym after a break pretty daunting and whilst I still have a few PT sessions with the lovely Nick left, the wide range of timetabled group exercises available to book on the timetable are perfect for easing myself back in and building back up to my 3-4 exercise sessions per week. From spin (a girls worst, but a bum’s best friend) to boxing – literally the best way to work and punch out a tough week -there is something for everyone and the group environment is great for when you’re struggling to finish the standing climb or set of burpees!Plus the easy online booking facility means that if I’m feeling guilty about *that* biscuit I mindlessly munch then I can easily redeem myself by booking onto a class using the app.

This autumn you can fall into fitness at Everyone Active Westcroft with a £1 joining fee, so there’s no excuses for carving out a few well-needed hours for yourself each week. So whilst it’s may be another week or so until I’m treated to the pain that is the watt bike with Nick, I’m looking forward to getting my sweat on with a couple of classes this week..

Disclosure: I’ve been given complimentary membership and personal training sessions.

What if by online shopping you could be doing good? Well With So Just Shop you can. So Just Shop allows you to buy directly from women-led artisans throughout the world; discovering their unique beautiful products whilst learning their stories.

Jennifer, the founder of So Just Shop sent me this beautifully handmade Badala silk cushion; it was made by a group of single mothers in Kenya, working to provide for their children’s education. In Africa when a woman is abandoned or widowed and left with children, she has few options. By making these products woman have an opportunity to earn a decent living – instead of turning to begging or worse. Badala translates from Swahili to mean Instead… By giving these women an alternative, you give them empowerment.

I love the fact that each piece is unique and I would never have been able to buy this without So Just Shop, being the platform for these women to showcase and sell their products to an international marketplace.

Each product ordered from So Just Shop comes with the story behind the women who’ve made it. I love this concept – it really allows us as the consumer to connect with the whole process of the product.

Jewellery, bags, baby clothes, homewares and gifts – the list is constantly growing of the products available to shop – with convenient payment and delivery it couldn’t be easier.

I wouldn’t go as far to say I’m saving the world one online purchase at a time, however So Just Shop allows us to contribute to the continuing empowerment of women by giving them the platform to be independent.

Shopping with a purpose… surely that makes it guilt free right?

Disclosure: I was gifted the Badala cushion from So Just Shop.

Ever since I decided we’d be staying put it’s been full steam ahead with the soft refurbishment of the house; and I’m excited no scrap that, I’m ecstatic to the point of doing a little dance to be partnering up with Farrow and Ball.

Soft refurbishment is a phrase I coined which if I’m completely honest kind of lured me into a false sense of security, everything apart from the kitchen cabinets, the flooring and the bathroom is being replaced/updated. New ceilings, new plaster, new lighting, complete garden overhaul all mean that our home once finished will have a brand new look and feel which is fantastic yet as I write this I’m only just starting to see how our home as it will be and that it’s all worthwhile.

So my house may currently resemble a cross between a storage unit and a building supply yard but there is the loveliest light at the end of the tunnel. I began choosing the new colour scheme and paint choices for the house a while back. Anyone who knows me, knows that I famously have a mostly white house and that’s something I definitely wanted to continue so out came the Farrow and Ball colour chart and the fun began in choosing a ‘non white, grey toned, flat white’. I settled on Wevet and then I decided break out of my comfort zone and add accents of colour to the living room and both bedrooms.

Next week I’ll be revealing the new colours and talking about the decorating process with Farrow and Ball.

Would love to know your favourite Farrow and Ball colour?