may mash up
a cheeky little round up
From bank holidays and birthdays to painting live event portraits, exploring lovely little corners of the Midlands and plotting summer adventures, May was packed with plenty of happy moments amongst the usual chaos. It would've been a crying shame not to pop a little recap over here, especially as I somehow managed to take approximately a million photos...
Ely Eel Day 🐍
One of the highlights of the month was heading to Ely Eel Day with my paints to create live portraits throughout the day. I absolutely love these events — meeting people, capturing little moments on paper and watching portraits come to life in just a few minutes. Between paintings I inhaled a toastie and somehow learned more about eels than I ever imagined possible. Busy, brilliant and exactly the kind of work that reminds me why I love being a live portrait artist.
Outwoods 🌳
A wonderfully wholesome family day out at Outwoods, fuelled by excellent coffee and snacks from Olivia's. There was tree climbing, plenty of fresh air and endless comedy from my two mischievous nieces, who seem to possess an unlimited supply of energy (and questionable ideas).
Crafty Fox, London 🎀
A cracking day trading at Crafty Fox Market inside the British Library with my Classy Cunt (other rosette designs are, of course, available...) surrounded by a ridiculously talented bunch of independent makers. Markets like this always leave me feeling inspired, even if my feet completely disagree by the end of the day.
One Last Molli's 🍗
I finally made it to Molli's in Nottingham before they sadly closed their doors. *SOB* The drive was absolutely worth it for what might genuinely be the tastiest fried chicken I've ever eaten. Even better, I got to catch up with the lovely Rhea from Handmade Nottingham, which is always an absolute joy.
Fringe & Frivolous Holes ✂️
While I was in Nottingham I also got my fringe freshened up and had my nose pierced... again.
Felt cute. Might delete later. Might not.
5–10K... Done! 🏃♀️
I wrapped up the second half of my Squirrels Coaching 5–10K plan this month and I'm honestly loving getting back into regular field stomps and plods. They're never particularly fast or graceful, but they make my brain very happy, and that's what counts.
Birthday Sauna 🎂
Quite possibly the perfect birthday treat: an extra-long session with Wild Sauna Club at Burton Farm, followed by a dip in the lake, complete with the sweetest birthday card waiting for me when I arrived. Afterwards we wandered to our favourite coffee spot for caffeine and a fiercely competitive game of Uno. Simple pleasures really are the best.
Hickory's 🍖
SO. MUCH. MEAT.
Followed by excellent cocktails. Zero regrets.
Oxendon Tunnels & Sunday Roast 🚐
Buddy, the bikes and a little Sunday adventure exploring the Oxendon Tunnels before heading to The Swan Inn for what can only be described as an elite roast dinner. Excellent exploring. Exceptional gravy.
The Garage Market ☀️
Always a pleasure returning to my hometown market with a healthy mix of sunshine, swears and colourful gifts. Chatting to lovely customers, meeting fellow makers and seeing familiar faces is one of my favourite parts of running Hello Sunshine.
Sauna Life 🔥
I also spent more time settling into my dream little side hustle with Wild Sauna Club at Burton Farm. It's funny how a completely different job can fuel creativity in the studio too. Fresh air, lovely people and slowing down a little have all helped refill the creative tank.
Stamford Stroll 🌼
A sunny wander, delicious lunch and a proper catch-up in one of my favourite market towns. Stamford really is ridiculously pretty, and good company always makes it even better.
Garden Time 🐈
Plenty of afternoons spent soaking up the sunshine in the garden with Toby, interrupted only by the occasional tipple and the important business of doing absolutely nothing for a while.
Adventure Planning 🏄♀️
We dusted off the paddleboard, checked it still remembered how to inflate (thankfully, yes) and started plotting a few watery adventures for the summer. I have a feeling it'll be getting plenty of use over the next few months.
I'm sure there are another hundred little moments I could have included, but I've spent much more of this month trying to be present instead of documenting absolutely everything.
Running Hello Sunshine means I often feel like I should always be making, posting or promoting something, but this month reminded me that creativity needs living, too. Every adventure, every conversation while painting live portraits, every market and every quiet moment outdoors ends up finding its way back into my work somehow.
The bank balance and online shop orders might not be entirely thrilled with that approach, but I can slowly feel little bits of my lost sunshine and confidence returning the more I lean into my word of the year...
STEADY.
Turns out it's working rather nicely.
