This past year, despite and because of the pandemic, I have found a treasure trove of activities and places that have lifted my spirits in different ways. I have shared them here for you, with a brief explanation of why I love them. I hope that you try some of these out and find some new favourites.

1. Favourite Fitness videos

Lazy Dancer Tips and Teagan Dixon - I had to pick two for this category because I love both of these Youtube channels so much. Alessia (Lazy Dancer Tips) is an incredible choreographer and has made so many beautiful, easy and challenging workout/dance videos, mainly centred around ballet. Her routines are great and they are accompanied by lovely, fun music. She has a really cheery and supportive personality that is incredibly uplifting and positive to watch. My favourite series of hers is her Jewel Series, a super loving, pretty and inspiring collection of dance videos. Teagan creates super fun, creative dance workouts with popular music from Disney and artists like Taylor Swift, and Ed Sheeran. Her videos are a great quick way to get moving and really make you feel super worked out. I love how energetic these are, they are a real pleasure to do. Plus Both of these channels have many short videos (some just 10 mins) which makes it really easy to integrate into your everyday life. I usually do these short videos as an extra workout before lunch and find that I always feel so much better for it.

2. Favourite music venue

The Jazz Café and Blues Kitchen - Although this year has been a very indoors affair before the pandemic struck I visited these venues and was so uplifted from my experience at each. I had such a blast at these venues and am eager to get back to revisiting them. The Jazz café is one of London's most iconic live venues for a reason. It has such a chilled and swish layout coupled with extraordinary musicians and good drinks it makes for a great night out. The Blues Kitchen is a great more economical venue as it can be free to enter, or as little as £5. I've seen some great acts there and have thought all the drinks I've ordered there to be truly scrumptious! A purely unique venue, the decor in the Blues Kitchen is fantastic. There are paintings of famous jazz artists and random objects like crocodiles dotted around the venue which make this place feel so vibrant and exciting. Both of these venues have had a hard year and been seriously affected by the Lockdowns, so as soon as you get the chance to please check them out and support them, so they can still be around in the future. It would be a terrible shame for either of these venues to disappear.

3. Favourite random fun activity

Crazy golf Battersea Birdies - One of my ultimate highlights from the year. This crazy golf venue is unlike any other, combined with a bar, some dark rooms and mega crazy holes this made for an incredibly fun evening. On top of that it has such a funky and quirky vibe, friendly staff and great upbeat music which all really add to the atmosphere. I would highly recommend giving this a go if you're looking for something a bit different to do.

4. Favourite new recipe

Stuart Deeley's white chocolate raspberry cookies - I have made these 3 times now and they are so delicious. The perfect balance of sweet yumminess, they literally melt in your mouth. As soon as i've made a batch my family and I have devoured them, they are that good. They are also incredibly quick and easy to make so it is truly a no brainer if you like baking you simply must try this recipe out.

5. Favourite new lockdown hobby

Besides baking and music which I always love, this year I have discovered the joy of Origami. I made a set of lights and learnt to make some cool shapes. It's been really calming and satisfying to do this occasionally through lockdown and I've felt really great creating different shapes. It helps a lot that there are so many youtube videos on this, as I can never make head or tail of any origami manuals. My favourite origami that I have made is an origami tsunami blossom heart, it is super easy to make and it looks so lovely especially if you use paper with a colour gradient.

6. Favourite new store

Pick N weight - I stumbled upon this store and fell instantly in love with it. Among the traffic lights and rails is an eclectic mix of awesome, vintage clothes piled high. Each item I gazed on felt so unique and as I meandered through the store I passed so many gems, clothes that were incredibly well made and stylish. As well as being a great way to be more environmentally conscious, vintage clothes look cool and special in a way that your high street clothes can never do, no matter how much they may imitate an old style. The Pick N Weight store in Soho holds the best collection of vintage clothes I have ever seen. Although on the pricier side the pieces they sell there are truly a great investment and a way to make your style even more individual.

I hope this inspires you to get adventurous, try out some new things, or explore some things you love further.

Much Love

Naomi Leila Xx

P.s. If you try anything out from here please let me know, I'd love to hear your opinion on it.

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