inspire

Kites rise highest…

~ Fridgesays ~ Leave a comment

img_3390Quote by Winston Churchill, a man who I think would have made a wonderful Sunday roast guest.

Having a blog tests me in many ways, sometimes I struggle to think of what to write, I refuse to write things I don’t feel or believe in, I only work with brands I think reflect the ‘Fridges vibes’ (some amazing things coming soon) and sometimes I don’t feel motivated myself.

I do however love this quote, I wrote the section above earlier this morning. I stopped and reflected on its direction and my day…it was looking grey, like the weather. It was one of those ‘keep ya PJs on and eat junk food’ kinda day, which in our house is known as a duvet day. There is nothing wrong with a duvet day I just didn’t really want one!

I flew against the wind and left the sofa, with small steps I showered, added make up, blow dried my hair and bathed j (not at the same time…you know that whole electricity/bath water thing). Feeling a bit more human and less Maleficent I wrote some postcards out to friends (just because) and took J out with the pooch for a walk around the village we live in. I posted the cards and kept walking (J was napping), I ignored the miserable weather and ‘dream pushed’ this is where I’m 50% pushing the pram and in the moment and 50% dreaming – today’s dream was mainly about a warmer climate and Spring that waits around the corner, things I’d like to do in the garden and renovation ideas for the house…I also like to play ‘who lives in this house’, a bit like the 80s game shows but way more judgemental.

I just needed to save my Sunday. Tonight I plan to paint nails and escape into a book I’m reading. (I’m so rock n roll) flying against the wind can be hard work, especially if you have big dreams and an expansive imagination. The truth in these words above can also be effortless – but sometimes saving the small moments can make a huge difference too.

If you have a vision, a goal to climb the career ladder…you’ll need to get that kite off the ground and move in directions that others aren’t, against the wind you can feel exposed, lonely and let’s be honest the wind can take a sudden drop and you can find that beautiful kite crashing to the floor. That is something that I believe deserves a medal. Always pick the kite back up because when it soars through the bright blue skies – that’s when you know you’ve achieved something beautiful.

Always believe that…

~ Fridgesays ~ 2 Comments


Quote by Bridgette Nicole.

As we teeter on the edge of a new week, possibilities and jobs to do – it’s nice to ponder on the potential of ‘wonderful’ events and possibilities…

According to astrology tonight we will see a ‘New Moon’ this is a moment to set your intention and conjure what seems out of reach and dream BIG. This seems an awesome time to reflect on this quote and the opportunities that the next week may create – of course we also need to be ready to sieze them, act upon them and take a chance.

I have never been so ready! Before bed tonight I will write them down, light my candles and hopefully fall asleep in a state of relaxation and release. (Note: I will blow candles out in advance)

This morning two lotto winners in the UK woke up, checked their tickets and became jackpot successors to £33 million – thats a big dream. I always think if it can happen to them, why not me? I have checked my ticket and sadly the Fridge isn’t about to become a gold and diamond encrusted blog, in fact I lacked even one number, but I played and the wonder and potential was there.

So if you are stuck in a January rut and need to shake off the grey weather, the dull salads and money is so tight your pockets are full of receipts and snotty tissues (is it me or does everybody have a cold?) please snuggle under the duvet tonight and dream big, you can achieve and perhaps believe something wonderful is about to happen.

Sweet dreams x x x

Every adventure requires a first step

~ Fridgesays ~ Leave a comment

 Quote by the cheeky purple Cheshire Cat (meow)

A year ago I had a crazy idea and ‘whatmyfridgesays’ Facebook page was born. It was a little scary (although nothing compared to the fear of beginning this blog) and I just took a little step out of my comfort zone.

However the Cheshire Cat forgot to mention that after that first step another is needed, and another and I guess several more after that are also necessary. Those steps can get harder with each lift of the foot, scarier and at points perhaps a little sit down is needed?

I am currently sitting down. Metaphorically speaking (technically I’m writing this in bed so I’m laying) and I’m looking forward to Boxing Day for several reasons; the food is better (I love picky bits and bubble and squeak), crisps are plentiful, the presents seem to continue to flow, guests drop in and board games fulfill my competitive edge. However there is always space in my mind for a review of the new year that lays ahead and more importantly what steps are needed in the coming months.

If I were to list mine they would  probably look a little like this:

  • Love to be more flexible (don’t let yoga practice slip)
  • What’s next on the career ladder for me?
  • How can I help my son to develop?
  • I need a new foundation (swap this to the shopping list – add a new pair of jeans too)
  • Link my blog more, spend more time on social media
  • Spend less time on social media and more with family
  • Book a holiday…

Hmmm…as you can see good intentions are prominent, direction not so much?

Perhaps for me personally a little more thought is needed over this holiday season and probably over the coming months. I guess creating the list in itself is a step forward, well a really small cat foot paw.

Enjoy the festivities, the chaos and clutter and in the coming weeks or when everyone has dozed off later this afternoon may be its time that you made a ‘cat paw list too’ (meow).

Things I’m loving #4

~ Fridgesays ~ 2 Comments

Writing from the heart is always effortless and although highly indulgent I do like reflecting on the little things in life that make me smile.

November was a month when the temperatures in the UK dropped and winter slithered in from under the floor boards and overhead.

It was a month of new experiences and a month that tittered along at a nice speed.

As my previous post updated you I enjoyed the new experience of a fashion show emensely.

1.Clothes show live 2015

IMG_3206One of the aspects I most enjoyed was Libertys Histrorical stall, it reminded me how talented we are and how gorgeous the fabrics are (I do love a good print) and how eras alter and react to the world around us.

2. I’ve just finished reading Charlottes Web by E.B White.


Before you start questioning my age, I should let you know that back in September I wrote a post and set myself the goal of reading the top 100 books and this little piece of historical children’s fiction captured my heart – it was like slipping into my seven year old Mary Janes. Magical 🙂

Which leads me on seamlessly to my third item.

3. This lovely image.

 And in the spirit of Christmas shopping chaos, it was like a little yoga session to my soul that reminded me what is important to me and what I really need (unless you are Father Christmas in which case those Topshop earrings are still a major ‘need’). I’m not sure where I originally saw it, but I certainly am grateful for this image, it some how lifts my heart.

So take a deep breathe and a moment to enjoy the festivities that December incompasses us in, a step back can sometimes be the step up you actually need.

image

Creative minds

~ Fridgesays ~ 34 Comments

 Quote by John William Gardner.
Sometimes my mind is so full it is literally whizzing and fizzing with ideas and colour. I can’t stop it. When I’m teaching it’s an amazing tool as my creative brain makes even the dullest of curriculum topics look like a Disneyland post card (at least to me).

Most of the whizzing ideas are never used or I’m just unable to focus on one of them for long enough to actually give it a sprinkle of lateral thinking and a dash of reality.

Due to the volume and mess that my whizzing and fizzing head fills up with- it’s pretty messy in there (thankfully visitors can’t pop by) and at times it prevents me from sleeping or focusing when I need to. Why do ideas often appear just as you snuggle down?

If you live with a creative mind – you’re in good company. A creative mind doesn’t mean you go into a careers within the arts, as many successful accountants are creative with statistics and figures (who knew I shared any brain space with an accountant or banker).

Entrepreneurs are the creative thinkers that allow the fully flow of crazy ideas. As we know many have financial success, so I guess its important that we listen to our inner voice – it may just be the next great idea. So how do I control the fizz? I either don’t and just go with the creative chaos or I picture a white mirrored room and try to stop the whizzing by focusing on something clear and that calms my soul.

I guess a little like my previous post Fake a smile #1 listening to chilled music helps too. This is where I skip my Whitney tracks and go for Jack Johnson or Nerina…pure bliss 🙂 another idea that I’d like to share is a magical sparkly water melon book – okay, mine happens to be but I guess any (sparkly) paper pad would do.


When the world is still and sleeping and my mind is preparing for the unofficial Olympic Games of ideas and whizzing, I grab my pad and scribble, it allows my brain to empty and although the next morning I reflect back at my 2am scribble marathon with slight concern, I can usually use most of the ideas in some form or they can stay on the page until a time where they find their place.

How do you chill your whizzing brain, or like me do you secretly like to scribble them down?

You are traffic 

~ Fridgesays ~ 15 Comments

  I wish people would declare they created the quotes, but it appears this is another winner from ‘Anon’

And I find it seriously profound. I’ve been feeding this little piece of the Internet with quotes and opinions for just over 4 months and in that time a pattern has Emerged – I often end up talking about perspective and trying to turn the negative into a positive, this quote is no different. I wrote about traffic in this post and it did alter my perspective – what is the point in getting stressed when your train is delayed or your car is doing zero miles per hour thanks to some road works…however, I never thought that I was the traffic. 

(Pause whilst my brain explodes with this simple yet obvious concept) 

I wonder how many times in life we are partly, if not entirely responsible for a negative situation we find ourselves in.  

How many times have you moaned about somebody’s behaviour – only to have done a similar thing several days earlier?

If you look at yourself as the ‘traffice’ maybe it’s time we began to enjoy it a little bit more. How? Perhaps the traffic allows you to catch up with someone on your blue tooth that you haven’t seen in a while, that delayed train means you can return to your friends for that drink you didn’t think you could make, or perhaps the next time you are stuck in traffic you turn off the engine, smile at the stressed looking couple next to you, listen to a podcast, get some culture with an audio book, learn a new language or simply enjoy the silences and just be. In this crazy, fast spinning world a few minutes of peace is a gift. Make sure you are positive traffic or at least make it work for you rather than against you, after all it’s your life journey so make it work for you.

You are amazing

~ Fridgesays ~ Leave a comment

 Another cracker from Anon.

This is the kind of quote that makes my mind smile and my inner giggle cackle. It’s uplifting, it has meaning and it reminds me that I’m important too, and obviously so are you.

I was raised on a rather pretty pedestal called ‘only child’ and this has given me enough confidence to know I was loved, adored and important. It also means that in my immediate family’s eyes anything I did, participated in or created was recognised as ‘amazing’. I’m a big fan of being an only child for this very reason, but also for many other reasons. However, I obviously haven’t a clue of the positives that siblings have, and indeed have at times struggled to understand the bond of brother and sister. It’s a mystery that still at times mystifies me as an adult.

Today id like to share with you a conversation with a little (she’s so tiny) year 7 pupil. She is weak in ability and her resilience is non existent, her ability to wiggle off of her chair or be anywhere in the room except at her desk is beyond the talents of Olympic athletes – that isn’t helpful when you need her sat at her desk though…

In the last few lessons we have been (for this very reason) looking at resilience as a class and sharing good practice. This has resulted in some poster work that they are pretty proud of.

Tiny chick was part of a show case last week and as a result was asked to sing and produce some movement material that was shown to parents. Moments before the show began tiny chick cried – she hadn’t sung in front of an audience before and stage fright was taking over, more than this she said “if I don’t do it Miss, I won’t be able to write about it on my poster”, having an inner chuckle to myself I reminded her that she was indeed correct and that resilience was often hard in the beginning, she dried her eyes and of course sung her little heart out.

Today she wrote up her stage experience on her poster using vocabulary such as ‘proud’ ‘won a battle’ and I had a magical moment…as her teacher I was able to remind her that she was amazing. Her smile was the greatest reward I will ever need.

What a gift – to be able to remind somebody else how amazing they are. So this is my task for you, tell 5 people today that they are amazing. I promise you, its a wonderful blessing and one that makes you feel a little more sparkly too.

Oh and did I tell you…? You’re amazing 🙂

Be a flamingo

~ Fridgesays ~ 3 Comments

 Another ‘Anon’
Growing up on the outskirts of SE London I saw my fair share of pigeons. They breed at a rapid rate and made walking under the bridge to school a tense situation – Mum would literally march me through and then check my coat for any ‘accidents’ once we were on the other side. Usually muttering to one of her Mum friends how disgusting it was…

Now flamingos – they are a whole new level of awesome. They are the yoga gurus of the bird world, they are pink – Like seriously why isn’t there a Disney flamingo princess? They make rainy days at the UK zoo seem like the Carribean and did I mention they are pink?

Living on the south coast we often pop in to Brighton for shopping trips and unique food or quirky places to visit…walking down the high street can sometimes Look like a rainbow just threw up, any colour, any style and any look is acceptable. In Brighton if you want to wear a onesie, that’s ok. If you want to wear a costume or at times nothing (although illegal) it seems to happen. Brighton is a fashion mix match and my little flamingo paradise. A hub of cultural diversity and an expanse of economics it has it all, except parking spaces / it lacks this, and maybe to an extent so does the flamingo when attempting to camouflage…unless it’s near an ice cream van 🙂

I think both birds have their strong points, but perhaps we sometimes are too pigeon and not flamingo enough. What are you going to do today to harness your inner flamingo? (Don’t worry you don’t have to wear pink)

If nothing ever changed…

~ Fridgesays ~ 24 Comments

IMG_2953
Quote by Anon.

Change is something that humans very often don’t thrive from or at the very least hide from.

Adults usually deal with change better due to the level of control they have in decision making processes, children and change aren’t always great, and toddlers can be horrendous.

Our issues with change is ironic as it’s change that usually brings out the best in us…just like butterflies.

Change means we move forward, experience new things, progress and sample the ‘new’ but from the safety of our cocoon we allow negative thoughts to paralyse us…what if we don’t fly? What if our wings don’t work and more essentially what if we arent the beautiful butterfly we hoped we would be?

After some thought – I’d rather be an ugly butterfly or even sample life in flight for a few moments than spend my life in a dark and constant cocoon.

Is it time you spread your wings, conquered new challenges…or just leave the cocoon? Who knows you may end up with more than you ever dreamt of, you may just soar.

You can make everybody happy…

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Quote by Bill Murray.

When I’m looking out for quotes for this little corner of the Internet they are usually motivating, inspiring or thought provoking…then there are quotes from comedians that make me chuckle and literally give me direct advice, no metaphors or analytic skills needed. This is clearly the latter.

I whole heartedly agree – you can’t make everyone happy, and why should you? Nutella would lose its purpose, although I do feel with several friends that have nut allergies in my clique – even Nutella can let the side down at times, I mean anophylactic shock is not my idea of a good time.

So why as humans (and especially as mother) do we feel the need to ‘people please’? I gave this some thought and below are my finding.

1.its easier to people please than listen to them moan.

In essence I agree, but how much worse is it when you’ve put all your fairy dust, love and heart into something and still the miserable individual finds fault. I say let them wallow in self pity and negativity, let them swim in the pool of ‘too much chlorine’ – I’m heading in the opposite direction to a tranquil natural spa of ‘I did my best’.

2. People pleasing makes me feel good when I see them happy

hmm…I suppose it does, but we should do things for loved ones because we want to, not because we want them to love us in return (unless it’s David Beckham – we do whatever it takes to please him in hope he will stay more than 30 seconds)

3. people pleasing is kind and helpful

Let’s not confuse being a nice person and helping others to doing things with the soul purpose of making them feel good, I’m down with the positive karma, good vibes and doing things for others but how they feel about me in return isn’t worth my time, energy or thought. I love to do things for others  with good intentions, but that’s where it ends.

I could go on, but I think I’m bordering on ranting. Plus, Bill did most of the work in his quote. So open that jar of whatever it is that makes you happy, offer it to those around you and hopefully they will also find enjoyment.