Self Love

Hannah Drake is a lifestyle and travel blog based out of Birmingham, England. Hannah started this blog in January of 2017 to document life in her native Colorado. Since then, she has moved abroad and gotten married and this space has grown too. Come for the photos of beautiful England and home decor tips, stay for the honest take on life and marriage, the good, the bad, and the not-so-Instagram-worthy. Read more about Hannah here.

FEATURED POSTS

Featured

The Year of Alphabet Dates: B

Feb 20, 2019

The Year of Alphabet Dates: B

Feb 20, 2019

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Feb 20, 2019

A Muggle's Guide to the Harry Potter Studio Tour

Feb 15, 2019

A Muggle's Guide to the Harry Potter Studio Tour

Feb 15, 2019

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Feb 15, 2019

Cupid's Sparkling Gin Cocktail

Feb 11, 2019

Cupid's Sparkling Gin Cocktail

Feb 11, 2019

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Feb 11, 2019

5 Things You Need for an Award-Winning Oscars Party

Feb 6, 2019

5 Things You Need for an Award-Winning Oscars Party

Feb 6, 2019

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Feb 6, 2019

6 Ways We're Going Green at Home

Feb 1, 2019

6 Ways We're Going Green at Home

Feb 1, 2019

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Feb 1, 2019

A Sunday Well Spent

Jan 30, 2019

A Sunday Well Spent

Jan 30, 2019

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Jan 30, 2019

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Dream 8x8

Dream 8x8

5.00

Masculinity 16x24

Masculinity 16x24

5.00

Prayerful 8x8

Prayerful 8x8

10.00

THE GRAM

Sundays are for... ⛪️ streaming church
🚗 exploring new places
💕 photos in front of pink walls
😻 kitten cuddles
🐺 watching Game of Thrones
🍛 delicious homemade curry
🌱 face masks + foot spas

What are you up to this lovely Sunday?

f r i d a y v i b e s

I wasn’t planning on being one of those people that uses Valentine’s Day to share a wedding photo, but screw it!

I just wanna talk about Valentine’s Day for a second. I’ve never really cared too much about it, but probably because I never really had anyone to share it with until two years ago. I’m really proud that Luke and I have a relationship that doesn’t need February 14th to do something special or romantic for each other and that we make quality time for each other every week.

Leading up to today, people asked me what we were doing this evening, among other small talk. I said we were going out for sushi, because it seemed like a good reason to, not because we were particularly excited about Valentine’s Day.

But then I realised I was actually really looking forward to today. I even wore a pink dress when we went out tonight. Part of me wants to say that it’s silly to get so excited about it, but a bigger part of me is saying YOU DO YOU. I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately and if this is something that makes me happy, I’m going to embrace the heck out of it.

So let this serve as a reminder that no matter how you feel about this day, it’s okay and you should feel empowered to embrace it, whether you’re decked out in red and pink today passing out cards and candies to everyone you meet or pretending like Valentine’s Day doesn’t exist and it’s just a normal Thursday. But might I suggest, no matter if you’re celebrating with your partner, your girlfriends, or not celebrating at all, that you do something for yourself today? You deserve to be happy today and it’s a powerful and wonderful thing to make your own happiness. 📸 @briannehaagensonphoto

I’ve always been hesitant to try sheet face masks (I blame Dwight Schrute in the Stress Relief episode), but dare I say The Body Shop has made a convert out of me? It helps that their Drops of Youth line is my absolute favourite skin care line right now. I truly get excited to use these products every day and that might be the first time I’ve ever felt that way about any sort of skin care routine!

Morning skin care routine:
Cleanser
Toner
Serum Drops of Youth Concentrate
Moisturiser Drops of Youth Cream
SPF Drops of Youth Youth Fresh Emulsion

#ad @thebodyshop #thebodyshopUK #thebodyshopbirminghambullring #DropsOfYouth #thebodyshop

So far winter 2018-2019 is seriously lacking in the snow department. I think we got 5 days off work last year for snow (all of which fell over the weekend so it could have been 9!) and all this year has brought is false hope and broken promises. What’s the point in even looking at the forecast anymore?! ❄️ Are you getting snow this winter? Will you do a snow dance for me and send some snowy vibes my way? 🙏🏼

This weekend, Luke has once again proved he is my better half. We decided to make sugar cookies for the Super Bowl and I had big plans of putting the meringue powder I brought back from the States to good use in a new royal icing recipe I wanted to try. Things did not go to plan and, nicely put, I was annoyed. Luke came to the rescue and frosted all of the cookies. I mean look at how good they turned out! He even made a template for the jersey and hand cut 16 jerseys. What a guy!

I’m planning on making more sugar cookies later this week (for Valentine’s Day, but who needs an excuse, really?) and I’m going to try a different royal icing recipe that will hopefully work better for flooding so they have a smoother surface. If you have any tips, send ‘em on over!

A week ago we were just two crazy kids at a bowling alley, apparently surprised by the fourth photo in a photo booth. 😂

Today, we’re just trying to stay awake until the Super Bowl...at 11:30PM. 🏈

Who are you rooting for today?

I mentioned yesterday that we’re trying to be greener this year at the Drake household. One of the ways we’re doing that is making our own all-purpose cleaner with infused vinegar. About two weeks ago, I started the process to infuse vinegar with four different combinations: lavender, lavender sage, orange lemon thyme, and cinnamon clove orange. When they’re ready on Sunday, we’ll dilute them in spray bottles to (eventually) replace the cleaning products we’ve been using in our kitchen and bathroom. I’m strangely excited about this! I guess this is what being an adult is?

Today, I’m sharing a blog post about some of the things we’re doing--and planning to do--at our house to reduce our waste, bring in fewer chemicals, and just overall make greener choices. Check it out through the link in my bio. I’ve included the recipes for the infused vinegar all-purpose cleaner and also a fabric and room spray recipe from my friend @mindingmysoul. (Megan shares the best stuff, you guys. You need to follow her!) I’m also sharing my very first free download that might help make grocery shopping easier for you, so I hope it works. 🤞🏼 (Let me know if it does or doesn’t.) What other eco friendly things do you recommend doing? We’ve know we’ve got a lot to learn and a lot more research to do.

Hi, 2019. It’s me, Hannah.

That’s right! I’m back on the grid. 😉 I decided to not let all of January go by without posting, so here I am!

January has felt like the longest month of all time. I spent the first few weeks exhausted after traveling and the holidays. I couldn’t even stay awake for an entire day! I had zero motivation to start the new year with a clean slate. I didn’t make any resolutions. I didn’t set any intentions. I didn’t choose a word of the year. And truthfully, I felt ashamed of that and I’m not entirely sure why. It might of been a new year, but it wasn’t a new me.

I’ve slowly been getting some energy back. I’ve been able to start KonMari-ing our house little-by-little. And actually I’ve invested a lot into storage this year. So many storage containers! We’ve decided to be more environmentally conscious this year so we’re making slow changes there as well. It feels like we’re finally starting to seize the new year now that it’s almost February.

It’s been over a month since I’ve shown up on this space, but honestly, I haven’t really missed it. It’s been nice disconnecting for a while. I’ve never gone this long without posting, but it was a good break. I didn’t feel like I needed to post. I didn’t feel like a slave to my phone or camera, trying to document every moment and get the perfect Insta. I hope it changes my relationship with this app in the future and that we (me and Instagram) can have a healthier relationship going forward. I hope that I continue to work my photography skills and post pretty photos, but that I’m most honest and vulnerable here as well.

Like how sometimes life looks like putting on your pajamas as soon as you get home (or maybe never even changing out of them on weekends!) sitting on the couch watching The Office for the umpteenth time for four weeks straight. And that’s perfectly fine!

So all that said, I hope to be back soon! x

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