Thoughts Archives - Mr. Salt and Pepper

Fun things to do near the IFS Cloud Cable Car

25th September 2023

This blog post was done in collaboration with Transport for London.

One of the most unique ways to transport yourself across the River Thames is by taking the IFS Cloud Cable Car. 🚠

So, this Monday, I’m taking you on an elevating journey, where you can discover exciting things to do on either side of the river. 🤟🏻

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Greenwich Peninsula

Now Gallery

First up, in Greenwich Peninsula there’s the iconic O2 Arena, but did you know that there’s also the NOW Gallery. The gallery hosts a series of exhibitions including the Future of London showcase.

The NOW Gallery is located in the heart of the newly-developed Design District, best known as London’s first permanent, purpose-built workspace for the creative industries. There are 16 unique buildings designed by 8 pioneering architects. This makes it a unique experience as you walk around the quirky alleyways before grabbing a quick bite at the food and drink canteen.

The Design District in Greenwich Peninsular

Cable car

Then there’s the IFS Cloud Cable Car which is a one-of-a-kind experience. It allows you to see London from 300 feet above the ground. Right after you take off from Greenwich Penninsula, you can spot a huge 60ft sculpture of a man, created by none other than Damien Hirst!

Royal Docks

ExCel Exhibition Centre and Royal Victoria Footbridge

Over at the Royal Docks, there’s the ExCel Exhibition Centre and Royal Victoria Dock Footbridge. Here you can once again immerse yourself in London’s amazing skyline. There’s also an opportunity for you to do some plane spotting with London’s City Airport being seen with the naked eye.

Plane spotting at The Royal Victoria Dock Footbridge

Thames Barrier Park

Within a 15-minute walk from the footbridge, there’s the Thames Barrier Park where you can discover London’s retractable barrier system. You can also get lost in the sunken garden which often feels like a maze in its own right.

… and there you have it!

The IFS Cloud Cable Car runs regularly throughout the week. There are plenty of exciting activities for you to take part in at both locations. These include the London Cable Car Experience, open-water swimming, golfing and climbing the O2 – just to name a few.

BTW, let’s stay in touch! 😉

Life

Attitude of Gratitude

27th July 2023

Serving gratitude. Shot at Treehouse Hotel in London.

Welcome to my world of appreciation and positivity… gurl!

Today, I embark on a journey to explore the transformative power of practising gratitude in our daily lives. ✨remember, baby steps✨ The practice of gratitude is not merely a trend but a genuine way of nurturing our souls, connecting with others, and finding joy in the small things.

The Magic of Gratitude

Gratitude is a superpower that can effortlessly turn our lives around. It requires no special tools or complex rituals – just a shift in perspective.

To me personally, going alcohol-free 7 months ago has changed my overall lifestyle, providing me with more time to reflect on the past, enjoy the present and create things that I could look forward to in the near future.

Seeing Beauty in Simplicity

In our fast-paced lives, we often overlook life’s simple pleasures: a warm cup of oat latte in the morning, being all cosy indoors on a rainy day, or a cheeky dance routine like you’re about to launch a Vegas residency. ✨bedroom queen lol✨

By acknowledging and being grateful for these tiny delights, we find ourselves more content and less affected by life’s challenges.

Views of the BT Tower from Treehouse Rooftop Terrace in London.

A Source of Strength

In difficult times, gratitude serves as a guiding light. It reminds us of the strength we possess within and the resilience that carries us through hardships. Instead of dwelling on what we lack, we focus on what we have, whilst trying to take the mind of things we have no control over.

In other words, everything is going to be alright! I’m a true believer in the universe and the energy we release into the world. So, keep shining and spreading your positive energy.. it’ll come back to you! 😘

Spreading Positivity

Speaking of which… Gratitude is contagious, and its ripples extend beyond ourselves. As we express gratitude to others, we foster a positive environment around us. A simple “thank you”, check in or a spontaneous compliment can brighten someone’s day, forging stronger bonds and building a solid sense of community.

Gratitude Journaling

One powerful way to cultivate gratitude is through journaling. Each day, I take a moment to jot down a few things I am thankful for. As you read through your entries over time, you’ll be amazed at how this practice fosters growth, mindfulness, and a deeper appreciation for life. Just take a look at my blog post from years ago. 👀

Serving gratitude. Shot at Treehouse Rooftop Bar in London.

Serving gratitude. Shot at Treehouse Rooftop Terrace in London.

Embracing Imperfections

When we practice gratitude, we learn to accept ourselves and others with compassion. It encourages us to embrace imperfections, as they are part of what makes us human. We become less critical and more forgiving, creating healthier relationships. Life would be so boring if we were all the same, right? 🥱

A Grateful Heart is a Healthy Heart

Studies have shown that gratitude has numerous health benefits, both physical and emotional. It reduces stress, improves sleep, and boosts overall well-being. Grateful individuals tend to experience greater happiness and reduced feelings of anxiety.

Remember…

In a world that often seems chaotic and unpredictable, the practice of gratitude serves as an anchor to our souls. It empowers us to savour the present, celebrate life’s little joys, and navigate challenges with resilience. As we make gratitude an integral part of our lives, we unlock a profound source of inner bliss and discover the beauty of living in the present moment.

Remember, there’s always something to be grateful for. 🫶🏻

My Year of Renaissance

3rd October 2022

Summer adventures in Motenegro with Barbara Adeniken. — Chillin’ by the swimming pool with Barbara. Shot in Kotor, Motenegro. (June 2022)

Swimming Pools and Dreams.

It’s been a hot minute since my last post on Mr Salt and Pepper and, honey, it really feels like a lifetime ago. ✨wakes up from a 2-year-long writer’s block✨

After my last blog post, I went through some of the most challenging and dark times of my life. I felt like my world was falling apart and there was no way out… All whilst I was moving home twice and constantly feeling financially insecure. That was 2020.

Luckily, I somehow managed to win a golden freelance opportunity with one of the biggest names in the beauty industry, which has helped me to move forward during those uncertain times.

In late 2020, I left the Central London postcode after 4 glorious (also disastrous) years and moved back to South East London. ✨my London roots, eeeek✨ So, I am now (officially) a Brixtonian who loves long morning strolls in Brockwell Park, plantain crisps and Aperol summer sunsets on the balcony… just to name a few. 🌆

Basically, I left my roaring 20s in Zone 1 and welcomed steady 30s in Zone 2, which means that I should be out of London by the time I hit 60s, right? 😂

Views from our apartment. Kotor, Montenegro (June, 2022)

Evening by the swimming pool. Wearing The Fara sunglasses from Jimmy Fairly. — Sunglasses: The Fara from Jimmy Fairly

The Spirit Indestructible.

As Miss Rona was still lingering in 2021, so did my crippling mental health, 👀 I remember flying black home for the first time in 18 months, feeling like things won’t get any better, to the point where I was considering quitting my dreams and moving back home. However, the leading ladies of my family gave me some valuable words of affirmation, encouraging me to not let those evil thoughts take over my spirit and keep chasing my dreams. 👐🏻

Fast forward to the beginning of 2022, I left the job that served me no purpose in my career and gave blogging (or should I say ‘content creation’) another shot.

At first, I thought I’d do it for a few months and find something better but the work just kept coming in… and I’m so so grateful to make a living out of it to this very day. It’s not a lot but it’s enough to get me dancing to the best of my own drum.🥁

As this year went on, I’ve started to give myself more time to practise gratitude and worry less about things that I can’t change. This has helped me to greatly appreciate my own life for what it is, and just enjoy moments by myself and significant people around me.

Speaking of which… Have you seen Everything Everywhere All at Once? Absolutely recommend!

Wearing ECO William Beach Shirt and ECO Bobbie Mid Length Swim Shorts from WE ARE WE WEAR — Beach Shirt and Swim Shorts from WE ARE WE WEAR

… but what about Montenegro?!

Oh, right! Way back in June, my good gal Barbara was celebrating her birthday and she really wanted to go abroad. So, we packed our bags and flown to Kotor in Montenegro. I personally thought it would be quite affordable down there as Montenegro is not the most visited or known place of the Balkans… but I was wrong! 😂😭

However, I’m not going to have a rant about how expensive it is and just say that it’s a very gorgeous country, full of rich history, mountainous scenery and stunning architecture.

I recommend visiting Kotor as part of your cruise itinerary or as a day trip from Dubrovnik, Croatia. ✌️

Life / Style

Evening Newspapers

20th March 2019

Wearing GANT Cotton Cable Crew Sweater in Light Blue Melange and Regular Fit Pinpoint Oxford Shirt in White. Blog by Skirmantas Petraitis.

Headlines and Deadlines.

London is a wonderful place. *makes a random statement* The other day, I was having a stroll down my new neighbourhood to catch some rays before the sunset. It was around 6 PM and the sun was still up, meaning the (actual) spring is just around the corner. So, I’ve decided to (randomly) stop by the newsagent on Chiltern Road and have a peek at the latest news. Erm… Long story short, the world is in chaos and confusion. *puts down a newspaper* Let me go back to my own little bubble and never come out. *lol*

Whilst walking around Marylebone, I was thinking about my life and asking myself… Am I going in the right direction? *looks both ways*

It’s been almost 4 months since I’ve been blogging full-time. I am sooo lucky to be able to make a living out of it, you have no idea! Last year, I realised that a comfortable 9-to-5 office job is just not for me at this moment in life. So, I had to take risks in order to find my happiness and fulfilment.

Also… These past 2-3 months, I was going through some big changes. I moved to Marylebone, ended all toxic relationships and invested my time in people who really care about my wellbeing. It’s not worth staying somewhere you don’t feel happy or sticking around people who drain you.

So, what is missing? To be quite honest… It would be nice to finally meet someone new.

SHOP: GANT Cotton Cable Crew Sweater in Light Blue Melange | GANT Regular Fit Pinpoint Oxford Shirt in White

Life / Style

Confidence Boost

28th February 2018

Sabotaged By My Inner-Saboteur.

One of my biggest regrets in life was having fear of trying. I held myself back from pursuing my dreams for so many years because I wasn’t confident enough to overcome that fear. We often get sabotaged by our inner-saboteurs and for some reason, they creep on us when we are most vulnerable.

When I moved to the UK almost 9 years ago, I somehow lost my way. I was going through a complicated relationship where I masked those negative feeling by going to parties. One party after another and I saw myself going through life like a sloth trapped in a bamboo tree. Years went by and my ambitions drifted away from me because I forgot the reason why I started it all.

It was like this until mid-2016 when I started to grab life by its balls. I realised I couldn’t change my past but I can learn from my mistakes and use that to my advantage (a.k.a. turning negatives into positives). *ding ding ding* After a while, I discovered my idols and followed their footsteps to success. I invested in my craft, spent months creating things and the rest is magic. *throws glitter in the air*

So, ask yourself… What do you really want? Go beyond the obvious one or the one that you think you want but not sure about. What gets your heart pumping and scares the crap out of you at the same time? Yes, THAT is what I’m talking about! That is your heart’s deepest desire. Take some time to go through all the reasons why you “can’t” or “shouldn’t” go there and start your journey towards it!

Taking Control of My Self-Confidence.

Guess what? Self-confidence is not genetic and you don’t have to be reliant on others to increase it. *shook* If you believe you’re not good enough, don’t worry because that can be changed over time. So, here are my 15 daily actions to help boost your self-confidence:

Groom yourself. This might seems like an obvious one but getting into a daily skincare regiment can make such a difference in a long run.
Dress nicely. Try on many things and see what looks nice on you. Retail therapy also contributes to your overall wellbeing… Except for your credit card. *oops*
Eat well. It all comes from within, you know!
Change the way you think about yourself. All of us have a mental picture of ourselves and that determines how confident we are in ourselves. Therefore, if it’s not a good one – Facetune it! Try to find out why you see yourself that way and fix it.
Think positive. And kill your inner-saboteur! *scrolls up and reads the first paragraph again*
Get to know yourself. Start listening to your thoughts and write them down. Analyse everything. What are your limitations? Find ways to overcome those too.
Be kind and generous. Like the saying… What goes around, comes around. So, be good to everyone, especially to yourself! *aha*
Know your principles and live by them. Sometimes you have to go back to your roots to find the true meaning of life.
Focus on solutions. Rather than problems.
Increase your competence. It takes time to become competent in something. Therefore, study and practice every day.
Set daily goals and achieve them. Start small then work your way up. I used to fail miserably by making goals that are hard to achieve. Now, I make small goals so I can achieve them quickly. That makes my life a better place!
Change a habit. No, not a drastic one like quitting alcohol or cigarettes. Instead, focus on a small one and change it. For instance, I struggle to wake up in the morning for the gym. So, I set my alarm an hour early and put my phone somewhere where it forces me to get out of bed. *cancels his gym membership*
Exercise. Your body is a temple, so keep building it.
- Still got that bit of bulge you can’t shift or something else you’re desperate to change? Why not think about a bit of professional help in achieving the flawless finish you deserve?
Always be prepared. I often find it hard to be confident when I don’t think I’ll do well in something. So, I spend some time preparing for it because life is full of tests.
Keep your space tidy. This one tends to work for me really well because it’s something I can easily keep under control.

What do you think of this list? Would you follow any of these steps? Let me know in the comments!

SHOP THIS LOOK

Biker Leather Jacket (similar) | Rose Gold Watch With Silver Dial and Brown Leather Strap | Brioche Stitch Sweater | Checked Trousers With Zips | Lace Up Shoes In Black Leather With Creeper Sole

Thanks to Jesus Agudo (@jesusagudotm) for taking these amazing pics!

Thoughts