That Friday Feeling - Thirteen Reasons, Cows and all the Music

My Friday Feeling this week is that I still feel a little bit under the weather, have had some pretty rubbish news and I'm in great need of some lovely things to distract me.

It's a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK, and I'm planning to use it for some catching up with loved ones and maybe (just maybe) getting some productive things done. I'm chomping at the bit to finally get an online shop set up for selling general trinkets/ pretty things/ crafty supplies, so I'm also going to try and give myself a kick up the backside to get things moving. If anyone has some tips on how to motivate yourself to do something that is scaring the crap out of you then I'd love to hear them!

Anyway...here are a few things I've been loving this week...


What I've been reading...

The Cows by Dawn O'Porter. I'm only 30 pages in and already completely caught up in the lives of the women in the book. I truly believe in the #don'tfollowtheherd message that is linked to the book - there are too many messages pushed at us every day about how we should behave, how we should look and what path we should follow in life. It's something that is really resonating with me at the moment - to the point where I'm going to see if I can push myself out of my comfort zone and do some blog posts linked to the subject.

I'll do a full review of the book when I've finished I am really loving Dawn O'Porter's writing style and the characters are completely abosorbing, so I can't wait to get back to reading this evening (which is quite a rare occurrence for me these days.

What I've been watching...

Thirteen Reasons Why has been the most heartbreaking watch. I feel like everyone is talking about it at the moment - but if you haven't heard of this Netflix show then be warned that it is truly a difficult watch, and tells the story of Hannah Baker, a girl who has committed suicide, and the reasons that led up to her taking her own life. This show should be compulsory viewing in all schools, and although it's set in high school there are messages for people of all ages. The acting is absolutely superb throughout. I came out the end of the 13 hours a teary and emotional wreck - but with a renewed commitment to doing as much good as possible and being constantly mindful of how my actions might impact on others.

What I've been listening to...

For the past couple of weeks, the question is more what haven't I been listening to. I've subscribed to Apple Music and I'm now in awe at the amount of music at my fingertips. I think I've listened to every album from my childhood along with every album I've been a little bit interested in for the past ten years. And don't even get me started on how much I love the alternative rock 90's playlists. Amazing. It has made me realise how much our access to music has changed though. I used to save my pocket money, carefully chose one album and then listen to it on constant repeat for weeks. I cherished that music. To suddenly have access to so much music was a little overwhelming at first (yep, I sound old. As I'm writing this I am sat here realising just how ridiculously old I sound, and yet I can't stop...) and it made me wonder if albums are still cherished in the same way. I'm going to tell myself that they are.

Right, it's time for me to retire for the evening with my copy of The Cows, a blanket, and full acceptance that I am an old lady whose mind has been baffled by modern technology.

Wishing you all a very happy and relaxing Easter.

xx

That Friday Feeling - Heathens, Hidden Folks and TED talking

This week has been full of relaxation, catching up on my to-do list and spending time with loved ones (ie a week out of the office..hurrah!). Pretty much my perfect week in fact. I'm feeling recharged and ready to tackle some new challenges.

Here are a few things I've been loving this week (not including the lie-ins, lazy breakfasts, long walks and evenings hiding under a blanket while crocheting...they're a given).

What I've been watching...

I like to have background chatter when I'm working or doing little jobs around the house. Recently I've been watching a lot of vlogger videos on Youtube. However - I think I'm not exactly the target demographic for a lot of vloggers and have struggled to find many I connect with (come on thirty-something vloggers...you must be out there). However - this week I've been listening to a lot of the TED talks which focus on psychology and have been loving the fact that they totally tick my 'background chatter' box but they are also incredibly engaging and have taught me a few things too.

My favourite so far has been this talk by Amy Morin on building a stronger mind. Really powerful.



There are so many TED talks on so many different subjects that I feel like I've got hours of entertainment at my fingertips (no more boring washing-up sessions...yay!).

What I've been playing...

I downloaded this game from the app store this week and I'm finding it to be a little joy to play. It's basically a 'Where's Wally' (or Where's Waldo in the States) style game - but with a little point and click puzzle thrown in for fun at certain points. It's not easy...the pictures are all black and white and incredibly detailed, and sometimes the things to look for are literally tiny...but the graphics are so cute and funny, with lots of hidden animations, so it's keeping me engaged. Highly recommend this as a game you can jump into for a few minutes here and there, and after the one-off payment (£3.99) it's not going to keep asking for money like so many of the freemium games.

What I've been listening to...

I watched Suicide Squad for the first time this week...which led me to the soundtrack...which led me to Twenty One Pilots. Love this song so much (and really enjoyed Suicide Squad...although more on that in another post).


I have a weekend of DIY and de-cluttering planned (fun!....well...sort of). Whatever your weekend brings I hope you find some time to do something you love.

Bye for now!

xxx

That Friday Feeling - Rags 'n' Bones, Archie and Simish

I wasn't sure that Friday was going to arrive this week...it has seemed like such a long week! But we made it...hurrah!

This week has been full of very non-blog worthy activities and I'm intending to make up for that this weekend. I'm hoping for lots of sun and outdoors adventures this weekend (and maybe a bit of crafting thrown in for good measure).

Here are a few things I've been loving this week...

What I've been watching

I've found a new guilty pleasure TV show in Riverdale. A teen angst and mystery show based on Archie Comics...what could go wrong? I love how the style of the show...super dramatic with a love triangle thrown in for good measure...and the colour palette is gorgeous, so it's a win for me!

What I've been listening to


Rag 'n' Bone Man has been on constant repeat on my iPod this week - perfect voice and lyrics...love!

What I've been playing

I may have made a big mistake in downloading The Sims 4 to play this week. The Sims has been another guilty pleasure of mine for many (many) years but I've managed to resist for the past couple of years. That all changed this week...it's on my laptop...my first character is created and I'm ready to earn some simoleons. Now I just need to balance the amount of time I spend in Simsville and everything should be fine. Addicted? Me? Never.

I'm looking forward to this weekend so much. Have a fantastic time, whatever you're doing, and I'll see you soon!

Bye for now

xx

That Friday Feeling - Chicago, Uncle and Books!

It's that time of the week again! Time to put your feet up and look forward to the weekend ahead (unless you're working over the weekend...which I am...but hey...it's still the weekend).

Here are a few bits of loveliness that have been entertaining me over the past week...

What I've been listening to...



Sometimes I find a song that has been around for years and just fall in love with it. At the moment, this is that song - so, so beautiful. It's on pretty much constant repeat!

What I've been watching...

Uncle - as the title suggests it's a show about an Uncle and his nephew, expect that the Uncle is completely dysfunctional, the nephew is the quirkiest kid in the world and there is one amazing musical number in every episode. I've been watching this show from episode one and absolutely love it. It's made me laugh and cry (and cringe...so much cringe) and the last couple of episodes of season 3 have been perfect. If you feel like watching something that is equal parts funny, emotional and toe-curlingly awkward than I'd highly recommend it!


What I've been reading...

Paulina and Fran by Rachel B. Glaser is the February book for the Poppy Loves Book Club. I've only just started reading it but am already hooked by the writing style. I'm hoping to do more book reviews on here now I've caught the reading bug again and if you'd like to be part of a really friendly online book club I can totally recommend this one. The online chats with authors are a brilliant way of gaining a bit more insight into the books as well. You can find out more here.

What have you got planned for the weekend? Whatever it is I hope it's a happy one!

Bye for now

xxx

That Friday Feeling...The 80's, Some Reading and Beautiful Sounds

First working week of January completed - woo! I think that having such a lovely and relaxing Christmas has made the shock of the new year and being back to the daily grind even more noticeable!

It's been a great week though, with lots of nice scattered moments throughout.

Here's a few pieces of happiness from this week:

What I've been watching:

Sing Street - This film quickly and quietly worked its way into my heart and onto my favourite films of all time list. It's a film about an Irish lad, growing up in the 1980's and dealing with all the difficulties of life at that age (and then some, to be honest), who escapes from all of the negative by starting up a band. His relationship with his brother, who introduces him to new bands, and influences the style of the band and their music each time, is quite honestly beautiful. It has some laugh out loud moments (some of the throwbacks to the bands of the '80's are just perfect) and is also touching throughout without being overly sentimental. Can't recommend this film enough!

What I've been reading:

I've joined a book group - yay! It's the Poppy Loves Books Club (more on that to come).  The first book I'm reading for it is Sofia Khan is not Obliged by Ayisha Malik. I'm only a little way in but it's already had me laughing aloud so I'm looking forward to reading more this weekend.

What I've been listening to:




I feel so sad about George Michael's passing. He was a beautiful man who just never seemed to realise how amazing he was. I've been listening to his performance at the Palais Garnier, Paris. This is one of my favourite songs of his. Beautiful.

This week I've also been trying my hand at some very simple candle making (review to follow!) and sulking that the Christmas tree and decorations have been packed away. Having a tree in your lounge should be legit at any time of the year!

Whatever your weekend holds, I hope it is a good one!

Bye for now.

xx

That Friday Feeling...Photos, Wild World and Billy!

Happy Friday everyone! Another week has flown by...and even more frightening is how quickly the month of September skipped on by. Now October is just around the corner I'm definitely getting into hibernation mode (although I think I might be in that mode 365 days of the year!).

Here are a few things I've been loving this week...

Photographs from Cheerz.com...

I'm definitely going through a phase of wanting to print out my photos. I love having them around. I found cheerz through the phone app and love how easy it easy to get hard copies of photos from instagram, facebook and my PC. The little batch in the photo represent a tiny portion of the photos I've had printed recently. My plan is to get some pretty albums from Paperchase and stick the photos in them so I can have a flip through them as each photo is just a little piece of happiness.


Billy on the Street


I'm so late to the game with Billy on the Street but now I've discovered it I'm in absolute love. I knew Billy Eichner from Parks and Recreation, and loved him in that but hadn't seen anything until witnessing him running around the streets of New York playing such gems as 'for a dollar' and 'quizzed in the face'. If you haven't seen Billy on the Street then I definitely recommend watching a few clips on Youtube...but be warned...it can be an exhausting experience!

...and in music this week...

Bastille are still my favourite band at the moment and I've been listening to Wild World, their second album, at every possible opportunity. At first listen I wasn't sure I loved it as much as All This Bad Blood, but that quickly passed. It's a beautiful and carefully crafted piece of music. I should never have expected anything less.

Anyway, I have an exciting weekend with family planned so I'll say bye for now and I hope your weekend is all kinds of lovely.

xx

That Friday Feeling - Tattoos, Puppies and Tunes

Print and photo by LovelyCuppa on Etsy

Well now where did that week go? Here are a few things I've been in love with this week...

I've discovered this amazing new band who I can't stop listening to. They formed in..errr..1976. So yeah, I'm very late to the game when it comes to the music of The Cure. I've always been aware of them and their music but have never really properly listened to it. That's changed recently and they are on constant repeat in my car when I'm driving. My favourite song for this week is Boys Don't Cry, but that will probably change for next week. So many amazing songs.

 

Tattoo Fixers is definitely a guilty pleasure TV show of mine. The artists and Paisley are so fun to watch, the bad tattoos are just so...bad (seriously, how many people out there have terrible drawings of male genitalia tattooed on them?!), and they remind me that I want a new tattoo on a weekly basis. There are some amazing cross-stitch inspired tattoos out there so watch this space!

 

 

This little fella. This is Indy, our little Shihapso. He's having a shy moment, but I have a feeling he'll been featuring 'round these parts every so often. Love him every minute of every day.

I hope your week has been full of some loveliness too! 

Bye for now.

xxx

What I'm listening to

I love the feeling when I discover some new music that sends a tingle down my spine. Of Monsters and Men certainly had that effect, and then some.

Their album 'My Head is and Animal' was recently released (and happily a signed edition arrived on my doormat on the day of release), and it's such a joy to listen to.

My favourite track is 'Little Talks'. You can see the video for it below, and I think it might win an award for being one of the most magical videos of all time, it's a thing of beauty!



On another musical note - not long now until Mumford & Sons new album 'Babel' is released. Excited much?! Here's their new video for 'I Will Wait'...cue the tingles...

What I'm listening to this week - Michael Kiwanuka

I can't listen to this song enough times this week - Michael Kiwanuka's voice is beautiful.
 

Check out his Vevo channel on Youtube here which includes some more absolutely stunning acoustic performances.

I hope 2012 brings amazing things Michael's way :-)

What I'm listening to this week - King Charles

I thought I'd share what music I'm currently listening to. For this week it's King Charles. I first saw him being interviewed and doing an acoustic set, and was blown away by his voice. Love his style...I think Mississippi Isabel is my favourite single so far (and the video is beautiful), but Bam Bam is awesome 'make me feel happy' music and the lyrics for Love Lust  are stunning , so clearly I couldn't really choose, so here's three of his videos for your enjoyment.