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 - Good Smells, a Bellabeat and some Billy on the Street

Friday...Friday...gotta get down on Friday...(yep...that song is going to be stuck in my head forever now)

I'm so ridiculously happy it's Friday this week. I intend to revel in every single lovely minute of the weekend ahead. Before I get started here's a few things I've been using & loving this week...

What I've been..smelling...

I found this range of candles by Urban Apothecary in my local Boots and have been a little bit in love with smelling them ever since. I bought the Carrot Cake and Mint Creme scents but also have Bakewell Tart, Custard Cream and Lemon Meringue on my wishlist...they smell so good I think they're actually helping my diet and keeping cake cravings at bay!

What I've been wearing...

I treated myself to a Bellabeat after hitting a health related milestone...it was a little 'yay me' present for myself. I haven't stopped wearing it and tracking my steps, sleep patterns and meditation habits. I think I'll do a full blog post on this little gadget at some point but I've been so impressed and it's definitely helped me keep my stress levels in check this week.

What I've been watching...


I love every manic inch of Billy Eichner. I think I would panic and run in the other direction if he ever ran up to me in the streets - but I can watch his clips for hours through the safety of youtube!


I have a weekend of viewing houses (we're thinking of moving home...scary and exciting all at once!), crafting for a craft swap and getting some jobs around the house finished (because...ya know...potentially selling our house) so nothing super exciting but I'm really excited to get started. For now it's time for sleep (if someone could teach me the technique to get my cat to stop using me as a trampoline in the middle of the night that would be fantastic).

Whatever you're doing this weekend I hope it's a happy one.

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...This is Us, Lightboxes and a Funky Tune!

This week has simultaneously flown by and seemed to last forever. I'm not sure how that's possible, but there we go!

I think lots of deadlines and lots of 'to-do lists' have left me feeling like I've been fighting to achieve things all week, but that I've just run out of time to get everything done!

It's the weekend though...hurrah! I'm got some work to do, but also some chilling, and some crafting, so I'm feeling pretty content right now (and I have a pizza cooking in the oven...bonus!).

Here are a few things that have been bringing a little bit of loveliness my way this week...

What I've been watching...

This is Us is probably my favourite TV show at the moment. With only one episode a week available (rather than the binge watching of series we're used to these days) it's a little piece of pure and beautiful pleasure. I don't want to give anything away but if you enjoy a heartfelt, character driven show then I couldn't recommend this highly enough. It's made me cry and laugh all at the same time and I adore every single one of the characters. It's a perfect show to curl up and watch while wearing a giant dressing gown and drinking a big ol' mug of tea. If you haven't seen it yet, it's currently showing on Channel 4 in the UK and so some episodes are on All 4.

What I've been decorating my home with...

I love my lightbox. I've had it for a couple of months now and have changed the message a few times. There's something quite lovely about thinking of a positive message you want to display and then undertaking the game of 'do I have the right letters'. The answer to that game is often 'no' so I'm looking into buying some additional letters (and I've found you can get some different symbols for lightboxes too...yay!)

What I've been listening to...


I have a habit of getting addicted to songs. At the moment it's Sing by Ed Sheeran. I've needed a bit of uplifting this week and this helps every time. Love it!


Whatever you are doing I hope you have a lovely weekend, I'm hoping to set some time aside to do some crafting and take some photographs for blog posts, so wish me luck!

Bye for now

xx

That Friday Feeling...Hygge, Crafting and The Fresh Prince

Hello, hello! Welcome again to my favourite time of the week...Friday evening! This week I've been focusing on really trying to create a relaxed and comfy feeling each evening. Lots of crochet, reading and gentle TV viewing has definitely helped me feel more calm and content each evening.

What I've been watching...

In West Philadelphia born and raised....I'm so happy that the Fresh Prince of Bel Air has arrive on Netflix in the UK. It used to be a favourite of mine, and it's definitely standing the test of time - it's had me laughing aloud so many times (and not just because of some of the fashion choices). I'm not as pleased to realise that I'm closer in age to Aunt Viv than to Will mind you...

What I've been pinning...




I'm well and truly sucked in to the Hygge lifestyle. I think it helps that it's pretty much I how decorated my home and tried to live anyway...but I even find pinning pretty Hygge inspired pictures relaxing!

What I've been crafting...

I can't share pictures yet, but I've signed up to a craft swap over at Craftster and I'm really happy to be back to craft swapping - I love making things for people (way more than crafting for myself) and the craft swaps just help focus that on a theme. It's definitely helping me to set aside some time for creative things as well, which I desperately need! If you're crafty and haven't visited Craftster I'd definitely recommend it - it's a really lovely community.

This weekend I have a lovely family day planned, some crafting and some work (boo to deadlines) - all of which will be achieved in a state of Hygge peace and tranquillity, of course (or chaos...definitely one or the other). Whatever your weekend holds I hope it's a good one.

Bye for now!

xx