This year is just going by all too quickly. That's all I'm going to say on the matter.

July has been a good month, to kick things off I finally found some Tutti Frooties on sale (honestly it took me ages to find anywhere that sold them) and they are as tooth threateningly hard as I remembered. Nice though.

I've been having a bit of a splurge on beauty products, I'm not going to add it up but it was a lot. Or a lot for me anyway. These pictures aren't half of it! Perhaps I'll do some reviews… Needless to say I'm feeling pampered.

Early on in the month I took part in a 12hr sponsored spin, as in bikes - not wool (although I do fancy having a go at that). I was part of a team that kept the wheels spinning for 12 hours, from 7pm - 7am. It was a charity thing, obviously, no-one would do this for fun! But, it was quite good fun although I ate so many sweets to keep myself awake I think I probably consumed more calories than I used. Oh well, it was doing this that finally convinced me to move more.

My patchwork quilt has been a little ignored, although I did discover it is possible to sew while sitting in a hammock - just in case you'd ever wondered. I'm up to 150 hexagon flowers now but have many more to go.

I've done a lot of reading, I finished The Gift by Cecelia Ahern and then read The Hunger Games series, the final book - Mockingjay was finished in less than 24hrs (I had a sleep in the middle). I couldn't get enough and then felt bereft when I realised there would be no more Katniss and Peeta. I haven't picked up another book yet as I think it will just pale in comparison.

I've found myself a new tipple thanks to Jenny over at Sunny Sweet Pea. Violet fizz - G&T with violet syrup - it's so, so good. I'm limiting myself to the odd one here and there, otherwise I think I'd find myself addicted! It's the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

I've been taking part in Jenny's Postcard Swap too, the postcards are starting to fall onto my doormat and it's so nice to receive post that isn't bills or junk mail! To see some of them in all there prettiness search for #postcardswap2014 on Instagram.

I've taken 81 photos of my cats (which is a little less than most months!) and was surprised to find a mouse on the top shelf of my wardrobe... I'd been searching for the little critter for a good 20 minutes at ground level when I heard the telltale scratching noises coming from overhead. Still, it made it easier to catch.

I've also transformed a small chest of drawers, found some great charity shop buys and been pinning inspiration on how to 'dress' our new mantle piece when it's fitted. There will be a log burner too but I'm more excited by the mantle - at last somewhere to put our Christmas cards in December!

How has July been for you?

Love