Today is the last day of November, which also means that it's the final day of Blogging Every Day in November.

I made a good start with 13 days of blog posts and then this.

I'm glad to say that I'm feeling brighter. I had a few things on my mind that have settled down or have been resolved, a frustrating work project has been completed, and an event that took up a huge chunk of my time happened yesterday. Things are improving.

I've also taken some time out for myself. I've slept in when I needed to, been going to bed earlier, taken a few good long walks to clear my mind, and indulged in some long, relaxing bubble baths.

My cats now hide from me when they see me coming, just in case I'm about to hug them again.

I've made an effort to go to pilates and clubbercise to release a few endorphins, and I had a night out with Andy and my best friends to see Joe Lycett. All work and no play makes me a very unhappy being, so getting out there was very important in getting back to normal. I had to make myself go, the sofa looked so comfy, but I had a great time once I was out and about.

Thank you for your kind comments on my previous post, as always you guys made me smile and I was grateful for your support. It make a difference, it really does.

Moving forward I've got a few dates planned with Andy, a day shopping in Norwich, a trip to W&M Smiths to see the lovely Bella, and to buy wreath making supplies. We're also off to the cinema, when we can agree on what to watch. So, plenty to look forward too, and of course Christmas.

It's a shame that BEDN took a hit when this feeling reared it's ugly head, I'd been enjoying posting everyday, and discovering new blogs to read. But there's no point battling on with something if you're not feeling up to it.

I might still use some of the BEDN prompts that I missed, as I'm now ready to get back to blogging again. But first I need to catch up with my favourite blogs. I'll pop the kettle on and see you in a bit...


Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium  

BEDN isn't going well is it? And I made a good start too.

Despite trying to shake a feeling of melancholy by writing a Christmas wish list (I mean who doesn't get excited at the thought of presents, Christmas, family, delicious food, and gin?), my post before that was about being kind to yourself. I'd woken up in a crappy mood, a mood that hasn't really shifted since then.

I'm not drowning in the depths of sorrow, I'm just feeling a bit off. I have a few things playing on my mind, nothing life changing or truly awful, but the accumulation of several minor irritations has left me feeling low.

In the evenings, when Andy is home, and we're full from our evening meal, chatting about our day, enjoying a glass of wine, I feel just fine. I can forget how I feel for a while and just be.

I've talked over most of the issues (for want of a better word) with Andy, he's a wise ole soul, but during the day I'm left with my own thoughts again. The downside of being self employed is working alone (the upside of being self employed is working alone).

I have little to distract me and stop my mind from mulling things over.

I mull, I'm really good at it.

I'm finding it hard to concentrate on work, and it doesn't help that one particular project I'm working on isn't going well. It's given me a creative block, and around and around I go.

A few other things are situations that I can't do anything to change, which I find frustrating. All I can do is try to control the way I react to these situations, but so far I'm struggling to do so.

A side effect of all this is my inability to see things with my usual clarity.

Yesterday Socks walked mud all over the page of my new notebook and I was disproportionately annoyed (then I felt guilty for shouting at him, gave him a huge cuddle and let him fall asleep on my office chair. I was relegated to the uncomfortable spare chair).

I couldn't decide what to have for lunch, I couldn't be bothered to prepare anything, so I grabbed a Kit Kat and an apple. And then I didn't eat the apple.

The sun was shining through my office window and it annoyed me.

I was so irritated with myself for breaking my spending ban when I bough a new cardigan in a charity shop for £3.50, I'd only gone in to make a donation. I was even more annoyed that, when I got home, I wasn't sure that I actually liked it.

I've missed my daily dose of blogging, but I feel uninspired when I sit down to write. I read your posts and enjoy them, but not with my usual enthusiasm, and then I have nothing to say in the comments.

I'm at the point where I'm starting to get angry with myself, 'snap out of it', 'get it together' are my scolding of choice.

But then I remember be kind to everyone including yourself.

Life can't all be sunny and light. Accepting the way I feel and cutting myself some slack is the way I'm most likely to get back to feeling like me again.

That, and most of these repeated as necessary

1. A good long walk

2. A good long bath

3. Listening to my favourite tracks on iTunes while I work (chair dancing optional but likely, although chair dancing is not to be confused with table dancing)

4. Getting up, putting on an outfit I love. Doing my hair, putting on some make up - I might be a mess but I don't have to look it

5. A good breakfast, lunch and dinner, because being hungry never helps anything

6. Cuddling / stroking / nuzzling and generally bothering one or both of my cats

In short, I'm going to take care of myself in the hope that normal service will resume shortly.

I'm jumping ahead with #BEDN a teeny bit and using the prompt for the 29th. I can't help it, I'm feeling christmassy already, and as Andy asked me to write him a wishlist, I thought I'd share it.

It seems I'm running on a theme of warm or sparkly this year.


I picked out the Pandora charm as reminder of our honeymoon this year.

It wouldn't be Christmas without gin and since I was sent a sample of Rock Rose gin earlier in the year I've been wanting to get my hands on one of their ceramic bottles.

The Fossil watch is a beauty, I have two of their watches already and there is just something about the styling that appeals to me. I also like this one with a turquoise strap, I can't make up my mind which one I like the most!

As for the warm side of things, these slippers would be cosy and snug to slip into each morning on my way to feed the cats and pop the kettle on.

The boots will be great for the cold weather, and the coat is something I've be trying to find for an age! I love my wax jacket, it's by far the warmest thing I have ever owned. But it's short. However, one would cover my rear and keep me even warmer. And it'll last for years.

How are your preparations coming along for the festive season? My gift shopping is almost done, I've stocked up on Christmas cards and wrapping paper. I have my Christmas Eve PJs. All I really need to do is write a list of Christmas food (and then buy it all) and I'm done.

Day 21 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium  

The prompt for today's Blog Every day in November is World Kindness Day.

Unsure of where to start or what to say, I took to Google. A number of meanings and explanations where offered up in response. But one small quote stood out to me today.

Be kind to everyone including yourself.

Because I woke up in a shitty mood with myself today and I've been beating myself up since my feet hit the floor.

If a friend of mine described how I'm feeling now as how they were feeling, I'd tell them to give themselves a break. I'd tell them an off day is no reason to be so hard on themselves.

So that's what I told myself. I'm giving myself a break, allowing myself to have a day that doesn't go so well, without feeling bad about it. I'm giving myself permission to just be a bit crap today.

I've taken a moment, hugged the girl cat and put on my favourite jumper, I've made myself a big cup of tea and re-written my to-do list to be more manageable for my I'm-not-firing-on-all-cylinders-today day.

And later I'm going to go to my pilates class and I'm going to enjoy it, even if I don't tick everything off my to-do list before I go.

And when I come home I'm going to sit on the sofa with my husband and watch a film, maybe have a glass of wine. I'm not going to worry about the tasks that didn't get completed, the washing that didn't get done, or the million and one things swirling around my head that didn't get thought about or resolved.

Because I need a break, a moment to breathe. And I'm allowing myself to have one, because it's the kind thing to do. And being kind to yourself is as important as being kind to others.

Why is it that we find it so much harder to be kind to ourselves than we do to others. I see it so often.

So come on, let's give ourselves a break. It's not selfish, it's self care. And let's face it, looking after ourselves puts us in a better position to look after others.



Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama
 


Day 13 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium 

Needham Market is where I head when I need to pick up a pint of milk or post a letter. It’s within a short distance from home and has free parking, although sometimes in short supply, and it's the kind of place where everything closes for lunch and most places aren’t open on a Monday.


It has all the charm of a small village, everyone you meet will greet you with a happy smile or a cheery ‘hello'. And you can find pretty much whatever you need.


It has one of those hardware stores that has everything. In the past it's furnished me with a fire guard, a fly swat, sparklers for bonfire night, curtain hooks, a bottle brush and a butter dish. If you wanted one you could treat yourself to a leather duck shaped doorstop too.


All of our carpets have, so far, been purchased at Needham Carpets and hopefully (fingers crossed) we’ll soon be visiting the double glazing shop that sits next door, as we like to support local businesses whenever we can.


You can buy some of the best gammon in East Anglia and the Midlands, according to The Great Taste Awards, in R J Smith's Butchers (and jolly proud of it he is too).


You can paint a pot here (through the archway, behind the post office), get a manicure, a hair cut, a spray tan (if that's your thing), or a facial at more than one beauty salon, and you can shop for second hand, restored, or upcycled furniture to you hearts content.


We have two small corner units in our lounge that came from Pipps, along with the glorious chair that resides in my office (I only went out for a haircut). The pair of bedside tables in our spare room come from Effie’s, and  a small mirror, freshly painted with chalk paint purchased in the Vintage & Antiques Collectables shop.



Andy gave me an old sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago from Bygones, and I have spent hours rummaging around in the Sue Ryder charity shop (despite thinking that it is rather over priced).

If you need a Elvis costume there is the fancy dress hire shop, and a dentist (The Tooth Booth - great name) and all kinds of bait can be found in the Fishing Tackle and Bait Shop. And until recently you could pick yourself up a snake or two from the Reptile Hut.


It’s home to a tea shop or two and while some shops seem to keep their residents for only a short while, there is always something to do, see and keep you occupied.


Just outside of the main drag is Alder Carr Farm, I’ve mentioned it on the blog before and having learnt needle felting at Halfpenny Home there recently, it has become one of my favourite places. Also good for brunch, PYO and talking to grunting piggies and beautiful hens.


So, it's not a sprawling metropolis but it ticks most boxes and is wonderfully free of Costa Coffee and Tesco Metro.

What's your local area like?

Day 12 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

I am a writer of lists. It says as much on my About page, so it must be true.

The first thing I do most days is write a list of tasks for the day. I have to limit to five things, if I don't I write until I reach the bottom of the page and then turn it over.

I have a few blog lists on the go, my Autumn '15 list, a list of things to do in my 40th year, my new year resolutions, and a list of 40 things to do before I'm 40 (missed that deadline obviously).

I have lists for home improvements, an ongoing grocery list, a list of all the food in my freezer, a what-to-buy-for-who for Christmas list, a list of blog post ideas, and a general list of things I must not forget. I also keep a list of all my clothing purchases (split into new and pre-loved), which I've done for the past four years.

Yep, I'm a list writer, a writer of lists. I'm addicted to ticking things off, and for good measure I put a line through them too.

Because I can.

They're my lists.

My lists will always be written down in a notebook, with a pen, just so that I can get the satisfaction of crossing something off, whilst saying 'that's another job jobbed', a phrase inherited from my Mother. She's a lister too.

A lister will always have a good supply of notebooks. Perhaps even a few too many...

Day 11 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

I organised a clothes swap at the weekend and came home with three lovely dresses. Two I love, the other I like but I’m not sure about. The beauty of a clothes swap is that if I don’t like it, I can take it to another swap. Or sell it on ebay. Or donate it. Either way I'm not really losing anything.

The first dress I found was a Louche Jena dress in red and grey, this is my favourite. I think this will be lovely to wear all year round and could be worn for meetings or just casually. It’s pretty versatile.

Then I picked up a cute red party dress by Union Boutique, not a brand I've heard of before but it looks well made, with boning to the bodice and full lining. It’s a lovely fabric with a bit of a sheen to it, it also has a bit of a petticoat going on. In my opinion this dress could only be improved with the addition of pockets. My feeling is that it'll be perfect for Christmas, but I could also wear it to a wedding next summer.

Lastly, I was rather taken by the art nouveau fabric of this Atmosphere dress, I have a feeling it’s too young for me - a little short, a bit too flared - but I’m going to style it up and see how it feels. Expect a post soon, where I’ll appreciate your honest opinion on it's age appropriateness.

Clothes swaps can be a bit hit and miss, you never know what people are going to turn up with. Sometimes you find very little but other times it’s like going on the best shopping spree ever, made so by the fact that you’re not spending a single penny.

Have you ever been to a clothes swap? I love them! Just beware of 'The Snatcher', there is one lurking at every swap.

Day 10 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

Style - A distinctive appearance

A few years ago, I spent some time pondering three words that would describe my style. I came up with classic, casual and versatile.

Classic - because I like classic shapes. I stick to clean outlines and avoid fussy styles and fabrics, and anything too 'on trend'.

Relaxed - because I can't stand wearing something I feel button up and rigid in. Even when dressed up I have to feel comfortable (one of the things I loved about my wedding dress was that it was so comfortable to wear - I could breathe, move, sit, and dance with ease).

Versatile - because I feel I can style a lot of the items in my wardrobe to suit different occasions.

Looking through my Looks I Love Pinterest board my love of jeans is obvious, chunky knitwear and scarves feature highly and stripes, lots of stripes. It's peppered with floaty maxi dresses and pretty floral pieces, statement necklaces and an occasional pop of colour - and this pretty much sums up my wardrobe.

I think that my wardrobe lacks a few items - a black fitted jacket, classic black court shoes (Louboutin I'm looking at you), and a winter coat that makes me want to snuggle into it and never take it off, but all-in-all I'm happy with my lot.

I have a few dream pieces that I would love to find. I should happen across a cute jacket like this one...


or a sequin jacket like this one, I'd be one happy little blogger.



What three words would you use to describe your style?

Day 9 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

It's been a busy few days. I'm tired, we had a late night. I was more than happy to spend some time doing nothing, because that's what 'self care' meant to me today. It's not often that I sit and do nothing, I'm a constant fidget.

After a late breakfast of bacon and eggs (cooked by my husband), I had a long hot bath, spent the day in my PJs and an afternoon watching TV on the sofa, but a scroll through my Twitter feed brought back that familiar feeling that I was wasting the day.

So, for the past few hours I've been in my office slowly sorting through paperwork, sipping hot chocolate, and clearing my desk for tomorrow, because tomorrow is going to be another busy day. But now I feel prepared, I've written a list.

Come on Monday, I'm ready for you.

Happy Sunday!
Day 8 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

I'm not going to get a chance to write a blog post today. I'm writing this on Wednesday evening instead. Because I want to blog every day in November I've already scheduled tomorrow's and Friday's post too.

On Thursday afternoon I'm driving up to Solihull so that on Friday I can have a full day at the NEC at the Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show. We'll drive home early evening and then I'll have to prepare for a clothes swap I've organised for Saturday.

I'll be up early on Saturday to load the car and get set up.

When I arrive home again I'll be getting ready for people to arrive for our firework night, so I'm writing this on Wednesday.

The BEDN topic for today is 'Unusual Hobbies' but mine are anything but unusual - reading, knitting, patchwork...

So today I thought I'd share with you an article I stumbled across a while ago, an article that has stuck with me, an article that has me frequently muttering the words 'today is not over yet'.

Because we all have days that slip away, we all write off the non-days, the days that don't start off well.

Because a wasted day is lost forever.

And the picture of a sleeping cat? Well, that's just because.

Day 7 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

Twisting today's BEDN prompt, Friday Night In, a teeny bit as I'm going to talk about gin. I love gin. And this will come as no surprise to anyone.

It's a well known fact.

When Sophie was invited to experience a gin afternoon tea, she asked me if I'd like to go along with her. She picked me up from the station and drove us to our destination - which meant I had to drink her gin too! That's a real friend right there. What a legend.

For my birthday my brother gave me a tall glass etched with 'Hazel's Gin & Tonic', accompanied by an Origin Single Estate Gin tasting set, with gins from Italy, Macedonia, Kosovo, The Netherlands and Bulgaria (review to come).

I always spend an afternoon each year, foraging for sloes to make myself a hearty helping of delicious sloe gin. And I have a plan to make some elderberry gin too, and some elderflower gin.

It's safe to say that next year I'll be all set for gin.

Anyway all of this is leading up to a bit of a gift guide. If you know anyone who loves gin (we all know someone) then this is for you / them.

Take it from a gin lover, these gifts are the next best thing to an actual gin.

Although, if in doubt just go ahead a buy them actual gin (I can recommend Rock Rose Gin).

I've talked about my first ever Bonfire Night on the blog before, so this time around I'm going to tell you what we do each year. It's not always on fireworks night, but on a Saturday near the date we host 'An Evening of Pyro'.

It's a tradition that we took over when, after 15 years, Andy's friend's parents moved house and a new venue had to be found.

It basically involves a group of friends, a mountain of fireworks and a bonfire, followed by chilli and rice, soup, and a cake of some description.

I have mixed feelings about private firework displays to be honest, I always feel that there is too much risk involved especially in built up areas, but Andy and his friends have been doing this for 17 years now and so far it's always been without incident.

We find a field well out of the way for the fireworks (and there are many) with a small bonfire for warmth, and then we head back to the house for food. We light a second bonfire and this year I'm adding marshmallows to the mix. I always feel a bonfire without marshmallows is a wasted opportunity.

More than anything this is about upholding a long standing tradition. This is the only time we see some of the people who attend over the course of the year, and we greet each other as if we saw each other only yesterday. For me this is the mark of true friendship.

I sometimes wonder how many years we'll keep it up, I hope for many to come, each year adding new faces in the form of girlfriends that turn into wives and, who knows, maybe a few years from now we'll see the first of the next generation of pyros...?

Day 5 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

I have a rather nifty little app on my iPhone called Pro HDR and it has allowed me to take some awesome photographs over the past few years.

It takes a double exposure and can produce some beautiful results, it's especially good for landscapes and capturing skies at sunrise and sunset. But it's not suitable for people shots or anything that moves as you have to keep still whilst it takes the two exposures.

And because I'm nowhere near done talking about my recent trip to the Sahara Desert, I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite shots taken with Pro HDR (any excuse!)

Sunset Day 2





Sunrise Day 3




Only a few left to go, keep scrolling!




And just to show you the difference, below is a shot taken at sunset with my normal iPhone camera, see how the sky is over exposed?

That aside, it's me sitting on a sand dune in the Sahara, look it's me! In the Sahara! (Can I go back please?)



Day 4 of Blogging Every Day In November with Rosalilium

Today's BEDN prompt is Food Glorious Food!

Now, who doesn't have the song from Oliver going around their head?

When I hear the term I always think of comfort food, good hearty meals made in the colder seasons to warm you to your very soul (despite that fact the song was sung by hungry orphans).

When pondering what to cook for supper tonight I was reminded that Andy had never had dumplings. I'll say that again, Andy had never had dumplings! I had an inkling that he'd love them, so I cooked them this evening and because I felt kinda guilty about suet being not the most healthy of ingredients, I decided to make the meal vegetarian.

This took me to my friend's blog Bessie's Veggie Kitchen, to try her recipe for Veggie Stew with Herby Dumplings (recipe originally from Tesco Real Food, although my friend switched it up for the slow cooker). I knew I'd make this one day, I mean how can anyone go through life without sampling the delights of a dumpling?


I threw the veg in the slow cooker this morning and added the super-simple-to-make dumplings half an hour before we ate.

The verdict?

I loved it (although as a meat eater I have to admit that I think it would be improved with a few large chunks of beef). Eating this took me back to winter nights sat around our dining room table, hoping my Mum wouldn't make me eat all of the vegetables on my plate. Supper with a huge side order of nostalgia.

And what did Andy think?

"Can we just have dumplings next time pleeeeease?" As I type he's on the phone asking his Mum why he's never had dumplings before...

I think it's safe to say that the dumplings were a hit.

Ingredients

For the stew
1tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely sliced
1tsp paprika
300g Quorn Pieces
2 sticks celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled, chopped
200g mushrooms, sliced (although I don't like mushrooms so I used a parsnip)
1 pint vegetable stock
1tbsp cornflour, blended to a paste with a little water
1 bouquet garni

For the dumplings
100g self raising flour
50g light vegetable suet
1tsp dried mixed herbs (I used parsley)
pinch salt
ground black pepper
75ml milk

Instructions

For the stew
In the morning put the onion and oil into the slow cooker (set to low) and stir
Add the paprika and Quorn pieces
Add the celery, carrots and mushrooms
Stir well and add the stock
When the stock starts bubbling, add the cornflour paste and the bouquet garni

For the dumplings
Make the dumplings by sieving the flour into a bowl, stir in the suet
Add the herbs, salt and pepper and mix to a smooth, elastic dough with the milk
Divide the mixture into 10-12 small pieces and roll into small balls

An hour before you want to eat, turn up to high

30mins before you want to eat, add the dumplings.


Day 3 of Blog Every Day In November with Rosalilium

A mixed bag of empties this time around. Some I liked, some I didn't.

This one I loved! Although it might've been usurped for a few new products I've found recently, this Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant is great for dull skin. Used twice a week my skin felt brighter and as it helps to combat congestion it can help to keep blemishes at bay.

I first heard about this Lisa Eldridge's skincare routine video. I think the name is a little misleading though, I wouldn't expect a 'gentle' exfoliant to have much impact on my skin, but this really did. I highly recommend this product.

Next up, a few base items. An eyeshadow primer by Nicka K New York. I got this in a Glossybox ages ago and really liked it. It's cheap at £4.99 but having finished this tube I discovered one I like better. The Nicka K version has a wet formula, whereas my new find is dry and easier to apply - Beauty Bay The Collection Lip & Eye Primer. It's a total bargain at £3.00 and can be used on the lips too (although I haven't used it on my lips yet).

And Supergoop! CC Cream, I mentioned this last year and I found a second tube of this hidden in the bottom of my make up bag, I've fallen in love with it all over again. It's self adjusting colour gives great coverage without being obvious and I love that it has an SPF 35. A full size tube is pricey at £32.00 for 47ml but as it acts as a foundation, primer and SPF you're getting three products in one.

The Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Anti Belmish Purifying Cleansing Wash didn't blow me away. In fact his has been discarded while half full. I expected to feel / see / notice a difference but I didn't. I'd rather use my beauty staple, The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, over this any day.

I did and didn't like this OGX shampoo and conditioner. My hair felt nice after use but this is over shadowed by what I didn't like, which was that the bottles are hard and it can be really difficult to get the product out. The product itself is quite thick, which probably doesn't help, and I found I had to warm the shampoo between my hands before I could use it, otherwise it felt as if it was tangling my hair. Also, you can't stand these on their head when they're nearly empty. So annoying.

This No7 Skin Beautiful Energising Mask so old! It's got about a third left in the tube but I'm done with it. It's a really nice mask, it leaves skin looking more radiant but as much as I enjoy a peel off mask (it's so satisfying to get it all peeled off in one piece, right?) I also find them a bit of a faff. I won't be repurchasing but I would recommend it if you like peel off masks.

Love this Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. I have the radiance primer too which is equally as good, but this is the primer that convinced me I should use one. It really does make my foundation / BB cream go on with ease, and it looks better and lasts longer.

Without doubt I'll purchase this again.

There where three products that I found really disappointing. The Maybelline Baby Skin had a really artificial, plasticy smell that really put me off putting it on my face, and The Rodial Lip Balm had a funny taste that left my mouth feeling coated. Not pleasant.

But it was the MyChelle SPF that was the most disappointing. It has quite a thick consistency, so when I applied it I felt I had to rub it in a lot, and when used with a serum, a primer and a moisturiser or BB cream it just felt like too much.

I find that too many layers of product end in the whole lot rubbing off. Two or three layers are enough for me, so I'll be sticking to products with an SPF included instead.

What products have made it into your beauty cabinet?

Day 2 of Blog Every Day In November with Rosalilium