I didn't blog much in October, not for any particular reason, I was simply feeling uninspired, not just with blogging but in life in general. I'm pleased to say I'm feeling more upbeat, which might have something to do with the upcoming festivities (note how I didn't use the C word there?).

It's been a really nice week, here are some highlights.

On Saturday I met Sophie and Kezzie for a charity shop rummage in Ipswich. We generally have a successful day shopping, although we found fewer items than usual this time, we each returned home with a number of purchases.



I asked them both to stop me buying any wool, and twice Kezzie had to tell me 'step away'. And although I didn't need any books, I did have a mental list of five authors I was allowed to buy. I stuck to this except for a pristine copy of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. I'd read a short review by Betty the day before, and loved the sound of it. It seemed too serendipitous for me to leave it behind.

Of the five authors I found books by four of them, coming home with six books, which is pretty restrained for me!

I'll share what else I bought in my Buyer's Archive post at the end of the month.

To bookend our shopping we visited a cafe called Hullabaloo. It's a plant based cafe, and one we only visited because our usual cafe was standing room only. Sophie spied it from across the street, proving to me once again that I've stopped really looking at my surroundings I've become so accustomed to them.



I had a delicious chocolate and beetroot cake (so nice I had it on both visits), and earl grey poured from a cute little teapot. I'll be going back there for sure, I much prefer independent cafes such as this to the likes of Costa or Cafe Nero, which seem to be on every street corner.

Kezzie asked if we were wearing fully charity shopped outfits, which would've been apt for our shopping expedition, but I realised I wasn't. Whilst my coat and top were charity shopped, my jeans, shoes, and bag were bought new. My thinking is that I'll only buy new items when I know for certain they'll stand the test of time. That said, it's rare for me to go into high street clothes shops these days, now that I know what treasures can be found second hand, the charity shops are my first port of call.

I have to admit to feeling some serious hair envy, both Sophie and Kezzie have gorgeously long hair, and the week before last I had a terrible haircut. I asked for 2 inches to be cut off and for layers around the face (I took pictures with me), but what I got was 5 inches hacked off and not a layer in sight. I cut layers myself when I got home but will have to wait for it to grow in length. I felt conscious of the 3 inches I'd been robbed of. I don't think I've ever had a haircut that I've been truly pleased with, even when I've been really clear (and realistic) about what I want. Is it just me?

Anyway, hair woes aside, I've been making loads of pom poms with my ridiculously huge stash of wool to make wreaths for a craft fayre. The first one is finished and looking jolly festive, I'd forgotten how much I enjoy making them, it's very relaxing. The fayre is two weeks away and I still have so much I want to make, so I'm planning a weekend of crafting (sod the housework).

Andy and I have been plotting for Christmas. We know what we're doing on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and have turned our attention to buying gifts, we've even been out shopping. I think we've had some pretty inspired gift ideas. For my side of the family we keep things simple with a Secret Santa and have a £30 spending limit. We did it for the first time last year and it worked really well. Andy's sister would like to do it for their side of the family but is meeting some resistance... I doubt she'll give up trying though, and I secretly hope she succeeds.

I've had a night out with friends in a local steak house. I don't see these guys very often and it's great to catch up. Getting together is very much like stepping back in time to my 20s, it's reassuringly familiar, and always good fun.

Looking into the new year I booked tickets to see The Russian State Ballet of Siberia perform The Nutcracker in March. Earlier this year Mum and I went to the ballet for the first time, and vowed it wouldn't be the last. It's nice to have something in the diary for 2020.

What have you been up to this week?