My resolutions for 2018 were mostly made up of Day Zero Project goals. Some of which don't sound very exciting but ticking things off my to-do list makes me happy, no matter how mundane they might seem.

My 2018 Resolutions

Most importantly I wanted to spend more time with my favourite people. I both failed and succeeded. Some people I saw a lot more of, others not nearly enough.

The Day Zero goals were as follows:

Put all posters / pictures / paintings I have into frames and get them on the walls!
Falling at the first hurdle, I don't think there was a single photo or print or painting hung. This will soon change when I start to put the finishing touches to our bedroom now that it's been redecorated.

Buy / make shelves for the kitchen, kitchen cupboard, bedroom, and bathroom
My Dad made a gap filling shelf unit for the kitchen but the other shelves are still on the list.
Read a book every month with that month in the title
Done. I started with The Two Faces of January by Patricia Highsmith and ended with December by Elizabeth H. Winthrop. I'm planning a review post soon.

Finish decorating the entrance hall
Done! It was the gloss work that needed to be finished and I just kept putting it off. I'm so relieved to have it done and off the to-do list. Now I need to finish it by finding and hanging a coat rack.

Decorate our bedroom in a gorgeous deep bluey green
I had the paint ready and waiting. Then changed my mind and spent ages choosing a different shade of green. But when I told Andy I was painting the bedroom green his face expressed the fact that he wasn't keen on the idea, so we agreed on a different colour and the redecoration was finally completed in November.

Decorate the downstairs toilet
Done. I didn't stray far from what we already had, I just refreshed the walls using a similar colour (creamy beige), stained the mirror frame as it had faded, and added a pot plant. I have a print that I want to hang but I want to get it professionally framed.


Buy a printers tray, hang it on a wall and fill it with mementos
Done. It's on the wall, and has a few more spaces filled but I don't see it being completely filled any time soon. I'm in no hurry, the idea is to fill it with memories over time. The latest addition is a small Christmas bear.

Spruce up the front door
Nope.

Kondo the kitchen
Nope.

Kondo the pantry
I made a start but failed to finish the job properly, and now I need to start all over again.

Kondo the cupboard under the stairs
I made a start early in the year but it still needs to be finished. The Marie Kondo method calls for the process to be started and finished in one day and I can see why, once started it's so easy to keep putting it off, for clutter to creep back in.


Sand and repaint the side entrance door
Done! After fitting a new door and painting it a delicious shade of green in 2017 I was gutted when the paint was scratched, so one day in the summer I sanded it down and repainted it. And yesterday I noticed another scratch...

See a psychic
Done.


Photograph the same landscape across 12 months and make it into a calendar
Done. I'll pop all the photos in a separate post. I don't know if I'll turn them into a calendar as I received two for Christmas and a third seems wasteful but it is lovely to have this record. I think I'll do it again this year with a different view.


Visit seven restaurants in seven days
Either for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, or even just for dessert. This is how I decided to celebrate my birthday. In reality I had two days of eating out and that was more than enough. I needed to pace myself. Maybe this year?


Read a book set in my hometown
Done. The book I chose was 22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson. My friend used to live on this road, so I know it well. It was really enjoyable to be able to picture the house and garden, and the town being described in the book.

Host afternoon tea
Nope.

Eat battered pizza, followed by battered Mars bar. Just once.
Nope. I mentioned this to Andy and he agreed, we just didn't make it happen.

In addition to these Day Zero goals I added the following;


A ban on buying books (with the exception of those needed for my reading challenge).
Fail! In January I spent 59p on a book for May (Bertie, May and Mrs Fish: Country Memories of Wartime by Xandra Bingley). I didn't even read it as it turned out I'd already purchased One Day in May by Catherine Alliott for the challenge back in December '17, but I'd completely forgotten that I'd done so.

In April I found three books in a series I've been reading; 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith. They were the next three in the sequence so I justified the purchase by telling myself it might be a while before I come across these books again. It doesn't take much to convince me to buy books.

As we got to the middle of the year the ban went out of the window completely. In total I purchased 36 books in 2018. I read 40, of these only 5 of them were books I purchased during the year, the others were already on my shelves. Clearly I need to buy less or read more.

Make the most of my weekends
I wanted to avoid the feeling of a weekend wasted and vowed that I would have a plan for the weekend in place by each Friday evening. It worked pretty well, although sometimes my plans weren't very exciting, it gave my weekends a focus. I now have a set of Weekend posts to look back on.

With Andy working almost every weekend throughout the year, and being self employed myself, the days of the week seem to blend into one and the weekends had lost all meaning. Doing this helped me to create a little more structure to my week.

As predicted I didn't do everything on the list but that's fine, there are plenty of other things I did do instead. It gives me a good start for my 2019 resolutions, which I'm currently pondering.

What do you have planned for the year ahead? I'm still pondering my resolutions...

Happy New Year!

I'm starting 2018 with feelings of hope and positivity. I've decided that this year will be a good one. So many people I care about had a tough time in 2017, so I've decided that this year will be better, for everyone. No arguments.

With this in mind I'm setting out some goals for the year. The first, and most important, being to spend more time with my favourite people. To enjoy the little things, and do things that make me smile.

Spending more time with my absolute favourite is a must and I've decided that we should visit Guernsey. After reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I've had a hankering to explore the island (it's a lovely book if you fancy a read). We can go by ferry, Andy love boats and being on the water, and I think we'll really enjoy the island.

I thought it would be a good idea to put some of my Day Zero goals on this list, it'll help me to tick things off, and as I want to get on with the flippin' decorating I decided to add any goal that included home improvement. Sorting stuff out and getting organised puts a smile on my face, so they're not as boring as they might appear.

Anything crossed out is completed, but there is plenty here to keep me occupied.

002. Put all posters / pictures / paintings I have into frames and get them on the walls!
003. Buy / make shelves for the kitchen, kitchen cupboard, bedroom, and bathroom
005. Finish decorating the entrance hall
006. Decorate our bedroom in a gorgeous deep bluey green - I've already purchased the paint.
007. Decorate the downstairs toilet
008. Buy a printers tray, hang it on a wall and fill it with mementos
009. Spruce up the front door
010. Kondo the kitchen
011. Kondo the pantry
012. Kondo the cupboard under the stairs
013. Sand and repaint the side entrance door
021. See a psychic (booked for Jan 16th)
038. Read a book every month with that month in the title. I'm starting with The Two Faces of January by Patricia Highsmith
060. Photograph the same landscape across 12 months and make it into a calendar
085. Visit seven restaurants in seven days - either for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, or maybe just dessert?
086. Read a book set in my hometown. The book I've chosen is 22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson. My friend used to live on this road, so I know it well.
098. Host afternoon tea
099. Eat battered pizza, followed by battered Mars bar. Just once.

And to add something I don't want to do - no book purchases (with the exception of those needed for my reading challenge). I've got more than enough to see me through the year.

It's my hope that these things will make the most of my weekends. For the most part my weekends seem to drift by, I don't tend to make specific plans. Sometimes it's nice to have absolutely nothing to do, but I occasionally get to Sunday evening and feel the weekend has been wasted on nothing but housework, or other such non events.

Each weekend I want to have a plan to do or achieve at least one thing. It doesn't have to be a huge adventure, and sometimes it might turn out to be a plan to just put my feet up and read. But, no matter what, by the time each Friday rolls around I want to know at least one thing the weekend will bring.

At the end of 2018 I hope to have many lovely memories of times spent with my nearest and dearest, much less on my home improvement list, and fewer books waiting to be read.

What do you hope 2018 will bring?

On my birthday last year I wrote a wish list for the year, and having turned 42 nearly two month ago I thought it was time I look over it, and maybe write a new list for Year 42.

That said, a few posts ago I mentioned that I didn't see the point in writing about the things that I failed to tick off any of the many lists I write. Constantly reading 'I wanted to do x, but I didn't' really can't be very interesting for anyone.

With that in mind, the full list is here if you care to read it, and the things I ticked off are as follows...

Did I read everything that on my book shelves the day I turned 41 (29 books)?
Yes! and I read more besides. Two books that had been on my shelves for an age - Lolita and The Dice Man - were started and soon discarded for a more interesting read. Neither captured my imagination but everything else was read. During Year 41 I read 37 books and thanks to a few charity shop book buying sprees I have plenty more to keep me going.

Did I amass a huge book wish list in time for my birthday?
I did have a wish list, and I still do, but with all the books I've been buying (50 since January), I didn't ask for any for my birthday. The only one I received was from Andy, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, which currently sits at no.25 in my TBR pile. I have so many in the pile I'm considering a ban on buying books. I have no shelf space left, and I'm trying to clear some space in my office where they all currently live.

Did I have lots of cosy afternoons spent reading?
Yes! And a few in the hammock too (I would've liked more, stupid weather), but mostly I read in the early evenings whilst waiting for Andy to come home, or in bed at night before going to sleep. This year I've read more than I ever have, and it feels really good. I often read instead of mindlessly watching yet another repeat of The Big Band Theory on E4. Having read all the books that had been on my shelves for an age has been really satisfying, some had been gathering dust for years! The only thing is that I now have an entirely new set of books to get through.

Was my new company brand and website up and running in time for the new financial year?
Yes, and no. I know in my mind exactly what I want to do, how I want everything to look, I just need to actually do it.

Have I sussed the dairy-free thing?
I tried natural allergy testing, which was hugely beneficial, and now I can eat dairy again. So I didn't just suss it, I kicked it's ass!

Have I improved my flower arranging skills?
In a way. I started to use oasis in opaque vases so that the stems would stay where I put them, instead of flopping all over the place. It's most satisfying, however it's not quite the transformation of my skills that I'd envisioned, but progress none-the-less.

Did I remember to harvest elderflowers at the right time, and make cordial? And gin?
I made a litre of gin, and it's all gone already (it was delicious). As for cordial, I waited too long to pick the blooms and the rain and wind left them ragged and of no use. Still, there is always next year...

What would be on your list?

I wasn't going to write a resolutions post, especially as the start of the new year seems like ages ago. I hadn't planned to make any resolutions at all, but the dawning of a new year turned my thoughts to a whole year stretching out before me and all the possibilities it brings. There are so many thoughts and ideas that have popped into my mind that I wanted to get them down before they become a forgotten memory.

I've incorporated some of these into my winter list already, so apologies for the repetition, but adding them to seasonal lists might give me a greater chance of success. Maybe...

I want to grow strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, and maybe build fruit cage, I love the idea of eating sun warmed berries straight from the plant. Perhaps this year I'll just try my luck with bushes planted in pots, and see how I get on...

As for the garden I want to plant a eucalyptus and a spindle somewhere, and a cherry tree, and an apple tree in pots.

Rather than using our greenhouse to just store my tools and the BBQ, I want to grow a few veg. Spring onions, leeks, potatoes, and salad leaves... for a start.

When it warms up I want to create a bee bath. I found a number of drowsy bees last year and revived them with sugar water. I'd love a beehive one day but have no idea where to begin. In addition I'd like to plant some bee friendly plants. They love the thyme I have in the front garden but I could do with some more.

I'd like to improve my flower arranging skills, either by going to a class or relying on online tutorials, I'd like to progress from dumping stems into a vase and hoping for the best.

Embrace natural cleaning, I decided that this would be the year I finally get round to swapping out my chemical cleaners for more gentle options, I've been thinking about it for too long.

I want to cook a veggie meal once a month, Andy really enjoys vegetarian food but I rarely make veggie meals.

We've got into a terrible habit of eating in front of the TV, mostly because our dining room was drafty thanks to an old wooden window and door frame, but now we have a sparkly new double glazed french doors, there's really no excuse not to eat at the table. I'll start with at least once a week.

I have so many ideas for home improvements I want to make, I drive Andy nuts with my constant musings. One thing I can do though is decorate, the more skilled stuff will have to be left to the professionals, but I can daub paint on the walls, hang pictures, change lampshades and generally make things look prettier.

Last year I realised the importance of looking after me, it's a shame that taking some time to focus on your own needs can be seen as selfish but it's so important. I now have a regular head neck and shoulder massage to prevent a re-occurring problem I have with my neck - thanks to sitting at a desk everyday - but I also need to make time for exercise, and time to just sit and be, and to do things just for me.

Some days can feel very ordinary, some days can feel like your just living the same day over and over again. I'd love to keep a detailed journal but it's beyond me, believe me I've tried, so I want to write at least one positive thing in my diary every day. So far, so good.

My word to sum up 2016 was Crystallise, this year I want it to be Change.

I've been pondering my goals for the next year for a little while, wondering how I'd like my life to look when I open my eyes the day I turn 42.

Firstly, I'd like to wake up in a bedroom that's been decorated within the past year.

With luck (or perhaps should I say 'if I get off my backside'), home improvements will be on going, without long periods of inactivity between each task.

I'd have read everything currently on my book shelves (allowing me to amass a huge book wish list in time for my birthday, and giving me a good excuse for lots of cosy afternoons spent reading).

My new company brand and website will have been done in time for the new financial year.

Anything that currently needs altering, mending, dry cleaning, or replacing will be altered, mended, dry cleaned, or replaced.

I'd have Marie Kondo'ed the ass out of my house.

(I should probably document the specifics of these to keep track of my progress)

I'll have this dairy-free thing sussed. Some foods that contain diary have really surprised me!

My floristry skills will be much improved.

I'd have remembered to harvest elderflowers at the right time, and made cordial. And gin. 

My passport would've been used at least once, preferably twice.

And I'll have some great adventures to look back on.

I've read a lot recently about how September is the best time to make resolutions, January being too gloomy to make life changes. I agree that September brings a feeling of new beginnings with the start of a new school year, and after the lazy days of summer it feels like it's the perfect time to knuckle down and get shit done.

Fingers crossed for great year ahead!

I had such a lovely birthday. I started celebrating a week before and have only just finished. I was utterly spoilt, and have a pile of books, DVDs, and boxsets big enough to see me through to Christmas! Not to mention jewellery, clothes, and booze too.

Not to sound ungrateful for all of the lovely gifts I received, the best part of my birthday was spending time with my favourites. I am always so surprised how much time goes by between each meeting, time seems to go by quicker and quicker with each passing year. Remember when the six weeks school holiday seemed to last for ever? Now it's over in the blink of an eye.

After my last birthday I pondered what I wanted to achieve before my birthday this year. The list wasn't an exciting one but were things that I felt would have a positive effect on my daily life.

Create calm (by living in a tidy, organised home)
I wouldn't say I've created calm, but it is a bit calmer. Which is progress. Decluttering is taking time (Marie Kondo would not be impressed at my tardiness), but even if I am taking my time, it is getting done.

Improve my surroundings (by getting on with the long list of home improvements)
This also helps to add to the calm. I haven't finished as many jobs as I'd have liked but progress has been made.

My favourite improvement has been in the kitchen, we moved some cupboards around, replaced a damaged piece of skirting board, put up some shelves, and bought a new oven. These simple tweaks made a huge difference, the bits that niggled and irritated me every time I looked at them have gone.

It's by no means my dream kitchen, a shiny new kitchen a long way off, but it's better, and I'm much happier with it. I'm always surprised by what a big difference little changes can make.

Feel stronger and healthier
I started going to a Clubbercise class every Monday night, and I loved it, but the thing that happens to kill the enjoyment of every single class I've ever been to happened. It got popular. Which is good for the instructor - more money for them - but it meant the class was too full, I spent more time worrying about bashing into people than actually exercising. Most annoying.

I also tried a pilates class but the timing of it was not convenient and after a while I gave up. Which seems to be my strength when it comes to exercise - giving up.

My exercise seems to be limited to gardening, which I do a lot of these days but it's not enough.

Eat healthier
I'm succeeding here - most of the time. There are odd days when food just doesn't seem that important, days when thinking about what to eat and preparing food seems so boring. I spend the day grazing on whatever I can find in the fridge instead, but these days are becoming less and less frequent.

The first change I wanted to make was to cook from scratch, to seek out recipes of our favourite dishes instead of cooking from jars. I now have recipes for chilli con carne, chicken curry, cottage pie, and spag bol that are tastier than anything out of a jar, and Mary Berry's Express Lasagne was a huge hit until my doctor suggested I go dairy free.

I've tried lots of other new recipes with varying degrees of success, and I can't remember the last time I cooked anything from a jar.

Thanks to my tick list I'm eating breakfast daily, and therefore snacking less. I've also found that seeking out recipes and writing a meal plan makes me more aware of what I'm eating and as a result I'm eating more fruit and veg too. Gone are they days where I would buy vegetables, put them in the fridge only to throw them away when they started to wilt.

Make memories (by planning experiences and adventures)
This has been a success too. My plan was to simply get out more and see more of my favourite people, and I have - with husband in tow where possible.

It doesn't always go to plan though. Having bought tickets to attend at outdoor cinema screening of Top Gun with my best friend, we decided at the 11th hour that we were both old farts and seeing a film that started at 9pm was too late for both of us. I had to chuckle that evening as I got into bed with a book at 8:45pm. I text my friend and she was already in her PJs too. We decided on lunch and an afternoon movie later that week instead.

That aside, spring was uncharacteristically sociable with Andy, and when he's been at work I've been out and about with friends and family.

My favourite memories of Year 40 have to be the weekend I spent in the Sahara, and the day we cooked Christmas lunch for 17 people. Latitude and Jimmy's Harvest Festival were pretty cool too, but more often than not the best times are the simple things - a coffee with a friend, a woodland walk, an amble around the charity shops with an enthusiastic shopping partner.

I'm happy with how Year 40 turned out, my only regret is not having a party to celebrate entering a new decade. But it's never too late for a party.

What would you like to achieve before your next birthday?

It's my birthday at the end of the month and people IRL have been asking what I'd like, it's come around so quickly I hadn't really thought about it, but it didn't take me long to think of things I'd be more than grateful to receive.
As ever I have a long want-to-read list so added the first ones that sprang to mind to my wishlist, I seem to have found my reading grove again and am reading regularly. This is partly due to more evenings spent alone, and the sun making an appearance. I can often be found in my hammock lost in a book, or snuggled on the sofa with cat and tea, delighting in the opportunity to spend hours not moving or speaking, immersing myself between the pages.

Recommendations would be much appreciated if you have any?

Rock Rose Gin
Or if it's been released by then, the Summer Edition would be most welcome. This is the best gin I have ever tasted, and no birthday is complete without gin.

Y.A.S Dress size S
Simply because it's lovely. And it's a midi dress, and I'm loving the midi.

Toms in barberry pink, size 5.5
Sadly, my first pair of Toms have seen better days. I've worn them so much, and have been really impressed with how well they've lasted. Not only have they been worn a lot day-to-day since I purchased them in 2013, they've also seen me through two dusty weekends at Latitude, and travelled to the Sahara with me. I'm sure a replacement would be worn just as much, I can't imagine being without pair.

Hunter Wellington Chelsea boots in glossy black, size 6
I've been looking for some leather boots as every pair I own, bar one, are suede. Looking to autumn and winter I'll be needing some weatherproof boots. I often just want to pull on my wellies (I love my wellies) but I think wearing wellies out and about, if it's not raining heavily or very muddy, makes you look like a bit of a wanker. So I just wear them close to home. These Chelsea boot style wellies would be perfect for times when full boots are a bit much for wandering about.


Jacqueline sand leather strap watch  /  Original boyfriend blue chronograph watch  /  Georgia blue leather strap watch  |  All from watches2u.com

Either of these gorgeous Fossil watches would be so lovely to own. There's something about the styling of Fossil watches that really appeals to me. To my mind they're just as important as other accessories. I change my watch like other people might change a necklace.

What have you been coveting anything recently?

With Latitude '16 coming up I've been pondering the things I need to see me through the weekend.

After last year I've already purchased a pull along granny trolley for transporting my gear to the campsite, a mallet (hard to put pegs in the ground without one!), and some fluorescent guy ropes.

The black guy ropes that come with most tents are the work of the devil, they lurk in the half light just waiting to trip you over. And with luck it'll stop anyone tripping and falling onto my tent.

Perhaps the next most important thing is a good waterproof. We had stupidly good weather last year but I can't think we'll be so lucky this time around (look at me with my glass half empty), so I'm after a good waterproof layer. The worst thing about camping in the rain is being unable to get dry once it starts. Once you're soggy, you stay that way until the sun comes out.

I like the idea of a poncho for ease of use, there is nothing harder than wrestling your way out of a wet pac-a-mac in a small tent!

Shower in a bottle
Last year I used the Pump It Up Dry Body Wash and it was pretty good. It's basically a shower in a bottle, not as good as a shower but a good alternative to wet wipes. And in these situations every little helps.

Hair prettiness
I love wearing flowers in my hair but often feel self conscious when I do, a festival is one place I won't feel silly doing so. I've dug out my old flowers last seen when dressed as a fairy!

Sunnies
I live in my sunnies if I'm outside, I have no tolerance for the bright sunshine (or rather my eyeballs don't), so these are an absolute must.

Teapigs
I have a supply of Teapigs Yerba Mate and Tung Ting Oolong tea temples, and I'm hoping Sophie will be nice share her boiling water with me (thank you please Sophie?).

Camping mug
I have an old one that I love but wouldn't this be just perfect for a festival weekend adventure?

Huge scarf
I have banned myself from buying any scarves this year, but if I did buy one, this would be it. Good for a pillow, a blanket, a picnic, and, y'know, wearing as a scarf.

Are you festivaling this year?

I'm on the search for a pair of shoes for a wedding in early July. I'm wearing a dress I wore to a wedding in 2014 and I'm pleased, and looking forward to, wearing it again.

New Look is often my first port of call for shoes, particularly heels as they have a good selection at really reasonable prices, but most importantly, they're normally very comfortable.

I've done my time in painful heels, I now want style and comfort.

The wedding reception is going to be held in a marquee in the garden of the bride's family home, which means grass, and grass means a sinking heels, so I need a block heel suitable for the occasion.

Top  Pale Grey (or pink) Suedette Ankle Strap Block Heels  £19.99  |  Bottom left Pale Blue Ankle Strap Block Heels £19.99  |  Bottom right  Wide Fit Grey Pointed Mary Jane Block Heels £22.99

Light Brown Comfort Suedette Block Heels | £24.99

I'm thinking these are 'the ones'. I love the style and heel height, and I'll be able to wear them with tights if the weather doesn't behave itself. What's more I realised that they will also work really well with my Louche dress that I intend to wear for a work related meal in a few weeks - an excellent opportunity to road test them before the wedding.

These also caught my eye as a heel that's really versatile, not suitable for this occasion but nice none-the-less. I'll refrain. Probably.

Gold Glitter Sling Back Pointed Heels | £18.99

What's on your payday wish list?

Payday always means a little look in my favourite shops and this month I'm seriously tempted by a number of sweaters from Zara. These are my top three.

Asymmetric Knotted Sweater  |  £19.99
I think this would make a great addition to my spring capsule wardrobe, it will work well with the skirts I've selected and also with jeans. Dress it up, dress it down, it's versatile and very me. It looks a lot better on the model than the weird droopy picture here.

Round Neck Sweater  |  £19.99
A staple, and it has little buttons at the cuffs. Buttons :)

Asymmetric Hem Sweater  |  £22.99
I had something similar to this some years ago and wore it to death.

Moving on from sweaters


Ankle Boots  |  £17.99
These just happen to be exactly what I was looking for earlier in the year to complete my winter capsule (ask Sophie I was telling her all about my quest when we met). I wanted something with a bit of a heel, pull on, not suede i.e can be worn outside in the rain / mud, and dark red - just to make a change from black or brown.


Earlier in the year I ordered some Kurt Geiger boots but they were too high and not at all comfortable, and then a pair of brogue style boots from New Look, but they looked odd from above, like there was a bit of detail missing. Both pairs were returned and I stopped looking.

Would it be a good idea to purchase and pop them in my cupboard ready for autumn I wonder?

I don't have a Zara in my home town, which is a shame, although perhaps not for my bank balance. I can always find so much that makes me say 'that's nice, I like that', but it's the knitwear and footwear I love most of all.


In fact my wedding shoes came from Zara (nope, never going to stop dropping my wedding into the conversation).

What are you coveting this month?

My payday wishlist is all about the shoes.

Del Rey Sneakers  |  TOMS  |  £59.99
I've been looking for some casual let's-run-some-errands type trainers for a while and these new additions to the Toms range are ticking all the boxes. I just can't decide which colourway I prefer...

The £60 pricetag seems a little steep but when you consider I was looking at some Nikes at £70, and TOMS has a one for one scheme (for each pair you buy and child in need gets a pair of shoes free) these seem like the better choice, and not just because in my eyes they're really only £30 (and £30 for the 'free' pair).

Also, I tend to keep trainers for years. I have a pair of red Diesel trainers that I purchased over a decade ago, and they still get worn, albeit very occasionally now.

Can you tell I'm trying to justify a purchase? So help me out here, navy or grey?

New Look Macrame Sandals  |  ASOS  |  £17.99
I spied these sandals and instantly wanted them, they're a good replacement for some gladiator sandals that I had to throw out at the end of last summer. I like that they're sandals without showing off too much foot. Gorgeous colour too.

What's on your wishlist this month?

For my birthday I wrote a list of things I wanted to achieve over the year. I'm now six months away from my birthday and I'm doing well in some areas but not so well in others.

Create calm

This was about a general feeling of unease I had about the number of things on the my to-do list. Things that had been on there too long and had begun to bother me.

The de-cluttering is an on going process but I do feel the house is more ordered and tidier as a result. I need to carve out some time to really get stuck in.

I'm also planning what to plant in the garden, and seeking out plants for my hanging baskets, as this was an area that needed lots of care and attention.

Also, I've looked at my daily schedule and created some time just for me, to do as I please. I finish work a little earlier in the day now and spend an hour either reading or sewing, or just pottering about.

In this time I've most recently been sewing my patchwork quilt in an attempt to get it finished before March 1st (which is two years since I started it, which is the day I was taught how to). And that's tomorrow, did I finish it? No, but I have made excellent progress this year.

Work and other commitments have been keeping me busy and I found myself getting a little overwhelmed at the end of 2015, it became clear I needed to establish some boundaries between work, other commitments, housekeeping, and time for myself.

This allows me to be more organised and I no longer feel like I'm constantly chasing my tail.

Improve my surroundings

I did a few little DIY jobs at the end of last year, but nothing has been done this year so far, I have lots of plans underway though, and more than a few lists!

Feel stronger and healthier

It's hard to answer this one. My attendance at exercise classes has waned for one reason or another but I am doing more exercise than I was this time last year. Do I feel any different? No, but as long as I keep trying I can only improve.

Eat healthier

I think I am, if only because I'm eating more fruit and veg and cooking from scratch more often. I drink much less alcohol these days, which I think I can squeeze under the 'eat healthier' banner. But there is room for improvement.

Make memories

I'm still a little unsure as to what I actually meant when I wrote this (I'm sure I knew what I meant at the time!). I think it's about going places, seeing people and experiencing new things - making the most of life.

I have some definite plans for this year, and more in the planning stages.

I plan to go to V Festival, go to an outside cinema screening in July (film to be confirmed but it looks like it's going to be The Lost Boys, which is a film I love and have watched countless times).

I'm pondering the idea of going to Latitude as a day guest. Andy and I are definitely going to try a new steak restaurant opening soon, and I want to attend Weird and Wonderful Wood, and maybe visit Banham Zoo as I haven't been for years.

I'm going to a local antiques fayre in May, and to a vintage fayre in April.

I want to have brunch at a local cafe The Teapot Project, a community interest company, that intercepts supermarket food destined for landfill, it's a pay-what-you-feel-it's-worth set up and I've heard great things about it.

I've booked tickets to see The Crime Museum Uncovered at the Museum of London with friends soon, and want to visit Vogue 100 A Century of Style at the National Portrait Gallery, and have a nosy around the Natural History Museum too.

I'll be dragging my friends and family along, and seeing as much of them as I can in between, because I want to see them more than I currently do. I have a tendency to stay at home, happily filling my time with the things that fill my head and take my fancy, but nurturing these relationships is so important.

So here I sit at 40 and a half years old, slightly healthier, calmer and a bit more organised, with lots of exciting plans coming up, and having typed this I think I'm doing better with these resolutions than I first thought.

But the most important question is - is a half birthday worthy of cake?

It's almost payday, which means I am a step closer to getting my hands on the things that have been tempting me this month!



Navy Pinafore Dress  |  Next  |  £34.00
Love this! The top isn't attached so it's two for the price of one. I love it's simplicity and it's pockets. I think this would be really versatile for my spring capsule wardrobe.

Aloe Soothing Rescue Cream Mask  |  The Body Shop  |  £14.00
My love for the Body Shop knows no bounds and after Caroline Hirons gave it the thumbs up I've been wanting to try it, my thirsty skin will thank me.

Clinique CC Cream |  £28.00
Apparently this is good stuff and I've almost finished my current BB cream. This pin made me want it (Pinterest strikes again!)

Shopper Bag  |   ASOS  |  £32.00
A lovely hue for spring, roomy and soft leather, will go nicely with denim, grey, mink, burgundy, navy, khaki and white - all colours that feature highly in my wardrobe.

Flora Filagree Earrings  |  Accessorize  |  £10.00
They're just so very pretty, and not too big - that's very important.

What's on your payday wishlist?

I always seem have a (not so) little shopping list lurking at the back of my mind.

Some things stay on the list, never to be purchased, eventually slipping from view. Others have a very short life on the list and make it into my shopping basket as soon as payday comes around.

New Look Nude Pointed Heeled Court Shoe  |  via ASOS  |  £14.99
I tried a pair of these for a wedding last year but ended up wearing something I already owned. These would be a good staple and I already know they fit and are comfortable.

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: 80% probability before the summer

ASOS JANINE Embellished Summer Shoes  |  ASOS  |  £28.00
I had a similar pair last year that I loved (and ruined playing chicken with the sea).

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: 100% by the time the sun shines (probably before)

Nike Roshe Run Black Trainers  |  ASOS  |  £70.00
Expensive yes, but no matter how hard I look I can't find a nicer looking pair of black trainers. It's all about the look of them as they wouldn't be worn for sport.

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: 30% (dithering)

I discovered a new beauty blog - Jasmine Talks Beauty - that has led me wanting a number of new products

Kiko Super Colour Mascara in Plum  |  £5.90
I can't help but wonder what a difference a hint of colour to the lashes would make...

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: very high!

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask |  Feel Unique |  £22.99
This just sounds all kinds of perfect, and just what my skin needs - some hydration and TLC.

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: very likey indeed

The Body Shop Deep Sleep Comforting Milk Bath Float  | £14
And this - for all the pampering.

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: depends on if it somes back in stock...

Super Facialist Probiotic Micellar Cleansing Water  |  Boots  |  £6.99
I can't remember where I heard about this but it's definitely piqued my interest. I use a micellar water everyday for cleansing, but the person telling me about this said 'it feels as if it does something more than other micellars'.

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: definitely think this is worth a try!

Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara |  Boots  |  £6.99
Having seen this on a YouTube advert I was intrigued by the small brush. I've never got on with large mascara wands and this has a small wand, and promises volume, length, definition, lift and intense colour.

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: high

And lastly, thanks to a Lisa Eldridge make up tutorial I have now been introduced to the Rosie Huntington-Whiteley make up range - Rosie for Autograph. And it's so pretty. I want all of it.

Chance of making it into my shopping basket: not sure, it's all so lovely but I really don't need any of it... but isn't it pretty?

What's on your wish list?

I'm not going to make any resolutions for 2016.

I already make seasonal lists and I have a Birthday Wish list too. I love a list like the next list obsessive but even I think another one would be too much.

So here's a little update on my Wish List for Year 40.

Create calm
The house is in chaos after Christmas but I feel I've made a good start on de-cluttering. The calm aspect of it still eludes me but I haven't finished the tidying process yet, but progress is being made.

Improve my surroundings
Since my birthday I've done very little to tick anything off my home improvements list, which is why I've added a list of specific things I want to achieve to my winter list.

These are the things I have done
- Hung new brackets for hanging baskets
- Planted shrubs in two beds in the back garden
- Changed lampshade in downstairs loo
- Altered and hung bedroom curtains

Feel stronger and healthier
Pilates and Clubbercise each week are definitely helping. I'd like to find something else to do too.

Eat healthier
"I want to cook from scratch far more than I do now. First step is to find recipes to make our favourite staple dishes instead of cooking out of jars." This was also a resolution for 2015, I tried lots of new recipes but not of our staples. To start, recipes for lasagna and spag-bol need to be investigated, so that I can tweak and perfect them, and reach for ingredients instead of a jar. 

Make memories
My favourite memory of year 40 so far is my Sahara trip. Sleeping under the stars, running up sandunes in bare feet, and experiencing a sandstorm with a super group of people are moments that will stay with me forever.

These memories don't need to be huge, the quick trip that Andy and I took to buy Christmas decorations this year was super lovely too.

I'm beginning to think that 'Make memories' was a silly thing to list. I guess what I really meant was to learn to appreciate the good stuff. We make memories everyday - nice or otherwise - the trick is to keep hold of the good ones. I started a memory jar at the beginning of 2015 but, ironically, I forgot to add anything after my January enthusiasm wore off.

So I'm going to tweak this 'wish' to make an effort to document all the good bits photographically. I take loads of photos but I often find that I forget to take pics when I'm with others, just one snapshot is enough to capture a moment.

Overall I'm happy with progress so far, it's been good to evaluate and has given me renewed enthusiasm.

Are you making resolutions this year?

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  

Last year, around about the time of my birthday, I wrote a list of all the things I wanted to do before the next one rolled around.

Looking back at last year's list, it now seems a bit frivolous, it was just a list of nice things to do. Which is all well and good but I feel that this list should of more consequence, after all you can achieve a lot in a year.

Over the next 12 months I want to make some changes, changes to shape the life I want to lead. And I see this list as my motivation to make them happen. Acknowledging your goals, writing them down, is a contract with yourself.

I like to stop and take stock once in a while. It's all too easy to spend time doing nothing, or things of no importance and that seems a waste. Whilst I want to be grateful for the life I lead (and I am), I want to make the most of it and find ways to improve it.

So I sat with a cup of tea and I asked myself 'what I would like to be different this time next year?' 

The answers that came to me aren't particularly exciting, they're simple little things that will make a difference to life in small but fundamental ways, and will get things moving that have been floundering for too long.

Create calm

Living in a tidy, orgainsed home feels very 'together' to me, the de-cluttering needs to continue, and homes found for things that still sit in the boxes we moved in with.

Improve my surroundings

We have done a lot of work on our home since we moved in and there is still more to do, but I feel there are a lot of little projects that have been ignored for too long.

I need to just get on with it. Putting a big fat tick next to something on my to-do list is a little victory all of it's own.

Feel stronger and healthier

Last year I hoped to be able to look forward to a 5k run by now, but I failed miserably at that. I love the idea of getting up to go to a park run but I'm not sure that will ever happen.

I'm constantly reminded of what an amazing thing the human body is, but it needs to be nourished and taken care of to get the best out of it.

Recently I attended an exercise class for the first time in years. It was Clubbercise, easy-to-follow routines done in a darkened room with disco lights and glow sticks. It was excellent fun! I'm not saying I've suddenly turned into a fitness fanatic, but it could be the start of a less sedentary lifestyle.

Eat healthier

I want to cook from scratch far more than I do now. First step is to find recipes to make our favourite staple dishes instead of cooking out of jars.

Make memories

Have experiences and adventures. A year goes by so quickly that if you don't plan these things, time passes and you can never get that time back.

If blogging everyday for 40 days is doing anything, it's reminding me that sometimes you just need to make the decision, and find the time to do something, in order to get it done.

Making these things a priority is the key to making a difference.

What would you like to be different a year from now?

(Day 12 of blogging everyday for 40 days)

It's hard to remain in the summer mindset when it's so grey and dull outside, and while I'm holding out hope for an Indian summer, I can't help but turn my thoughts to Autumn.

Shops are already full of new season collections and well, it's all just so lovely and cosy and tactile.

When in Zara recently I saw so many lovely things. I went home and downloaded the app, which puts my bank balance in serious jeopardy.

Just a quick browse and I'm left with a huge mental wish list...







(Day 7 of blogging everyday for 40 days)

OK, so I'm well and truly feeling festive! The wreaths are on the doors and a few decorations have found themselves being dotted about the house. The tree is arriving on Saturday, a prospect that I am ridiculously excited about, it takes me hours to decorate but when I'm done I spend more time gazing at it that I do the telly.

My food delivery has been booked for the 23rd and we've got our Christmas diary sorted. The only thing I haven't done is give any thought to what I'm going to wear but not matter what I'll be shopping my wardrobe and making sure my waistband is forgiving enough for a roast with all the trimmings.

I just need to buy Christmas cards, write, and post them... when's the last posting day?

I first saw this on Pinterest and decided to apply it to my Christmas wish list. I think it's meant for children, but hey what the heck!





Benefit Majorette. I first saw this on Really Ree and even tweeted that I'd keep an eye out and buy it when it hit the shelves. Months later I still haven't got one. But I still want one.



Bosch Sander. OK, so I doubt you'll see this pop up on many bloggers wish lists but I am so sick of sanding by hand. Bring. It. On.




Nike Rosherun Winter Black Trainers. There is just something so, so lovely about these. I'm slowly turning into a flat shoes kinda girl - what's happening to me!




Amy Poulter, Yes Please. I'm dying to read this (love her!) but as I have a huge dislike of hardback books (reading books not beautiful coffee table type books), I'm happy to wait until it comes out in paperback. Just no spoilers 'k?

What's on your Christmas wish list?

Whilst catching up on one of my favourite blogs, The Online Stylist, I was introduced to Boticca.

I have obviously been doing an awful lot of online browsing recently, just check back over my recent 'wishlist' posts to see what I mean. So, I'm not going to post a huge long list of the things that took my fancy, I'm just going to show you my absolute favourite and then urge you to visit the site and take a look for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

Toosis three stones ring with pink quartz and purple amethyst.

Pretty yes?

I'd love to know what your favourite piece is!