24 Jul 2021
Columbia Road Flower Market, London
11 Jul 2021
Reading Recap: The Books I Read In April, May & June
First trimester nausea/tiredness meant reading has been sloooow over the last few months but here’s what I worked through in between dry heaving over absolutely nothing.
The Disappearance of Stephanie Mailer - Joel Dicker
Two mysteries; one in 1994 when the quiet seaside town of Orphea reels from the discovery of four murders and one twenty years later when a journalist approaches the police officers and suggests they got the wrong guy and the real murderer is still out there. But before she can give more details, she vanishes. I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it was a well laid out mystery and I read until the end because I wanted to know what happened, but on the other I found myself getting bored at times and felt the book could have been a lot shorter. 2/5
The Road Trip - Beth O’Leary
Beth O’Leary’s third novel follows Addie and Dylan, flashing between the start (and end) of their relationship in France and the awkward road trip they are forced to take together two years later. She is fast becoming an author whose books I’ll buy without even reading the blurb. They are the ultimate feel-good reads but without feeling remotely cheesy. Her characters are always vivid and flawed, she’s not afraid from delving into dark topics and the stories always have the ability to make me laugh & cry. I love them, and The Road Trip was no different. 5/5
A Coat of Yellow Paint - Naomi Davis
I’ve been reading Naomi’s blog Love Taza for several years now so I automatically picked up her book when it came out. A collection of essays on family, motherhood, careers, infertility, life in general. It’s an easy and enjoyable read, although I would say it’s probably more for those who already read her blog. 3/5
The Prison Healer - Lynette Noni
Kiva Meridan has worked as a healer at the notorious death prison Zalindov for ten years. Her only goal is to stay alive in the hope that one day she will be rescued. One day the infamous Rebel Queen arrives at the prison and Kiva receives the message: Don’t let her die. We are coming. The queen is sentenced to the Trial by Ordeal: a series of challenges against air, fire, water and earth. Kiva volunteers to take her place; if she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted freedom. But no one has ever survived. I loved this story; the complex fantasy world was created really well and immediately drew me in. The characters jump from the page and I loved the two twists; particularly the big one at the end. Can’t wait for the next in the series, due out later this year. 5/5
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series - Stieg Larsson
This was a re-read; I’ve read this trilogy a few times over the years. I’m sure many people have heard of these now; they follow Lizbeth Salandar, a computer hacker, and Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist in a complicated story about cold murder cases, violence against women, government corruption, and the power of the media. I’ve always thought that they are brilliant (although they should come with every trigger warning in the book) and would highly recommend if you’ve never read. 5/5
Happy reading folks x
9 Jul 2021
Recent Happy Things
Currently sat on the sofa with the football on the tv (I’m sure you’ll be shooketh to know that this was not my choice of viewing). Like everyone, our lives have taken a knock over the last 18 months and whilst I started this year determined to keep writing blog posts because I think it important to document memories even in the rough times, the reality of the first trimester of pregnancy immediately following a long winter lockdown meant everything just felt a bit too much.
SO, I’m taking it back to the blog origins: a good old list of recent joys (a flashback to those old school little gems posts). Because getting back to basics and celebrating the small, happy things is the best way to kick things back into action.
Seeing people. I don’t think I’m over the novelty yet; it is so nice to have been able to catch up with loved ones… although does anyone else feel bloody knackered afterwards? My body clearly hasn’t caught up with the fact that socialising is back in.
Wedding anniversary. Take two and this year, we could actually go out so we’re on the up. The weather was glorious so we went out for pizza and mocktails and sat out on a restaurant terrace in the shadow of the cathedral, before grabbing an ice cream and going for a walk along the river. It was lovely.
12 week scan. Our offspring was not playing ball and, despite some veerrry dignified hip thrusting and star jumping, would not get in the right position to do their screening tests but it was still amazing seeing them on the screen. Those ickle feet, omg.
Columbia road flower market. I spent a weekend in London, staying at a friends, and along with some excellent food, baby clothes browsing and luxury manicures, we went to Columbia Road flower market which has been on my bucket list for yonks. The weather was dreamy, there were peonies everywhere (our faves) and it was just so much fun.
The cinema. I went to the cinema with my dad and sister for the first time since February 2020 and I have so missed it. Absolutely loved returning to a big bag of popcorn, settling down in a comfy chair and the lights going out. We saw A Quiet Place 2 and I can recommend (although we spent half the time jumping!).
Grey’s Anatomy. Literally a couple of days before I found out I was pregnant, when I was feeling really tired, I decided to give Grey’s Anatomy a whirl having never watching it before (I know) and I think it might become my pregnancy/newborn watch. I stick it on when I don’t have much energy and anticipate it might be a good one for those sleepy not-getting-out-of bed newborn days. And I have 17 series to keep me going…
Sushi date. A new sushi place has opened in town and Gary and I took ourselves for a quick lunchtime date recently; definite perk of working from home. I love veggie sushi so am excited that we have a new local place.
Baby heartbeat. I got to hear this at my 16 week appointment and my lovely midwife passed me my phone and asked if I wanted to record it which was just the nicest thing. Love that I have it to listen to.
My gal Beth who has basically been my personal pregnancy cheerleader. She messages me every new pregnancy week, counting with me and has always answered all my weird and wonderful questions (mostly ‘wtf is this…’). Bloody love her.
Holiday plans. I keep wondering why I feel so worn out and whilst, I know I know, pregnancy is tiring; I’m also fairly convinced that the lack of time off this year has finally caught up with me. Luckily, we have two weeks off at the end of this month and - brace yourself - actually have a (UK) holiday booked. The sceptical part of me still can’t quite believe we may really be able to go away but the closer we get, the more I allow myself to start hoping!
11 Jun 2021
Life Lately (+ Some News)
I think this may be the longest I have ever gone without writing, both online and off. There has been a lot going on and it has been somewhat all consuming. The past couple of weeks have felt like waking up and my mood has taken a dramatic lift. I’m tentatively dipping my toe back into a world where I feel vaguely human again so here’s a bit of an update to get started!
A teeny human
No point beating around the bush - there is a baby growing in my belly! This is the main reason why I feel like the past few months have passed in a bit of a daze; my life has been solely based on simply making it through to the end of the day without vomiting and trying to do so whilst working. By some miracle, I only took two days off sick and I have never been more grateful to be working from home. I can’t say I’ve enjoyed feeling so unwell and off kilter but I do feel like I’ve recently emerged out the other side and with the tentative return of my personality and normal eating habits has come the trickles of excitement for what’s ahead. I do plan to write about it all in more detail soon but for now, all being well, we’ll have a third member of our household by the end of the year!
Reunions
Oh how off my timing was. Just as restrictions lifted to allow us to see other humans again, morning sickness rolled in like a tidal wave of doom and for a while, it felt like lockdown continued just as it had been for the past 253 years which wasn’t exactly peachy for my mental health. But, am pleased to report that I have managed to be reunited with friends and family in more recent weeks and even more pleased to report that I didn’t throw up on them which would have been a great way to tell them how much I’d missed them after months apart I’m sure. I’ve been so keen to make up for lost time that almost every single weekend is now booked up throughout the summer and I am SO ready to fill my days with sunshine and all my favourite people around the country!
Writing
Before pregnancy sucked my creativity dry (it is slowly returning thank gawd), I had a bit of a flurry of submitting my work for a couple of things and the results provided me with a much-needed lil boost during long weeks of feeling like an actual slug. I won second prize in the Henshaw Press March short story competition and had an article published on Mish Mash Food – you can read them here and here.
Garden renovation
Whilst I’ve been lying in a heap mostly feeling sorry for myself, Gary (and my step-dad) has been working tirelessly on our garden renovation. Our outside space has been stripped bare and the ‘glow-up’ is in progress. There’s been an alarming amount of sand, an incident with a shed flying across a bypass and an introduction to the bugger that is bindweed but it is beginning to take place and I can’t wait to sit in it with a G&T in hand (non-alcoholic of course…).
Jabs & sunshine & happy thoughts
I know there’s a long way to go before we’re out of this pandemic, I know there’s a lot to still be concerned about, but with the sun shining, a sore recently-jabbed arm and plans in the diary, I feel more optimistic than I’ve done since March 2020 and I’m going to hold onto that feeling for as long as possible.
Hope you are healthy and happy dear reader! I am glad to be back in my lil online space and am looking forward to writing more soon.
11 Apr 2021
The Letterbox Food You Need In Your Belly
Tomorrow is going to be a good day lads. The bookshop opens. The pub opens. Whether I have time to get in either of them, because I stupidly did not take the day off, remains to be seen but that’s not the point. It’s a new week and I will have the option to browse bookshops and drink in pubs again. We’re on the up.
Before I celebrate the return of eating out though, I just want to give a little thanks to the letterbox food that has provided much needed salvation on birthdays, celebrations and dull Thursday nights during lockdown. These have been my faves:
Sending a box of these beauties does seem to now be the default Christmas/birthday gift between my friend and I, and I ain’t mad about it. We’ve loved them ever since we first visited the store and several boxes have been sent since that point. These huge, gooey cookies are just the best, they come in a gorgeous pink box and you have to order at least 6 in one go… shame...
Fresh pasta through the letterbox? With fancy sauces? What’s not to love? We bought a box for my birthday and I can confirm, it was delicious. Have so far resisted making it a regular subscription…
Franco Manca Pizza In The Post
One of my easy London catch-up-after-work restaurants, I have really missed those cheap sourdough pizzas in lockdown. I finally cracked and bought their letterbox kit for a random Friday night and, whilst not quite as good as in the restaurant, it was still very tasty and easy to make.
You’re probably familiar with the famous Dishoom bacon naan roll but if not – bacon & cream cheese in a naan bread with chilli jam. Sounds slightly random, tastes bloody delicious. So easy to make at home and brings that going-out-for-brunch vibe back to a Saturday morning.
This was one of my birthday presents for Gary and if you’re looking for something for a special occasion (or just fancy splashing out) at home, then I would recommend. It was about as close to the fancy-restaurant vibe as you’re going to get whilst still being at the kitchen table. We ordered the steak box which was so good but they do veggie and fish boxes as well, and they are all 3 courses.
The Pudding Stop Letterbox Brownies
One of our favourites when we lived in St Albans, I feel like I’ve been waiting for them to start doing letterbox brownies since I left. With a choice of chocolate brownie, salted caramel & peanut butter brownie, butterscotch blondie, raspberry & white chocolate blondie, caramel slice or rocky road, all in a letterbox-friendly box, these are a great gift to send someone (cough yourself cough).
9 Apr 2021
Reading Recap: The Books I Read In March
Hey there!
