Thriving your way
Belong by Radha Agrawal is about connecting with people by joining and building communities. The premise is we all feel happier when we are connected to other people. In fact, Radha says “having weak social ties is as harmful to our health as being an alcoholic, and twice as harmful as obesity” – scary. The aim of the book is for you to become “aware of who you are and intentional about what you want Continue Reading …
As my birthday is between both my children’s birthdays and Christmas it is often a low key event. I wanted to make sure this wasn’t the case for my 40th birthday. I wanted to do something I would remember. 40th Birthday Ideas I started thinking about ideas about 18 months before my birthday, and started saving some money each month so I could pay for an activity with joy instead of guilt or worry about Continue Reading …
Since February, we’ve been in our house for five years, and the last year has been a busy one with noticeable changes. Done The biggest change has been in the area where my husband (and kids) knocked down the walls last year. My father in law and husband built new walls to create a study, utility room and shower room. They have also tiled the hall, shower room and utility room and fitted the shower toilet and Continue Reading …
It has only taken me a third of the year to start a journal in 2018. As I continued using the undated journal I’d started in August 2017 at the start of the year. My new journal is a change from the Castelli notebooks I’ve used for the last few years. This one is a Flame Tree Notebook* and was a 40th birthday present. The cover pattern is based on Turkish Iznik style stone paste tiles Continue Reading …
I have to be honest I feel a bit embarrassed sharing this extract. But it is part of recognising my past and who I was. Plus I was in my mid teens so I’m sure it is completely natural that I was thinking about boys. And wondering if they liked, you know – liked me! When ever I see a male I think “I wonder if he likes me” that’s a girlie attitude I’m going to Continue Reading …
The 5 love languages of children * is a follow on book to 5 love languages. The point of the book is children need to know how much you love them, but if you don’t speak their special “love language” they won’t understand what you are saying. So you can be giving them lots of love, but they don’t feel it. There are five love languages and although everyone (including children) speak each of them, we Continue Reading …
Happiness Hacks* brings together different research on happiness. The research is grouped with one theme per chapter e.g. friendship, health, love. It is summarized in short sections (for example one or two paragraphs) often followed by a suggested action. Why I wanted to read it I was offered an electronic advanced copy of this book. I was interested to read it as I’ve been thinking about my happiness over the last few years. I was Continue Reading …
Room lighting is more complicated than it used to be with different options including uplights, downlights, acsent lights and mood lights. We’re in the process of planning the lights throughout our house because we have either just one bulb, like in our bedroom or because we have rearranged walls so have no lights, such as our study. Here is our step by step guide to developing a lighting plan. Draw out your room Draw the shape Continue Reading …
In Bloom is a collection of stories from Kayla’s life from childhood through to motherhood about feelings of insecurities and inadequacies. The stories are grouped into themes such as rejection, fear and boys, and are very vulnerable at times touching on topics that most of us probably hide away inside. Why I wanted to read In Bloom I first came across Kayla through a blogging course and didn’t know anything about her life. But when Continue Reading …
This is the journal I’m using at the start of 2018 although it isn’t actually a 2018 journal. I started this journal on 30th August 2017 but as I use undated notebooks I’ve just continue last year’s journal. It is a Castelli* notebook, the same as my 2016 and 2017 journals, and was a great gift from a work conference. I like the Castelli notebooks because they have narrow lines and are great for fountain pens Continue Reading …
