Books I Read Repeatedly

I love reading and getting lost in a good book.  Here are some books I read over and over:

Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman

The story of two Londons.  "London above" is the London we know.  "London below" is a magical realm that exists alongside it.  Richard Mayhew stumbles across London below after he rescues a girl and tries to help her escape some hired assassins.  Having looked carefully, London below eludes me. Which is totally unfair.

Mansfield Park - Jane Austin

Fanny Price is sent to live with her richer cousins, the Bertrams.  Although she grows up alongside them, it is always made clear that she is the poor relation.  But whilst the Bertrams have money, Fanny has good character.  I love visiting Jane Austin's world every so often.  I usually follow it up with Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd.

The Worlds of Chrestomanci - Diana Wynne-Jones

Chrestomancis are powerful enchanters with nine lives.  Their job is to keep magic in the various worlds balanced. Calling out "Chrestomanci" makes the current one to appear, whether he wants to or not, anywhere in his own world.  (Sadly, not this one.  Of course I tried!).  Once called, the Chrestomanci attempts to solve any urgent magical problem.  This is my favourite book series and I read them all at least once a year.  Reading them as an adult is different to reading them as a child as you notice little touches and life lessons that Wynne-Jones popped in.  I'm so grateful to Jean, the children's librarian, who made me borrow "Charmed Life".  I never looked back.

What books do you re-read every so often?

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[Disclosure.  All books bought by me.  I love books]

Earliest Childhood Memories

DIY Daddy shared a great post about his children's earliest childhood memories that made me wonder about our family.  So I asked ...

The Tubblet

Going to America for the first time to meet Rev T's American family and visiting Disney.  With lots of running about.  The picture is of her at Aunt C and Uncle M's house in the US during the trip.  As you can see, there was lots of running about.  And the hat .. Well, she never lost it.  Unlike all the other ones I bought for her.  

Rev T

Is not sharing his earliest memory on the blog.  Because it's his.  Which is fair enough.

Me

I have two.  They're both around the same time, so I'm not sure which is actually the earliest:

• Arguing with my mother because I wanted to wear my beautiful red coat with the velvet collar when we went out.  Even though it was summer and the coat was too small.  

• We used to live in a cul-de-sac and all the children in the street would play outside for hours.

I'm glad that the memories are happy and full of love whilst reflecting our family quirks.  What are your earliest memories?

Thank you, DIY Daddy for the idea and for agreeing to let me reuse  it.  

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Being More Contented

I'm trying to fill life with experiences, quality time spent with quality people or nothing rather than stuff.  

I'd love to be more positive and contented, but am not very good at it.  Cuddle Fairy's #nocomplaints day was a challenge.  I caved at lunch-time and had a bit of a whine and a moan.  It's a work in progress.   

Most tips on being more contented I've seen aren't very practical or achievable.  The ones I'm about to share are.  They're from How to Be a Bad Christian-- And a Better Human Being by Dave Tomlinson.  As they're half a page in a 226 page book and I've paraphrased, I should be okay copyright-wise. 

• Make a list of things you're thankful for, keep a gratitude journal for a few weeks or write nice things down and store them in a jar to open as and when.  Be sure to express your thanks.

• Connect regularly with nature.  Walk in the park or in the countryside.

• Don't compare your life with other people's lives.  Have the courage just to be you.  

• De-clutter your space and your mind whenever possible.  Keep life simple.  Post to follow.

• Have fun!  Make room for "gratuitous pleasure".

• Spend lots of time with people who love you.  Just because they do.

Tomlinson finishes with the Prayer of Serenity:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference". 

I heartily recommend Bad Christian.  Describing itself as "Christianity without the guff", Tomlinson looks at the big questions - forgiveness, living in the present, seeing God in suffering and appreciating the good in other religions etc.  He encourages you to see God as loving and inclusive. To think things through rather than accepting without question what you're taught.  

What tips do you have for being more contented?    Please share in the comments.  I need all the help.

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Minimalist Makeup Kit. 14 Pieces. Millions of Looks

Having blogged about building a simple skincare routine, I thought do the same for makeup.  I want is a makeup kit that only contains products I use.  No getting distracted by limited editions, pretty packaging or whatever it is the beauty bloggers are pushing this week.  (Somewhere, Rev T has read this and snorted with laughter.  He's stood next to me at many a beauty counter and asked, "Haven't you already got one of those ...")

All of these products are available at every price point.  From pocket money to second mortgage.

Basics:

• Face primer

• Foundation or bb / cc cream

• Powder

• Concealer

• Blush that echoes your natural cheek colour when you blush

• My lips but better lip gloss

• Mascara

• Natural eye shadow set

• Eye shadow primer

Extras:

• Contour set - bronzer and highlighter

• Brow product

• Eye pencils

• My lips but better lipstick

• Makeup setting spray

This gives plenty of options to choose from, enables you to create loads of looks, is less wasteful and means the dressing table is clutter-free.  Win!  Now, all I need to do is make my makeup collection look like this ...

What's in your makeup bag?

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Five Happy Things

Just like everyone else, I have down days or even weeks. Still no news about work.  We'll know what the new organisational design looks like in the next 30 days apparently.  Hopefully I'll be inside the lines rather than outside them.  But, during the last few days, these are the things that have made happy and helped me ignore work completely:

• Fresh Flowers.  Rev T surprised me with some flowers recently.  He just knew that flowers make me happy and I like flowers in my house.  As is always the way, so did the church.  Flowers seem to not like travelling on their own and always come in pairs.  

• Going on an adventure.  Last week, the Tubbs family went off on an adventure.  We walked about, found a spot to talk whilst watching the world go by.  As it's half term, there may be some more adventures this week.

• Bed.  I love our bed.  Especially when it has fresh sheets, a warm blanket and a hot water bottle.

• Coffee.  The cup that cheers.  Unless it's 11pm at night.  In which case, it's the cup that is a really stupid idea.

• Friends and family.  Simply the best.  Their wisdom, patience, advice, jokes and love. The fact they put up with me.

What are your happy things?

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Derek The Dalek Exterminates It All

During the recent Manse Tour, almost all the comments were about Derek the Dalek.  I thought you'd enjoy seeing what Derek got up to in between attempting to take over the universe, exterminating his enemies and hiding from Doctor Who:

I wonder what Derek will get up to next?

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Beauty. Detoxing the Stash. Again!

What again?!  Yes, again.  Even though I don't buy that much, I'm convinced it breeds when my back is turned.  It looks untidy and messy before I know it.  It was also a particularly good Christmas beauty product wise.

The first thing I did was gather everything together.  Anything empty, out of date or weird smelling got thrown away.  The rest was sorted into things I wanted to keep or pass on.

• Be realistic.  There is only so much you can use at a time.  Anything that's not been touched in 6 months is unlikely to be used again.  If you have 5 very similar things, keep your favourite and lose the rest.

• Organise.  I keep products in a wooden fruit bowl and mugs. These got a good clean.  I put a few things away to make things easier to find and less cluttered.  I'll rotate items so everything gets used and nothing forgotten.

• Is it any good?!  If a product isn't very good, then re-purpose.  For example, that meh face-cream may work as body lotion.

• Does it suit you?  It may look lovely in the shop or on your friend, but not on you.    It may not be suitable for the life you're leading. Get rid of it.  I gave up buying red lipstick when I decided most of them made me look scary.  I tossed the gel eyeliners because I am too shorted sighted to get them on fleck.  Ever.

The challenge.  The challenge is to ensure that I don't over buy and everything gets used:

• Only buying new items when the old ones are completely used up.  A beauty, skincare and body-care spending ban!  Post to follow at some point.  

• Switch round the eye palettes each week so they all get a turn.

• Wear a different lipstick each day.

• Throw out mascara after 6 months.

• Stick to tried and tested favourites so there's less mistakes / waste.  

• Cruelty free where possible.

• Once I'm buying new stuff again, buy to replace. 

Is this just me?!  Let me know in the comments.

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Saying I Love You Without Actually Saying It

Or the Valentine's Day post that doesn't mention it much.  "I love you" can be easy to say, but unless words are backed up with actions, they become meaningless.  Show not tell.  Here are some ways to say I love you without actually saying it:

• Make them their favourite meal.  Without them having to ask.  (Bonus points for knowing what their favourite meal is!)  Or buy them some flowers, a beer or ...

• Keep a list of things they've mentioned they want.  Buy a few of them for their birthday or Christmas.  (Within budget.  Rev T really wants an Austin Martin and the Cloud City Lego set. Sadly, unless I win the Lottery, neither is going to happen).

• Listen when they talk and an express an interest in what they're saying.

• Be there for them in good times and bad.

• Care about the things they care about.  Even football.  

• Share with them.  Even the cake.  And the Remote.

• Support them in public and always have their back.  

• Respect their desire to try new things and be encouraging.  (However stupid you think the new things are.  Or however much you suspect it's a phase that will soon pass).

• Do one of their household chores.  Without being asked.

• Put yourself in their shoes and try and see their point of view.  However hard that can be.

• Be bothered enough to fight with them or disagree with them. 

If you're planning to say I love you this Valentine's with a card, Michelle can create a unique card for you based on your photos.  She then prints and sends it for you.  Job done!   The cards cost £7.39, but Michelle is offering a 10% discount if you enter this code BEMINE2016. 

Got any other suggestions for showing others you care about them?

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[Disclosure:  Michelle shared these on the London Bloggers Facebook group and asked if anyone would be willing to share them on their blog.  I liked them so much, I have.  I haven't been paid to do this and this isn't an affiliate link]

Most Loved Clothing Items

Happy Monday!  Hope everyone had a good weekend and that all is well.  First up, a big thank you to everyone at #anythinggoes for choosing my post, Surviving Winter, as the people's choice. Displaying my badge with pride on the post itself and in the about me section.  wOOt!

After all the work editing my wardrobe and cutting my spending, I thought I'd share some of my favourite winter pieces with you.  They're comfortable and work for almost every occasion if paired with the right accessories.  Apart from, maybe, work.  (I'll do a similar summer post when the sun finally comes back).

Squirrel Top

When I first saw this, I didn't like it but I had to buy something from Mistral as my credit note was about to expire so I grabbed this top.  I've worn it almost constantly ever since.

Jeans

I wear these Fat Face contour slim jeans almost every time I go out at the weekend.  They're comfortable and go with almost everything.

Cardigans

Put them on when you're cold and take them off when you're hot.  These come in lots of colours, wash really well and last for ages.  Thank you Marks & Spencer!

Bag

My Mary Poppins bag from Coach.  I bought another bag from them and had to return it as the handle started fraying.  As the bag I was returning was now on sale, there was enough money left for an extra bag.  Behold, the extra bag!  The staff at Coach were excellent and I was really impressed with the service.

There's a Seasalt denim dress and purple Doc Martens as well, but the photos are gone and everything  heavily Winter is packed away so I couldn't up-date those photos.  Sorry!

What are some of the most loved pieces in your wardrobe?

[Disclosure:  I bought these items with my own money.  Oh how I envy people who can take pictures of clothes that don't look like dodgy eBay listings]

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Things That Make the World a Better Place

Life is easier and more fun with some treats and joy along the way.

• Heinz tomato soup and hot buttered toast. (Look at that picture.  Look at it!  Don't you feel better already?!  Unless you hate tomatoes.  Then, maybe not so much).

• Hot squash.  Ribena is the best, but anything will do apart from hot lemon. Hot lemon is for colds.

• A warm hoodie, jumper or sweatshirt for snuggling in.  

• Boiled egg and soldiers.

• Disney or Small Films.  

• Getting nice comments back on a blog post, FB comment or tweet.

• Friends and family.

• A good cup of tea.  A decent cup of coffee.

• Crumpets and loads of butter.  Lots of butter.  Lots.  

• Watching the sea, going for walk in the woods or just sitting in some green space.

• Slippers.

• Beauty treatments or a warm bath.

• Crap TV.

• Curling up in bed with a good book.

• Turning off the alarm and waking up without it.  Or waking up and knowing you can go straight back to sleep.  And there's loads of sleep left!

• Remembering that your favourite snacks / food are in the house or there's something fun to do later in the day.

• Holding hands.  

• More money in the bank account than you thought.  

• Unexpected acts of kindness, like someone opening the door for you.  Paying them forward is nice too.

• A great playlist or a good book.

What things make your world a better place?

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Life Skills I Wish I Had

All this self improvement malarkey could have you thinking that I am perfect in every way.  (Rev T will shortly demand a guest post to tell you that I am oh so not.  It will go on for many scrolls.  So many scrolls).

Here are some life skills it would be great to have, but I haven't got round to acquiring as yet: 

• Feeding my body and soul.

• Living within my means.

• How to fail and learn from the experience. 

• How to argue constructively.

• Being tidy.

• How not to hold a grudge and forgive people.

• Accepting a complement gracefully.

• Acknowledging that I am wrong.  

• Learning new things.

• Not falling over my own feet.

• Taking criticism well.

• Dealing with stress.

Let me know what life skills do you wish you had in the comments.  Or give me some ideas for dealing with the ones I don't have.  

But if I can get this right, the other stuff might work itself out or not matter so much ...

"Be kind to one another.  Even if you disagree on stuff".

Ephesians 4:30-5 

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All Killer, No Filler. What Makes a Great Blog

The challenge for any blogger is create the kind of blog they’d actually read.  There have been a few times I've been just about to press publish and decided against it because I wouldn't want to read what I've written.  And if I don't want to read it, why should you?

This is my criteria for a great blog.  This is the kind of blog I want to write in 2016 all the time:

  

• Engagement.  Replying to comments shows good manners and suggests the blogger cares. I’m less bothered by engages across all social media platforms because I can’t find the time to do that myself. 

• Integrity.  Makes it clear when products are samples and posts are sponsored.  Features products fit with the blog rather accepting everything offered.  Doesn't give the appearance of endlessly chasing freebies. 

• Content. Well written with reasonable grammar, spelling and syntax.  I don't mind swears, but I know other people do so I keep them to a minimum.  

• Appearance.  I’m less bothered by this.  I don’t have a top of the range camera, photo editing software or a clue about web design.  I like a good photo, an easy to navigate site and posts in a readable font. 

• Generosity.  As well as replying to comments, shares the work of other bloggers of all sizes.  When someone keeps saying how much they “love the blogging community” but all the bloggers they mention belong to the same agency or are huge, I don’t entirely believe them. 

• Loyalty.  My route into blogging was via reading beauty blogs so my terms of reference may be different.  But when I read a beauty blog, I expect to see the same products appear regularly.  No one finds a new favourite blah, blah every few weeks.  Most of us buy the same old faithfuls, with the odd new thing every so often. 

• A life!  Something going on in their lives other than their blog, a personality that shines though plus common sense.  Someone you could imagine going down the pub or popping out for coffee with. 

• Purpose.  Doesn't post for the sake of posting, but when they have something to say.  As a reader, I like fresh insight, something helpful or a laugh from a blog post. I also like a nice line in snark.  I don't ask for much and would also like the moon on a stick.

What do you think makes a good blog?

[Disclosure:  Yes, this is on my Inspirations page as well but you may never have clicked there. Waste not, want not]

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