Some books that I've really enjoyed recently

Welcome to one of my regular posts, when I share some of the books that I've read recently and have particularly enjoyed. I track all of the books that I read over on Goodreads. 

Moby Duck by Donovan Hohn

This read was inspired by our visit to the Frost Science Museum in Miami last year. I had heard the story of the bath toys that were lost from a container ship back in 1992 but I was interested to learn more. I took a quick photo of this book in one of the display cases, meaning to look it up when we got home. I forgot of course, and only came across the photo a few weeks ago. It looks as though the paperback is out of print, but I managed to find a decent second hand copy. 

The book charts the story of the Friendly Floatees spill, when a storm in the North Pacific Ocean washed twelve shipping containers overboard, including one filled with 28,000 bath toys. Usually only the ducks get a mention, but there were also plastic turtles, beavers and frogs. Oceanographers have used them to track ocean currents, based on where they were washed up over the next few years. 

The author (despite leaving behind a very heavily pregnant wife and subsequently a tiny baby, which did annoy me a little bit!) follows their journey on a variety of interested oceanic voyages, even visiting the factory in China where the toys were made. It's a long book and the narrative meanders about a bit but I quite like that style of writing and it's an intriguing story. I loved reading about the different ships that the author travelled on and the people that he met. It's also an important read when it comes to spreading the word about the negative impact of plastic in the ocean.  

The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan

This was a free short story from Amazon First Reads this month, although in fact it's more of a short novel. The story involves the search for a long lost book and two people who are desperately hunting it for different reasons. It's not that complicated a plot, but I loved the descriptions of indulgent locations at Christmas time, and all the festive details. A real Christmassy read.

The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson

This was a Kindle book borrowed from the Amazon Prime Library. Shelley Woodhouse wakes up in a coma knowing that she's there because her husband assaulted her, and she can't understand why the police haven't come to see her. But she has forgotten things too, and as time passes her memories start to come back, although she isn't sure which of those memories she can trust. It's one of those books when a mystery is revealed a little bit at a time, and gradually you come to realise what is really going on. What I particularly enjoyed about this book was that I felt the pacing was perfect - sometimes a back story is played out too slowly which leaves me frustrated (like a book that I'm reading at the moment!) I really liked it.

Four unmissable day trips from Lisbon

This is a collaborative post

Portugal’s capital is a city brimming with life, but even its most passionate admirers will tell you that exploring the surrounding areas is a must. Lisbon holidays let you enjoy incredible excursion, giving you an easy-to-access taste of some of the country’s best experiences.

Below, we share four quick trips from Lisbon you shouldn’t miss out on. 

Sintra

Only 40 minutes by train from the capital’s Rossio Station, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to romantic palaces, mystical gardens and dramatic hilltop views. 

Start early to beat the crowds at the flamboyant Pena Palace, which looks like it’s been plucked from a fairy tale with its vibrant yellow and red turrets. From there, venture to the Moorish Castle, whose rugged walls provide panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Photo credit Soran Multimedia via Unsplash

Cascais

If you crave a coastal escape, Cascais is your answer. Just 30 minutes by train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodréstation, this charming seaside town combines historic allure with modern elegance. Stroll along the cobbled streets to admire its pastel-coloured houses and vibrant flower boxes. Then learn about the town’s aristocratic past at the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, set in a dreamy mansion by the sea.

Make time for a walk to Boca do Inferno, a dramatic cliff formation where waves crash into a natural chasm. If you’re visiting in summer, sandy beaches like Praia da Rainha beckon for a swim or a sunbathing session.

Évora

For those who want to delve deeper into Portugal’s history, Évora provides a fascinating glimpse into its Roman and medieval past. Located a 90-minute drive or a two-hour bus ride from the capital, Évora is the crown jewel of the Alentejo region. 

Start your visit at the Roman Temple of Diana, an impressive relic that has stood for nearly 2,000 years. Wander through the cobblestoned streets to the Cathedral of Évora, a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, before exploring the macabre Chapel of Bones, adorned with thousands of human skulls and bones.

Photo credit Gunnar Ridderström via Unsplash

Mafra and Ericeira

Combine a royal palace with a laid-back surfing vibe on this underrated trip. Begin your journey with a visit to the Palácio Nacional de Mafra, roughly 40 minutes from Lisbon by car. This monumental baroque palace is home to an ornate library filled with over 36,000 ancient books and a basilica with six historic pipe organs. The sheer scale of the complex will leave you in awe.

After immersing yourself in history, head to Ericeira, a 15-minute drive away. Known as one of Europe’s top surfing destinations, this quaint fishing village exudes charm with its whitewashed houses and Atlantic views. Even if you don’t surf, Ericeira has something for everyone – you can sip coffee at a waterfront café or walk along the cliffs for stunning vistas.  

Each of these trips adds depth to your experience of Lisbon, offering moments of wonder, reflection and delight. Make time for them, and you’ll understand why Portugal’s treasures extend far beyond its capital.

Surviving our building works and kitchen renovation

We are very close to the end of our orangery extension project, and we are really pleased with it. The building work is finished, we have a beautiful tiled floor, the walls are nearly all painted, and all that is left is the installation of the kitchen which is progressing really well.

I'm so grateful that we've been able to have this work done, and I'm really looking forward to enjoying it properly once all the work is done. The other night it was pouring with rain, and it felt so cosy to stand under the lantern roof and listen to it, even if we were surrounded by cardboard boxes and dust!

I must admit that I've not found the works easy. It will have taken nearly four months by the time it's finished, and that is with someone working every single day. We used a company to design and build the orangery, and worked mainly with their contacts for the different trades. So our project manager made sure that as soon as one part was finished the next person could start which has been brilliant, and people have also been popping in and out constantly to work on different things as the need arose.

We left them to work on the house while we were on holiday over half term which did work very well as they were able to get the floor laid without us bothering them. I think we would have had to move out otherwise, as we wouldn't have been able to use most of the ground floor.

Otherwise I've had to make sure that someone is around during the day in case they need anything, and as my husband works away quite a lot that's usually me. It has been a bit of a disruption to my usual routine - I've hardly been going out running which I miss, so that's something to get back into in the New Year!

I also feel on edge all the time when there are people in the house and I struggle to relax. It's not so much the noise or the dust, it's just knowing that there is always someone there. Should I be offering a drink? Do they need me for anything?

I'm also completely worn out with decision fatigue - from big decisions like which kitchen cabinets or floor tiles to choose down to the tiny ones like which saucepans to buy for the new induction hob. We've had lists to work through of things which need to be decided and chosen, and although it's exciting I find it all really tiring to think about!

I never like to give Christmas as a deadline for anything. But fingers crossed, this Christmas I will have a lovely clean and shiny space, and I can cook some delicious Christmas treats in an oven that isn't on its last legs!

What I've been up to lately

I feel as though I have a lot going on at the moment! Life feels very busy, and we are living in upheaval at the moment which I find quite stressful. But I can't complain as we were able to enjoy an amazing holiday in Florida over half term, and the work on our house is very close to being finished.

So here are some of the things that I've been up to lately:

Reading

I didn't read nearly as much as I expected to on holiday - we had full on days and I was too exhausted in the evening to manage more than a few pages. I enjoyed The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams and The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson, I think they were both Amazon Prime Library books. Both well written, entertaining, and easy to pick up and put down.

Eating

After a couple of weeks in the US eating junk food and snacking I've been enjoying the return to my usual reasonably healthy diet. It amazes me that you can buy the same brands of food in the US and yet they are so much more unhealthy - I notice the Pringles and cookies in particular! For the first few days everything tastes so much saltier or sweeter, but then you just get used to it. We don't have much of a kitchen at the moment which does make things a little more tricky, but I'm doing my best to work around it and I know that it's only temporary.

Shopping

I didn't do too much shopping while we were away, but I did get a few bits. I got a nice Gap hoodie in the outlet store and a new planner for next year, along with some pretty stickers and post it notes. (I can't resist buying stickers!) I also treated myself to a couple of sets of Disney jigsaws, one at horrifying full price in the main store, and one from the outlet store that was a more reasonable price.

Watching

I don't watch a lot of television, but I did entertain myself on the flight with some favourites. I re-watched Bridget Jones's Diary which I've seen so many times and still enjoy. I saw yesterday that the latest book has been filmed although I'm not sure about it, I didn't enjoy the book at all! I also re-watched the first two series of Staged which was perfect for binge watching on a plane, nice short episodes and not too much to concentrate on. I didn't get to the third series, which I didn't even know existed, so I'll have to catch up on iPlayer.

Listening to

At the moment I'm loving the Lazy Genius podcast, each episode is almost exactly the same length of one of my four daily car journeys and there's quite a lot of repetition which is important for me as I often zone out while I'm concentrating on the drive. Last week the music in the car was Disney, Disney, Disney so it's nice to have a change!

Crafting

Oh dear, my crafting has completely fallen by the wayside over the last couple of months. We are having a major extension built and the house is feeling very chaotic with things in boxes and piled up all over the place. I've mainly been expressing my creativity by accessorising my bullet journal and main journal with stickers and washi tape.

Planning

My son is currently in the process of visiting and applying for sixth form colleges. We are very lucky to live in an area which is surrounded by several amazing colleges, but this is making the decision much more difficult! He's pretty set on what he wants to study, and luckily he can apply for several and doesn't need to make final decisions until the new year.

I'm also trying to get organised for Christmas, although I've not got very far yet. I usually wait for Black Friday before starting the main shopping, just in case anything that I'm after goes on sale, but I need to get some lists and ideas together.

I also need to think about organising my new kitchen. We've bought all the appliances now, including a bonus bread maker which I'm excited to have a go with, and I need to think about how I'm going to arrange everything. We will also need to buy some bits of furniture and also a new set of saucepans as I'll be having an induction hob and my current pans won't work.

So I'm hoping for a nice, calm Christmas!

Bedroom design ideas to improve your mental well-being

This is a collaborative post

There is no space in the home more important than the bedroom. It is amazing the impact that the bedroom can have on our mental well-being, so it is always worth considering ways that you can create a relaxing space that will bring peace and quiet to a busy life and help ensure a good night’s rest. Keep reading for a few bedroom design ideas to improve your well-being. 

Declutter & Increase the Space

We are all guilty of neglecting our bedroom from time to time. This means that clutter can very quickly build up, creating a stressful environment that affects how you feel and how you sleep. Therefore, one of the best ways to create a space to improve your well-being is to declutter and stick to the basics. This could involve getting rid of a bulky wardrobe and opting for a fitted wardrobe, which works well even for sloped ceilings. 

Opt for Natural Products

You might be surprised at the impact natural products and materials have on your well-being. Instead of the toxicity from chemical-based products, opt for natural alternatives for your furnishings. This could include using organic bed linens and real wood furniture - this also allows you to benefit from biophilic design, which is the concept that natural elements can improve mental well-being.

Purify the Air

Dust will always be present no matter how much you clean. This is why an air purifier is a great investment, as it will remove the dust on your behalf, helping to create clean, allergy-free air - just make sure that it adheres to HEPA guidelines. You can also add some air purifying plants, such as peace lily or dracaena (as above, this can help improve your mental wellbeing while adding some colour and life to the space).

Photo credit Devon Janse van Rensburg via Unsplash

Improve Lighting

Lighting is another key consideration for the bedroom. Natural light will help create a bright, airy feel during the daytime that can improve your mental well-being. You can maximise natural light with light colours on the walls, white bedding, and hanging mirrors around the room. You will also need to consider artificial lighting, and a combination of lamps and ceiling lights can work well. 

These are a few of the most effective ways to improve your bedroom space to create a healthy space that will improve your mental well-being. The bedroom is an incredibly important room that can affect your mental health and mood, so it is always somewhere that should be carefully designed, with choices made to sup-port well-being.

The importance of sunglasses in various sports

This is a collaborative post

As Aussies, a love of sport is ingrained in our DNA, so much so that according to a survey by AusPlay, over 19 million of us (aged 15 or over) partook in some kind of sport or physical activity in 2021-22.

Regardless of whether this was at a professional, grade or recreational level, much of this participation took place outdoors and could not have been conducted anywhere near as effectively if the individuals involved weren’t wearing sunglasses.

Generally speaking, sunglasses are not worn in contact sports like NRL, AFL, hockey and soccer. There are simply too many opportunities for them to fall off or injure the wearer during a tussle or collision.

But for the majority of other codes, such as tennis, cycling, golf and, of course, beach volleyball, they can make a significant contribution to the levels of your performance.

But why exactly are sunglasses so important for these particular disciplines?

Here are some of the main reasons why they are a must-have accessory for any recreational or serious competitor. 

Eye Protection

Australia has the dubious distinction of boasting some of the world’s highest UV radiation levels. In fact, it is so strong that on a clear sunny day, it can cause sunburn in no less than 11 minutes!

As UV radiation is responsible for over 95% of all skin cancers in Australia, it is important to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide.

The latter refers to the act of wearing sunglasses because doing so can protect your eyes from lasting damage that can occur as a result of prolonged exposure to these rays. This can include serious conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration, which could potentially lead to blindness.

For this reason, it is important to pick a good quality pair of shades that have UV400 protection – the gold standard for blocking UVA and UVB rays.

Here are some popular sunglasses at 1001 Optometry you might want to check out. 

Better Vision and Performance

In many sports, clear and focused vision is critical to a good level of your performance. Therefore, wearing a quality pair of sports sunglasses can help you to best see what’s in front of you by significantly improving factors such as contrast and visibility.

For example. polarised lenses can reduce glare from water and other reflective surfaces, which is invaluable in activities like fishing and water skiing, where sunlight can bounce off the surface to create an intense glare that can be blinding.

Additionally, in cycling, sunglasses are specially designed to wrap closely around the eyes, which protects them from wind, debris, and sunlight and enables riders to fully concentrate on the road.

Those who play beach volleyball can struggle to see the ball due to the glare from the sand and sea. Subsequently, wearing sunglasses with anti-glare coatings can be very helpful in spotting it, even in the brightest of sunlight. 

Reduced Eye Fatigue

If you are not wearing proper eyewear, you will end up squinting against bright sunlight, which can end up straining your eyes and lead to fatigue and distraction.

Both tennis and cricket are two examples of sports that can require you to spend long periods of time in the sun but maintain split-second reactions, which you will be more likely to maintain with the right pair of sunglasses.

Likewise, when playing an 18-hole round of golf, you’re often outdoors for upwards of four hours. So, by wearing a quality pair of sunglasses, you can go a long way towards reducing eye strain, which, in turn, will help you maintain accuracy, better assess shots and make adjustments across various fairways and greens. 

Photo credit Artur Voznenko via Unsplash

Improved Safety

Not all sunglasses are made equally, and some, when worn in a sporting context, are more likely to smash or break than others.

However, sports-specific sunglasses often use shatterproof polycarbonate lenses that are designed to withstand high impacts.

Mountain Biking and Trail Running are two examples of sporting codes that benefit most from this type of eyewear.

When tackling trails, especially in Australia’s diverse, tough, and unforgiving landscapes, this style of sunglasses protects your eyes from branches, dust, and the sun’s rays, which could otherwise cause you significant injury.  

Weather-Resistant Protection

In Australia, the weather can be unpredictable, so sports sunglasses can offer vital protection against it that goes just far beyond sun protection alone.

For surfing and windsurfing, specialised water sports sunglasses float and often come with straps. This makes them ideal for handling the waves and unpredictable winds while also protecting against water glare and UV rays.

Similarly, in cricket, for players who are on the field all day, sunglasses can protect against dust and wind, which can help them withstand the rigours of a tough session of batting or bowling. 

More Comfort for Endurance Sports

Given the extreme nature of their sports, it is very important that marathon runners and long-distance endurance athletes wear comfortable sunglasses.

Often, the sunglasses they wear are made from lightweight materials and have adjustable frames and rubber nose pads, that remain comfortable - even after many punishing hours of running, climbing or scaling rugged terrain.

Cyclists and runners, for instance, benefit from performance sunglasses designed with vents that prevent fogging. This means that athletes don’t break out of their rhythm or stride patterns by having to adjust or clean their eyewear mid-race.

How to journal when you don't know when to start

I've written diaries since I was a teenager. Writing a page before I went to sleep helped a lot with my teenage angst, even if now I can't bear to look back through those old entries! When I stopped regular diary writing I always made holiday scrapbooks to document my travels, and I made baby journals to record milestones. Recently I started writing again, and this time I call it journalling. Instead of a regular diary I write dated entries in a blank book, and I don't feel the pressure to write every day. 

Sometimes I write about what I've done that day, but most of the time I just write about what's on my mind. Maybe it's something that I've seen in news, a thought sparked by a book I'm reading, or just a stream of consciousness.

Many people want to start a journal but have no idea where to start, and so I thought I'd share a few tips in case you think that journalling might be for you!

What do you need

Social media would lead you to believe that you need a huge amount of journalling supplies. But all you need to get started is something to write with and something to write on. I like a pen which is comfortable to hold and writes smoothly, and paper which has a pleasant writing surface. It's best to start with cheap supplies, because then you don't have the pressure to do something worthwhile. A beautiful journal filled with handmade paper and bound in fine leather feels far too precious and so will probably end up never being filled!

I personally write in a journal with blank pages. I can write in straight lines, and I enjoy sticking things in alongside the occasional sketch. But you might prefer lined or gridded journals. 

How to start

The first page of a new journal can be terrifying! I always start a new journal by writing my name, phone number and e-mail address inside, in case we become separated. I turn over a few pages before I start writing properly and use the blank pages at the front to add stickers and ephemera as I work through the journal. 

Photo credit Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Then just take the pen and start to write! If you are really stuck, then a good place to start might be an introduction to yourself - your name and other factual information, where you live, who you live with, what you do for work, what you do in your spare time, why you want to start a journal. You will probably find that once you make a start you'll find that you have plenty to write!

Some other ideas for daily entries - Write about what you've done that day. Make a list of things and people that you are grateful for. Write about goals that you are working on and how well you are doing with them. There is plenty of inspiration online for journal prompts, or else just write whatever comes into your head.

How to keep going

Some people want to stick to a routine and write every day. If this is you, then find a regular time during your day that you can dedicate to the task. Maybe after you drop the children at school, in your lunchbreak, after work or just before bed. Try to write something, even if it's just a few lines, just to keep the habit going. But don't worry if you miss a day or two, just pick up where you left off. If you are worried that missing a day might throw you off completely then try an undated journal or a diary with a blank space for the date that you can fill in when you have chance to write.

If you want to use the journal to record your travels then make sure to work with supplies that are easy to pack up and take along, and keep things simple. If you want to keep a journal of a special event like your wedding or the birth of a child then you might want to start a collection of ephemera like business cards, photographs, menus and so on that you can stick inside. If you want a keepsake, you might prefer to make notes in a rough book first, then write it up when you have the time to create an attractive entry.

Give yourself a small reward every time you write, and turn it into a ritual. For example sit down in a quiet place with a cup of tea and a biscuit, cuddle up with a soft blanket, play some favourite songs. Put the phone down and have a break from the screen. As you continue the habit you can treat yourself to new pens in different colours, a journal with better quality paper, or some fun supplies like stickers or washi tape. 

Avoid hunting out too much inspiration online. It can be a source of inspiration, but it can also be overwhelming and lead to unrealistic expectations which can put you off making a start in the first place. Likewise think about whether you want to share your journal pages online. It's fine if you do but be aware that you will write differently for an audience than for yourself. Most journal pages shared online have been created specifically to share.

How to take it further

As you begin to see yourself as a journaller you'll feel more confident taking the journal out and about with you, and perhaps making the act of writing in the journal the purpose of a trip to a café or a beautiful outdoor spot. Writing in a different location might help you to see things differently and gain a new perspective. 

Journalling can be a powerful tool. As you work on the habit you'll learn to turn to your journal to help you work through difficult emotions or to help make a tricky decision. You can also use the journal to plan your goals and to work on your personal development. 

Photo credit Ashlyn Ciara via Unsplash

I hope that this has inspired you to think about starting a journal! I love writing in my journal and I find it really helpful for dealing with a cluttered mind as well as taking some time for myself for quiet reflection.

From insurance to maintenance - Essential life admin for car owners

This is a collaborative post

As a car owner, you’ve got the power to go wherever you want, whenever you want. However, for all the conveniences car ownership brings, it also comes with a host of responsibilities that can seem overwhelming. Ensuring you get the most out of your vehicle involves dealing with tasks ranging from obtaining the right insurance to carrying out regular maintenance. Here’s your guide on how to navigate the essential life admin tasks that every car owner should know. 

Proper Insurance Coverage

Owning a car without insurance is not just a legal risk but also a financial one. Car insurance protects you, your passengers, and your investment, ensuring you can recover financially from unexpected events. It might be a minor fender-bender or severe damage from a major collision, but once you get your BMW insured, you can drive with peace of mind. 

Choosing the right coverage depends on several factors, including the type of car you drive, where you live, and your financial capacity. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with terms like deductible, premium, liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage, among others. Ensure you have an insurance policy that suits your lifestyle and needs.

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

After securing your insurance policy, it's critical to focus on keeping your vehicle in top shape. Timely maintenance of your car can save you from expensive repair costs in the long run. It's advisable to follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule, and don't ignore any signs of trouble, even the small ones - they might be pointing to a larger issue.

Invest in regular vehicle inspections. Change your oil regularly, keep your tires properly inflated, and ensure your brakes are always in good condition. These steps will not only enhance your car's lifespan but also improve your safety while driving. 

Photo credit Tim Mossholder via Unsplash

Car Financing

If you are still paying for your car, it's essential to understand all the terms of your loan or leasing agreement. This includes knowing the rate of interest you're paying, when your payments are due, and the consequences of missing a payment. Make sure you are informed about your rights and responsibilities as a borrower to avoid potential financial pitfalls. 

Fuel Economy

Could you be spending more than necessary on fuel? Maximizing your vehicle's fuel economy can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars annually. Following a few simple tips can help you get the most out of every gallon. 

Driving more efficiently (avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking), keeping your engine in tune, using the recommended grade of motor oil, and planning your trips in advance to reduce idle time are effective ways to improve fuel efficiency. 

Keeping Records

One often overlooked aspect of car ownership is properly documenting everything associated with your vehicle. This includes copies of your insurance coverage, registration, maintenance records, and any correspondence related to recalls or services. 

Keeping these documents organized and accessible will be hugely beneficial should any disputes arise over insurance claims, selling your vehicle, or warranty issues. 

Conclusion 

Car ownership is about more than enjoying the freedom of the open road. By taking care of the life admin tasks—insurance, maintenance, financing, and official documentation—you safeguard your investment and stay on the right side of the law. With the right approach, managing these tasks can be straightforward and hassle-free, allowing you to focus more on enjoying the ride.

The things that I always bring back from a trip to Ikea

Last week we took a trip to Ikea. This is quite exciting for me, as we don't have one close by and so we need to make a specific trip. We usually only go when there is something in particular that we are after, but I can't stop myself picking up a few extras as I go round. 

Here are some of the things that always seem to make their way to the checkout:

Baskets and trays

I have a gorgeous basket in the living room which I use to store blankets, and square baskets which fit perfectly onto my Billy bookcases. I always spot some pretty storage item that I know will be both useful and decorative around the home.

Plants

Recently I've been buying fake plants as I'm not very green fingered when it comes to houseplants. Some of them are better than others but I like how they look, and they are often conveniently situated next to a pretty plant pot that suits the plant perfectly!

Ikea also sell a great range of real plants. In my final year at university I bought myself a small yucca plant, and over twenty years later it is still alive and well!

Candles

I think most people struggle to resist buying scented candles at Ikea. Every visit there is a new scent that I want to try, and because I don't burn candles very often I now have quite a stash which I need to make an effort to work through! I'm also partial to the little glass candle holders.

Kitchen utensils

I always seem to need a new wooden spatula or wooden spoon, and I find that the Ikea ones are really sturdy and comfortable to use. I usually spot some kind of kitchen gadget or storage solution that is new to me and I know would be really useful - on our most recent visit it was a set of reusable silicon food covers. I'm a huge fan of their cheese grater with a handy container underneath, I'm always grating cheese and it makes it so easy.

Rechargeable batteries

We get through a lot of batteries. We have many smart devices and sensors around the house, and my daughter has a room filled with battery powered fairy lights. We use the Ikea Ladda rechargeable batteries and we always seem to need another pack or two.

Sandwich bags

I really love the resealable Istad bags which come in a range of sizes. I don't actually use them for food, I use them for storage around the house. They are really thick and sturdy and so they are great for bundling sets of cables or other accessories that all belong together. I use them for storing stationery supplies, to keep jigsaw pieces together inside the boxes, to store my in progress craft projects, all sorts of things.

Photo frames and prints

Ikea has a huge selection of photo frames, often in unusual sizes that you can't find elsewhere. The frames are really reasonably priced too and are well made, we have them all over the house and they have lasted for years. They have some gorgeous prints too which are different each time we visit and so I always like to look through them even if I don't have any wall space to hang more!

What do you always return with after a trip to Ikea?

Photo credit Adam Kolmacka via Unsplash

Why I love my collection of vintage birthday cards

I have many collections. I particularly like to collect things which don't take up very much space, and colourful paper ephemera has always appealed to me.

My parents are having a sort out and I was delighted to be able to take ownership of a big pile of vintage birthday cards from the late 1940s and early 1950s as well as some that were even older. I just love them, they are so bright and colourful with such cheerful images.

This is just a few of them, I have several from each year as well as lots of general birthday cards and also some Christmas cards. I feel as though they could be made into some kind of framed display, especially the ones with the numbers. They would be great for a child's nursery, although unfortunately we are well past that now! I've been looking online but I can't find any ideas for crafts using them which surprised me as I think they are so lovely and I'd really like to display them somehow.

Maybe they appeal to me because they make me think of a more innocent time, when children (and adults) were happy with more simple things. Maybe a birthday card was more treasured when you couldn't just drop a quick text. 

I definitely think they deserve to be looked after and appreciated!

How to use images as journal prompts

I love writing in my journal. I write about all sorts of things - what I've done that day, things that I'm worrying about, things that have caught my eye in the news, basically just anything that has been on my mind. Something that I've been dabbling in recently is using images as prompts for a journal entry. I've not done any creative writing since I was at school, and I have no desire to publish any of my creative writing. But I enjoy the process of creating, and using writing to express myself. I thought I'd share a few ideas on how to incorporate an image prompt into your journal writing process.

What types of images to use?

A place - either somewhere familiar or unknown. Somewhere that reminds you of somewhere that you've been, or somewhere that you'd like to go.

Faces and people - either that you recognise or of strangers. Close up individual portraits or family groups. Sitting still or taking part in an activity.

Natural images - plants, flowers, water, sky, landscapes.

Objects - modern or historic. Things that you own or would like to own. Something that reminds you of someone or something in your past. A single object or a large collection.

Seasonal - images that remind you of a certain season, either a season of the year or a season of life.

Where to find suitable pictures?

Postcards - ones that you've been sent or ones that you spot while out and about.

Your own photographs - favourite photos with memories attached to them, or pictures that you've taken of things that caught your eye and sparked your interest. I recently found an old photo in my parent's things that I couldn't help but write a journal entry about!

Magazines and catalogues - inspirational and aesthetic images or mundane advertising shots.

Online - I source my blog photos from Unsplash, or if it's for your own personal use then you can just do a Google image search and print. If you want to save potential writing prompts then Pinterest is a great way to group images that you've found online.

Photobooks or other collections of images - I recently bought a little book of tiny stickers and realised that they would be ideal for journal prompts!

What sort of things could you write about?

Describe the image as you see it, and write about where you found it. Why did it catch your eye, and why did you choose this one over others? Is there one part of the image that particularly draws your attention?

How does this image make you feel? Think about the emotions that you feel when you look at the picture. Are they positive or negative? Does it make you think of something that you'd like to change about your life, whether that's a place you want to visit, an experience you want to have, or a change that you'd like to make to your surroundings.

Is there something that you've noticed in the image that isn't obvious at first glance? Maybe something seen in reflection or something in the distance. An expression on a face that doesn't feel quite right. What have you seen that a casual viewer might miss?

What happened just before or just after this photo was taken? What might have happened in this place in the past, or might happen here in the future? Why was the photo taken at just this time?

Why was this photograph taken? What else could it be used for?

What are the relationships between the people in a photo? Or the subject and the photographer? How do they feel about each other, are they friends, acquaintances or strangers?

What does this image remind you of in your own life? Something in your past, a dream, a memory or even something that hasn't happened yet.

Write from the perspective of a person in the photograph or even an object. What can they see, how do they feel, what are they thinking about?

Use the image as the starting point for a short story or poem. Maybe a location, a character or even just an emotion. This might even help you to learn something about yourself, maybe some challenges that you are facing or something you need to overcome.

Photo credit Thought Catalog via Unsplash

Things that I miss in a digital world

I've been having a bit of a sort out recently, and going through some of my stashes of mementoes. It's made me feel a little sad at how much has been replaced now that there are digital alternatives. Maybe the options are more sustainable, and easier to use for the customer, but I think that we are missing out! Here are some things that either no longer exist, or that I feel won't be around for much longer.

Catalogues

The other week I received a Lakeland catalogue in the post and I was unashamedly thrilled. So many gorgeous pictures of Christmassy things to pore over. We took a trip to Ikea and I felt bereft that you can no longer pick up a catalogue to keep on the coffee table at home (I just looked it up, the last physical Ikea catalogue was printed in 2020). Yes, webpages and apps are more up to date with current prices, special offers and detailed information, but nothing beats flicking through colourful shiny pages filled with inspirational images. 

Physical tickets

I love keeping tickets to things - theatre, cinema, concerts, museums, travel and so on. I have a stash of cinema tickets from the 90s when I used to go every week with my friends, no matter what was showing. My books are filled with concert tickets that I've used as bookmarks. Now you enter a venue with a QR code, and once inside you never look at it again. 

Alarm clocks

I loved the battery alarm clock I had as a teenager. It was cube shaped and had a dial on the top which you could turn to see the time in different countries around the world. I loved looking at all the exotic countries and imagining what people were up to. I've tried to source myself something similar but I can't find one that I like. I have Echo Dot next to my bed which displays the time and acts as an alarm clock but it's just not the same.

Writing letters

As part of my degree I spent a year studying in Germany. I had quite a lot of free time, and I kept up a steady stream of written correspondence with my husband-to-be, my family and lots of my friends. I loved checking my little letter box and discovering a handwritten letter from home, and I've kept them all. These days communication would be more frequent via WhatsApp or social media updates, but it would be fleeting and transient. The age of bundles of love letters is gone forever, it's just not the same scrolling through short and insubstantial text messages. Of course there's nothing to stop me picking up a pen and writing to my friends, but they are busy people and I don't want to burden them with the thought that they would then have to take the time to write back to me!

Stamps

Stamps used to be so pretty! I know that Royal Mail do release special themed stamps, but I never see them because most letters that I receive just have the postage printed directly on the envelope. 

Photo credit Ali Bakhtiari via Unsplash

New album releases on cassette and CD

It used to be such an event going out to buy the CD when a new album was released, and listening to it while flipping through the little booklet that came with it containing the lyrics and photos. Now I listen to a new album release on Spotify and it's just not the same. My daughter tells me that you can still buy physical albums for bands which come with posters, photobooks etc. - but we don't even have a CD player any more!

Postcards

I've written before about how I love to collect postcards, and I remember sending and receiving postcards from all of my summer holidays. Now we just share regular photos in the family WhatsApp groups.

Paper maps

Whenever I visit somewhere new I always try to find a map to keep and remind me of my travels, I have boxes filled with maps and leaflets that I love to sort through. You can sometimes still get a map in a touristy place, but of course it's much easier to use an app that knows exactly where you are. You lose the souvenir though! I particularly enjoy looking at old maps of places like theme parks because they change so often and it's a little slice of time. But they are being slowly phased out and I know they won't be around for much longer.

Real dictionaries

I am very tempted to buy myself a physical copy of the Oxford English dictionary. I used to have several, including a huge one which was decluttered years ago. I'm sure that there's a dictionary app that I could use, but when I'm reading I don't want to be distracted by my phone to look up an unfamiliar word, it would make it harder to get back in to the book again.

Photo credit Joshua Hoehne via Unsplash

Packets of printed out photos

It used to be so exciting going to get photos developed, seeing how well your shots had come out and reliving all those holiday memories. You can of course get photos printed but it's so much more effort deciding which of the hundreds of photos to print, working out how to upload them, and trying to find the best deal when it comes to price. I also feel that the quality isn't as good as when printing from film. Most of my old photos are in boxes with some of my favourites in albums, and I love going through them. I need to make an effort to print out more of my digital pics!

What do you miss that now has a digital replacement?