Hello, and welcome to the new incarnation of my blog!


I was beginning to feel very frustrated with the previous layout, and how posts were being affected by what should have been minor niggles to resolve. I started to really affect my enjoyment of blogging, and I am hoping this sleeker, more minimal aesthetic will help me moving forward.

I have changed my header, and have removed the previous one as I feel it no longer reflects or represents what I want this blog to be about - in part to a lot of interviews where I was told the image looked like it should be for a fashion blog, which is something this space no longer is. I'm so pleased with my new header, as it is a clean design in keeping with the layout, but also injects a pop of colour! The lovely Bethan designed it for me and I highly recommend her!

In the spirit of change, I thought I should update you on recent life happenings, and future hopes and goals.

So, where to begin?

I have now been married for approximately 86 days, not that I'm counting! Our wedding day was wonderful (though I'm sure every bride says the same thing). It was a joy to share the day with out nearest and dearest. I know I speak for both myself, and my husband (I love writing that) that we really could feel the love in the room that day. It is so true that the day flies by, and I'm so glad we made sure to take moments to ourselves to reflect and enjoy the moments we had created. 

We went on honeymoon to Sorrento - and let me tell you it was very much needed, as ten days before our wedding I was sadly made redundant.

We went to Pompeii, Herculaneum and climbed Mount Vesuvius after going most of the way up in a 4x4. We had an amazing time, especially as my husband had never visited Italy before. It is safe to say we ate ourselves around Sorrento, which my husband's Instagram will attest to. 

 In the long run it seems to have to have been for the best, as I walked away in a strong position. I do miss seeing the friends I made there on a daily basis though, however I am sure I will continue to see them at social events.

I have started an new role at the time of writing this, at a kickarse company  and I am very, very excited to get my teeth stuck into it. I've had quite a few weeks to kill before my start date after I secured the position, and as a result I am beginning to go slightly stir crazy. Don't get me wrong, down time is great, and it is the most I have ever had between jobs, but I'm beginning to need mental stimulation outside of the copious amounts of free time. Dare I even say I'm looking forward to cutting my teeth on commuting back into London? I know I'm going to regret writing that...

Moving on to what is next for me... we're starting to look for a new property to move to, as after four years in our first home together we have completely outgrown it. We both feel like we're on top of one another constantly and are desperate for more space. We're both set on a house. I've had my fill of flat complexes for the foreseeable - I was not made to live in such close quarters I have learned. So this is our next big step, which will hopefully be resolved by the end of November, and then I can get a massive Christmas tree this year (maybe even two if the property allows!), although packing away my books for however long always pains me. 
I have been working on a new blogging schedule which I hope to share soon - including relaunching the Facebook Page for my blog. I just need to get my head round my new hours and what is feasible along side my job and other commitments. 

Let me know if you like the blog's new look and design!

 

47: Goodbye 2016 / Hello 2017

• Top Highlights of 2016 • 

- Getting my anxiety under control. While it is very much still there in the background I have a much stronger handle of my anxiety and am in a better, happier place for it. I have also come off my medication, which was a big goal of mine for 2016. I really wanted to be off everything before I get married in June 2017, and through working through things and taking the time to adjust and heal I have achieved this. 
- Making contact and building relationships with publishers. It's very much in the early stages, but to be working with people in an industry I very much love is a real joy. I have also started making contact for submissions of my work, although I'm not quite ready yet it has given me a goal to work on throughout 2017. I have away wanted to have my writing published in some form by the time I was 30, so I have 2 years to work on this. 
- Spending time with the people who enrich your life, and distancing/cutting the cord from those who are only around for fair weather or just serve to cause conflict. It's so hard to not take it personally when it is clear you are an after thought to someone after years and years of friendship, but it is okay to let go and move on from that relationship if it no longer brings you joy or enrichment.  - Returning to my Cathedral Guide training after a hiatus. 

• Goals for 2017 • 

- Getting Married. On Friday 23rd June 2017 I will say 'I do' to my best friend and partner in crime. We will have been engaged for 2 years, and together for 6 years by the time we wed. It feels so good to be able say that I'm getting married this year, although I am grateful for the longer period of engagement as I feel it really gave us the time to enjoy being engaged before we got into the hardcore wedding preparations and saving. 
- Improving the content on the blog and posting on a regular basis. Sometimes I don't give myself enough time, or I say yes to books that I have a gut feeling that I just won't like. I want to be firmer with what I chose to review for publishers. I feel so privileged that my little old blog has caught the attention of those working in the book industry, and that they'd like to work with me to promote books on their portfolios. It's definitely a relationship I want to nourish for further development in 2017. 
- Read more books. For reviewing purposes, and for general pleasure. I'm aiming for 100 books read in 2017, which I will keep track of via my Goodreads account.
- Refining what I post on my Instagram - remember to follow me!
- Improving my health and fitness. I signed up for the gym on January 2nd (as did most of the UK I imagine!) and did my first proper work out in goodness knows how long. I've wanted to improve my fitness for quite some time now, but I lacked the motivation. Suddenly with the wedding looming and only six months away I've realised I need to get my backside in gear. I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed it, and the endorphin kick afterwords was so beneficial. I feel that this will help my anxiety as a result. 
- Work on my original writing, both fiction and non-fiction. I have so many notebooks and files filled with half finished stories, or a heck of a lot of planning. This year I want to go through everything and really work at getting them in a more polished position. 
What are your goals for the New Year?

39. Hello June...

I feel like I'm repeating everyone around me when I write this, but I cannot believe it is June! Surely Christmas wasn't that long ago? It feels like it has only just passed.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the fantastic choice of wrapping paper presented to me this year?

May is always a busy month for me, what with it being not only being my birthday month, but also some of my very good friend's birthdays as well. It's always a bit of a challenge to try and get together as we all seem to be born around the bank holiday weekend at the end of May, and to complicate things further my cousin was also getting married on my birthday this year. 

I got the gorgeous Somerby Pendelton bike in mint for my birthday from my parents. Dan gave me a Cambridge Satchel in mint, with embossing on it. I've been coveting it for a while now, and I'm so pleased with it. Inside he sneakily hid the 20th anniversary edition of The Princess Bride, which I'm thrilled about as it is one of my all time favourite films. He also gave me Cary Ewles book about the filming of it too. I can't wait to get stuck in!

This June will mark Dan and I's five year anniversary, and on 23rd June it will be a year exactly until we tie the knot. It gives me butterflies just thinking of it! I can't wait to really get round to sharing my wedding planning here, I'm holding off until my last family wedding has passed, which will be in July when my Mama remarries. It'll be extremely strange that she won't have the same surname as me, but all good things must come to an end and I am excited for this next chapter of my mum's life.  I also started a new job three months ago, and feel so much happier in general. You don't think about it much, but enjoying where you work really does make a huge difference to the quality of your life. It has definitely helped with my anxiety, although it will always be there in some form, I feel that I am dealing with things much better. The company is really young and cool, and my coworkers are a lovely bunch. It isn't necessarily where I saw myself going career-wise but there is a wealth of opportunity, and I'm so proud to be such an integral team member in the day to day workings of the company. They are very vocal about making sure their staff feel appreciated, and I have to admit, so far so good, it is easily the best company I have worked for to date! I'm excited to share the next few blog posts with you, so watch this space!

35. 366 New Days, 366 New Chances

x

Hello, and Happy 2016! I can't quite believe it is officially 2016 - 2015 where have you gone?! When I was writing this post I didn't actually realise 2016 is a leap year, until I saw a very helpful picture on weheartit while looking for some stock images for this post. So we get an extra day to make this year count, which is rather wonderful, don't you agree?
While I can't say I'm sorry to close the chapter of 2015, I will take with me all the lessons I have learnt into 2016. I feel this is going to be a good year for me, my goals and my life with Fella. 2015 kicked my backside, and challenged me constantly, but it also taught me that it is okay to fail at things, it is okay to take the time that you need to heal. It also taught me that even my tolerance has a breaking point, and to purge each and every single negative and poisonous aspect from my life, and move on with a brighter outlook. 
1. No more Snooze button. I am a multiple offender of hitting my snooze button in the morning, leaving myself very little time to get up and ready, to the point where I leave my home like a tornado, leaving a wreck in my wake. This leaves me feeling quite rushed, and definitely doesn't help with my anxiety. I moved our annoyingly loud alarm clock into the bathroom, which means I have to get out of bed and go into another room to turn it off. By that point, I've turned on the lights and the worst is over with. My phone alarm goes off about 5 minutes after this as an added deterrent to getting back into bed. Is this what being an adult feels like?
2. Have breakfast every morning. I used to be so good at ensuring I had a hearty meal at the start of my day, but somewhere along the line, as my wake up time became earlier and earlier this dropped off. I need to take better care of myself and ensure that I am setting myself up for the day in the correct way. Since being back to work I haven't missed a single breakfast, and I really do notice the difference in myself already. 
3. No electronic devices after 9pm. This is something I thought I would struggle with a lot more than I have done. I am a repeat offender for going to bed and being on my phone or tablet until the early hours of the morning. No wonder I was such a zombie. I've only broken this rule once so far, and although I am disappointed in myself I still have time to get on top of my game! 
4. Be in bed by 10:30pm on work nights. I have to be at work for 8am, and I have a long day, and have an impossibly awful train-line to grapple with before I even get to work, so it is essential that I get enough sleep. A minimum of 8 hours to be precise. Again, I haven't completely stuck to this as of yet, but when I have I feel better for it, 
5. Create content I am really proud of. I started doing this last year, and I would like it to continue into 2016, not just on this blog, but also in the form of a YouTube channel where I can focus on historical fiction in different ways, whether it be talking about a book, or a film adaptation.
6. Get a new header design that is more of a reflection of this space, and what I'm about. 
7. Enjoy our wedding planning. Our venue is booked, or date is set. I have found THE dress and my bridal party has been confirmed. All great positives that will ensure that I have the best year of wedding planning. 
8. Be thankful for the life I have. 

33. Hello December...

I can't quite believe that December is here!

It is usually one of my favourite months of the year, but it has just seemed a bit too early to start getting Festive (although I'm sure that it is nothing that a marathon session of Christmas films can't sort out!) so I thought I'd try and kick start the Festive buzz by writing about what I'm looking forward to this Yuletide season.

1. Seeing Christmas decorations and lights on my way into work - I get up for work very early, and have to catch a 6:46am train, so it is dark when I leave the flat, and dark when I'm coming home (what does sunlight look like again?) but what makes it bearable is the plethora of Christmas lights and decorations adorning the houses and streets. It doesn't matter how old I get, it will always feel completely magical!
2. Spending time with loved ones - For the first time ever in my working life I have from Christmas eve until 4th January off work! This excites me a ridiculous amount, and I can't wait to spend my time just enjoying the festivities. Whether it is friends or family, I intend to do a lot of catching up and present swapping over mulled wine this December.
3. Waiting for the first frost of Winter - I love frosty weather, specifically when I'm going for an early morning walk, or and looking out at it from the safety of my home. It's been unseasonably mild for December, and I'd like to know when Jack Frost is going to come and deliver the goods! 
4. Picking our tree, and decorating our home - We'll be going to select our Christmas tree this Saturday, and I really can't wait. I think having the tree will definitely make me feel more festive.  

5. Binge watching Christmas films - Once we've decorated the flat, we'll start watching Christmas films. It doesn't feel right to watch them unless you're surrounded by all of the paraphernalia of the season. My favourites include Home Alone, White Christmas, Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street and Father Christmas based on the books by Raymond Briggs, which I watched every year growing up, and is still my all time favourite!  
6. Consuming copious amounts of Hot Chocolate - I don't need to elaborate on this one, just do it because YAAAAAASSSSS!
7. Christmas Eve - In many ways, Christmas Eve is my favourite day/night of the entire Christmas period. Christmas day always feels as though there is an undercurrent of stress. Has the turkey been over cooked? The cat's pulled down the tree again, and Great Aunt Mildred is one glass of sherry away from falling arse over tit into the fireplace again kind of situations. Boxing day is always the calm after the storm where you're tidying up whatever you couldn't manage on Christmas night, and returning to normality. But Christmas Eve is just so magical, and filled with excitement and joy, it is the best feeling, and I cannot wait to spend it with Fella and Louis, all snuggled up as we settle in to watch The Grinch in our Pajamas.
8. And most importantly, taking time to be in the moment, and allow myself to enjoy it - because that is what it is all about, isn't it?

x

What are you looking forward to this Christmas?

32. Remembering to Breathe...

I've spoken briefly about my struggle with anxiety in my recent posts. Truth be told, I wasn't sure if I wanted to share this information, but it has become such a part of me and my life I had to address it. I thought it was getting better, I thought I was getting better at managing it. 

Two weeks ago I suffered a major relapse in the form of the worst panic attack I can remember ever happening. I'll set the scene for you. Monday morning, the trains are delayed. Fellow commuters are grouchy, and the delays mean that when the train eventually does arrive it is busier than usual. This is not usually a problem. I don't remember feeling particularity anxious about the journey. In fact, I don't remember thinking about anything specific at all.

31. Hello November....

It's no secret that Autumn and Winter are my favourite time of year. The crisp chill in the air, the crunch of leaves beneath booted feet, all the while wrapped up in a voluminous tartan scarf sipping on a steaming cup of Lady Grey - what's not to love?

29.He liked it so he put a RING on it!

If you don't already follow me on my various social media accounts, after four years together, Fella proposed to my on our 4 year anniversary, Tuesday 23rd June 2015. In a photo booth. A photo booth we have been going to together since we have been in this relationship. 

26. The Versatile Blogger Award

Despite my best efforts, my plans of regular posting have not materialized.  Life, inevitably got in the way in the form of a sudden job change, and my life was thrown head first into chaos once again. I feel I should elaborate. At the beginning of this year my old company decided they wanted to initiate an office move, and my department was the main one affected. It involved moving down to Devon, which as I'm sure you can appreciate were not part of my current plans being in my late twenties. This period lasted from February until mid May this year, which I have to admit was the most draining experience of my life to date. 

23. Life Lately

Life lately has been:

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15. Pleated Skirts and a New Direction

I am making my return to blogging after taking a bit of a break. I started a new job towards the end of last year and things got busy very quickly. I felt I was struggling to keep up with everything going on in my life at the time and unfortunately something had to give - not that I have posted on a regular basis for a while.
I wanted to set myself some goals for 2014 - I don't like the word resolutions because I generally don't stick to them. I wanted my goals to be achievable and enjoyable and not put so much pressure on myself that I end up not wanting to follow through. I want to really enjoy blogging so I am going to combine a few of my interests together here, more so than I have before. That also involved not rushing into posting just any old thing as soon as January started. 

12. The Breakfast Club, St Paul's & Shake Shack

Like any history lover, I love spontaneous historic days out! Recently fella and I took a jaunt to London for a day of good food, and a random trip to St Paul's Cathedral. I've been once before when I was in my early teens, but I had never been all the way to the top of it before.

Beforehand we stopped off in Spitalfields, and had breakfast at 'The Breakfast Club' - which I would highly recommend. I swear it gets better every time we go! 

If you haven't either I would highly recommend it, although take some water with you and do not wear impractical clothing like I did (just to note I was wearing a gorgeous pleated skirt which was a nightmare when climbing up the metal spiral staircase of death as we went deep into the bowels of the Cathedral dome!), I spent the majority of the climb up and down in a deep paranoia I was going to fall to my doom due to my choice of skirt that very morning. 

The view was phenomenal!

We also tried out the new Shake Shack in Covent Garden. We both agreed it wasn't the most amazing burger we've ever had, but the cheesy fries could be enough of a reason to go back. I don't really like the concept they have for service though. It was a bit too busy for my tastes.

Things have been a bit quieter on the blog front lately, due to the fact that I will be starting a new job in September! That's right lovelies! While I'm not completely sure what I'm going to do without my staff discount to keep my wardrobe bountiful I am very excited about the new challenges awaiting me in my new company.

It has come at the perfect timing for me, I am ready for a change of scene, and while I am still managing a team my new role offers so many opportunities and takes me away from the shop floor. Not to mention that the company is steeped in history, but I will reveal more in time!

10. St Albans Catherdral

I'm going to be posting about my favourite site in Saint Albans. I am of course talking about the Cathedral! 

4. 2012 Roundup & 2015 Hopes

2012 was a good year.. 

• I graduated university with a 2:1 - I was desperate to come out of university with this grade. I felt if I had come out of it with a 2:2 ultimately it would have meant I had spent too much time having 'a good time' (i.e. nights out etc). I'm really proud of myself for achieving what I did. 
• I went up the career ladder - having spent so long running things but not being recognised for it I decided to take a chance and apply for roles I was essentially doing. I'm proud of myself for that, and for achieving everything I have in the year that I have been at my job. I now know how confident and competent I am, and to trust my own judgement. There's nothing wrong with being thrown in the deep end, right? (But watch out for the sharks!) 
• Things got better and better with Fella. I honestly didn't think I could be this happy and content. He's made me grow as a person so much, and encouraged me in every way possible - especially in embracing my inner raging history geek. I have absolutely loved spending this year with him, and I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for us. Simply put, I adore him. 
• The other love of my life for 2012 was Richard III. Yes, that Richard. I know, I know! Wasn't he the hunchbacked, long haired, crooked teeth cripple who murdered his nephews to usurp the throne and seize power for himself? I don't necessarily believe he was a hunchback in the traditional form.. there's no way he could have fought the battles he did, and of been such a successful soldier with that sort of disability. Scoliosis really does not mean you are a Quasimodo hunchback. I'm still reading up on this enigmatic figure.. and he has completely sparked a re-interest in the Plantagenets - I can't wait for Alison Weir's up and coming biography of Elizabeth of York! I haven't decided if I'm what Weir would call a 'revisionist' or not yet, but I'm trying to keep an open mind.. 

I hope 2013 will..

• Bring happiness and health for all my loved ones. 
• Sees me break into a career relating to history, and communicating this passion every single day. I believe it is so, so important to understand the past history of your country. We are blessed with having someone of the most interesting characters to have walked this land, and I want everyone to know it! It's so fascinating! 
• My love of history will be translated across this blog more than it ever was before because I very luckily have a Fella who is turning out to be as much as a history geek as me! How lucky! 
• I will finish writing what I hope will become my first book (Uhoh.. it's on the blog, out on the interweb now! I have to do it!)
• See me travel more. Scandinavia, Germany, France - I want to explore more of Europe. Places I've already been, places I've never been before!  
• I want to shop less. Working in retail has seen me part with a lot more money on clothes than I normally would have. Someone take my debit card away from me! 
• This will mean being more creative with my outfit choices - which means I will still blog about that too for all you fashonistas still hanging in there for me.
• Fella and I will have another amazing year together.

And lastly.. I am going to do the above! I can't wait to read back on this year, and all that will have happened. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and a fantastic New Years. Thank you so much to those of you that have stuck with me through my inconsistent phases, life sometimes gets in the way! I am learning to find a blogging timetable that works for me.. baby steps and all that. I hope you can be patient with me a little while longer?

That's all for now. 

Happy New Year Cherubs! 

All photos from weheartit.com

3. Graduation Gift

It's been a long time since I last updated, despite promising myself again and again that I would stop being such a bad blogger and start updating at least once a week, I've yet to come through with said promise.

Time seems to have gone by in so quickly, suddenly I moved home, started a new job and starting dating a lovely man. It's all happened so easily, and I can say I've not been this happy in a long time - despite missing seeing my friends on a daily basis.

2. Goodbye Cheltenham

Hello hello hello!

So sorry for my lack of posts. This last month was hectic and I had so much to complete for university before I finish for good. My last shift at Toast is tomorrow, which I'm very sad about. They are a great company to work for, and I love my coworkers so very much. It's the most lovely team in retail I have ever worked with. I will miss them all!

Credit: weheartit

I have my last exam on Wednesday (gulp!) and then I move back on to start my new job with TopShop on Thursday ready for Saturday. Regular blogging shall resume as of next Satuday/Sunday/Monday depending on how long it takes for me to unpack my room. I have four years worth of belongings to thin out, I'm still not entirely sure how I will be doing this so please wish me luck! If you have any advice for moving back home from university then please do share also, I'd love to hear your stories :)

Take Care for now Cherubs!

Ciao!x

1. Remembering a Hollywood Legend

Elizabeth Rosemund Taylor 

1932 - 2011

RIP

Elizabeth Taylor was without a doubt one of the last Hollywood greats. While I'm sad to hear she has passed away, I'm choosing to focus on the fact that she lived a very glamourous life and for the most part thoroughly enjoyed it.

When I look at 'celebrities' that stare back at me from row after row of magazines in WHSmith I wonder at how the majority of them can be considered 'stars'. It seems nowadays anyone can call themselves a 'celebrity' while possessing very little talent or without making a worthy difference in the world (Jordan, Big Brother 'stars' and The Only Way is Essex I'm looking at you).

Latex clad and tango orange? Perish the very thought! 

Just because you're pictured falling out of nightclubs half dressed doesn't make you famous. It isn't news worthy. It isn't a good image to promote. So why do so many people buy into it?

Maybe it's because I grew up watching films made predominately made in the 1930s-1950s and as a result I'm so in love with the clothes and manners, maybe it's because I was instilled with the moral that less is more; I don't feel the need to make a spectacle of myself for the entire world to see. I want to live my life with as much grace, decorum and passion that Taylor did. Although she radiated a sexuality, it's entirely different from the kind someone like Katie Price does (tacky springs to mind).

Like looking at a younger version of yourself, eh Liz?

The closest person who radiates the same kind of glamourous appeal (for me at least) is burlesque artist Dita Von Teese. She emulates old Hollywood glamour from the top of her head right down to the tips of her toes. Not to mention she has a killer wardrobe too!

Elizabeth Taylor lived her life by her own rules, and her presence on twitter opened up a whole new window of admirers who may not know much about her. Yes, it's sad she has passed away but I for one am glad for a woman I can look to to have existed in the world. With so many bimbos and vapid airheads vying for cover space, I'm glad Elizabeth Taylor was around for as long as she was to remind everyone exactly what true glamour and star power was.

If you've got facebook why not join my page to keep up to date with my updates here or twitter? I can also be found on blog lovin'!

Ciao Cherubs!x