Search This Blog
Wednesday 28 February 2024
Tell Us Your Reading Habits: 2024 Survey
Monday 26 February 2024
Put a Bow On It
#StyleNotAge challenge
Saturday 24 February 2024
A Year in the Garden: February
Dear friends. This is the first in a series of monthly posts where I share what's going on in the garden, my latest tasks, learnings and plans. I'll be sharing this with #6onSaturday at Garden Ruminations, to give you even more gardening goodness.
Background on how we transformed our small garden in 2012.
February in London, UK, is still very much winter. And yet. There are many signs of spring. The monster clematis montanas -3 of them - have tiny buds. The forsythia hedge has even bigger buds. Bulbs are making strong progress.
Thursday 22 February 2024
The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson
Dear friends. I'm thrilled to bring you a book today that earned the rare accolade from me of 5 stars. It's my stop on the blog tour for The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson.
The book is described as "A gripping and heartwarming novel inspired by the true events of the women who joined the resistance in Jersey during the German occupation in WW2."
Wednesday 21 February 2024
Mother's Day Outfit Inspiration with Cotton Traders {2024}
Dear friends. Mother's Day in the UK is early this year, on March 10. I always go to Plymouth to see my mum, who's 91, and we usually go out for lunch.
Readers in the USA and Australia may be scratching their heads over the date. Your Mother's Day is on 12 May. The reason for the UK date being different each year is that our celebration is rooted in the Christian observance of Lent, with Mothering Sunday taking place on the fourth Sunday, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday.
Here's a sneak preview of what I'll be wearing, thanks to my friends at Cotton Traders.
Friday 16 February 2024
Latest Book Reviews
Dear friends. I'm spoiling you this month with the most amazing selection of books. Highlights include a quirky 13 year old who helps find a murderer; miners leaving their homes in the early morning mist; a collection of unforgettable short stories, and the return of Aisling, "Ireland's answer to Bridget Jones." They're all available now. Enjoy! I certainly did.
Thursday 15 February 2024
Tell Us About: Friends and Friendship
Dear friends. Welcome to this month's Tell Us About challenge. The prompt was chosen by Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper. Penny has become a good friend and we've met up several times. It's a good example of how " finding your tribe" can help you meet new people and make friends.
Today's post is all about forging friendships later in life.
Wednesday 14 February 2024
Technicolor Dream Coats
& Wow on Wednesday
Dear friend. At the start of autumn I resolved to up my coat game. I wanted to banish black and navy from my wardrobe and enjoy wearing bright colors throughout winter.
Tuesday 13 February 2024
Mongrel by Hanako Footman
Dear friends. Today's book spotlight is on the extraordinary Mongrel, the debut novel by Hanako Footman. Mongrel tells the stories of three interlinked women, Mel, Yuki and Haruka. Today is my stop on the blog tour.
Sunday 11 February 2024
This Week in Books
Dear friends. Welcome to what's hopefully going to be a regular weekly post looking at books. There's also a sneak peak into what's coming on the blog this week.
The pic at the top shows my main bookcase. I mostly read books on a Kindle and consequently have got rid of hundreds of actual books in the last few years. I saved my favourites plus various reference books, and these are the books on our shelves. I'll zoom in on a couple of interesting collections over the next few weeks.
Wednesday 7 February 2024
The Blues in February
& Wow on Wednesday
Dear friends. February is such a relief after never-ending January. Normally a short month, the spring bulbs start proliferating and the birds get more chirpy. Spring is not far away.
If you've popped over from Platinum magazine, check out this brief welcome post.
Tuesday 6 February 2024
Welcome to Platinum Readers
A warm welcome if you've popped over after seeing me in the March issue of Platinum magazine. I can't link to the article unfortunately (it's not online), but I took part in their Big Debate about what women over 50 should wear.
Monday 5 February 2024
My Sister's Baby by Louise Guy
Dear friends. I'm happy to share with you today a real page turner, My Sister's Baby by Louise Guy. I literally couldn't put it down. It's my stop on the blog tour.