Sunday 27 November 2016

HIS BLOODY PROJECT // GRAEME MACRAE BURNET


This book is made up of supposedly real life documents relating to the case of Roderick Macrae, a murder Graeme Macrae Burnet apparently came across when he was researching his family history.

Roderick's own account of the what happened takes up the first half of the novel and then is followed by witness statements, a mental examination by a leading authority on criminal insanity, and then reports of the trial itself.  The events are set in the Scottish Highlands late 1860s-1870s. in a remote crofting community, the main character is a seventeen year old who has by his own admission committed a triple murder, and the question is whether he was insane and therefore not able to be hanged for his crimes.  

Thursday 24 November 2016

BEING THANKFUL


As an english girl through and through I have never celebrated Thanksgiving and had no idea what it was about until I googled it and now I have a vague idea.

But what I do really like is the idea of taking a day out to celebrate everything we have to be thankful for because I sometimes forget to appreciate all the little things that I am so lucky to have in my life and there is a lot I have to be thankful for.

Tuesday 22 November 2016

COSY SUNDAYS


Sundays for me are for big snuggly jumpers, cups of tea, blankets on the sofa with a family film on.  Ideally there would be some good food included along with some time reading the Sunday papers.  

Sadly I do not always get to tick all these boxes but one thing I have got down is the big snugly jumper because of course that had to be the number one priority.

Sunday 20 November 2016

LIFE LATELY


Watching: A Girl on the Train.  This was the last film I saw at the cinema and I was worried it was over hyped and one of those films where all the best bits were in the trailer.  They weren't.  Really good but not one to watch if you want a funny light hearted rom com but if you want some suspense, go see it.

Reading: His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet.  Really into this and am dreading finishing it.  Is it reality: is it not?  And it brings together my love of the law, crime and the psychology behind committing criminal acts.  There will be a full review up soon when I finish it.

Listening: to whether Esme has got out of her bed in the middle of the night.  Are they her little footsteps I can hear?  She is a sleep walker which is weird when you wake up to find her standing right by your bed asleep but with her eyes wide open.  Very freaky.

Eating: alone.  That makes me sound rather tragic but it really wasn't.  I had a rare day of me time and I decided to take my time and take myself out for lunch, sushi to be exact.  It was just me, my book and my sushi and it was strangely liberating.  I always had dreaded such things in the past because of looking like a loner but I got to: people watch to my hearts content; drink as many cups of green tea as I wanted; and I didn't have to share my spicy tuna rolls with anyone.  Win win in my world!

Thinking: about potential summer holiday plans for next year.  It is freezing and miserable which makes me crave sunshine and warmth but I would also like something to see.  Any ideas?  Oh yes and it also has to be suitable for two little people who just want to spend all day in the pool.

Up next: The Man Booker Prize winner The Sellout.  Really looking forward to starting that one.  

Thursday 17 November 2016

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE & PLANNERS


I recently stumbled across a planner that is so perfect it is unbelievable and I bought it, even though it is an 18 month planner that started in August and I have months of empty pages, because it made my stationary heart jump with glee.  

A little too much?  Probably...

But in all seriousness it has monthly overviews and weekly pages too.  Everything I could ever need to plan my life right down to a tee.  


Monday 14 November 2016

THOUGHTS & GIRL AT WAR BY SARA NOVIĆ


Blogging is something that seems to come in fits and bursts with me.  It is something that I wish I was more consistent with but at the moment that seems futile.  The more I try and lay down plans and  targets with publishing posts and the such like, the more overwhelming I find it and the more sporadic the posting becomes.

Go figure...*eye roll*

And this has happened again and the longer the break became the more pressure I felt for the next post to be ultimately amazing and more editorial.  But at the end of the day that is not how my blog is and although I love reading those blogs and they make me feel so inspired that is not my bag over here and that is ok.

So I am back basically with a book review because I love reading and I hope some of you do to.  

Thursday 3 November 2016

SKINCARE :: LAURA MERCIER // FIRST IMPRESSIONS


Now you all know how I love skincare and that is where I spend my money in terms of beauty. If your skin looks good then the makeup that you put on it looks much better. 

So while I was at the Laura Mercier counter picking up a new foundation I was intrigued by their skincare and what it has to offer. 


Tuesday 1 November 2016

ANOTHER SATURDAY, ANOTHER AFTERNOON TEA //THE RITZ, LONDON


The girls got me an voucher for a champagne afternoon tea last Christmas and I thought it was about time I put it to good use.  So while the girls were away I booked in and off we went.

I love afternoon tea.  I think it is something about the tradition and how it harks back to a more decadent age where there was time to sit down regularly and eat little sandwiches, scones loaded with fresh cream and jam, and dainty little cakes.