Grab yourself a cuppa, make yourself comfortable; and help yourself to a biscuit.
So, what's new with you?
Lately, I've been...
Reading
I've read almost every day so far this year, and while I haven't read a crazy amount of books, I've still devoured a decent number. I'm currently on my thirty-eighth book of 2022, and only need to finish three to complete my Goodreads reading goal of forty, so I'm pleased with my progress. I've read some great books over the last few months (and a couple of not-so-great ones, too). I discovered Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, and ploughed through all seven of her Grishaverse novels one after the other, plus an enchanting book of fairytales and another about saints set in the same world. I'm a little obsessed, if I'm honest- especially with Nikolai, who has to be one of my favourite book characters ever. It took me a while to get in to Six of Crows as it was a slow-starter and so different to the first three books, but by the time Matthais and Nina were added, and all of their characters' stories started to unravel, I was hooked. I've also reread the Caraval series as I needed another fantasy binge and a Jacks fix; got through a few psychological thrillers like The Blackbird by Tim Weaver and Do No Harm by Jack Jordan (both excellent), and The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh (which was not); and recently finished The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum for the first time. I've also read a few Blake Crouch novels lately, and was especially engrossed in Dark Matter, which has to be one of the best books I've ever read. It's about a man who gets kidnapped and wakes up in a parallel universe where his wife isn't his wife, his son doesn't exist, and the company he works for are out to get him. Once he realises where he is, he has to figure out how to get back to his own world, and all kinds of crazy shit goes down as he tries to get back to his family. It was an incredible read, and the way the multiverse is explored was both mind-blowing and terrifying. Read it! Recursion was also brilliant, but Upgrade was so boring I had to force myself to keep reading. I then reread Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for the first time in twenty-one years, which was lovely to return to. I've just finished The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber, which I loved- especially Jacks and his patented blend of gentleness, mischieve, and playful cruelty, but the ending broke me. If Garber doesn't fix that ending in book three, I don't think my heart will ever recover. A few days ago, I finished reading The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke, a creepy thriller about a woman and her three daughters living in a lighthouse in Scotland that's cursed by witches and wildlings. In 1998, the mother and her daughters disappear one by one, and only one girl is seen again- until twenty-one years later, when one of the daughters reappears, still seven years old. It was a good, creepy little read, and perfect for autumn. On Thursday, I read my first ever graphic novel- The Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo. It's a prequel to Shadow and Bone about The Darkling and how he came to be, and the artwork is gorgeous. I'm now reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, and I'm already hooked. I hope it's as good as The Martian.
If you want to keep up with what I've been reading, you can find me on Goodreads here.
Watching
Recent screen favourites have included Shadow and Bone (especially Matthais- I mean, seriously, where can I get one?!), Stranger Things, Alba, Jurassic World Dominion, The Age of Adaline, Old, Greenland, A Quiet Place 1 & 2, Scream 5, the Neighbours finale (so sad it's over), and Home and Away. I've also started watching Locke and Key on Netflix, and The Night Sky on Prime, which I've been enjoying, but I've only watched a few episodes of each so far, and I recently watched an interesting documentary series on 9/11 on Disney+. Mostly, I've just been rewatching old favourites.
Listening
I haven't listened to a lot of new music lately, except for the new Panic! at the Disco album, Viva las Vengeance, which I'm really enjoying. I've mostly been playing a lot of Linkin Park and Dead by Sunrise, but hey, what's new?
Stitching
I've hardly cross stitched at all this year as I've been so uninspired and haven't found anything I've wanted to stitch, but I've just gone back to stitching some Satsuma Street Christmas baubles designs I began last December. They're only little, so they won't take me long to sew, so I should have no trouble completing them in time for the festive season. I've finished two so far, and think I have five left to go.
Playing
I still love Animal Crossing New Horizons and enjoy relaxing with it every day. I've recently started a new island after getting frustrated with my old one when I was sick with Covid- then regretting it and resetting again- so I'm busy playing catch up, and also trying to make it look super autumnal with lots of pumpkins and orange foliage. I've also been working on lots of holiday homes with the add-on, Happy Home Paradise, which I find oddly addictive. Aside from AC, I regularly play FarmVille 3, and recently spent a fun evening on holiday playing Ghostbusters Monopoly, and getting taught how to play Disney Uno for the first time. I'm tempted to jump on the bandwagon and try Disney Dreamlight Valley next, as everyone seems to be obsessed with it, but I want to get a little further in Animal Crossing before I get addicted to another game.
Buying
I recently bought the coolest Labyrinth print smock dress from Truffle Shuffle. It's black and has a print of characters from the movie (like Jareth, Ludo, and Hoggle), and barn owls and the lyrics 'dance, magic dance' dotted in between. It's amazing, and so comfortable, too. It caters to both straight sizes and plus sizes up to a 24-26, and it's generously-sized, so I'd recommend sizing down. I also treated myself to a gorgeous red polka dot midi dress by Live Unlimited from Very with some belated birthday money, which I wore on my recent holiday to Cornwall. It's pretty, classic, and so comfy, too. Also very generously-sized. Aside from dresses, I've bought quite a few books lately- mostly from stumbling in to bookshops on holiday; a pumpkin witch brooch from Erstwilder; the cosiest new toadstool print pyjamas from ASOS Curve; and I've even picked up a few gifts and wrapping accessories for Christmas already.
Wanting
All the books, some new dresses, this year's Essie and Benefit Advent calendars, to curl up in a pile of blankets like a burrito, the sequel to The Ballad of Never After to be out now because that ending broke me and needs fixing along with my heart, and the next series of Shadow and Bone to be released on Netflix already,
Needing
New glasses, a hair cut, new pairs of ankle boots and Converse, a good concert, my tachycardia to calm the f*ck down, a cure for tinnitus before I go insane, some excitement in my life, and a new camera as I dropped and broke my Canon. *Sobs.*
Wishing
I could rewind a month and enjoy my holiday all over again. Or that I was rich enough to take another one... I miss being by the sea.
Enjoying
A week's holiday down in Cornwall last month. It was so good to get away, spend some time by the sea, relax, eat some good food, and revisit some of my favourite places. I won't say any more now, as I'll be writing a separate post about what I got up to soon.
Loving
I recently tried the OGX coconut shampoo and conditioner, after picking up travel sizes for my holiday, and not only do they smell amazing, but they left my hair so soft and shiny, too. I'll definitely be buying them again.
Liking
The crisp chill in the air, the leaves changing colours, seeing hedges full of blackberries, the sound of dry leaves skipping along the tarmac in the breeze, and curling up under a blanket with a good book as the last of the daylight fades away in the evening. I'm liking these early autumn days a lot.
Eating
As I've been away, I've enjoyed some really good treats lately; my favourite fish and chips from Rick Stein's Fish and Chips, the most amazing berry roulade from a café on Padstow harbour, delicious junk food from a burger bar called The Hub Box in St. Ives, a few Cornish pasties, some great gelato from Pavilion Ice in Perranporth... it was a good week for food. I've also been loving Cadbury Mint Crisp chocolate, and may have enjoyed a Millie's Cookie or two last week...
Drinking
I recently tried a really delicious raspberry lemonade from The Hub Box. It was just the right balance of tart and sweet, and had fresh raspberries in it. It was sooo good. More please.
Burning
the back of my hand on the oven the first time I tried cooking (well, heating) something in many moons. (Cooking hurts my back too much, so I don't often unless I have no other option). I really shouldn't be allowed in the kitchen. Luckily, the burn isn't too deep as I reacted fast, but boy, did it hurt. Fingers crossed it doesn't scar.
And that's life lately in a nut shell.
What have you been enjoying lately?
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