Autumn Goals

I can't believe that we're already a week in to September! Where have the last eight months of the year gone?! I feel like I blinked and missed them- but that's probably because I've only left the house a handful of times all year, and haven't been out living life to the full. I honestly feel like I've missed the whole summer, and it makes me a little sad to think of all the things I've not done this year. 

But, hey; it's September and we're heading in to autumn, so it's time for fresh starts and second chances. I'm so excited for the last third of the year, and hopeful that I'm able to enjoy the next few months a little more, and make up for lost time. I'm already thinking about all the fun autumn things I want to do over the next couple of months, as well as some other less-seasonal tasks, and I thought I'd talk about some of them today to try to encourage myself to start doing them, and make myself accountable. Maybe it'll work this year.

These are some of my autumn goals:

Take a Holiday to Cornwall

Okay, it's not autumnal, but my first goal for the month is to make it through a week's holiday to Cornwall. We're going away soon, and I can't wait to be back by the sea in one of my favourite places, taking in all the familiar sights, sounds, and smells, doing some sight-seeing, and eating lots of yummy food. Some of the things I hope to do while I'm there include:

♥ Visit Perranporth Beach

♥ Explore Portreath.

♥ Go to Padstow.

♥ Spend a day at St. Ives

♥ Get Rick Stein Fish 'n' Chips

♥ Take a walk on the beach.

♥ Paddle in the sea.

♥ Sight see by tour bus.

♥ Go on a boat trip to try to spot some sea life.

♥ Dine at some cool restaurants,

♥ Find some good independent book shops to bankrupt myself in.

Take a Walk in the Woods When the Leaves Fall

I'd really like to take a walk in the woods when the leaves fall to take in all of the beautiful colours, enjoy the fresh air, and hear the leaves crunch beneath my boots. 

Crunch Through Fallen Leaves

Maybe I'm just a big child, but there's something so satisfying about the sound of dead leaves crunching underfoot, and getting buried in leaves up to your shins. I want lots of that this year, please. It reminds me of being little.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

I've still never visited a pumpkin patch, and would love to go to one to pick out a pumpkin or two, and take a few photos for the 'gram.

Carve a Pumpkin

I wasn't well enough to carve a pumpkin last Halloween, so fingers crossed I'll be able to carve one this fright night. It's tradition.

Bake an Apple Pie

I haven't baked in ages because it hurts my back too much these days, but I miss baking something tasty from scratch, and want to try to make an apple pie this autumn. I mean, seriously- is there anything better than warming up with a freshly-baked slice of apple pie and custard straight from the oven on a chilly autumn evening? It's the best autumn comfort food ever.

Read Lots

Autumn is one of my favourite times of the year for reading. I don't know why, but there's something extra cosy about curling up under a blanket in bed and burying your nose in a good book when there's a crisp chill in the air, and an explosion of autumn colour to inspire the imagination. I want to find plenty of time to read this autumn, and work on completing my Goodreads reading goal before the busy Christmas season slows me down. I'm currently on book 32 of the year, and only have another 8 to go to hit my goal, so it should be doable if I keep up my current pace.

Go to a Fireworks Display

I'd really like to make it to a fireworks display on Bonfire Night. I haven't gone to one in over a decade now, and I miss it. I used to go every year since childhood to the one on my local RAF base, and I hear this year could be the last year they have one, as they're set to build on the playing field where it's always been held. It'll be the end of an era, so I have to go one last time.

Make my Animal Crossing Island Look All Autumnal

In case you were wondering (of course you weren't), I'm still addicted to Animal Crossing New Horizons, and I can't wait to start enjoying the autumn season in game. I've just started a new island, and I'm looking forward to making it look super autumnal with pumpkins and spooky stuff everywhere. I'm currently working on building a farm area so I can make a cute little pumpkin patch.

Make a Halloween Cross Stitch

I've never made a Halloween cross stitch before, and I think 2022 is the year to change that. I just need to find a cool pattern I like.

Watch Lots of Autumn Movies

I love a good movie marathon during the autumn months, and I'm already itching to watch all the cosy autumn movies and creepy classics. Actually, screw horror movies, I'm most looking forward to rewatching Practical Magic, You've Got Mail, Hocus Pocus, and War of the Worlds.

Visit The Cotswold Wildlife Park

I haven't paid a visit to my local zoo yet this year, which is just wrong, so I'm hoping to find time to go in the next month or so. It would be weird to go a year without making the pilgrimage, and they've just had some Pallas cat kittens that I'd love to go see. 

Take an Autumn Drive Through The Cotswolds

I live on the edge of The Cotswolds, and it's particularly beautiful during the fall, when there's a backdrop of fiery colours everywhere you turn. Sometimes we go on autumn drives through the countryside and pretty little villages just to take it all in, and it's something I'd like to do again this year. You never know what you're going to find. 

Revamp My Bookshelves

There's one thing I must do this season, and that's finally finding the spoons to reorganise my bookshelves. I've been needing to  declutter and revamp them for a couple of years, and with piles of books getting closer and closer to the ceiling, I really can't leave it much longer. I began moving my DVDs out of their cases in to a couple of folders in August, so I just need to get some boxes so I can store the empty cases, and then I'll have more rooms for books, and be able to start organising them. I need to be ruthless and get rid of anything I no longer love or can't see myself rereading, and by the time I'm done, I should have lovely, tidy bookshelves with room left over for lots of new ones.

Have a Clear Out

I also want to try to start decluttering the rest of my bedroom. I'm so over all the mess. I've got too many things that I no longer use and a lot that I've just out grown over the years, as my tastes have changed, and I've got older. I want to go through everything and sell or donate anything I no longer want or need- even if I know realistically I'll probably not get enough 'good' pain days to do it all before the New Year. What would take me an afternoon pre-chronic-pain now takes me years. I at least hope to make a start on having a clear out, even if I only manage to get through one area, like my wardrobe or under my bed.

Buy a New Pair of Ankle Boots

I desperately need a new pair of black wear-with-everything ankle boots as I wore out my last pair, so I need to buy a pair this season. Hopefully I'll actually find some I like this year, as last year's selection of wide-fit boots was crap.

Start My Christmas Shopping

I can't believe I'm saying this because I'd swear it was Christmas two minutes ago, but it's the time of year when I like to actively start Christmas shopping. It might seem early, but starting early is the only way I can afford to get my family and friends gifts, and it's the best way to spread the cost and find the best presents before all the good things sell out. Time to get on it. I want to be organised early this year.

There are more goals on my autumn bucket list, but I've waffled on enough already, so I'll stop here. Plus, this is more than enough to keep me busy for a while. I don't know if I'll be able to achieve them all, but I hope I can, and I'm going to give them all my best shot. Wish me luck!

What's on your to-do-list this autumn?

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My Christmas Bucket List

I still have lots of festive content to share with you this Christmas, but as I still need to take photos for the rest of my posts, I thought it would be fun to talk about some of the things I've always wanted to do during the holidays. 

I've put together a Christmas bucket list of all the things I'd love to experience at Christmas time before I die. From visiting Christmas markets in Europe to travelling by dog sled through a snow-draped landscape, my Christmas bucket list is made up of a variety of fun and festive aspirations that I hope to achieve one day. Many of them will likely go unfulfilled as they're a little out there, but it doesn't hurt to dream, and I'm hopeful one day I'll be able to cross a few of them off my list.

Here's my Christmas bucket list.

1. Experience Christmas in New York City.

2. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

3. Ice skate in Central Park.

4. Visit Lapland.

5. See snow fall on Christmas Day.

6. Go to Hogwarts in the Snow at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

7. Experience an American Christmas.

8. Take a trip abroad to some European Christmas markets.

9. Take a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh ride in the snow.

10. Go sledding in Scandinavia.

11. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies. I don't think I ever have!

12. Decorate the outside of my house with lights. We've never had more than a candle arch in the window.

13. Go see The Nutcracker on stage.

14. Hang stockings over the fire place. We always used to lay them on the sofas for Santa on Christmas Eve, and now we rarely even use them.

15. Try stollen, panettone, mulled wine, and mince pies. I haven't had mince pies since I was a kid, and wonder if I would like them now.

16. Build a snowman at Christmas time.

17. Travel by dog sled in the snow.

18. Pet a reindeer.

19. Visit a palace or stately home dressed for Christmas.

20. Go Christmas shopping in NYC.

21. Experience the Christmas Season in Disney World / Land.

22. Go skiing.

23. Spend it somewhere with deep snow, icicles, and ice crystals.

24. Stay in a log cabin with a roaring log life.

25. See something festive at Carnegie Hall or Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

26. Make a gingerbread house.

27. Make my own candy canes. I remember seeing some being made on Kirstie's Handmade Christmas years ago, and it looked like fun.

28. Stay in a glass-ceilinged igloo somewhere I can watch the Northern Lights.

29. Visit an ice hotel.

30. Cut down my own Christmas tree.

31. Experience Christmas somewhere hot like Australia to see how Christmas differs in the summer time / in a warm climate.

32. Explore some Christmas markets in London.

33. Make my own Christmas stockings.

34. Help out at an animal rescue centre over the festive period.

35. Experience Christmas in Cornwall.

36. Learn how to cook a full turkey dinner.

37. Take a tour bus around London after dark to see the Christmas lights.

38. Have a family snowball fight on Christmas Day.

39. Master all kinds of different Christmas crafts.

40. Spend Christmas Day with a house-full of people. I haven't spent it with anyone but my immediate family since I was in primary school, and while our introverted Christmases are perfect, I like the idea of having a bustling house full of family on Christmas Day. At least for a few hours, when I'd probably start wishing I was home alone again.

And those are all the festive things I would love to do one day! I'm sure there are many more I've forgotten, but that's everything I could think of off the top of my head.

So, tell me: what's at the top of your Christmas bucket list?

101 Things On My Bucket List

I have no intention of kicking the bucket any time soon, but being an ambitious person, I've always had a bucket list etched in to the back of my mind of all the things I hope to achieve before I die. 

My bucket list is made up of hundreds of goals that include the places I want to visit and the experiences I want to have, to the things I want to learn, and the personal accomplishments I want to make- and everything in between. I want to do it all! I know it's unlikely that I'll ever manage to achieve them all, especially now I have chronic illnesses and chronic pain that keep me house-bound and prevent me from living a normal life, but I still like to dream. I have to hope that one day I'll be able to achieve my dreams, or there's really nothing to keep fighting for.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share some of the goals on my bucket list with you today, so here we are. Don't worry, I won't list them all; I'll stop when I reach 101 or you'll be here reading them all 'til Christmas!

Here's 101 goals from my bucket list...

1. See the Northern Lights.

2. Go whale watching / see a whale in real life in the wild.

3. Visit Austria.

4. Own my own home.

5. Learn how to drive.

6. Go to Australia to see all the weird and wonderful marsupials.

7. Do a parachute jump / sky dive.

8. Get a Sasha Unisex tattoo.

9. See Niagara Falls.

10. Learn how to crochet a granny square blanket.

11. Go back to college / uni and gain another animal care qualification.

12. Work in animal care again (preferably in a zoo or animal rescue centre).

13. Visit Italy.

14. See an active volcano.

15. Do a bungee jump.

16. Learn how to play the piano.

17. Take a road trip across America. (I want to see all corners of the country).

18. Experience New Year's in New York City.

19. See the Alps.

20. Go back to Paris and explore it properly. (I've only ever driven through it on my way south).

21. Explore northern Scotland.

22. Own a Kate Spade novelty handbag.

23. Experience Autumn and Halloween in New England.

24. Swim with dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and tropical fish.

25. Learn how to surf.

26. Live by the sea.

27. Get some resemblance of a life back.

28. Take a hot air balloon ride.

29. Visit an elephant orphanage.

30. Go on safari in Africa.

31. Learn how to make my own dresses and skirts.

32. See Evanescence and Panic! at the Disco perform live.

33. Make a cross stitch of my own design.

34. Own an African pygmy hedgehog.

35. Visit Greece.

36. Step foot on a white sand beach with palm trees.

37. Go snorkeling.

38. Visit the Anne Frank house.

39. Learn how to make a patchwork quilt.

40. Return to NYC one day.

41. Experience a white Christmas.

42. Take a sleigh ride in the snow.

43. Get an Alice in Wonderland tattoo.

44. Learn how to make my own jewellery.

45. Have a big walk in closet.

46. Work with tapirs, giraffes, anteaters, aardvarks, and armadillos.

47. Be pain free again.

48. Visit Hawaii.

49. Try a freak-shake.

50. Get a sleeve tattoo.

51. Travel first class.

52. Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

53. Learn how to play the violin.

54. See the World Trade Center memorials.

55. Experience Christmas in NYC and see the Rockefeller Christmas tree.

56. Get a novel or short story published.

57. Learn how to take and edit great photos.

58. Own a DSLR camera.

59. Dive the Great Barrier Reef.

60. Take a road trip across Europe.

61. See the tulip fields in Holland.

62. Experience the Holi festival.

63. Visit Amsterdam.

64. Sleep under the stars.

65. Go glamping.

66. Ride a rollercoaster.

67. Go to Reading Festival.

68. Learn how to paint with gouache paints.

69. See a snow-capped mountain.

70. Go skiing. 

71. Visit Disney World.

72. Learn how to design images for my blog.

73. Learn another language.

74. Dye my hair a rainbow of colours.

75. Get something pierced.

76. Take part in a colour run.

77. See The Grand Canyon.

78. Experience a lantern festival.

79. Take a creative writing class.

80. Learn how to use a sewing machine.

81. Visit some European Christmas markets.

82. Make a rainbow cake.

83. See dolphins in the wild.

84. Own a designer handbag.

85. See the Easter island heads.

86. Do the whole tourist thing in Edinburgh.

87. Get my teeth done.

88. Visit New Zealand.

89. Go kayaking / canoeing.

90. Travel by sleeper train.

91. Stay in a the fanciest room in a five star (or higher) hotel.

92. Take a helicopter ride somewhere with an amazing view.

92. Go to Tokyo.

93. Eat gelato in Italy.

94. Visit Highgate Cemetery.

95. See penguins in the wild.

96. Get a tattoo to represent my chronic pain and all I've been through and overcome.

97. Go horse back riding.

98. Run a successful blog- make it the best it can be.

99. See the pyramids in Egypt.

100. Travel all over the world and step foot on every continent.

101. Live a full and happy life.

Well, that's my bucket list.,, what's on yours?

50 Things I Want To Do This Summer

The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and sandals and sundresses are filling the shops again. It can only mean one thing- Summer is on it's way! 

Living in England, you never know how long the Summer sunshine is going to last- it could be a month, a week, or an hour, so I like to make the most of it when we get it, and try to experience as much as possible before the Autumn leaves begin to fall. This year is no exception; I've already come up with a list of things I want to achieve this Summer, so I thought I'd share them with you today. Please feel free to add any of my goals to your own Summer bucket lists!

These are 50 things I want to do this Summer.

1. Go on holiday.

2, Visit the beach.

3. Go for a paddle or swim in the sea.

4. Get an ice cream from an ice cream van.

5. Go to the wildlife park.

6. See Linkin Park live.

7. Celebrate my 32nd birthday in July. Man, I'm getting old.

8. Treat myself to a new Summer wardrobe.

9. Spend at least one whole day reading.

10. Make a dent in my to-be-read pile.

11. Visit an aquarium.

12. Spend a couple of hours wandering around Bourton-on-the-Water.

13. Visit Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water.

14. Visit the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums in Oxford.

15. Explore Christchurch and some of the old parts of Oxford on foot.

16. Paint regularly.

17. Continue training Rosie, and particularly work hard on cracking recall.

18. Finish my spectral mandala and flamingo cross stitches.

19. Have a good clear out to raise some extra cash.

20. Go strawberry picking.

21. Have a barbecue.

22. Have a picnic.

23. Spend some time gambling pennies at an arcade.

24, Visit a zoo.

25. Improve my photography and photo editing skills.

26. Buy a new camera.

27. Go out for a cream tea.

28. Eat fish and chips by the sea.

29. Clean up the files, bookmarks, photos, and videos on my laptop, and back up files to my harddrive.

30. Blog regularly.

31. Take lots of blog photos for future posts while we have good daylight.

32. Catch up on all blog comments, messages, and emails.

33. Go for a walk along a river.

34, Have a drink in a beer garden.

35. Get fish and chips from Rick Stein's fish and chip shop in Padstow.

36. Visit somewhere new.

37. Go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

38. Make frozen dog treats for Rosie to help cool her down on hot days.

39. Buy Rosie a paddling pool or ball pit to see how she reacts.

40. Go for a walk in the country park.

41, Take Rosie for a walk somewhere with a shallow stream / river so she can paddle and get used to water.

42, Wander around Cheltenham in the sunshine.

43, Take a tour bus around a city.

44, Take a boat ride. Bonus points if it's to spot animals.

45, Collect seashells and / or sea glass on the beach.

46. Explore a cemetery.

47. Explore some rock pools.

48. Take a day trip to London.

49. Go out for afternoon tea.

50. Learn a new craft.

What are your goals for the Summer?

50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

The Christmas count down has finally begun, and I have so much to do between now and the 25th. 

There are many things I need to do like sit down and write out all my cards, wrap presents, and decorate the tree. I also have a long list of things I'd like to do over the festive season, such as make Christmas crackers, bake Christmas cookies, visit a Christmas craft fair, and make festive hoop art. I have a festive to-do list a mile long! What can I say? I'm a Christmas enthusiast.

I thought I'd share some of my Christmas goals with you today to give you guys a few ideas on what to get up to this Christmas. I'll be sharing 50 of them to be exact. Please feel free to do as many goals from my list as you like! 

These are 50 of the things I want to do this Christmas.

1.  Buy a little Christmas tree for my bedroom.

2. Decorate my bedroom for Christmas, so I can still enjoy the festive cheer while resting in bed.

3. Decorate the tree and put up decorations with my family. Find some new ways to deck the halls that Rosie can't reach and destroy.

4. Go to Bourton-on-the-Water's Christmas lights event. It's so beautiful and idyllic at Christmas (even more so than usual). Their Christmas tree stands in the river running through the village, and the fairy lights twinkle on the water. It's magical.

5. Make it to my town's Christmas lights event. I haven't made it in a few years, but it always helps to get me in to the festive spirit.

6. Finish the two Christmas cross stitch samplers I'm working on. (Edit: One down, one to go!)

7. Make the last four Christmas cross stitch cards I've yet to finish.

8. Make the little cross stitch ornament I've been meaning to make for years.

9. Make lots of hand-embroidered festive hoop art, and turn them in to some kind of wall feature. I have the supplies, I just need to get cracking.

10. Dress Rosie in a Christmas jumper. Boohoo have some really cute ones. I bought her this one.

11. Make some Christmas cookies and cupcakes.

12. Make some Christmas dog biscuits for Rosie and Mia (Marie's German shepherd).

13. Make Christmas crackers. I won't be making them entirely from scratch; I've got a kit from Hobbycraft, and will probably fill them with fancy chocolates and scratch cards this year.

14. Put together some table favours as an extra treat for my family during Christmas dinner.

15. Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Hogwarts In The Snow. I don't know if I'll make it, but I'd really like to go while it's dressed up for Christmas.

16. Count down to Christmas with a beauty Advent calendar. I bought the L'Occitane calendar this year.

17. Visit Blenheim Palace while it's decorated for Christmas, ideally for its Christmas craft fair.

18. Buy a new dress to wear on Christmas Day.

19. Try the Christmas nail wraps and false nails I bought.

20. Put together a Christmas box of goodies to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

21. Buy new Christmas PJs to wear on Christmas Eve night / Christmas morning.

22. Read my cloth-bound copy of A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Stories by Dickens.

23. Watch It's A Wonderful Life for the first time. I bought the DVD a few years ago, and I still haven't got around to watching it. This year I definitely will.

24. Watch Christmas With The Coopers for the first time.

25. Make my apple and blackberry trifle. It's a tradition for me to make it every Christmas Eve, and it's delicious, if I do say so myself.

26. Make a new dessert. I'm thinking maybe something salted-caramel flavoured.

27. Visit the Appleton Christmas barn. It's just a little farm near Abingdon selling Christmas trees, with a couple of reindeer to see, and a barn converted in to a Christmas shop, but it's lovely and they sell the most beautiful, Christmas decorations.

28. Play board games over the holidays.

29. Have lots of festive movie marathons. Who am I kidding? I've already had a few of these! I regret nothing.

30. Get myself a cheap Cadbury chocolate Advent calendar, like I had when I was a kid. (Check!)

31. Do my best to blog festive posts every day. I've already got a few posts written and scheduled, and have heaps of ideas, so fingers crossed I'll be around more this Christmas!

32. Go for a long drive to spot Christmas lights, not just around my home town but also around the much prettier little Cotswold villages that surround my home town.

33. Make a yule log- I've not made one since I was a kid, but I'd like to give one a go.

34. Buy or make a wreath for my front door.

35. Relax and de-stress with a Christmas colouring book. (I've bought two that I'll be reviewing soon!)

36. Go late night Christmas shopping in Oxford or Cheltenham to soak up the festive atmosphere.

37. Visit a European Christmas market.

38. Go to Hobbycraft and buy all of the festive gift-wrapping and crafting things. Buy all the ribbons!

39. Read a new-to-me Christmas-themed novel. Any suggestions?

40. Take lots of photos every day. Shouldn't be hard, considering it's me.

41. Make a gingerbread house. I've always wanted to make one.

42. Watch a new-to-me Christmas movie, either at home or at the cinema.

43. Try some of the new Christmas Yankee Candles. They all smell so good.

44. Write out my Christmas cards and send them out with plenty of time before Christmas.

45. Make some kind of feature out of all the paper honeycomb decorations we have.

46. Buy at least one new Christmas decoration.

47. Try a seasonal coffee or hot chocolate that I haven't tried before.

48. Buy a new Christmas novelty bag.

49. Reread Little Women. It's the perfect festive read.

50. Wrap all of the presents for my friends and family as beautifully as I can.

What's on the top of your Christmas to-do list?

50 Things To Do This Summer

The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and there's the delicious scent of barbecue smoke in the air. It can only mean one thing- Summer is finally here! 

We never know how long the sunshine and scorching hot days will last in the UK- it could be three weeks, it could be three hours- so we Brits tend to make the most of every slither of sunshine while we can. 

I love to fill my free time with as much Summer fun as possible between June and September, to make each Summer the best one yet. Trips to the beach, days out to London, barbecues with the family, lazing in the sunshine with a good book... there are so many great ways to fill the long Summer days without having to jet off on expensive holidays or even spend any money. If you're stuck for ideas for how to spend your free time this Summer, never fear. I've compiled a list of my 50 things to do this Summer to give you a little inspiration and I'm here to share it with you today! Let's get started...

1, Spend a day at the beach.

2. Go body-boarding or surfing in the sea.

3. Build a sand castle- complete with moats and flags, of course.

4. Go on a picnic. Pack lots of delicious food, head for somewhere scenic, and enjoy lazing in the sunshine with your family or friends.

5. Have a big family barbecue.

6. Take a walk along a river. Go for a dip in it if you're brave enough, and it's safe to do so.

7. Go for a walk in the countryside.

8. Take photos in a meadow of flowers.

9. Go to a festival or outdoor concert.

10. Visit an aquarium.

11, Take a tour bus around a big city.

12. Spend an entire day reading. Out in the sunshine or indoors in a comfy seat; it's your call; just get lost in a good book and don't come up for air until fourteen hours later, when you realise it's dark and you've not eaten all day. Repeat as many times as you can.

13. Visit a theme park.

14. Go strawberry picking.

15. Spend a night stargazing, and watch for shooting stars. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, watch out for the Perseids meteor shower, which occurs every year between July 17th to August 24th, usually peaking around August 9th-13th. (Yes, I had to Google the dates!) I  usually manage to spot at least a dozen in an hour or so, around 11pm-12am, from my back garden in Oxfordshire, and seeing one streak across the night sky is always magical.

16. Visit a museum or two. (I recommend The Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers Museums in Oxford, and The Natural History and Imperial War Museums in London).

17. Watch a movie at a park on a hot Summer evening.

18. Go swimming, ideally at an outdoor pool or water park.

19. Eat fish and chips at the seaside.

20. Try every flavour of ice cream from an ice cream parlour, vendor, or brand before the Summer is through. Or for something a little more adult, work your way through every cocktail or cider on a bar menu before your holiday is over.

21, Go to the zoo. (Whipsnade Wild Animal Park and The Cotswold Wildlife Park are my favourites to visit in England).

22. Take a road trip. `

23. Visit somewhere new.  You don't have to pack your bags and head off on holiday somewhere far away; you could take a day trip, or even explore unfamiliar places in your home town.

24. Make a daisy-chain.

25. Go to an art gallery.

26. Go see a play or musical at the theatre.

27. Go on a bike ride.

28. Go horse-riding.

29. Spend a few hours relaxing and enjoying the sunshine in a city park.

30. Get an ice cream from an ice cream van. I'll take a 99 with chocolate sauce and hazelnuts, please!

31. Take a boat trip. There are all kinds of excursions for spotting sea creatures, seeing beautiful scenery and getting up close to iconic landmarks,  all around the world. Of course, you could just enjoy being on the open sea, go on a cruise, or take a ferry instead of travelling by air.

32. Take a walking tour around a city, or explore one on foot yourself.

33. Have a water pistol or water balloon fight. Who says kids should have all the fun?!

34. Watch the sunset or sunrise somewhere pretty.

35. Go to a fun fair.

36. Eat some candy floss.

37. Go camping. (Or glamping if roughing it for a few days really isn't your thing).

38. Explore rock pools and / or caves at the beach.

39. Play crazy / mini golf.

40. Take a random drive in the countryside on a sunny day, with the windows down and your favourite Summer tunes blasting from the speakers.

41. Have a paddle in the sea.

42. Watch multiple films at the cinema in one day.

43. Make some killer Summer playlists to soundtrack your Summer fun.

44. Run through a water feature.

45. Spend a couple of hours having fun at an amusements arcade.

46. Visit a farmer's market and buy lots of delicious fresh food, which you could then take on a picnic.

47. Treat yourself to a pedicure or two to keep your feet looking pretty for sandal season.

48. Toast marshmallows or s'mores over an open fire.

49. Sunbathe in the garden.

50. Create a scrapbook full of snippets, photos, and mementos from all of the fun times you've had over the Summer.

What are your favourite things to do during the Summer? Are there things I've missed off the list that you think should be on it? Let me know in the comments below!

My New Year's Goals For 2016

I'm not one for setting big new year's resolutions, declaring to drop ten stone in a week, scale Kilimanjaro, and find fame and fortune before the last of the Christmas decorations have even been packed away. I don't see the point in setting myself up for failure. Where's the fun in that?

Instead of big resolutions, I prefer to set myself lots of smaller goals for the year that I should realistically be able to achieve with a bit of effort. I've given myself quite a long to-do list for 2016, full of things I want to do, places I want to go, and maybe a few things I'd like to work on before the year is through. Obviously, I'm here to share them with you today, or this long introduction would be completely pointless! Here they are...

1. Read more books than in 2015 and tackle a big chunk of my reading pile. It shouldn't be hard since I only managed to read three books last year (mostly thanks to stress and fatigue), and I'm already on my second of the year!

2. Cross stitch as often as I can, and complete all of the cross stitch kits I own by the end of the year.

3. Make a ton of hand-embroidered hoop art (festive and non-festive)- enough hoops to create an epic wall feature. 

4. Learn how to crochet a granny-square blanket, and actually make one before the year is through. (Instead of just saying I will).

5. Arrange at least one meet up with my best friend. I've not seen her in over a year, since we currently live about 150 miles apart, and it's been far too long. I miss her.

6. Adopt a new pet, so I can have some company, and something to focus on every day besides the blog. The last of my fur babies died of old age three years ago, and as a huge animal lover, I hate not having any in my life. If we don't adopt a dog this year, I'd love to get some new bunnies or guinea pigs. Or an African pygmy hedgehog.

7. Get a hair cut. I've not had one in over two years and my waist-length hair is bugging the hell out of me. I want to lose about a foot off the length, and get it cut back in to a long bob soon.

8. Get an eye test and new glasses. I'm two and a half years over due an eye test, and my eyesight has definitely deteriorated since my last check up, so I can't put it off for much longer. I'm already blinder than a cyclops with an eye patch. 

9. Try to spend less time living in my pyjamas and more time wearing actual clothes like a proper adult.

10. Have a good clear out and sell or donate anything I no longer want, wear, or need.

11. Learn how to edit photos like a pro. I'm shit at photo-editing, I admit it, I can't seem to get my photos to look good no matter what settings or software I try, and I've lost count of how many hours I've spent trying. Sometimes I lose whole afternoons to one photo. I want to take the stress back out of blogging, and finally learn how to properly edit my photos so I can be a much more productive blogger. Can anybody recommend any good photo editing tutorials / blog posts / websites / books / tips / advice etc? I'd really appreciate any help! (I don't have Photoshop). I've tried Googling for tips, but everything I found was very vague.

12. Keep on top of blog comments and emails, and stop being such a bad blogger! Oh, and reply to all the unanswered comments ASAP. (I'm sorry!)

13. Give the blog a make over and some much needed TLC. I'd like to give it a new look, remove anything no longer relevant, update the pages, retag old posts, and make it more reader-friendly.

14. Give my blog a brand new name, one that doesn't make me cringe every time I type it, and something that will be easier for people to remember.

15. Try to blog more outfits, make up looks, and manicures, like I used to do in the olden days.

16. Blog more posts about my medical care experiences, and living with chronic pain- anything that might be helpful for other sufferers.

17. Do all I can to blog regularly, and consistently, and focus on blogging lots of quality content.

18. Do my best to use Instagram regularly to share snippets of my day with you guys.

19. Clear my overdraft and pay off my Dorothy Perkins store card. I hate having any sort of debt hanging over me, no matter how small.

20. Stop using my overdraft to buy things I don't need, and stop shopping to cheer myself up whenever I'm bored, sad, lonely, or depressed. I've gotten in to bad habits, and I really need to stop.

21. Buy Christmas and birthday presents throughout the year, so I can spread the cost, and feel super-organised come December. I've already bought seven little gifts in the sales, so I'm off to a good start!

22. Arrange new appointments with the specialists, make a new plan of action, and put 110% in to whatever treatments come my way this year.

23. Start looking after myself properly. That means actually eating more than a meal a day, eating plenty of good nutritious, fresh foods, and drinking more water, and also getting more fresh air, exercise, and listening to my body when it's reached its limits pain-wise.

24. Push through the pain as much as possible, and get out of the house as often as I can, for the sake of my mental and physical health. Try to go on as many walks in the country park as possible.

25. Get outside in the daylight every day for at least 10-15 minutes, like the doctor advised. I've been struggling with this one a lot because most days I can't get down the stairs for the pain, but I need to find a way around it.

26. Make it down to the beach in Poole or Bournemouth for a paddle in the sea. I've not set foot on a beach in five years, which feels like a life time, and I'm dying to go. The coast is only two hours away, so I wonder if I could manage a little visit this Summer.

27. Make it to a concert... because I just can't go a year without going to at least one.

28. Take the Harry Potter studio tour in London, because I've always wanted to go.

29. Explore Christchurch in Oxford. I've lived locally all my life, but I've not spent much time down that end of Oxford. I'd love to go for a walk along the river and take along a picnic, and explore the gorgeous architecture in the summer.

30. Put the laptop down more and spend more time reading, crafting, writing, being social, and living in the real world.

I guess I'll have to wait until next year to find out if I achieve them all! (Or any of them!) I don't know how I'll do, but I'm going to give them all my best shot.

What are your new year's resolutions or goals for the year ahead?

My Autumn Bucket List

Summer is over for another year, Autumn is beginning to settle in, and I for one am excited for the season ahead. The last four months of the year are the best! 

As soon as September rolls around, I always become super motivated and aspirational, planning things I want or need to do before the year is through. This year has been no different. I've already got a long list of things I want or need to do this Autumn, and I'm challenging myself to cross them all off before the year is through. Will I manage it? I don't quite know, but I'm looking forward to giving it my best shot.

Would you like to see what's on my Autumn bucket list?

1. Take lots of Autumn walks; preferably in the countryside.

2. Take lots of photos of pretty Autumn foliage and scenery on those Autumn walks.

3. Go to the zoo open day.

4. Visit my local wildlife park.

5. Make lots of hand-embroidered hoop art to decorate the house with this Christmas. I've already bought a bunch of supplies, including some pretty fabric from Hobbycraft (these and these), but I  need to buy more threads, beads, and embroidery hoops so I can get started.

6. Work on my new Christmas cross stitch sampler every day. I'm challenging myself to get it done in time to hang up on the wall this Christmas, but whether it's actually possible we'll have to wait and see! (First progress photo here).

7. Finish my last four Christmas cross stitch cards before December, so I can actually send them out this year. I bought them last year and only made one.

8. Make it to the bonfire.

9. Carve a pumpkin.

10. Go see Fall Out Boy live in October. I have tickets, I just need to make it there!

11. Get my hair cut shorter again. I've not had a haircut in almost two years (#chronicpainproblems) so my long bob is almost waist-length now, and it's getting too high-maintenance. I need a shorter do that takes no time at all to wash and dry to make it easier on my back.

12. Read lots of books. I want to curl up under cosy blankets, and spend whole days reading.

13. Arrange a visit / meet up with my best friend, who I've not seen since last November. She lives in Norfolk, I live in Oxfordshire, so we don't get to see each other all that often anymore, especially since I can't travel.

14. Have a go at a few Kirstie Allsopp craft kits with my sister. We both want to learn how to make lots of different crafty things, and Kirstie's kits look awesome.

15. Visit The Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums in Oxford. I haven't been to either in years. If you're a fan of oddities, Pitt Rivers is well worth a visit. Last time I went it had shrunken heads on display!

16. Have a big eBay clear-out to raise some extra funds.

17. Wear all the gorgeous Autumn fashion colours, like burgundy, plum, forest green, mustard, teal, and rust.

18. Make it to the cinema to see Mockingjay Part 2 in November. I refuse to wait for the DVD like I had to do with part 1.

19. Buy some delicious-scented Yankee Candles to light and enjoy on cold dark evenings.

20. Visit Blenheim Palace. I haven't been since I was about five.

21. Have a go at making condiments from scratch with my sister. This wasn't on my own to-do list, but a request from my brother-in-law! I know, how random? He's away on a detachment but will be home for his R&R in December, and wants some homemade piccalilli etc to enjoy on his turkey sandwiches. They made stuff like that together last year for the first time, and since he's away 'til February, I've been roped in to make some for him. Err, cheers, Steve. I don't see this one ending well...

22. Buy some cosy new PJs.

23. Crunch through paths covered in crisp, fallen leaves.

24. Try some Halloween nail art.

25. Get a dog. This is something my family and I have been talking about seriously for a couple of years now, mostly to give me company and a purpose in life, and it's likely we'll be looking for a four-legged-friend really soon. At the very least, this Autumn we'll be making plans to welcome one in to our family.

26. Visit Harry Potter world in London. I've been dying to go for years, and I like the idea of going for Hogwarts In The Snow, when it's dressed up for Christmas.

27. Take photos for as many future blog posts as possible before the Winter sets in and the good light buggers off 'til Spring.

28. Stop off for a hot chocolate at Costa.

29. Make an apple and blackberry crumble.

30. Buy some pretty new Autumn nail colours.

And one for luck,

31. Take lots of photos wherever I go.

So, that's my Autumn bucket list; what's on yours?

101 Things I Want To Do Before I Die

I'm not planning on kicking the bucket any time soon, but I have a bucket list that could stretch all the way to Scotland and back. 

I've been feeling quite aspirational recently, and have added so many life goals to the list that it's now over five hundred strong! What can I say? There are just so many things I hope to achieve and experience one day. I'm a dreamer.

I thought it would be fun to share some of my goals with you guys, so here we are. Don't worry, I'm not going to list all 500+, I've chosen a selection and will stop at 101.

FYI, the Listography Travel and My Future books are both brilliant books for recording your travels, and listing some of the things you hope to experience one day.

1. Work in animal care again. Preferably with zoo animals, or in a rescue centre for pets or wildlife.

2. Live by the sea.

3. See the Northern Lights.

4. Own my own home.

5. Take a road trip across America.

6. See all the weird and wonderful Australian marsupials in person.

7. Read the entire works of Stephen King.

8. Achieve complete body confidence.

9. Take a hot air balloon ride.

10. Learn how to make a crochet granny square blanket.

11. Go whale watching. I'd love to see a pod of them breaching the water someday.

12. Take creative writing, art, and photography classes.

13. Get a short story published.

14. Own my first pet dog. Currently in the works.

15. Find that special someone.

16. Learn how to drive.

17. Visit Italy.

18. See Evanescence perform live.

19. Do a parachute jump.

20. Learn how to surf.

21. See New York at Christmas time.

22. Make a patchwork quilt.

23. Visit Paris properly, and do the whole touristy thing. (I've only driven through it by car).

24. Learn how to make jewellery.

25. Go on safari in Africa.

26. Take a road trip around Australia.

27. Get loads more tattoos, including a sleeve, and something Alice in Wonderland themed.

28. Find a way to reduce my pain so I can manage it better, and live a more normal, full life.

29. Own a DSLR and know how to use it properly.

30. Get an African pygmy hedgehog.

31. Take a holiday in Greece. (Read: Wherever Mamma Mia was filmed)!

32. Own a Pin Up Girl Clothing dress. Or sixty.

33. Make a bunch of embroidery hoop art pictures for the wall. I want to have a crack at this soon.

34. Go to a festival.

35. Visit Highgate Cemetery.

36. Sight see around Edinburgh.

37. Work in a zoo.

38. Experience New Year's Eve in New York.

39. Go to the elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka.

40. Learn how to make my own dresses and skirts.

41. Do a bungee jump.

42. See Niagara Falls.

43. Dive the Great Barrier Reef.

44. Learn how to play the piano.

45. See the Grand Canyon.

46. See Wicked at the theatre.

47. Spend a day at a spa.

48. Learn how to ski.

49. Master the art of cake decorating.

50. See the pyramids.

51. See dolphins in the wild.

52. Learn how to make the perfect roast turkey with all the trimmings for Christmas.

53. Do The Sound of Music tour in Austria.

54. Learn how to walk in heels.

55. See a narwhal in real life.

56. Travel on a motorbike.

57. Go out for high tea somewhere fancy.

58. Own a Lulu Guinness lip clutch.

59. Have a house full of animals.

60. Get something resembling a social life.

61. Get toucan tattoos on either side of my collar bones / shoulders.

62. See Panic! at the Disco live.

63. Donate blood.

64. Get more piercings.

65. Learn how to curl my hair so that the curls hold all day or night.

66. Own a pretty, pretty petticoat.

67. Take a road trip around Europe.

68. Learn to bare my legs and arms with complete confidence.

69. Swim with sharks, sea turtles, and tropical fish.

70. Do a 365 photo challenge.

71. Go on the London Eye.

72. Visit Amsterdam.

73. Sleep under the stars during a meteor shower.

74. Learn how to paint properly with water colour, oil, and acrylic paints.

75. Read all of the books I own.

76. Go kayaking and sea kayaking.

77. Visit Land's End.

78. Travel around the beautiful scenery of northern Scotland.

79. Step foot on all 7 continents.

80. Try sushi.

81. Work with giraffes and tapirs.

82. Go to a concert of a band I like outside of the UK and Ireland.

83. Sight see around a city by helicopter.

84. Visit Chicago.

85. See Peter Kay live.

86. Travel first class by plane.

87. See an active volcano.

88. Go white water rafting.

89. Ride a camel in the desert.

90. See a beluga whale in real life.

91. Visit Germany at Christmas time.

92. Spend a day at Harry Potter world.

93. Go horse riding.

94. Visit the village where The Vicar of Dibley was set.

95. Buy house plants and keep them alive.

96. Own my own car.

97. Visit every country in Europe.

98. Take pictures with an underwater camera.

99. Holiday on a tropical island with white sandy beaches and palm trees.

100. Make a rainbow cake.

101. Visit Tokyo.

What's at the top of your bucket list? 

Do we share any of the same goals?

My Tattoo Wish List

Tattoos; you either love them or you hate them. 

I personally love them; I always have. 

While many see them as grotesque eye sores and the branding of society's offensive and unsavoury characters, I do not. I'm not offended by a little ink on a person's skin; it's just a painting on skin at the end of the day. I personally think that tattoos can be beautiful works of art, when they're done by a good artist. and I find them fascinating. 

If I had the money, I would be covered in them, but at the moment I only have two. They're nothing special. I didn't get my first one until I was twenty-four because I could never decide on a design- I didn't have Pinterest to inspire me back then! I got the second nine months later, and was planning to get more when my back problems began and put a stop to it... for now! I've been making lots of plans for future tattoos over the last couple of years, and today I thought I'd share some of my ideas and inspiration.

This post is a bit of a long 'un, so grab a cuppa, sit back, and relax while I talk you through them!

Geometric Colour Wheel

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One day I will get a colour wheel mandala inked on my skin, like the ones above. I'm a complete and utter colour junkie, as most of you will know, and I think it shows in my style, make up choices, and home decor. I love to surround myself with it- the whole spectrum of bold, bright colours just makes me happy. I think a colour wheel would be a perfect way to take my love of colour to a whole new level, and it would look so fun and eye-catching against my very fair skin. It's not often you see people with rainbow coloured tattoos.

Red Fox

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Foxes have been one of my favourite animals since I was a little girl, probably thanks in part to my childhood obsession with The Animals of Farthing Wood. I think they're such beautiful animals. I was initially thinking of getting a little watercolour design, but I'm now smitten with the rainbow-coloured geometric design in the above collage; it may have to be my next tattoo. 

Alice in Wonderland

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Disney's Alice in Wonderland is my favourite Disney film, and I've been a little bit obsessed with it since childhood. I've watched it so many times over the years that I've lost count. While I doubt I'd ever commit to a huge body piece like the amazing one above, (which is by far the most incredible tattoo piece I've ever seen in my life), I would love to get an Alice inspired piece. 

I want to get a few characters like the bread and butterflies, rocking horse flies, the oysters, and a variety of critters from the Tulgy Woods. I've thought about getting some Mome Raths on my feet with the quote "don't step on the Mome Raths!" I'm also considering a thigh piece, like the one in the third Alice collage. I know I'll get something Alice-inspired at some point, I just need to work out exactly what I want and where.

Flock of Flying Birds

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I've been thinking about getting a flock of flying birds along my collar bones for a couple of years now, to get as a symbol of my re-found freedom and independence when I overcome the pain, and get my life back. I think it would be a good way to mark what I've been through and to act as a reminder to never take my freedom and independence for granted again. 

I originally wanted something like the dandelion sketch, but it's been so over done now that I've gone off it. I want something a little more unique. My plan is to get a flock of colourful flying macaws, or perhaps a variety of birds flying together such as flamingos, toucans, pelicans, puffins, and macaws, in colour and with a little detail.

Birds on Both Shoulders

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I've also been toying with the idea of getting a pair of birds, like the tattoos above, on either side of my shoulders. I'm torn between getting the traditional swallows / sparrows or doing something a little bit different like going for macaws or flamingos instead.

Roses

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I've always liked the idea of having a rose tattoo, even if it is one of the most popular tattoos of all time. There's just something so beautiful and classic about rose tattoos, isn't there? I'm particularly drawn to blue roses at the moment, but I would love a dark red rose, too.

Florals

[Source] // [Source] // [Source]

Something that I am seriously thinking about getting in the future is a realistic floral sleeve, like the design above. Isn't it stunning? My dream is to get a beautiful, feminine sleeve that would make a statement and look pretty with my dresses. It would have to incorporate daisies, sunflowers, pansies, purple irises, yellow roses, and yellow tulips- all of my favourite flowers. I haven't worked out the rest yet, but the idea is a work in progress!

I also love the floral hands, but I'm a little more hesitant about getting my hands inked as it could jeopardise employment opportunities in the future. I would instead have them inked on a different area of my body, like my feet or arms.

Sasha Unisex

 [Source]

My dream is to have a tattoo done by the amazing Russian tattoo artist Sasha Unisex. She creates the most beautiful water-colour style designs I have ever seen, and I'm not even exaggerating. Her designs are typically bold and colourful, with fantastic attention to detail and incredible shading. I'm regularly in awe of her work and it's astonishing that it's even possible to create such beautiful, highly-pigmented tattoos which look like watercolour paintings and are often so realistic. 

I haven't got a design in mind, but I would probably be happy with almost anything she designs. I'm besotted with her lions, tigers, and whales. You can check out her work on Instagram via the source, or see more of her work on my Pinterest board solely dedicated to her designs.

Flamingos

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I've wanted a flamingo tattoo for well over a decade now, and this week I finally found a design I'd love to get- the watercolour illustration (top right). It would make a beautiful centre piece for an Alice in Wonderland themed design, too.

Bunnies

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Until they passed away of old age in 2012 and 2013, I owned two big ginger bunnies for ten and eleven years; Tigerlily and Honey.They were my fur babies and I was devastated when they passed away, even if they did live far longer than most rabbits do. I brought them home when they were eight weeks old, so after ten and eleven years of caring for them every day, they naturally left a mark on my heart. I've thought about getting little tattoos of them in their memory, inked in a similar style to the little mischievous brown bunny on the left. It would be lovely to have a constant memory of them on my skin that I could look at every day, and I think they would make cute tattoos because they were such pretty little bunnies.

And that concludes today's post of tattoo inspiration! I hope you've enjoyed reading about my tattoo bucket list!

Do you have a tattoo wish list?

Where do you stand with tattoos; do you love them or hate them?