You are what you listen to...

This is a quote I see many times on Pinterest, not always the same picture but the words are the same. I've thought more and more about music this year; how it affects my mood, how it can change that mood. Mostly it's been because I'm trying to do the 'tracks of my years' and it's taking me a long time. I've only just got to my teens in writing it all down! 

There have been two other things that have put music into the forefront again. Two funerals this year (I realise a funeral is not a 'thing' it's more than that, I just can't type what I mean) have made me think about other people's music. I was asked to help sort the music for both, it felt weird for me to think about the choices because some of them didn't reflect their later years. 

That's when I thought again about my music choices, there are some that horrify me and there's quite a lot I wouldn't want played at my funeral either.    I can also understand why people say what music they want, even though I admit when people tell me I try to talk about something else because of the awkwardness. 

I think music does reflect a lot of who you are. But it changes and grows, just like we do as people over the years. Some music will embarrass us and others will take you back to that first moment that you heard it with a big smile. 

I also like that there's always something in a record collection that will surprise someone else. What would yours be?

Eton Mess!

I've always been a big fan of Eton Mess, what's not to like? Strawberries, meringue and double cream... yum!

So even with the weather being particularly wet recently, I'm still bringing a touch of summer eating. 

Eton Mess is super easy to make and I've seen many recipes about making the strawberries into more of a puree form. I prefer to cut them up into smaller chunks, rather than puree them. I also find it is very helpful to have plenty of strawberries and meringue to eat as you make it, trust me! 

You can also add anything else that you want, Eton Mess can just be the base, maybe add some nuts or a strawberry sauce. Chocolate flake on top? 

Whatever you decide. Enjoy!

I was sent a £3 voucher via the Tesco Orchard programme to spend on summer berries and cherries. I spent the whole £3 on that tray of strawberries and they were yum and perfect for making this mess haha! 

Hello July!

Half the year has gone, it doesn't seem possible! I also started writing this post on the 1st of July and now look when I'm pressing publish... oops! 

I haven't written on here in quite a while now, the past few months I have wondered if I needed this space here and whether my blogging phase had passed. It turns out I still do.

The first half of 2015 has provided several low points; losing people close to me and dealing with that grief, anxiety flare-ups and that general doom of anyone who overthinks... 

To prove to myself that this isn't some 'blog and run' type post I have scheduled posts for the next few weeks. I think more because the organised side of this brain wanted that all done before I wrote this one!

I am back and I'm hoping the rest of 2015 is eventful but for all the right reasons!

It's... THE ASHES!

You might have noticed that I am a little sports crazy!

So anyway... THE ASHES starts tomorrow. Cricket time, the war between England and Australia. I absolutely cannot explain how much I love it. I shall be obsessed over the Summer and again later this year for the return down in Oz.

Here is a couple of videos that get me totally excited about The Ashes (hopefully they will for you too!)

Love it!

Isn't Bumble (David Lloyd) singing the best thing ever!?!

9 songs

I'm trying to compile some sort of Tracks of my Years piece. It's taking me sooooo long! Doesn't help that my Spotify favourites playlist is very close to one thousand songs. So I'm going to hit shuffle on my Spotify for a little series called "9 songs" and see if this helps me. You can also see my varied taste in music too :D

Moby - Honey

The Walkmen - The Rat

Fleetwood Mac - The Chain

Alanis Morissette - Hand In My Pocket

Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus

Pink - Please Don't Leave Me

The Bamboos - I Got Burned

ABBA - Lay All Your Love On Me

Tyler Hilton - Jenny

 

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5 films I have loved recently

I have had a bit of a 'movie time' recently, these are five that I have really enjoyed and I recommend them to you to see too. They are a bit of a mix of stuff though so you might not like them all.... I just have a varied taste!

American Sniper

After seeing the trailer I wasn't that sure I wanted to see it because there's a scene in it that's a bit too real for me. Yes, the trailer even made me weep a little. I know you want this sort of film to be real but yeah... ok I'll shut up now! But seriously, see it.

 

The Equalizer

Everybody loves a Denzel Washington film. This is the film remake of the TV series of the same name from the 80's with Edward Woodward. There is talk of a sequel film too.

 

Big Hero 6

Oh how I love Baymax, this lovable marshmallow, huge robot. You'll laugh and cry.

You'll also never be able to do a "fist pump" handshake without... copying Baymax. I'm saying no more :D

 

Whiplash

I saw the trailer for this SO many times on various adverts on apps and blogs. I assumed because it was getting that push that it wasn't good, wrong! So very wrong. You'll understand why you need to be fit to be a drummer and you'll still want to be one!

The Best Of Me

All I will say, tissues! Two boxes.

 

Have you seen any of these? What else have you been watching?

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New stationery favourites

I got some lovely new stationery bits and bobs for Christmas and I will be doing a more in-depth look and reviews on everything. So this is just a little tease...

I've also been trying out the Moldiv app, see the fancy images above. Me likey (so far!)

Down the rabbit hole...

I went through a stage of collecting stamps... years ago though! Now it's very rare to get a letter in the post, let alone it having a stamp you'd want to collect and keep. I do look out for the collectible sets that the Royal Mail do and I noticed the Alice in Wonderland set.

I've always been a big fan of the book and there is still something so intriguing about falling down that rabbit hole like Alice did. Whilst I probably won't get the stamps because I actually really like the idea of getting the postcard set, so much so that I've ordered them right now. I haven't really thought about what I will do with them, I will keep them for a while because I've bought them for me. In saying that though, I am going to start writing snail mail letters so possibly over time they may get sent out in little packages like that I guess.

Do you collect stamps? Do you look out for the collectible sets?

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Let's get organised...

With January quickly passing by, it has been on my to-do list to sort out my diary for 2015. I should have got it started long before now but here I am. One of the problems I find is that my diary always runs into the January so when it's half way through the month and I turn the page I realise... I NEED TO START MY NEW DIARY NOW! Yes, shouty letters. Sorry!

This is the mini Dodo diary that was given to me at Christmas from Mr and Mrs Santa. It's small enough to carry around in my bag but not too small that I can't write inside it. 

I have used the Dodo diary refills in my planners for several years now so I'm very much a fan of their quirky layout and the fact they allow you to doodle freely. I sat with my Dodo diary this afternoon and went through last years diary and also through the dates on my phone. My diary is getting full! 

Got a load of stationery posts yet to come, stay tuned!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through the link then I can put the little share of that money made into showing you more stationery that I have bought :D