My year in books...

As we approach the end of another year, I thought I would reflect back on what I have achieved reading wise over the year. After all I started this blog initially as a 'book blog'.

This year hasn't been all that prolific for me in terms of reviewing books... REAL LIFE has gotten in the way of this mostly and I do find myself having less and less time for writing full detailed reviews. However, I have continued to read a lot, as always.

Mainly the 2nd half of this year I have been reading a lot of older books, I've been in a bit of a retro vibe! And also, the amount of kindle one-click purchases appearing on my bank statement was getting to epic levels so I actually thought I should knuckle down and actually read the books I have been collecting and putting on my groaning bookshelves! Which, I admit are mainly of the old school variety...

oooh, look at all the pretty colours...

Old skool romance FTW!

And surprisingly I have actually made my way through quite a lot of them!

Going forward, I am thinking of different ways to continue to keep this blog as a book based blog at its core. Such as mini, on the go reviews as I'm reading books or just a monthly summary and star rating... I've not quite decided.

But whatever happens, don't worry I'm still out there reading and enjoying romance novels as aways. Maybe one day I'll actually get through my entire book collection...

Two NEARLY full book shelves (p.s. theres also two more 'non romance' bookshelves in the other room...)

Xx

App for it....

So, it appears you can now blog directly from your phone on the blogger app, who knew?! 

I seem to always be a few steps behind on these kind of things. But be prepared for a lot more photos of Pete being blogged!!

In fact, here's one now...

The Great Big Career Change...

A lot has changed since I last posted on here. You may (but probably won't) remember that earlier on in the year I was having a bit of difficulty with the ol' life/work balance - basically I had none! Cutting my hours back helped a bit, but it didn't take long until the additional duties, and asking me to do extra hours, phone calls on my days off, etc, started piling on again.

It was around the end of summer when I realised that I. Was. Done. with my job. In the nearly ten 10 years since university I have only ever had one employer, and yes I had a 2 year break off work during that time, but enough was enough and I felt a change was needed.

And boy was it a big one. Let's just say going from banking and insurance into working for the NHS is veeeerrrrrryyyy different. Very! Applying for the job in the first place was a bit of a whim, actually getting an interview was surprising, and then to actually get the job was a complete shock!

Fast forward 5 weeks on and after a gruelling 4 weeks of full time training, which included 2 exams and audits, I am now flying solo and finding it, well er, challenging. Going from a job that I didn't like but could basically do with my eyes closed, to one where I actually had to use that brain that I'd buried away years ago has been a bit of a culture shock... But they say you can never go home again so I do want to make the most of this new role.

Not only that it works out so much better for my work/life balance. I only work 20 hours a week now over 4 evenings making it a lot better for me and my husband and Pete the dog!

Watch this space for more updates on the new job...! It might be interesting!

Xx

Welcome to Planet Apple...

I have been quiet on the writing and blogging front recently. There has been a couple of reasons for this. Mainly day job based, but also because my faithful laptop was on it's last legs and I was struggling to get use out of it.

On the days it decided to turn on at all, it took about 10 mins to do so, and trying to work over the loud constant buzzing it emitted was frustrating to say the least. And the most difficult part was that I couldn't type for long periods of time as one side of the keyboard would overheat to rather uncomfortable levels. As you can probably understand, I can't really write if I can't type (apart from pen to paper, of course!)


So I had a big decision on my hands... did I a) go and get myself a replacement laptop, knowing that probably in 3-4 years time I would go through the same thing, or perhaps b) get a PC desktop, a fairly decent one, with it's rather cumbersome-even-in-2014 tower, or did I go for the option that had been whispering it's way through my blood for the last few years... c) go all out and finally, FINALLY, get an iMac that I have always wanted.

It was a tough decision... and iMac was undoubtedly the favourite option. BUT, they are not the kind of this I can go out and purchase willynilly. They are expensive, so I could only justify the cost if it is something I will use enough to make it worth it, and will it have a longer shelf life than I have ever had a normal laptop last for. Also after years of being a PC user, I last used a Mac at university and that was only for design based programs (which was 12 whole years ago, would you believe!) would I be able to switch over to using a Mac or would it take a lot of adjustments.

Isn't it pretty!

I ummed, I uhhhed, spoke to a few people about it. (One person was so very against getting a Mac and that PC's are the only way to go that it only made me want a one even more! I don't give a damn if you can update the insides of a PC and not a Mac, that's not how I roll!) and eventually settled on my hearts desire and bought it. After a little fiasco regarding getting the item delivered, which I'm not going to go into as it just makes my blood boil and those of you whole follow me on twitter might remember my little drama, I now have a gorgeous computer that works.

And it's an iMac, yo!

Now, I know what you're probably thinking... does getting a new computer warrant and entire blog post?! Well, in my rather boring life, yes it does! It's a shiny new toy and very exciting. It also means I have the (working) tools to try and make a go out of getting published. Maybe now that I have something inspiring to write on, I might , ya know, be more inspired to write. For that, only time will tell, but in the last week I have managed 3000 words... and that is more than I have managed in the last few months combined!

Going forward I've got a few kinks to try and iron out... Basic things like how the hell do I copy and paste on this thing? and Where on earth do I save something? I have sort of managed to work out!
My current issue is whether or not to purchase Microsoft Office or just stick with the in-built pages app, which to be honest so far I am not getting along with that well.

Any advice on decent Word Processing and Spreadsheet programs I should/could use would be greatly appreciated?

Also, other useful app recommendations? What is all the fuss about linking iPhone via cloud? etc...

Anyway, that's enough about my shiny new Mac for now, watch this space for some more updates and blog posts soon....

Pete's not sure what all the fuss is about... and why do I sit at the desk instead of paying him attention?!

 Xx

Back in the New York groove...

Hello, hello, hello!

Well what a whirlwind it has been since I last posted, which was far far too long ago, lots going on but most of it boring so I'll bullet point it

• Crappy day job
• Puppy time
• weight loss
• crappy day job
• family issues
• crappy day job

Get the idea?! It's not been an easy few months that's for sure. But... things are getting back on track now. For one I have changed my hours back to part time, my work was consuming my life and that has never been what I have wanted out of a job/career, so I made the decision to step down and cut back to get my life back. Now I have more time to spend with Pete the puppy (yay!!) and the husband of course, more time to spend sewing and doing stuff I like, and more time to spend on reading and writing - two things I love. Believe me, I have missed this blog.

I have also recently returned from a fantastic holiday to my favourite place in the whole world... New York City. There is nothing quite like walking round the city that is so full of life of all types to really bring back your joie de vivre. Everything about this city is so raw and honest that it brought the life out of me again. I loved it. Did lots of shopping, sightseeing, walking, eating, etc!

So, to sum up... I'm back!! I've got lots of blog posts and book reviews coming up soon so watch this space.

Good to see you all again. 

Meet the Pete...

So, it has been a while (a rather long while) since I last blogged and for that I feel rather ashamed. Although not sorry. You see, I have a reason for it.

And that reason is this little man who came to live with me and the husband in December...

His name is Pete and he's a very energetic little Jack Russell now 4 months old. 

He has truly changed my life. I adore taking him out for long walks (something which has helped me lose quite a bit of weight, along with diet of course!) and having a little thing to take care of and come home to instead of an empty house and work stress.

Of course certain things aren't the best, there is the toilet training but that seems to have been cracked, with the exception of a few 'protest' moments, and the puppy biting, which we're still working on, the total lack of being able to do anything that doesn't revolve around Pete is also draining... but I love him!!

Here's some of Pete's best bits from the day he arrived all tiny to now...

Xx

Roman Holiday...

I know it has been, like, ages since I last posted. Been busy at work and home etc, although thats no excuse really, and I'll save the really boring stuff for another time.

For now, let's talk about fun stuff. I have recently returned from a wonderful 4 day break in the Eternal City... That is Rome, of course. And it was beautiful.

Day One

Roma Termini - a seriously large train station!

We left on Sunday, which was also our 3rd wedding anniversary (seriously, THREE whole years!) and after an uncomfortable flight - I am NEVER flying easyjet again, never - we bundled on the Leonardo Express train to beautiful Roma.

Fountain at Piazza della Repubblica

A short walk (although not so short for Richard as I made him carry my bag!) later we arrived at our hotel for a rest and then on to some serious sightseeing!

From the hotel we decided to walk up to the Spanish Steps first.

I didn't realise it would be quite so hilly!

At the top of the Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps - truly beautiful

There is a lot of tourists!

From the Spanish Steps we carried on walking down until we arrived at the Trevi Fountain. It is absolutely stunning - but the sheer amount of tourists can make it a bit of a squash. We learnt to be a little more pushy in order to be able to see things!

Afterwards we walked back to the hotel area and found a restaurant to have dinner. I don't consider myself a foodie but in Rome the food is amazing!

Day Two

We planned to spend the whole day at the Vatican so off we went on the Metro. Aside from the really frustratingly persistent reps trying to sell you guided tours (literally tons of them, and they don't leave you alone) the walk towards the walled Vatican felt very exciting.

Piazza San Pietro

 We went to St Peter's Square before doing anything else. It is simply magnificent. So grand and alluring.

 Inside St. Peter's Basilica it ramps up the grand even more. Every square inch is covered in gilding, or moulding, carving, sculpture etc! And so very vast.

Main hall of Basilica di San Pietro

Many, many chairs in St. Peter's Square

Wall surrounding Vatican City

After St. Peter's and a much needed toilet break, we went off to the Vatican Museums. There was a bit of a queue for the Museum, it was rather hot and those pesky reps were hassling again. But, we're British, queuing is one thing we're good at! Besides it was only for about 10 mins.

Bronze sculpture inside Vatican Museums

He seems to be missing, er, something! Ha!

I really couldn't begin to describe the sheer amount of things to see in the Vatican Museum - it is mind boggling!
The size aswell - it is absolutely huge! And if you simply want to go the the Sistine Chapel be prepared for a long walk!

Beautiful view across Rome from the Vatican Museum

This is not mouldings it painted to look three-dimensional!

The ceilings are stunning. Beautiful frescos and mouldings. All very lavish!

Unfortunately, photographs are not allowed to be taken inside the Sistine Chapel. It is simply stunning. Although to be honest, I was rather surprised just how small some of the really well known Michelangelo frescos were! But nothing compares to having seen it with my own eyes, something I will never forget.

My favourite part of the Vatican Museums - Spiral Staircase

By the end of the day my mind was so overwhelmed with everything we had seen, and my feet worn down to stumps from all the walking!

Ha! I couldn't resist taking a photo!

Day Three

The Colosseum and the Forums was our plan for the day. And it was a hot one!
Coming out of the Metro station it was a very strange experience to just suddenly be in front of this amazing building. And with is being surrounded by a main road only adds to it's awe.

We went to see Palatine Hill and the Roman Forums before the Colosseum.

Walking around all those ruins where ancient Rome was founded is wonderful. Almost too much to see and take in.

Roman Forums

One of my favourite photo's I took!

It was incredibly hot that day! My hair parting got sunburnt!

I love this photo! 

Horse's bum!

Inside the Colosseum - stunning!

Metro

Trevi Fountain at night - I don't know that lady she just
accidentally got in my photo!

 After the all that we went back to the hotel for a rest and then ventured out for a walk to find a restaurant for dinner and a trip to see the Trevi Fountain at night. Which is just as beautiful (and busy) at night!

Day Four

We need more Nuns casually walking around in the UK!

Inside the Pantheon

 Our last day we planned to spend walking around and seeing the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. And just generally seeing what was left of Rome.

The Pantheon

The amazing dome of the Pantheon

The only piece of modern architecture I found!

One last trip to the Spanish Steps!

Our bags are packed.

Leaving Rome...

And that is it, our trip to Rome... Exhausting but brilliant!

Xx