My 2021 Word of the Year - Control.

Monday, 18 January 2021

blogger autumn winter outfit. Fashion blog post. Lifestyle blog post. 2021 word of the year - control.

I originally wasn't going to share this on here, but I've decided sometimes a stream of consciousness post is necessary. It's nice to look back on and in the case, it will be a way to hold myself accountable.

A few years ago, I noticed on Instagram, that when a new year came rolling around, some people choose a word for the year. I liked this idea, I mean, I like words and new year promises, so why wouldn't I? Yet several years passed and I did not choose my word - simply because I could not think of one worthy. I couldn't narrow down my hopes for an entire year into one word.

2020 came to an end, and more than ever I noticed the Instagram posts where people shared their chosen word for the coming year. Words like alignment, growth, trust, health were thrown around. They all sounded great, but none of them felt like the one for me. They didn't quite align with what I was in search of, what I wanted my focus to be over 2021. I began to think maybe it was time to admit defeat, another wordless year as no word felt fitting.

And then as warm water fell on me in the shower one day, a word came to me. I wasn't trying to think of the word at the time, yet there it was, as clear as day. Control.

Why control?

I've become one of those people who things just kind of happened to and don't happen for. It has been a long time since I felt like I've taken control, but in 2021, I'm determined to change that.

I'm not naturally someone who takes control. I'm quite happy to let my friend pick where we're going for dinner (you know, back when we could do that), and my boyfriend can decide what we watch in the evenings (until it's football, and then I spend my evening reading in a different room). Usually, I don't take control, because I don't mind the outcome. But it seems my behaviour has leaked through to areas where the outcome matters to me. Sure, I don't mind whether we eat Italian or Mexican food, but I do mind how I'm spending my life day in, day out. Choosing (or not choosing) where we go for dinner should not feel the same as choosing (or not choosing) how I want to make a living.

I think control is a great word for me because I see two different sides to that coin. Having control can be a good thing, and letting go of control can be a good thing. I feel for years I've held my control in all the wrong places. I'm ambitious when it comes to my career, yet I don't really have one, that's an area where I need to take more control. On the flip side, I've had panic attacks in shops before, because there were too many people and I didn't know my way around - the lack of control overwhelmed me. That's an area where I shouldn't desire that sense of control to the point that I go into panic without it.

I was listening to a podcast recently, and one of the hosts said something along the lines of "there are many things around you that you can't control but the one thing that you always have control over is yourself, you actions and your mindset" and that stuck with me. Accepting I can't control outer factors, but can always control myself gives me hope. It makes me want to take action, rather than accept defeat.

I'm a big believer in manifestation and the law of attraction. I was listening to an audiobook on it recently and it spoke about both taking inspired actions and surrendering your wishes to the universe. Having faith. I like this idea that there's both a push and pull of energy. Places where control needs to taken and places where that control needs to be surrendered.

You can control actions but not the outcomes.

Sometimes control needs to be taken and then surrendered. For examples, I intend to take control of my career for applying for all the right jobs, but once I've completed the applications to the best of my ability, I've done my bit. I can't control what happens next, and I need to trust that the universe is on my side.

During 2021 some ways I will take control include:

- Meditating on a regular basis - it's good for my mindset, and while I can't control my anxiety, I can control how I manage it.

- Doing the things I'm curious about - following my intuition.

- By not giving up on myself.

- Putting my time into making my book the best it can be to up my chances of finding a publisher

- I can control how I spend my time. Less scrolling, more reading, more moving, less lounging, etc

- What I'm putting into my body. I want to eat food which fuels me and leaves me feeling healthy.

- The media I consume.

- The actions I take.

- What I'm spending my money on.

Things I can't control, and how I can reframing negative thoughts:

- Job rejections - rejection is just redirection.

- Political and world news. I can control how much of that media I consume, and what I share myself.

- What other people think of me - and at this point, I don't think I care.

- What the universe has in store for me.

- Other people.

Outfit Details

Coat: M&S - Dress (worn under jumper): Mint Velvet (similar linked) - Jumper: ASOS (similar linked) - Bag: Coach (similar linked) - Headband: Chloe Harriets Creates (my Etsy store)

Do you have a word of the year for 2021?

book bookblogger books reading

Every Book I Read in 2020

Monday, 11 January 2021

As I have done the last couple of years (see my 2018 reads here and 2019 reads here) I wanted to begin the year by sharing a little about every book that I read last year, along with my ratings and links to any more in-depth reviews and thoughts.

So without further ado, here's the lowdown on every book I read in 2020...

An Edited Life by Anna Newton

I loved this guide on home, work and life organisation. I found the tips to be useful and Anna's tone to be relatable. I talk about it more here.

★★★★☆

Good Morning, Good Life by Amy Schmittauer Landino

I listened to the audiobook of this guide on how to make the most of out of your mornings. I found it had some great tips and made me want to spring out of bed in the mornings - however a lot of the tips and content you could get from the author's Youtube Channel.

★★★☆☆

The Best of Me by Nicolas Sparks

This is your typical Nicolas Sparks tear-jerker romance, so naturally, it had me hooked and I loved it. I talk about it here.

★★★☆☆

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Atomic habits is another one I listened to the audio version of. The book shares the science behind and the benefit of small daily habits. It discusses how to create new habits, and break the bad ones. I found it really insightful.

★★★☆☆

Nothing More by Anna Todd

Nothing More is the spin-off to Anna Todd's After series (which I talk about here). It focuses on the life of the character Landon. Considering I couldn't put After down (despite all of its flaws) I had higher expectations for this, but if I'm honest, I just found it to be boring (I didn't like Landon's character much in the after books so I guess I should have expected this).

★★☆☆☆

The Course of Love Alain De Botton

The book tells a realistic story of a relationship, it's written in a thought-provoking, philosophical style. Despite being undeniably beautifully written, I didn't feel much connection to the characters or the narrative. I talk it more in this blog post.

★★★☆☆

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I absolutely adored this memoir about Cheryl Strayed journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. It's full of life lessons and I couldn't put it down. I talk it more in this blog post.

★★★★★

My Life in Thirty-Seven Therapies by Kay Hutchinson (*gifted)

In this memoir, the author talks about how she turned to alternative therapies - from yoga to tarot card reading and so much more. I found this lighthearted read really enjoyable. You can read my full review here.

★★★☆☆

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

After watching the Netflix film, I had to give this one a read. This YA novel tells the stories of a young relationship between a girl and her best friends brother. Although I didn't love the relationship (kinda... toxic) I found it to be an enjoyable, lighthearted read. I talk about this more here.

★★★☆☆

The Kissing Booth Going the Distance by Beth Reekles

In the second instalment in The Kissing Booth series, the couple navigates physical distance within their relationship and new characters come into the story. Again, I found it to be an enjoyable (albeit frustrating) read. I talk about this more here.

★★★☆☆

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

Five Feet Apart tells the story of two teens with Cystic Fibrosis, who fall in love. Their illness means they cannot get with five feet of each other without the chance of it being fatal. I could not put this book down, I loved everything about it. You can read my full review here.

★★★★★

We of the Forsaken World... by Kiran Bhat (*gifted)

We of the forsaken world tells several stories about the different facets of humanity and environmental impacts. The stories range from the tales of a remote tribe, a town destroyed by an industrial spill and more. It's not my usual style read, but I found this book to be interesting and thought-provoking. I talk about this more here.

★★★☆☆

Find Me by André Aciman

This is the second instalment to Call Me By Your Name (which I talk about here), however, the majority of the way through it felt like a completely unrelated story, and I began to enjoy it more when I stopped thinking of it as "Call Me by Your Name 2" and instead thought of it as it's own thing. This book tells several, quite lovely love stories and is very beautifully written. I talk about this more here.

★★★★☆

The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord

The Map From Here to There is the second instalment after The Start of Me and You. This young adult novel follows Paige, her boyfriend and their group of friends as they face many decisions about the future (colleges etc), juggling school, work and social life, alongside living with mental health struggles. It was an enjoyable read, however, I didn't feel I could relate to the characters as a woman in her late twenties. I talk about this more here.

★★★☆☆

Why I Am No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

I listened to the audiobook of this and would strongly recommend it - I think everyone should read it. I felt it really educated me on my white privilege and how to use that. It also taught me a lot of the history which we aren't taught in school and the importance of anti-racism. It is written in an intelligent yet easily digestible way, but given the content, it is still quite a heavy read, while also being very important.

★★★★★

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This book felt very special, I've never read anything like it before. It's written in the perspective of a child, with a vivid imagination, going through a troubled time, with sick mum. He is visited by a monster during the night, who tells him stories. It's really special. I talk about this more here.

★★★★☆

She Means Business by Carrie Green

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this self-help book. The author shares tips on running a business, and motivation and working towards your dreams. I found it to relatable and useful.

★★★☆☆

Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stones by JK Rowling

My boyfriend and I decide to make our way through the Harry Potter audiobook for nostalgia reasons. I assume I don't need to go too far into the summary of this one? (It's about a boy who finds out he's a wizard...)

★★★★☆

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

I enjoyed this thriller style book far more than I expected it. There's a twist at end of the first chapter which got me hooked. It tells the story of a seemingly normal couple, who share some secrets, and each has secrets of their own. I also really loved the ending of this.

★★★☆☆

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl was a book I really loved. It's the story of what happens when Stargirl, who is different from anyone he's met before, joins Leo's highschool. Everyone is fascinated by Stargirl and this impact how Leo treats her.

★★★★★

Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

This is the one with a wizard boy and a really big snake...

★★★★☆

Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Wizard boy spends time at wizard school with wizard friends and a prisoner has escaped from wizard prison...

★★★★☆

Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas

I listened to the audiobook of this self-help guide to manifesting money. I found it to have some great tips and really enjoyed the author's tone of voice throughout the book.

★★★☆☆

The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward

To me, The Potion Diaries felt like a more lighthearted version of The Hunger Games. It's the story of an Alchemist who is put forward to enter a competition to create a potion to cure the Princess, who has fallen in love with her own reflection. There are also more books in this series, which I do intend on reading in the future.

★★★★☆

Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas

This is Denise Duffield-Thomas's guide on manifestation and the story of how she manifested the trip of a lifetime. I found this read to be really interesting and insightful.

★★★☆☆

The Love Square by Laura Jane Williams

This rom-com is about Penny who finds herself caught in a love square, going from having no men in her life, to having three different men in her life who each have different qualities. It's a very lighthearted, fun read.

★★★☆☆

The Places I've Cried in Public by Holly Bourne

I found this young adult novel to be really touching and educational. It tells the story of Amelie as she is facing a breakup, and decided to revisit the places she's cried in public since entering the relationship which she believed to be wonderful, that was actually toxic. You can read my full review on it here.

★★★★★

No Turning Back by Tracy Buchanan

I couldn't put down this thriller. It's about a woman who accidentally kills a boy whilst protecting her child and a serial killer making their comeback. It's full of twists and turns. I didn't for a second expect the ending but found it very satisfying.

★★★★☆

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The second book in the Stargirl series does not feature Leo's character at all, instead, the story is told in letters to him written by Stargirl. Stargirl talks about her life in a new town with new characters. I found this book to be just as enchanting as the first in the series.

★★★★★

Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King

This is a guide to the importance of living a positive life, using the law of attraction and the importance of your energy. It's a great, easily digestible guide, and is pretty enough to work as a small coffee table book.

★★★★☆

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

I listened to the audiobook of this, but I loved it so much that I'm considering buying a physical copy so I can read it too. The Midnight Library is the place Nora Seed enters after attempts to take her own life, it is the place between life and death. When Nora is here, she has a chance to relive her life, as it would have panned out if she made different decisions. It's thought-provoking and beautifully written.

★★★★★

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones and The Six is about a (fictional) popular 70s band. The book is written interview style, through the comments of different band members and the people around them, showing how everyone remembers the experience differently.

★★★★★

Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Ruben

I listened to the audiobook of this to help encourage me to do some end of year tidying and found it was full of good tips, despite being very condensed. It was a very quick listen.

★★★☆☆

Feminist Don't Wear Pink & Other Lies by Scarlett Curtis

Technically this one is a bit of a cheat because I read quite a lot of the essays in 2019, but 2020 was the year I finished, so I think it counts. This is a book of essays on feminism which are educational and empowering.

★★★☆☆

Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein

Super Attractor is a spiritual guide on manifestation. I found it to be slightly more woo than the other books on manifestation I've read, as it refers a lot to angel guides a lot throughout - but I found it to be really interesting.

★★★☆☆

Daily Habits for January 2021 | Goals & Intentions for a New Year.

Monday, 4 January 2021

Girl dressed in coat, hat & scarf, in nature. January 2021 habits and goals blog post

As we head into a new year I like to take the time to reflect on what I want from the coming year, and the person I'd like to be (which you'll be able to read more about in my 2021 intentions blog post - coming soon), I think it's important to set goals to ensure personal growth, yet I find setting goals for the entire year is great but it can also be overwhelming. We only achieve our goals on step at a time, day by day. Most of our long term goals, tend to be slow burners so with that in mind, I've been thinking about how I can start by putting my best foot forward, with the small (or maybe big) things I can do daily throughout January to build habits to help me become that person I'm striving towards.

Yoga

If you read this blog post of mine, you'll know I began last year with a 30-day yoga challenge, and I sure as hell plan on doing the same thing this year. Yoga helps me feel mindful, grounded and connected to both my mind and body, and that's something I want to take forward with me into 2021. I'll be doing the Yoga with Adriene, Breath Challenge through January.

Reading

I always tell people I'm a slow reader because although I read often, as I often find it takes me ages to finish a book - I recently realised something - it's not that I'm slow, it's that I don't dedicate much time to it. Sure I'll pick up my book before bed, but I don't actually go to bed any earlier to allow time to read, so my eyes are closing after just a page or two. I've decided this year to up my Goodreads goal to 50 (it was 35 for 2020) - it's quite a jump but there are so many books which I'm longing to read, plus, I'd like to challenge myself. There's nothing like getting lost in a book after all. So in January, I'm going to dedicate at least an hour each day to reading.

Instagram posts

Growing my Instagram will be a focus of mine for 2021 because I believe I share valuable content over there and deserves to be seen. Sure there's room for improvement, so I'll be working on making my content the best it can be. I'm going to be posting daily on both my grid and stories. In January I'm really going to put myself out there, on the gram, to build a community of like-minded people (if you fancy checking out my insta, you can find it here)

Meditation

I discovered meditation many years ago and fell in love with it - I've dipped in and out of it since. In 2020 life just seemed to get in the way I stopped sparing those 10 minutes to meditate. During January 2021 I want to get into daily meditation - I know those mindful10 minutes each day will do wonders for my wellbeing. If you're curious to which meditation apps I use, I wrote a blog post on my favourite ones a couple of years ago which you can find here.

Going outside

Sometimes I almost forget there's a world outside my home, which is crazy because I know being in nature does great things for my mental health. Every day in January I want to be sure at the very minimum to step out my front door, go for the a wanders, appreciate nature and breath in the fresh air.

Journalling

Journalling is another one of those good for my mental health things that I don't do enough. Even if it's just a line of two, every day during January I plan on getting my thoughts out on paper.

To hold myself accountable I will post an update at the end of the month and I will use the habit app keep track.

Outfit Details

Coat: M&S (similar linked) | Hat: M&S | Scarf: M&S | Boots: Doctor Martens (similar linked)

What habits do you want to keep up through the month?

Wish me luck!

*affiliate links are used in this blogpost.

life admin lifestyle new year organisation

My 2021 New Year Admin Checklist | Life Organisation

Monday, 28 December 2020

Smiling Blogger Girl - getting organised for a new year - new years admin blogpost

With Christmas gone, and a new year approaching, we're currently in that stage of limbo, where you don't really know what day it is, you're diet consist of mainly of cheese and chocolate and you can't remember the last time you changed out of your PJ's.

Whatever you fancy doing in this time, you do you. If you want to relish in doing nothing, go for it but this blog post might not be the one for you. I sit firmly in the camp of overly enthusiastic when it comes to a new year, but I understand some people are the total opposite and really couldn't care less about the change of dates.

Personally, I find after Boxing Day there's only so much more watching Netflix, doing puzzles and eating pringles I can do. I get itchy to prepare for the New Year (which again is not something you need to do if you want to carry on as you've been going). But I love any excuse for a new start. I like to begin a year feeling both organised and hopeful for what's to come. I like to use the end of a year as the push I need to catch up on the life admin I've been putting off, so I can go into the new year with what feels like a clean slate. Each year I write myself a list of admin to complete before the new year, or within the first week of January, this year I thought I'd share it.

My 2021 New Year admin checklist:

- Organise my space:

Decide how I'm storing any Christmas gifts, my belongings should have their own home within my home. Get rid of the worn things I no longer want or need. Go through drawers and reduce clutter.

- Give my phone a spruce up:

Change my phone background and rearrange my apps. Delete the ones I don't need. Go through my photos and delete those accidental selfies and unnecessary screenshots.

- Write a to-read list:

Get excited about the book I plan on getting lost in the new year. I also set my Goodreads goal for the year.

- Plan my blog content:

I always get the blogging bug back when a new year comes along - while I feel inspired I like to do as much blogging and planning as I can.

- Go through my finances:

Check if there are any direct debits I can cancel. Plan my budgets for the coming months.

- Unsubscribe to unwanted emails:

Get the inbox back down to 0, and stop the junk coming back.

- Put any dates into my diary for next year:

I don't want to be forgetting friends birthdays or missing appointments.

- Go through my laptop:

Clear unwanted files, put photos onto a hard drive, organise files.

- Social media maintenance:

Check bios are up-to-date, unfollow and mute accounts I don't love, change any profile pictures that need changing.

- Check all tech is up-to-date:

Finally, do that laptop update which I've been clicking remind me tomorrow on for the last 8 months.

- Update my blog media pack and CV:

Add on those achievements from 2020.

- Clean out my makeup bag:

It's usually looking pretty grimy at this point, so it's time to throw out those old mascaras and clean up the loose powder and foundation spills.

How do you like to get organised for a new year?!

I hope you found this post useful!

Chloe x

The Places I've Cried in Public by Holly Bourne | Book Review

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

I recently finished reading The Places I've Cried in Public by Holly Bourne, I closed the final page and thought 'that was important, everyone needs to read this book'.

(Trigger warning - abusive relationships are a theme running through the book and touched on in this review.)

The Places I've Cried in Public is written in the perspective of Amelie, a teen who has moved away from her friends and boyfriend and is starting college in a new city. Amelie meets Reece, who is charming, despite the red flags. They begin a new romantic relationship, which you later realise is anything but romantic.

The book follows two different timelines, as Amelie gets inspired from a school project, and decides to revisit the places she's cried in public since moving cities. It's in these locations she reflects and tells the stories behind what lead to the tears. So we get both get present-day Amelie who is trying to move forward and heal, and past Amelie who feels she's in love but is being manipulated.

I'm not going to lie, on beginning the book, I didn't love it. It's a young adult story, and initially, I found it felt too young be to reading it as a 29-year-old woman. There was naivety to the main character, and she sometimes came across unreliable (in love with her boyfriend Alfie back home and then immediately besotted with Reese - however this may be a trope of young love along with everything else) and slightly childish (she falls out with friends and is disrespectful to her parents). However, I later found these details which I didn't love about the narrator later came into play. They were a result of how she'd treated rather than personality traits which really highlights how relationships can affect a person. To begin with, it was an easy read, so I keep going, and then a transformation happened. Pieces of the story fell together, and I realised there was much more to it than I initially realised. It was no longer an easy read but I couldn't put it down. It was heart-wrenching.

The Places I've Cried in Public tells the story of an abusive relationship from the perspective of the victim. It shows how abuse can be subtle, isolating and destructive all at the same time. It sheds light on why people fall in love with abusers, grow reliant on them, and see goodness in the person who is gaslighting them.

This book is a great tool for young women as it shows the signs of an unhealthy relationship. There are also conversations with a therapist within the story which are educational. These conversations give useful information such as the impacts of trauma, and how to know when a relationship is unhealthy.

There's also far more to the story than you expect, and there's also a twist towards the end which highlights however extreme abuse might be victims might rewrite the narrative rather than facing the trauma, and as a way to protect their abuser.

It's raw, emotional and relatable - even for those who haven't experienced the same.

This might be a really hard read, for some more than others, but I think it's an important read. Although the subject matter of the book is heavy, the book still very much feels like a young adult read. It also explores themes of friendships, new starts, family relationships and coming of age.

activities autumn autumn activities cosy fall halloween hobbies hygge pumpkin picking to do

8 Fun & Cosy Autumn Activities | Things to do this Fall.

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Girl with Autumn Pumpkins at Pumpkin Patch from Fall Pumpkin Picking Autumn Activities Blog Post

Autumn Pumpkins at Pumpkin Patch from Fall Pumpkin Picking Autumn Activities Blog Post

Guy with Autumn Pumpkins at Pumpkin Patch from Fall Pumpkin Picking Autumn Activities Blog Post

Looking for some fun activities to do this Autumn? I've got you covered.

Personally, I love this time of year, there's something about the crisp air, crunchy leaves, and warm colours speaks to my soul. I've also learned that it's good to lean into the thing I love and make the most of my favourite time of year. Even if you're a summer baby, mourning the warmer days - these activities will get feeling the autumn love.

- Pick Pumpkins:

After years of feeling envious of the pumpkin patch picture that appeared on my insta feed each autumn, I decided to instead be one of those people posting pictures of the pumpkins they picked, and it was the most lovely day. Sometimes you have to arrange things, rather than think about how you'd like to do them. Pumpkin picking is bound to make you feel more autumnal, and it's a relatively cheap activity, you can enjoy with friends, partners or family. It gives you an excuse to get out of the house and get some fresh air, while you stock up on pumpkins (far more exciting than picking one up with the weekly Tescos shop). Plus there the bonus that pumpkin provides more fun autumn activities for days afterwards.

- Decorate Pumpkins

Dedicate an evening (or afternoon, morning, or whenever takes your fancy really) to decorate your pumpkins. Have a pumpkin carving contest with the members of your household. Make an event of it. Not into the carving part? Some of the pumpkins we picked this year are on the smaller side, so we've decided to paint them instead. Who'd have thought one vegetable could provide so many fun autumn activities, and we haven't even discussed cooking with them.

- Making decor:

For me, each new season comes with a new colour palette and an excuse to mix things up in the home. This Autumn I decided to get a bit creative and make my own decor. I crocheted mini pumpkins and a black cat garland (I have both of which are also available to buy on my Etsy store If you don't fancy making but do fancy decorating). I found making my own bits felt really relaxing and it gave me something a bit different to do in the evenings. If you do want a creative project, I'd recommend Love Crafts (I worked with them in the past on this blog post, but I'm just sharing now because I think it's helpful!) They have tonnes of access to free knitting and crochet patterns on their website which you might want to try out. If crochet is not for you, why not give making an Autumn wreath a try?

- Autumn walks:

If you know me, you know I think going for a walk makes a great activity pretty much all year round (see blog posts here, here and here), but in Autumn, I find them particularly special, as the trees fill the world with autumn hues and there's something quite lovely about stepping on those crunchy fall leaves. We went on a walk recently, and decided to take a flask of soup - it was a great idea, halfway throughout the walk, we warmed up a little by enjoying some soup at a great viewpoint (I posted some pictures from that walk on my Instagram here).

- Castle visits:

I recently visited Berkely Castle with my boyfriend and his family, and it ended up being the most fun day. It was nice to do something a bit different, learn a bit of history and explore somewhere new. You can see a tonne of my snaps (a hopefully a reel soon) from that day on my Instagram account.

- Watch Gilmore Girls:

I don't think I could have written an Autumn activities blog post without mentioning Gilmore Girls. I am huge Gilmore Girls fan (I talk about my love for the show here, here and here), and always tend to rewatch the show around this time of year as it gives me all of the cosy autumn vibes. Whether you're new to the show, or it will be your 6th rewatch, now is the perfect time to head over to Netflix and get your Lorelai fix.

Crochet/Knit:

I know these did get a mention in the earlier in the make your decor point so I'll keep this short. I am obsessed with crocheting. At the moment I'm crocheting my first ever jumper, which will be ready just in time for winter (more on that in this blog post) it's such a relaxing hobby and feels super cosy. If you're a beginner you can try your hand creating a simple blanket and getting your technique down. I find crocheting just breaks up my evenings and allows me to feel both productive and relaxed all at once.

- Cosy up with a blanket, some candles and an Autumn film:

An obviously one I know, but sometimes you can't beat the simple things. Netflix has a great selection of cheesy, autumnal rom-coms, which seems to be my new favourite genre of film (I've recently watched Harvest Moon and Falling Inn Love, both so bad but so good, you know?). Enjoying them with a hot chocolate and a blanket is sometimes all you need for the perfect autumn evening.

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