Podcast I'm Loving - 2021

Monday 25 January 2021

2021 Podcasts I'm Loving. At Home With Lily and Anna, Soul Sugar, Charge My Core etc

If you're anything like me, you'll love plugging in your headphones and losing yourself in a good podcast. I've previously shared the podcasts some of my favourite podcasts in this blog post and this blog post. Recently I've found some new ones I'm loving and I have rediscovered some old favourites so I thought it was time for an updated podcast recommendation post.

So without further ado, here are my current favourite podcasts:

Good Influence with Gemma Styles:

Good Influence was a podcast which I immediately fell in love with on my first listen. In this podcast, the host, Gemma interviews guests on subjects that they are knowledgable about, that she believes we should all know more about. The topics have included money, comparison, food waste and more. It's educational and entertaining.

Charge my Core with Susie Bell:

With the tagline, 'more soul, less scroll', Susie's podcast really does charge my core. A little disclaimer, Susie is an IRL and online friend of mine but if she were a complete stranger I know I'd still love this podcast. Susie podcasts either alone or with guests. She delves into deep subjects around digital wellness and self-discovery. It's such a refreshing listen.

The Ravens:

The Ravens is One Tree Hill Podcast (if you read this blog post you'll know I love OTH, and in this post you'll also know I'm also a big fan of the podcast Tree Hill Talk). In this podcast, Dom and Simon watch each episode of One Tree Hill and discuss it. Simon is a long time OTH fan, and Dom has never seen the series. It has timed perfectly with when I wanted to rewatch One Tree Hill (I'm obsessed, as I do with Gilmore Girls, I rewatch OTH every few years). Having listened to Tree Hill Talk (now feeling like I'm best friends with the hosts), I find it so interested to hear the comparison between the opinions of the two British guys who host Ravens and the three American girls who host Tree Hill Talk. (Some very different Peyton & Brooke opinions). I also really appreciate the British sense of humour in this podcast. The majority of the podcasts I listen to have American hosts or a more series subject matter - so the lighthearted, slightly out-there in-jokes in this podcast are much appreciated and always have me laughing along (and wondering if anyone who is not British gets the jokes, because the humour is very British, which makes it feel like home to me). I love to hear Dom's predictions and Simons passion for Lucas Scott. Ravens is a part 10:30 Productions who also have a Prison Break podcast, so if that's your thing you might also wanna give that one a listen.

At Home with Lily and Anna

At Home with Lily and Anna is such a fun listen. The girls reformatted the podcast where they once used to visit guests homes, to a podcast where they chat from there own homes. Although I liked it before, I much prefer it this way. These days I'm enjoying more casual chatting podcasts over interview-style. Lily and Anna just both seem so lovely and genuine. Listening feels like being with friends. They begin by talking through their tops five of the week and in the second half of the podcast delve deeper into a specific subject. The episode on female friendship was one of my favourites. I also really love it when they invite their husbands on as special guests.

Practical Positivity

Practical positivity is hosted by Sophie Cliff (who is also known as The Joyful Coach). Practical Positivity does exactly as it says on the tin - it gives you practical tips on how to live a positive, more joyful life. I find this to be a particularly uplifting listen, and I love that the advice given is always actionable.

Soul Sugar

Now, this podcast did get a mention in my top podcast of 2019, however, I've recently rediscovered it and wanted to give it another shout out. Similar to At Home With Lily and Anna, the format of this podcast has changed. Rather than interviewing guests or chatting alone, Carrie is now joined by her husband Alex who (in this season) is co-hosting the podcast with her. They chat about all different things, but I always find the conversations to be open, vulnerable and insightful. I really enjoy hearing what they have to say.

Total Betty Media

I've spoken about Total Betty Media before in this post when they were It Takes Three Network. I still love their podcasts so I wanted to give them a little shoutout again. They've recently rebranded, but they still podcast about those nostalgic teen drama shows that we all love. They have covered every season of One Tree Hill in Tree Hill Talk which I mentioned earlier, and The OC in Let's Talk OC, they are currently halfway through Gossip Girl for their Three Gossip Girls podcast. They have also announced that A Friday Night Lights Podcast is coming - I've never seen the show so I'm super excited for this one.

What are your favourite podcasts? I'm always looking for some new listens.

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.