Around here
30 November 2016 • update
So. I have seen the revival. Not all of it, I still have the last episode left to watch. You can continue reading if you know what I'm talking about (GILMORE GIRLS!!) because I won't spoil anything. I just really like it so far. There have been a few bits that felt like, come on!!!!, but other than that, it's been a delight to watch after a hard working day. Not that I work very much at the moment but anyway....
As I'm writing, my cat is driving me insane by trying to eat all my pens. He's cute so, he's lucky he's got that going on for him...
I'm focused on my dissertation I still need to hand in. I should be productive but I'm a bit stuck right now. Hell, it seems that I'm always stuck... I was told to fight me. Not in a violent way, but to tell myself, yes, you're going to finish it in two weeks and that'll be it. No complaining, no lamenting, no doing nothing. I just have to work at it everyday and it will be done at one point.
I'm back with my earl grey. Where was I? Oh yes, I just want to go out and enjoy the sun. What I don't like very much in this house is that there isn't enough natural light. Large windows + a garden will be compulsory requirements when we'll house hunt.
NOW, THe cat is walking on my keyboard, hence the capital letters.
I have been straightening my hair lately. It feels so good. I have outgrown my permanent curls and my hair looks crazy when I don't do anything. Straightening them makes me feel really good and confident.
I still have lots of work to do on my dissertation, so I'm going back to it. No Gilmore Girls for me tonight, I'll try to leave the last episode for later so I can enjoy it better! I'll let you know if I actually resisted to the tentation...
A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the efforts of a spasmodic Hercules. - Anthony TrollopeOh. I need to get up, my water has boiled. It's tea time.
I'm back with my earl grey. Where was I? Oh yes, I just want to go out and enjoy the sun. What I don't like very much in this house is that there isn't enough natural light. Large windows + a garden will be compulsory requirements when we'll house hunt.
NOW, THe cat is walking on my keyboard, hence the capital letters.
I have been straightening my hair lately. It feels so good. I have outgrown my permanent curls and my hair looks crazy when I don't do anything. Straightening them makes me feel really good and confident.
I still have lots of work to do on my dissertation, so I'm going back to it. No Gilmore Girls for me tonight, I'll try to leave the last episode for later so I can enjoy it better! I'll let you know if I actually resisted to the tentation...
6 Podcasts you need to listen to
29 November 2016 • list
Sometimes I like to listen to an audiobook whilst driving or commuting and other times I don't listen to anything at all. For a while now, I've been obsessed with podcasts. I had written about my favourite podcasts a long time ago but here is my list of current favourites - in no particular order.
Ravacholle's Top 5
20 November 2016 • list
It's been two years since my first post. Today I'm sharing the five posts you clicked on the most on the blog.
Are they really your favourites? Let me know!
Giddy with excitement
18 November 2016 • personal
W-1.
Last year, I was finally catching up on the last season of the show. I somehow only watched the first five seasons when it aired (=the best!)
However, as I sat through the final episode, I became extremely irritated. That was a stupid ending in my opinion. Women couldn't have it all apparently... You were either entitled a career or a love life. Having both seem incompatible somehow...!?
Anyway, I'm excited about how I'll spend my next Friday night because:
Anyway, I'm excited about how I'll spend my next Friday night because:
☕️ I can forget the last episode ever happened and think of it as a tiny mistake
☕️ I'm dying to know what book titles will be added to the famous Gilmore Girls Book Lists
☕️ I'm dying to know what book titles will be added to the famous Gilmore Girls Book Lists
☕️ I've seen the trailer and it left me seriously wanting for more
☕️ Melissa McCarthy! Duh!
☕️ We'll finally know who Rory ends up with (please, let it be Logan)
☕️ I can't wait to hear Emily's voice again
☕️ The show was so comforting and full of joy and I wish I lived in Stars Hollow
☕️ The theme song
☕️ It feels like a high school reunion!
Will you be watching the revival?
Why I blog
15 November 2016 • personal
As I am writing this, I'm super stressed.
I am preparing a job interview that I'll have in a few days and I feel overwhelmed. I had to take a break so I came to my blog. Then I realized that my blog is just that little outlet where I can go wild and do whatever I want, write anything I want. It's a space I can call mine, where I control things. I can get creative and write about things that I like or that I read. I enjoy relating my travel adventures and it makes me feel good sometimes to look back at my photos and remember some of the things I've done or saw that made me happy at that time. I feel very satisfied when I plan posts for a whole week. It's still a hobby and I don't always feel like blogging but I know I can be organized and consistent when life isn't too hard on me.
It's always hard to remember the positives when feeling overwhelmed but it's something I try to work on! Now, I'm going out in the rain for a bit of cycling and fresh air. It can't be bad for me, right?
What's on my cameral roll before I delete it all
11 November 2016 • update
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share a few snaps of my life and consider them as a reminder of things I did/saw/accomplished/spied/lusted over.
Anyway, since my last recap, I've painted many walls and pieces of furniture. I'm exhausted from all the cleaning-brushes work I've done and I feel very satisfied with my DIY skills. We're hosting a little family house warming party next Sunday so we had to get the house in shape.
I visited DisneyLand Paris for the first time ever. It was fun but not like I had imagined. Overall, I enjoyed very much our stay at the New York hotel, it was really cute and very 90's. I also absolutely loved the little street at the entrance of the park. I wish the little houses were real!
I had many cakes and coffees with myself and also with friends! I loove them all: friends, cake and coffee. I also do tea.
I finally bought that bike I wanted. I've been using it when I need to go somewhere that's not further than 5km from my house. It's made my life a bit easier when I have to go places and the bf uses the car. My bicycle is very comfy and I'm obsessed with its mint colour. I've received many compliments on it, it's this one from Decathlon if you're interested.
I milked a goat.
Speaking of animals, there's a new guy in my life.
I've spent my share of days chained to my desk reading stuff, doing admin work and studying for a job exam. I also organized our office bookcase and the all the paperwork that needed filing.
I had many cakes and coffees with myself and also with friends! I loove them all: friends, cake and coffee. I also do tea.
I finally bought that bike I wanted. I've been using it when I need to go somewhere that's not further than 5km from my house. It's made my life a bit easier when I have to go places and the bf uses the car. My bicycle is very comfy and I'm obsessed with its mint colour. I've received many compliments on it, it's this one from Decathlon if you're interested.
I milked a goat.
Speaking of animals, there's a new guy in my life.
I've spent my share of days chained to my desk reading stuff, doing admin work and studying for a job exam. I also organized our office bookcase and the all the paperwork that needed filing.
Finally, I nearly bought this mirror for our kitchen but decided against it because too expensive and too fake looking for my taste. There might or there might not have been a 10€ Goodwill find and some DIY involved...
Also loved
Going clubbing with my girls, celebrating our 8th anniversary in the countryside, reading, achieving stuff, getting things checked off my list, GBBO, finishing up the big jobs in the house, getting rid of clutter, making plans and sticking to it, getting out of my comfort zone and actually doing stuff.
Looking forward to
The Gilmore Girls Revival, who else is excited?? On Netflix November 25th. Decorating for Christmas, seeing my cat getting bigger, 2017, reading new books, getting more things done, listen to my friends recap their trip, running some more, Tanya Burr doing Vlogmas.
On the blog
I ran a 10K and saw the latest Bridget Jones on my birthday
Review of Letters to my Fanny by Cherry Healey
5 Blogs I read everyday
Books wishlist
And that's a wrap. I've been blogging everyday of this past week, I'm feeling great. 💪 #winning Review of Letters to my Fanny by Cherry Healey
5 Blogs I read everyday
Books wishlist
What have you been up to this past month? Have you painted anything? What are you looking forward to?
PS: it's not going to happen again next week... sorry!
Bookish Wishlist
10 November 2016 • books, list
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott | I read it as child and want to devour it again. I also need all the books Rifle Paper Co. designed. I am sure I would appreciate the novel better this time around as I am more grown up. I also want this book because I feel like it's a comfort novel I can read over the Christmas period sitting by the fire...
Making it up as I go along by Marian Keyes | This would be my first Marian's book ever if I can get my hands on one. I'm intrigued about all her funny observations about life. If you've seen my latest book review, you know I have been enjoying non-fiction books about being a woman in the 21st century lately...
I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes | Jim Chapman recommended it in one of his videos so I shall try it. I'm joking only partially because 1. I love good thrillers and 2. this book has very good reviews everywhere I see it mentioned. Murder, mystery, fast-paced, 600+ pages. Good for rainy days, uh?
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann | I only know about this one because I've read a review of it on The Pool. It's about girls who make their way up to the top only to find out that there's no place left to but to go down and it was published in 1966. I'm very curious about it and as I've said, I'm into feminist reads at the moment!
Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple | This novel is on my list because I enjoyed Semple's previous work, Where'd you go Bernadette. It also reminds me of A Tiny Bit Marvellous because it's about the hectic day in the life of a woman (called Eleanor Flood).
Becoming Queen Victoria by Kate Williams | I have a major crush on Pr. Kate Williams at the moment, be prepared for a post about it! I also dig ITV's new show, Victoria. Since last summer, I've been a bit obsessed with looking up history facts on Wikipedia. I've also been watching a few of victorian era inspired documentaries and shows (life in a victorian slum, victorian bakers...) so I wanted to get more specific and actually read a biography. I love Kate Williams ever since I've seen her on the BBC last summer so I chose her work to learn more about Victoria's early years as a queen. Also, Leopold everyone! First King of my country!
Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella | I've been meaning to buy this for ages but never found it second hand yet. I might get it new or order it for Christmas because the Shopaholic series are my feel-good go-to books. I'm eager to know what crazy plan Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) thought of to rescue her dad...
What's on your list?
If you like this post, you might like: Current to-read list
Find my book reviews and what I'm reading at the moment on Goodreads.
Find my book reviews and what I'm reading at the moment on Goodreads.
5 Blogs I read everyday
9 November 2016 • list
or at least every week.
DANIELLE MOSS
She's is my blogging idol! I love her. I already talked about her way too much but I just love her style. Danielle moved all the way from sunny Los Angeles to freezing Chicago where she knew practically no one. Her move coincided with a feeling of being stuck and gave her the kick she needed to change things that didn't work for her at the time. Some years later, she just moved in with her boyfriend and she sold almost all of her furniture to her old landlord - I just dream of decorating from scratch again but the bf would kill me...
Write Like Noone's Watching
Charlotte is the same age as me and is already a home owner and proud mamma to two kiddos. She writes some very thoughtful posts, does weekend vlogs and food shops hauls that I really enjoy watching. I like her style and the homey feel there is to her blog and Youtube channel. It's just the vibe that I get from her that's so comforting. She's lovely! I also enjoy reading Life as Our Little Family and Ethel Explores in the mummy category...
Wholeheartedly Healthy
Previously Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish, I've been reading Laura for quite a while. She's my inspiration for all food and health related worries. She introduced me to the Davina McCall workouts DVDs and I will never thank her enough for that. As I sometimes struggle to stay in shape and eat a well balanced diet, I love popping in to check on her blog as she inspires me to keep on track with my goals (exercising more and eat more legs if you're wondering...) Laura has been through a very inspiring body image journey and her blog is just a mine of inspiration. I also admire her dedication to her work, she's brilliant and inspiring as I said multiple times!
Young House Love
There are actually two other home related blogs that I read on a regular basis: Brooklyn Limestone and Manhattan Nest. I used to be completely addicted and obsessed with YHL when they were still blogging daily. They taught me everything I know about DIYing everything in my life. Sherry and John have recently started a podcast and I very enjoy keeping in touch with them that way now. They somehow lost their mojo a few years back and stopped blogging altogether so it's nice to see them back in the game in another format.
Gals from #TheGirlGang
Utter Ardour, Alice Red, The Nerdy Me and Very Berry Cosmo are my favourites! I love the way they are real and that their own voice transpires through their various content. Rai is from Australia and enjoys getting creative and reading books. Alice, a photography graduate, and Kayleigh, a graphic design graduate, are from the UK and both vlog. Kayleigh writes about her struggles with OCD and Alice is quite unique with her videos, you really need to see her work for yourself. Finally, Leta is from Lithuania, which in itself is so interesting on so many levels, and she writes on inspiration and motivation as well as on her days out and about.
Meet the new guy in town
8 November 2016 • update
Hello everyone! Just a quick post to introduce my new little buddy, Gaston! The bf and I had wanted a pet for a very long time and since we moved into a bigger place last April, we thought it was time to make our wishes a reality.
We both like dogs and cats but we eventually decided after very long debates about pros and cons to adopt a little kitty. You already know that I had pets when I was still living with my parents (our very best cat, Snoopy and earlier this year, my parents got a puppy AND a kitten!) so I've really been missing having a pet around.
I desperately want to be dog mama. I imagine myself going on doggy walks and doing some running with my future pup but if I'm being realistic, having a dog wouldn't really fit into our lifestyle at the moment. Also, major point here, we don't have a garden. So, for the sake of a dog's wellbeing, we decided against adopting one.
Our house is kinda big so we felt ok with letting a cat wander around. We would preferably like to let him go outside but we're a bit scared that he'd get lost/killed/catnapped.
Anyway, Gaston's been living with us for about a month and he's made our lives a little bit better. I had read multiple times that despite being a bit of a hassle (cleaning the poo, health and food costs, things getting destroyed or peed on....), you can actually benefit from having a pet.
Pros
♥ His body's warmth when I'm cold on the sofa
♥ Having someone to cuddle with while watching telly
♥ Stroking my little kitty is actually quite calming
♥ Whenever I need a break from home work, chores, blogging, job hunting, Gaston is there for me to play with
♥ Cats live in the moment so I find them a very good reminder to appreciate the present whenever I'm faced with anxiety/difficulties/hard times
♥ His body's warmth when I'm working in the office and he sleeps on my legs
♥ He doesn't shred my furniture... yet.
♥ Gaston's coat is so so so soft. You would think I would have made him loose all of his hair by now because I pet him so much...
♥ I sing all the time (soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur...)
♥ He gets on with my parent's kitten and he kind of tolerates their dog
♥ He's so freakin' adorable
Cons
✘ Gaston has absolutely no sense of dignity or personal space
✘ He's so annoying when he's in a bad/playing/sleepy/cuddling mood
✘ Poo's smelling way too much
✘ His butt. In our faces.
✘ Licking our skin until it's red with pain
✘ When he walks on my keyboard
✘ The smell of his farts
✘ The mess he makes everywhere: paper balls for him to play with in
every room of the house and his litter out of the box
✘ His breath in the morning and at lunchtime and in the evening
✘ Buying food and cat litter and toys (€€€)
✘ Dropping him off somewhere when we're away
Overall
I wouldn't exchange him for the world despite the cons list being roughly the same length as the pros one.This post is getting a bit too long so I'm stopping with the cuteness here. I don't want you to throw up with disgust with all the love I have for my kitty friend.
Do you own a pet? What's its name?
Related posts
To my beloved cat, Snoopy
The Guide to Fall
House update and a new puppy
Letters to my fanny by Cherry Healey
7 November 2016 • books, ladieswhowrite
For a while I had wanted to write about Cherry in a British Crush post but time passed and I forgot about it. Then, her book was released and I was eager to read it. I patiently waited for my exams to be over before ordering it and now, I can proudly write about it on here.
Who's Cherry?
Cherry is a 36 year old fashion lover and down-to-earth TV presenter famously known for her insightful BBC documentaries. She has two children and lives in Shepherd's Bush, London - near the Westfield Shopping Center that I always go to when I'm in London Town....
Cherry is well known for having given birth on camera in a documentary in 2009 but there's so much more to her! She loves to pop into Topshop as she believes some time alone is as important as getting her kids to school on time. She has said she's lucky enough to have childcare arrangements that allows her time to exercise, pottering, read a new book, try a hot-yogalates rave class or staring at the floor with a G&T in hand. Cherry loves good food - she particularly likes to cook poached eggs and smoked salmon on toast on the weekend while drinking a rich cup of coffee - and she's obsessed with working out. On the career side of her, Cherry started at the BBC and had been working her way up the production ladder with the aim of becoming a director for a while and when a friend of hers put her forward for a job as an immersive journalist, she actually nailed it!
As soon as I discovered Cherry on TV, I became completely addicted. She covered issues that I could totally relate to - such as when is the right time to have a baby, money, pregnancy or alcohol. Her documentaries often featured her sharing her own experiences - being pregnant while filming a documentary about having children - and were really speaking to me as they sometimes raised some thought-provoking questions.
As soon as I discovered Cherry on TV, I became completely addicted. She covered issues that I could totally relate to - such as when is the right time to have a baby, money, pregnancy or alcohol. Her documentaries often featured her sharing her own experiences - being pregnant while filming a documentary about having children - and were really speaking to me as they sometimes raised some thought-provoking questions.
Her book
Letters to my Fanny is described by Cherry herself as a love letter to her body. The book comprises of a few letters dedicated to various parts of Cherry's body. As she wrote on the back cover, Cherry spent most of her life hating her body, putting it to the test with multiple diets, trying to fit it into very skinny pants or actually hurting it while trimming her lady parts.
By dedicating nine letters to different aspects of her body, Cherry gives us her opinion and shares some personal anecdotes about sex, orgasm, pubic hair, masturbation, money, food, diets, relationships, pregnancy, breastfeeding and more.
My take
Well, Cherry didn't let me down. I must admit I was over excited to read her memoirs because I'm a bit of a fangirl, so my opinion might be a little bit biased.
If you're a feminist at heart you will probably find Cherry's book a bit boring because it's mostly her telling us about her first snog, how she went to an all-girls high school or the time she went on a carrot based diet. I didn't particularly found the book breathtaking in a sense that I am already familiar with women's issues talked in the book and growing up, I didn't have many problems with my body. I'm pretty cool like that... I know...
I always found Cherry a bit perfect: good-looking, funny, brillant, having a good career, etc. She is a bit inspiring to me and I really love watching women like her on the telly. I was a bit curious and was really surprised to read about her personal life and how she really struggled with her body. I find it fascinating that she was/still is? obsessed about her image regarding make-up, hair trimming and stuff.
This is something I don't really relate to as I keep things pretty simple: I have hair and I don't care. I was never really into the whole beauty regiment women think they have to go through to be beautiful. Anyway, I do enjoy make up and I think taking good care of your body is very important. Reading Letters to my Fanny resonated with me on that point: I should really take better care of me as it can also improve my overall wellbeing.
Favourite quote
Another subject that I really enjoyed reading about was Cherry's relationship with her Lady Family aka her friends. I totally approved everything she said because I also love my very own Lady Family.
I enjoyed and laughed quite a bit at Cherry's first experience with spray tan for the New Year's. I disliked the bit where she talks about music.
Liked♥ made think more about certain girl issues♥ her insight on some of the docs she made/I saw ♥ the life tips she gives her daughter at the end ♥ Cherry rocks! ♥ and she now has a podcast!! |
Disliked♥ the bit about listening to music - boring♥ she had a lot of boys stories to tell! ♥ didn't really talked about her marriage/divorce (I understand completely but I really felt something was missing!) |
Find out more about Cherry
on her blog/on her podcast/in Smallish Magazine/in My Baba/and her perfect weekend in The Telegraph/on What Olivia Did/on the The Pool/in a radio interview/by watching a few of her docs on Youtube
Have you read Cherry's book? Have you seen some of her documentaries yet? What did you think? Tell me everything!
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