January Round Up

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Whilst I have planned on monthly round up posts before I never seem to quite get around to it.  So this year I have decided to try and collate a round up as each month closes, sharing what I have been doing, reading, listening to and even watching.  

Reading  - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo

In an effort to declutter and tidy the house properly once and for all I have turned to the tidying godess that has received high praise across social media in the recent months.  So fingers crossed her magic works on me!

Doing - Business Planning

This month has seen me helping my husband make plans for creating a business that fits around our family and gives him a way to share his talents.  To be honest I have thoroughly enjoyed this, donning my creative and marketing hats again.  Also one of the ideas will mean I can collaborate with him.  Watch this space.....

Listening - Adele, Foxes and Jo Whiley

This month I have continued to play Adele's new album, 25, whilst in the car.  A damn good sing along on my long drives home from work have been the tonic I needed as the dark evenings have become a little depressing.  My other love this month has been Foxes, I absolutely love this band and have added them to my various playlists this month.  Also this month I have been making sure I listen to Jo Whiley's Radio 2 show as much as possible, whether this is live or on catch up.  For me Jo's show is a celebration of talented musicians, old and new, whilst catching up with an old friend or big sister.  

Watching - War and Peace and Call The Midwife

After spending so much in the company of Dr McDreamy and the cast of Greys Anatomy whilst I devoured box set after box set on Amazon Prime, I needed a new fix.  This time it wasn't a hospital based medical drama, the only blood to be seen is on the battle field, or in childbirth. Having never read War and Peace, I know a terrible admission for a literature graduate, I was intrigued by the new adaptation.  Thankfully this does not disappoint and I am loving the character development, drama and beautiful location and costume of this epic.  Call The Midwife has become a firm favourite with myself and the girls, making time every Thursday after school to watch an episode in the wintry months, so we are thrilled that January saw it's return.  

What have you been up to this month? Any recommendations?!

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

The Year in Books - November

Sadly these past few months I have had to stop participating in 'The Year in Books' organised by Laura at  Circle of Pine Trees, due to time restrictions. Yet I feel now would be a good time to join again, especially as cosy winter evenings are perfect for snuggling up with a good book.  My reading list recently has been quite varied as always.  A favourite in the past few months has been 'Where She Went' by Gayle Forman, the follow up to the amazing young adult novel 'If I Stay'.  This was one of those books I did not want to end but hungrily read on as I needed to know what happened.  Forman is definitely an author I will be reading again very soon and encourage anybody to try, even if like me you are not a young adult.  

So what will I be reading in November?  After a recent trip to the library I returned armed with books I have been wanting to read for a while.  First up is the tale of an adventure up the west coast of America.  'Wild - A Journey from Lost to Found' by Cheryl Strayed has been dramatised as a movie recently but as always I have chosen to read the book first.  Having loved books like 'Eat, Pray, Love' I am sure 'Wild' will be spiritually uplifting for me as the reader as I join her on her incredible journey.  Next up this month is an autobiographical journey with a lady I have admired for many years, Jo Whiley.  Over the years Jo has had a big influence over my musical choices and I just love her style and friendly yet incredibly cool way of dj-ing, so am looking forward to reading 'My World in Motion'.

Maybe two books are ambitious but I think it's about time I got back to reading reguarly again and know both of these books will keep me enthralled.  What will you be reading this month? Perhaps join in with The Year in Books? Find out more on Laura's blog here.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo