Wardrobe Staple = Breton Stripes

Breton Stripes at Boden

Oh yes I do love a breton stripe.  Like so many women across the nation, the world, the universe, I have a rather nice collection of these perfectly striped tops.  Navy and white perfection that is now a staple part of my wardrobe, whatever the weather. Teamed with jeans, cigarette pants or tucked neatly under a denim tunic dress, I really cannot live without breton stripes.   With the likes of Boden and Gap now offering a rainbow of stripes I am seriously considering making a few colourful stripey additions to my wardrobe soon.  Yet will I really stray away from the traditional navy and white combo?

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

Thoughts of Summer Sun

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After a unseasonably warm festive period it would seem winter has decided to arrive as this first week of January closes.  Sat at my desk with a snuggly cardi and fluffy socks to stave of the chill in avoidance of putting the heating on, I am browsing holidays ideas, with dreams of summer sun gently kissing my skin.  Whilst I am ever grateful of living somewhere with four different seasons, sometimes seen all in one day, I do love the warmer days of late spring and summer.  Having already booked my annual leave for the latter weeks of August it's time to think about where we would like to spend these.  As we are not sure if the boys will be joining us this year it does make it a little easier to  find a holiday and of course a little cheaper.  Yet there have always been options having a large family, whether its under canvas, in a cottage but fewer hotel options.  Apart from a trip to Disneyland Paris we have always taken the self catering option, making it easier to feed our brood the food they like and at times that suit us.  Now with palates adapted to a more diverse diet and more flexibility in meal times maybe an all inclusive option could be considered.  

Whilst I would love a fly and flop style holiday, I am not sure how long it would actually be a lovely holiday once there.  As a family we are not used to just sitting around, slowing down a bit during these shorter winter months, so a relaxing holiday probably isn't really for us,  However the option for slower paced days are definitely part of my holiday plans.  So for now I will continue to browse, in and of course out of budget....well a girl can dream can't she!

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

Delicious Drinks - Hot Chocolate

With the days turning chilly, walks on the beach or in the forest are being finished with flasks filled with hot chocolate or coffee.  Over the years I have created for the children chocolaty goodness topped with marshmallows, squirty cream and even a sprinkling of tiny gingerbread men.  Hands wrapped around a steaming mug to warm them from a walk on a cold winters day or after school, snuggled under a blanket watching cartoons.  There is definitely something warm and cosy about a mug of hot chocolate don't you think?  And remember to put the marshmallows under the cream so they can melt in to the hot chocolate.  Here are a couple of great hot chocolate recipes if you fancy making your own instead of an instant one.

from Luvo

from Jamie Oliver

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

Word for 2016

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For the past few years I have been inspired by other bloggers and writers to find a word to help shape the year.  Last years word of choice for me was embrace and boy did I embrace everything life gave me in 2015.  So for the past week or so I have been pondering my choice of word for 2016.  At first I wondered if I even needed a word this year, which led me to question what I wanted from the next twelve months.  Having achieved some big goals last year, I considered just going with the flow, seeing where life took me.  But for those of you who know me understand that I am very unlikely to do this.  Setting goals, making plans are a big part of my life.  And was recently pointed out to me, I am an ideas person.  Share an idea with me and I can almost guarantee that within an hour, or a day, I will have a full blown master plan for you! 

Now I knew I needed a word to help me get the most out of 2016, but which word would help guide me? I decided that having spent a lot of time studying in the past three years and settling into my new job I wanted this year to help me find time for some of the other things I love.  With my first degree in Creative Arts I still have a passion for these, even if they are not part of my working day anymore.  Even though my life always seems to be busy I want to make sure I have time to enjoy music, playing or listening.  So instead of catching the end of some great radio shows I am going to make sure I use listen again options, downloading them on the BBC radio app and filling my commute with music, words and wisdom.  Another thing I have been wanting to do is update my guitar playing.  I haven't played properly in years and have been longing to be able to strum away to the recent talents of Ed Sheeran, James Bay and Mumford & Sons to name a few.  Already I have discovered some great guitar school tutorials on you tube, which will help me over the coming months.  

With the need for more music in my life confirmed I also felt I want to make sure I read more.  Not just novels, although there is an endless list of books I want to read in a One note folder on my iPad!  As part of my job I need to stay up to date with new ideas and research, which was my favourite part of my time as a student.  Whilst many hate ploughing through journal articles, I actually enjoyed it.  Therefore I intend to make sure I keep reading articles relevant to my job, especially as I plan to start my masters this year.  I also plan to watch or listen to some TED talks, a little late to the party but who cares?! A person can grow when they are ready which maybe at a different time to the crowd. 

A theme seemed to be appearing here and enhancing my life culturally seems to be a goal for 2016.  But the word culture didn't quite fit as my word.  Then it dawned on me today, quite randomly whilst cleaning and packing away Christmas. Grow will be word for 2016.  Having laid the foundations over the years I will use the next twelve months to help me grow as a person, culturally and academically.  

Good luck choosing your word for 2016. Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

Goodbye 2015

print from KF Prints on Etsy

It is that time of year when I get to stop and reflect on the past year and what a year it has been! I turned 40, graduated and started my first job as a qualified radiographer. Twelve months ago I was knee deep in research for my dissertation, which I loved and if I am honest I actually now miss.  I was also preparing to embark on a twelve week clinical placement and knew that my final weeks as a student were getting closer.  But the hard work paid off and I was awarded top marks for my dissertation, achieved first class honours for my degree and awarded the prize for best dissertation on results day. When I first started on this new career path I never for one moment thought I would achieve so much and there were moments when I did wonder if I would finish.  But I did it, little ol' me, passed with flying colours!  

The icing on the cake for me this year came in the form of a job offer from the hospital at which I trained.  Whilst many people were surprised I didn't chose to work closer to home, I made a career choice and wanted to be part of a busy department, working with a team I knew.  Certainly the past six months have been incredibly busy with the transition being fairly smooth from student to radiographer and never have I regretted my decision to stay where I trained.  

So 2015 was definitely amazing regarding study and career.  On a more personal level, I am thankful to have the continuing support of Andy.  I know that there are days when he and the children wish I didn't commute so far, that I was here when they woke up in the morning or when they returned home from school.  But they have been incredibly accepting of this new way of life, that mummy has a career that means she isn't always there.  Although there are still days when Kitty asks if I can work from home again, I know it will get easier for all of us with time.

As a family we have passed more milestones - Andy turned 50, Amber became a teenager, Connor passed his driving test first time, Connor and Jack had an amazing set of AS and GCSE results, Connor received an unconditional offer at UEA to read history next September, Amber passed her Grade IV flute exam, Lucy started her GCSE years, Kitty performed her first flute solo in the Christmas concert.  Not a bad year really!

After such an amazing year I am truly thankful and am looking forward to seeing what 2016 has in store for myself, Andy and our children.  One thing for sure is that we will grab opportunities with both hands, enjoy and cherish every moment.  

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

World Radiography Day

Today is a very important day for my profession, a day to celebrate everything in the world  of X-rays.  Every year on 8 November it is World Radiography Day. A time to celebrate the progress of this amazing part of health science.  However I also believe it is a fantastic opportunity to promote the profession.  Even though most people have heard of x-rays and scans few people know what radiography or a radiographer is, never mind what they actually do.  In the past when I have mentioned radiotherapy or being a therapeutic radiographer there has even been a comment about being like Fraiser! Oh how that made me smile.....although I think I am more like Roz in this fab comedy show.  Yet I can assure you my job is nowhere nearly as glamorous as hosting a radio show and I am by no means a therapist.

Whenever you have a x-ray or a scan or receive radiotherapy treatment you will be imaged or treated by a radiographer. As part of the allied health professionals workforce we are not nurses or doctors but are an important part of many patients care.  Diagnostic imaging is an incredibly important part of so many peoples visit to hospital, without it doctors would struggle with so many diagnosis.  Radiotherapy is used to treat so many types of cancer and also relies on diagnostic imaging, especially to help minimise dose to normal tissue and protecting patients organs surrounding their tumour.  Whilst it is clear there are different types of imaging, not all involving radiation and with this there are different roles within the world of radiography, I still worry about how misunderstood my profession is. Fear not I am not about to get on my soapbox or start a marketing campaign to promote my profession, well not today anyway!  For now I will happily direct you to the Society of Radiographers website if you want to learn more about radiography, as I head off to the village green for the Rememberance Sunday service.....did you know the armed forces have Radiographers? See there is still so much I need to share about radiography.....

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