Category: Uncategorized

What a year of only buying second hand looks like

Leave a comment

So apart from a few essentials (underwear, a bikini (yes that’s essential), and a pair of flat shoes and a pair of black trousers), I only bought second hand clothes from my birthday 2016 to my birthday 2017. And it was so. much. fun. Yes, I enjoyed a splurge at H&M (courtesy of my boyfriend), afterwards. But I really enjoyed it.

There is something really liberating about going into a charity shop with £20 and knowing that you could probably afford to buy anything in that shop, if not two or three things. What I really loved about it was, you’re so limited. You can’t just get another size if that one cute dress in the shop doesn’t fit you. It doesn’t come in another colour. And it won’t be there when you come back next time.

Continue reading →

Purge: Part 2

Leave a comment

This was the big one. It was ruthless. Over the course of a week (and with the help of my wonderful family), I got rid of almost everything. Furniture I’ve spent years hoarding. Half finished projects. Treasured trinkets and jazzy gadgets. A well cultivated, much-loved wardrobe.

And somehow, somehow, I still have a shitload of stuff left. I’ve culled down to the bare bones of what I can throw away, give away or sell. But that’s the thing. Most of it is just… stuff. It’s not much more than kipple. Continue reading →

Boo & Pop’s Girly Day Out

Leave a comment

In this journey I have had so many ‘Stardust moments’. If you haven’t read the book or seen the film, go away and watch/read it. Right. Now. There is a scene where the fallen star, who hasn’t been able to shine since she landed on the Earth, is in a warm bath, feeling comfort and kindness for the first time. And her shine returns, starting from her heart, seeping out of her whole body*. That’s how I feel today.

Continue reading →

Passover prayers

1 Comment

Today I was welcomed into the home of Donna and Mel, Jay’s parents, to celebrate Passover with their family. And whilst the family approached the event with a humorous cynicism reserved for those about to hear the same mildly funny jokes of the umpteenth time, I was actually looking forward to it.

Passover is a special time in the Jewish calendar as it is about remembering the struggles of the Jews as slaves of the Egyptians, and the tough time in the desert that followed. They eat bitter herbs to signify these bitter struggles (horseradish, in our case), unleavened bread to signify the poor food available in this tough time, and a variety of things dipped in salt water to signify the tears wept. I’m skirting over the details slightly, as you can look into the celebration for yourself if you’re interested, and I would absolutely encourage you to do so.

Continue reading →

The Weekend I got my Snuggle Blanket

Leave a comment

Humans can be the most wonderous beings sometimes. Sitting here on a Monday morning after my birthday weekend, I’m reflecting on the power of people. Over the past few days, there have been so many words and gestures, actions and thoughts from so many different people that have lifted my spirits, that it is difficult to know where to start.

The number of people wishing you a happy birthday on Facebook has become a modern measure of, well I don’t know what, popularity perhaps (65 if you’re wondering). I had some beautiful messages from around the world. Some meant more than others, that is true. It was nice to read through them all, and think about the last time I saw them, or what they are up to in life. My sister wrote me the most beautiful poem and posted it on my wall, it was so touching, personal and heartfelt, I am reminded of just how important she is to me.

Continue reading →

1020 & kahlua krunch

Leave a comment

Today’s ice-creams come not from a tub, but from the famous Marianne’s near the ocean. Heidi has been the most amazing friend to me, so the least I can do for her is but her an ice-cream, right?

Heidi has joked many times that she can take me to almost any ice-cream parlour in Santa Cruz, and I could rock this item off my list. She was not kidding. We rocked up and they had 102 flavours to choose from. 102.

So I chose kahlua krunch and 1020. 1020 is caramel ice-cream with Oreo cookie bites, and a local favourite. Although sold in many ice-cream shops in the Santa Cruz area, it originates from Marianne’s and is named after their street address: 1020 Ocean Street. Kahlua krunch is coffee liqueur ice-cream and chocolate biscuit pieces. Continue reading →

1 down, 99 to go

Leave a comment

Yesterday was the start of my ice-cream dreams. Something tells me this is going to be one that I absolutely smash. All I have to do is try a new flavour of ice-cream approximately every 10 days.

And what was my first flavour? Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Toffee Bar Crunch. And it was divine. Creamy coffee ice-cream with these chunks of sugary toffee. They were like pieces of Scottish tablet, with that lovely sugary crunch. 

Heidi and I were watching The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a heart warming giggle of a film. So full of light and life. And a reminder that I probably have a good 50 or so years of ups and downs and unexpected plot twists to relish.

So… today I drank beer…

Leave a comment

After a tough morning eating pancakes (thanks Jay!) and watching Heidi run a half marathon (well done Boo!), we went off to meet the rest of Heidi’s running club, Team in Training. We were a little bit early, so had to find somewhere to shelter from the English weather I seem to have brought with me. The only place open near by was the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Taproom (oh, and a bakery, but the wisdom of the group decided on Taproom).

A perfect opportunity to start work on a bucket list item – learn to enjoy beer. So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to order a flight of beers, and roped Heidi in to help me. I was looking forward to trying the best three or four beers the brewery had to offer. Little did I know, I’d ordered a flight of 8 – EIGHT – beers.

Continue reading →

Purge: part 1

Leave a comment

I have a confession to make: I’m a little bit of a hoarder. Things mean things to me. I love to rifle through, and remember the associations my belongings have to me. I also think everything is useful, and so never throw anything away. A dangerous combination.

Yesterday, I purged my wardrobe. My beautiful dresses, stunning suits, and a few slightly odd outfit choices that I thought I might be brave enough to wear one day. 90% of my clothes that I haven’t worn in the past 12 months are now in the hands of my step-sisters. 

After they’ve picked through them, the rest are off to the charity shop. And I still have far too many clothes choose from…