I’ve been blogging for 12 years, not consistently, as you can read about in my previous blog, here. But yeah, 12 years, man. 2012 was such a different time. A tonic to my failed marriage, location change, house move, new baby and well, life really. I’ve been scribbling down notes on all kinds of changes and experiences during that time, including the odd post through the pandemic.
Celebrating a 12-year anniversary is a special milestone that deserves some recognition. Had this marriage between me and WordPress had been official, I’d be expecting a gift of linen or silk today.
These materials symbolize luxury, comfort, and durability—qualities that reflect the growth and strength of a relationship over a dozen years. I am still not comfortable with blogging. Although, it is a luxury to be able to share life experiences with the great digital world. How durable they are in standing the test of time, remains to be seen.
Silk is often associated with elegance and sophistication. It’s a delicate fabric known for its soft texture and natural sheen. WordPress owes me silk pajamas!
Linen on the other hand, represents freshness and purity. Hmmm slightly more challenging to link to this one, although every time I pick the blog back up feels like a fresh start, so that’s something. Purity, there are no pure thoughts on these pages. Reality, hard-hitting struggles and challenges and a big dose of optimism is all I can offer WordPress, and it laps it up too.
I’m not alone in celebrating 12 years in 2024. Uber is 12 this year as well. Imagine life without rating drivers for their ‘chat’ and tracking delicious snacks to you door!
I signed up to write 750 words through the imaginatively titled, 750 words website and bombed on the first day. It’s alright though.
The whole point of the 750 words website is to foster a daily writing habit that bring you joy. There are rewards in the form of badges for writing day streaks and hitting various other milestones. Members are encouraged to share their feelings on achieving each badge to spur on others. There’s a proper community. Some people have written a million words or more. I managed around 11,000 and bailed.
I broke my wrist in January and obviously it had to be the right one, that I write with and so typing was difficult, painful, slow and littered with mistakes. Writing was impossible.
I’m still paying £5 per month to access 750 words, knowing fine well I’m not going to do it, despite having two working wrists. I switched it up to writing 75 words a day on my notepad. Failed after a day because I had a stressful day at work and my Dyspraxia was kicking my arse.
I reckon I write around 2000 words a day on average. I’m a prolific note taker. So in my day job, with a handful of meetings each day, I reckon I clock up around that. But try as I might, I can’t get into a habit of writing for pleasure, every day. Or every other day. Or once a week. The moment it feels like a task, the desire is gone.
So here I am, with a blog that works on date/appearance so there’s no cheating with content. It’s daily, or not. More not than daily in recent years.
I switched the blog to private back in January, after the wrist incident. Mainly out of frustration but also to work out if I would miss it. I didn’t think i had anything to say. (Judging by this blog entry you may agree with that notion).
I decided to read others’ words for a few weeks, while I healed. Turning pages counts as physio you know? Was there hidden motivation in James Herbert’s The Fog? Yes, yes there was. I finished it in record time and I missed my blog.
For the umpteenth time, (what a beautiful word, umpteenth) I’m back. Let’s see what spews out. Maybe 750 words?
Could Dry January help me foster better hydration habits? 41 years in, it’s a tough ask.
I am part camel. No wait, I am part Kangaroo Rat. Umm mmm. Just like the native Australian marsupial, I do not drink water. I appear to survive on water or moisture from the food I eat. It’s a phenomenon, me, not the rat. All these years I reckon I could honestly count on two hands the times I have drank a full glass of water. I mean, I drink lots of other things. Vimto, peach iced tea, lemonade, cherry coke. I went through a phase while working for Puma where all I drank was Red Bull. But yeah, not a big water fan.
You may be wondering what effect this has had on my poor body which, unlike the Kangaroo Rat, does not feature adapted kidneys. Mine produce calcified stones which I have struggled with a couple of times, along with stomach/GI ulcers. The main issue with consuming too little life-giving fluid is general fatigue.
I’m participating in Dry January again this year. In 2023 I didn’t drink for a couple of months during the summer and enjoyed the sense of achievement. I can take or leave alcohol. I don’t favour anything that doesn’t taste like pop. Blue WKD, fruity ciders, Malibu, Archers, rhubarb gin – yes! Beer, lager, vodka, whisky, etc nah.
What makes this year’s month of abstinence different is I’m going to use it to drink more water. There was a meme doing the rounds on Instagram over Christmas where someone broke down the phases we typically go through from milk, to fizzy drinks, to stimulants to alcohol to coffee, when really the ultimate grown-up drink is water.
So here we go. There is a filter jug in the fridge laden with nature’s finest. No bottled water I might add. Proper old school, out of the tap, into the fridge water. I’m not logging my consumption. That would be weird. I’m just trying to do better.
No alcohol, more water. What could be simpler for a New Year resolution?
I bloody love handwriting and prefer it over typing all day long, but you gotta have the right pen.
Call off the search, it’s finally happened. I’ve found the pen of my dreams. For someone who takes notes on LITERALLY EVERYTHING, this is quite the feat – then the shop closed down.
Paperchase is the culprit and I will never forgive the corporate monsters for taking the quirky stationery giant from our high street. I know they’re popping up as concessions in some Tesco stores but none of them are anywhere near me and none of them stock the pen of my dreams. So that’s it. It’s gone.
I discovered the pen of my dreams smack bang in the middle of my shorthand exams – the perfect glide being paramount to my 60wpm success. Blue ink, plain black, unassuming design, optimal grip. Sold in a three pack, I went through four packs in less than 6 weeks.
That was 2015. Like a blur, a mirage. as quickly as I enjoyed the success of a perfect scribed drilling page, it was gone
Cut to 2024. Whisper it quietly, I think I’ve done it again. Stood at the till paying for NYC Tarot cards, at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, I spied pens and pencils baring the store name, and I love to fully support the indies. I grabbed three of each for my kids, paid and wondered out to explore the surrounding area.
I’m home. My eldest daughter bought me a beautiful William Morris bound page a day 2024 diary and I’m eager to get started. Books Are Magic pens were gratefully received then hapzardly discarded in favour of $3 Statue of Liberty foam crowns.
I picked up the neon pink pen and began to write about our New Year’s Eve exploits. The black ink glided. Words flowed across the page. I felt the rush of the 4 minute long shorthand exam all over again as I recalled sparklers in the front yard and coal over the threshold. This is it. All the way from Brooklyn, with love!
Do you hand write a lot? What’s your go to? Any old biro? Do you have a fave? Drop me a DM on the contacts page with your recommendations.
Kickstarting 2024 telly with some epic crime thrillers and global drama.
The weather is rubbish, we’re all skint and sworn off booze for the foreseeable, so all the tv series it is!
January marks the start of some epic second season dramas for me. First is is S2 The Tourist. My two favourite accents (Australian and Northern Irish) and the phenomenal pairing of Danielle MacDonald and Jamie Dornan pick up their roles as Helen and memory challenged Elliot.
No spoilers – but it’s epic! Lots of twists and turns, some great one liners and ominous moments that will make you roll right into the next episode. Season 2 is more sweary and swaps out the Aussie outback for the lush green of (I’m assuming) Ireland. Enjoy the landscapes, brutal one liners and plot twists and let me know what you think.
Next up on the telly box is Vigil S2. Former Corrie and Dr Foster actor, Suranne Jones returns as Detective Amy Silva and is called to investigate military wrongdoing in Scotland and abroad. I’ve got really high hopes for this one after a brilliant 6 episode first series which tackled a multitude of issues such as Trident, environment, military governance, equality and much more. There’s a stellar cast lined up and a mythical middle eastern state involved.
Third and finally on my list is the latest Harlan Coben thriller, Fool Me Once, now streaming on Netflix.
Starring the phenomenal Michelle Keegan, Joanna Lumley, Adeel Akhtar and Richard Armitage, the plot follows a single mum grieving the loss of her husband only to see him appear live and well two weeks later, on her nanny cam!
I’ve long been a huge fan of Coben crime thriller novels and when an opportunity to wrap up and binge watch a tv adaptation that takes place down the road in Manchester, I’m 100% in.
Bring on former army captain, Maya (Keegan) and let the conspiracies begin!
I’m doing dry January to kick start some better health habits in 2024. Along with that comes the task of creating social events that steer clear of alcohol and retain the fun factor. Enter into the arena ‘Paint With Kate’.
At 6pm this evening 5 of us gathered around our kitchen table with canvas, paint, brushes, water and ALL the Dr Pepper, to create works of art. There was no theme, no prompt, just the opportunity to get together, have a laugh a basically make a mess. The age range was 9-41 and the skill range was zero to good amateur.
In two hours we laughed, talked, danced, sang, googled Whoopi Goldberg’s real name, created half a podcast and used a whole bunch of mixed media and painting techniques to create 5 wildly different canvas.
Inspiration came from travel, comedians, Cartoon Network, animation, social media and much more.
At the end of the evening I spent a further two hours cleaning and clearing and sharing the event on my Instagram to entice friends and family to come and have a go next month.
I definitely consider myself to be a creative person but I am utterly crap at painting. I ended up using a photo I took in New York for inspiration as I drew a blank when we sat down. I used pencil sharpeners as stamps and lots of different colours and textures to create a canvas I’d sooner put in the bin than hang on the kitchen gallery wall, but there it hangs because the process and company was more fun than the end result.
Paint With Kate returns in Feb 24 and will take inspiration from Valentine’s Day. Unlikely Pairings will be our theme. Can’t wait to see who gets involved!
Want to come? Drop me a line. Info on my contact page. 🎨
There’s something so satisfying about a productive morning.
It’s been a busy start to the second day of the brand new year. By 8am I had completed a comprehensive list of tasks while simultaneously managing a bleeding nose and weird pain in my side.
Laundry, dishes, recycling bins out, bills paid, paperwork filed, bed made, various subscriptions cancelled, meters checked, Dyson on charge, selection boxes emptied into a seriously impressive chocolate swag bag – I haven’t indulged, yet! The kids are still sleeping so I could get away with a Wispa.
I’m now clearing and sorting our ‘winter accessories drawers’. Yes, it’s a thing. Winter school runs on foot can be quite challenging if you don’t want your kids to spend their schools days drenched, cold and with sopping wet socks! I can’t think of anything worse because you’re GUARANTEED they’ll end up being off school with minor colds etc.
So, we have a bureau in the living room with two deep drawers stuffed full of hats, gloves, scarfs, ear muffs (called muffers in our house) umbrellas, spare socks, running arm bands and hand warmers.
The seasonal changing around of these drawers from bobble hats to sunglasses always reminds me of how meh the British weather has become. It’s slowly merging into consistently mild and damp, as opposed to hazy hot summers and subzero icy winters. I reckon we’re less than 12 months away from merging these accessories drawers to cover all eventualities, all year round. We’ve officially wrecked the planet.
New for the new year – despite me saying no resolutions, is less meat. I reckon as a family we could go veggie, aside from spag bol so I’ll be trying quorn mince for the first time later this week.
We’ve got to get better at recycling too. I’ve gotten too lazy with just throwing stuff in the main bin instead of properly separating the recyclable bits. That’s another easy win.
Vinted will be truly battered later today when we clear out the big shared bedroom and collate ALL the clothes, shoes and accessories that are good enough to sell. Our local charity shops haven’t been accepting donations since way before Christmas otherwise they would be my first port of call.
What’s the score with eBay these days? Is anyone still using it to sell clothes? Let me know if you have a better recommendation.
By the time all our stuff is listed that’ll be day 2 of January done! Another 100 pages of my current book ‘Pineapple Street’ by Jenny Jackson before bed and that’ll be another fulfilling day of 2024 completed.
Weird this inbetween time, isn’t it? What are you up to?
Promises of consistent blogging are afoot, stay vigilant!
The happiest of new years to you, it’s officially 2024. A nice even number. The new year started on a Monday and we’re rocketing towards a critical general election. Everything is gonna be alright.
I’m writing this blog having spent the last 30 mins rearranging the apps on my phone to boost creativity in 2024. Gone are the productivity zappers such as Facebook and x and back on the Home Screen are Canva, WordPress, Pinterest and Audible! We’re back in business.
For how long is anyone guess but it’s nice to start the new year with a clear out and organise. Is your Christmas tree still up? Mine was jettisoned into the front garden at 2pm on 30th December, as usual. I can’t stand anything festive around New Year’s. It’s done, time to move on and prepare for next year.
No resolutions from me other than an attempt to be better financially and creatively in my work. Less tech time for the kids, more outdoors stuff. Well, and more blogging of course. I’m also going to attempt to cut right back on clothes and take away this year, and the book list is ever growing. So as I said, all good intentions. Let’s see how it plans out.
I’m 42 this year. My mum and dad both turn 70, my middle kid is officially a teen and my little boy hits the double digits. Eldest will be off to uni and I’ll have reached 10 years in this god forsaken house. Time for a change perhaps?!
Anyway, lots to come, most of which I will share here and not on Instagram/facebook/X.
I wrote this in September and I’m still in awe of this cinematic gem.
There’s spoilers afoot. If you’ve not seen the film and don’t want to know the plot, characters, and memorable moments, swerve this blog for now.
Saturday 3rd September 2022 was National Cinema Day and a welcome distraction from health, socioeconomic and financial worries. My go-to cinema is Picturehouse at FACT in Liverpool and seeing as it cost just £11 for four of us to see a film (we spent triple that on pizza, snacks and drinks) the decision was made to see ‘Nope’.
Directed by Jordan Peele and starring the phenomenal Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Michael Wincott, the rural Californian ranch setting provides the perfect backdrop for an eerie modern-day ET – but scarier. There’s so much to love. The Tarrantino-esque violence, the jumpy/comedic moments early on in the film, and Emerald Haywood’s (Keke Palmer) ENTIRE wardrobe.
I spent much of the film coveting sports jerseys and desert boot combos while crushing my partner’s hand as figures moved in the dark. Which is telling as the entire film was shot in the day light.
This isn’t an alien film. It’s a real mash-up of emotions, relationships, modern-day financial strain, and the ‘money shot’ that contemporary media is based on. Get the shot, go viral, and make the money, right?
Daniel Kaluuya is sensational. A grieving young man who is passionate and loyal to his family name and his dad’s legacy. His sister Emerald by contrast is brash, loud, confident, and savvy. Their sibling connection is a beautiful thing to watch. While OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) battles with continuing the family business while facing financial ruin, Emerald is utilising her diverse skillset to face the weirdest extraterrestrial threat I’ve laid eyes on since Alien. If Emerald Haywood is the new Ripley, I’m here for it.
A word of warning, once you’ve experienced Nope, you’ll never look at a lone cloud in the sky the same way again.
It’s brutal, emotional, inspirational and wild. Go for the ‘alien’ stay for the heart warming sibling connection, courage and soundtrack.
I’ve just had a week off work with the family and it was awesome. We went glamping in Dumfries and Galloway. The weather was sensational, no really, I’ve got a tan! We were in the hot tub every day, we hiked, we swam, we set fire to stuff (marshmallows) and generally had a wonderful time together.
Tomorrow it’s back to the office and while I’ve loved the time off, I like to get stuck into my work. It’s an exciting time. I have a national conference coming up, we’ve doubled capacity in a recent business launch and there’s a whole host of new staff members starting this week too.
Being off last week gave me some space to breathe and consider what I value in my career. My freelance roles offered more in the way of freedom to work from wherever I wanted and less stress around having to ‘check in’ or ‘be visible’ all the time. However, self assessment tax returns and late payers of invoices added additional stress to simply putting food on the table.
It’s a delicate balance, isn’t it? I can’t help but think that employers that put people first are winning. Encouraging email switch off after office hours. Offering remote working with the autonomy to do your job to the best of your ability. Encouraging holiday uptakes and not carrying days over. 30 days holiday PLUS bank holidays off. Imagine a 4 day week!
My sister has just negotiated a brilliant agreement with her employer. For the month of August she’s going to relocate to Toronto, Canada, but still continue in her fully-remote role. She’ll have to work from 3am – 11am in order to match the UK office time for meetings etc but the whole rest of her time is totally independent and HELLO, she’s moving to Toronto! It’s never been done at her organisation before so she’s developing policy to make it possible for others. Her manager and SLT have been wholly supportive and have pledged to use the experience as a learning tool. Progresssssssive!
Back to balance. I know loads of people who are now fully back to the office. Some prefer it, some are hating it and looking elsewhere for remote roles. I’m interested in those workplaces that are also trying to achieve a balance. The ones where the trades people can’t do their jobs remotely (let’s say – kitchen fitters/carpenters) but the planners and customers service team can. What about delivery drivers? Obviously they have to drive their vans, but the customer service staff don’t NEED to be in the office to answer calls or reply to emails and social messages, right?
How are businesses navigating this challenge and achieving a balance that works for all types of employee contracts? Is it fair to offer one employee hybrid, when others cannot carry out their role from home? I’m not convinced there is an easy answer. All I know is my own lived experience. Remote work has led to a more fulfilling home life, greater personal investment and a belief in my own ability to achieve outstanding results – from my kitchen table!
First of all, how is it May already? Secondly, how have I got 24,57 events and appointments to remember? Thirdly, how am I already skint on 4th day of this jam-packed month?
Welcome back, dear readers! I won’t bother rolling off the usual apologies for not writing regularly. Life is nuts. I started a new job not long after my last post in October. I blinked a couple of times, tapped the heels of my red shiny shoes together and somehow it’s May 2023.
For those that don’t already know, I live in Liverpool and the eyes of the world (at least the euro pop music loving ones) are back on this ridiculous city once again. Eurovision 2023 has officially taken over the city centre and the competition doesn’t actually begin until next week. You can’t get a hotel room for love nor kidney, the pop up t-shirt sellers are making a mint and everyone is dressing up to the nines for every minor occasion. It’s brilliant and I love it.
It’s a HUGE month for us as a family as my youngest daughter sits her SATS tests at school before heading off on her first ever residential trip. My son takes on the national MTC test (he loves maths, he’s confident) and my eldest daughter gears up for A level mocks – bring on Othello – AGAIN!
We’re heading back to Ireland and Scotland in separate trips this month. This means lots of laundry, early morning flights to fit around work and ALL the car snacks! The best bit.
It’s polling day today and I’ve never felt more indecisive in all my adult life. What a shit storm the political landscape is. I don’t profess to particularly well educated in politics but I’ll give you a short paragraph on my take, if you’ve got a sec. Politics has traded policy for celebrity. The displays of ego/peacocking are more suited to Love Island than Number 10 and it’s a disgrace.
My local councillors have littered our porch with political leaflets in the last week. The. Last. Week. Never seen them in person in the 9 years I have lived in this house. Saw them on the news when a child was murdered, waxing lyrical about community strength and ‘looking after our own.’ Tories wouldn’t dare show their faces around this way, but Labour peddling managed photoshoots and about as much charisma as a carrot screams ‘desperate’. A car just drove past. Someone with a megaphone shouting out the window about remembering your voter ID and to ‘vote for such and such’ while dodging the cavernous potholes and little kids doing wheelies up the middle of the road.
I’ve no time for the coronation. It seems tone deaf at a time when the country is on its knees. I don’t believe that what we need is a ‘bit of national pride and a celebration.’ We need sustainable funding for those experiencing extreme poverty in our own communities. Not some prat riding around in the golden carriage who’s socks are more expensive than a weekly shop.
But anyway, back to Eurovision! We managed to bag tickets for two shows and we’ve been planning our outfits since mid April. I spoke at the ‘Euroversion’ Ignite event last night which was huge fun, although my presentation always goes to shit on the night. Good practice for public speaking even if you are swathed in an Australia flag and can’t remember any of your notes. Thanks to everyone who kindly clapped/laughed!
So yeah, bit of a busy one lined up. All this on top of working full time of course. I’m off to mow the lawn before the rain comes!
Winter is fast approaching and with it, a sense of dread as people across the UK choose between warmth or food.
I don’t need to rehash the dire state of affairs across the UK right now. It’s exactly that, dire. 12 years of Conservative rule and we’re reading stories about ‘warm banks’, people turning down food they can’t afford to cook, and politicians who tell us the answer is to ‘get a better job’ while childcare costs, energy prices and mortgage rates are on the up.
Just yesterday a report on XS Manchester news stated that consumer habits are changing ahead of the Christmas shopping rush. We’re buying more air fryers and blankets than we are TVs and computers. My local food bank is teaching people how to make draft excluders and how to double-line curtains to keep the draught out.
During a conversation in the newsroom yesterday a couple of my colleagues were discussing their Kw usage per hour and how to manage their teenagers’ constant attachment to tech and more importantly plugs! Listening in (we all do it, don’t judge me) I realised there’s so much information out there that could really help people make a difference to their home comfort and outgoing bills.
It’s been hard to avoid energy savings, energy usage, and energy prices over the last 6 months, and while my gas and electricity bills have most definitely risen, I’m taking the opportunity to get energy-savvy, and I’m taking you along with me. Sharing is caring and it’s more important than ever.
I’ll be working with Energy Saving Club in the coming weeks to produce a series of blogs and handy guides on everything from how to read and decipher your energy bills, to meter readings, the best deals on fixed-rate energy, how to insulate your home and take advantage of government grants and schemes to lower your bills as much as possible. Working with industry professionals to create guides that are jargon-free and easy to implement at home or at work.
I’ll be posting a link to subscribe to the e-newsletters shortly. In the meantime, check out www.energysavingclub.co.uk for more info.
Something wicked this way comes, and when I say wicked I mean seriously fun!
It’s that time of year again! Spooky decorations are going up, the shops are full of costumes and face paints and multi bags of sweets and if you’re anything like me, you’re eyeing up all that cardboard and wondering what creative solution you can come up with.
FOSP (Friends of Springfield Park) is a volunteer group that, unsurprisingly, looks after Springfield Park in Knotty Ash, Liverpool. The park is something of a changeling itself, following the completion of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital a number of years ago, the park space was due to undergo a wonderful transformation before being officially handed back to the community. Well, we’re still waiting. But that doesn’t stop the FOSP gang from providing opportunities for kids to thrive.
Among hundreds of other things, FOSP has built and filled flowerbeds, had accessible benches installed, brought in a permanent ping pong table, planted and grown vegetables, held countless half-term and summer camps and fed more children during truly testing times, for free, than any other volunteer group I know. They’re superheroes. Real-life superheroes.
This October I get the opportunity to mash up two of my favourite things. Supporting FOSP and Halloween. I’ve been commissioned to design, create and run a Halloween Village for 30 children, ages 3 – 10 on Halloween weekend.
The flyer is officially done and booking is officially open. I haven’t seen my kitchen in a fortnight due to all the cardboard, wood, paint, glue and fabric I’ve amassed to start making props and games for the kids to enjoy. Once again the phenomenal, Bay Tree Catering School jumped at the chance to get involved and make pizzas with the kids, while Caroline Moore dons her broomstick to fly in for story time in the ‘witches’ circle. It’ll be a riot, oh and it’s totally free.
Everything I’m making is recyclable. Nothing has been bought brand new. Bootle car boot sale, eBay, friends and neighbours have come up trumps with all the materials we need to entertain the kids for a few hours and help them make some lasting memories.
It goes without saying that my enthusiasm for creative work is never anything less than 100%. Knowing all the work is purely so that kids can have fun and be kids, is the best motivation.
Thank you to Donna and all the team at FOSP who work tirelessly on behalf of our community to make things better for us all.
You can book your place to visit the Halloween Village, now. Details are on the flyer, booking is essential. Hopefully, see you there, don’t forget your broomstick!
It’s official, I’m back on the Self Assessment books and working freelance with a whole host of new clients.
It’s been a pretty difficult year with all the health stuff going on. My HHT pretty much ruined a lot of 2022, a year that was welcomed with so much hope after two years of lockdowns, illness and grief. HHT was waiting in the wings though and so work has been more stress, less growth for a long time.
My last operation took place in mid-August and when the result was a mere four days of relief, I realised something had to change. Managing debilitating symptoms, hospital appointments and your own mental health, plus that of your two daughters AND a full-time job can be hard going. Acknowledging that the HHT isn’t going away, it was work that had to morph.
So here I am. Back On The Books – self-employed and working with a myriad of clients in just a couple of weeks. I’m teaching, I’m creating content and I’m expanding my creative portfolio on an almost full-time basis, but with enough freedom to manage my own hours, and what a difference that makes.
Post-Covid (although are we really? Hospitals around the country are reporting a rise in cases with the season change so it’s difficult to know), there are a lot of self-employed/freelance opportunities as businesses get to grips with the new hybrid. Should we all be back in the workplace, will WFM be the norm? All I know is that hybrid has opened up doors to work in far corners of the country that otherwise would’ve been inaccessible.
My self-employment is a real mixed bag. I’m teaching, I’m content producing, I’m bid and award nomination writing, I’m managing social media and providing marketing, comms and PR consultancy – all the while creating a Halloween Village in partnership with a local not-for-profit organisation that puts the biggest smiles on kids’ faces!
Here’s to old clients, new clients, creative and corporate challenges and whatever else may be around the corner.
I’d love to work with and support you with your next challenge. Please feel free to drop me a line – katereillyjames@gmail.com and let’s see what we can do!
I set myself a challenge to read 100 books in 2022. Here’s how I’m getting on.
I love to read. It’s such an indulgence for me. Born from reading Danielle Steele’s in the 1990’s I quickly latched onto crime thrillers and since my teenage years have regularly shared and swapped books with my folks.
Talk to me about Rebus, Siobhan Clarke, Roy Grace, and Alan Banks. I’ve read everything Peter James, Peter Robinson, and Ian Rankin have written. I adore a 500-page-turner from Mo Hayder, Tami Hoag, Val McDermid, Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, Lee Child, and James Patterson.
Then of course there’s the OG. Agatha Christie whose masterpieces come back around with as much gusto as the first time. ‘They Came To Baghdad’ is my all-time favourite.
The most thrilling and memorable book I’ve ever read is by Mo Hayder. ‘Tokyo’ is a phenomenal novel packed with suspense. The only book to ever make me jump and have to walk away for a while, it’s the perfect balance of intriguing and horrifying. The world lost a truly incredible author when Mo Hayder died in 2021, aged just 59. If you’re looking for a book to knock your socks off, get Tokyo.
I’ve made a decent-sized dent in my 100 book challenge however, I am rapidly running out of time. I’ve read a good mix of crime thrillers, emotionally charged, real-life accounts of life during covid, best-sellers, non-fiction, and a sensational title from Sam Knight and I’ve got a fair way to go yet!
If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s a full rundown of the books I’ve read so far in 2022 and my review. I’ll be updating the blog with each new title and if you’d like to share a recommendation, please do drop me a line, here.
An attempt at improving my book tally in 2022 has grown into something unexpected.
I love to read. It’s a real pleasure and as a busy mum of three, it’s a treat to get through a chapter without being asked to “watch this funny TikTok” or “watch this move on Kirby” or “mum, where are the black Converse?” That said, all three of my kids also love to read so at least there’s a positive to the constant interruptions. See it, do it!
I set myself a challenge in 2022 to read 100 books before the end of the year. Recommend a book for me, here. I’ve attempted this before and while I’m doing better than in 2020, my tally sits at 23 with less than four months to go. Pretty lame, but at the same time, I’ve finally, YEARS behind the trend, discovered podcasts!
The perfect Sunday for me involves having all the school uniforms washed and ironed, the house tidy, the washing basket empty, a roast in the oven (while I can still afford the gas), and 30 minutes to myself to put on a sheet mask and listen to an episode in solitude.
Like 90% of my book choices, the podcasts I’m obsessed with are crime thrillers and true stories.
The most recent podcast I’m listening to is The Teacher’s Pet from The Australian. This podcast spans 4 years of investigations into the disappearance of Lynette Dawson from the northern beaches area of Sydney in 1982.
Hosted by journalist, Hedley Thomas, the 16-part series uncovers incredible witness testimony and just this week, led to Lyn’s husband, Chris Dawson, now 74, going on trial for her murder. I won’t spoil the verdict as I’m 100% encouraging anyone interested in the crime genre to give it a listen. You can find out more here.
Previously I’ve listened to In the Dark from APM Reports. Across 2 seasons this investigative journalism podcast, hosted by Madeleine Baran details the disappearance of Jacob Wetterling. Find out more here.
Away from the scary real-world stuff, I’ve really enjoyed the Word of Mouth podcast from BBC Radion 4. Hosted by Michael Rosen, the host, and special guest (there are 142 episodes and different guests in total) dive into the English language and unearth all manner of secrets, meanings, and funny anecdotes. One to stick on and instantly learn something new. Find out more here.
French & Saunders – a favourite double act from the 90s and beyond for me, are now into their 3rd series of the ‘Titting About’ podcast, and honestly, listening to it as a home worker makes me feel like I’m having a laugh in the office. There is nothing they won’t discuss and I have to recommend the health episode – purely because it made my 8-year-old son run out of the room in horror – constipation will do that to you! Listen here.
Finally, I have loved dipping into A Bit Of Optimism by Simon Sinek. 30-minute-ish episodes, again with special guests to cover a multitude of different topics and subjects. The habits of successful people, what to do when things don’t get better, how to be resilient, and of course, a healthy dose of true crime. Listen to my favourite episode with David Mittelman, here.
If you’re obsessed with a podcast and want to share a link, drop me a line on the contacts page. I’m loving opening my mind and ears to new conversations, opinions, and takes on things.
Oh, I almost forgot! Sheet masks. No podcast indulgence would be quite as effective without a good quality sheet mask on your face and I know it’s not just me who swears by this winning combo.
Personally I like a good tea tree or coconut/collagen mash-up, mainly because I’m old and need to take advantage of any and all ‘natural’ stimulants to stop my face from sliding off. Big shout out to Home & Bargain for stocking 99p ones that are actually good and to Boots and Superdrug for the £6 carbon pay day efforts that make you feel a teeny bit dewier.
How do you listen to your favourite podcast? What’s your genre of choice?
Kate Reilly James 