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What we, as online creatives, can learn from the Zoella Advent-Calendar-Saga

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What we, as online creatives, can learn from the Zoella Advent-Calendar-Saga

As I start to write this on the morning of Tuesday 14th November 2017 the fall-out from Zoella's advent calendar is ongoing. In fact, it's pretty much taken on a life of its own.

If you haven't heard about all the drama essentially Zoella's lifestyle range has released a luxury advent calendar, a twelve days of Christmas one - so with 12 doors -  and the contents are, well, not very expensive. For example you have some sparkly confetti behind one door, a small candle behind another, seven stickers in one and a small cookie cutter behind another. And for twelve gifts like this you pay £50.

My Stories || Indian Runner Ducks

My Stories || Indian Runner Ducks

Walking out the back door with my wellies on I wondered how much exercise the ducks would make me do tonight. You see, every evening me and the ducks have this little 'exercise' routine. I try and get the ducks into their run. They, in turn, will run and flap about everywhere but into their run.

Hatched earlier this year to a chicken, Wincey, it used to be easy to get them in to bed at night - because they just followed their mum. Chickens are sensible. They know what to do just before dusk settles over the landscape. Before the beasties start prowling about, looking for prey.

But the ducks? They would run into the foxes mouth sooner than coming towards me.

Two Books Highly Recommended by my (8-year-old) daughter

Two Books Highly Recommended by my (8-year-old) daughter

Walk into a book shop and you'll find an overwhelming amount of books available for children.  So if you're looking for books for a child's birthday or Christmas present this year then let my daughter recommend some books to help you in your decision making. As she is a keen reader and writer, I've set her a task to regulalrly read and review children's books for this blog. 

No more novel procrastination?

No more novel procrastination?

I'm sipping coffee whilst staring out the window. I'm scrolling through social media, from Instagram to Twitter, to Feedly, to YouTube, to Pinterest even to the dreaded Facebook.

Not many people online. Probably all working. Or writing. Damnit.

I should be writing. I've just read through a rough outline of my novel. I got excited. I got more ideas. I started to think about writing it. 

But I don't pull out my notepad or the rest of my notes. Oh no. 

I just carry on scrolling.

And now...I'm writing this.

What the hell is wrong with me?

October Favourites

October Favourites

Well, October, probably my favourite month, and the beginning of my favourite season, is now coming to a close. I've had a birthday, we've settled into the school routine, and the woodburner is being lit most nights as I snuggle up on the settee with a blanket, soft cushions and a good book.

Outside the leaves are crispy, it's been a dry month here, and the sound of contented chickens scratching about in them is utterly charming.

Yesterday we had our first proper frost. I've been using slip-on plastic shoes for the past month with bare feet as I did my chicken and duck chores but have now decided it's time for something more substantial to pull easily onto my feet. Which brings me to my first favourite of the month:

Recommended Instagram Story Makers

Recommended Instagram Story Makers

Right now I am obsessed with creating mini-films for Instagram Stories. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, or if you've read this post and this one, you'll already know this. 

I am often found with my iPhone in my hand ready to record little moments lasting a mere few seconds in order to weave them into a story on my computer later that day.

But, I also like to watch Instagram Stories, too. One of my favurites is Fiona Annal who also has one of my favourite feeds, Fiona lives in the Orkney Islands and her stories are a rich narrative of life there, I also love Circle of Pines Stories. Laura features her trips out and where she's going and what she's reading. There's a lot of give in their stories. They're comforting and full of warmth.

14 Gorgeous Niche Magazines in Print

14 Gorgeous Niche Magazines in Print

Last week Glamour announced that it was no longer producing a monthly magazine. Like other magazines who are but a distant memory the end had come. 

And it's sad. Sad for the readers, sad for the staff, and sad for those also involved behind the scenes in getting the magazine from computer to hard copy into the homes of the readers. 

As a writer myself who has always hoped to write for magazines (that's my 'one day' wish along with being a published author) it could be seen as a kick in the teeth and make me wail about the way content writing is going. 

And I guess I would - if it wasn't for the fact that sitting next to me on my desk are three very lovely magazines I've bought just in this last fortnight alone.

Writing about not writing

Writing about not writing

My head is like the today's sky which was smothered with an eerie Sahara sand. Casting a strange sepia light onto the earth below. I want to write, I see glimmers of the red sun, and clear skies in the distance, but however long I drive I can't quite reach them.

I took last week off. And half of the week before. And when I say off I mean off writing, off blogging. At first I tried other creative pursuits. I recorded film, I made my Instagram Stories mini-films, I read magazines, listened to podcasts.

September Favourites

September Favourites

Completely inspired by the YouTubers I so admire I am writing up a list of my favourites from the previous month at the beginning of each month. I love to watch or read about what other people recommend so, if you do too, then this post is for you.

Leuchtturm 1917 Dotted Notebook

I get so frustrated with myself. I've so many notebooks and lists on the go that when it comes to finding something, or wanting to know what my plans are for the week, I waste so much time trying to find the relevant notebook and information.

Then I watched some YouTubers talk about Bullet Journaling. Oh my goodness there are so many creative journals out there. At first I thought this isn't for me. It would just add to my workload rather than streamline it.

But then I thought about what I wanted my journal to do. I wanted something that had my month at a glance, held useful information such as grocery shopping staples, and a packing list I could turn to again and again. But mainly it is to store my ideas for blog posts, YouTube videos, products I wanted to try, books I wanted to read, bloggers I wanted to share - along with keeping track of Instagram and blog stats.

So I bought myself a Leuchtturm 1917 and haven't looked back. I've tried online organisational tools (as well as my numerous notebooks) but there's something so satisfying about having just one journal next to me on the sofa, or by my bed, or on my desk, that I can consult and add to again and again in an organised way.

I've wrapped an old leather cover from a previous Aspinal notebook around mine.

Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Bound

Anyone else get overwhelmed when it comes to beauty and make-up?

I have no idea what products are good as I've been out the loop for so long. (Was I ever in the loop? Hmm...) But I saw this one recommended by either Zoella or Tanya Burr and, in a sea of lipsticks, it stood out - so I decided to give it a go. And I love it. In fact, I may be a little obsessed. As the name suggests it glides on and stays put. The colour is fab for me as it gives me the fresh faced look rather than overly made-up (and I'm finding I need to work on that 'fresh faced' look more and more as I get older!) . Perfect for day wear.

Botanical Candle Co - Tinder Box Scented

I've got a bit of a thing for candles in amber jars. This one from the Botanical Candle Co was recommended on Instagram so, seduced by the packaging, I gave it a go. At first I was a bit, hmm, I'm not sure. But it's a real grower. Now I love it and have it close to me on my desk. Even though it's not currently lit I have the musky fragrance wafting towards me as I type. 

It contains sandalwood, black pepper and tobacco leaf. It isn't too overpowering - it just adds a subtle layer of scent to your home.  

Scion Mr Fox Mini Mug

I've spoken about this mug's larger brother in my September Desk Essentials post. The larger one I love for my hot chocolate (so it can fit in the squirty aerosol cream) and the smaller one is perfect for my morning coffee(s).

In the Moment Magazine

A new-ish magazine along the same lines as The Simple Things, I saw the September issue - which is number 3 -  in the supermarket a few weeks ago. At £5.99 it isn't cheap for a magazine BUT there is lots of thought and time gone into it. The numerous articles are calming with beautiful photography and there are inspiring recipes and ideas.  You can find their website at calmmoment.com. Well worth the £.

September Favourites

Manfrotto mini tripod

I've been using my Canon Powershot G7X Mark II a lot more recently for my YouTube films. And this little tripod from Manfrotto has been brilliant. You can use it to hold the camera in your hand by putting the legs together or using it as a tripod. 

The Break by Marian Keyes

There used to be one author I'd always buy the hardback of as soon as it was released and that was Maeve Binchy. Now Maeve has sadly gone I'm delighted for Marian to take on my 'always buy the hardback when first released' mantle.

Like Maeve, Marian has that wonderful way of writing that just pulls you into the warmth of the book. The scenes play in your head as you read, the voices strong, the characters real. I thoroughly recommend The Break. Her writing just gets better and better. 

Funnily enough I went to see Marian talk at the Althorp Literary Festival two years ago when her previous novel, The Woman Who Stole My Life, was released. She talked about the next book she was writing, which was this one, The Break. At the time it was going to be another story about Clare Walsh from her first novel, Watermelon, and was going to be called Time Off for Good Behaviour. Then Marian said later in a video that this was making her too sad to write. The Break, I'm guessing, is this same idea but with different characters. I'm glad she didn't use Clare Walsh, too.

Wool Blend Diamond Geo Rug from Next

We have a lot of floor tiles in our house. Great for summer, cold underfoot for winter. In our new bathroom we put down yet more tiles. But this rug, from Next, is absolutely lovely next to the bath. I'm obsessed with anything grey.

Next grey rug

None of this is sponsored (although some of the links I've provided are affiliate links which means I will earn a few pennies if you click on it at NO expense to you) it's just me sharing what I've enjoyed.

September Favourites
Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

How I edit my Instagram Stories

How I edit my Instagram Stories

Since I changed how I create my Instagram Stories at the end of August I have had some lovely comments about them both in person, on Instagram and on Twitter. 

And one question I keep getting is - how do you make them? What app do you use?

Well, very simply I use my iPhone and iMovie on my computer. I don't use iMovie on my phone or iPad because I find it far too fiddly but I'm sure it's possible. You also don't need an iPhone. You can use a normal camera or an android phone. Just make sure you shoot your video in portrait and not horizontal. (Such a weird thing to do after having it drummed in you that you must film horizontally to avoid the black bars either side of the film!)