The Long Awaited Music Of Words

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Jen Eden under Book Love, Recommended

Being a mood reader, there are not often books that I eagerly anticipate the release of; that I cannot wait to get my hands on and that I clamour for an early copy of. I usually browse in bookshops or see what takes my fancy on Bookstagram and pick up what takes my fancy. But this is one of those rare books I have been waiting for for a long time.

This week saw the release of C.G. Drews’ (aka Paper Fury‘s) A Thousand Perfect Notes, into the wild. I have followed Cait’s blog for years and she never fails to make me smile and always makes me want cake. Her blog is full of enthusiastic shouting about books, relatable moaning about the misunderstood difficulties of bookworm life, lots of extolling the virtues of desserts and the odd insight into her writing life. I have lurked in the background (no, it’s not creepy, I promise), watching her tenaciously work towards her dream of becoming a published author. This year that dream became a reality and I am over the moon for her. I also could not WAIT to get my hands on her book baby and devour every word.

I was amazingly blessed to be sent an ARC but, I’ll be honest, I had a moment of panic. What if I didn’t like it?! Here was a book I had been eagerly anticipating from a writer who, unlike most other authors I read, I actually occasionally interact with on her blog and on social media. If I didn’t like it what would I SAY?! It turns out I needn’t have worried. I read it practically in one sitting (that pesky thing called work got in the way of a true binge read) and I absolutely loved it.

Here is a story that is shot through with passion, heartache, friendship, and hope. The characters sing off the page, along with Beck’s music, and the relationships between them were so heartfelt and real. The Maestro, Beck and Joey’s violently obsessive and overpowering mother, is a truly terrifying figure but she also has such a believable vulnerability that begins, ever so slightly, to bleed through her vicious exterior, that even whilst I wanted to run screaming from her I also wanted to reach for her and try to bring that humanity out.

Beck is so lost within his incredible talent, heartbreak, and longing for a dream of his own, that I wanted to take his hand and hold him tight. I was so moved by his uncertainty and passion, and his relationship with his sparkly little sister is just so beautiful. A fabulously rendered sibling bond; equal parts love and irritation.

When August bounced across the page it was like a crescendo and a splash of colour. She is such a beautifully vivid character and I loved the glimpses into her quirky life:

“There are a few cats and a goat but we’re only babysitting the llama.”

“Naturally.”

August is a much needed balm to the pain and heartache of Beck’s reality and their unlikely but burgeoning friendship is so wonderful to read.

There were highs, there were lows, there were points when I wanted to climb in between the pages, squeeze myself into the story and find a way to make everything ok. I laughed out loud. I cried. And when it was over I kept trying to turn the page in the hopes there would be more. This is one of my favourite reads so far this year. If you’re on the hunt for an immersive YA contemporary read, this is it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for the ARCs.

2017’s Top Ten(ish) Books

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Jen Eden under Recommended

I did not read as many books in 2017 as I would have liked. In fact, I was a whole 20 books of meeting my Goodreads challenge! In spite of that, 2017 was a really good reading year and I discovered some new favourite authors and some new favourite books. I can never pick ONE favourite book but it takes something special for a book to worm its way onto my favourites list and this year at least TWO of the books I read made the cut…possibly even three. I’m undecided.

Anyway, I thought I would recap my year in books by sharing my top ten reads from 2017…but then I couldn’t quite whittle it down so it’s my top eleven. Who’s even counting?!

I have never really listened to audiobooks. I like to hold the actual book and savour the words in my own time. I’ve also previously struggled to find narrations that don’t annoy me. This year, however, saw the addition of a puppy to our family and with her arrival went a good chunk of my peaceful reading time. So I decided to give audiobooks another try to stave off the story withdrawal, since I can listen to them whilst I walk the pup. And now I’m hooked. It still all depends on the narration, as there have been a couple of books that I haven’t got more than a few minutes into before giving up through sheer annoyance at the narrator’s voice, but here are four audiobooks which not only had excellent narration but were also outstanding stories in and of themselves.

How To Stop Time – Matt Haig

Matt Haig is one of those authors who I have been meaning to read for forever. I’ve followed him on Twitter for a while and have a huge amount of respect and gratitude for his openness about mental illness and the way in which he offers support and encouragement to those who are struggling with their own mental health. I’ve read a few of his books this year and he has quickly become a favourite author.

How To Stop Time is a beautiful, eloquent portrait of what it means to be human: to want, to feel, to fear, to contemplate, to search, to love. Haig weaves and paints prose that reads like poetry until you are so enraptured by the image before that you hardly notice that he also wields words like a sword, until the moment when it pierces right to the heart of something you didn’t even know you were holding inside you. With compelling characters and an intriguing, twisting storyline, this is a tale to get lost in. The story, much like Haig himself, is endlessly quotable and is a veritable treasure trove of wisdom. This was the one downside of listening on audiobook: there were so many points when I wanted to stop and write down or just re-hear a quote (not really achievable when out walking an energetic puppy). With the help of Goodreads I managed to track down some favourites:

“Whenever I see someone reading a book, especially if it is someone I don’t expect, I feel civilisation has become a little safer.”

“Everything is going to be all right. Or, if not, everything is going to be, so let’s not worry.”

“A problem with living in the twenty-first century….. we are made to feel poor on thirty thousand pounds a year. To feel poorly travelled if we have only been to ten other countries. To feel old if we have a wrinkle. To feel ugly if we aren’t photo shopped and filtered.”

“Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.”

“We have the knowledge to realise we are just a mess of quanta and particles, like everything else is, and yet we keep trying to separate ourselves from the universe we live in, to give ourselves a meaning above that of a tree or a rock or a cat or a turtle.”

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant is one of the most discomforting and yet endearing characters I have every come across. From very early on in the book I was intrigued by Eleanor’s unique way of seeing and operating in the world and desperate to understand more about her and her history. Raymond is a wonderfully loveable character and the development of his unlikely friendship with Eleanor is heartwarming – I loved every second of seeing it grow. Eleanor Oliphant is darkly comic in its exploration of the impacts of childhood trauma and the story raised both laughs and tears. I have to give special mention to Cathleen McCarron for her excellent narration of this tale – she really brought the characters to life and I so enjoyed listening to her unspool this story.

Although I have never experienced anything like what Eleanor has been through, I still found a lot to relate to in her character. Honeyman’s writing is amusing and highly relevant to so much human experience, here are just a few of my favourite quotes:

“A philosophical question: if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? And if a woman who’s wholly alone occasionally talks to a pot plant, is she certifiable? I think that it is perfectly normal to talk to oneself occasionally. It’s not as though I’m expecting a reply. I’m fully aware that Polly is a houseplant.”

“I simply didn’t know how to make things better. I could not solve the puzzle of me.”

“In principle and reality, libraries are life-enhancing palaces of wonder.”

“There are days when I feel so lightly connected to the earth that the threads that tether me to the planet are gossamer thin, spun sugar. A strong gust of wind could dislodge me completely, and I’d lift off and blow away, like one of those seeds in a dandelion clock. The threads tighten slightly from Monday to Friday.”

“Sometimes you simply needed someone kind to sit with you while you dealt with things.”

“LOL could go and take a running jump. I wasn’t made for illiteracy; it simply didn’t come naturally.”

“If I’m ever unsure as to the correct course of action, I’ll think, “What would a ferret do?” or, “How would a salamander respond to this situation?” Invariably, I find the right answer.”

“My phone doesn’t ring often—it makes me jump when it does—and it’s usually people asking if I’ve been mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance. I whisper I know where you live to them, and hang up the phone very, very gently.”

The Keeper Of Lost Things – Ruth Hogan

The Keeper Of Lost Things is a wonderful story of loss, love, finding and letting go. I was captivated by the idea of lost things being carefully collected and catalogued, eventually to be reunited with their owners and the cast of characters had the added charm of being lost on their own ways as well. The alternating narratives across different character’s perspectives and time provides a breadcrumb trail through the story – the connection there the whole time but just out of reach and understanding, until right towards the end. Happiness and heartache in almost equal measure make the story compelling and thoroughly enjoyable.

“Her grandmother had once told her that one could blame ugliness on one’s genes and ignorance on one’s education, but there was absolutely no excuse whatsoever for being dull.”

“Common decency, good manners, kindness and hard work were treated as peculiarities”

“A hush is a dangerous thing. Silence is solid and dependable, but a hush is expectant, like a pregnant pause; it invites mischief, like a loose thread begging to be pulled.”

The Bear And The Nightingale – Katherine Arden

This is one of my absolute favourite books, not just of 2017 but ever. I listened to the audiobook and was so utterly enraptured by the story that I am dying to get hold of a hardcopy so I can reread it and savour every word again. The first in the Winternight trilogy and voted best Sci-Fi and Fantasy book of 2017, The Bear And The Nightingale is one of those rare reads that is so immersive and enchanting that you forget you are reading (or in my case, listening) at all. I could feel the icy breath of the Russian winter with every turn of phrase and the magic seemed so real I felt Morozko himself dogged my footsteps. Here is a world caught in balance between the realities of harsh, arctic winters and the old, fantastical magic woven into centuries old folklore. It made me want to learn Russian and read every folk and fairytale I could get my hands on, and I did not want to leave the realm of the winter-king.

Arden’s prose is so lyrical it weaves a spell all of its own and her characters are so well developed that they step into being with barely the lift of an imaginary finger. The story was exquisitely narrated by Kathleen Gati and her voice only added to the wonder of the story. When I started listening I hadn’t realised it was the first of a trilogy so my excitement was palpable when I noticed The Girl In The Tower will be gracing bookshelves any day now. If I were to recommend any book from 2017, it would be this one.

“Wild birds die in cages.”

“Nay, it is the coming storm. The first sign is fear. The second is always fire. Your people are afraid, and now the fires burn.”

“It is a cruel task, to frighten people in God’s name.”

“But I think you should be careful, Batyushka, that God does not speak in the voice of your own wishing.”

Dear Ijeawele: A Femenist Manifesto In Fifteen Suggestions – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I discovered Adichie through TED talks when I stumbled across her talk ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ and read her book of the same title off the back of it. I am yet to read any of her novels but immediately picked up Dear Ijeawele when I saw it and enjoyed it even more that We Should All Be Feminists. Both books should be required reading for everyone but Dear Ijeawele especially spoke to something deep in the heart of me. Direct, perceptive, and wryly amusing, Adichie’s letter to her friend gets to the root of what it is to be a woman in the 21st century.

A quick and compelling read, it’s one to shove into the hands of anyone and everyone. Politely of course.

“Your feminist premise should be: I matter. I matter equally. Not “if only.” Not “as long as.” I matter equally. Full stop.”

“If she likes makeup, let her wear it. If she likes fashion, let her dress up. But if she doesn’t like either, let her be. Don’t think that raising her feminist means forcing her to reject femininity. Feminism and femininity are not mutually exclusive.”

“Because you are a girl” is never a reason for anything. Ever.”

“We teach girls to be likeable, to be nice, to be false. And we do not teach boys the same. This is dangerous. Many sexual predators have capitalized on this. Many girls remain silent when abused because they want to be nice. Many girls spend too much time trying to be “nice” to people who do them harm. Many girls think of the “feelings” of those who are hurting them. This is the catastrophic consequence of likeability. We have a world full of women who are unable to exhale fully because they have for so long been conditioned to fold themselves into shapes to make themselves likeable.”

Me Before You – Jojo Moyes

Not ordinarily one to reach for contemporary reads, I was pleasantly surprised by Me Before You. In fact, I loved it. I absolutely adored Louisa Clark and quickly wanted to make friends with her and sit down for a cuppa and a heart to heart. The story itself is also engrossing, being both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. I think what I loved most about this book though was that it didn’t succumb to the temptation to make everything all right in the end. There was something viscerally real about the stories understanding that love does not automatically make everything ok and that sometimes a happy ending doesn’t seem all that happy or look at all how you pictured it. I haven’t yet read the sequel to this book but and very much looking forward to it.

“You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

“I will never, ever regret the things I’ve done. Because most days, all you have are places in your memory that you can go to.”

“I hadn’t realized that music could unlock things in you, could transport you to somewhere even the composer hadn’t predicted. It left an imprint in the air around you, as if you carried its remnants with you when you went.”

“You can only actually help someone who wants to be helped.”

The Princess Saves Herself In This One – Amanda Lovelace

I love a good poetry collection and this one really hit the spot. Gritty, unashamedly honest and beautiful, there is something profoundly relatable in Lovelace’s poetry, in spite of the differences in my personal experiences. I don’t really have an awful lot more to say about this one because I find poetry to be a very personal thing. It does deal with some very difficult and potentially triggering issues but I found The Princess Saves Herself In This One to be validating and inspiring.

“ah, life—

the thing

that happens

to us

while we’re off

somewhere else

blowing on

dandelions

& wishing

ourselves into

the pages of

our favorite

fairy tales.”

“repeat after me:

you owe

no one

your forgiveness.

– except maybe yourself.”

“once upon a time, the princess rose from the ashes her dragon lovers made of her & crowned herself the mother-fucking queen of herself. – how’s that for a happily ever after?”

“fiction:

the ocean

i dive

headfirst

into

when i

can

no longer

breathe

reality.

– a mermaid escapist II.”

Blankets – Craig Thompson

Much like audiobooks, I’ve never really got into graphic novels but I’ve had a couple by Craig Thompson on my bookshelves for ages that my husband read and loved. So, over Christmas, I thought I’d give them a go and found I really enjoyed them. Blankets in particular was an excellent read with Thompson’s graphics really bringing the story and the characters’ struggles to life. The tale is both moving and thought provoking on a subject I have always found interesting and challenging: the tensions between the sense of belonging and the expectations present within a religion or religious community. The characters in Thompson’s story are imperfect and therefore very real. Whilst I’m not sure they will ever have the same richness as stories written in prose, I’ll definitely be trying more graphic novels as there they offer something unique.

“How satisfying it is to leave a mark on a blank surface. To make a map of my movement – no matter how temporary.”

“Sometimes, upon waking, the residual dream can be more appealing that reality, and one is reluctant to give it up. For a while, you feel like a ghost — Not fully materialized, and unable to manipulate your surroundings. Or else, it is the dream that haunts you. You wait with the promise of the next dream.”

“On my first visit to the public library, I was like a kid at a candy store where all the candy was free.”

“At night, lying on your back and staring at the falling snow, it’s easy to imagine oneself soaring through the stars.”

Reasons To Stay Alive – Matt Haig

Another wonderful book from Matt Haig; very different from the first mentioned in this post but just as profound. Haig’s unflinching account of his experiences of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts is raw, moving, and strangely uplifting. He gets right to the heart of what it is to be trapped in your own mind and the horrifying experience of not being able to be fully present in your own life, even when it’s a wonderful one. Reasons To Stay Alive gives you just that; as well as truly nailing the torment of mental illness, Haig’s account also provides a funny, even joyful reminder of what it is to truly love, and why we should strive to stay alive even when it seems the dark is closing in. It is a tale of survival as much as of struggle and reading it felt like being offered a hand to hold and hearing, in the voice of a friend, that we are never truly alone.

Raindrops On Roses

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Jen Eden under Personal, Random Share, Recommended

Hello lovelies. It’s been a hell of a few weeks. It’s been busy, tiring, stressful, emotional and I’ve had this post in the back of my head for probably a month now without doing anything with it. As it happens, a post focusing on a few of my favourite things is just what I need right now. Sometimes it’s good to take a step back from all the busyness and negativity that can wear us down and spend a bit of time recognising those little things that make our days brighter. I’m also coming back to my word for 2017, Nourish, and looking at the things that I invest in (aside from the obvious of spending time with my favourite people) to help me take care of myself.

Before I start my raving I should just clarify that I have no affiliation with any of the products or sites listed, and I’m promoting them purely because I love them all and they make my days brighter!

Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are my latest loves:

1. Book Subscription Boxes – Illumicrate

Anyone who knows me even a little bit will know of my eternal love for books. Just over a year ago I signed up for my first ever book subscription box and it is honestly one of the best things I’ve ever treated myself to. I signed up with Illumicrate, which is UK based and quarterly – great for my bank balance because a) the delivery is MUCH cheaper than many of the other boxes that are based elsewhere in the world, and b) it’s a 4-times-a-year treat rather than every month (which I would feel less able to justify). I have had one offs of other boxes but Illumicrate is my favourite and my joy. It is the MOST exciting thing to have this bright box appear at my door, stuffed fit to bursting with books and bookish goodies. There have been jewellery items, stationary, tote bags, bookmarks, lip balms, candles, socks, mugs – the list is endless. Every single box has been amazingly curated. There hasn’t been a book included that I haven’t loved. It’s like a little box of sunshine every season. Daphne, who runs the whole things whilst also working full time and looking after a little one (hello Wonder Woman!), is super lovely, interacts with her followers on social media and is really helpful if you need to get in touch about anything. In short, Illumicrate is just fabulous. I can’t recommend it enough. If you want to subscribe (which you should) then pop over to the website and sign on up. (If you head over to Instagram you might also be able to find yourself a discount code from one of their reps!)

2. Nomatic Planners

Every year I get a new planner. I could just put everything in my phone but I’m a sucker for pen and paper so I like having a pretty planner to put my appointments and notes in. I’ve had Moleskines for the past few years but, whilst I still love their notebooks and planners, when I saw the Nomatic I couldn’t resist. I’m terrible for having several notebooks on the go at once, all for different things, but this year I’ve been able to cut that down massively because this planner is so flipping versatile! I love it! The whole thing is undated so it can be started at any point; 12 months of monthly spread calendar pages with 5 week-to-view double spreads between each month; a section of lined pages and a section of plain pages, both of which have some perforated sheets; a pocket in the back with mini whiteboard sheets for erasable notes; space for goal setting each week and month; three page markers; opens to flat lay; two elastic closures to keep everything secure or to hold pages open; lovely quality paper with very little show or bleed through; space between the top page edge and elastic closure for your pen to sit tucked away comfortably.

ALL the things in one place. It’s such a beautifully put together planner and it’s so lovely to use that for the first time ever I have actually filled it in consistently. And when you buy the Nomatic BASICS planner you get a code to give you a 20% discount for LIFE! I am one happy Nomatic customer. It you want to explore their planners and notebooks and buy one for yourself, head over here and treat yourself.

3. Graphik Linemaker Pens

To go right along with my lovely planner are some lovely pens. I have been so pleased with the Graphik Linemakers from Derwent: various nib thicknesses, different colours/sets, perfect for line drawing, doodling, and writing. They’ve been great for the combination of notemaking, writing, doodling, hand lettering, and illustrating that goes on in my planner and can’t recommend them highly enough as a good all-round creative’s pen. Easily picked up from arts and craft stores, amazon, or direct from Derwent.

4. Paperfury – Blog and Bookstagram

Not a favourite thing, rather a favourite place/person. The Paperfury blog, Twitter and Instagram feeds are currently some of my absolute favourite places to spend time on the internet. Cait’s bright and bubbly blog speaks to my bookish soul and never fails to bring a smile to my face. Her bookstagram photos are stunning, her recommendations excellent, and her insights into bookworm/writer life are hilarious and relatable. Her contributions to twitter are also wildly entertaining. She’s super fun to chat to and interact with in her comments or on social media. Perfect if you’re into fantasy (especially of the stabby/dragon based variety), cake (who isn’t into cake?), and world domination. Seriously, go make friends. Or, alternatively, do what I do and lurk in the shadowy corners of her rainbow space, occasionally retweeting and commenting with all caps because you just can’t contain the ME TOO feelings…

5. Literary Pins

I am an absolute sucker for literary accessories and have a particular weakness for literary pins. These are just some of my favourites from my ever growing collection. Some of my favourite shops for literary pins include Nutmeg and Arlo, The Literary Gift Company, and The Literary Emporium. They currently live on my work lanyard and they make me smile every day. Perfect small gifts for book lovers!

6. Polaroid Zip Instant Printer

I have wanted a mini photo printer for ages. One that would link up to my phone so I could quickly and easily print some of my photos to use in my journaling or just for keepsakes. I’d looked at the Polaroid Zip on and off and was a bit wary as it had mixed reviews. I found a second hand one going cheap and decided to give it a shot and I’m so glad I did. I get why it has mixed reviews: the photo quality isn’t amazing, the paper isn’t cheap and the app can be a bit clunky…but for what I was looking for it’s great! The photos print quickly and the quality is good enough for small prints (I like to think of them as having a kind of retro vibe – think Instagram filters!). The printer is a really neat size and I love that the photo papers have sticky backs! Super easy to print off a snap from the weekend and stick it straight into my planner. I was able to put together this mini album spread from our trip to Prague in just a few minutes. I’m really enjoying being able to print some of my favourite photos at the click of a button rather than leaving them sat on my phone.

7. Trollbeads

A few years ago everyone suddenly started wearing charm bracelets with bead style charms rather than the traditional clip on/dangly ones. I was ahead of the game. I’d already had my Trollbeads bracelet which was, and still is, one of my favourite pieces of jewellery. I absolutely adore Trollbeads. They have such original and quirky designs, beautifully made and with a whole host of different metals and stones to choose from, as well as their gorgeous glass beads. After years of collecting (and mostly being bought beads for birthdays and Christmases by my dad) my Trollbeads bracelet really tells a story. There are beads that reflect significant moments in my life, beads that were given with true sentiment, beads I treated myself to in celebration or comiseration. It’s me in charms and I love it. They’ve increased their range and offer other jewellery as well as charm bracelets – I have a beautiful pair of earrings and one of their fantasy necklaces which I also adore. Their service is always excellent – on one occasion I managed to get one of my beads stuck in the clasp (don’t ask me how!) and by sending my bracelet off to them they kindly rectified the problem for me. Their glass and silver beads also start at really reasonable prices. I love wearing my Trollbeads and I honestly think their charms are more beautiful and original in design than those from other charm retailers.

8. Bellabeat Leaf

In an attempt to keep track of how active I was being and encourage myself to do more exercise I had been tracking my steps and activity using apps on my phone. That was fine but I couldn’t always have my phone on me and some of the apps were real batter drainers. So I started looking at fitbits and pedometers. They seemed useful and did what I wanted them to do but they were quite pricey and were just not attractive to look at. I could see myself buying one and not wearing it all the time because it would look too clunky with my outfit. I’m not a fashionista or anything but I do like my accessories to look good and match what I’m wearing. Enter Bellabeat leaf…

I LOVE this fitness tracker. Yes, that beautifully crafted piece of jewellery is in fact a fitness tracker. It counts my steps, I can add other exercise, it measures my sleep, has meditations in the paired app to help you engage with and track mindfulness activities, it will track my menstrual cycle and it looks gorgeous! I most often wear it as a necklace but it can be worn as a bracelet or just clipped to the edge of a top or pair of trousers. It really is a stunning piece of smart jewellery that I am more than happy to show off with my day to day or going out outfits, or if it’s not quite the right piece for what I’m wearing, I can clip it to my waistand or bra so it’s neatly tucked out of sight but still measures all the things I want it to. The app it pairs with is really user friendly and also beautifully designed. It is not really any more expensive than other fitness trackers (especially when you consider you get a versatile piece of jewellery out of it too). You can also customise I with different necklaces, bracelets and even change the metal section so you can choose between silver or rose gold. LOVE. It is one of the best investments I have made for myself and I wear it every. single. day.

9. Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer

You may or may not have picked up but I’m a bit of an aspiring writer. I don’t write as often as I’d like and I can’t really decide if I’m actually any good at it, but I enjoy it and I like to dream that one day I might actually knuckle down and write something that people want to read. I love dipping into different website and books for inspiration, I love finding writing prompts and activities to try. One of my absolute favourite discoveries for writing inspiration and motivation is Jeff Vandermeer’s Wonderbook. This. Book. Is. AMAZING. It is stunningly illustrated, beautifully written, full of interesting insights and anecdotes, unusual writing prompts, and with contributions for writers of varied genres and walks of life. It’s great for dipping into or for sitting and reading in big chunks. Highly recommended for writers (aspiring or otherwise) – a perfect addition to your shelves.

10. Flow Magazine & Flow Specials

I have told of my love for Flow magazine before. In fact, I wrote a whole post gushing about the wonder that is Flow over here. I’m going to gush again. Flow remains the only magazine that I have ever read cover to cover. I eagerly anticipate its quarterly release and still marvel at the beautiful content that the wonderful team at Flow put together. The articles are varied and interesting, layout gorgeously designed, the activities excellent for promoting well being and reflection, the extra freebies perfect for paper lovers and creatives. I’ve also been really impressed by the Flow specials and paper books. The paper books are crammed with paper goodies and I love using their wrapping and writing papers, and have a whole wall covered in Flow posters and postcards next to my desk at work. The Flow specials are relevant and so good for helping refocus, recentre, and live a balanced and meaningful life. I’ve found their mindfulness special great for helping me manage anxious periods and have recently bought their latest special on love and friendships which I can’t wait to dive into. I can’t recommend Flow highly enough and it’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Find your me-time in between the pages.
There you have it. Mini-reviews of some of my favourite things. I hope you enjoyed seeing a little of what I chose to spend my time (and money) on and maybe saw something you’d like to try for yourself. What are some of your favourite things?

Giselle: A Triumphant Reimagining

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Jen Eden under Recommended

I have just had the pleasure, and the absolute privilege, of watching English National Ballet perform Akram Kahn’s Giselle. I’m not even sure if I can articulate how I feel about this production. Words like phenomenal spring to mind but I’m not sure even that would do it justice.
Every aspect of this reimagined classic has been crafted to perfection. Kahn’s choreography is poignant and eloquent, managing to be both true to the classical ballet style whilst also writhing with an earthy, contemporary edge. The combination of classical motifs, that appear like a breadcrumb trail evoking the original choreography, the bodily contortion and contemporary attack, blended with nods to Kahn’s classical kathak, make for a truly original work of art.
Tamara Rojo is exquisite as Giselle, and carries the complex blend of frantic movement, utter stillness, and expressive gesture with the degree of poise and perfection we come to expect from professional dancers, yet which still manages to astound. Likewise, Stina Quagebuer portrays Myrtha with finesse: exuding other-worldliness and wielding suspense with her every movement.
Along with the incredible performances of the principles and soloists, the artists of the company were truly breathtaking. For me, their portrayal of the Wilis in particular was striking. It was here, in Act 2, where Khan’s incredible conceptual originality shone: through the flawless execution of the artists. Managing to maintain the famous ethereal vision and movement of the classic, Khan brings a raw, underlying tension to the act, the eeriness of which raises the hairs on the back of your neck. The stunning choreography and performance is complimented beautifully by effortlessly flowing costumes; simple yet effective sets and staging; and a haunting use of light.
Circling and weaving through the production is another masterpiece; Vincenzo Lamagna’s score. A perfect blend of symphony and silence, threaded through with industrial sound, Lamanga manages to both enhance the choreography and give it space to breathe and speak for itself. In the music, as with the choreography, there are familiar refrains woven through a new and exciting artistic landscape: I can’t imagine a more successful accompaniment.
As if the artistic virtuosity evident in this production was not enough, this unique retelling carries with it themes both old and new, that resonate with extraordinary power. Love, rejection, betrayal, death, revenge and inequality all have their place in the evidently timeless story, and all are expressed in such a way that invites us to consider the impact of such things in our own communities, and indeed the world.
I congratulate all involved in the planning, production and performance of Giselle; it is truly triumphant.

Back to School Wishlist

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Jen Eden under Personal, Random Share, Recommended

Anybody else feeling baffled by the fact that it’s September tomorrow? I mean really how did that happen?

On the plus side it means that it’s time for buying back-to-school supplies. Yay! All that lovely stationary and bags and loveliness. So since I’m currently pining after bouquets of sharpened pencils and all that malarky I though I would share my little back to school wish list with you all…

1. First up is this lovely little mug which oh so accurately describes one of my daily dilemmas.

2. Who wouldn’t want this completely adorable rucksack? I mean it’s a fox. That will carry your books.

3. As summer draws to a close and it starts getting colder and the central heating starts coming on, I think a girl is entitled to some fancy pants facial products, and this silky toner by Decléor is one of my faves.

4. If you have ridiculous hair like me that wants to be a dragon all the time, then cute and funky hair accessories are a must. This gorgeous leather hair pin is just what the wildly-out-of-control hair ordered.

5. I think this smart yet quirky printed skirt is just the sort of thing a new English mentor should be wearing, don’t you? I thought so. That’s going to be my first pay check’s first purchase right there!

6. It should really be compulsory for everyone to have pencils that tell them they are totally magical.

7. This, quite frankly, is genius. A wearable USB stick?! Now that’s handy! You can even get it with different coloured leather cord bracelets, and they do necklaces too.

8. Now I realise I already have a bag on here but this is for those more sophisticated days, you know meetings, training days etc. This beautiful satchel has lots of pockets and compartments, gorgeous herringbone lining, and it’s just the right size for an iPad.

9. I already have an Alice in Wonderland brooch like this one, in the shape of a rabbit, but it is absolutely one of my favourite accessories so I’m looking to add a few more to my collection. This brooch is from Of Mice and Men which is perfect since it’s one of the texts I will be teaching/mentoring on. If you’re a book lover there’s bound to be one of these lovelies just waiting for you.

10. I don’t really need any more notebooks. Except that you can never have too many notebooks. And these beauties just happen to have my favourite poster series on their covers…a couple wouldn’t hurt surely?

11. Bare Minerals makeup became one of my new favourite things after I treated myself to some for my wedding makeup. So so lovely to wear because it feels like you’re not wearing it and looks really natural. So I’m a bit excited by their compact sets in a handy case. Very useful for touch ups before parents evenings!

12. My beloved long black leather boots have died a death after many years of faithful service. So OBVIOUSLY I need some new boots. These ones to be precise. I love love love Reiker boots because it’s like wearing slippers. No really. It is.

So there you have it, my back to school wish list. What are you crushing on for the new term??

Super Easy Sweet Treat

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Jen Eden under Personal, Random Share, Recipes, Recommended

We all need a sweet treat every now and again…and now…and also now…anyways this amazingly easy no-cook fudge is great for giving as a gift, for parties and for generally having around when you need that sugar hit. It has become one of my go-to recipes when I’m hosting a party as it’s fairly quick and simple and always goes down a treat.

All you need is butter, vanilla extract, icing sugar, cocoa powder, condensed milk. Basic method is mix-knead-roll-cut-EAT! See here for measurements and proper step by step instructions!

It’s good fun to make especially if you have some cute mini cookie cutters.

You can even try mixing it up with the flavours! I made some minty ones by using mint flavour hot chocolate powder in place of cocoa powder, some white chocolate ones using white chocolate hot chocolate powder and some baileys ones (yum!!) adding in a measure of baileys. Just note if you are doing this or using a different liquid based flavour you’ll need to slightly reduce the amount do condensed milk and get rid of the vanilla extract otherwise it will be too moist and won’t set properly. It’s a bit of a guessing game if you do this! I did the original recipe first to get an idea for how it should be at each stage and then played around. It’s so easy that even when I was guessing measurements it came out yummy scrummy!

So enjoy and impress all your friends by producing a little plate/box/bag of these for your next special event!

Let me know if you try any exciting flavours.

Happy Friday 🙂

A Little Bit of Lovely: indieBerries

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Jen Eden under Inspiration, Random Share, Recommended

As I near the end of my first month of blogging (I’m still here…Yay!!) I wanted to take a moment to thank a very lovely lady, who is partially responsible for me deciding to take the leap into the blogosphere…and she doesn’t even know it! In fact she doesn’t even know me! Which is a bit weird but I’m going to keep going anyway…

I’ve been reading her blog for a few years now, lurking in the background and eventually submitting a tentative “I think your bog is awesome”. I even got up the nerve to send her an email in the run up to my wedding, because her own wedding related posts were helping keep me sane and giving me lots of inspiration. And she replied! I was really touched that she took the time to get back to me, I mean she had a thriving blog to manage, probably had THOUSANDS of comments/emails/tweets etc to reply to, and was also all newly married and moving countries and stuff. Yes I did say moving countries. Not house. Countries. She is of course the utterly fabulous Che; AKA indieBerries.

Visit this blog. Now. You won’t regret it.

Che’s blog is an amazing collection of personal stories (hello romantic proposal and kitchen ~~disasters~~ adventures!), crafty ideas (wash tape business cards? YES!), hilarious cartoons (who gets what’s happening in curling?) and more recently adventures in being a creative business type person (let’s talk money!). Che has not only managed to create a massively successful blog but is now also turning those things she loves into her own lovely little business. This is on my “things I would do if I was brave enough” list, so being able to share in Che’s adventures as she builds indieBerries is mega inspiring. Maybe one day…

With all this and sooooo much more going on, indieBerries never fails to inspire and make me smile. It is never restricted to one thing, is varied and interesting and so flippin’ REAL! I just love it and I hope you will too.

So thank you Che for sharing your awesomeness with the world and for being such an inspiration!

Which blogs inspire you?

A Little Bit Of Lovely: Flow Magazine

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Jen Eden under Crafty, Inspiration, Random Share, Recommended

A couple of months ago whilst browsing round Magma in Manchester (FYI, fabulous shop which you should visit) I came across a very pretty looking magazine which proclaimed to be “for paper lovers”. Well that is definitely me. I picked up the magazine and flicked through it (soooo pretty!)…and put it back on the shelf (sensible head = not a necessary purchase). I wandered round some more, came back to the pretty magazine, picked it up and repeated the process. Eventually I left the shop. Magazineless.

Then a couple of weeks ago I was back in said awesome shop and repeating the above experience when hubby convinced me I should treat myself (he’s good at that). So I did. I went home the proud owner of Flow Magazine.

Wow.

I devoured EVERY PAGE of this beautiful publication (unheard of for me) in one sitting. And since finishing it I keep going back. It’s THAT good. Gorgeous illustrations and graphics, inspiring stories and insightful articles, each page is a delight. So of course I absolutely had to share it with you.

Here are some of my favourite pages and pieces:

Look at this gorgeous illustrated divider (one of four) which, when I can bring myself to pull them out of the magazine, I intend to put up around my desk and work space to add some colour and cheer up my days. I also love this “how to feel good” prompt page with some thought provoking questions to complete. (I adore interactive pages like this and Flow has some drawing lessons pages as well as this one. Brilliant!)

This fascinating article on creativity in South Sudan shares the stories of some truly inspirational women who are not only creating beautiful things, but beautiful opportunities in difficult circumstances. A fantastic insight into a very different culture, showing the power of creativity in building better lives.

I knew I’d love this one before I’d even started reading it! More good reasons to read a book! We’ve already established my love of reading, so I was thrilled to read about the research which found reading is good for your health and reduces stress levels. Quick, where’s my bookcase?! This whole article is also beautifully presented, as though if I managed to actually sink into the page I would be submerged in calm. Lovely.

Divas from the past provides a tantalising glimpse into the lives of now retired actors, opera singers and directors from Russia. It’s fabulous to see pictures of them now, next to pictures from their hey days, and still see the presence and poise that must have helped make them great!

This “what are you up to?” section provides a snapshot of the lives and projects of three creative entrepreneurs from around the world. If, like me, you are a wannabe creative type then this is definite inspiration and food for thought. Also these lovely folk are definitely ones to look out for.

I actually really struggled to pick which pages to list in this post because it’s all just so good! I love that Flow is divided into four sections: Simplify your life – Feel connected – Live mindfully – Spoil yourself, and each section has a little round up of relevant loveliness. From unique shops to spoil yourself in, to tips for home growing to help you live mindfully, it’s all just so gorgeous you have to see it for yourself. Also there are freebies! Who doesn’t love a good freebie? And as if the magazine wasn’t enough they also have an iPad app with extra lovely stuff (free at the moment so get it quick!). I’m going to shut up now so you can go buy/order/download a bit of Flow.

Enjoy!

Weekend Fun!

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Jen Eden under Personal, Recommended

Weekends are the best aren’t they? You can be lazy or busy, go out or stay in, see friends and family, meet lovely new folk, or indulge in some ‘me time’. Today I thought I’d share some of the things that have made my weekend lovely (WARNING: I was spoilt. You may become jealous.)

Two weeks ago today marked six months since I married my fabulous hubby and to mark the occasion he bought me a beautiful pair of earrings and tickets to see Lauren Aquilina play on Valentine’s day. So my weekend kicked off in The Ruby Lounge on friday evening, with a drink in hand listening to awesome music. I’d never been to The Ruby Lounge before but will definitely be going back. It’s a great little venue with comfy leather sofas to relax on whilst the band sets up.

This is the only picture I took all night, I was too busy enjoying myself so I don’t have any pictures of the venue, but I assure you it’s fab. Lauren Aquilina was great (what a gorgeous voice!) and I really enjoyed the support act Gavin James – definitely one to watch.

On Saturday Morning we were up fairly early to go and view some houses. Yep, we are trying to buy a house. If you haven’t had this experience yet, let me warn you now. It. Is. Stressful. But hopefully we will soon have a lovely space to decorate, play with and call our own, and I’m really looking forward to being able to share that journey when it gets underway.

Once we’d done with all our viewings it was off into Manchester for a mooch round the shops and a trip to the cinema to see The Lego Movie, which by the way is ace. SO FUNNY! You should go see it. This wasn’t any old cinema trip though because the hubby had booked our tickets for The Gallery at the Printworks so we got to hang out in the swanky bar and help ourselves to unlimited popcorn, nachos and soft drinks!

Obviously this all costs a bit more than your average cinema experience but it was so much fun and made it feel special. We also went back to the bar after the film for a drink to kill time until our table at Avalanche was ready so we got our money’s worth.

I was mightily impressed that hubby had also booked a table for dinner as our usual trick is to wander round until with find somewhere with a less than 30 minute wait. So we had a delicious meal and a made a crane out of my napkin whilst we waited for our bill.

Tadaaa!

Our fun filled Saturday was followed by a lazy Sunday. Lounging at home in the morning and a wander round IKEA in the afternoon. We’ve chosen our kitchen for the house we haven’t bought yet and I treated myself to a faux flower in a vase and some colourful wash tape (who knew IKEA sold wash tape!?) to add to my collection.

So sadly now the weekend is almost over, but am comforting myself with the thought that after five more work days it is half term! Which means LOTS of crafty/bloggy/me tim, meet ups with friends and a trip to Amsterdam! Yay!

How was your weekend?

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