Angus and Julia Stone

I discovered these two quite by chance last year, and ever since it has pretty much been the soundtrack to my life. I can't get enough of this album.

There isn't so much as a single track I want to skip on this album, and it is one of those I imagine will always be one of my most played.

Spread the love.

xxx

The Snow Child

This is a gem of a book, so much so that the bookseller inside of me just has to share it.

As soon as I read the description I had a feeling I may love it.

I know they say never judge a book by its cover, but the cover sums this one up perfectly for me.

An absolutely magical read, about a couple living in the Alaskan wilderness who have always longed for a child.
One wintry night they create a snow girl. The next morning she has disappeared, however  Faina a child of the woods comes into their life.

A perfect read to lose yourself in, and cosy up with ready for winter.

It instantly became one of those reads I will never forget, and became a firm favorite on my bookshelf.

xxx

Along Came Boy

Once there was a girl who loved all things little and cute.

After all, the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.

She had received lots of love and pleasure from being a guinea pig mama, how nice would it be to have a small furry that could hop about the house?

Hubby had always secretly wanted a bunny as a boy, so girl knew she would be able to convince him to adopt another little lovely, after all he was a big softie at heart...

So began their search.

Shortly after boy came along.

He hopped into Hubby's arms, and Hubby and girl agreed they had to take him home!

They didn't choose him, really he happened to choose them,

Hubby named him Frankie.

And the rest is history.

Float away into the sky like a thousand fireflys

'Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.'

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin

Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in

Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove

Dance me to the end of love

'A limb has fallen from the family tree, that says grieve not for me.

Remember the best times, the laughter, the song, the good life I lived when I was strong.'

A send off to be proud of, even when things are falling apart we can come together and reunite when it matters the most.

RIP Grandad

xxx

Eleanor and Park

You may have noticed as a blogger, my posts are sometimes few and far between. When I do blog these days it tends to be because I have discovered something so amazing I simply HAVE to share it with the world. Today is one of those times.

Towards the end of my time as a bookseller I bought a kindle. At first I thought it was quite handy, but my love of reading seemed to get lost sometime not to long after my purchase.

I recently spent a week back at my parents house, in my old teenage bedroom surrounded by the things that not so long ago meant everything to me. Among these things is a bookcase, it is the sort of bookcase that would give most booksellers a mini heart attack if they saw it in a book store, books on top of books, doubly full so half of the books are hidden because I ran out of room. (and that was after a major clear out!) Everything left on there was left for a reason. Old books, like old friends, something I enjoyed spending time with and often re-read during my teenage years.

I decided to re-read some of my old books instead of reaching for my kindle, and since then have done little else, other then read like crazy! On my return to Cambridge, I spent my day going from book store to book store hungry for a new adventure, hoping to discover a new treasure that would stay on my bookshelf for years to come.

I happened to spy Eleanor and Park a book an old colleague of mine had recently reviewed. I decided to give it a read. If you happen to see this book anywhere - I urge you to pick it up.

The blurb doesn't do it justice. The reviews I have read don't do it justice either, and I don't want to give anything away so I will just simply tell you to read it. It isn't just a typical teen love story like I was expecting, it is a story about being saved.

I think the book is doing fairly well and is quite a popular choice at the moment so it is quite an easy one to discover, unlike 'I'll be there' I blogged about this book a while ago, although it seemed to completely slip under the radar in bookshops, as it sadly wasn't pushed the way Eleanor and Park has been. If I was still a bookseller I would be recommending 'I'll be there' to anyone who loved Eleanor and Park. They are very similar, and equally amazing stories about a love strong enough to save the characters you come to care for so deeply. I hope this blog manages to convince even just one person to give these books a try, you won't be disappointed!

xxx

An Education

I love this film, it perfectly captures a young girl's desire to enter into adulthood before she is really ready for it. I found I could identify with Jenny on many levels, a beautiful story and film that will forever remain in my collection.

xxx

Bonfire Night

Growing up I always remember looking forward to Bonfire night. Possibly the most important family tradition in our household, the only one we all without fail never miss. Wherever life may have placed me in recent years, I have always returned home for what might quite possibly be my favourite night of the year.

My mum always cooks a festive feast of hot-dogs, burgers, and jacket potatoes followed by a slice of parkin and a mug of hot chocolate to warm us up before we head out.

We are lucky that my Grandad owns land which feels like it was created especially to host our yearly gathering. Surrounded by fields, and beyond you can see the distant glow of nearby towns, perfect for us to view everyone else's fireworks whilst sitting by our own cosy fire.

However you celebrate bonfire night I hope it is just as magical.

xxx

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Another film I came across just by chance, it turned out to be just my sort of thing - original, quirky, and unlike any film I have seen before. It made me laugh and cry and I can't wait to watch it again!

xxx

Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest, it's about who came and never left you side

It's my best friends birthday today and for the first time in a few years due to my new and hectic lifestyle I have been incredibly un-organised and not sent her card or presents in time, but they will be with you soon Alice! I really do hope you have a fantastic day!

I just wanted to write a post to celebrate our friendship, and to say thank you for being there through all the up's and downs, and for staying in touch consistently when I moved away although many other friends failed to.

Thank you for all the fun times we had skipping class and sneaking past the teacher to run for an early bus. For all the nights we danced away, for all the secrets shared, all the teary phone calls, for taping me every episode of skins because my family didn't have freeview!

For splitting that old skirt in half because we both loved the fabric, for collecting me no end of magazine clippings for my art projects, for lending me Dawsons Creek, and for tracking down those old Brambly Hedge videos and making them DVD's for me, I couldn't believe it when they showed up on my doorstep!

For asking me to be a bridesmaid for your big day which I am so incredibly excited to be part of! For understanding every crisis, and for being there to share all the good times, and for being my Carrie, my Charlotte and my Samantha and my Miranda.

"Side by side or far apart, true friends are always close to the heart"

xxx

Bracelets

Bracelets have always been my favourite accessory. When I was younger I remember going to guide camp and spotting a girl with at least 15 bracelets on each wrist and thought how cool she looked! When I got home from my weekend away I got busy with my bead kits and have worn many bracelets at any one time ever since.

I tend to buy a bracelet each place I visit, and it is often a present friends get me. So on each arm I have bracelets with memories from all over, and from lots of good friends. I think they are a nice thing to own, and I get sentimental about any item with memories attached. Wearing them has become less practical since adopting the piggies but they are still my go to accessory to make any outfit look better! There is an amazing bead shop in the village I have moved to, with all sorts of beads and charms, it has made me want to get making again! Do you have a favourite accessory?

xxx

The Simple Life

I have loved The Simple Life since it was first shown on T.V. As soon as it was released I bought the Season 1 boxset, although it has been sat on my shelf gathering dust for ages now! Me and my house mate Nicky fancied something girly and light hearted to watch one night so I dug it back out and we have been hooked since! I forgot how hilarious this show is, although Season One was the only series I actually enjoyed of the reality show as the others which followed all seemed a bit more staged.

If you want a good old giggle at two rich girls trying to make it out in the middle of nowhere living on a farm, who seem to know nothing about normal life this is a must see! This show also started my love for Nicole Richie, outspoken and utterly hilarious this show is guaranteed to have you in stitches!

xxx