HAPPINESS IS... SUMMER EDITION

. Giving grouchy looking, little plants a loving home in old candle holders.

. Vegetarian barbecues. (pepper, mushroom and halloumi skewers yisssss)

. Scouring second hand bookshops.

. Reading and studying for my MA.

ON FINDING CREATIVITY IN DIFFICULT TIMES

Like most people looking to live a creative life in one form or another, I go through the occasional slump, periods of feeling completely uninspired and unmotivated. Normally these blow over in a week or so, but recently I've been up against a creative block lasting several months and I can't help feel that it's related to the current state of the world. 

  

When recent affairs seem to leapfrog from one horrible instance to the next with no respite, it can be difficult to feel as though creating things matters. How can I write poetry about my experiences when there are people suffering who need their stories told? What's the point of working on my novel draft, or sketching funny little doodles when it seems like intellectualism and joy are on their way out? 

 These are issues I've been struggling with lately and while there are no answers, I'm starting to understand that actually, in this horrible, strange period in history, it might be more important than ever for us to create, and I'm slowly beginning to write again.  

  I think creating, whether it be stories, painting or homemade felt finger puppets happens for two reasons: Either to spread a message, or to bring joy, and sometimes both. Maybe you want to create in order to tell your story to the world, or to bring a new idea into consciousness, or maybe you just want to make someone smile.

CRUELTY FREE BEAUTY FAVES #1

I have been taking steps this year to completely switch up my beauty and makeup collection in favour of cruelty free products, and for me that means buying from brands that do not themselves test on animals, and are not owned by a parent company who tests on animals. It seems like it would be simple but navigating an industry where big heartless companies swallow up little companies with good intentions in the blink of an eye, or where animal testing can be worked in through all sorts of loopholes is tricky and often disheartening. But over the year I've found a few excellent products by excellent brands that are all fairly affordable and readily available, at least here in the UK, and I thought I'd share a few staples with you. 

BOOK REVIEW | THE TIDAL ZONE - SARAH MOSS

Sarah Moss is the darling of many a Book blogger and BookTuber, but I had never found myself interested enough to pick up any of her work. The Tidal Zone however ticks a lot of my boxes, telling the story of a stay-at-home Dad, and his eldest daughter Miriam who suddenly collapses in the school playground when her heart stops beating.

I love stories about families, especially families who defy the norm. Adam is a homemaker, he makes cakes and puts on laundry and does a little academic work on the side, while his wife Emma is a high flying doctor and brings in the majority of their income. Miriam and Rose, fifteen and nine respectively, are interesting and intelligent without being unbelievable and, although the story is ultimately about parents being scared of losing their child, the conversations the family has and the stories they tell each other push the narrative to explore a much wider scope of human life.