DO YOUR BOOKS SPARK JOY?

Mari Kondo has been causing quite a stir among the book community. As I mentioned in my recent Instagram post this isn't because she explicitly said anything bad, but because the internet loves demonising, drama, and self-righteousness. If you've missed this, essentially the KonMari philosophy is all about really thinking about what you want and need in your life, and making a conscious decision to only buy and keep objects that are explicitly necessary, or spark a certain joyful feeling in you.

CRUELTY FREE BEAUTY FAVOURITES #5

For any newcomers to the blog (hi by the way!) I started switching up my makeup collection to all cruelty-free products back in 2017, and I can honestly say I don't regret a thing. I have moments where I wish I could buy a new MAC lipstick, or one of Nars' iconic blushes, but there are so many great cruelty-free bands and products that it's never really a problem.

Today I'm sharing some recent discoveries that I love, and hope to inspire anybody looking to add more cruelty-free goodness to their collection. 

SMALL BUSINESS + SUSTAINABLE GIFT GUIDE // HOMEWARE BOOKS + ART

Following on from the Sustainable Gift Guide that I published last year, I thought I'd curate another little collection of beautiful, sustainable gifts from smaller businesses. I'm hoping I can inspire others to make conscious choices when buying gifts for loved ones over Christmas. 

 Anyone who loves jewellery knows how great is is to have somewhere special to store it. These dishes from PeonyLondon are a gorgeous option and would go well with any decor. Kate Charlton's bracelet stacking stands are perfect for making a dressing table instantly instagram-worthy.

A YEAR OF LONG DISTANCE + HOW WE MADE IT WORK

Alex and I have been together for well over a year and a half, and we have never lived within walking distance. When we first met we were a twenty minute train ride away, then I moved to stay with my parents for a few months, pushing that distance to an hour and a half, and then I left for York, moving five hours up the country to do a postgraduate degree.

I realise this sounds like I'm slowly edging further away hoping he'll get the hint, but I was accepted to study at York just before we met, so it was always a factor in our relationship, and it was a real moment of commitment when we decided that, after about five months, we were willing to stay together while I moved across the country for a year. I have since completed my degree and moved south again, and we are now separated by a measly seventy minute drive. Being so far away, both constricted by busy schedules and deadlines, hasn't been easy on us, but we've gotten through this last year with relatively little trouble, and never came close to breaking up. With that in mind I think we're both fairly well equipped to give a little advice, so Alex has helped me put together this little post, what a champ <3

FIVE PLANS FOR AUTUMN - WINTER

Well, the sunglasses have finally gone back in their case, we're digging out the thicker duvets and cosy blankets, and the colder weather is here at last! I think on the blogosphere (especially the more insidey, bookish corner) we fetishise Autumn something awful. We get excited about crisp walks and hot chocolate and jumpers and forget about the constant rain and dark mornings and the various bouts of flu we'll all have to deal with.

That said I still love Autumn, and this year especially, the colder weather signals a big change in my life. I've come back down from York to be with my family, friends and boyfriend again, and I'm done with my dissertation and looking at where to go next. I've neglected a lot of things during my masters and I'm looking forward to rediscovering myself and what I love. 

MID YEAR RESOLUTIONS

I really don't know how we're halfway through the year. I know that's SUCH a cliche but honestly I still haven't recycled some of my Easter treat boxes, though that might just be me being a slob...  

But I thought I'd take some time to reflect on how my 2018 goals are panning out, and consider what I want to think about and focus on over the next six months. My good friend Holly gave me the idea so shout out to her, and her adorable new blog which you can read and enjoy here.