Goodreads Reading Challenge Progress

Goodreads Reading Challenge Progress

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Do you know what sucks? Chronic illness sucks, it is the thief of joy, the barrier to progression, and the jester that mocks you when you make plans. I have lists and lists of things I want to do from the small- organise my bathroom cupboards- to the large- Tokyo Disney- and chronic illness always has a way of coming between me and my goals. The thing my chronic illness stops me from doing most though is THIS! Blogging seems so simple to those who don't do it but it takes so much energy from those of us who have little. 

So, I've sat down in front of this laptop a number of times over the last few months with the intention of writing something, anything, and then haven't. Sitting at my desk hurts my back, sitting on the couch hurts my legs, brain fog steals the words on their journey from my brain to my clicky little fingers-and inevitably I give up and just go back to reading or watching TV. But today I am easing myself back in with something easy-it's just a list it shouldn't be too taxing, right? Let's hope not!

I am way behind (see above about chronic illness being the thief of joy) on my reading challenge this year BUT I am exactly halfway through which is an achievement in itself so let's have a look at the 25 books I've read so far in 2021:

1. Influence by Sara Shepard (3*)
2. Secrets of the Starcrossed-Once and Future Queen book 1 by Clara O'Connor (4*)
3. The Curse of the Celts- Once and Future Queen book 2 by Clara O'Connor (4*)
4. Legend of the Lakes- Once and Future Queen book 3 by Clara O'Connor (4*)
5. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (5*)
6. Little Scratch by Rebecca Watson (4*)
7. The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed (4*)
8. The End of Men by Christina Sweeney Baird (4*)
9. A Vow so Bold and Deadly-Cursebreakers book 3 by Brigid Kemmerer (4*)
10. Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone (4*)
11. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (4*)
12. When I Was Ten by Fiona Cummins (5*)
13. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by Voldemort (no rating-reread)
14. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Voldemort (no rating-reread)
15. Good Girls Die First by Kathryn Foxfield (4*)
16. The Guest List by Lucy Foley (4*)
17. Perimenopause Power by Maisie Hill (3*)
18. The Mother Fault by Kate Mildenhall (2*)
19. All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue (5*)
20. House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland (5*)
21. The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James (4*)
22. Dog Rose Dirt by Jen Williams (5*)
23. Found- House of Night Other World book 4 by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast (3*)
24. As Good as Dead- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder book 3 by Holly Jackson (4*)
25. Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer (5*)

There is was a 26th book but I did not finish it because the world is depressing enough without having my escapism be riddled with baby loss, spousal abuse, rape, and xenophobia, among other things.

My Favourite Book of the Year (so far)

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Spooky, mind-bending, terrifying magical realism. Beautifully written, torn from the mind of someone a little twisted (this is the highest compliment), and just thoroughly engaging. 5 stars would 100% recommend. 

My Least Favourite Book of the Year (so far)

The Mother Fault by Kate Mildenhall

I'm just going to share here what I wrote in my review on NetGalley.

I just don't get this book. At first, I was like "Yes! Dystopian world- so close to reality-sign me right up" but then nothing really happens!

The Department are shady but also so secondary to the story you can be forgiven for forgetting all about them for a large chunk of the story. Characters who are apparently so pivotal are left by the wayside with no follow-up. The big reveal happens over a page and a half and then we go back to nothing.  There is no conclusion to the story which makes it feel like the whole book is just a prequel, but there is nothing to suggest that it's the first in a series.

The writing is lovely, flashbacks are a nice touch, the honest examples of motherhood are welcome but that's it there is no cohesion between these good things and the actual story as a whole-it's just meh! 

I put The Mother Fault down at 96% and it took me another 3 days to pick it up again to finish. 

Now enough waffling on from me it's back to my books! I'm currently reading The Search Party by Simon Lelic (which if you look at the list above is surprising for the sole reason that it is written by a man!! I know I shock even myself sometimes). 

Hope you're all having a wonderful day, and if you are reading I hope it's a good one! 

Much Love

AJ 

Date Night Jewellery- A Glimpse at my Personal Collection

Date Night Jewellery- A Glimpse at my Personal Collection

Sunday, March 05, 2017

We all have our favourite pieces of jewellery right? Be it the necklace we've had forever, or the ring that belonged to your great-granny, or even just that cool bracelet you picked up in that quirky wee store that one time. 

The problem with favourites is that I find myself saving them for special occasions-like weddings or important dates- which means they don't get the love the deserve. So this year, inspired by a lovely gift from The Lifestyle Blogger UK I have decided to dig out some of my favourite pieces for, a not quite as special as a wedding but still pretty special, date night. 

Damian very kindly surprised me with front row seat tickets to see Curtis Stigers on the 17th and I've honesty never been more excited for date night! So in honour of two of my favourite men I put together my perfect date night jewellery collection:

This beautiful bracelet* from The Lifestyle Blogger looks great in my collection. I was going to feature this in a Valentine's post (but I got ill so that didn't happen) because I think the little hearts just scream LOVE and ROMANCE. The fact this beauty is in Rose Gold makes it my new favourite bracelet. Sidebar I was a little worried that this bracelet would irritate my skin because I have no idea what materials are in it, but so far so good-no irritation or discolouration at all so that's a win.

This cross necklace has been one of my favourites for over a decade and it still looks as good today as the day I got it. It is the perfect size for me and for date night. I don't like wearing large crosses on special occasions because I also wear my memorial necklace for our little boy and I don't like to detract attention from that, and anything too small just disappears into cleavage crevice, never to be seen again. This bad boy sits perfectly and catches the light, If date night jewellery should do anything, it should sparkle!

Don't these two go so well together?? I only got this watch for Christmas but it's already one of my favourite pieces. Olivia Burton is a watch genius, her designs are all so pretty, and no matter the size they somehow maintain a delicateness which I love-also Rose Gold and light purple may be my favourite colour combo ever! And this ring, oh my God I adore this ring. The sad thing is I think I stole this off my big sister years and years ago, and all through writing this post I am praying she doesn't ask for it back *haha*. I love the design of the ring because it's kind of high-class art deco, and yet kind of natural mother of the earth bohemian all at the same time-and I mean that basically describes me so...yeah favourite ring (excluding my wedding ring of course-but I can't even get that bugger off my finger so I don't have to dig that out lol). 

So now I've figured out my jewellery for the night I just have to decide what to wear..thank God the gig isn't for another 12days!! 

Do you guys have a favourite piece in your collection? I'd love to hear about it in the comments OR even see it if you want to Tweet me :-). 

Disclaimer: this post contains PR samples which are clearly marked with an asterix *. The origin of a product for review does in no way affect my opinion. 

Boux-tiful Underwear for Boux-tiful People

Boux-tiful Underwear for Boux-tiful People

Friday, January 20, 2017

Ladies I'm about to say something distressing but I want you to bear with me: 

MEN WERE RIGHT ALL ALONG!! 

I never thought I would write that sentence but in this case it's true! Men nailed the big "what underwear to wear?" question years ago! Men didn't faff about shoving cheese wire between their cheeks, or yanking it up so everyone knew they were walking around with a permanent wedgie. They didn't demand Brazilian cuts, tangas, high-rise, french, lo-cut, or "girl" shorts- they just went "boxers, yeah, grand, that'll do cheers!" and ladies they were right. All you need is boxers, but more specifically you need Boux Boxers from the folks at Boux Avenue. 

These pants are genuinely the comfiest, cutest, sassiest, everyday pants I've ever owned, so I, um...got them all!! Just look at the cuteness: 

Just look at them! I think my favourites are the "Never Let Someone Dull your Sparkle" ones. There are only a few styles left on the website because their Spring collection launches really soon (can you say super bloody excited?!?!). 

Oh and did I mention that Boux Boxers are generally 3 for £12 in store and online?? The three in the last photo above are still available so grab em before they're gone. 

I know this reads like I've been paid to say nice things but I genuinely just love this underwear. I live with a few conditions that mean that comfort is a very big deal to me, for example some fabrics can make my skin feel like it's actually on fire to the point that I have taken chunks out of myself trying to beat an itch. My central nervous system also doesn't understand pain properly so what might be a normal feeling where your underwear meets your skin, to me could feel like a constriction (even though they fit perfectly) so it's really important to me that my underwear is comfortable, doesn't pinch, and sits right so as not to aggravate my skin. Boux Boxers tick all of these boxes, in fact they are the only underwear I've worn in the last year that meets all these requirements, so yeah I love them!! 

Do you have a favourite underwear brand? Are you as in love with that damn cute penguin as I am (£2 in the sale btw)? Or are you sitting there wondering why I think you care about my pants?? Either way sound off in the comments as usual, or get me on Twitter :-). 

  

                                                                 

A Few of My Favourite Things...Albums

A Few of My Favourite Things...Albums

Thursday, August 18, 2016

You might have noticed a wee trend going around Twitter at the moment which seems to have taken on a life of it's own. I'm of course talking about the #7Fav...hashtag that has been trending in a variety of forms over that last week or so. So far we've had TV shows, movies, and albums but I can see this going on for a while. I will admit I have been inspired by it somewhat in that I think it is a brilliant idea for a few blog posts so I hope you don't mind if I share a few of my favourites for a bit. I think you can really tell a lot about a person by what they consider their favourites, what it is that stands out in their mind, what they deem special above all else. I'd actually be intrigued to know what people think of me based of my choices so please feel free to let me know in the comments of any of these posts.

First up I shared my #7favAlbums on Twitter a couple of days ago so I thought I'd start with that and give you a little more than I could in 140 characters.

I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie

I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

"To read is to learn, to learn is to know"-AJ Wathern or THE BOOKS THAT MADE AJ FEEL THINGS 

The Classics

Raindrops on Roses

Raindrops on Roses

Monday, February 29, 2016

Please tell me you are singing My Favourite Things now?? If you aren't you are probably going to think I've lost it with regards to a few blog titles you'll be seeing in the future, if you are then we are probably going to be friends forever (just to warn you, I am hard to get rid of). Anyway... Raindrops on Roses is a regular occurrence where I live, even when it's sunny it'll probably rain for about 10 minutes, just to remind you that you are in fact still in Aberdeen. Alas we are used to the rain so much so that I have my "Rainy Day Routine" down to perfection which if you haven't already guessed is what this post is all about!! So grab your favourite hot drink, and a cosy blanket and snuggle in to read what I get up to when it's cold and wet outside. Obviously, the first thing you need is something cosy to wrap up in, whether that's a blanket, a slanket (please don't) or a robe whatever makes you feel all warm and snuggly, grab it and throw it on the couch. I used to have a window seat for such times but now my stupidly large 9 seater sofa takes up the prime real estate so :-( sadface. 

Anyway, next you wanna throw on your favourite cosy pajamas, sorry guys but this is no time for silky camisoles and shorts, this is grade A jersey pj time. My faves are a legging and top combo made of the softest material and featuring a freaking unicorn!! (Thanks MUM). 

Okay so we're dressed, the couch is dressed (kinda) now you have to grab yourself a large mug of something hot and steamy. I dream of massive mugs of hot chocolate topped with foam and mini marshmallows BUT I don't actually like hot drinks lol. I will drink a hot vimto if I'm ill and need some heat but most of the time it'll be a large glass of wine warming my bones :-). 

So where are we: 

1. Cosy blanket-check
2. Cosy pajamas-check
3. Hot drink (or wine)-check

Right now here is where It gets a little more personal, everyone relaxes in different ways, these are my favourites...

Grab your pile of notebooks and put them within arms reach of your couch cocoon. Now, all my notebooks have a different use. from finance, and budgeting, to personal or blogging, hence the pile. I like to go through them all every now and again and what better time than on a rainy day. 

Next to my notebooks I like to have a little stack of magazines or books-right now I'm re-reading my absolute favourite Wuthering Heights, which I recently bought in a new soft leather binding *lush*, and something to eat like chocolate (who doesn't love a good bar of chocolate every now and again) or a big bowl of sweet and salty popcorn. 

Wow it takes a lot to get ready to relax, but don't worry we're almost there all that's left to do is light a scented candle, pump up your favourite Spotify playlist, smother your face in some thick moisturiser and finally jump into your little cocoon of happiness, 

Shh whisper the last part because I'm supposed to be an adult but I also like to add in hugs from my favourite stuffed toy-his name is Jonjo and he is beautiful.

Hope you've enjoyed my Rainy Day Routine, I would love to hear about how you spend your indoor days. As always leave me a comment or come speak to me on Twitter (I'm there come rain or shine).