• Macramé Jewellery {book review}
    What I'm reading

    Macramé Jewellery {book review}

    February 2, 2023 - By 

    I love to share the books I’ve been reading. I’ve read some great fiction which I’ve been sharing but today I have a gorgeous craft book to share. I recently mentioned I had tried macramé for the first time. What is macramé? Macramé is a form of textile produced using knotting techniques. It’s been around for a long time and uses string or macramé cord. It’s done by hand which makes it a great, mindful craft. Macramé Jewellery {book review} I really enjoyed trying macramé recently. It’s fun to try something new and I liked the idea that you can…

  • The Vintage Shop of Second Chances
    What I'm reading

    The Vintage Shop of Second Chances by Libby Page

    January 23, 2023 - By 

    The start of the year is usually pretty quiet for me which means I can make a great start on my Reading Challenge! For the last few years I’ve taken part in the Goodreads Reading Challenge and this year have set myself a slightly lower target which I’m hoping is realistic. Today I’m delighted to share my review of The Vintage Shop of Second Chances by Libby Page. The Vintage Shop of Second Chances by Libby Page Among the cobbled streets of the Somerset town of Frome, Lou is embarking on the start of something new. After the death of her beloved mother,…

  • Mrs Van Gogh by Caroline Cauchi
    What I'm reading

    Mrs Van Gogh by Caroline Cauchi

    January 16, 2023 - By 

    I’m excited to share my first book review of 2023! This year I’ve signed up to the Goodreads 2023 Reading Challenge and set myself a target of reading 35 books. This is slightly less than last year but hopefully more achievable – as I didn’t reach my target last year. I’ve noticed the books I read with the kids are longer and we just don’t have time to read as much as we used to when they were little. Mrs Van Gogh by Caroline Cauchi She’s been painted out of history…until now Who tells her story? In 1890, Vincent Van…

  • NIO Cocktails X Penguin 'Sip & Read' Collection Box
    What I'm reading

    NIO Cocktails X Penguin ‘Sip & Read’ Collection Box

    November 19, 2022 - By 

    The weather has suddenly turned much colder and there’s nothing I like more than spending the evening with a good book and a drink. Luxury cocktail letterbox service, NIO Cocktails, has teamed up with Penguin to create a limited edition book and cocktails combo; the Penguin ‘Sip & Read’ Collection Box. I was delighted to be sent a sample to try for myself. NIO Cocktails X Penguin ‘Sip & Read’ Collection Box The box arrived and was so much fun to open – the gorgeous polka dot box fitted perfectly through the letterbox. Inside were a choice of three NIO…

  • An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms
    What I'm reading

    An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms {book review}

    October 17, 2022 - By 

    I love to share books with my children, my daughter loves a picture book, especially non-fiction ones. We were recently gifted a copy of An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms by Emily Hawkins and Lauren Baldo, which is perfect for children aged 7-9 years. An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms Most of the places in the book have never been found – but within the pages, you will succeed where even the most daring adventurers have failed. In this copper-foiled, richly illustrated atlas of forgotten places, discover lost kingdoms, phantom islands and legendary continents that were once sought by explorers, and now…

  • The Mega Complicated Crushes of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby
    What I'm reading

    The Mega Complicated Crushes of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby

    September 7, 2022 - By 

    My daughter came home from her first day in Year 6 with a new badge, that of Librarian! She is a real book-worm and I’m always finding her asleep next to her latest book. She reads a lot which I couldn’t be happier about and we love to read together. We were recently gifted a copy of The Mega Complicated Crushes of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby. I love Katie Kirby’s cartoons but I had no idea she had written books for children. The Mega Complicated Crushes of Lottie Brooks The Mega Complicated Crushes of Lottie Brooks is the third…

  • {book review} A Loom of One's Own
    What I'm reading

    {book review} A Loom of One’s Own

    September 3, 2022 - By 

    I love browsing craft books for inspiration and was recently gifted a copy of A Loom of One’s Own: Crafts for Book Lovers by Virginia Wool. This book is the perfect gift for fans of classic novels, crafting and puns. A Loom of One’s Own “Take old, damaged or under-loved books and give them a new reason to be – a new purpose.” – Virginia Wool A Loom of One’s Own is a crafting celebration of literary classics. Packed full of designs, these crafts are all uniquely created by cutting, painting and slicing those old, under-loved books you have lying…

  • The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies
    What I'm reading

    The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies

    August 19, 2022 - By 

    We’re currently away for a week and I was delighted to receive a copy of The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies to review. This was the second novel in the trilogy about one family. You can read my review of the first book, Daughters of War, in this post. The Hidden Palace can be read on its own, but it makes frequent references to what preceded it, and I would recommend reading it first. The Hidden Palace follows on straight away from Daughters of War. The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies A rebellious daughter 1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of…

  • Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It
    What I'm reading

    Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It

    August 11, 2022 - By 

    I’ve been reading a lot of fiction recently, working my way though the trilogy of books about Miss Buncle by DE Stevenson. Set in the 1930s and 1940s they were light hearted and fun, just what I needed. But I was delighted to get my hands on Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It by Janina Ramirez. The author is an art historian and TV presenter and hugely entertaining and interesting to watch. I knew I would love to read her latest non-fiction book, Femina. Femina: A New History of the Middle…