A round up of Blogtober22.

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Happy Halloween / Round up of the month.

Here we are at the end of October and at the end of another Blogtober! I have posted a post following the prompts every day throughout the month. With some posts I might have stretched the meaning of the prompt a little but they were all pretty fitting. Like on day 11, What are you scared of I shared a review of the game Zombie Kittens. Zombies are something to be scared of. hehehe

October is probably my favourite month of blogging as I am so organised. With knowing the prompts I can get the blog posts written up for the whole month pretty early, well most of them and then it gives me chance to have a little break from writing blog posts apart from my regular one's like my Meal Plan Monday, my Word of the Week blog post and Project 365. I should take that time to write blog posts for November and December but the break has been lovely!

It was nice to see a lot of familiar blogs joining in with Blogtober and it was also nice to find some new blogs to read. The Nutmeg Millennial and the HarassedMom to name a couple. I read about so many books from Amanda at Your Book Friend. I am not a big reader but blogs like her's really do get me interested in them again.

It was funny reading the first few days of the Blogtober posts where a few people said they weren't going to bother with it but then saw my post about it and felt they wanted to join in. I think it's the only time I have been a real influencer. hehehe Jo and Leisa who jointly blog at Joleisa joined in and I have loved reading their posts. I enjoy reading their posts anyway but getting one for most of the month has been a real treat.

It was so good to reconnect with Vicky from Miss Tilly and Me. I've read her blog off and on for years and she is such a lovely person and the fantastic Shell who for the prompt My Favourite Bloggers chose me which shocked me so much and made me smile from ear to ear! I feel like I have got to know quite a few other bloggers too.

I think my favourite posts that I have shared over the last month has been The Autumn Tag: This or That. I have been blogging 10 years next month so it is nice to find a tag that I haven't done on my blog and sharing our struggles with my families Mental Health.

I am sad to see October and Blogtober end. It has been a great month. November is tomorrow and that's when I can get excited about my blogs 10th anniversary, my birthday and Christmas!

How was October for you?

Scary films that I have seen! #Blogtober22

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Favourite Halloween/ scary films!

I am not a fan of horror films now. I used to be but since I have got older and watched a couple of really scary films I went right off them.

If you go onto Google and ask what the scariest film of all time was it usually says The Exorcist. I watched it years ago, probably when I was a teenager and I didn't get why. I didn't think it was that scary. The same with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, they made such a big deal about it being shown on TV because it had been banned for so long before. It wasn't nice but it wasn't scary to me.

The first film I remember being scared by was the original IT film. My brother and I thought we were so clever, we rented the two videos from the local corner shop. I was about 14 years old and my brother was about 12. It was still in 2 parts back then, I am not sure if the remake is the same. My mum did ask what we were watching and we just said a film about a clown. hahaha 

Final Destination still makes me think twice before doing something careless, I'm afraid of roller coasters because of it and I will never go on a tanning bed and being in a car behind trucks carrying logs or anything similar is just asking for trouble. The Blair Witch Project was such a big thing when I was younger. The fact that nothing really happened messed with my head.

Horror films never used to scare me that much until one Sunday evening in 2002! Again I am blaming my brother for encouraging me to watch a scary film. He had bought me a DVD player for my birthday and a few DVD's that he thought I would like. I loved Coyote Ugly but the same couldn't be said for The Ring! The Ring was a 2002 remake of a Japanese horror film. After her niece's horrifying death, Rachel, a young journalist, investigates a mysterious videotape that kills its viewers within a week's time. That girl Samara with the hair who comes out of the TV makes me shudder just thinking about her now. I used to have one of those TV's in a cabinet and for months I couldn't sleep with the cabinet open in case Samara came out of it. It wasn't just me though, my brothers partner bought and watched The Ring as well and she was terrified too.

That was the film which put me off horror films so I am really choosy about what I watch now. If I do choose to watch anything that is slightly scary now I need to watch all of the trailers and read exactly what happens. Most of what I read about I don't watch but over the last few years I have watched and enjoyed scary films including: A Quiet Place, Split, Birdbox and I can happily watch episode and episode of The Walking Dead although Negan really did used to scare me when he was swing happy with Lucille. I'd rather see blood and gore than not see the things that are there to scare us like on movies like Paranormal Activity. I saw about 10 minutes of that when Becky was watching it and it really spooked me. I think it's the ghosty, spooky one's which get my mind working overdrive. I do not like them!

Do you like horror films?

Five fantastic Halloween Crafts.

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Autumn / Halloween crafts!

We love to decorate a little at Halloween. You can buy a whole host of decorations, there seems to be more and more on sale every year in the shops but it is also good to make some yourself to use year after year. 

Years ago we used to review a lot of craft kits from Baker Ross and we still have a lot of those Halloween decorations that we bring out each year. The kids cringe at their creations but they do make me smile remembering years gone by.

Here are some of the best Halloween crafts that I have seen from other bloggers!

Halloween Decoupage Letters!

From Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs there are the Halloween Decoupage Letters! I think these are so simple to make and are easy peasy for a craft novice like me. I could just imagine these on the shelf in the living room. They're so pretty.

Toilet Paper Roll Frankenstein!

Make your own model Frankenstein monster with this super simple cardboard toilet paper roll craft that is so much fun for kids to make at Halloween from In the Playroom. What a cutie this is and it's made from a simple toilet paper roll that we all have going spare! I know I can always go in our bathroom and find at least one.

Easy Halloween Rock Painting Ideas!

There is something about painted rocks which make me smile and they are so simple to make. The Inspiration Edit has a great guide on how to get started on painting rocks for Halloween. 

Halloween Felt Bunting!

The Homemade Halloween felt bunting from Jennifer's Little World is just adorable. I am a sucker for bunting and Halloween bunting is just the best. It looks a great way to use up scraps of felt and spare craft supplies that you have stashed away.

Creepy Halloween Jars - Upcycled Decorations!

Making decorations from things that you have around your home is a good way to reuse and upcycle. These Creepy Halloween Jars from A Rose Tinted World use jars that could have just gone into the recycling. They are so pretty and really set the Halloween mood.

Have you been doing any Halloween crafts lately?

Some alternative Halloween costumes for adults. #Blogtober22

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Halloween costumes!

Halloween costumes are fun but I think at nearly 43 years old I am a little too old for the spooky, scary Halloween costumes. I want to think I am anyway. I feel too grown up to wear the typical Halloween costumes which can sometimes can seem a little tacky for us adults. I was out to find something a little different and I came across a whole host of things on Amazon!

The Halloween dresses that I found on Amazon were just fantastic. Way better than the typical witchy one's or Morticia Addams one's that you think of when it comes to Halloween. There were a couple that I would be tempted to wear all year around.

Wellwits Women's Spider Web Collar Bat Embroidery Halloween Vintage Dress.

Fashion Star Womens Halloween Dress.

Toamen Women Pumpkin Skull SkaterProm Swing Dress.

Women's Pumpkin Witch Pattern Printed Dress. 

Women's Gold Foil Floral Skull Print T-shirt Dress.

Women's Halloween Dress Long Sleeve Pumpkin Printed Cocktail Swing Dress.

If you don't fancy going full on Halloween you could always just wear a Halloween themed t-shirt with some jeans or pants. As Becky has got older she has just gone for a Halloween themed t-shirt as she thought that she was too old for a kids costume. Here are some, that I also found on Amazon! 

Pumpkin Short Sleeve Bat Print Graphic Tee.

It's Hocus Pocus Time Witches Girls Ladies Women T-Shirt.

Halloween Themed Maternity Tops.

Womens Hand Painted Funny Halloween Skeleton Print Shirt. 

Disney Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Reverse Seam Women's T-Shirt.

Disney Mickey Mouse Halloween Silhouette T-Shirt.

What are you wearing for Halloween this year?

My favourite Halloween things from Lush! #Blogtober22

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Autumn Winter skincare!

I love a soak in the bath especially at this time of year when it's cold out. There's nothing better than a warm up in the tub. getting out and putting my fleecy pj's on. A bubble bath is nice but you can always make it nicer.

I am a big fan of Lush products especially at this time of year with all of the seasonal stuff, the Halloween and Christmas things. I only ever buy products from Lush when I visit Hull and that is maybe a few times a year. I know they're expensive but they are such a nice treat.

Punkin Pumpkin - Bath Bomb - £5.00

Set your Halloween spirit free with vibrant orange water and pumpkin powder to leave your skin feeling soft and supple.

How to use:

Run a bath, hop in and release your fiend!

Cyclops - Bubble Bar - £5.00

Watch out for zingy citrus foam atop vibrant pink water that will keep you alert and bright.

How to use:

Crumble under running water. Halloween bubble baths have got their eye on you!

Blood Orange - Shower Gel - From £7.00

Packed with orange ingredients, this Halloween shower gel will bring the whole family back to life.

How to use:

Step into the shower and pour out the rich, intensely fruity gel and lather all over. Rinse it off! Easy peasy orange squeezy! 

I Want My Mummy - Bath Bomb - £3.50

Halloween got you tied in knots? Feel yourself unwind in the softening, milky, caramel scented water

How to use:

Run a bath and drop in to wrap yourself up in a cupuaçu buttery bath.

Do you like Lush products?

How to make an extra bit of money from home. #Blogtober22

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Favourite side hustles!

At the moment we are all thinking an extra few pounds or pennies could make a difference. There are plenty of ways to make money from comfort of your own home without having to go to too much effort.

How to make an extra bit of money from home.

Start a blog!

I don't earn money from my blog because I choose not to but many other bloggers do. It can start from an armchair to be a real business. I have read about many bloggers leaving their full time jobs because they earn more from blogging through sponsored posts and advertising.

Start an online Craft Shop!

You can turn a crafty hobby into a business by setting up an Etsy shop which focuses on handmade and vintage items. It does cost a little to list an item and you are charged fee's but it allows you instant access to millions of buyers in the UK and worldwide looking for handmade treasures. I am really starting to love Etsy and the lovely Anne from Rasie Bay has a store on there, AtHomeALot who sells her crochet creations!

Sewing/Alteration services!

If you’re nifty with a needle this could be a solid income for you. I am in a local Facebook group and there is always people asking is there anyone who can alter curtains, trousers and goodness knows what else. 

Sell unwanted items!

It’s a pretty obvious one but sell anything you don’t need any more! Car boot sales, eBay or your local Facebook Marketplace pages. If you haven’t used it in the last year then consider parting with it.

Online surveys! 

A popular way for people to make money online is to fill out online surveys in your spare time. My favourite survey site by far is Prolific. In just under a couple of years I have earned just over £1000. The rewards for the studies vary. If it's a minute long you may only be paid 40 pence but with the longer one's the reward increases. Katy Kicker has quite a few blog posts about which survey sites are worth your time.

Rent a room!

If you have a spare room or converted garage you could rent out your space on trusted sites such as Airbnb. The more central you are to a city, town or place of interest, the more chance you have of increasing your rate.

An Ironing service!

Most people hate ironing and would happily part with some cash to have it taken care for them. Invest in a quality iron and ironing board then advertise locally and ask your friends and family to spread the word.

Do you have any ways to make money that I haven't thought of?

This week my Word of the Week is: Catch-Up! #WotW

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Autumn/Winter roundup!

This week my Word of the Week is:

We are well past the halfway point in October and with doing all of these Blogtober blog posts I haven't written much about my girls so this is a bit of a catch up with them.

Ellie, my 15 year old started year 11 at school, her final year before she goes to college and seems to have been really busy. We had a parents evening a few weeks ago and there's wasn't much for the teachers to say that we don't already know. Ellie is a quiet member of her class, she needs to speak up more, she works hard but needs to revise for her GCSE's. We have been working on the revision, she is doing at least 30 minutes every night and most nights more. Ellie is in the middle of her mock exams at the moment and is enjoying them. She is one of those people who likes doing exams, she said she is trying her best and that is all I can ask! When we get the results for them we can really focus on what subjects need more revision for her real GCSE's. I got a text off her English teacher on Monday saying Ellie had used her extra time, she's been given it because of her hearing loss and did a lot more writing. They write in blue or black pen in the main exam and then green pen for the extra time.

Ellie has also had visits to the local college and one on one talks with people from the college and those chats have been really helpful for her. She has a fair idea of what course that she wants to do when she leaves school next year, it's of course still engineering but she's narrowed it down a little. She also went to a careers fair at school but that was mainly just to get the free pens, food and practice interview techniques.

As well as doing well at school and stepping up there she has really stepped up at home too. Not having to nag her about every little thing is making a happy home life. I am of course still having to nag her to do her homework for school though, She didn't hand in 2 pieces of homework in one day and ended up with 2 detentions over two evenings. She deserved them and I have said if she gets any more detentions for not doing homework she will be serving time without the internet.

Ellie has made the most of being out with her friends after school and on a weekend while the not so dark nights lasted. She has spent her time collecting conkers, going for bike rides or just hanging out at the skatepark. It won't be long until she can't really play out which seems a shame.

Becky my 20 year has settled into full time work fantastically well. She is only doing an extra shift one week and two the next compared to what she was working part time. She is on full time nights now and those shifts work well for her. She has worked out that she has more time for herself than if she was working full time days.

A few weeks ago the care home where she works was over staffed, so much so people were struggling to get shifts and now with people leaving and residents needing extra care they are understaffed again. Part of the night staff's job is to do some of the cleaning and there was one night a few weeks ago when none of it got done as they were all busy with residents. Hopefully they sort the staff situation soon.

Despite working Becky has also finally made time to sort her bedroom out. She bought a new desk and office chair which took almost a month to put together because of the shifts she was working and on her days off she thought it was more important to go out with friends which we had words over. Ugh. Anyway it's done now and it looks fantastic, it has also given me some ideas for things to get her for Christmas. 

On Tuesday Becky finally started her driving lessons. Her first was 2 hours long and she said she got on OK but there's a lot to learn. She's booked in for another next week. She was just happy that she didn't crash the car on her first time out, the instructor said she did well and once she gets the hang of the gears she should be well away! 

Today is the start of half term for us. It means nothing to Becky, working life still goes on for her it's Ellie and me who can have some sneaky lie in's. hehehe We don't have much planned for the break from school apart from a shopping trip for Christmas presents and a trip to the cinema.

I hope you have all had a good week?

Pumpkin Spiced Muffins - Recipe!

October is all about the simple pumpkin, it's the pumpkins time to shine. There are so many things to do with pumpkins as well as carving them. Today I have a great recipe to share with you, Pumpkin Spiced Muffins! In just 4 simple steps you can whip up some tasty muffins made with sweet pumpkin puree and mixed spice which are perfect for Halloween parties or after school snacks for the kids. They're tasty and are pretty healthy too.

This recipe makes 12 muffins and takes only 10 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients needed:

215g of Pumpkin puree. This comes in a tin/can and is available to buy in supermarkets, especially at this time of year.

2 eggs.

125ml of sunflower or vegetable oil.

75ml of water.

300g of caster sugar.

225g of self raising flour.

1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

3 teaspoons of mixed spice.

Pumpkin seeds.

Equipment needed.

A large mixing bowl.

A whisk or spoon.

A lined muffin tin.

Measuring spoons.

How to make.

1. Preheat your oven to 160°c (fan).

2. In the large mixing bowl whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, oil and water then add in the sugar, flour, bicarbonate of soda and mixed spice and whisk until a smooth batter is formed. This is really a recipe with not much washing up to do.

3. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cases, top with a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds and bake for around 25 to 30 minutes until they are risen, golden and springy to the touch.

4. Allow to cool before serving.

This recipe is from the Easy Peasy Baking campaign launched by UK Flour Millers, making baking simple. You can find more Easy Peasy Baking recipes and information on the campaign over on the Fab Flour website.

(Ad - Gifted) The So Wrong It's Right game from Asmodee! - Review!

We are at that time of year when the games come out on an evening or a rainy day. Now that my girls are older the games that we play have changed. A lot are card type games instead of the traditional board games. Quick to set up and a lot of fun. We are always on the look out to add to our collection so when we had the chance to try a new game I jumped a the chance. 

We were sent the card game So Wrong It's Right to have a look at. Another classic game created by TV and radio personality Matt Edmondson. It's an easy quiz game but each question has five possible answers. With 500 questions and 2000 possible answers, with this game you will never play the same one twice. Perfect for large or small groups.

How it works is that each question has 5 possible answers, with action cards dictating how players must answer the question. ‘Got it’ means you answer correctly, ‘Flip it’ means you flip the words around in your answer, ‘Switch it’ means you switch the first letters of your answer, ‘Ditch it’ means you lose the first letter of your answer, and ‘Not it’ means you give a wrong answer. Giving the correct type of answer earns you action cards and at the end of the game, the player with the most action cards is the winner!

The manufacturer recommended age is 12 years plus and that is just because the questions are general knowledge. You could play in teams with a younger child if you want to play this game.

It was such an easy game to play. Set up in a minute and we skimmed through the instructions of how to play and all in all we were away playing within 5 minutes of opening the box.

The longer we played the funnier it became and the louder we all got trying to the be the first to answer. The questions are not really hard, my girls got nearly all of them with no hints but flipping, switching and ditching elements really add to the fun. It really makes you think. I just couldn't get the hand of ditching the first letters of an answer but my girls were brilliant at that. Ellie did make me laugh out loud when she couldn't think of wrong answers for quite a few questions. lol

This would be a great game to play either at a family games night or a larger get together. It is fantastic for older children and teenagers and really is a lot of fun to play.

You can buy So Wrong It's Right from all good toy and hobby retailers as well as Amazon for around £15.00.

We were sent the So Wrong It's Right game from Asmodee free of charge in exchange for this blog post.

Top tips to save money on Halloween decorations.

Halloween is fun because it brings out the kid in us and it is easy to overspend but you really don't have to. A few simple tricks can help you save money this Halloween. With the cost of living crisis we're all trying to save a bit of money at the moment and I have came up with a few ideas on how to save a bit of money when it comes to decorating for Halloween.

Stick to a theme.

To cut down on impulse buys plan how you want to decorate and stick to a theme. A theme will help you to avoid wasting money by overbuying things that don't go with your design plans.

Check what you have at home first.

I have a box of Halloween decorations to rummage through which I have collected over the years and some things need binning but a lot I can reuse. Make sure you keep an open mind and look through every room in your house to find things that fit your Halloween theme. A black cat soft toy to could go with a witchy theme or a black table cloth or sheet would be perfect for your Halloween table.

Go to the Pound/Discount shops.

You don’t have to spend much at all loading up on decorations when you shop at discount stores. Now it's not all just cheap plastic tat. I have seen some really nice things in Poundland which will last for years.

Buy Pumpkins at the supermarket.

Going and picking your own pumpkins at a farm is a great experience but the pumpkins cost a lot more than at a supermarket. They're exactly the same. It is good to support local businesses but sometimes it is better to save some pennies and pounds.

Use shop loyalty rewards.

Check if you have Clubcard or Nectar points saved up to spend. I have been saving my nectar points which I get with Sainsbury's so we can treat ourselves to a few goodies at Halloween.

Repurpose household products.

One of the best ways to save money on Halloween decorations is to make them yourself. Think milk cartons and cardboard boxes. With a little paint, you can transform things that you were going to throw out into tombstones, witches, pumpkins, and zombies.

Print your own.

An easy way to make your own Halloween decorations is with printable templates. There are tons online all for free. Ghosts, bats, black cats and more. You can print them out and stick them around your house. You can even go as far as creating your own Halloween cards, labels and treat boxes!

Use bin bags!

My parents wouldn't buy my brother and I costumes for Halloween so we made our own from black bin bags. You can use them to make everything from giant spiders, spider webs and creepy curtains.

Use clearance sales.

If you want to buy something that is over your budget wait until the after Halloween for the clearance sales to stock up for next year.

Do you have any ideas on how to save money on Halloween decorations?

(Ad - Gifted) Blue Raspberry Vodka from JJ Whitley - Review!

I like to experiment with different drinks at this time of year whether they're hot drinks or alcoholic one's. Recently I was sent the prettiest bottle of Vodka that I've ever seen to try out.

With a rich tradition of crafting premium quality spirits J.J Whitley draws upon eight generations of distilling expertise. Beginning with the classic artisanal vodka and dry gin they’ve created a rainbow of innovative infusions designed for your drinking pleasure. There seems to be a flavour for every taste.

I was lucky enough to be sent a bottle of JJ Whitley's Blue Raspberry Vodka to try out. The vodka it's self is just as dramatic as it's stunning metallic bottle. 

The raspberry vodka is full of fruity notes and is super easy to mix, tasting great in a variety of serves: in a cocktail, as a long drink or by itself, the options are endless. An immediate fruity raspberry note on the nose with ripe, rich berries on the palate and a smooth and sweet raspberry flavour lingers on the finish.

Distilled in a unique production process and the use of the only the highest quality  winter wheat, creates a full bodied vodka with a silky smoothness, fused with the best raspberries from Speyside, Scotland.

 

You taste raspberry from the first sip and the sweetness of it but it isn't too sweet that it's sickly. It is so good. I half imagined it just being flavoured vodka without the colour but it is actually blue which made me smile thinking of all of the cocktails that I could make with it.

I did have a taste of it neat and it nearly blew my socks off. It was so strong, not what I am used to drinking. I much prefer my drinks with a mixer so I added ice and lemonade. So simple but so good. It tastes a lot like those blue ice pops and slushies from my childhood but with a less chemically taste or the blue alcopops you can now buy but stronger.

You do have to be careful with it as it doesn't feel like your drinking 38% vol vodka with a mixer, it tastes a lot like a soft drink. Eek! When I have finished the vodka inside I will be keeping the bottle as it's so pretty. I think it will make a brilliant candle holder.

With Halloween coming up this could be perfect to include in cocktails for an adult party and thinking further ahead a bottle would make a fantastic Christmas gift for someone.

You can buy the JJ Whitley vodka's including the Blue Raspberry one from most supermarkets and places which sell alcohol. I think I have even seen it in our independent corner shop. Prices vary but most places I have seen it on sale for about £15.00 which I think is a fantastic price for a 70 cl sized bottle.

I was sent a bottle of the Blue Raspberry Vodka from JJ Whitley free of charge in exchange for this blog post.

The Autumn Tag: This or That! #Blogtober22

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: Journal prompts!

I must admit I had no idea what to write for this but thought journal prompts are just like questions and then my mind went to blog tags. I have done so many Autumn tags over the years so when I found something new I was very excited.

An Autumn Tag is a great way to share all of your Autumn loving feelings with your friends. Answer the questions below to find out exactly what makes you tick this season!

1. The smell of pumpkin guts OR rotting leaves?

Neither. Pumpkin guts really make me heave. If I had to pick one I would say rotting leaves. They have never made me feel physically sick.

2. Sweet OR salty pumpkin seeds?

I haven't tried either but I think I would like a mix of both. I imagine them like popcorn where the sweet works with the salty. 

3. Store bought OR pumpkin patch pumpkins?

I would normally say store bought but this year I have been growing my own pumpkins.

4. Wool OR knit sweaters?

I thought they were both the same thing. I like oversized, chucky woolly jumpers. They are so cosy.

5. Halloween party OR explore haunted places?

A Halloween party. I am a scaredy-cat. I used to watch the TV show Most Haunted where they explored haunted places from behind my hands.

6. Apple pie or pumpkin pie?

Apple pie, defiantly! I don't mind pumpkin pie but apple is my favourite.

 

7. Still, silent nights OR rainy, windblown nights?

I like the rainy, windy nights where I can close the curtains and snuggle under a blanket knowing that I am inside where it's nice. I even like listening to the rain when I am going to sleep.

8. Witches OR ghosts?

Witches. Ghosts scare me but I know there are good witches.

9. Raking leaves or climbing trees?

I think I am a bit old for climbing trees, I like the calmer life and raking leaves is for me.

10. Ouija boards OR ghost stories around a campfire?

Ouija boards are bad news. Although I don't like ghost stories I would pick that. At least I wouldn't end up summoning an evil spirit and there is a chance of toasted marshmallows around a campfire.

11. October OR November?

Ohh! This is a tough choice! I love October because of Blogtober and Halloween but in November it is my birthday and I do love that. I would have to say November purely because I want cake and presents. hehehe

12. Black cats OR owls?

Black cats! They really are beautiful.

13. Fireplace OR candle light?

A fireplace with the crackling. I do love that. I actually have a candle with a crackling wick and it sounds like I am sat near a roaring fire.

14. Monster movies OR their classic novels?

Monster movies. I am not a big reader and reading scary books makes me even more scared than watching the movie.

15. Carve OR paint pumpkins?

Carve! I have never painted one. They do look pretty though.

What are some of your answers to these this or that questions?

How to practice self care at this time of year! #Blogtober22

I am taking part in Blogtober 2022 and will be writing posts with various themes/prompts throughout October. Today's prompt is: How I practice self care!

Autumn is the season of change. The kids are back at school, the weather is getting colder, the darker nights are coming and it just feels busier! Self care is important as it is beneficial for our physical, emotional and mental well being but I always feel I need a little bit more self care at this time of year.

Here are some ideas of how to look after yourself in the colder months.

Light a scented candle.

Bring a little warmth, light and cosiness to your home now that the days are getting shorter. I love the winter scented one's like cinnamon or gingerbread.

Get outside.

Go for a stroll outside and splash around in the puddles and swish through the leaves. As you pass the trees, take note of their changing colours! Walking has many health advantages, is cheap and simple, and is especially pretty at this time of year making it a great activity.

Decorate your home.

Be inspired by your outdoor stroll when choosing colours for the Autumn! Without breaking the bank or creating more clutter bring in some seasonal changes in your house. Replace a couple of cushion covers, add a candle or pumpkin or a blanket or two.

Keep drinking plenty of water.

Just because it's not hot outside doesn't mean you should skip out on staying hydrated and drinking enough water. Water is fantastic for your skin, hair, and pretty much the entire body. We will be putting the heating on soon if you haven't already and that will dry you and your skin out.

Do some baking.

Baking has been proven to be a therapeutic activity guaranteed to give you that pick me up feeling instantly. I love the smell of freshly baked bread, cakes and cookies and it's sure to cheer me up. I like to bake on a Tuesday so we have something yummy to eat while watching The Great British Bake off.

Enjoy a warm drink.

Since the weather is cooling off, you can enjoy warm drink without breaking a sweat. Try that drink you have been wanting to try from a coffee shop or try making a new one at home.

Have a pyjama day.

If you don't have to why bother getting dressed in proper clothes, stay in your pj's. Find a book to read, play board games or watch your favourite movie. Treat yourself to some yummy food and drink as you curl up with a blanket.

Plan for Christmas now. 

Why wait until November or December when things start to become stressful, get ahead with the planning now even if it's just by organising the decorations or making lists of what gifts you are going to buy people.

Treat yourself to some seasonal flowers.

Flowers aren't just a summer thing. Treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of seasonal Autumn flowers, you don’t need a reason, just do it. Flowers can instantly lift your mood, they’re pretty to look at, smell great and they can brighten up your home. 

Cook up some comfort food.

Take advantage of the cold nights with some delicious comfort foods. Stews, casseroles, soups and I have found anything with mashed potato goes down well here.

How do you look after yourself at this time of year?