This week my word of the week is: Plans!! #WotW

This week my word of the week is:

Here we are in October already! I am really looking forward to this month. October always feels like such a busy but fun time of year. We’ve got so many plans lined up already with days out, visiting people and of course half term for Ellie from college and then there’s the little matter of someone getting a tattoo, it's not me before you ask!

Last Friday I had zero plans for the weekend and for this week but I have been quite busy. Friday evening rolled around and Ellie and I suddenly decided we needed a day out on Saturday. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you don’t overthink. We hopped on the bus, had a wander around the shops and just went with the flow. We had a McDonald’s for lunch which reminds me I won on the Monopoly game and I still have a ticket for an apple pie and a McFluffy, we mooched around B&M and TK Maxx and then treated ourselves to a stop at M&S Foodhall. Their snacks and treats are just amazing, so fancy. I also picked up one of their Christmas food catalogues which I of course went through as soon as I got home. There are some stunning things in there but I had to laugh when I saw a Handcrafted Turkey & Stuffing Pie for £50. It looks incredible but it only serves six! For that price I’d want it to feed more than that and still have leftovers. lol

Saturday evening was supposed to be chilled but life had other plans. My food delivery turned up and the milk had leaked everywhere. It's not the first time it's happened, the seals are definitely not sealing. Normally I’d be grumbling while wiping everything down but this time the driver told me not to worry because he was going to refund every item that the milk had touched. That meant all of my chilled food which added up to about £40. I wasn’t complaining!! He mentioned that the drivers are refunding more to try and prove a point to the supermarket that something needs to change and I say good on them but I'm sure they said this a while ago and nothing has changed.

Now Ellie’s tattoo plans. She’s been talking about getting one for years, it's not something she's just came up with since she has turned 18. I know tattoos divide opinions and if I’m totally honest it’s not something I’d be rushing to do myself but I can either stick my head in the sand and hope she forgets about it (which she won’t) or I can be involved, making sure she’s going somewhere reputable and knowing that she’s safe. So off we went yesterday to chat with the tattooist and get her booked in. She is absolutely over the moon about it. I’m still not sure how I’ll feel when she’s sat in that chair but at least I know she’s thought it through and isn’t just picking something random that she’ll regret when she’s 40, she has been thinking about it lots!

Tuesday was meant to be a quiet one but Becky had other plans and suggested lunch out and I wasn’t going to say no to that! It turned into one of those catch ups where you not only eat but also end up making even more plans. There’s now talk of us doing a bottomless brunch, visiting a new place just to mooch around the charity shops and even catching up with a friend. As much as the girls are busy with their own lives I really love that I still get included in their plans sometimes. It feels so special.

Ellie broke the news to me that she won’t be seeing the New Year in with us. Cue the tiny violins. hehehe She’ll be going out with her friends which is fair enough as it’s all part of growing up. Stu and I thought we’d make the best of it and plan a night away but then we realised the flaw in our plan. There are no buses on New Year’s Day so if we went away we’d have to stay two nights which would clash with Ellie’s own arrangements so it’s back to the drawing board. Thankfully, Becky has stepped in like a hero and offered to spend New Year’s Eve with us instead. Bless her, she saved us from ringing in 2026 looking a bit like abandoned puppies. lol

How has your week been? I hope you've had a good one. I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay to join in her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 40. #FridayFavourites

This time last week I was convinced that it wasn’t the first of October until about now and somehow here we are already on the 3rd! How did that happen? I swear the closer we creep towards the end of the year, the quicker time speeds up. It feels like I blinked and September vanished and dare I say it Christmas will be here before we know it. Anyway before I get carried away thinking about twinkly lights and selection boxes I’m here today sharing the little things I’ve loved from the past week and of course I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share them.

College dress code!

The big talk in our house this week has been my daughter’s college cracking down on dress code. They’ve suddenly decided to get a lot stricter with all sorts of new rules. Students are now being warned for things like bare legs under skirts, wearing vest tops or just generally being too casual. My daughter being my daughter saw this as a challenge. I didn’t even know what she was planning until she came home and told me about it. Her grand act of rebellion was dressing too over to the top but sticking to the rules. Platform boots, spider-patterned tights, a shiny belt, a black skort, a gothic top and a black hoodie. She looked like a cross between Wednesday Addams and some sort of rocker. She thought she’d get told off along with her friends but instead the teachers loved it and there were compliments all round! She was so annoyed that her big stick it to the man moment backfired. I couldn't help but chuckle.

Big Brother UK!

It's back and of course I am watching. I think it's the 22nd season and I have seen every one! It’s not quite the same as it was in the classic days, nothing ever beats the drama of the early seasons but I can’t not tune in. I don’t have a favourite housemate yet but there are a couple of people who are already winding me up but I want them to stay because they're bringing the drama and entertainment.

This candle!

I spotted this in TK Maxx and it was reduced in price so I couldn't leave it on the shelf. It is so, so cute. It will be ornamental, I couldn't bare to burn the little animals.

Windows 11!

I did it. After months of ignoring the little pop up nagging me to update, I finally upgraded to Windows 11. My laptop kept warning me that the Windows 10 support was ending soon and I panicked, I hate change but I also hate the idea of being left behind. It took about an hour and a half which felt like an eternity but it went smoothly. I’ve spent the past few days fiddling with the settings to get everything back the way I like it. It’s different but it's OK!

Catching up on TV!

I had a little catch up marathon this week. I pressed pause on my Gilmore Girls rewatch and instead binged the soaps I’ve been neglecting. A month away from them is like missing an entire year of drama with affairs, break ups, shocking returns and deaths. I also finally got around to some documentaries I’d recorded. Everything from crime to one's about animals.

A day out with my girls.

This week was extra lovely because I got to spend time with both my daughters separately. On Saturday my youngest and I hit the retail park for a wander and mooch around. The shops were absolutely heaving with Halloween and autumn decor and I almost needed to be dragged out of TK Maxx. Normally I’m not a huge Halloween person but everything was so cute this year, all those little pumpkins and ghost mugs were calling my name. The fact I walked out with just a candle is nothing short of a miracle. Then on Tuesday my eldest took me out for lunch. Three courses! I had trifle for dessert, she had cheesecake and we both left stuffed but very happy.

Heart Musicals!

This was a discovery that made my whole week! I was chatting to someone about musicals and they mentioned the Heart Musicals radio station, I had no clue it existed. I had to try it out and it’s all I’ve listened to. Non-stop musical hits! Wicked, Les Mis, The Greatest Showman, Frozen, Chicago, Hamilton. I’ve been walking around my house, singing like I’m on stage at the West End.

The slow cooker!

I love a meal cooked in the slow cooker and decided to use mine during the week to cook the Creamy pork, apple and mustard casserole. The instructions said cook in the oven but why stick to the rules. I would say it came out better than if I had cooked it in the cooker, the pork was so tender and the whole house smelled amazing all day!

What have you loved over the past week?

My go to Autumn/Winter boots!

You know how some people have a signature lipstick or a favourite handbag that just goes with everything? Well for me it’s these boots! My absolute go to, can’t live without, wear them to death boots and the funny thing is I didn’t realise when I first bought them that they’d become such a staple in my wardrobe!

I picked them up almost three years ago from Yours Clothing. They’re the Black Faux Leather Wedge Buckle Boots in Extra Wide Fit. At the time I just thought that they look comfy and practical I’ll give them a go. Fast forward to now and they’ve basically walked me through autumn, winters and some of the summer. Last minute dashes to the shop and even the odd night out and the best part is that they’re still going strong!

These boots are wide fit, extra wide fit actually which makes such a difference. I’ve had boots in the past where I’ve basically had to wrestle with the zip just to get them on and then spend the rest of the day regretting all my life choices because my feet are crying. These slip on easily thanks to the side zip and they feel comfy enough to wear all day. I’ve done full on days out shopping, on my feet all day and no aches whatsoever!

They’ve got a small wedge heel which I wouldn't normally go for. I am not a heels of any sort person but the wedge works well for me. I get a little bit of height, they look a bit dressier than flats but they’re sturdy enough that I’m not wobbling around like I'm Bambi on ice! They're just a little bit stylish too. They’ve got buckle strap detail which makes them look like I've tried without really trying. I love that I can chuck them on with leggings and a big cosy jumper or with jeans and a nice top and they just work. They’re not flashy or over the top but they make me feel put together which is exactly what I want on those chilly, dark mornings when I’m dragging myself out of the door.

My autumn and winter outfit formula has basically become: these boots, black leggings or tights, short skirt or dress and a scarf if I’m feeling fancy. They are also perfect with skinny jeans and a big coat. 

I think what really makes me love these boots is how well they’ve lasted. Three years of pretty regular wear and they still look fab. The faux leather hasn’t peeled, the zips still work and they’re still comfy. For boots that cost way less than some of the big name brands, I’d say that’s a win. I’m usually the type of person who ends up buying a new pair of boots every year because they fall apart so the fact these ones have kept up with my busy life is impressive. They’ve walked through rain, mud, leaves, and even that one time I foolishly tried to navigate a frosty pavement and yet here they are still in my shoe rack and still my number one choice when autumn rolls around!

If you’re like me and struggle with finding boots that are comfy, stylish, and don’t pinch your feet after 10 minutes, I’d 100% recommend these. They’re especially good if you need wide or extra wide fit shoes finding boots that actually fit properly. They’re practical without being boring and they’re the kind of boots you’ll actually wear, not just shove in the back of the wardrobe and forget about. Trust me, if I’ve managed to get three years out of mine and I’m not exactly gentle with them then they’re worth it. Every year when autumn comes around, I look forward to dusting these boots off and making them part of my daily outfits again. They’ve become part of my autumn comfort zone, like hot chocolate and cosy blankets.

Do you have a favourite pair of boots?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #29

I hope you are all having a good week? It's Wednesday which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. What's your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now?

Pumpkin spice just feels and smells like Autumn!! I’m that person who gets far too excited when the shops start rolling out the pumpkin spice candles. I have been burning them lots over the last couple of weeks. It’s like autumn in a jar, warm and cosy!

2. October is Country Music Month...are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse?

Kind of! I’ll happily listen to it and I do enjoy it but I wouldn’t say I’m a massive country music lover but at the moment I’m really into Post Malone and Jelly Roll. I know they're not exactly the most obvious country choices but they’re brilliant. The funny thing is when you first look at them they’ve got that don’t mess with me look but then you hear them speak or sing and they’re honestly the sweetest guys with amazing voices. It’s that contrast that makes me love them even more!

I have never visited Nashville but I would love to. It just feels like such a vibrant city. The live music and of course all that Southern comfort food make it sound like such a fun and welcoming place to experience.

In terms of lifestyle I think I’m definitely more of a country mouse. I love cosy comforts of home and quiet days but I do have a little city mouse streak in me too. I enjoy the buzz of a busy place now and again with good food, music or a lively atmosphere. I'd say I am country mouse who occasionally sneaks off for a city adventure!

3. How about 'country cooking'? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)?

chicken and dumplings - fried chicken - shrimp and grits -biscuits and gravy - mac and cheese - fried green tomatoes - cornbread - collard or turnip greens - deviled eggs - 'barbecue' - gumbo - banana pudding

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you haven't tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered?

I think of country cooking as the food that we eat at this time of the year and throughout the winter. It’s full of flavour, generous with the portions and basically the ultimate comfort food! 

I would say yes to all the foods listed. I love dumplings but I like them with mince and gravy. I love fried chicken and anything barbecued but I haven't tried the other things. I really want to give Cornbread a go, biscuits and gravy and grits. Those are the things I see on TV and get annoyed that they are not a thing here in England.

4. What's something that always has a positive impact on your mood?

Food!! There’s something about a tasty meal or even a cheeky snack that can completely turn a day around. Big flavours, comfort food or something a little indulgent is an instant mood booster! Try being grumpy with a plate of your favourite food in front of you!

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you.

Noun: Notebook - I have been jotting down ideas, plans and random thoughts all month.

Verb: Pottering - September was a good month for pottering, tidying and just getting little things done at my own pace.

Adjective: Full - September felt like a proper full month! A mix of work, fun and little everyday joys.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I hate change, I have said it many times and just before I wrote this blog post I had a big change with my laptop. I upgraded to Windows 11. It has been asking me to do it for quite a while but then I got a notice saying the updates for Windows 10 will stop this month so I thought I better get it done. It's the same but different. I have managed to fix everything and move things so they're almost to how I like them but it is going to take me some time to get used to. Ugh! I hate change!