Another Friday, another week is drawing to a close. In fact two weeks have passed since I last shared my Little Loves. It’s certainly been a fortnight of two halves – basking in glorious heat by the side of a pool one day, trudging through mud and christening my new winter coat the next. I’ve certainly got lots to share! To follow are this week’s #LittleLoves…
Read
I’ve read more this past fortnight than I have all year, probably something to do with being on holiday.
Out of the three books I read, I would probably say that The Girl on the Train was my favourite, so much so that I devoured it in 36 hours!
Due to all the hype, I was half expecting it to disappoint but it really didn’t. Fascinating characters, a plot full of twists and turns and a satisfactory ending. What more could you ask for? Off to watch the film tonight and as I always prefer to read the book first, I now feel totally prepared.
Watched
As I’ve been away, I’ve not yet caught up on some of my favourite series – The Missing, The Fall and Ordinary Lies, to name but a few. I’m longing for a free evening to binge-watch.
What I did catch the other night, was the documentary ‘Married at First Sight’ over on Channel 4. In case you’re wondering, it is exactly as the title would suggest. 6000 love-seekers applied and 8 people were matched to their perfect (according to science) spouse. They then had to agree to not meet, contact one another or speak on the telephone, before The Big Day. Imagine never clapping eyes on your spouse until you came face to face at the church altar!
I was cringing on every level whilst watching (especially when they met the in-laws) but if you’re a nosey creature like me, this is well worth a watch.
Heard
I simply cannot let this week go by without sharing my highlight – watching/hearing Bastille at the O2 on Wednesday evening. They. Were. Amazing!
I adore Dan Smith’s voice and they sang all of my favourites (Flaws and Good Grief being right up there) and Pompeii was incredible as the finale.
We stayed until the bitter end (almost missing our last train home) but it was well worth the late night. They seemed genuinely humbled to be performing at the O2 and probably the best band I’ve ever heard sing live. We were treated to tickets by some lovely friends of ours and only able to go because another precious family agreed to provide our kids with tea and drop them home afterwards. Friendship at its best.
Wore
Probably the most striking thing I’ve been sporting all week is a sun tan. Doesn’t everything look better against sun-kissed skin? It’s years since I’ve had a sun tan so I’m making the most of every day that it lasts. I was sorry to finally lay my fit flops to rest for another year but you all know how much I adore winter boots (enough to trawl the high street stores for you and share my favourites) so they’ve been an acceptable substitute.
Made
It’s always strange coming home from a holiday isn’t it? Sun-drenched days and cocktail-soaked evenings seem a dim and distant memory as reality hits you square between the eyes. This week I’ve found the transition particularly hard. We are preparing for a birthday at the weekend, making and attending an inordinate amount of medical appointments (if you read my other blog you’ll know why) and Christmas is looming its head already.
If I’m honest, I’ve felt a little overwhelmed by it all. But if I’ve learnt anything about myself over the years it’s this: I need to take life one bite at a time, rather than trying to stuff the whole cake in (interesting analogy but you know what I mean!).
So this is what I’ve made this week – a decision. I’m going to reduce my hours at work, just until after Christmas when hopefully life will be a bit calmer.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone. May your lie-ins be long and your chores be short 🙂
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21 COMMENTS
Anna-Marie
8 years agoSo jealous you saw Bastille!!! I love them! The Girl On The Train was an amazing read, loved it! Sounds like you had a lovely holiday! Have a wonderful weekend xxx
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORThank you Anna-Marie. If you ever get to see Bastille I would HIGHLY recommend. They were so good live. Have a great week yourself 🙂
Nellie
8 years agoGood. Glad you’re taking time for you. Since getting the flu I’ve been saying no a lot more and as a result have more time and space in my head, I’m not running around after myself and I’m certainly not doing things because. Walk and coffee soon?
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORThe flu? Poor you! I actually feel dizzy with all the appointments etc going on. And I just don’t have time to see people and that’s what makes me tick. I quickly get depleted if not. Yes to a walk and coffee, it’s been far too long. When are you free?
Verily Victoria Vocalises
8 years agoI read the Girl on the Train earlier in the year – fantastic book! A bit worried about seeing the film though as it is set in America. Look forward to hearing what you thought of it x
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORNo doubt I shall report back next week! Really enjoyed the book though 🙂
Sarah MumofThree World
8 years agoGood for you for reducing your hours at work! Something has to give and it’s better that it’s work than your own health and sanity!
Was very jealous to see you’d been to watch Bastille. The Girl on the Train is rather brilliant, isn’t it? I’ve obviously got holidays all wrong – I read much less on holiday than I do at home!
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORI think it definitely depends on the type of holiday. When I’m skiing, I’m good for nothing in the evenings! Reading is all part of relaxing for me so a summer holiday in the sun is the perfect opportunity.
Tracey Williams
8 years agoI saw your clips on social media at the Bastille concert and they sounded amazing (I have to confess though that I don’t know a single song, but I am going to check them out on Spotify). Loved following your holiday Suzanne, and glad you managed to read lots. I loved reading the Girl on the Train and also watched the film a few weeks ago. Sounds as if you have made a good decision in reducing your hours in work in the run up to Christmas #littleloves
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORThe book was infinitely better than the film, wasn’t it? You simply must check out Bastille Tracey, I love them!
Jenny
8 years agoWow it really does sound like you have been busy and globe trotting too. Concert sounds awesome and so does your holiday. Agreed, nothing better than a little sun kissed tan to sport in winter. I love it. We got to go to Spain for three days so I soaked it up as much as possible. It’s been horrible and freezing since we returned. Great book isn’t it? I think I did the same and read it in two days. I am linking last week’s #littleloves as I forgot to add it to the linky while I was away and this week we have all been super sick. Not nice to share. 🙂 Happy Weekend ahead.
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORSorry you’ve all been so ill Jenny. Those darned planes are a horrible source of germs 🙁 Glad you had a good time away though and yes to the tan! Still desperately trying to hang on to mine. x
Mum Reinvented,
8 years agoGlad I’ve found your new blog. I’ve been on a bit of a blogging break myself thanks to way too much work and didn’t realise you’d started a new one. That pool looks gorgeous! Nothing like a tan and a bit of sunshine that’s for sure. I surprised myself by liking The Girl on the Train, totally not my ‘thing’ usually, but I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth the hype. Enjoy the film!
Kerri-Ann
8 years agoAww I love your new blog. I also love a sunbathing knees shot too, I’ve not had sunk issued skin since this year too and it felt so nice. I’ve never heard of Bastille or at least I don’t think I have! I hope all the appointments go ok and Thanks for joining in this week’s #littleloves x
Stacie
8 years agoGreat that you’re taking time for yourself, it’s so important. Looks like you had a lovely holiday too! Enjoy your weekend xx
Kimberley | Oh Just My Little Blog
8 years agoOh lovely! Enjoy your tan. I’m feeling ever so pale now the summer glow has faded. I was also worried that I wouldn’t enjoy girl on the train after the hype but loved it. So jealous about Bastille, my mum and sister are seeing them in Manchester on Sunday but it’s too far for me to go on a school night, booo. Hope you have a lovely weekend x #littleloves
Plutonium Sox
8 years agoOh I hope reducing your hours helps you to feel better, I bet you need the break. I’m definitely going to check out Girl on a Train, I may actually get some time to read this week, I can’t wait!
Nat.x
Emily and Indiana
8 years agoSo SO jealous of your holiday, it sounds as if you had the loveliest time! Enjoy your tan, I neeeever get one haha. Have a lovely weekend xx
Morgana
8 years agoSo pleased that you enjoyed Girl on a train and that it lived up to the hype. It looks like you had such a lovely holiday, and I’m very jealous of the tan! 😉
Loving your cake analogy at the end, I’m trying to do the same. Using my bullet journal is helping break things down so I don’t feel overwhelmed. xx
Natalie
8 years agoI love Bastille and am very jealous! I haven’t been to a concert in a long while. Well done on reducing your hours and taking some time for yourself – we had a little health scare this year in our family and it is not until something like that happens that your realise the everything else pales in significance – take care and look after your lovely family x
Steph
8 years agoOh, I’m with you! I rarely have time to read – but put me on a sun lounger around a pool or on a beach and I will read from sunrise to sunset. I’m incredibly jealous of your sunshine-filled hols. Hope you had a wonderful time xx #LittleLoves