I gave us all a little break last week and have subsequently decided that it’s better for everyone concerned if I only join in with Little Loves once a fortnight from now. I get a chance to actually do something worth sharing and you get more interesting content to read. Win/win!

Since my last post, I’ve been on a retreat day which was absolute bliss, acquired a tan then lost it (we are in Britain after all) and I’ve picked Twitter back up again. Are you on Twitter? I had forgotten how much I love it for ‘bants’ (as my teenagers would say). I’ve re-engaged with the blogging community as well as discovering some new people to follow.

Anyway, back to my week (or fortnight), this is what I’ve been loving…

Read

Wait for it folks, I read a whole book since we last caught up! I had a revolutionary idea last week, to venture into the library – a place I haven’t been to for about 2 years. My son was moaning about not having any books to read (he loves reading in bed) and I couldn’t understand why I had given up on taking him to the library so early in his life. I think it comes with being the third child but I digress…

I only picked up two books so as not to put myself under too much pressure, but have finished one already!

Behind Closed Doors is another B A Paris masterpiece – a gripping and compulsive read fright from the first page. It’s not dissimilar to The Breakdown which I read earlier this year in that the storyline centres around a young couple. I won’t give any more away in case I spoil it for you but it’s a thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Watched

I’ve got a few things to share with you this week. A friend recommended a series on Netflix, Designated Survivor, and it hasn’t disappointed. Following an explosive attack on the Pentagon, numerous deaths leaves an unlikely person in charge of the country. That ‘designated survivor is brilliantly portrayed by Kiefer Sutherland. Have you seen it?

I’ve been missing having a good drama series to get into but it seems they are like buses – none for ages then they all come at once! I’ve got stuck into Fearless and The Loch this week. Two great dramas worth looking up on ITV if you haven’t already – so much tension in both of them!

I really love both of these actresses – Laura Fraser and Siobhan Finneran – who are both amazing in The Loch.

Heard

I have no idea why it has taken me this long to discover Shauna Niequist’s podcasts because out of all the ‘people I’ve never met but feel like my best friend’ list, she’s my favourite. Actually we have met at a conference a couple of years ago but ya know, I’m not sure she noticed me lol.

I’ve talked about Shauna’s book Present Over Perfect before (ad infinitum) so I knew that I would love her Podcast. Shauna is someone who writes like she talks and talks how she writes – the perfect match! On the episode I listened to, Shauna chats with Dr Henry Cloud about marriage and relationships. It’s full of wisdom and amazing advice. I would highly recommend looking it up.

This is Shauna’s first podcast series. She’s interviewed some great people and I’m looking forward to catching up with all the others in series 1 that I missed.

Another thing we’ve ‘heard’ this week is that our garden plans are going to take a lot longer than planned because the pre-ordered building won’t be here until August. Such a shame because it means our garden will be largely out of action for the entire summer. Definitely a First World problem though so can’t complain too much.

Wore

The husband and I finally got out for our first ‘date night’ in about 6 months last weekend. We had a lovely evening starting with a cocktail and then on to a lovely meal at our local Cote Brasserie. I christened a top that I bought online from Miss Selfridge, a shop I haven’t frequented since I was about 17! As soon as I spotted it on the Next website (isn’t it cool that Next stock so many other lines now?) this gingham number screamed ‘I’m too old but what the heck?‘.

Big bows on the shoulder ✓ Bell sleeves ✓ Could be mistaken for a table cloth ✓.

Apologies for the rather poor quality image. Sadly no one has responded to my advert for a professional photographer who would like to follow me around 24/7.

Made

I know this is cheating a little bit but if you remember the incredibly delicious white chocolate and berry cheesecake that I went out on about during my last Little Loves post, I’ve actually written up the recipe which you can find here. It’s without a doubt, the best cheesecake I’ve ever made and I’ll be making another one next week for the big family bash that we’re hosting at the weekend.

Nothing like inviting 25 people round to your house when your garden is being dug up. Whose bright idea was that? *cough*.

And lastly…

I’m off to a women’s conference at our church this weekend. I’ve been pretty much every year for 10 years and it ticks all the boxes for me: lots of girlie chats, time to focus on God and space to just breath. I can’t wait. What are you up to this weekend?