Learning to drive!

When I started writing this blog way back in 2011 I intended to document my children's milestones - but I never imagined that I would still be writing it when those milestones became adult ones like learning to drive! 

My son started driving lessons a few weeks ago, and he has already passed his theory test with flying colours. I began learning to drive shortly after the theory test was introduced and I don't remember it being that difficult, but having recently done a few practice ones I can say that now it's not easy at all! In particular I found the newer hazard perception test videos very difficult. I realised that when I'm driving I'm constantly aware of hazards - to the extent that I perceive almost everything to be a potential hazard - so I was clicking away on the videos like mad every time I spotted something that might develop into one!

One important decision to make was whether he should apply for a manual or an automatic licence. While I think that the future of cars is definitely automatic, especially if you intend to drive electric cars, I do think that there is still a need to have a manual licence for the time being. For example he may find himself needing to drive a manual hire car or a work vehicle. Luckily we have an older manual car which he can practice in, and once he has the manual licence he will always have it, even if he never needs to bother with a clutch again!

He's a natural!

We were very lucky to discover that one of his former secondary school teachers is also a driving instructor, and it is really helping him to have a teacher that knows him and that he's comfortable with. He has been progressing really well each week, moving up through the gears, going into reverse, and moving on to some busier streets.

Booking the test is a bit of a worry, because of the well-publicised backlog. It's not such a problem to wait six months for the first test, because it will take most learners longer than that to be test ready. The issue is if you fail it, and then have to wait another six months before you can retake it. I failed my first test but I only had a few weeks to wait for my second, by which time I was much more prepared and passed easily. It really piles on the pressure to pass first time.

However that's not a worry for the time being as we are still early days. It will be a while yet until I even feel brave enough to take him out for a practice in our car!

Some books that I've enjoyed recently

I feel like I've been reading a lot over the last few weeks! And I've really been enjoying what I'm reading too - I started the year with an almost empty to be read pile and so I've been filling it up with books that I've either received as gifts, borrowed, or bought myself.

Something that I'm a bit obsessed with recently is books about Mount Everest, so I spent some time researching interesting sounding books that I wanted to read. Many of them are a bit niche or out of print, so I've been buying them from World of Books, which I always find is a great value place to buy secondhand books. 

So here are some of the books that I've really enjoyed reading recently:

No Shortcuts to the Top - Ed Viesturs. This book isn't just about Everest, it's about Ed Viestur's successful attempt to climb the 14 Peaks - all 14 mountains that are higher than 8000 metres - without supplementary oxygen. I was very pleased to discover that World of Books had sent me a signed copy! I found this book a fascinating read, with plenty of information about how to prepare for this level of mountaineering, and interesting details about logistics like clothing, food and equipment. The subject matter sounds as though it would be quite dry but it really wasn't, there was a good balance between personal stories - which included his female conquests as well as the mountaineering ones, and the dismaying reality that many mountaineers die while indulging in the hobby that they love.

Dark Summit: The Extraordinary True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season - Nick Heil. An account of the 2006 climbing season on Everest, in which 11 people died while attempting to reach the summit. A particular focus of the book is not just the number of people that died (because many years do see a similar number of deaths) but the fact that two climbers in particular were ignored by many other groups of climbers while they lay near death. Although I'm never going to come anywhere near climbing Everest myself it's an interesting moral dilemma to grapple with - if you put yourself in a situation in which no-one can safely rescue you, should you expect people to risk their lives and those of others to try and help?

Everest Inc.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World - Will Cockrell. My particular interest in Everest is about the companies that take money to guide clients to the summit, and the problems that this can cause for both individuals and the mountain as a whole. This book was a great source of information about the history of climbing Mount Everest and how the industry started and continues today.

Photo credit Surya Singh via Unsplash

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I had been wanting to read this for a while after it won many literary awards a few years ago. It didn't disappoint - I found it to be a gripping and engaging read. It's a retelling of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, and it tells the difficult story of a young boy who is born to a teenage mother with a drug addition and grows up in a variety of different foster homes. It wasn't an easy read in places but I enjoyed the slow pace of the story and all the descriptive details.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Coco Mellors. After loving Blue Sisters by the same author, and Goodreads reviews telling me that this book was better, I had high expectations and luckily they were met! A story of disastrous impulsive marriage, I found it to be a very readable book, quite sad in parts, with characters and their stories that really hooked me in.

As always, you can see what I've been reading and enjoying by having a look at my Goodreads profile.

Planning for the garden

My poor garden is really suffering at the moment. We've had so much rain, and everything is waterlogged. The two lavender plants in soggy pots that I bought last year look are looking particularly sorry for themselves, I've tucked them up against a wall for some shelter and I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

The weeds have taken over too but I just can't face going out in the cold during a rain break and getting all muddy. However lots of my bulbs are coming up which I'm really pleased with as I planted all sorts of different ones! I'm hoping to have enough flowers that I can pick them and have them in the house.

I couldn't wait to start planting some seeds. I have a tray of snapdragons which I planted months ago, they grew slowly over the winter and are now picking up. I harvested the seeds from the plants which I bought last year, so if they grow well then I've saved myself a few pounds on buying new ones this year!

I received a box of flower seeds for Christmas which contains seeds for about twenty different types of plant. If they all germinate then I'm going to be overrun and I'll need to buy more seed trays! I've started with the three that said they could be planted in February - sweet peas, stock and agastache. I've grown sweet peas before but not the others, so I'm interested to see how they turn out.

As well as flowers, I'll also be planting up my vegetable patch. I had great success with my tomatoes last year so I'll definitely be doing those again, probably with a mixture of plants I've grown from seed and plants that I will buy. I will have yet another attempt at courgette and cucumber, which are usually spectacularly unsuccessful, and I'm hoping that my strawberry and raspberry plants will survive the winter.

One project that I have for this year is to create some kind of a living wall on the blank wall of our garage. I'm not really sure where to start so some research is needed - there are expensive kits available, but maybe it's worth it if I have no idea what I'm doing!

I'd also like to add some kind of trellis to the front of our house which has always looked rather plain. I want something that grows on the trellis rather than the wall so as not to damage the brickwork. Probably some kind of colourful rambling rose is the way to go, but I've never grown roses before so  it's another thing that I need to research!

I can't wait for some warmer (and drier!) weather so I can get back out into the garden properly!

How I decide what to read next

I keep all my unread books in a 'to be read' pile on my bedside table. I have a mixture of brand new books that I've purchased or received as gifts, second hand books from charity shops and online, books that I've borrowed from friends or family, and occasionally library books. I also have a slightly hidden 'to be read' collection on my Kindle - books that I've downloaded free from Amazon at various times.

Although I enjoy reading down through the pile, I don't want to actually get to the end because I enjoy having a selection of books to choose from. I read a variety of books, from light fiction to longer reads, recent releases and classics, and also plenty of non-fiction. So I want to have at least one or two books from each category to choose from!

I generally only read one book at a time, and as I approach the end I'm always eyeing up my next read. I try to mix it up, so if I've read an easy book I'll look for one with a bit more depth or I'll swap to one from a different genre.  

If I know that I've got a busy time coming up then I'll look for easy to read books, planning to pick them up and down for short bursts of reading. If I know that I've got some reading time coming up, like a long flight or a relaxing holiday, then I'll reach for a nice chunky book or a classic novel.

Photo credit John Michael Thomason via Unsplash

But how do I choose the books that I'm adding to my 'to be read' pile?

I find book recommendations in lots of places. I learn about new non-fiction books from the podcasts that I listen to, which tend to be in the wellbeing or technology niches. If I've listened to an interesting podcast I'll often have a look at the book they are plugging, read a few reviews, and see if it looks like a worthwhile read. I've found some great books this way, most recently Enshittification by Cory Doctorow and I've got my eye on The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. 

I have a friend who lends me lots of brilliant books that she's found, and I usually have one or two on loan. She is very similar to me in terms of reading taste, and I'm very grateful!

I'm always listening for people talking about books. Sometimes I'll catch a reference to an old classic book and think 'I really should read that'. The classics are usually available for free on Kindle because they are out of copyright - I've just downloaded David Copperfield after really enjoying the modern retelling Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. 

If I hear about a book that appeals but I can't justify paying full price then I'll look over on World of Books. I have a running list of books that I want to buy saved in a Notes file, and I try to buy in batches of four as they usually have a 'buy 3 get one free' promotion that covers many of their titles. World of Books is great for books that are a bit niche or out of print as the prices are very reasonable - I've been stocking up on biographical books about Everest which are expensive to buy new.

I don't really listen to any podcasts or shows about new releases, because I would find everything too tempting! But if I find out that one of my favourite authors has released a new book then I'll add it to my wish list in anticipation of a birthday or Christmas gift. I'm also often swayed by the Booker Prize shortlists, I rarely actually buy the books but I make a note of any that sound good for future reading.

Finally if I really have reached the end of my 'to be read' pile then I can always find something that I want to read in the library. Sometimes it's another book by an author that I've enjoyed, or a book that I've seen mentioned online. When I'm browsing I definitely judge a book by its cover, so at least with a library book I don't have to worry about wasting money if I've misjudged it!

I love hearing from other readers about how they choose their next book!

Is parquet flooring right for homes with children? What to consider first

This is a collaborative post

Parquet flooring brings style and character to any room, but parents often wonder if it can handle the demands of family life. Children create unique challenges for home surfaces, from spills and dropped toys to constant foot traffic and playtime activities. Therefore, it makes sense to carefully evaluate whether this type of wood flooring meets the needs of a busy household.

Parquet flooring can be an excellent choice for homes with children, provided parents consider factors such as durability, safety features, ease of maintenance, and design practicality. This article explores the key aspects that matter most for families. The focus remains on practical considerations that help parents make an informed decision about whether parquet suits their lifestyle and protects their investment for years to come.

Durability: Parquet flooring is highly durable, making it suitable for homes with active children.

Children can be tough on floors. They run, jump, and drop toys without a second thought. However, wooden parquet floors can handle this daily wear and tear quite well.

Parquet flooring consists of small wood pieces arranged in different patterns. This design makes the floor strong and stable. The wood can withstand heavy foot traffic and the occasional spill.

Solid wood parquet proves especially tough. It can last for decades with proper care. Parents appreciate that they won't need to replace the floor after a few years of use.

The finish on parquet floors adds an extra layer of protection. It helps resist scratches and scuffs from toys, bikes, and other items children drag across the surface. This means the floor maintains its appearance even in busy households.

Photo credit Alex Cooper via Unsplash

Safety: Opt for certified, eco-friendly, and non-toxic parquet to guarantee a safe surface for crawling and playing

Parents need to consider what materials touch their children's skin during playtime. Parquet flooring comes in different grades, and not all options are equal in terms of safety. Certified parquet products meet specific health and environmental standards that protect young children.

Look for flooring with certifications like FSC and CE marks. These labels indicate the product meets strict safety requirements. Additionally, check for formaldehyde-free options, as this chemical can release harmful fumes into the air.

Low-VOC or zero-VOC finishes are better choices for homes with babies and toddlers. Children spend considerable time on the floor, so they breathe air closer to the surface. Non-toxic finishes reduce exposure to potentially harmful substances.

Many manufacturers now produce parquet made from sustainable materials with water-based, ecological treatments. These products provide a safer environment for crawling babies and active children. The right choice protects both family health and the planet.

Maintenance: Parquet flooring is easy to clean and maintain, ideal for spills and messes common with children

Parents need floors that can handle daily messes without constant worry. Parquet flooring offers a practical solution for busy households.

Regular care requires only simple steps. A quick sweep or vacuum removes dirt and crumbs that children track through the house. For wet spills, a slightly damp mop works well to clean the surface without damage.

The key is to address spills promptly. Juice boxes, milk, and other liquids should be wiped up straight away to prevent any potential staining. This takes just seconds and keeps the floor in good condition.

Parquet floors do not need special products or complicated routines. Warm water and a wood-safe cleaner handle most situations that arise with children. The durable finish on most parquet floors protects against typical household accidents.

Furniture pads prevent scratches from chairs and toys that children drag across rooms. This small addition helps maintain the floor's appearance over time.

Comfort: Wood parquet provides a warmer, more comfortable surface than tiles, beneficial for children playing on the floor

Wood parquet offers a naturally warm surface that feels more comfortable underfoot than cold tiles. Children who spend hours playing on the floor benefit from this warmth, especially during cooler months. The natural insulation properties of wood help maintain a more consistent temperature year-round.

Tiles tend to feel cold and hard, which can be uncomfortable for children who sit or lie on the floor during playtime. Parquet provides a softer, more forgiving surface that makes floor activities more enjoyable. This comfort factor matters for families whose children prefer to play with toys, read books, or complete puzzles on the floor.

The density of real wood also creates better sound insulation compared to harder surfaces. This means less noise from toys dropping or children running about. Parents appreciate the quieter environment that parquet floors provide whilst children play.

Style and Design: Choose a parquet pattern and colour that complements your home while withstanding busy family life

The right parquet pattern can balance style with practicality in a busy household. Herringbone and chevron designs work well for families because their angular patterns naturally hide scratches and scuffs better than straight-laid planks. These patterns also create visual interest that draws the eye away from minor imperfections.

Darker parquet colours offer better camouflage for everyday wear and tear. Shades like walnut, mahogany, or medium oak hide dirt and small marks more effectively than lighter tones. However, mid-tone browns provide a good compromise between style and maintenance needs.

The pattern size matters for smaller rooms. Large-scale designs can overwhelm compact spaces, whilst simpler patterns like brick-style parquet work better in tight areas. Chevron patterns suit longer rooms and create a sense of movement through hallways and living areas.

Families should consider how their chosen design fits with existing décor. A classic herringbone pattern adapts to both traditional and modern interiors, which makes it a sensible choice for homes that may redecorate over time.

Conclusion

Parquet flooring can work well in homes with children, but the decision requires careful thought about specific family needs. Durability, maintenance demands, and safety features should guide the choice rather than appearance alone. The right wood species and finish make a significant difference in how well the floor stands up to daily family life. Parents who select quality materials and commit to proper care will likely find that parquet serves their household effectively for years to come.

My January declutter challenge - an update!

After Christmas the house always begins to descend into chaos. Along with newly acquired items, being out of routine with everyone at home for a couple of weeks means that I really feel the need to get everything back under control. I always enjoy a declutter challenge to start the new year, but as I've already reduced things a lot over the last couple of years I didn't want anything too drastic.

This year I decided to set myself the challenge to get rid of five things every day in January. Although I mainly concentrated on my own personal items, I did include some household things in my totals as I'm the one that's responsible for maintaining our home.

I found the first couple of weeks very easy. In anticipation of the challenge I had been eyeing up a few things that I knew could easily go, and I had made a note of some areas that I wanted to tackle. I kept a running list in a Notes document, and it was very satisfying to watch everything stack up.

I made the biggest difference in my clothing. I went through all of my clothes and was really ruthless. I passed on my suit, which I last wore to a job interview in around 2008 before having children. I can't even squeeze into it any more, and if I find myself heading to job interviews I'll need something that actually fits me well! Also, do people even wear suits to interviews any more?! I passed on three pairs of smart black trousers that I used to wear to work in an office - I don't need anything like that at the moment and if I do find myself in an office I have other nicer clothes that I can wear.

Photo credit Bernd Dittrich

I cleared out lots of space on my bookshelves, donating over 20 books. My jigsaw cupboard is also looking emptier, with 9 jigsaws passed along. Those spaces won't take me long to fill though!

I tackled toiletries and expired medication, shoes, my craft stash, candle holders, and random things in my kitchen drawers. I sorted through my filing cabinet, I went through all the various paper ephemera that I like to collect - postcards, leaflets, pamphlets and so on. I've been through all the obvious areas in my home that collect clutter, as well as working my way back to some of the deeper storage areas that I like to sort through from time to time. 

I spend a lot of time at home, and the biggest benefit to me of a challenge like this is that it encourages me to think about my surroundings. I'm very affected by untidy spaces, and I have emotional reactions to things. Some of my possessions can cause me to feel a negative emotion whenever I see them - like an expensive item that turned out to be a waste of money, something I bought on a whim that was never used, or a gift that wasn't right for me. Removing these things means that I feel much happier and calmer when I look around my space. In addition I enjoy donating good quality items to charity and hoping that someone will find them and appreciate them in the same way that I love a secondhand bargain.

If you feel inspired to declutter then I've written all about choosing a decluttering challenge that will work for you - along with the advantages and disadvantages of each!

Why are security door maintenance plans so important?

This is a collaborative post

In 2026, with so many advances in security measures emerging in the digital realm, it’s important to remember that physical security doors remain central to keeping all sorts of premises safe.

Whether that’s internal fire doors in residential blocks or roller shutters in industrial units, keeping up with maintenance is crucial to keeping these security systems running at their best. 

From the money-saving aspect of preventative maintenance to the positive impact these plans have in reducing administrative loads, here’s why having a maintenance plan in place is so important. 

Preventive maintenance saves money

One of the most important reasons to set up an effective security door maintenance plan is that it will save you money. Preventive maintenance can have an immense positive impact in terms of extending your doors’ life spans, not to mention avoiding the need for emergency callouts. 

This applies to both relatively simple fire doors and more complex industrial roller shutters from providers like LBS Group. You need to make sure that their mechanical components are greased and realigned before, not after, they become problematic. 

Photo credit Chelaxy Designs via Unsplash

Ensure regulatory compliance

Keeping your security doors up to scratch is also a regulatory responsibility. In some cases, such as with fire doors in larger residential buildings, there will be clearly established maintenance and check schedules that you have to adhere to. 

In other cases, there might not be a legally stated timeframe, but if the doors or shutters fail and it can be proven that you didn’t invest in adequate maintenance, you could still be held legally responsible.

Reduce operational delays

If a security door goes wrong unexpectedly, this can cause serious operational delays. For example, if the roller shutters in your warehouse fail to open, you could be left unable to access critical stock for at least half a day or so. 

Preventative maintenance makes it much less likely that these kinds of incidents will occur, in turn reducing the knock-on effects that door failures can have on the rest of your business.

Simplify the administrative process

Security doors will need to be maintained, there are no two ways around it. And even if you do manage to take care of this maintenance in a proactive manner without having a plan in place, having to set this up on an ad hoc basis adds an unnecessary administrative burden to your team. 

Putting a plan in place means that all non-reactive maintenance is already in the books and doesn’t need to be thought about. You just schedule a maintenance crew to attend regularly when you set up the plan, and then forget about it.

Maintenance plans are simple to put in place, and can have a big impact when it comes to preventing all sorts of easily avoidable door-related incidents. Make sure that you consult an expert about the exact doors your premises have before implementing a plan, so that you can be absolutely certain that the plan will be able to cater to your doors’ specific maintenance-related requirements.

Journal prompts for bloggers and other types of content creators

Whether or not you are a blogger, journalling is a really good way to help you get your thoughts in order. For bloggers in particular it can be helpful both as a creative outlet but also to help you think about your blog and its direction, and to brainstorm new ideas for blog posts.

I've come up with a list of journal prompts which are aimed at bloggers, and I've split them into two lists. The first are personal prompts to help you think about your motivations for blogging and to think about how it fits into your life. The second list contains prompts which help you to think about your blog and hopefully come up with some new content ideas.

I hope that you find it helpful!

Personal journal prompts for bloggers

Why did I start blogging in the first place? 

How has my blog changed over time?

What parts of blogging do I enjoy the most?

Which areas of blogging do I find most difficult?

What would make me consider my blog to be a success?

When do I write my best posts?

How do I fit blogging into my daily life?

What would I write if no-one was going to read it?

What has blogging taught me about myself?

What pressures would I like to remove from blogging?

Where would I like my blog to be this time next year?

What causes me to find blogging difficult?

What do I do when I don't feel like writing a blog post?

What has made me proud in my blogging journey?

What would make blogging more fun?

Journal prompts to help brainstorm content ideas

Which are my favourite blog posts and why? 

What type of blog posts do I most like to write?

What type of blog posts do my readers enjoy most?

What questions do people often ask me that could become blog posts?

What topics do I find myself returning to?

What posts would I write if I wasn't worrying about my readers finding them interesting?

What posts from my archives could be updated or expanded?

What have I experienced in my life that could help or inspire someone else?

What is unique about my life that others might find interesting?

What else might people be interested in about my life?

What regular topics could I return to again over time?

What seasonal events are coming up that might inspire a blog post?

What is an ideal posting schedule for me, based on the time that I have available?

Photo credit Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

How to use these prompts

Choose one, and write for five minutes without stopping

Use them if you are suffering from a creative block and don't know what to write about

Think about which of these journal entries could be adapted into a blog post

Come back to prompts to see if your thoughts have changed

Further reading

If you enjoyed these prompts then you might also like these posts:

How to use images as journal prompts

Christmas journal prompts and ideas

The last-minute checks you need to do before moving home

This is a collaborative post

Moving home involves taking care of seemingly 1001 different tasks. Just when you think you’ve done it all, a new issue pops up, whether that’s having to redirect your post or give your neighbour's lawnmower back. 

There are a few basic last-minute checks that you can do to minimise the chances that you’ve forgotten something important. From checking the electricity and gas meters to making sure your new home has heating and power, these are a few of things to keep in mind.

Check the meters

As you leave your new home and enter your old one, check the water and electricity meters for both, and take dated pictures. On one side of things, utility providers can often ask for evidence at the end of tenancies, so that they can check if they’ve under- or overcharged you. 

On the other hand, you don’t want to inadvertently end up paying for the old tenant's bills in your new home. A simple check and a quick picture can make sure that this isn’t the case.

Check nothing is left behind

No matter how meticulous you’ve been with your packing, there’s a good chance that you’ll have forgotten something in a hidden nook or cranny. Make sure that you check in the attic, the eaves, the back of every cupboard and drawer and in the corners of the basement.

A short check now can save you plenty of hassle later on. You don’t want your slippers and towels to get mixed in with the new inhabitant’s belongings, and it’s an unnecessary faff to have to sort out. 

Photo credit Dina Badamshina

Check you’ve got the help you need

You’ll hopefully have organised some help for the day of your move. Whether that’s family, friends or a professional removals service like Bright Movers, it could be a good idea to double-check a few days before that everyone is set to help out. 

Make sure that they got the message, and that you didn’t give them the wrong date. It will only take a second, and you can avoid the ramifications of making a really annoying mistake.

Check the new house’s basics

Lastly, double check that the heating, water and electricity are all working in your new house, and ideally the wifi as well. You don’t want to find yourself moving into a cold, dark shell of a house, and it should be avoidable with just a quick phone call (although you may also have to check in person). 

If any of these basic necessities turn out to be an issue, you may have to find an alternative living situation for a couple of nights. Some issues might also be ok for a short while, but something like no heating in the middle of winter could be a health hazard.

Moving house is a hassle, but there are some simple strategies you can use to limit the chances of making some painful mistakes. By slowing down a little for a moment and doing some last-minute checks, you can make that breathing room to sort basic issues out before they’ve escalated into something more serious.

Tips for experiencing the best of Rome on a budget

This is a collaborative post

When you picture a trip to the Eternal City, you might imagine that the best experiences, such as grand monuments, mouth-watering food and vibrant piazzas, come with a certain price tag. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy everything a city break in Rome has to offer. 

With a little planning, you can make the most of your time in this timeless city while keeping your budget in check.

Walk to get around

One of the best ways to experience the Italian capital is on foot. Many of Rome's major landmarks, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, are all within walking distance of each other. Instead of relying on taxis or buses, stroll through cobbled streets and piazzas, letting the city's history unfold around you. 

Walking not only saves you money, but it also gives you the chance to uncover hidden corners of the capital – from small local shops to charming cafés where you can pause and enjoy a quick espresso. 

Visit free historical sites

Rome is steeped in history, and luckily, many of its most famous landmarks are free to visit. For example, the Pantheon is a remarkable second-century Roman temple turned Catholic church that you can enter at no cost. This stunning site offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s rich past with its awe-inspiring architecture. 

Photo credit Gabriella Clare Marino

Similarly, the Trevi Fountain (apart from the lower basin area), Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps are all open to the public without any admission fee. These iconic spots are as central to the Roman experience as any paid attraction, so take your time exploring them – no ticket required!

Eat authentic Roman street food

If you're keen to try traditional Roman food without breaking the bank, make sure to sample the city's best street food markets. For just a few euros, you can grab a quick bite such as a supplì, a deep-fried rice ball stuffed with mozzarella, or a trapizzino, a pizza pocket filled with delicious fillings like braised beef or chicken cacciatore. 

These tasty snacks are easy to find in local markets or on street corners, and they’re often much cheaper than sit-down meals in tourist-heavy areas. Eating like a local not only saves you money, but it also gives you a true taste of Roman culinary culture.

Discover Rome’s charm without overspending

Visiting the Italian capital on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing the quality of your experience. In fact, some of the most memorable moments don’t cost much.

So, take your time, explore off-the-beaten-path spots, and immerse yourself in the beauty of this fascinating city – all while keeping your wallet nice and plump.

An update on my January goals

At the beginning of the month I shared some of my January goals. As the month finally comes to an end, here's how I'm getting on with them!

The area that I have had most success in is improving my eating habits. I'm not dieting, but I've tried to be more conscious about what I'm eating. I'm especially interested in reducing ultra processed food, and I've made a big effort with that this month. I've also been making some food swaps, for example replacing white bread, pasta and rice with the wholemeal alternatives. I've been eating more fruit and vegetables and I've cut out almost all of the unhealthy snacks. 

I've also kept going with the exercise routine that was working well for me before Christmas. I've been planning my workouts for the week ahead and sticking to them really well. I'm basing my exercise on a great podcast that I listened to with Stacy Sims, and also from her book Next Level. I used to just run three times a week but instead I now do one workout with running sprints and then two workouts with weights for strength training. I also swim once a week and do regular stretches. If you are approaching or already in peri-menopause then she has a lot of great advice which is particularly aimed at women in this stage of life.

Photo credit Elena Kloppenburg via Unsplash

I'm doing very well at my decluttering challenge, working on removing five items a day from my home. It was easy at first as I had lots of random things lying around, but it began to get harder around the middle of the month once all the obvious areas had been tackled. That was when I moved on to hidden storage areas like the top of my wardrobe and my craft drawers and it has made a huge difference. I'll be sharing how I got on more fully in a few days, but I'm really pleased with myself.

Finally we have made a good start on our home project to renovate our bathrooms. The deposit is paid, and although we still have some final decisions to make the work is due to start in March. It's very exciting, and I'm really looking forward to updating these neglected areas of our home!

My goals for next month - looking at my garden and deciding what seeds to plant this year, and working on planning our holiday to Japan this summer. 

How did you get on with your new year goals?

How to choose a decluttering challenge that will work for you

I love decluttering, and I also love researching tips and tricks to help me keep my home decluttered and organised. I'm really motivated by a good declutter challenge.

Everyone is different, and something that works well for someone might not work for another person. I've gathered together some of the most popular decluttering challenges that you might find online, and thought about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The 30-day Minimalism Game

Created by The Minimalists, the 30-day Minimalism game is my favourite decluttering challenge, and I've attempted it several times. Every day you declutter a certain number of items, based on the day of the month. One item the first day, two the next, and son on all the way to 30 or 31. Easy to start with, but by the time you get to the middle of the month it's definitely becoming a challenge!

Advantages - It's perfect for people that like to make lists and want a clear structure. At least in the early stages it doesn't take up too much time, and by the end you'll be able to see clear results. 

Disadvantages - If you miss a day it can be hard to get back on track, and it get overwhelming as you approach the end of the month (one way to avoid this is to do it in reverse). It requires a daily commitment. 

You can see how I got on with this challenge here - Playing the #minsgame 

Project 333

Project 333 was developed by Courtney Carver and it's a way of reducing clutter and stress by limiting the number of clothing items in your wardrobe. All you need to do is choose 33 items for 3 months, including clothing, accessories, jewellery, outerwear and shoes. Some categories are excluded, for example sleepwear, underwear and gym clothes (as long as you are actually wearing them to work out!)

Advantages - There is a great community around this challenge, so it's perfect for people that like to share their progress on social media. If you feel overwhelmed by deciding what to wear everyday then it removes that layer of stress from your life, and it's a great way to experiment with making the most of the things that you already own. Although it's focussed on clothing, it can help you to think about other areas of your life where you could simplify - for example in the kitchen or hobby supplies.

Disadvantages - It doesn't suit people that enjoy creating their daily outfits, or who use their clothing as a form of self expression. It's also a little tricky if you live somewhere with a changing climate or if your social or work life requires you to switch between different types of outfit.

Photo credit Sarah Brown via Unsplash

One in one out

This challenge is just what it sounds like - every time you bring something new into the house you must choose something to leave, ideally in the same category.

Advantages - It works well if you have already done a big declutter and you are looking to maintain your space. It also helps you to think about what you are buying if you know that you will need to choose something to replace. It works well for families that have a constant flow of things coming into the house.

Disadvantages - It's not really a method of decluttering, more about stopping things getting worse. There won't be any impact on the total number of items that you own.

Declutter X items per day

This challenge works really well for me and I've done it several times. I go with 5 items every day for a month.

Advantages - It's a slow method, but enough to make a big difference. If you miss a day it's easy to catch up the next day and it's simple to keep track of. It doesn't require any major disruption to your home.

Disadvantages - You might become discouraged if you miss a day or two. It can also mean that you declutter more obvious things without tackling hidden areas.

The Marie Kondo method

Based on the bestselling book The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up, the key behind this method is to sort by category, and the categories are worked through in a particular order which helps you to practice making decisions about your items. 

Advantages - If you follow the method correctly then you shouldn't need to declutter again. There is a logical order to follow and it makes a lot of sense. For example, if you gather together a certain item like pens in one place you can really see when you have too many.

Disadvantages - It takes time, and depending on the level of clutter in your home it can be disruptive. Ideally you need to have space for a staging area where you can gather your categories of items together, and it can be overwhelming to see everything laid out together at once. 

Here you can read about how I used the Marie Kondo method to declutter an older child or teenager's room

The area by area challenge

This challenge is almost opposite to the Marie Kondo method. Instead of grouping by category, instead you concentrate on one area, for example a drawer or cupboard, at a time. There are many different lists that you can follow to give you some areas to work on within a certain time frame, for example this 30 day declutter challenge.

Advantages - Because you are only working in a small area each time, mess is kept to a minimum. It works well if you can dedicate a small amount of time each day to decluttering, and you can choose your area based on how much time you have that day.

Disadvantages - It doesn't give you a full overview of your clutter - you might still end up with a spare pair of scissors in every drawer. You might feel the pressure of having to work on the particular area in the challenge list.

The packing party or box method

This is another decluttering method championed by The Minimalists. It's a great way to get a fast result, you just pack up everything that you own into boxes and then you spend a month or so only unpacking things as you need them. In theory you can then get rid of everything else!

Advantages - It's an extreme method, so it's perfect for people that want to have a huge clear out. It's particularly suitable for people going through some kind of home transition, maybe moving house or doing renovations. 

Disadvantages - This doesn't work well well for everyone, for example if you have a large family, as it's very disruptive. You need a lot of time and energy to pack everything up, as well as a large supply of boxes and bags. Because the challenge takes place over a short period of time, it doesn't account for seasonal items or special occasion clothing.

Photo credit Brett Jordan via Unsplash

My thoughts

I personally find a decluttering challenge a powerful way of motivating myself to make some space in my home. Throughout January I've been removing 5 items per day, and I'm definitely noticing and appreciating the results. 

All of these challenges can be adapted to make them easier or more realistic for you, and because they are all popular challenges there is plenty of advice and guidance online from people that have found what works for them. 

Good luck if you are attempting a decluttering challenge this year!

The books that I want to read this year

I've done very well recently working my way through my "to be read" pile which puts me in a position that I've not been in for many years - looking for some new books to read! I have some Christmas money to spend, so I'm going to be treating myself to some new books, both brand new and second-hand.

Here are some of the books that I want to read this year:

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami - I've read several books by Murakami and I really like his writing style and the surreal, magic realism elements in his stories. I've had 1Q84 in mind for a while, and when I recently found out that it's set in Tokyo I thought that it would be a good one to read in the first half of this year, before we visit Tokyo in the summer.

Everest, Inc.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell - I've shared that I want to indulge my interest in Everest this year, and this book seems like a highly recommended place to start when it comes to learning about the commercialisation of climbing the mountain.

Other Everest books - I've been doing some research and I'm slowly building up a list of books about Everest that I want to read. Some of these aren't available new, and I'm also conscious of my book buying budget, so I have put together an order of second hand books from World of Books. I always order books from there in groups of four as they are usually buy three get one free! So the ones that I'm starting with are Dark Summit by Nick Heil, No Shortcuts to the Top by Ed Viesturs, Left for Dead by Beck Weathers and The Other Side of Everest by Matt Dickinson. These books may well get a bit samey after a while, so I will probably spread them out over the year!

Photo credit Lauren Gray via Unsplash

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - I've had this on my shelf for a while, but I moved it from the "to be read" shelf to my main bookshelf so that I didn't feel the pressure to read it! But I keep hearing about how good it is and I definitely want to give it a go. Just so that I can say I've read it!

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - I've been hearing a lot about this book recently. Although it's a couple of years old now, I think that people are talking about it at the moment because the government has been discussing banning social media for under 16s. I'm really interested in social media and the effect that it has on people, especially children, and obviously having teenagers of my own it's an issue that I want to learn more about.

Finally I want to get back to the library! I've not been for months because I've had such a huge pile of books to be read beside my bed. But now that it's feeling more manageable I want to go and have a good browse in the large library near my daughter's school, and come home with a pile of new books to try.

Do you have any reading plans this year?

A weekend away in Bath

I've been wanting to visit Bath for many years, and last weekend we were able to make it happen! My husband and I managed a night away, with my Mum staying overnight to watch the teenagers. 

We chose to travel by train because Bath is very walkable and our hotel was close to the station. My son loves trains and was jealous of our journey so I took a photo of each train that we travelled on for him! We only needed to change once and it was a smooth journey, it took us about three hours and I spent most of the journey just looking out of the window. I love train journeys too!

 

Bath is such a lovely city, all the architecture is so beautiful. I loved how even on the main shopping streets all the shops were in keeping with the setting, there weren't any garish shop signs and they were all tucked away behind decorative pillars. It felt as though a lot of effort has gone into making it an attractive place to visit and spend time.

The one thing that I definitely wanted to visit in Bath was The Roman Baths. I've heard of them of course, but I had no idea that the baths were actually fed by a hot spring! There was also a lot more to see than just the main bath area which was familiar to me from photographs. The whole museum was fascinating. I was particularly taken with the Bath curse tablets which are small sheets of metal inscribed with curses against a specific person, usually for something like a theft, and thrown into the spring for the attention of the goddess Sulis so that she could identify the culprit and punish accordingly.

There is an enormous bath complex to explore and it's brought to life really well with projections and large screens. The audioguide was also very good with lots of really interesting information.

We stayed in a very nice spa hotel, which came with some extra benefits because we booked using our credit card. We had use of the spa all day, which was lovely, and we also received a generous credit towards a treatment. I had an upper body massage and facial treatment which was amazing, the massage was very firm and left tears in my eyes but I felt so good afterwards and my skin was really soft. The spa area had warm and hot pools with a sauna and steam room, and the waters in the hotel spa are supplied by one of the hot springs.

Our rate included a cooked breakfast and so in addition to the continental breakfast offerings I opted for pancakes with thick cream and strawberries. Delicious!

We had a lovely weekend away, it was so nice not to have to worry too much about the children (my Mum didn't stay for the whole weekend and I'm not sure they really saw her even when she was there!) My husband is already eyeing up the next weekend away!

What I've been up to lately - January 2026

I've taken a bit of a break from the blog for the start of the year, so here's what I've been up to!

Reading

I've done a very good job of working through my to be read piles, both physical and Kindle books, and so I'm now getting to some books that I've been wanting to read for a little while. I have just finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver which was excellent. That's three of her books now which I've loved, so I'm definitely going to be finding some more. The book is a modern (ish) retelling of David Copperfield. I've never really got on with Dickens, but I may give it a go.

Next up is the new Philip Pullman book, The Rose Field which is the third book in the Book of Dust Series. Before I start it I've been re-reading the first two books in the trilogy, as it has been a while since I last read them. I don't find this series as compelling as the original His Dark Materials trilogy, but I am fascinated by the world in which they are set and I'm eager to see how the trilogy concludes.

Watching

I enjoyed watching the finale of Stranger Things. Maybe the ending was a little too cheesy but I quite liked that. It felt as though everything tied up nicely although I know that there is some dispute among the fan base! 

Harry and I watched a couple of lovely shows over Christmas that were about train rides - Nordic Train at Christmas and Alpine Train at Christmas. Each one followed a train taking a scenic journey, with some stops along the way to explore local businesses. They were really slow and festive and I really enjoyed them, I hope they repeat them next year.

On Black Friday we treated ourselves to a three month unlimited card at Cineworld. My husband and I went to see The Housemaid over Christmas which is based on a book which I enjoyed. It was a great film, not too long, paced really well and it kept you guessing. We also went as a family to watch Avatar: Fire and Ash. I enjoyed it although I'm not sure what to say other than that it was very long (3 hours 17 mins) and there was just a lot of it! It was quite watchable but I'm not really sure it had the same plot development or interest as the first film. 

This weekend we are really getting our money's worth from the card with three consecutive evenings watching The Lord of The Rings films extended editions. With running times of 3 hours 48 mins, 3 hours 55 mins and 4 hours 23 minutes we are definitely going to need to bring the snacks!

Crafting

I've been working on my small, vaguely Christmas themed cross stitch. It's a fun one to do, with some gorgeous colours. There's lots of variety, with a mixture of full and half stitches and different numbers of strands to add some texture.

Listening

I'm back on the school run so it's back to Spotify. I started off the year listening to the new album from Suede - Antidepressants, which is very good. I've listened to Suede for years, and thought of them again when I found out that apparently Suede have become popular in K-Pop circles - my daughter was singing a song about having Suede on the vinyl which amused me!

I'm also back to my podcasts, I've been listening to Cal Newport The Deep Life, I especially enjoy episodes about AI and finding alternatives to social media. I also follow Feel Better, Live More by Dr Rangan Chatterjee, especially episodes about nutrition and improving daily habits.

Organising

One of my January goals was to declutter five items a day. It's going very well, in addition to tidying up some more visible areas of the home I've also been delving into cupboards and getting rid of some things that should have been moved on years ago. I'm only halfway through the month but I'm not struggling to find things, and I've done two runs to the charity shop so far.

Eating

Another new year goal was to get my eating back on track with some healthier habits. I've enjoyed a few meals out with large desserts, but in between I've been cutting back and upping my fruit and vegetable intake. It's not about losing weight (although a little bit would be nice!) but just aiming for an improvement in my health and wellbeing.

Looking forward to

Harry starts learning to drive next week which is very exciting, both for him and us. I'm looking forward to sending him out on errands!

I'm really ready for spring now, although I know there's still a little time to wait. I want to see what happens to my garden when the weather turns warmer, whether all the bulbs that I planted appear and which plants have made it through the winter. I'm also deciding which seeds to plant to fill my garden with flowers for the summer.

My goals and projects for 2026

For me, the New Year begins today, on the day that the children go back to school. I need to wait until we get back into a routine, all the Christmas food has been eaten, and I can give the house a bit of a reset.

I have a few projects that I want to work on this year, some of which are quite long term, so I need to make plans to tackle them a bit at a time. My first goals for January are fairly typical - mainly getting back into healthy eating and exercise routines!

January goals

Pick up my exercise routine again. I was doing really well before Christmas, but I've not exercised properly in weeks! I do different types of exercise throughout the week, and I plan my week to fit in around the other things that I'm doing. So I know exactly what I want to do and when to do it, it's just a case of getting on with it!

Improve my eating habits after the Christmas lapses. It's not just about losing some weight, although that would be nice, it's about cutting back on the chocolate and making an effort to increase fruit and vegetables.

Work on decluttering the house. I enjoy a decluttering challenge so I'm aiming to find five items a day to get rid of, and I've been stocking up on sturdy bags for charity shop donations. This will involve sorting through our filing cabinet which has become too full for new paperwork, and going through the food cupboards to look for expired food and things which need to be used up.

Finally, our home project for this year is refurbishing our bathrooms. Apart from some minor repairs we've not done anything to them, and as they are original to the house they are over 25 years old! Things are starting to fall apart, and they are all looking rather sad and limescale clogged. So we need to make a start on the planning, go through some brochures and work out what we want.

Longer term projects

Then there are the things that I want to work on over the rest of the year.

Over the next few months I'll be planning my garden. I'll be deciding what seeds to plant and what larger plants I'd like, to fill in the gaps in our borders. The front of our house is quite bare, and so I'd like to put some kind of trellis on it to soften it a bit. We are also planning some kind of living wall or vertical planter for the wall along one side of our patio. I'm not really sure where to start with this, so some research is required!

In the summer we have a big holiday to Japan coming up, and although we've booked the flights and worked out a rough itinerary there is plenty of planning and research to be done before we can book hotels, trains and attractions.

I have several large boxes of family history files which need to be sorted through with the rest of the family and then stored. This has prompted me to think about all my photographs, both printed and digital, and how best to enjoy them. I'm wondering about putting together some photo books, maybe one for each year containing my favourite photos. I have a couple of photograph albums which I enjoy looking through, and I think if I had some physical books I would appreciate the photos more.

Hobbies and interests

Then I have my personal projects for the year. I have a few cross stitch kits which I would like to complete, starting with this Be A Light cross stitch from Dimensions which I picked up on holiday a couple of years ago. It's quite simple, not too big and without much backstitching, so I'm hoping that it won't take too long. The only tricky thing is that the dark background is easier to work on during daylight.

In terms of reading I'm doing very well with my To Be Read piles, both physical and digital. I have an interest which I want to explore this year which is reading about climbing Everest, something which has fascinated me for a while now. So I've put together a list of books which I want to read and I'll be doing a sizeable World of Books order at some point! 

And then maybe this will also be the year that I finally tackle War and Peace...!

What things do you want to work on this year?

What I read and listened to in 2025

Happy New Year! As the New Year gets underway, I've been looking back on what I read and listened to in 2025.

What I read

I love to keep track of the books that I've read, and I've been doing this in Goodreads for a few years now. Every year I enjoy looking back over my reading year, and here are some of my stats from 2025:

I don't worry too much about the number of books, as I usually read a variety of books including some very long ones. This year I read 91 books, which compares to 115 last year, which wasn't a surprise as I knew that I had read less in 2025. But just look how much I read in October as I powered through my Kindle "To be Read" folder on a week long holiday in the Dominican Republic!

I was surprised to see that my top genre was Romance as I like to imagine that my reading tastes are more highbrow. A lot of those free Kindle reads probably fell into that category, and also at times this year I did seek out books which were a little easier to read rather than any longer classics.

What I listened to

We have the Spotify family plan so that we can all keep our listening interests separate. And although it's not cheap we definitely get our money's worth. I was quite impressed with my listening time of 7,182 minutes (119 hours) but it pales in comparison with my son who managed 61,191 minutes - that's over 1000 hours!

Here are my top stats:

Not surprisingly, Pulp are at the top, especially after the release of their new album this year which led to my three favourite songs from the album falling in my top songs list. Spotify gave me a listening age of 47 based on listening to music from the early 90s which is only a year out. However I think that my age estimate may have been lowered based on the fact that the K-Pop group Blackpink made my number two. 

This was mainly due to repeated listens to Shutdown before we went to see them in concert over the summer. I was learning the rap so that I could join in and embarrass my daughter! I also love their song Jump which reminds me of our trip to Seoul in the summer when we watched the video release of the single on a huge screen.

The top artists also reflects the amount of time I spent listening to set lists as part of our year of concerts. Maybe it spoils the surprise for some, but I like to be familiar with the songs that are going to be played so that I can make sure I know them well enough to sing along!

Reading and listening plans for 2026

My to be read pile is currently very manageable, but I'll be starting with books that I received for my birthday in October and haven't yet read!

I've decided that I want to really indulge my interest in Everest this year. I love reading accounts from climbers, and I'm particularly interested in the commercial side of climbing and the companies that take people up when they aren't quite as experienced as they should be. I've read a couple of books already, and I'm putting together a list to purchase second hand.

In terms of music I want to try and find some new-to-me music to listen to rather than just repeating through my favourites. I'm intending to look up a list of what are generally considered to be the best albums and work my way through those, as well as listening to older albums from my favourite groups where I'm only familiar with the singles.