How to read long books

In general I read quickly, but every now and then I enjoy taking my time with a longer book that will keep me company for many weeks. 

Opinions may vary on what counts as a "long book", but to me it's one that's over 1000 pages, is a weighty tome, and has a complex plot with many interlinked characters and situations.

In terms of my own reading, my most recent long read was the three volumes of 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami which I enjoyed very much. Over the years, some other longer books that I've enjoyed have been The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. 

Still on my reading list - War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy!

I thought I'd share some tips, in case you too fancy immersing yourself in a longer read.

Tips for reading a long book

* Do some research into the book that you are interested in reading, as it's going to be your companion for a while. Read a sample chapter and look for online reviews. Maybe choose a book that you've seen as a film or television series so that you are familiar with the characters and story.

* Don't jump into a longer book unless you already have a reading habit in place - build up to it with less challenging books and planning out time in your daily schedule for reading. 

* Aim for reading in regular small chunks rather than less frequent longer reading sessions. That way you won't lose track of what's going on.

* Consider having a lighter book on the go at the same time - both lighter in terms of content and also physically lighter in case you want to take a book out and about. You just have to be careful not to get too engrossed at the expense of your longer book!

* If you can, purchase your own copy of the book so that you don't have to worry about library fines or having a deadline to return it to a friend. Think of it as investment - you can either buy a couple of drinks which you'll finish in an evening, or spend the money on a chunky book which will keep you entertained for months!

* If you have an e-reader then you might want to consider a digital copy of the book. Larger books can be physically difficult to read, especially in paperback, as they can be heavy and awkward to hold open. 

* Audiobooks can be a useful tool to incorporate reading into your daily life. Some people find reading easier if they listen to the audiobook at the same time as they are reading a physical book. Just make sure that your audiobook is not an abridged version. 

* Keep an eye out for a group read along like A Year of War and Peace - search on Reddit, Substack and other social media. Often starting in January, you can join a group of other people that are reading the same book and sharing their thoughts. A moderator will often share background information or historical context to increase your enjoyment of the book.

* Find additional resources to help you with a complicated text. For example, chapter summaries to make sure that you've understood everything. Look for guides like a family tree for a complicated family saga, or historical timelines to give you some background information. You might find it helpful to annotate your book, or add sticky notes to mark important pages.

* Don't feel the urge to rush through the book - make the most of the experience of reading it and really enjoy it. Try not to get hung up on the size of the book, just work your way through it a little at a time.

* It might help to understand the structure of the book, and work out how much you can read in one go to help come up with a reading target. For example, War and Peace is formed of around 365 chapters, depending on the translation, which makes it perfect for reading a chapter each day over the year. 

* Plan to reward yourself with a viewing of the film or television series, of which there is bound to be at least one if you are reading a classic book. 

* When I've finished a book I'm terrible at remembering the books I've read a few months later. So if it's a book that has made a particular impression on me I will make some notes in my journal, and perhaps even print out a synopsis that I can stick in and refer back to - make sure that it's a full synopsis which includes the ending! 

* Finally don't force it - if you really aren't enjoying the book then it's perfectly fine to put it aside for something else. There are so many books out there and so little time - it's not worth wasting it on the books that aren't for you.

Happy reading!

World's Most Difficult Jigsaw Puzzle, Kittens edition - Solving tips

The World's Most Difficult Jigsaw Puzzle series was released in the 90s, and as a huge cat fan and lover of jigsaw puzzles I was given this Kittens Edition puzzle when I was a teenager. I'm not usually one to choose very difficult puzzles, but I couldn't resist the image on this one, and I remember solving it without too much difficulty. 

I was able to solve it because I realised that there is a bit of a trick to completing it, and it's not nearly as difficult as it is made out to be. So today I thought I'd share how I completed this vintage puzzle, to show that it's not as daunting as it looks!

Why so difficult?

This 529 puzzle is double sided, depicting the same artwork on both sides, rotated 90° with respect to each other. The puzzle is then die cut once from each side so top and bottom are identical!

Why is it not so difficult?

All the pieces are the same shape and size, and they fit in a regular pattern. The cats are distinctive, with different shades, eye colours and patterns. There aren't really that many pieces, and if you have a decent sized table or puzzle board you can lay them out all at once for a clear view. If you spend time sorting the pieces using the method that I'll explain below then once you come to the assembly you are familiar with the pieces and you can put it together pretty easily. Also the description of the rotation is misleading, as that's not quite what is going on.

How to solve the World's Most Difficult Jigsaw Puzzle

The way this puzzle works is that the reverse side image is reflected along the diagonal, which runs from the bottom left to the top right corners. My son has better spatial awareness skills than me and helped me to understand, I still don't really get it but you just have to imagine a diagonal line running across it - I've included a photo lower down to illustrate it!

Start with the edges

There aren't many edge pieces. As you look through the puzzle pieces, you will notice that the majority of the pieces can be put together in pairs with an identical albeit rotated part of the image on each side.

This is the key to solving the puzzle. 

So sort out the edge pieces, then group them into their pairs. You will be left with two corner pieces which each have the same image section rotated, and two corner pieces which pair together. You need to find all the edge pieces before you can start putting them together.

Pick out one of the corner pieces that has the same image rotated front and back. In this puzzle, they will be the bottom left and top right pieces. Place the piece down, and this first piece will determine the top side of the puzzle. 

Then take all the edge pieces and separate them into their pairs. Turn one of the pieces over to show the reverse image. Keep the pairs clearly together! Now you have all the parts of the image laid out, so you can put together the edge. Start from the corner, and choose the piece from the pair that fits on one side. If it doesn't fit then use the other piece. Then the remaining piece will go the opposite side of the corner piece. It shouldn't take too long to put the edge together!

Sort the remaining pieces

I won't lie - this is a big job. But it's absolutely worth doing! You need to got through all the remaining pieces, and sort them into their pairs. Don't worry about which way up they are, just make lots of little piles of two pieces. The image on each will have the same orientation.

Not all the pieces have a pair. The pieces that run along the centre diagonal from bottom left to top right, in this puzzle nineteen pieces, will have the same part of the image on both sides, but rotated. Keep these to one side, but don't forget about them when assembling! You can place them down the middle if you like, but you won't know which way up they go until you place pieces around them.

Tips for sorting the pieces into their pairs

* When looking for pairs, remember that because the pieces are double sided, the match that you are looking for might be face down.

* Look for distinctive pieces, for example those that are all one colour or in the case of this puzzle the eyes are a good place to start.

* If you can't find a match for the piece that you are holding, turn it over and hunt for the reverse image.

* Group all the pieces with one dominant colour, and when you've established that they don't pair with each other then turn them over and look for the other side.

* Because the pieces are all the same shape you can orient them all the same way which makes it easier to find a match.

* Many pieces can be placed the correct way up because of the cat's face or ears, which helps when finding a match.

Ready for the final assembly!

That's the worst bit over with!

Take all your pairs, and like before place them together and turn one of the pieces over so that all the parts of the image are visible. Keep the pairs together! Ideally you will have enough space in your puzzle area to lay out every piece clearly.

From your pairs, one of the pieces will go one way up and one the other, but you don't know yet which is which. So I find it easiest to start from the edges. Once you have placed one piece, you know that the other piece in the pair will fit in the corresponding place on the reverse side. If the piece doesn't fit then you know that you need to use the other one from the pair. You can see the reflection in this picture:

I've tried to explain it more clearly by placing a line across the board showing where the image is reflected in the photographs below. You can see how the irregular groups of pieces that I have already placed at this point are reflected across to the other side of the puzzle. It took me a while to work this out, and even when I knew how the reflection worked I still found it tricky to work out where to put the second piece - often I had to flip the next piece over to see where to put it! You just know that if you've connected the first piece to an existing piece then the second piece will fit somewhere!

Once you've got going, you have lots of places that you can work off and it's not so difficult to spot the pieces that you need. Keep all the pieces oriented the same way to make finding them easier, and as I keep saying, don't muddle up the pairs!

Completed puzzle

All the pre-sorting really does pay off, and completing the puzzle shouldn't be too difficult. I really love this puzzle, it's a vintage reminder of childhood and I've done it lots of times now so it's easier each time as I remember all the different little cat faces.

Other puzzles in the series

There were lots of other puzzles that were a part of this series. I saw one in a charity shop not that long ago which was a repetitive pile of sweets, and decided that it wasn't for me as I was looking for easier puzzles at the time. There was a Baked Beans one too I'm sure. They do pop up quite often on eBay so they are still around in cupboards all over the country - If I spot another on my charity shop trails in the future I'll probably pick it up, just so I can see if it's solved in the same way!

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!

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!

How I make sure to always have a book on the go

Lately I've been making a big effort to reduce my screen time, and one way to do this has been to replace social media and endless scrolling with reading. It's been amazing - I can feel that my attention span has increased, and in quiet moments I've been happily spending time with my own thoughts. 

In order to make sure that I'm not tempted to pick up the phone I've been coming up with ways that I can make sure I always have a book one the go - something that I really want to read and which is always accessible.

I'm usually reading several books at the same time. I have a non-fiction book which requires more thought, a Kindle book which I've generally acquired for free at some point and can be a bit of a gamble. Finally I have a physical book which is usually one that I've bought myself or have borrowed, and it's one that I really want to read.

• My current non-fiction read - Enshittification by Cory Doctorow. Fascinating book which really makes you realise just how rubbish the technology that we use daily has become over time. 
• My current Kindle read - The Warbler by Sarah Beth Durst. This must have been an Amazon First Read, and so far it's one of the better ones!
• My current physical book read - The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman. This new book was a gift - I love this Thursday Murder Club series. 

I have regular slots in my day that I can dedicate to reading. I eat over lunch as I'm generally on my own, and sometimes at dinner too if everyone else is busy. I arrive at school early for pick up and read in the car, and I always read in bed before I go to sleep. Reading regularly means that I never lose track of where I'm up to, and I'm keen to see what happens next.

Photo credit Christin Hume via Unsplash

I have an exciting to be read pile by the bed. I prioritise books that I've borrowed, and as I come to the end of a book I always know which read is going to be next! It's very rare that I run out of books because I seem to just acquire them - I have a friend that lends me lots of books, I shop in charity shops,  I have them on my wish list for birthday and Christmas, I keep an eye on Amazon for free books, and I have a large library of my own with books that I love to re-read. I very rarely need to visit the public library!

I take a book, usually my Kindle, with me whenever I go anywhere that might involve waiting - appointments, trips on public transport, even anywhere that I might be waiting to pick someone up in the car.

I don't force it with books that I'm not enjoying. There are too many more that I want to read! So I'm never slogging away trying to finish an uninspiring read.

I don't worry about what I'm reading - whether it's intellectual enough, or what other people might think. I keep track of the books that I've read for my own interest, I don't set myself reading goals like a certain number of books in a year. I never understand challenges which say to read ten pages a day or whatever - do you just stop reading at the end of ten pages? Mid-sentence?!

If you are reading a good book at the moment I'd love to hear about it - I'm always looking for reading inspiration!

How to pack light for a longer holiday

We have been lucky enough to enjoy some longer holidays over the years, but as the children have grown so has our need for suitcases! 

Before children we managed a two week trip around Europe with just hand luggage, we also survived nearly six weeks away with a suitcase and a holdall. I even lived in Germany for a year with mainly just the contents of a 22kg suitcase. So I like to think that I'm quite good at planning my packing to be as minimal as possible. 

Travelling light isn't just about saving on your weight allowance, it's also much easier when it comes to moving around airports and stations with a suitcase, and with less to keep track of it takes away some of the worries.

Here are some tips!

Try to wash clothes while you are away

If you can, book accommodation with laundry facilities. This is the reason that we usually book a villa stay when we travel to Florida - I'm able to keep up with washing as we go and we only need to pack clothes for a few days. It can be a pain taking time out of your holiday to faff with the washing, but it makes such a difference with the packing and it's so nice to come home with a suitcase of clean clothes! On our recent trip to Seoul we stayed in a hotel with a coin laundry which was fantastic, I would never pay for a hotel laundry service so it's definitely worth looking for self-service facilities.

If there aren't any washing facilities you can always wash by hand in the sink or bath, especially underwear that will dry quickly. You can either take some hand washing liquid with you, or in the past I've just used shower gel! Take clothes made from lightweight materials like sportswear and they will dry more quickly if you wash by hand.

Plan your clothes packing carefully

Unless you are an Instagram influencer then you really don't need a fresh outfit each day. Obviously underwear needs to be changed, but outer layers like trousers and jumpers can be worn a few times. 

Make sure that everything you pack goes well together, with neutral colours that can be mixed and matched.

Pack lightweight clothing that can be layered depending on the temperature or your activities.

Choose items that can be worn in different ways. For example I might wear a summer dress during the day, then add leggings and a cardigan for the evening. 

Bring the clothes that you enjoy wearing at home, don't bring clothes that you will avoid wearing and will turn out to be a waste of space.

Don't pack extra 'just in case' clothes - you will always be able to make do with what you have even if it means washing a few things out after unexpected accidents.

Photo credit Nick Fewings via Unsplash

Check what is included in your accommodation

Don't pack towels unless you are absolutely certain that you will need them. If you are going self-catered you can shop for essentials like toilet rolls, tissues, bin bags or dishwasher tablets when you arrive. 

Remember weight rather than size

If you are flying, it will usually be the weight that limits what you can take with you. I find that the heaviest things are usually shoes, so try to pack pairs that can go with all of your outfits. I try to limit myself to a pair of trainers for walking and some comfortable sandals if we are going somewhere hot. Depending on the type of holiday you might also want a pair of dressier shoes.

Books also add to the weight, so if you are an avid reader consider using an e-reader. When we went on our long holiday in the days before Kindles I chose one nice thick book - Anna Karenina - which kept me occupied for the entire trip!

Another way to save weight is to decant toiletries into smaller bottles, or do what I do and plan to use toiletries provided by your accommodation. If you arrive and there aren't any supplied then you can always just buy some when you arrive.

If you are packing heavy clothes like boots or winter coats then try and wear them for travel days.

A luggage scale is a great investment if you are worried about going over a weight limit - we have a simple strap one that you hang the suitcase from and it's very accurate. You can keep track while you are packing, and it helps you to think more carefully about what's going in.

Modern suitcases are much lighter than older ones, so it might be worth upgrading if you are wasting some of your weight allowance on bulky luggage.

Look for travel sized items

If you travel regularly it's definitely worth investing in some lightweight accessories. For example a small, light umbrella or a device charger with multiple USB ports. Thin, foldable ponchos are a great alternative to a bulky raincoat if you aren't sure whether you'll need one.

Remember that other places have shops too

Most of what you need can always be purchased while you are away. Even if you are staying in a remote resort there will always be a shop for essentials.

I always consider the things that absolutely couldn't be replaced, and anything other than that is a bonus. Apart from travel documents, for us that is our glasses as we are glasses wearers (and a spare pair is essential too!) and medication that would be difficult to replace or find an alternative.

Do you have any tips to add?

How I survive long haul flights

I've been lucky enough to enjoy some wonderful holidays to far flung destinations, and I like to think I'm a pretty seasoned traveller when it comes to flying long haul. So I thought I'd share some tips for things that have helped me survive a long haul flight and emerge at the end ready for a new adventure, or prepared to get back into the swing of things at home!

Before flying

We try to pre-book seats or check in on time to choose seats together. I like an aisle seat, so I usually have the children next to me by the window. Bulkhead seats are nice for extra legroom, but I'm short and I'm personally not a fan - hand luggage has to go in the overhead compartment, the table and screen are awkwardly positioned, the toilet queue is right beside you, and it's where they keep the noisy babies! 

As soon as I sit in my seat I change my phone clock to the new timezone and sync my watch. I try to get myself in the mindset for the new time, so if it's suddenly evening I imagine being ready to go to sleep.

Finally when packing for peace of mind I always make everyone pop spare underwear and a clean top into hand luggage. You never know when you'll spill a drink down yourself, or whether your suitcase may end up in a different place. 

Daytime flights

I find long daytime flights the hardest. I keep the flight map up on the screen and sometimes it can just go so slowly! 

I download plenty of entertainment to my phone. I only found out recently that you can download videos from YouTube to watch offline! I choose light, easy to watch videos that normally I pass over for something more substantial. There's usually something that I want to watch on the entertainment system, maybe an old film that I've not watched in years or some episodes of a sitcom that I enjoy.

I take plenty of reading material. Mostly it's on my Kindle, but I always make sure to take at least one physical book in case of a Kindle mishap. I'll choose a book that I've been looking forward to reading (making sure that I've read the first few pages and know it's one I'm going to enjoy). A few days before we go away I have a good browse of the Prime Reading Library and free Kindle books to make sure that I've got plenty of options, and I have lots of old favourites in my Kindle library.

I like to take a notepad and pen too, useful if anyone needs to be entertained with some pen and paper games and it's somewhere to jot down random thoughts that come into my head when I'm bored and staring into space!

I pack plenty of snacks, and I try to include things that I don't eat often and are a bit of a treat. Minstrels are good because they don't melt if it's hot, and I like savoury snacks like the little packs from Graze. 

I also try to nap even on a daytime flight. It's not easy when people are going up and down the aisle or the children need something, but it does make the time pass more quickly.

Photo credit Suhyeon Choi via Unsplash

Night flights

For me night flights are all about sleeping, as much as possible. Whether it's because I want to make the most of our first day in a new location or so that I can arrive home and not need to fall straight into bed and make the jet lag worse.

I have an unusual neck pillow which is called a trtl pillow. I'm not sure it's much more comfortable than a classic neck pillow, but it packs down small in my hand luggage and it has a long fleecy scarf which I wrap around almost my whole face. I use it with a black sleep mask and ear plugs, and that combination really does help me to get some sleep.

Before a night flight we try to eat dinner at the airport. For a longer flight I'll wait for the meal on the plane, but for a shorter long haul flight I'll just make sure that the children are comfortable and then I'll tuck myself up for sleep straight away. I don't have an alcoholic drink, it's tempting because I know it would make me feel dozy, but I think I would wake up during the flight feeling worse.

Even if I can't sleep during the flight I try to avoid turning on the screen or a reading light. Luckily night flights on planes are set up for sleeping with disturbances kept to a minimum so I can usually at least doze. It's such a nice feeling to wake up from a sleep on the plane and check the map to see that you are nearly at your destination.

After landing

I make sure that I'm mentally in the new time zone immediately. Even if it feels like the middle of the night I try to stay awake as long as I can, and eat meals at the correct times - sunlight, fresh air and exercise can help to stay awake. If we've landed early morning and I know that I can't manage the whole day awake then I will have a nap early afternoon, but I'll set an alarm and force myself to get up and keep going!

What reading gives me

I've always been a reader. I read quite widely - various genres, historical and modern novels, long and short books, mainly fiction but also non-fiction. I always have a book on the go, as well as a 'to be read' pile on my bedside table, and a notes document detailing the books that I want to add to my collection.  

I've been reading even more lately as I try to replace screen time with books, and it led me to reflect on all the benefits that being a regular reader gives me.

At the moment, I'm really noticing how reading helps with my ability to focus. Not just when I'm actually reading, but I'm finding that in situations when I can't read (for example when I'm exercising or cooking) I'm quite happy to just think my own thoughts. Especially if I'm reading a book which has really grabbed my interest - I'll be thinking about the characters and scenarios.

I love a book that gives me an insight into a different time or culture. Particularly those written by women about women - I like to learn about how life has changed over time. I'm especially drawn to books written and set before the internet and smartphones. Like classic novels where people write long, descriptive letters to each other and spend time together just enjoying each other's company.

I prefer to read in long, uninterrupted stretches, especially in bed at the end of the day. But that doesn't happen very often so I have to find moments when I can - I read while eating lunch, in the car while I wait at school pick up, when I find myself with a few spare minutes during the day. I find it relaxing and a way to switch off from what's around me.

Photo credit Clay Banks via Unsplash

Sometimes reading a book will inspire me to try something new. If I read a book about someone that grows vegetables then then it makes me want to get out in my own garden, or I might feel like trying a new way of cooking or a new craft. I enjoy books about people that make positive changes in their lives and it helps me to think about things that I could change.

There are some books that I turn to when I need some help in stressful times. I have a whole shelf of comfort reading books which are mainly children's books - The Swish of the Curtain series, A Little Princess, the Little House on the Prairie books. I can pick them up, I know exactly what will happen, and can often finish them in just a few sittings. 

Reading is so important to me, and I want to make sure that I'll always be a reader even as screens become more and more addictive!

A visit to Shanghai Zoo, China to see pandas

When we were planning our trip to Shanghai this summer we knew that one thing we really wanted to see was giant pandas. We discovered that in Shanghai there are two options to see them - Shanghai Zoo and the Shanghai Wild Animal Park which both have giant pandas as well as a range of other animals. In the end we settled on Shanghai Zoo because we were more interested in some of the other animals that they have there - in particular the monkeys as we really enjoy seeing monkeys and other primates!

We travelled to Shanghai Zoo by taxi from our hotel in central Shanghai, as we found that booking taxis in Shanghai using the Didi app (which is very similar to Uber) was really easy and the rides were very reasonably priced. But if you prefer to use public transport then the Metro Line 10 stops at Shanghai Zoo Station which is right outside. We used Alipay to buy our tickets on the gate.

We arrived at the zoo as soon as it opened, around 8am, which meant that as well as avoiding the summer crowds we could also make the most of the very slightly cooler temperatures. Because the pandas were the main attraction for us we headed straight to their enclosure which was a really good move. There were only a couple of other people there, and the two pandas were out and about. 

We were able to see both pandas really close up and moving around in their outdoor enclosures, and we stayed for quite a while watching them.

Another draw for us was the penguins which were near the entrance, so we made our way back through the zoo stopping at various exhibits along the way. The zoo is very large and we found it quite difficult to navigate - and be prepared for a lot of walking! It's a good idea to take a photo of one of the maps to help you find your way around. There are a few places to buy snacks or water, and also some vending machines.

We found the penguins, and also enjoyed seeing the golden snub nosed monkeys, the lions and tigers, and the elephants.

The zoo was clean and tidy, and not at all crowded when we visited on a weekday in mid July. It was very hot which meant that we didn't feel up to spending the whole day there, but we comfortably saw everything that we wanted to in a couple of hours. Something to note about the toilets - almost all of the toilets were squat toilets which as Western visitors we aren't used to. If you need or prefer a pedestal toilet then look for the disabled toilet, we found one in every toilet block.

There is a lovely Swan Lake which features other water birds as well as swans, and overall the zoo was really open and pleasant to walk around, with plenty of green and scenic areas.

I found the design of the zoo a little old-fashioned and quite charming. Many of the enclosures had gorgeous hand painted signs showing the animals inside, inside which I loved. 

Almost all of the signage around the enclosures was entirely in Chinese, so if you don't speak Chinese you will need to make sure that you have a translation app on your phone - I like to use the Google Translate app. You can't use Google products easily in China, but I made sure to download the Chinese dictionary ahead of time and it worked really well. 

One thing that I had read before we visited the zoo was that the living conditions for the animals aren't perhaps quite as high as you might be used to seeing in other zoos around the world, and there is possibly some truth in that. We found that we saw every single animal, and often when you visit a zoo there are some animals that you never see because they are out of sight. 

So although the animal enclosures were a good size and clean, I think they are built so that they don't have many areas where the animals can hide out of view. Although this makes for a great visitor experience, it may not be so good for the animals. Otherwise though the enclosures were clean, and the animals appeared healthy.

You can find more information about the zoo on the Shanghai Zoo official website (the website can be translated to English!)

A look at my current To Be Read pile...

I've been reading quite a lot recently, but I've also developed a slight shopping addiction when it comes to buying books. I rarely buy a new book, but I do find it difficult to pass a charity shop without adding some bargains to my stash and I seem to have had a few shopping opportunities recently.

I thought I'd share a little look at my current To Be Read pile, to try and motivate myself to carry on working my way through it! The pile is stored next to my bed as that is where I do a lot of my reading. Most of the books are from charity shops, although a couple are new ones that I've received as gifts.

Three of them are books which I have previously borrowed, read and enjoyed, and I wanted to own my own copy to read before I add them to my shelf. They are All The Light We Cannon See by Anthony Doerr, The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller and Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. These will be easy to get through because I know that I really like them!

Two of them are books which I have started and have become stuck on as they were just not grabbing me. They are Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, which I would like to finish, and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy which I decided I wanted to read just to say that I had and am not regretting. They do take up a lot of space and make me feel guilty when I see them, so maybe I just need to admit defeat and pass them on.

There are also two other books that are in progress - Showstopper by Peter Lovesey isn't my usual sort of book but I've borrowed it and want to read it. The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon I've been reading for ages, I just dip in and out of it.

The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy is an old edition which was my Grandma's. There are two by Haruki Murakami - What I Talk About When I Talk About Running and Men Without Women which I'm looking forward to reading. My Father's House by Joseph O'Conner I picked up because I really enjoyed Star of The Sea. 

There are a few non-fiction - How to Speak Whale by Tom Mustill which I bought for my son, then The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks and The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins. All of these require a little more concentration to get through!

Finally, hidden in plain sight at the very top of the pile you will spot my Kindle in it's flowery case. I try not to think about all the unread books that are in there. Every month I get at least one book from the Kindle First Reads selection and I also have a selection from Amazon Prime Reading as well as the free ones that I download occasionally. There are currently 25 books in my unread books collection...I wouldn't have the room for all of them as physical books! 

A couple of years ago I wrote a blog post full of tips on working through the pile of unread books - How to conquer your To Be Read pile - which I think has some really helpful advice which I'm definitely going to be re-visiting!

Reasons to start a journal in the New Year

With a fresh new year around the corner, it's the perfect time to start a regular journalling habit! I've written many times on this blog about how I love writing in my journals - I use a bullet style journal to plan my week and a blank journal which I fill with my thoughts, ephemera and simple sketches. I find that journalling is a great way to keep those superfluous thoughts from running around inside my head, and it's also a way of bringing a dose of creativity to my daily life.

Why start a journal in the New Year?

It's a great time to start a journal. When a new year begins it's natural to want to reflect on the year just gone and to plan the year ahead. Everyone else is doing the same thing so there is plenty of motivation, and after the excess of Christmas you are in the mood to clear some space both physically and mentally. 

What do you need to get started?

Recently I wrote an article on how to journal when you don't know where to start and it contains plenty of advice to help you get over any block you might have to starting. All you need is something to write on and something to write with, and you don't need any expensive supplies. You probably already have a blank notebook around that has been waiting for a purpose! 

When it comes to physically putting pen to paper, I always start a new journal a few pages in. Then I can come back and fill the first couple of pages at a later date, or else I fill them with stickers and ephemera as time goes on. 

Photo credit Daria Shevtsova via Unsplash

What are the benefits of a regular journalling habit?

I find writing in my journal an enormous help to my wellbeing. When I have too many things running through my head, writing them down helps to clear my mind and organise my thoughts. It helps my anxiety to get things down on paper, and it's also really relaxing. 

Journalling helps me to work through and solve problems, for example a tricky decision that needs to be made. Often writing out a pros and cons list can help to find the answer that I'm looking for.  

In the new year I like to think about the things that I want to work on and achieve. For example changes that I want to make to my lifestyle, or things that I want to do. A journal can help to keep a record and track progress, or be a list of places to visit, recipes to make, activities to try. 

Recently on social media I've been seeing examples of dopamine menus. I don't like the name but I do like the concept - it's basically just a list of things that you enjoy doing. I had a similar list in my first bullet journal and I'm definitely going to create a new one for my next journal. 

Writing regularly can create a lovely record of things that you've done, especially when going through a life event that you will want to look back on. For example I've been journalling about the building of our house extension, both a factual account of what has been happening and also how I've been feeling about it at the time. 

Keeping a journal and pen handy is a great way to reduce screen time. You can fill a few minutes by jotting down some thoughts, or else settle down for a longer session away from the screen with a hot drink and a good view. 

Journalling is also a great way to improve creativity. I like to try out different layouts and styles, accessorise pages with stickers and washi tape, or try some simple sketches and start an illustrated journal. 

Finally...

One important thing that I want to mention is a reminder that your journal is personal to you. Don't feel the pressure to share it on social media - when you see beautiful journal pages online they have been created for that purpose and are designed to gather views and interaction. They can be great for inspiration, but can also make you feel inadequate and feel like stopping when you've barely begun.

Start with some cheap supplies so that you aren't intimidated by a beautiful journal that you don't want to ruin, and just take it from there!

Christmas gift ideas for book lovers

This post contains Amazon affiliate links

If you have a book lover in your life, then finding a gift for them this Christmas is easy! Just think about what sort of book lover they are (or maybe they are like me, and could fit into every category!)

Gift ideas for book lovers...

...with a large 'To Be Read' pile

I always have a pile of books that I want to read, and I enjoy having a selection that I can choose from depending on my mood. Help your book lover to keep them organised with some pretty bookends (affiliate link),  a decorative shallow basket (affiliate link) or even a large book trolley (affiliate link)!

...who like to be comfortable while they are reading

I love to read in bed, propped up on cushions with a hot water bottle by my feet. Help make your reader more comfortable with a supportive reading pillow (affiliate link), a clip on reading light (affiliate link) or a foldable bed tray (affiliate link) to keep drinks and snacks handy.

Photo credit Micheile Henderson via Unsplash

...who read while away from home

I love my Kindle (affiliate link) for reading while I'm travelling, it means that I can have a book with me for every reading mood and also access to lots of free books to download. A waterproof Kindle case (affiliate link) comes in handy for reading, whether you are the beach, by the pool, or just at home and in the bath!

...who lend out their books

Most readers enjoy sharing their books with others, but sometimes a temporary lending situation can turn into a permanent one - I've replaced books several times that have never made it back to me. I use book plates or stickers (affiliate link) for my favourite books or you could take it one step further and buy a personal library kit (affiliate link) so that no book will ever go missing again!

...who have several books on the go at once

Readers always need bookmarks! I have loads, and yet I never seem to be able to find one when I need one. You could look for a personalised one, make one, or else buy a large pack of pretty bookmarks (affiliate link) so that your reader will always have one to hand. 

Another great idea is a set of sticky index tabs (affiliate link) which can be used to mark favourite chapters or passages. 

Photo credit Kelsy Gagnebin via Unsplash

...who have a particular favourite book or author

World of Books has a dedicated Rare Books section which I love to browse - you might find a first or special edition of a book, and the prices are very reasonable. You could also look for a biography of an author that they like, or a compilation book which includes their favourite author and other similar writers. There are plenty of websites which can suggest new books based on books that you've enjoyed, and you might help them to discover a new favourite.

....who read while they are eating

Maybe it's a bad habit, but if I'm settling down with a book in some peace and quiet I'll often make myself a hot drink and a selection of snacks, or else I will read while I'm eating a meal. Choose food which can be eaten with one hand and doesn't make your fingers messy - think healthy options like nuts or dried fruit, or more indulgent treats like suger coated chocolates, mints and jelly sweets.

An adjustable book stand (affiliate link) or a simple hand book holder (affiliate link) can make reading while eating much more comfortable.

...who enjoy book reading challenges

There are plenty of scratch off posters with top books (affiliate link) which are fun to use and display, and a great way to find some reading inspiration. You can also look for a book filled with book suggestions, like 1000 Books to Read Before you Die (affiliate link) which would certainly keep even an avid reader busy!

...who want to remember what they've read

You can choose a dedicated book journal (affiliate link), or else any pretty notebook and pen can do the job. There is plenty of reading journal inspiration online, so if you are feeling crafty you could even take the time to set up some reading journal pages to get them started. If they are crafty, add some bookish stickers (affiliate link) or a set of pretty washi tapes (affiliate link).

Photo credit Ayako via Unsplash

I hope that this has given you plenty of ideas for the reader in your life this Christmas!

Journalling and bullet journal supplies for Halloween

This post contains affiliate links

I love writing in my notebooks, and I have two journals consistently on the go. I use my bullet journal to plan my weekly schedule and keep track of my tasks for the day, then I use my illustrated journal to write down my thoughts and also as a creative outlet for small sketches and collages. I enjoy theming them both to the time of year, and with Halloween coming up I thought I'd share some Halloween themed supplies which would work really well for all types of journalling. 

Photo credit Michelle Gordon via Unsplash

Almost all of my bullet journal pages are edged with a strip of washi tape, I just love it! I have a pack of Halloween themed washi tape that I bought a few years ago and it's the perfect way to give a page an instant Halloween look. If you want something similar then you might like this big pack of cheerful Halloween washi tape, or you might prefer something darker like this huge set of magic and witch themed washi tape. 

When I'm working on a themed journal page, I often use some patterned paper as a background or as matting for a piece of ephemera. Something like this Halloween paper ephemera would work perfectly, or for a less bulky look some Halloween tissue paper would also work really well. 

I use stickers in both my bullet journal and my illustrated journal. For my bullet journal I like to use something small and fun, like these simple Halloween stickers. I especially like the small icons which you could use as bullet point markers. The stickers below are part of my Aesthetic Planner Stickers set which covers holidays and occasions throughout the year. But for my journal I want something a bit more dramatic, so I often go for some printed collage images which you can have fun cutting out and arranging on the page. I love this Vintage Halloween Ephemera Collection which is packed with spooky illustrations for all sorts of paper Halloween projects.

Until recently I always used the same fountain pen for writing in my journal, but after buying some new pens in gorgeous colours I've started to mix it up a bit. I use a new pen colour each day to make my entries stand out, and at this time of year I'm really drawn to autumnal colours. I have a set of these lovely pens - Zebra Sarasa gel pens - which come in a range of muted, vintage colours and are really comfortable to write with. It's difficult to choose a favourite colour but at the moment I'm really enjoying the golden yellow and the dark red.

Halloween usually calls for more muted, darker colours, so you can reflect this in the other accents that you use in your journal. For example coloured sticky tabs as bookmarks or to help find a certain journal page. I also love these fun Autumn leaf sticky notes which really stand out, both to use in a bullet journal or as a quick reminder around the house. 

I hope you enjoyed these ideas for bringing some Halloween fun to your journal pages this month!

Going on a Disney cruise - some Pixie Dust ideas

We were recently lucky enough to take a short weekend Disney cruise which we booked last minute at a fantastic rate. It was quite hectic, as many of our fellow cruisers were first time Disney cruisers and were keen to see and do everything!

One of the things that we love about a Disney cruise is that there are so many ways to add some magical extras to the trip, for example with organised gift exchanges, magnet swaps and door decorating.

Something that really took off in the Facebook and WhatsApp groups for this particular cruise was Pixie Dust. Pixie Dust is a small and inexpensive gift given without the expectation of receiving anything in return. It can be placed inside the Fish Extender of a stateroom that you like the look of, or handed out in person on the ship. Sometimes a cruise group will set up a list of people that want to give and receive Pixie Dust, and some people prefer to gift at random.

We've given out lots of Pixie Dust on previous cruises, and I've also shared some Pixie Dust ideas for a Halloween cruise. Based on the Pixie Dust that we received on this cruise, I thought I'd share some of the things that went down particularly well!

How to package Pixie Dust

I am still working through my fabric stash, so I made lots of very simple drawstring bags. You can also use plastic bags, paper bags, wrap in paper or tissue paper, or just give out unwrapped. Some people put a lot of thought into the presentation of their items, with glitter, sequins and stickers.

Most people put a small note or gift tag with their cabin number. You don't have to do this, but it is probably a good idea to at least label it as Pixie Dust so that new cruisers aren't confused and think they have received something by mistake. 

Homemade Pixie Dust ideas

Magnets - this could be a simple laminated picture. In the past I've designed magnets which are specific to the cruise with destinations, flags, or a picture that I've taken of the ship. I've also made Hama bead Disney magnets which are really simple and fun.

Bookmarks - If you have a laminator these are really easy to make, just print out your designs, laminate, then add a ribbon.

Bracelets - Homemade bracelets are really easy and inexpensive to make and people love wearing them to remind them of their cruise.

Pirate Night themed Pixie Dust

If you are lucky enough to be sailing on a cruise with a themed Pirate Night then pirate themed gifts are a great idea! Some ideas - chocolate coins, temporary tattoos, glow sticks or bubbles for the deck party, plastic jewellery, inflatable cutlasses, eye patches.

Other Pixie Dust ideas

Sweets - This was probably the most popular Pixie Dust received by our family! Small packs of Haribo, Maoam bars or similar. Also small chocolates like chocolate coins or fun size bars. Just make sure that they are all individually wrapped.

Stickers - You can buy large packs of Disney or ocean themed stickers and add a few to each package.

Pens - There are lots of Disney themed pens available in multipacks that can be broken down for individual gifts. I always appreciate a nice pen!

Magnets - We received some lovely tiny Disney themed magnets, they were so sweet! You can often buy these in bulk and separate out.

Ducks - People love to hide ducks when cruising (that's a whole other topic!) and we were thrilled to receive a full size Belle duck and also some cute tiny plastic ducks.

Bubbles - There will probably be some kind of deck party on your cruise, for example a Pirate or Frozen themed party. Blowing bubbles is a great way to keep little ones entertained while you wait for the party to start. Just make sure to pack them securely!

Clothes pegs - This might sound an odd one, but one year we received a couple of Mickey Mouse clothes pegs and I love them, they always make me smile when I hang out the washing! I assume that they were part of a large set and given out a couple at a time.

Jewellery - I love any kind of inexpensive jewellery that I can wear on the cruise, on future cruises, and when I'm back home. I received a lovely mermaid ring and necklace which I wore on Pirate Night.

Patches - These can be sewn onto bags or hats as a reminder of the trip.

Pins - Official Disney pins would be an expensive and generous Pixie Dust gift, but you can also buy cheaper pins with a nautical or ocean theme which would make a lovely gift.

Temporary tattoos - These are always fun to apply and wear around the ship.

Reusable straws - I saw someone on our cruise giving these out and thought that this was a great idea as the paper straws supplied on board can be a little flimsy.

Keyrings - Again something that you can buy in bulk, we received some lovely glitter Mickey head keyrings in different colours.

Many of these items can be purchased in bulk from places like Amazon, AliExpress or Temu and can be very reasonable in terms of cost. And or course not everything has to be Disney themed - you could look for a nautical theme, an ocean theme, pirates and mermaids and so on.

I hope that you find some ideas to inspire you, and have fun joining in with Pixie Dust gifts on your next Disney cruise!