I wrote about my new Instax Mini 9 camera back in February last year and if you missed the review here it is say-cheese-instant-photos-are-back.html
I mentioned then that I would like to try taking pictures in black and white. Well I had a go and I also purchased an album to keep all my photos in as I have quite a few now. It has taken me quite a while to get used to taking pictures with this camera as you do have to think about the surroundings and light conditions a little more. If you are an experienced photographer you will know this well and although this instant camera doesn't have a wide range of settings it is possible to get a good shot. It has been fun experimenting with the monochrome film and some of the photos came out with a really old fashioned look as though they had been taken hundreds of years ago. I didn't always get it right but you do have to be careful when experimenting as the films are quite pricey as I mentioned in my first post. You are looking at £9.99 for ten shots of monochrome here so to be honest I have been a bit reluctant to use this camera so much recently but I can't resist it, especially at Christmas. I did purchase a nice little album and my photos are looking really good in there. It is specially designed for the Instax mini prints and holds two prints side by side per page (64 pockets altogether). There is room at the bottom of your print to write a message or record a date which is helpful when looking back. I really love having a photo album again, we tend to just look back at photos on our phones and tablets now which is good but I am really enjoying being a bit nostalgic and turning the pages of an album. I did purchase a case for the camera a while back too which is really handy to carry it around. You can leave the camera in the case to take photos but with mine I found it tended to cover the light meter a little so when it's low light I now tend to take the camera out of the case. I've gone back to the colour photos now for a while and it's time to record some new year moments. I hope you have had a great new year. I will be back with a Verse for Thursday tomorrow but for now I will leave you with some links (affiliated) to Amazon for some Instax accessories. Take care for now.
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Snoozies travel slippers are the future! These are brilliant if you go visiting people and you don't want to plough through their best living room carpet with your size nine's or in my case an average size five.
Like your handy shopper bag they come packed in a little zipped pouch so you can tuck them disecretly into your handbag, great eh? I had a pair yesterday as a little stocking filler and I wore them all day at my parents pad. I unwrapped and Christmas Day'd my way with comfort and ease. I felt a bit like a ballerina but don't tell Darcey Bussell, she'll be wanting a pair. Now there was a time where I used to pack a sexy pair of underwear when going around to someone's house (not my parents) but now I'm getting on in years my sexy undies have turned into a pair of practical slippers. What I do love about my Snoozies is that they are comfy. They are not big thick shoe type slippers but just dainty and enough to give that nice, well needed cover on the feet. If you are looking for big feet warmers then these are not the slippers you are looking for (woah I went in Jedi mode then) but I did find them really cosy. They do come in various different designs and I just think they are really cute and practical. I'll tell you where they could be quite useful too is if you have to have a stay in hospital, maybe you are nearing delivery of a baby bubba, well these would be perfect. You could pack them in your hospital bag ready for the day and they would be comfortable even if your feet have swelled a little with pregnancy, mine did and I wish I had had a pair of these. I received these as a pressie but I have tracked them down on Amazon so I will pop a link (affiliated) at the end of this post. I hope you received all you wanted for Christmas. Sometimes I find the best things are the things that just cannot be bought or wrapped. I've realised that what is important is the love and hugs from those dearest around us, you just cannot put a price on that kind of gift. I will be spending today with family again and I'm so looking forward to it. Have fun whatever you do and take this time to relax and reflect. Lots of love xxx Don't forget to take your Snoozies with you........
Oh wow I could not put this book down, or should I say my kindle as I decided to download this one. I would also say that it is a page turner but with said technology it got my finger swiping like mad instead.
Imagine yourself on a busy commute home, travelling on the underground you happen to be reading a newspaper where you suddenly see a photo of yourself and a phone number underneath. You would be really freaked out eh? Well this is what happened to Zoe in the book and then she notices a different women the next day and this goes on and on. All these women become victims of different crimes and it's only a matter of time until Zoe faces hers. It's as if someone is watching these women and tracking their every move so with every commute home or anywhere that Zoe travels she seems to be in danger. The lead character is a divorced mum of two and settled in a new relationship. She has a good friend and neighbour who owns a string of cafes, a concerned boss and she is still in contact with her ex. Is it a stranger following her or someone she may know? It really has you thinking and trying to work out why someone should target her, just going along with her normal life. It is one of those stories where you do start questioning everyone she knows and then think 'no it can't be'. If you like a gripping thriller of a book then this is definitely for you. The theory of what is happening is quite a scary one and I don't want to give too much away. The ending is just amazing with a huge twist so it is well worth a read. This is the second novel by Clare Mackintosh and is a number one bestseller. Her first novel 'I Let You Go' was a Sunday Times bestseller and also selected on Richard and Judy's Book Club. It was a winning title as part of Loose Women's readers vote for summer 2015 so her novels are really quite popular. I am reading her first novel now and yep it is really good so far. I will let you know what I think of that one too. Don't have nightmares though, no it's not that bad but it 'I See You' is pretty tense, you will just keep reading to find out what happens. Let me know what you thought if you have read this book. I will pop a link (affiliated) at the end of this post for the book at Amazon. Thank you for reading today. I haven't reviewed a book for a while, mainly because I haven't had a lot of time to read one so I really enjoyed having some book time. I find reading so relaxing, yes even in the middle of a major crime going on, weird eh? I think reading just takes you away from the hustle and bustle of life and transforms you in to fiction world which I just love even if just for a while. I will be back tomorrow with a Verse for Thursday but until then please take care of yourselves. Here's the book....... I had to try them, the new offer from Walkers crisps......Brussels Sprout flavour crisps. Now I like Brussels sprouts which is a bonus otherwise trying these would have been seen as some sort of torture, the EU are probably using these as a way of saying 'you know you want to stay'.
For some though Brussels sprouts are a sure reason for leaving the EU, not loved by everyone, awwww and they can play havoc with some people's digestive system. A bit wiffy aren't they when passing the old trumpety trump (fart/passing wind). I love them and could eat them a lot so never stand behind me in a queue just in case but thankfully you should be safe after eating these crisps. I love how they have a big warning on the front saying they don't contain real Brussels, only flavouring. It's like saying in big capitals or shouting out that these will NOT MAKE YOU FART!!! So what did I think? Well I love them, they do really taste like Brussels sprouts and I think combined with the pigs in blanket flavour and turkey stuffing flavour I may not have to even bother with a Christmas dinner. I might just have all three flavours on a plate and put some gravy over them and be done with it. The easiest Christmas dinner ever.....stand down Jamie Oliver, you've met ya match now. I like them that much I'm thinking of stock piling a few packets in my cupboard so that I can have them for a few weeks to come. I wonder though if I would be sick of the sight of them after Christmas........naaaa love your Brussels embrace that taste and take in the aroma. It's there I can assure you in these packets of delish delights. So give them a try, or if you have given them a try what did you think? Are you fan? I think most people will buy them out of curiosity, I did, but now I'm a bit hooked. I think they ought to be a permanent flavour - save the Brussels sprout crisps! Oh I feel a placard coming on and a demo outside of the Walkers HQ. For now though we will leave it there, I'm back tomorrow with my Verse for Thursday so join me then......happy sprout season.....(paaaaarp). I'm not big on lots of Christmas decorations, I usually just get by on the basics but I do love a Christmas wreath. I think they make the front door look really festive and welcoming. There are some really nice ones in all sorts of designs available. Some prefer a natural wreath containing fresh foliage and decorations and of course there are the artificial ones (pictured above) which can be used year after year. Fresh natural wreaths can also be made at this time of year for tributes to those who have passed away, they can be placed somewhere in memory of a loved one. I think that is lovely way to remember someone special at this time of year. If you do buy from a local florist you can bet your tribute will have been made with a lot of love and attention. Florist's are like that. The artificial wreaths are not only for hanging on the door. They can also be used to hang on an interior wall or used as a table decoration (pictured below) by adding one of those battery operated candles. Placing lights around a wreath also makes it a little bit different, you may have a part of your living room or a porch that needs a bit of extra light, so that Santa can find his way.......very important. Wreaths are very popular at this time of year. You could even attend a wreath making workshop which a lot of crafters and florists tend to put on. There you can learn how to make a wreath yourself, get your creative juices flowing. I think it's always nice to create something yourself, it makes the end product a lot more personal.
If you have never bought one then go for it this year, they really are a nice addition to other decorations. I have the one in the main picture hanging on my door and it looks fabulous. I can just wrap it up and pop it away for next Christmas and it was a reasonable price to at £12. If you are looking to seek out a wreath for this year, check out Suzy Blues Flowers. There is a facebook page here to follow: www.facebook.com/suzybluesflowers/ and check out their blog here at: www.suzybluesflowers.com I hope you are getting in the Christmas mood now as it isn't long until the holidays start. The Bailey's will be in the coffee and mulled wine warming on the stove. Boxes of Celebrations or Roses bought, I say boxes as we always buy one, eat them all before Christmas and have to get another. Not just me then eh? You stay safe and enjoy the festivities leading up to Christmas. I will be back tomorrow with my Verse for Thursday but for now........ Go buy a wreath!!! I've had my eye on one of these trolley's from Hobbycraft for a while now. When they originally came into stock though in my local store they were priced at £50 and I thought, no way......that is a bit pricey for me and for what it is really.
So what should happen on Black Friday? Well Hobbycraft only cut the price by 50% then I thought, that's more like it......I'm having one of those. Perishing the thought of having to go to a retail park on Black Friday I was relieved to know I could order online and get free delivery too. Dolly my trolley is just lovely. Dad from the Brew put it together for me today and it is now holding lots of my crafty flowery tools all neatly and I can also wheel it around to wherever I want it. I was so determined not to fall for any Black Friday deals. I kept telling myself, don't buy anything you don't really need and if the price isn't worth it don't go for it. I think this was a bargain though and it will go to good use. Kind of makes me want to put snacks and drinks in it and wheel it down the living room, asking he kids if they need any refreshments. Then I would have to tell them where the emergency exits are and that their lifejackets are under the sofas. In the event of loss of oxygen in the living room a mask will drop from the ceiling..........oh getting carried away now eh? The colour is a nice rose gold and there is plenty of room for all sorts of equipment so I can recommend it if you are a crafter. It would also look nice in any kitchen too if you needed extra storage space. It is good quality and very sturdy so it should last quite a while. I must say very professionally constructed too and easy according to the master of all 'putting together things'. It is sold out now online but available in store at £25 so get one fast if you fancy one. Here is the link to Hobbycraft and the deals they still have on offer www.hobbycraft.co.uk/black-friday-deals Thank you for reading today. I will be back tomorrow with my Verse for Thursday but for now you take care...... Bing Bong.....and thank you for flying with Sue from the Brew......(stop it now!!!)
Weighted blankets have been something that I have heard a lot about but I've never really looked into the benefits of having one. They are a popular topic at our Autism support group meetings especially when we get on the subject of sensory processing issues.
The deep pressure provided by these blankets causes the body to produce serotonin and endorphins which are our relaxing, calming chemical, enabling us to have a better nights sleep or just to take the anxiety away. I've always like to wrap myself up in a standard blanket or duvet and before I had this blanket I would feel a little better when piling a couple of cushions on top of me when trying to sleep. I have had quite a few restless nights, tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable and fall asleep then I would wake up and hold the longest world record for over thinking. I have also started to experience night sweats (yes getting to that age) and my bladder would always call me to the toilet two or three times in the night. Since having this blanket a week ago things have changed quite a bit. I can settle more easily, I seem to get to sleep a lot quicker, feel so much more relaxed and cosy. I don't get up so much in the night, tend to stay asleep longer and I don't sweat at all. That surprised me as with the weight of this thing I thought I would become hotter or the hormones would get weirder but no nothing! Another thing I didn't anticipate it to help with was my back pain. I've suffered for a while with my back but this blanket seems to keep me so grounded and in a nice position that I don't have the problems I had before, I'm amazed really. It's not a miracle turn around as some nights are better than others, I still want a wee at silly o'clock but I just seem to have a better quality of sleep and feel a lot better the next day. I did find I had to adjust to it a bit, as soon as getting under it it felt nice but it is quite weighty. The blanket is divided into squares with glass beads inside each square which allows the weight to be evenly distributed throughout the blanket. It comes with a nice cover, like a teddy bear duvet cover and if you saw me trying to get the cover on the inner blanket you would have laughed, even I laughed at myself. It is quite heavy to manoeuvre around, so bear that in mind. There are different sizes and I had the 150cm x 200cm which covers a double bed just nicely. When deciding on the right weighted blanket you need to have one that is around 10% of your body weight, it is important to get the right weight. You don't want it to be like a brick, stuck under the thing and not being able to move at all, it should feel comfortable. Yes I did get this from Amazon and just to prepare you, they are not cheap (early Christmas pressie to myself). I will put a link (affiliated) at the end of this post for the one I bought. You can be looking around £100 - £150 for a good quality blanket but for me the benefits have been worth every penny so far. I 'ummed and ahhed' about whether to buy this mainly because of the price but I'm so glad I did. I would recommend doing some research before going for it if you are not sure, try asking different suppliers what their policy is regarding returns. You may get a trial period which is good. I knew that I liked the feeling of the pressure so it was just a case for me as to whether it was worth the cash and it was. The set I ordered actually comes with a weighted eye mask too but to be honest I haven't used this as it may be all a bit too much but it's there if you feel the need for it. So it is very much a personal preference but I can see how it has benefits for those who suffer from anxiety, for those who have sensory issues regarding autism and also with ADHD. Please check with the supplier when using one for your young people, this one was recommended more for adults. They are not recommended for babies or pregnant women. I will keep you regular posted to see how I'm going on with this especially as we go into summer next year. I can't work out yet whether it may be too much in the hot weather which it may be, but I'll let you know. Thank you for reading today, I will be back tomorrow with my Verse for Thursday but in the meantime let me know what you think, have you tried a weighted blanket? Did it help? I would like to thank the lovely Ella who has a You Tube channel called Purple Ella. She actually reviewed her blanket there and from that I ended up with mine. If you haven't seen her channel, please go and look at it now! Ella is Autistic herself and is also a mum to three children, two of whom are also autistic. She covers some amazing topics on her channel. Here is Ella's review on her weighted blanket to give you more of an idea how they work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B_gqs9Uu30 If you would like to look at the blanket I ordered then here it is...... Take care for now....... This weeks post is more of a 'do we still like to buy feature'. I want to know whether it's still popular to buy magazines. If you ask Mum from the Brew she would say yes but she does buy them for the puzzles and we both have a TV guide every week.
That's as far as I go though in regard to a mag. I don't really like typical women's magazines as I think it's all a bit 'last season' to me. They can tend to make people feel less positive about themselves. There are so many diet tips and medical items you become obsessed with losing weight or end up a hypochondriac. I think there's too much pressure to look like some of the people pictured in magazines and some of the articles are just a waste of time. I did used to buy Cosmopolitan for a while as they always used to ask questions or have articles that you couldn't find in a Woman's Own. I realised though with Cosmo and a lot of other magazines that I was paying a lot of money for adverts rather than any quality information. I alway find myself picking a magazine up and then completely changing my mind. Taking a look around though in my local supermarket it seems that you don't buy the mag, you just have a good read and then put it back. We've all stood next to those people eh? I can't see the point now as I tend to look for info on the internet. If I want a recipe they are there at the touch of a button and for free. A magazine is just something you have sitting on a coffee table for months, maybe used as a coaster and then chucked away. I do like a bit of a flick through a magazine in a waiting room but that's ok if they are not five years ago out of date. I've been known to be sitting waiting for a dental appointment looking forward to my six monthly look at Hello magazine, hoping to see a good wedding pic of Harry and Meghan but then end up finding myself reminiscing over William and Kate's, I mean blimey, they've had three kids since then. I suppose people do still buy them, downloading them onto a kindle isn't the same, you can't swat flies with a kindle or get your free gifts on there so real magazines do have their purpose On the flip side though it would save on waste, we don't even need to collect them anymore as everyone uses Pinterest. I wonder if there will be a day when magazines do disappear from our supermarket shelves, well books are still available so it comes down to personal preference. Let me know if you still like to buy a magazine and which one (go steady now) I would be interested to see how popular they are now. Thank you for reading today, I will be back tomorrow with a Verse for Thursday but for now take care. Isn't she lovely? Her name is Lily and she is a gorgeous little clutch bag from those people at Mia Tui. I love this bag, so simple and I chose black so that it would go with anything I was wearing. It is good for a casual outing or on a night out.
Sometimes I just like a bag big enough to get my phone, purse and keys in as that's all I need on some occasions. Lily has a little pocket for your phone and she also has a nifty little elasticated key clip so there's no danger of losing your keys. Pretty difficult anyway with this bag as it is small but just right. It measures: 25.4 cm x 17cm (10" x 6.5") and although it has a wrist strap you also get a shoulder strap with it which you can clip on if you feel the need. The Lily clutch bag is available in different colours and priced at £9.99 making it so affordable and it is great quality. No animal based products are used in the making of any of the bags from Mia Tui and the range they have on offer is fantastic. I love these bags, I know I love all bags but these are my favourites. I already have the Maya backpack which I wrote a review about here a-lovely-backpack-called-maya.html If you follow Mia Tui on social media they do have some offers from time to time and also if you visit the website at www.miatui.com they have great bundle offers which provide savings when purchasing more than one bag at a time. There is free shipping on UK orders over £25 so what are you waiting for? Go order now and you will be addicted just like me. I bet you end up buying more than one. You can get gift vouchers so maybe with Christmas just around the corner you could be on the way to a new bag by the New Year......woo! Lily and Maya are now well and truly part of the family, yes my large bag fetish family and I've got my eye on another but it will just have to wait. Yes it will.....I have to eat and drink many brews first. Thank you so much for reading today, I do hope you love Lily, let me know if you have bags from Mia Tui and what do you think? Do you love the key holders, the insulated bottle holder and the free clear bag on some bags? I know......it's so good. You all take care now and come back tomorrow for my Verse for Thursday. Bye for now. That's what you need to buy this week.....a cinema ticket to see the new movie Bohemian Rhapsody. If you are a Queen fan you will love this film as I did along with Mum from the Brew and Son from the Brew. We reclined again in the super seats at Odeon and sang along with all the classics Queen had to offer in this 134 minute music biography.
It was the story of how the band Queen came together and their story through the years creating such iconic songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and Another One Bites The Dust. We witnessed the ups and downs the band went through ending with the performance at Live Aid in 1985 which would reunite the band in so many ways and bring them together for Freddie's remaining years until his untimely death in 1991. I personally just got so lost in this film, I love Queen and Freddie Mercury was just the ultimate in showmanship, what a performer! This film showed is eccentricity and flamboyancy but also his vulnerable shy side, his battle with relationships and exploration of his sexuality. It wasn't just all about Freddie though it was about the band and how they were a family complete with disagreement and conflicts. I found it so emotional especially when Freddie was diagnosed with HIV and the fact that we all knew what was to happen. I didn't realise that he was diagnosed that early as we, the public never knew about his situation until a little time before he died. The Live Aid performance was to be a momentous occasion which they went forward from and continued to give us fantastic music. So if you love a bit of Queen then go and see it as you will love it but take a tissue in case you're an emotional wreck like me or just miss the main man still after twenty seven years!! Seems like yesterday to me. The world lost one of the best singer/songwriters in musical history on the 24th November 1991. I think although we may miss him I'm glad he lives on and the music of Queen and Freddie Mercury is passed down to our next generations. I love that my son loves Queen and gets a kick out their music the way I did when I was his age, he is around the age now that I would have been when watching Live Aid. I also love that I watched this film with my mum who at eighty one and still rocking along to Queen, how cool is that?? Very cool I think so go and see it and tell me what you think. Thank you so much for reading, do join me again tomorrow for my Verse for Thursday but for now...... Take care. |
What to Buy WednesdayFrom May 2020 I will be writing a poem about something I may have purchased or would like to purchase. Archives
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