live, work & eat better #9

Well December has shot by! I’ve had a bit of a blog break – well, kind of, I’ve still been working on the redesign, the podcast and the second round of my E-Course Your Blog, Your Way. OH and I’m also working on a self love challenge for January, if you fancy going me then sign up to my newsletter (over there >>>) to be first to know the details!

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So since you’re all hopefully still snuggled down, eating chocolates and watching crap festive TV, here are a few brilliant reads to get you through the next few days…

Well first of all, I watched Gone Girl last night and can I just say – WOW!!! It’s one of those films you just keep thinking about! Anyhow, if you too liked Gone Girl (which by the way, the book is just 99p on Amazon at the moment) then Harpers Bazaar have compiled a list of 15 psychological thrillers you may enjoy.

This casserole reheats perfectly and will keep for at least five days in the fridge

I’ve been so lucky to have travelled to Cuba several times since 1999 and also travel across the Island taking in all those non-tourist spots. Cuba is one of my favourite places on earth, until you go and experience it for yourself (and I’m not talking about drinking Cuba Libre on the beach – although that is fabulous) then you’ll never know just how wonderful the Cuban people are. So this Associated Press piece about whether the diplomatic thaw between US and Cuba open the market for hotels, coffee chains and burger joints is really interesting.

Great post from about how you can’t move on to the year ahead without addressing what happened in the year you just lived.

How To You Know.

Forget your expensive lotions and potions, find out how the Mediterranean Diet can slow ageing.

Who cares so long as people are cooking? While women are cooking much less than they did in the 1960s, men are cooking much more.

So Serial has finished but if you still want more then check out Rabia Chaudry ‘s blog. Insightful.

This piece by Mark Manson – In The Future, Our Attention Will Be Sold is.

 

Sunday Stumble…

Sunday already! The weeks seem to be whizzing by at the moment and here’s me slowly adjusting to Autumn, it’ll be winter before we know it.

So this week has been crazy busy, I’ve been busy working on my e-books, was interviewed for a great podcast series and tried out co-working – but more about that later.

Shall we get on with this weeks very wordy stumble then?

Watching…
I am currently obsessed with Hotel Secrets – a great new series on Sky Atlantic hosted by Richard E Grant who delves in to the world of the hotel business. I find hotels absolutely fascinating. One of my first jobs was working at the Celtic Manor Resort. I worked via an agency so tried out a variety of positions from pot washer to chambermaid and I remember desperately wanting a career in hotel management.  If I ever win the lotto I’ve got fabulous plans for a few derelict properties in Newport and Cardiff!

Experiencing…
This week I tried out co-working. I had a few hours to spare after a meeting in Birmingham so thought it would be the PERFECT time to get my head down and in to my e-book. I don’t work too well in coffee shops, I’m so nosey that instead of working I get sucked in to people watching and eavesdropping on conversations – great for when I’m writing fiction but not SO good when I’m trying to write an e-book about having a fabulous Christmas*

I visited The Moseley Exchange, it cost £10 for 3 hours and quite honestly it was fabulous. The people were so friendly (check out a fellow co-workers website – Fandango media) and welcoming it’s a shame I don’t live in Moseley because I’d be a regular. I will however be checking out the Cardiff equivalent very soon!

Gossiping with…

I was SO honoured to be asked to record a podcast with the amazing Dave Thackeray of Talknology. We were supposed to be having a good old chat about tech stuff but instead we got totally lost in the moment and discussed everything – a total brain dump if you will. You can hear my podcast on the Talknology or download it from iTunes. Visit the site to hear some superb podcasts from more sensible, grown up people!

Reading…

  Would you jump off the social media bandwagon? – The Day I Decided to Stop

 Want to find out how to write an effective hotel review?

 Tony Adam wrote all about why he loves working in coffee shops

 Want to build a blog you love? Rachel from InSpacesBetween has compiled a great post on designing a fantastic blog.

 The super gorgeous Emily from amummytoo.co.uk whipped up some Welsh cakes this week.

 And finally sticking with the foodie theme, there is a luscious recipe over at Lipstick & Cake for Pink Macaroons and Rosewater Cupcakes. 

Just a few things before I say goodbye…

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