A Catch Up In Numbers.

Hello friends! Long time no see isn't it? Well twenty three days later, not exactly a lifetime. Taking a break from blogging vs not being able to blog are two very different feelings and I've found myself spending many an evening simply curled up on the sofa binge watching Netflix. Incase you're wondering, the reason for my absence is Batman themed of course! He chewed through my laptop cable and I've been awaiting a new one! So what else have I been up to? I hear your yelps of excitement at my return...

1) Six quiet evenings for self preservation. Perfect for getting my yoga mat out, doing some stretches and learning some simple pilates to keep me strong through these cold months. 

2) Reading two whole books in three whole days. I was gifted the brilliant "When Mr Dog Bites" from Leona for my birthday and read it in about five hours! It's been a while since I've curled up in silence for hours on end and just read. It was lovely. The other book (and one checked off my to-read list for the year!) was "The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August." Another brilliant read and rather different to my usual genre, this has a time travelling theme! I'd really recommend them both! 

3) Devoured two whole bloomers. Mmmmm isn't fresh bloomer bread just delicious and so much better in every single way than normal bread?

4) Over thirty cups of tea. Because tea is made for winter, for early mornings and for small measures of happiness.

5) Seventy Two hours of utter illness. Like I'm not going to disclose all the gory details guys but seriously this was HELL. Three days of not even rehydration drinks staying in my weak stomach made me cry on more than one occasion and even involved Harps dressing me one night. I had a gourmet meal of two slices of bread last night for my first meal back to health. It was amazing.

6) Two yankee candles burning. Candles are for warming the soul in the winter. Every evening insists on them.

7) Walking on a very windy beach for over forty five minutes will send shivers to your spine but time with two spaniels and one mummy are always for savouring.

8) Twelve episodes of House, Five episodes of Catfish and Two new episodes of Better Call Saul (what does everyone think?!) on Netflix. Binge watching at its best. This wasn't even whilst I was ill! (During that time I was mainly curled around my toilet with a small cushion.)

9) Did the best online shopping ever. There's one person that I love buying presents for more than anyone else in the world. It's Leona's birthday soon which means I have an excuse to buy all the lovely little things that I'd love to receive but would never buy myself (because life means there isn't funds for cute little things) and three websites and six purchases later I'm looking forward to it all finishing coming in the post!

10) Finally and something I've wanted to share with you all for a couple of weeks now. I achieved one promotion at work which I am very proud, excited and happy about!

So that's me in a bit of a wrap up! How about you lovely ladies and gents? What have I missed? I've been stalking you all as usual and keep your eyes peeled for a bit of a favourite posts catch up in the next few days! 

Love Sophie Xx

The Two Questions That Will Determine If We Will Be Friends.

Image Via Pinterest.

There are two questions for when you meet someone new that in my opinion, can tell you enough about them to make an instant judgement. I shared these questions with Leona and Liam over lunch the other week and we agreed that they're at the very least a good conversation starter! I honestly use both of these questions when I meet someone new and hey I don't get a bad response! 

1) What is the best type of biscuit in the world?

Now, my answer (after MUCH deliberation) is of course a jam cream. Some people get confused with a jammy dodger here but I assure you that is not the same thing. Jam creams are usually found in the Christmas selection box (not nearly enough of them!) but literally EVERY UK supermarket agrees with me that they are amazing and now stock them all.by.themselves! I'm not a dictator, there are plenty of appropriate answers! For example; bourbon is a very close second and a delicious choice. A true, honest person would choose a bourbon. Etc etc, Someone who chooses a 'NICE' biscuit is probably pretty close to the bottom of my biscuit list- there's just so many better biscuits!  

There is one answer that is under no circumstances allowed- and this my friends, is where you can learn about someone the most.

Jaffa Cake.

Leona: "Anyone who answers with jaffa cake is a c***t."

2) If you were (hypothetically of course) to throw an animal over a rugby (American football) post, what is the largest animal you could throw?

As we all know I'm not exactly 'sporty'. This is what I think of when I hear rugby posts...

The answer here is important. Once you've got past the whole "Well I'd never throw an animal like a ball!" part. Let's just make is clear people- NOBODY WOULD DO THAT IN REAL LIFE! People's answers can be quite interesting. Mine is currently a small goat. I'm feeling a little feeble from the weather but sometime in the summer I was feeling confident about a large monkey. The question is really two-fold. A) The size/weight of the animal compared to distance/height to throw. B) The ability to actually throw the animal (the goat- use the horns *underarm swing*) etc. People that wuss out and say " Oh I could't throw dust from a moth." Get out. 

So what do you think? Good conversation starters hey? Maybe not in an interview...Or an animal charity event....Or in a jaffa cake factory..But great over lunch!

Love Sophie Xx

This Time Last Year I Started a Blog...

Bit of a creepy photo of me a little too excited about the giant
sweet I bought from the market! 

My my, how time flies. I am quite possibly the worst person for repeating myself but HOW THE HELL IS IT ALMOST DECEMBER?! Today was the first day that I cracked out my festive jumper for the winter (a cat in a santa hat with a sequin tummy-obviously)! Jingling my way around the house, it dawned on me that I'd just bought this jumper when I started this little corner of the internet and had a look back. 

You'll never guess what!? It's a year today since I started writing here! What a festive and cat-filled coincidence! 

I hadn't planned to post today to be honest but how could I not!? And what should you say after writing something for a year?! 

I never had started this with the intention of anyone really caring about it; more so somewhere to document for the future. I hoped (and still do!) that it'll be fun to look back on years to come.
I've made some pretty splendid friends through this little hobby (including the 165 of you that are following me at time of posting-thanks so much!) and I wanted to share with you all a couple of my favourite posts, and hey, if you've only recently become my friend, it's a pretty good time to get to know me a little better! 

• 'An insight to Bimble, down syndrome and our little family.'
• 'Thankful Thursday- One that means something.'
• 'Batman Diaries #1'
• 'Sophie & Leona take some photos.'
• 'List of fears including Leona's favourite story of being sick on a physiotherapist.'
• 'On the first anniversary of being engaged.'

I also wanted to take this opportunity (as I will be doing so for the rest of the week) to plug the wonderful charity fashion show that I've helped organise, this Saturday evening!

Here's the post that will tell you all about this amazing charity and the exciting plans we have to raise money for them; please have a look.

Cheers for the last year guys and gals!

Love Sophie Xx

Ten Blog Posts To Read On November 10th.

Who's excited that it's Monday? Raise your hands in the air like you just don't care? No? Oh me neither, never mind. Sunday just flies by these days and I think it might have something to do with the etching fear of Christmas lurking closer and closer. This year I'm trying to be more sensible (what with the wedding saving and all that jazz!) and have told my nearest and dearest that they will be receiving home-made treats instead of shop bought gifts, which would be find if I could stop myself from picking up little bits and bobs...

I went a bit awol on and off for the last few weeks but I've been reading lots of your lovely posts. My phone seems to have problems posting comments, so I apologise for not actually talking to any of you most of the time- I'm like a little ghost stalking you all *alright creeper*...Here's a few posts for you to enjoy if you like that kinda thing...Which of course you do! 

1) Oh! Leona posts the best series of Wednesday Loves! Last week I remembered my love for making little beds for your toys our of cardboard! Yes! Mine were always decorated pretty fancy! 

2) With All The Finesse of a Badger is probably one of my favourite bloggers out there. Her illustrations are laugh out loud funny and I secretly wish that we were best friends! I follow her posts religiously! If you haven't read her experience of working at a call centre posts- you must. This week she really made me laugh by sharing some home truths about riding sheep! ;-)

3) Life, Ninja Killer Cat and Everything Else shared a delicious looking recipe inspired by GBBO (which feels like forever ago!) of self saucing chocolate puds! I'll definitely be going back to this multiple times this winter! 

4) How goddamn cute did daydreams of summertime look in her snazzy Boden scarf? It made me feel all cosy I am now envious over her blanket/scarf and sharing a love for TKMaxx bargains! 

5) Cecilia in the rain reminded me that I too am a rubbish adult! Funnily, I had just this conversation the other day! It's ok to pretend Cecilia, I'm with you girl! She also posted a very interesting read on languages and how they effect us. I'm not really fluent in any other languages but I get recognised for my accent difference here in Cornwall all the time! 

6) A Rosie Outlook posted a poem which made me reminisce of all the writing I used to do. I too was the one always penning a poem, verse or short story of some kind. I too have fallen out of the creative routine through life and it really was nice to see something so personal and original as Rosie's writing. Inspiring even. 

7) Little Foal took stock and had a furry friend to join her! What a cutie pie (yes you too Sunae!) She's also a great source for beauty products as an Arbonne consultant; you should check out her Facebook page! 

8) Life Outside London gave us a few marriage tips- each one better than the last. She's like a wise spaniel haired owl that one. She also shared some photos from October from her Instagram (which obviously you already follow-if not, here!) and there's one photo in particular (bottom left) of Pete with arms that actually made me laugh for a good eight minutes...

9) Dear Ms Leigh shared some delicious foodie snaps from her first few days as an expat in America!  There are some pretty awesome photos of Detroit on there too! 

10) Samsam Cherie shared with the world the junk in her trunk (sorry I could't resist!) It's all about this trunk (and it's no pansy trunk either!) of childhood memories and is exactly the kind of lifestyle post I like to read- the really nosy ones! It's a really personal and lovely post!

Have a great Monday everybody!

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday: Opportunities

Is it just me or is it fecking freezing suddenly? I spent my day off primarily wrapped in a giant wooly scarf- yet the sun did shine, right before I was drenched in downpour, and had to grab the chance to take this rather chinny and blurry selfie. (Is it bad that I cringe when I use the word selfie? Is self portrait still acceptable?) Autumn is officially here and this Thursday I'm sure that the bags under my eyes are looking even more prominent than they do in the photo above, taken two days earlier. Hey ho, I'm extra busy this week- and even more so next week, so if I disappear I haven't been kidnapped by gremlins, I'm just hiding under a blanket, willing the week to finish! You may already know the reasons behind this; firstly, please take a quick minute to look at my post which will unveil to you all my busy preparation for the final charity event of the year- the opportunity of this, PLUS the fact that between you and me, I'm applying for a promotion next week and really want to get it, means that it's busy town in Sophie Land.

This is what I'm thankful for this week, the chance to involve myself in my community and my work and hopefully make some sort of difference? Why be one of those people that whinges about where they live? How improvements could be made etc...Go for it the Sophie way, pull your finger out, get involved and make some changes!

I'm also incredibly thankful to all of you who have shown me such inspiring belief and support. Everywhere I turn, one of you is offering your help, sharing my surveys and events, even just a little pat on the back really does go such a long way. So thank you to all of you for continuing to encourage me, help me and generally keep me sane. What better things to be thankful for?

Lisette, you inspired my thankful Thursday posts and they keep me focused on the good in life, thank you for that. Leona, you are one of the best friends a shark could ask for (even if we have had to grow up on social media!)

Love Sophie Xx

Blog Posts to 'Look Out' For.

See what I did with this old photo of me? Blog Posts to 'Look' Out For? I'm so clever! Anywhooty, there seems to be an awful long build up of posts I've saved on Bloglovin because I've loved reading them and I felt that it may be time to share that blog reading love. Some may be a little old now but hey what does that matter? So put the kettle on, snuggle down and have a good ol browse. Who knows, you may find some new friends!

• Sunae aka Little Foal's Casual Spring Outfit post was super lovely and just what I needed after a rainy walk home from work.
• Bee aka Fill my little world's Lessons learnt moving out of home and away from London was refreshingly honest and so well written. 
• Sophie aka onetenzeroseven's Letter To My Young Self, Aged 17 & a Half was really inspiring! I think I'd like to do something similar sometime. It's good to look back. 
• Liona aka Oh! Leona's Spotlight of Awesomeness showed some really cute doggy illustrations! I'd like these all along one wall, like a library of doggies. 
• Rosie aka A Rosie Outlook's 40 hours in San Fransisco gave me huge wanderlust. I had never really rated it 'up there' as a place to go, her post has COMPLETELY converted me.
• Sarah aka daydreams of summertime's Saturday Switch Off makes a good point about how much time we spend watching tv, online etc. It's nice to stop with a cup of tea without these things.
• Michelle aka Life Outside London's The Kindness Project is my favourite blog post of the minute. I actually have a massive girl crush on Michelle and stalk her on a semi-regular basis.
• Emma aka Made In Hunters's A tour around Cornwall had some lovely photos of some lovely areas, definitely showcasing Cornwall at it's best!
• Rosie aka Life's a Cup of Tea's Travel: Blue Lagoon, Iceland, cements my wish to visit there sometime soon! Funnily enough Harps and I were considering it as our next destination just the other day!
• Louise aka Whiskey & Pancakes's #Camptober makes me want to wrap up warm and camp out with a huge fire. Any takers? 

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday

I am so goddamn busy this week! I feel like I haven't caught up with any of you properly in ages! I miss you all! How is everyone this week? I have its of exciting things to share and have set aside a large mug suitable for copious amounts of tea and this Sunday afternoon for a good ol catch up and tell you all about my exciting plans! 


1) Darker Mornings- They're not at the stage where they'e too dark yet and I feel like I'm walking to work in the middle of the night, however I am really loving not waking up at 5am anymore because the sun is peeking through my curtains.

2) A Hair Cut- Usually I am the worst when it comes to my hair. It's been about eight years since I've been to a hairdresser, I'd just rather cut it myself then really bother *hairdressers gasping as they read* going somewhere. Besides it's not like I have a 'hairstyle'. Anyway, it really needed a good trim and I finally took the scissors to it. I always cut it too short and yes I have this time too but I feel much better for it and it's nice having lovely soft ends, like spaniel ears :-).

3) Being Humbled.- I was incredibly fortunate to present a cheque to a charity that I did some fundraising for earlier this year. CHICKS has been mentioned in my blog before (I dressed up as a giant bear and bucket collected) and finally having the piviliage to visit them and meet some truly wonderful children that were there, I immediately wanted to stay forever and 'create memories; with the team. Such wonderful children, normal to you and me, brought together by a selection of life altering circumstances is incredibly moving and I can't wait to support them more i the future. In fact we have some very special festive plans so keep your eyes peeled! 

4) Batman- Watching him sprawl across the carpet, watching the tv makes me laugh every day. 

Thank you Lisette, you inspire me to be more thankful for the happiness in my life, what a wonderful quality. Liona, you inspire me to be more sarcastic, funnier and sassier. I adore you. What's been making you all thankful this week? 

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday: The Big Picture.

Thank fuck it's Thursday...doesn't have the same ring to it does it? Anywhooty, how is everybody doing on this mid-September day? I've been feeling super thankful this week so far, lots of time spent with family from both Harps and my side, all you can eat Chinese food definitely helps, as does spending time with my bestie, Stacie. 'That in itself is a lovely trio of thanks' I hear you cry? You're right it is *smug face* but I have even more exiting and wondrous thanks to be shared, so lets get on with it shall we?

1) A Big Project.- Something which has just started budding, something I've hoped would flourish for  a while now....is in it's beginning stages. I haven't felt so excited about something expressive in forever! 

2) The Big Picture.- Looking at life in 'The big picture' is really refreshing. For the first time in a while, I feel like I have a strong three year plan. It's super top secret at the moment, but it slots into place nicely, career wise AND life wise, which isn't always easy to do! 

3) Bimble's Smile.- As you may, or may not have read, it was my darling Bimble's birthday on Sunday and looking back over the photos as the week goes on makes my little heart swell with happiness. Genuinely, he has one of the most angelic smiles that I've ever seen. I promise to keep that smile for as long as I can.

4) Contentment.- If someone asked me when I started this blog in November, how I felt at the time? The answer would have been twofold. 1) Amazing- I'd just got engaged and was in a spiral of absolute, total bliss. 2) The other would have been 'fidgety'. I was feeling like I was struggling with a work/life balance, questioned old friendships and whether I should try and reignite them, thinking of reinventing my 'look' (the dishevelled pretty?). It had been brewing for a little while. I think everyone has these moments, actually I think they're quite good for us. Fast forward to now, I couldn't feel more excited for the future, accepting of myself or comfortable in my own skin. Sure there'll be more wobbles, but for now, that's pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty good.


Thank you Lisette, you inspire me to not only be more thankful but also to look out for what I'm actually thankful for in life. And Liona, you're a babe- but you already knew that ;-)

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday. That Inner Voice.

Thursday is here and we're all a little bit worn out from the week. I'll be honest, earlier today I decided that I wasn't going to do a TT post this week. I didn't really know how to explain how I was feeling in a thankful way, so I snuggled down for a bit of a snooze with Batman (we love a slumber party!) Simply, it all came down to; actually I'm probably the most thankful that I've been in a long time. 

Over the weekend, someone who can only be described as, an adopted family member, had a terrible accident. I mean, we didn't know that he'd make it at one stage. But he will. In fact, for someone who's broken his neck and skull, he's doing pretty fucking brilliant. Which in itself is something to be thankful for. It was a car accident, and I've spent the week feeling really rather....human. I mean how fragile is life? Incredibly. The doctors have said that had he had the roof down on his convertible car (a pretty much sure thing with this guy,) that he'd be dead. Simple. Yet he says, something told him not to take it down that day. Something stopped him.

Talking about this accident with a close friend, she told me of a time when she was younger, back when you didn't legally need to wear seat belts. So she never did, because nobody did and why would you if you are told you don't have to use them? One day, driving home from work in the sodding rain, upset at some family news she's just received, she veered down a hill. Something made her decide to put her seatbelt on. As she carried on, overtaking another vehicle, she had a head on collision with another car. Wearing that seatbelt saved her life.

Now I know this all seems like a traffic safety post, it isn't. Those are just examples of that little inner voice that we all have. That little voice that nudges us in the right direction, the one that tells us when something 'just doesn't feel right' and the one that saves our lives. That's what I'm thankful for.

Thank you Lisette for inspiring me to be more thankful. And thank you Liona for being an amazing friend.

Love Sophie and Batman Xx

Thankful Thursday

I am ready for bed. In both the mental, emotional and literal sense. Ever have those weeks where you sleep so badly that it becomes a routine of sleeping badly? Yeah that's where I'm at right about now. It has now got to today, where I am actually really bloody struggling to be an adult because all I want to do is cry until someone puts me down for a nap, strangely, not to dissimilar to what Harps did about an hour ago. Big baby right here. Don't judge me, I'm a loose, sleepy cannon. Any tips Thursday readers? Please tell me all about your week and your thankfulness so that I have something to read in the middle of the blinking night?!

I'm feeling thankful for...

1) That I'm not living in a war zone or place with any conflict. Pretty lucky here in the Cornwall shire. Turning on the news is pretty hard these days.

2) Thinking Clearly- See my new book above. I'm thankful that this little book is expanding my thinking and subtly encroaching on my life (in a good way.) I want to do a few little posts about some of my findings in here. Watch this space.

3) The little return of summer- Kind of. But it's been bleedy brilliant (I'm sure Michelle has been loving it too as she's sick of my GO AUTUMN attitude.) 

4) Myself- I'm grateful to myself this week for being a strong ox who follows her own vision and own plans and actually is pretty good at these things! Who'd have known!? I'm in a place where I actually feel like I'm on Team Sophie and I feel proud for being about there. (Even if Team Sophie is about to throw a tantrum because she can't decide what to have for dinner/stood on a raisin) 

5) This quote.  Because it sums up EXACTLY how I feel right now. Which is a pretty good outlook on life I'd say?

Thankyou Lisette and Leona, you both inspire me to be more thankful, which I think is a wonderful thing to be responsible for.

Love Sophie Xx

P.s. Sorry if when I read this tomorrow it's just a rambley mess of messness. 

Thankful Thursday

How is it already Thursday?! Oh yeah, because I was off on Monday and Tuesday- Boom! Slipped that bad boy in well didn't I? By the way, not entirely sure why I look so moody here, or maybe it's pouty? Either way- FRINGE! But seriously folks, when is it Sunday again? I'm sure that I respond worse to having time to actually relax? Does anyone else feel that way? Getting out of routine makes me sleepy- in fact I'm starting to look forward to wintery naps. I know, I know you're all thinking "Jeez Sophie, you've changed your tune!" 



Well in truth, I have. I usually dread winter, I'm scared of ice- like petrified;


"What if I slip and fall and break my neck and my pants and the whole world sees my foofoo?!" Those sorts of panics. Plus, my knees get real bad that even the stairs seem like more like fucking Jacobs Ladder then one floor up.


I really can't tell you what it is precisely brining on my excitement. All I know, is that this week I'm feeling pretty thankful for the imminent winter.

1) Possibly (and highly likely) wintery naps is high up on the list
2) Being able to say; "Winter is coming Jon Snow" after EVERYTHING! 
3) Cracking out my amazing wooly hat collection
4) Oversized jumpers, coats, scarves...anything really
5) Stews! I chuffing love stews
6) WHICH MEANS DUMPLINGS! I AM A DUMPLING FIEND!
7) Followed by crumble! Any kind is just perfect...Hmm this is turning rather food based. Maybe I'm excited for winter purely for the foods? Which reminds me, does anyone have any lovely slow cooker recipes?
8) Fresh, crisp air in the mornings
9) Conkers and bonfires
10).........Christmas...Shhhhhh!

As always, thank you Lisette and Leona for inspiring the thanks.

What are you all thankful for this week?

Love Sophie Xx

Weird & Wonderful News Wednesday #23 Fringe Fever, Photo Albuming and Being Stalked By Batman.

Good morning Wednesday Wonderers! I hope that you've all been enjoying settling back into life since that lovely bank holiday that we were treated to! With summer drawing to a close, daunting on me every time I leave the house, now accompanied by a scarf and hood of some kind- I can feel the mornings getting darker and the eerie, giant spiders, knocking on my windows, eyeing my face up as an appropriate new place to live, I'm sure. I decided that it was time for the winter fringe to make a come back, what do we all think? Hand sawed by moi, without glasses may I add? (I'm not sure that I should be admitting to this? ) I always love having a fringe...for three days. By day four, I'm cursing in the mirror, half asleep, frantically trying to tame it. Still, I guess you've got to weigh it up with not having to pluck your eyebrows for a while...Silver linings and all that. Batman has taken quite the fancy to it, predominantly stalking me like a little creep, and I'm not convinced entirely that he wasn't eating my hair. Saying that, I probably won't notice until some kind stranger points out the bald patch in a few months time. 


Thanks to the ever perfection that is Liona, I have discovered a new favourite obsession pastime. Photo albuming! The brilliant new app- Free Prints, gives you 500 free YES FREE photos a year. All you have to pay for is the postage, which when I ordered 40+ prints last week, was around £2! I have to say, the app was really easy to use and I was amazed how quickly they all arrived. So quickly in fact that I hadn't even had the chance to buy a new album! Yesterday I popped to Wilko and found these traditional (they remind me of proper family albums) red self arranging ones for under a fiver! I have quite happily spent a number of hours now, fumbling with both old and new photos, sorting and grouping, reminiscing and chuckling and basically, what I'm getting at...Is that it's been really rather splendid.

What have you all been up to so far this week? What with autumn approaching, I can feel my normal news posts returning soon. Until then, enjoy the rest of the week lovely readers.

Love Sophie and Creepy Batman.

Xx

Thankful Thursday.

Is it just me, or now that the sun has for sure disappeared for another year, is the week going INCREDIBLY slowly? Boooo! I miss summer already. I'm all in my autumn coat (see above) and this was my genuine face for my entire walk to work this morning (hence the tired chic look) because I WAS FREEZING COLD! I've had a couple of things on my mind this week and decided not to post yesterday because why would anyone want to read a half assed/ miserable post? I still haven't quite emerged from my funk today, so please bare with me if this post seems a little rambley. 

It's not that anything is wrong, far from it. I'm fine- who couldn't be with this snazzy set up for breakfast on my day off? Just a bit reflective and deep in thought. i've been thinking a lot about trust. As someone who's pretty naive, an open book, to a certain extent. I trust easily. This hasn't always been the case, in fact if you speak to anyone who's known me for longer than say, three years. They'd have laughed in your face. I think a combination of Harps calming nature, losing Grandpa and other big changes have broken softened me. The shell was cracked a while ago and now I'm one for giving people the benefit of the doubt. I share myself quite honestly, after years of hiding myself. I am proud of who I am, the choices I've made and though have lost a lot of friends that I thought I never would be without- I've also made some keepers. Naively, again, I have trusted myself that others are as genuine as I am. I don't think it's a bad quality necessarily, but sometimes it can come back to bite you. Now it hasn't 'bitten' me so to speak, more 'nibbled'. That nibble is enough to have put me into my slight funk and slightly reflective. I'd love to know how you guys and gals are when it comes to trust? 

This week I'm thankful for...

The people who guide me, prompt me and take that little bit of care of me when I've let someone in that maybe I shouldn't have. I'm thankful for the people in my life that take the time to say 'Be careful Sophie.' And lastly, I'm thankful to those sneaky little snakes- for keeping me on my toes.

Thank you Lisette and Leona for inspiring me to be more thankful. And for being lovely ladies.

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday

Good evening Thursday thunder cats, how are we all doing this week? Anyone with exciting plans should share them with me because I've had a long, tiring day and can barely see the screen as I type. For this reason, I'm going to make this week's post short and sweet and then sink in a bubbly bubble bath and sing my heart out to Johnny Cash like a drunk cowboy...You're welcome for that mental image.

I am very thankful this week though;

1) Saturday night birthday palooza!- We had some friends over for a summer palooza, planned a lovely bbq, got some bunting, planned to play board games in the back garden until the stars came out....and it sodding rained. LOADS. You can see from the top, centre picture that Harps and I got out art attack skills out and fashioned a bbq shelter (we had a LOT of meat) out of some plastic sheet, some pegs, a lot of staples and some string. Winners! I had a super time.

2) Blueberry pancakes- We had these the next morning- DELICIOUS. 

3) My birthday boy- Harps is now closer to thirty than twenty and for the last few months I think he's secretly been thinking of starting to grow up some more. Crazy stuff!

4) Mango Juice- MANGO MANGO

5) Awareness about depression- I posted this status, below, on Facebook about the sad, recent news of Robin Williams. I'm thankful that I've had such amazing friends and family supporting me that I am currently not dependant on medication nor seeing any therapists. 

 'The ignorance circulating around the sad loss of Robin Williams has brought a still, sadly, taboo subject of depression to the forefront of our minds. Comments like "What does he have to be depressed about?" shock and appal me from people that I'd have judged higher than that. Inspired by this and my darling Pete Marsh's forthcoming and eloquent admission of his own depression, I choose to do the same. Depression is an foe that I've been at battle with for a number of years.
The statistics tell us that one in three of us will face some kind of mental illness in our lives, that you would expect a more understanding and caring world by now. Sadly, illnesses with sometimes little or no physical symptoms can be ignored or even doubted and I myself, still today, in a good spell, get judged and labelled as 'mental'. Mental illness to me, is like shadow, casting doubt on your confidence, self belief and yes, at times- sanity. In my opinion strength in measured in many ways and Robin Williams, a man who candidly spoke of his battle with depression, lost the strength to continue the fight. For this, we shouldn't judge in our glass houses; simply remember a beloved icon and maybe take the time to learn a little more.'

I've just remembered that I need to bake a cake for work tomorrow, so best be off. Thankyou to Lisette (CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MOVING NEWS!!!) & Leona for inspiring me to be more thankful.

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday- A Big One...

You may remember a post I wrote for another thankful Thursday a few months back. It was about a visit to Little Harbour, a children's hospice local to me. Please if you didn't have a read then, check it out now quickly. I talked about the amazing, inspirational and heart warming place that it is; I also blubbed almost constantly whilst writing it. The aim of the game was to do some sort of fundraising for them, and after the visit it was set in stone. I am so very lucky to work for a company that encourages charitable work; so much so that they will match whatever I raise for a charity. Seems like a no brainer to getting involved right? So as you've seen me over the last few months, dressing as a bear and bucket collecting for CHICKS, helping out at a local fete for The Lowan Ward and hosting a poker tournament for Bosom Buddies UK. This time, my whole branch was getting involved! So many friends, family members and local bakeries helped us produce the most amazing cake stall and we all headed down to Porthpean Education Centre for a super duper family fun day! Thank you to every single person that supported us, baked their little hearts out and came along for the fun. Here's some of my favourite photos of the day! 

We also had pin the tail on the donkey...but it was rubbish and only two people played all day..

I made some snazzy peanut butter brownies, courtesy of Lisette.

Our official branch mascot- Lola.

Look at all the lovely cakes!

The fanciest cakes made! Froggies! 

Some delicious black forest cupcakes.

SNOW CONES!

Sasha and I. Another branches mascot and my good pal :-)

Sasha getting fondled at the dog show.

I escaped to go on the bouncy castle JUST as my mum arrived and caught me in the act. Sorry to everyone that saw my panties.

Aaah end of the day and almost sold out.

Thank you Lisette and Leona for inspiring me to be more thankful.
Really couldn't be more thankful.
Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday: Fancy Drinks, Firewalks & Friends: The Perfect Weekend.

Good Afternoon guys! How the devil are you all this week? I've gotta say I'm feeling the drag of the week round about now, probably something to do with having the most super weekend that I've had in a while, combined with another very busy weekend coming up! Sandwiched in-between seems to be this annoying week of working and little playing but lots to do! Right now I should be making bunting which means I need to zoom through thanks and crack-a-lack on!

1) To the ladies I spent Saturday night with.- I am so thankful that I have you all in my life. I had such a lovely dinner at Noodle Kitchen and Cocktail Bar-Newquay- Seriously, the food was delicious. AND I learnt to use chopsticks! Finally!

2) Dancing the night away.- It's been far too long since this last happened, and after a few of the above, cheeky cocktails I have no shame in admitting to starting and participating in a break dancing circle in Newquay's busiest bar. I nailed it btw.

3) Bosom Buddies UK- This amazing (and local) charity educates young women in schools about regularly checking their breasts for signs of cancer. It also provides a massive support network for women that are battling the illness. A few weeks ago I held a charity poker night and raised over £200 for them, which will be matched by my employer! And on Sunday a good friend of mine (and 44 others) gathered at the amazing Perrenporth Beach- The Watering Hole to take part in a firewalk. The Watering hole is situated right on the beach, the only one of it's kind in the UK. Not only that but the beach is dog friendly so there really isn't a more perfect place in Cornwall. The event also included a skydive challenge that was being completed throughout the day, but people were still falling from the sky when we were there. 

4) My Harpona- The awesome part of the charity event on Sunday was that a certain Liona's fiancé's band were also playing at the event and Leona had decided to come too! It wasn't until a few days before that we even realised we were both going to be there! Plus, for once Harps wasn't working so he came too! We had a great time squinting at the bravies walking on 550 degree heat (eh-no thanks) and dog watching. We also realised that Harps and Leona are basically the same person- which is what magnetically attracts me to them both ;-)...So I hereby christen...Harpona! (sounds like a dodgy shark film?) Harpona actually knew each other before I knew either of them (which is so weird to think of!) But basically I stole them from each other and now they're allowed contact once in a blue moon (it's more that Harps is rubbish at being free) By some magical luck, we ended up spending Tuesday together too! 

So there you have it. Pretty perfect ey? Pretty thankful for last weekend. As always thanks to Lisette for not only inspiring me to be more thankful, but CERTAINLY inspiring me to make those yummy brownies! (I'm going to try tomorrow!) And to Leona for all of the above.

Love Sophie xx