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

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

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

The Reading Tag.

That sexy beast of the southwest, Leona, tagged me in the reading tag...here goes...

1. Do you have a certain place for reading at home? I'd Probably sit outside on the grass or beach when I read if the weather always permitted. Alas, I live in Cornwall and it does not.  I've also got a spare room (dining room) that when we moved in, we decided would be my reading room. Like one of those fancy places that you see on Pinterest or on inspirational quotes? I still haven't got round to crafting my snug perfection so I tend to read on the sofa, in the bath (VERY CAREFULLY) or in bed.

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper? I usually use a bookmark that Harps and I received as stocking fillers one Christmas, but to be honest it bends the pages slightly that I'm on the look out for a nice new one. I might knit one?

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or certain number of pages? The sort of soviet Russia books that I seem to be reading a lot of these days, can go almost 50 pages without a new chapter, so I'm slowly adjusting to finishing at the end of a page and then re-capping quickly when I pick it back up.

 4. Do you eat or drink when reading? I'm pretty much a shark and always have some form of liquid around me. Seriously guys, I drink so much every day. Reading time usually involves a cup of tea and some cake or biscuits (of course) but I've perfected the knee book holder position to ensure I don't get my books all crumby!

5. Do you watch TV or listen to music when reading? Not out of choice. I'd much rather read in a nice quiet space but Harps also enjoys a good book and he can't read without background noise, so we usually have the iPod on or a bit of Classic Fm...Yes we're that cultured and amazing.

6. One book at a time or several at once?  One at a time.  I have and sometimes still do read more than one book at once, but purely out of disinterest for the first book. I read pretty quickly though, so I'm much more likely to just hurry through the boring book and start a new one. It's even rarer that I won't finish a book, even if I'm not enjoying it.

7. Reading at home or everywhere? Anywhere and everywhere. I sometimes walk to work reading my book. Luckily I know the route like the back of my hand. I don't really read at work anymore, probably more-so to give my eyes a rest from staring at a screen all day. Most likely at home.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head? Usually in my head. I say usually because if there are certain parts that I just love, either the story or the way that it's written, I have to share it. Usually with Harps but sometimes I write quotes etc down. I think it's nice to have beautiful words kept. 

9. Do you ever read ahead or skip pages? Only a couple of times. I'm much more likely to skim read the boring parts. I recently read a book that described 'string theory' and I had to read backwards and forwards and fucking everywhere in that book to understand it!

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it new? Seriously, do you want me to break-a-your-face? 

11. Do you write in your books? I think I have twice; once when I gifted a book to someone and wanted them to have a little personal message to remember me by. And secondly, when I drew a penis on an illustration of a man in a science book. Sorry about that.

12. What are you currently reading? Starting a spot of Dickens. I have a newer copy of "A Tale of Two Cities" but I much prefer this newer one! Isn't it beautiful?

That was fun. I love reading! Let me know if you're doing the tag by posting in the comments below!

I tag: Lisette, Michelle, Stacie, Tanya and Sophie!

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

Thankful Thursday.

Howdy there Thursdayers! Welcome to a quick and lazy thankful Thursday. If you've already swung by Liona's post, which of course you have, she's the bomb diggity, you'll know that we had a rather pleasant end to our not so pleasant days. I had been in a cramped room all day learning all about the kind of things you need to learn about in my sorta work, and she'd been at work all day too. We met up afterwards for quite possibly the most therapeutic dog walk ever. Probably because Rex is a massive babe.

1) Thanks to Leona.- For the physical dropping of my tense shoulders and the beautiful catch up. As one of my best friends, time together is always awesome, even if it is only like an hour. We're planning a lovely picnic before the sun goes away for good and I can't wait!

2) This snazzy shirt. - Thank you shirt for saving me from what was sure to end up being severe heat stroke being in my suit on such a glorious day. Kudos for looking like a mens bedtime pyjama shirt. The best kind in my eyes. Cute pocket for a gentlemanly handkerchief or pen too.

3) The thoughtful people.- That were so kind to me on Sunday. Fathers day marks the beginning of a tough couple of weeks for ol Sophie. I've been wanting to write a post about how I'm feeling right now, I'm just not quite ready....and a bit scared. (Also a special thanks to Harps for cracking more jokes than a Christmas cracker to keep me smiling.)

4) First Great Western.- For being on time today. Hey, I know it's not much, but I doubt these guys ever get thanked...ever...Although I didn't appreciate the snarly woman asking for my ticket. Just saying.

I really intended after my lovely time with Liona to put a bit more thought into this weeks post. I'm afraid I got distracted with my Moomin book. Sozages.

Thank you to Lisette for her most inspiring posts (and her new love of marble!) And to the effervescent Liona, for being brilliant.

Love Sophie xX

Thankful Thursday.

Good Thursday happy people! I say happy people under the assumption that you're covered in glorious, never ending, cloudless sunshine like I am this evening. If you're not...sozages...

So I'm midway through the 'back to work week'...and it's not too bad..just kidding, it's fucking horrific. Oh my god, how long do mornings last?! For the last two weeks, it's been an achievement if I've finished watching Jezza, got a pastry down my gob and finished my second cup of tea by midday! It's made me realise just how much of a sleepy person I am. Seriously, sleep is just amazing isn't it? I chuffing love sleep.

I was trying to show off my ampersand tattoo in this photo, may have just realised that the photo needs to be flipped. Meh, I'm not going to change it, I'm just letting you know I've noticed.  P.s. Look how long my hair's getting! 

A spot of thankfulness...

1) Planting Success.- As you saw sometime last week, I've become rather green fingered. I find gardening really relaxing and I'm becoming super interested in plants. Since planting my bee seeds (see here)  and my super duper aloe vera houseplant I've become obsessed with monitoring the growth. I'm becoming a right little scientist...or horticulturalist...or gardener....Anyway, thanks little plants for not dying on my just yet! I'll nurse you to life!

2)  Science.- I don't mean GCSE science in any way at all. Let's just make that clear. I didn't really grasp, well any of it when I learnt it. Too busy getting high with my friends than revising I expect. Anyway, I watched a very interesting physics documentary the other day and at some point, it stuck with me when they explained that the reason we find it so hard to grasp science at school is because everything we're taught is the 'victorian science.' I.e. The basics. So much of what we know has changed since all that gubbins, that all that is obsolete really as soon as we've learnt it. Knowing this has perked up my little ears that maybe it's not too late to be an astronaut or a surgeon or a chemist? Cheers science for making yourself appealing to me again.

3)  Mindfulness- I've been practicing the art of mindfulness since I started my time off. I feel more relaxed, more focused and more in control of my thoughts.

4) The smell of sunshine.- I LOVE SUN. Even finishing work today, coming home, grabbing my book and running to the garden. All the stresses and bother just vanishes (helped by mindfulness) and all that's left is a pretty freckly Sophie.

5) Banana Loaf- Because it's delicious.

As always, a massive thanks to the bombastic (whatever happened to Shaggy?) Liona and Lisette for inspiring me to be more thankful.

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday

Good Thursday to you all! I've gotta be honest, I'm not feeling all that thankful this Thursday. My boy is away on a course, it's been a long week and I'm pretty tired out. So we're gonna make it short and sweet ok? I've been reading some brilliant posts recently and can't wait to snuggle down on Sunday and share all my recent loves. I planned on it today, alas my weak body cannot cope.

A little bit of thanks goes to...

1) The world- For presenting this wonderful Tuesday afternoon treat. I sat down and painted a polystyrene dinosaur...of course....with tea and jelly babies. Happiness.

2) This bad boy. 

3) Animal Plasters- Because when you scrape your knee tripping over your loosely done up shoelaces  and want to cry like a little girl because it stings oh so bad, animal plasters make it that little bit easier to cope with. Especially if they're bat shaped and match your dress. Still hurt though.

4) These Cute Plants- A wonderful lady that I work with and I got chatting over lunch about my enjoyment of gardening, but lack of knowledge or understanding about how to actually look after plants. She's potted me a lovely selection of lavender, white foxgloves, tomato plants and a mystery plant she doesn't know the name of. I can't wait to get them all planted! I'll keep you posted!

5) A Delicious Dessert- This evening has been the highlight of my week. Sharing a delicious meal with a beautiful friend. She's the "Anything can happen." martyr of life. We had a brilliant catch up and Prezzo has just opened in St Austell, so we tried there. It was super tasty and I laughed more than I have all week. 

Forever and always, thank you to Lisette and the elusive Liona (we should all wish her sciencey exam luck!) for inspiring me to be more thankful. I've gotta say, writing this week's post has certainly cheered me up.

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday.

So, another Thursday is upon us and the week is drawing to a close..almost..sort of..well it's over half way through. Which means that I getting ever so closer to the sweet, sweet excitement that in just over two weeks, I am on holibols for TWO WEEKS! YES TWO WHOLE WEEKS with Harps! I'm ever so excited, though so far the only plans I have officially made is getting Batman's claws clipped (I'm far too scared to try myself) and polyfillering some holes...Hahaha! There is one very exciting plan, and that's my dear girl Stacie's graduate fashion show! I can't wait to see the collections from everybody (fo sure hers will be the bestest though!). Annnnd it's in Plymouth, which also means seeing my other girl, Liona (though we haven't planned this yet- Liona, this is me making plans with you.)

Now for some thanks.

1) Car Trips with Bimble.- It isn't as often as I'd like that Bimble and I spend time together. Whenever I'm at mum's he tends to be at work, and whereas he has Thursdays off, I'm a Tuesday girl. However, we did take a trip to Kingsley Village (the best place for a great selection of local Cornish goodies) and I took some terrible quality snaps of us in the car. He was pretty tired, but just look at that cutie pie grin! 


2) Childhood Pets.- The cat on the left is my childhood pet, Polo. He's been my best friend for a good number of years now, he knows all my secrets and he's shared all my heartbreak. I used to have him trained that at night when I said "bedtime Polo." he'd run upstairs and sit on my bed. Sadly he couldn't come with me when I moved into the big, bad world because my landlord hates cats (crazy man!), so he's spending his last days with his best friend Oli. He's the persian cat you can sort of see on the right. He was adopted from a cat protection home after Polo's best friend, Puff, died. At first they really didn't get along, but now they're old and can't be bothered to fight anymore.

3) The Satisfaction of Finishing One Book and Starting Another.- I've finally finished Angela's Ashes. Pheewww. I've been reading that forever! I'll post all about it soon. I'm starting on the sequel! 

4) Hearing Funny Responses to my New Favourite Question.- "If hypothetically, you were to attempt to throw an animal over a rugby post, what is the heaviest animal that you think you could throw?"...Answers in all forms would be appreciated.

As always, on Thursday you can't forget to be thankful to the people that inspired you to give the thanks. Thumbs up to you Liona and Lisette! 

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday Is Here And I Reached a Blogging Milestone!

Oh my oh my am I feeling thankful this Thursday! So thankful that I have indeed just welled with thanks when I told Harps I was thankful for being engaged to him for six months tomorrow and it made me so happy I had a little tear! I know, I'm adorable. Well check me out just blurting my thanks out there without even saying hello! It's getting close to that end of week feeling, plus there's another bank holiday on Monday. *All hail Sophie day*. AND today is officially mayday! So happy mayday to you all! How are you all?! I've been a busy little shark this week! It's nice to sit down this evening and despite having a bit of a cold coming on *crossed fingers it isn't going to develop* I'm feeling in a chirpy, reflective kind of mood that will certainly make the weekend come a little faster!

Feeling super thankful for:

1) Fresh Flowers- I've got a little addiction to buying fresh flowers recently. I think that they make a room look brighter, more cared about and basically like you've made a little bit of an effort to make your house nicer? I also have a particular love for tulips. They remind me of lovely strolls though Amsterdam and happy times with my boy. I got these bad boys for £2.00! I bought them Sunday and even I can do the math, that at 50p per day (at the most so far!). I'm worth it.

2) Over 100 Followers on Bloglovin!- OH MY GOD! This is just awesome. Like actually awesome. I started this blog in November 2013, and to have just passed my six month blabbing milestone, to suddenly receive a little email saying "Congratulations, you have 100 followers" I was astounded! Who knew that so many of you would find me as hilarious as I do?! I want to thank every single one of you, I am grateful to all of you and I've made so many lovely friends that I can't imagine not talking to! If we haven't spoken yet, SAY HELLO! Add me on twitter @SophieHasNoName or instagram @sophiehasnoname and we can become best friends! 

3) #sophieswolferspotting- This is a game that I created a few years ago...to play with myself. It's basically a growing collections of people that I stalk and then take sneaky photos of when they are wearing those universally known weird wolf fleeces. Only wolf ones really count, even though there are other types. It's a great game to play and I'd love to see some of your wolfer spottings. The closer the better! I'm thankful for finding one after a quiet winter with not many about. 

4) Getting Found- My darling friend Tracey (read her blog, she's super!) and I met up last night for a new shoot idea she's had. (I'm not telling you because all will revealed soon). We went somewhere that I'd never been to and she hadn't visited for about 10 years. As you can see above, it was pretty pretty pretty pretty foggy and we could only see about 25 metres in front of us. We hunted around for this place for ages, and 40 minutes later realised that we were totally lost. And it was getting dark. And our phones were dying. So I proceeded to ask her my 3 favourite questions to ask anyone to help us stay calm;

• What is your favourite biscuit? You can tell loads about someone from this answer. *Jam cream*
• If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? The obvious question to always ask- and the hardest for me- I think maybe a monkey? Pretty great tail right there.
• Hypothetically (of course), What is the heaviest animal that you think you could throw over a rugby goal post (whatever that's called)? I think I could throw a small goat? Maybe a koala? 

Anyway, an hour later and much more fretting later, a lovely lady found us whilst walking her dog Boo and saved the day. She walked with us back to the car park (not our car park though, we'd told her we were in the wrong one) and we walked along the main road until our feet bled and we fell about laughing about it in the car. 

5) Being Engaged For Six Months- As most of you know, Harps and I got engaged in the magical city of Rome on our five year anniversary. It was freaking unbelievable and I'm going to do a lovely in depth post for our six years. It really hasn't stopped being awesomely fantastic and I'm sitting like a cheshire cat writing this. I wanted to include a few photos of that magical day. The first being a very relieved looking Harps! This was taken at dinner at like 11.30 at night because it took me so long to go anywhere because I was prancing around so much. Which bring me to the last and something brilliantly coincidental  that I didn't realise until literally a couple of weeks ago, we shared a plate of spaghetti and meatballs....JUST LIKE LADY AND THE TRAMP! Because the whole thing was just that perfect! And the middle photo was taken on the morning of our anniversary on our way to Vatican City. I think if I'd known I was getting engaged that day, I maybe would have tried to get a nice photo of us, instead of pulling my best grumpy cat face in every photo. I've perfected it though haven't I?

So yep. Look at all that thanks rolled into one week! Thank you to the stupendous Lisette for inspiring me to be more thankful. And the one hell'va sexy woman Liona for not only inspiring me, but also making my dreams that little bit sweeter ;-)

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday!

Good Thursday to you all! I hope that you're all having a glorious week?! I've gotta say, mine is quite the mixed bag. You see,  I was peacefully enjoying my mini easter break until Tuesday and since going back to work on Wednesday I'm starting to wish I'd run away with the easter bunny to the land of easter until next year. But hey ho, there we go. 

Oh and I'm feeling much better today, last night did result in curling into a ball like a fragile possum and having a cry about how much my tummy hurt. Proper adult right here.

A few things to be thankful for. 

1) My organisation station.- That's right! The vitals were all there on macbook delivery day. I bought this notebook from TkMaxx as a birthday present for my bestest Stacie. Foolishly I left it on the spare bed which has increasingly become Batman's day-bed and I came back the next day to find suspicious little gnaw marks all over it. So sozages Stacie, looks like that one's staying here. I love Jane Austen and it says "There's no charm equal to tenderness of heart."...I'm also reading Angela's Ashes which is the book beneath my snazzy notepad, but I'll do a book review when I finish. Hooray for tea and jelly babies though!

2) Cornish being recognised as a minority.- Isn't this great news!? I'm not Cornish myself, but Harps is (not that he has an ounce of heritage in him) and my Facebook newsfeed has been flooded with this today. So many of my friends are over the moon about it.  Congratulations Kernow folk!

3) Not feeling lonely.- I'm a funny old fish (shark) and sometimes, for mostly no reason at all, I find myself feeling incredibly alone. I think it usually happens at Grandpa important dates. Since writing this, making bloggy friends (I hope) and making more effort with the real-live ones that I have, I haven't felt like that. Also, so many open and honest posts from other bloggers make me feel sane and  grateful and not as crazy as life sometimes feels. Lisette I'm looking at you. Thank you.

4) Trust.- Some friends confided in me at the end of last week, about very different matters. I'm thankful that those people feel that they can trust me.  I've got a good ol set of ears! 

5) Speaking in funny voices.- It's so rare that Harps and I will actually use our regular voices when we talk to each other. It makes me laugh. Does anyone else do this?!

As always thank you to the ever fabulous Lisette for inspiring me to be more thankful. And to the very bodacious Liona for the same. (Also does anyone else say "Oh Leona" like "My Sharona"??)...

Love Sophie Xx