Just a minute ... in July

I'm a little late with this post (plus ca change) but never mind.

This month I have been...

Reading... Two whole novels. After reading one each day for the first two days of the holiday I decided that I'd better stop otherwise I'd never spend any time with M. I read One Day by David Nicholl which I really enjoyed whilst I read it but afterwards I didn't feel it stood the test of time. I certainly haven't thought about it again since and I've had to work hard to even remember what really happened. At the time though, I couldn't put it down. I also read Prue Leith's novel A Serving of Scandal which I found in a pile of books destined for the charity shop whilst visiting my parents. It was what reviewers in the daily mail would call a 'romp of a read' meaning that it was easy but ultimately unsatisfying rather than full of sex, but it kept me entertained for an afternoon on the beach. It was nice that the food element was accurate and I did enjoy it whilst I was reading it but it was nothing special.  

Watching... Not much really. A few pre-Olympic documentaries. The Opening Ceremony. July was a little light on decent viewing if my memory serves correctly.

Listening... The Olympics on the radio in our yurt. Classic drum and bass to get the baby to settle down in the car. Old CDs (Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, The White Stripes and so on). A real motley collection left over from the days when we lay around for hours on end smoking and listening to music. Or driving round New Zealand. 

Buying... Trying not to buy anything. Failing of course. Minimoo Danish organic cotton trousers for Pip. 

Loving... Wine. Seeing friends. Yurting.

Wanting... Time. Sleep. 

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Just a minute - an occasional series of posts inspired by Talking to Unicorns (who was inspired by Daydream Lily). Just a Minute was started by August Street back in 2007.

Just a minute in December

Trying to get back into blogging. I can't believe the last time I posted a 'just a minute' post was August. Then again, August was when life turned a bit crazy. Those of you who have been following me on twitter will already know this, but things have been quiet around here for good reason. Alright, not quiet, nigh on silent. In August I found out I was pregnant and we are expecting a baby in April.

Weeks 8-16 were pretty awful from a feeling disgusting and being sick point of view. It was all I could do to get through a working week, let alone do things like blog and see friends. We went on holiday and pretty much all I wanted to do was sleep, or lie down. That said, it was a great trip, and good timing in that it was weeks 8-10 so I could sleep as much as I needed.

I'm now almost at the end of week 21. We've had two successful scans and I'm starting to feel the baby move. For those that are interested in that kind of thing, I've been writing more candidly about the baby and impending motherhood at a new space called Pip. Come over and say hello!

And for those that aren't - don't worry, I will be posting only limited baby things here and aim to be returning to my usual mix of vintage, shopping, weddings and general musings.

And now back to the post...

Reading...  A great stack of pregnancy books, mostly loaned, gifted and bought on Amazon. Including The Happiest Baby on the Block, What to Expect When You're Expecting and Baby Names. However, now that we are safely past 20 weeks, I really should start reading something about birth. Unless my A Practical Wedding book arrives first, in which case, everything else can wait.
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Watching... Pan Am. I've thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted period drama from the American 60s following the stories of 4 Pan American flight attendances. I was so shocked at the racism though; I cannot believe that the world was actually like that. And, of course, I have been following Strictly Come Dancing. What is there not to like - dancing and sparkles.
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Listening... To soothing choral music. Mixed with a good dose of Alice in Chains.
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Buying... New clothes to suit my new shape, where possible non-maternity as I am really struggling to find stylish and interesting maternity clothes on a reasonable budget. A few bits and pieces for the baby, mostly from ebay.
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Loving... Winter. The fact that Delilah has started sitting on the sofa next to me.
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Wanting... To see my friends. More culture. Snow.
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Just a minute - an occasional series of posts inspired by Talking to Unicorns (who was inspired by Daydream Lily). Just a Minute was started by August Street back in 2007.

Just a minute in August

Reading... Surprisingly little. It seems to have been a busy month. Actually, I did read The Egg Race by Polly Williams last week. What can I say? It was £1.50 in a charity shop. And as far as chick lit goes, Polly Williams is better than most. Still. Must try harder.

Watching... Sex and the City season 1. I'd forgotten how good early SATC was. And how 90s. Also, The Hour, which I have thoroughly enjoyed (just don't tell me the ending as I've yet to watch the final episode). A proper film noir style crime thriller with the added bonus of a historical setting. (although, they could have done that better. too many modern references and words).

Listening... To dance music in a field at a rave in Devon. Sorry, a shoestring boutique festival.

Buying... Very little. On a buying hiatus. :(

Loving... Visits from friends. Delilah and her strange little habits (see above).

Wanting... To go on holiday

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iphone snap by me 

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Just a minute - an occasional series of posts inspired by Talking to Unicorns (who was inspired by Daydream Lily). Just a Minute was started by August Street back in 2007.

Just a minute... In August {Cornwall Edition}

Reading... The September issue of Vogue.

Watching... Not strictly speaking in Cornwall, but the week before we went, we watched a fascinating programme on the BBC iplayer called The Art of Cornwall. Cornish art is probably among my very favourite art and two artists in particular, Barbara Hepworth and Alfred Wallis, have produced work amongst which I can while away hours. If this is something which people find of interest, I can write more...

Whilst we were there, on the rainy Sunday evening we ate pizza and watched Tamara Drewe. I'm not sure I'd recommend it as such, but it was entertaining enough.

Listening... cliched as it sounds, to the birds, the sea and the rain and wind. It was very peaceful. Oh, and to occasional groups of braying families. It was Rock, after all.

Buying... Not much actually. Two pairs of lovely socks in the sale. Some drinks in the Mariners. Lunch at Rick Stein's Cafe.  And I would have bought a Poppy Treffry boats tea towel but I didn't. Next time I need one though, I know what I'll get...

Loving... the light.

Wanting... to not have to go home.

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This won't replace the regular Just a minute for August. Just that I love Cornwall so very much. Proper post with photos to follow. This week has just been a little busy. Whilst we were away we had some friends staying at the house (in part so they could have their own holiday, in part because we hoped Delilah might like the company) and then some other friends are arriving tonight. Pole fitness on Tuesday and Pilates yesterday meant this week has zipped past already. Back soon.

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iphone hipstamatic photo by me, taken nearing low tide from the roof terrace of The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow  looking over the Camel Estuary towards Rock/Daymer Bay. The pale stripe of sand in the sea is the Doom Bar.

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Just a minute - an occasional series of posts inspired by Talking to Unicorns (who was inspired by Daydream Lily). Just a Minute was started by August Street back in 2007.

Just a Minute in... July

Reading... How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. I have to admit, this is slow progress, mainly because I have been distracted by Vogue, Tatler and Country Homes & Interiors, all of which I subscribe to.

Watching... This depends on whether M is with me or not. We have watched Bright Young Things on TV, Harry Potter 7 part 2 at the cinema and quite a lot of golf, together. I have also been watching series 3 of Gossip Girl and the Apprentice. I may be a little in love with Chuck Bass. Also at the start of July we watched a lot of Wimbledon.

Listening... So far this month I have driven to my parents house (3 hours away) twice and to Taunton and back numerous times. I listen to spotify on my iphone and my album playlists have included Pantha Du Prince, Sigur Ros, The Doors and lots of 80s/90s indie and metal including Alice in Chains which is good for a bit of motorway driving. Also, the Shopaholic series on audiobooks.

Buying... Things in the sale. Lots of Cowshed products, a few bargain pieces of workwear (including silk Hoss shirts for £5 each), two pairs of Kate Middleton-esque work shoes (nude pumps and canvas slingbacks). If people are interested, I can post more of this.

Loving... My new Cowshed candles, walking on the beach, Delilah, family weddings, my new nephew, lunching with lovely ladies.

Wanting... Longer weekends with M, proper summer sunshine, to see more of my friends.

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Just a minute - an occasional series of posts inspired by Talking to Unicorns (who was inspired by Daydream Lily). Just a Minute was started by August Street back in 2007.