Top 10 Photos I Took Last Month

4th Jul 20191st Jul 2019 | Suzi Stamp

I seem to take a vast, huge amount of photos every month, according to my phone a grand total of 681 for June! today I decided to choose 10 of my favorite photos of the previous month to share with you!

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1. Roxy playing with her nephew Zeus. Roxy is the smaller of the two!

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2. Zeus and I. I can’t believe how big his head is!

3. My brother and I having a pint in our “local” in London.

4. Graffiti carved on a tree in a park in Westminster.

5. Paper snails!

6. A beetle we found on our way to William Morris’ Red House.

7. The cute well at William Morris’ house.

8. Beautiful roses in the garden at William Morris’ house. They looked amazing and smelled beautiful too.

9. Lovely homemade tomato soup that my sister in law made.

10 and bonus 11. Roxy Puppercakes being all cute!

Top 10 Things I Have Achieved This Year

27th Jun 201928th Mar 2023 | Suzi Stamp

I am celebrating a year in my own home and I thought it would be nice to look back at the whole year since moving and note my Top 10 Achievements since moving.

I have become more confident. This confidence can be seen in all aspects of my life, from making decisions to getting things done. I now worry less about whether I can do something and am more willing to give things a try.
I have learned new skills. I have learned about painting, decorating, fixing things, money management, life skills, creative skills, cooking and a whole ton more.
I have made new friends and rekindled some old friendships. I wouldn’t say that I have no friends but when it comes to having friends I like to keep my group small, that said I have made a lovely friend in my neighbor and I have rekindled friendships with old friends.
I am content to spend time alone. I used to feel uneasy with spending time alone and was never really sure of how to spend that time. Now, I am happy just to sit and chill and spend time alone, in fact, I really quite enjoy it.
I have worked on my mental health. I had a really rough time with my mental health back in September which cumulated in me taking a break from work for nearly 5 months. In that time I started taking medication for stress, anxiety, and depression. Since then I have become more aware of my mental health and how I’m feeling on a day to day basis. This awareness has helped me to identify triggers and develop some coping mechanisms which I call on daily.
I have discovered new hobbies and things I love to do. I have found that I really enjoy gardening, that it gives me a sense of calm and peace. I have also developed a love of writing, whether it be on this blog or personally, off-screen in a notebook. I have found new ways of being creative and enjoy spending time working on little projects.
I have raised money for charity. I hosted a Mind Crafternoon back in December and raised £100 for the charity. I was amazed at how generous my friends were and how much fun we all had on the day. I’m working on my next Crafternoon event which should be taking place in July.
I started this blog. I’ve had blogs in the past and posted things here and there, but this blog is different. I have spent time thinking about content, creating an editorial calendar, crafting posts, scheduling and all the other things that go along with blog writing. This blog has helped me to learn and develop skills, given me an outlet for my thoughts and I have gained so many friends through blogging too. It has become a huge part of my day to day life and is something that I never really thought could mean so much to me.
I have done some traveling. It’s not that I have never traveled or anything, but I have always done it with friends, family, and boyfriends, traveling alone was always a super scary thought that I never really entertained. But now, I quite like it. I may never have left the UK on my own but I am pretty adept at traveling to London by myself now and even taking myself off on road trips to places.
I gave up Facebook. This was a huge step for me as at one point I totally loved Facebook and it was part of my daily routine. But, something changed, back in January and, I found that I was just wasting time on there and not really enjoying it like I used to so I quit it. I deleted my account and now, it feels like it was never part of my life. It’s strange to think about how much time and energy I put into something that I couldn’t care less about now.

Top 10 Flat Lay Props

20th Jun 201919th Jun 2019 | Suzi Stamp

top 10 flat lay props

Since attending the Flat Lay Workshop at The Bloggers Bash I have been thinking about flat lay photography and creating a kit for myself so that I can use it in images for this blog in the future. Today’s Top 10 Thursday post is a list of items I am considering in creating my kit.

A ring light for my phone.
A background, though at the moment I am unsure what I want to use as my background.
Fake flowers and foliage.
Ribbon and lace.
Patterned fabric, card, and papers.
Shells and pebbles.
Confetti.
Fairy lights.
Letters and numbers, though I’m not sure what style yet, though scrabble tiles are an option.
Wooden shapes.

What sort of things would you put in your flat lay kit?

Top 10 Good Blogger Habits

13th Jun 20198th Jun 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Top 10 Good Blogger Habits

As a blogger, there are so many habits that you should form in order to improve your blogging experience, your reader’s experience and to make blog life a whole lot more interesting. Today’s Top 10 focuses on my all time Good Blogger Habits.

Be consistent. Whether you post once a month, once a week, or every day, make sure that you post consistently. Your readers are more likely to return if they know when to expect a blog post from you.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar check. Bad spelling, grammar and punctuation can stop so many people from reading a post, and with so many different tools available to assist with checking that it is worth running checks before posting. I am currently using Grammarly which has been really easy to install and use.
Images. I love looking at images contained in blog posts and there are so many do’s and don’ts when it comes to adding an image that it can sometimes be hard to work out what image is best. My basic rule is that the image should be clear, well lit and not contain too much clutter and that it should be relevant to the post. Do not add images that are not relevant just because you think a post needs it. I would much rather read a post with no images than one that is peppered with irrelevant pictures.
Connect. Find other bloggers who write about things that you are interested in or that write in your niche, join in with conversations in the comments and take part in some things that other bloggers run.
Be true to yourself. Write about what you are interested in. Your hobbies, interests, ambitions, skills, what you live for. People are much more interested in a post that is written with a passion behind it than a post that you have forced yourself to write that covers something that you have no interest in.
Share what you are comfortable with. If you are not comfortable sharing certain topics with friends and family then don’t share them online. Only ever write what you are comfortable with everyone and anyone knowing.
Schedule. When you have an idea and the urge to write, sit and utilise that. I often batch write 3 or 4 posts at a time and make use of the schedule button as I never know when I may not feel like writing. There really is no shame in scheduling posts in advance. (Here’s a secret… I wrote this on saturday08/06/19!)
Categories and Tags. Make use of categories and tags. My one rule is that each post should have one category and up to 10 tags, no more. I have categories for each type of post that I have and then use the tags to add more info about the post.
Check your appearance. Not so much your own appearance, but your blog’s appearance. Check how it displays on tablets, mobile phones and computer screens. So many people use an array of devices these days to read blogs so it is worth making sure that everything on your blog displays perfectly across all devices.
Have fun. Fun is a huge factor in blogging. It is what keeps me coming back time and again to write and create posts and content. Remember that it is your blog and you can do with it what you want. And when the fun starts to wain think of ways you can bring the fun back! (Ask questions of your audience, read other blogs in your niche to see what they are writing about, use a search engine…there are lots of ideas out there if you start to look!)

Top 10 Beauty Products

6th Jun 20192nd Jun 2019 | Suzi Stamp

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Today’s Top 10 Thursday post is all about my favourite Beauty Products!

Moisturizer. Nivea Soft has been one of my favourite moisturisers for the last few years. I find that little goes a long way! After washing my face in the morning I apply this then leave it to sink into my skin while getting dressed. By that time my face is lovely and soft and I am ready to start applying my makeup.
Primer. Barry M Flawless Primer has been something I have bought and rebought several times now! I find that for my skin, which is dry in places and oily in others, this works really well as a base for all my makeup.
Foundation. I prefer cream foundations over liquid or powder because of my skin being so temperamental and have found GOSH Foundation Plus+ to work really well with my skin and stays looking fresh all day.
Concealer. I am a huge fan of Maybelline Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer. The product is in a twist up pencil style packaging which makes for easy application and the product works wonders on blemishes and under-eye shadows.
Blush/Highlighter. Collection Highlight, Blush and Bronze kit has been one of my all-time favourite kits and I am nearing the end of my second pallet. The bronze is matte which is perfect for contours, the blush is a pretty pink tone which works really well with my skin tone and the highlight is shimmery without being ott sparkly.
Brow Kit. I have only just started to really do much with my brows aside from plucking them and having them shaped and I am currently loving Collection Incredibrow kit which contains 3 powders and clear brow mascara. The kit also comes with a handy applicator brush and a small mirror on the packaging.
Eyeshadow. I recently bought I Heart Revolution Fantasy Eyeshadow Kit in Unicorn which comprises 9 shadows in pinks, purples, silver and white. The finishes are matte, shimmer and metallic. It has been my go-to pallet since I bought it and I have been able to create so many different looks with all the shadows!
Eyeliner. I usually use a felt pen style liner but recently I have been using I Heart Revolution Fantasy Eyeliner in black. The long handle on the applicator helps when creating a fine line and flicks as it gives more control to your movements.
Mascara. I am currently using MUA Eye Define Nourish and Care mascara which I am finding really lovely to use. It doesn’t flake or smudge and really helps to define my eyes.
Brushes. I have been a fan of Real Techniques brushes for a long time but recently I have found myself reaching, more and more, for my Eco Tools brushes. I have been really liking how my eyeshadow and highlighter applies with the brushes I have of theirs.

Top 10 Habits to Make Life Easier

23rd May 201917th May 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Top 10 Habbits To Make Life Easier

I don’t know about you, but I am always on the lookout for any tip, trick or help that can make my day to day life much easier and today, I have compiled a Top 10 list of Habits that I have learned which really do help me to have an easier life!

Always carry a pen and notebook. You never know when you may have an idea or thought that could be useful. It could be an idea for a meal to cook, a present to buy, an item to add to a shopping list, something you need to do, whenever you think of something, it is always a good idea to write it down.
Always go shopping with a list. Shopping with a list is a definite for me, I can focus on what I need, only buying the essentials which in turn leads to saving money by not buying anything unnecessary and saves me time and energy! My brain does not need to do all the thinking and remembering and decision making and my shopping experiences are a lot less stressful.
Always prepare your lunch the evening before, especially when you are working or have daytime commitments. This simple act can free up some of your precious morning time and is one less thing to have to think about when getting ready.
Always plan your outfit the night before. This is another simple habit to get into, you can assess your outfit and make sure it is clean and tidy, you have time to iron it if needed or make a repair. There is nothing worse than putting on an outfit to find that the hem has come down or a button is missing and then having to rush around to fix it or find something else suitable to wear in the morning.
Always have a plan and know what your agenda for the day is. This tip has probably been the most useful and life-changing for me. Even on my days off, I like to have a plan of what I am going to do with my time and helps me to remain productive and tick things off my list. I like to plan my day the night before so I am prepared and know what I will have to do the following day.
Always prioritise. It doesn’t matter if you have few tasks or many, prioritising can help you to get the important or hardest, or most time-consuming things done and out of the way first. Prioritising and working your way down the list can help to free up headspace that would otherwise be consumed with worry and thinking about other tasks rather than the task in front of you. However you prioritise is up to you, there is no right or wrong way but it does help!
Practice Mindfulness. I have been practising mindfulness for a few years now, and while I may not sit for an hour, clear my head and meditate, I find that smaller bursts of around 5 minutes, in a hectic day can really help to sharpen my mind and help me to concentrate. If you have never tried mindfulness before there are lots of apps that can help you, Calm is one of my favourites!
Always aim to be 5 minutes early. I received this little tip from my Careers Advisor in school and it has really stuck with me. I hate to be late, there is so much stress and worry created by being late, worry about letting people down, that people are waiting for you, the rushing to get there, all sorts of negative things. Being early means that you have time to sit and breathe, practice some mindfulness and arrive in a calm manner. It also means that if there are hold-ups along your journey then you have time to make adjustments to your plans and still be punctual.
Know when you are most productive and utilise it in your day to day life. I am most productive from mid-morning to the mid-afternoon so I try to plan the bulk of my work at that time. I prioritise the biggest chunk of my to-do list for that time, concentrating on the smaller tasks in the morning and the ones that take up the most of my time for between 11am and 2pm. Knowing when you are most productive means you can schedule and prioritise better, you are less likely to procrastinate and knowing and utilising your productivity to its best gives you a sense of positivity.
Always schedule breaks. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, breaks are essential as they can help us to decompress after one activity and clear out head before making a start on the next. A break can be as simple as making a coffee or going for a short walk. This break makes it easier to transition from one thing to another and is essential in my life.

What little habits do you have that make your life easier? I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips in the comments!

Top 10 Products I Consume Daily

16th May 20194th May 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Top 10 ProductsI Consume Daily

When we talk about consuming we readily think about what we eat but rarely do we thing about the other things that we ingest, whether it be data, words or any other product. Today I am sharing with you the things that I consume on a daily basis.

Books. I love reading, especially during my lunch break in work, it gives me space to free my brain from the mundane tasks of my day to day work life and helps restore my concentration for the afternoon.
TV shows. I spend my evenings watching shows on Netflix. I find that watching tv can be a lovely way to relax and unwind and empty my head of any nagging thoughts or anxieties.
Energy. Gas, electric, calories. As a human we are geared towards consuming energy. So many things we use in our daily lives need to have a power supply, the phones we use, our computers, lighting, and we consume this energy a lot of the time without even being aware that we are doing so.
Time. Time is precious and fleeting yet I seem to waste much of it not really doing anything of a productive nature with it. I often wonder how much time I could save myself on a day-to-day basis by being more aware of how I am spending each minute.
Phone minutes and texts. Since the invention of mobile phones it seems that we are becoming more connected than ever, and in some ways that can make us more sociable creatures. I don’t use that many minutes out of my contract but I do text a heck of a lot each day.
Water. I use water to shower, brush my teeth, wash my dishes, clean my clothes, flush the toilet, for drinking and cooking and I never think about how much water I actually use.
Entertainment. I am a visual consumer; I love to visit art shows and galleries, look at things on line and am forever flicking through books and magazines. I am also an audio consumer and always have music playing if I am driving somewhere. Whatever we choose to entertain us, I think we have all become reliant on entertainment of any kind to amuse us.
Technology. I never really used to watch the weather report on the television and much preferred to open my curtain and peer outside to see what it was doing but the invention of smart phones and apps mean that I use technology in nearly all aspects of my life. I have an app for the weather, a to do list, a calendar and many other technological things that help in my day.
Statistics. I love to sit and check out my statistics on my blog and other social media platforms and am amazed at what can be captured so easily these days. I love seeing the ebb and flow of my post views, likes and follows. It really does fascinate me.
Products. I come into contact with a vast array of products each day, from getting up in the morning and reaching for my alarm, brushing my teeth, to pens and paper and other things.

Top 10 Ways to Save Money

9th May 20194th May 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Top 10

We all like to save money and today, for this Thursday Top 10 post I am sharing with you some ways you can save money in your day to day life.

Make yourself lunch for work instead of eating out. While a meal deal (in the UK) can cost around £3 for a sandwich, snack and drink, making your own lunch can work out a lot cheaper.
Make your own drinks. Whether this is a reusable bottle that you fill with juice, squash or water, or a travel mug of hot drink, taking your own rather than buying will save a lot of money in the long run. It will also save you time that you would otherwise spend queuing.
Use comparison sites. Whether you are looking to renew car insurance, check your gas and electricity deals or for a new mobile phone deal, it is worth seeing what is available to you before you go ahead and sign up to another long term contract which might not be the best option for you.
When travelling, check ticket sites for any cheaper travel you could use. It can cost around £55 for a single journey to London on the train but by travelling by coach, for example Megabus or National express you could pay around £15 for a return journey on certain days.
If you are going to be staying somewhere overnight, rather than booking the first hotel you find, try checking AirB&B, Late Rooms or Last Minute for any cheaper alternatives.
If you live alone, or there are few of you living in the house, then see if it would work out cheaper to have a water meter installed. You can find out about water meters from your local water service provider.
Review any subscription services that you have, whether it be Sky Tv or a break down service for your car. Are you paying for unnecessary things that you don’t use? Often, phoning the company to see if you can change your subscription can get you a better deal.
Check what you are paying for on your telephone bills. If you are forever going over your minutes, texts or data consider switching to a tariff that offers more of these things. Also check your landline and what you are paying for on that, if you never use your landline it may be worth thinking about losing it altogether.
Look out for loyalty cards for shops that you use regularly and sign up to them. Tesco Clubcard offer points that you accrue when you spend money on fuel or shopping generally, these will then be converted into vouchers that you can use against your regular shopping. From time to time Tesco will also send you vouchers for items you would normally purchase. Boots offers a loyalty card too and points are accrued as you spend money on purchases which can be used against other purchases you make in future.
Switch to shop own brand rather than buying name brand goods. Own brand items are often as good quality wise and you could save quite a bit on your shopping bill.