Blogging from A – Z

I is for Interviews

| Suzi Stamp

AtoZ2019I

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

Today is day 9 of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge and todays topic is Interviews.  Interviews can be fairly daunting things to attend, let alone prepare for, there are so man things to consider from what to wear, how to greet the interviewer, what questions will be asked, how to prepare answers, even things like how should you sit and how to present yourself.  So, in this post I am going to share some help, advice and tips that I have learned along the way and from the many, many interviews that I have attended.  Hopefully, by applying some of these things you will feel less anxious about the interview and maybe, even, enjoy the whole process.

  1. Research the company.  These days most companies have a website and various other social media channels which make it easy to research just what the company does.  Look for information about its history, when it was set up, it’s core beliefs and values, how many employees it has and which sector it sits in.  Having this knowledge is useful as it shows that you have an interest in the company from how it started to how it got to where it is now.
  2. Research the job role.  While the job role may be generic, for example administration assistant, find out exactly what that means to that company.  Job roles can vary greatly from one company to another so it is vital that you research just what the company expects from you in the role you have applied for.  More often than not, you should be able to find out this information from the pack you received when applying for the job, however, looking online and doing a search should give you an idea of the types of activities you will be expected to carry out on a day to day basis.  Knowing this information can help you build some relevant questions to ask your interviewers.
  3. Research your interviewers.  Often, when you get invited to attend an interview, you will be given the name or names of the persons interviewing you.  It is worth spending some time looking into who they are and what their business backgrounds are, where they started, how long they have been with the company and any other useful information.  Not only will this give you an idea of who the interviewers are but it can help you to generate some interesting questions to ask them.  You should be able to find out information about your interviewers via the company website or from their LinkedIn profiles.  This step will also show that you are not only interested in the company and the job but in the people who you will be working with.
  4. Write down any questions that you may have from the first 3 points.  This is essential.  Do not rely on your memory to try to remember any questions.  have a notepad or paper beside you when researching the first 3 points and make note of questions as you go.  You can always go back and review or change the questions afterwards.
  5. Find out the dress code for the company.  Knowing the dress code for the company will help you in your choice of attire for the interview.  Have a look for the company on Facebook and see what images have been shared of their workers.  Make a note of what they are wearing, is it super formal and mostly black and white or are the clothing choices bright, modern and cool?  Once you know this you can incorporate the companies overall style into your interview outfit.  I would always suggest dressing smart but adding a hint of the company style into your outfit too, for example a skirt and jacket but instead of a shirt, maybe a bright, plain fitted t-shirt under the jacket, or a patterned dress under a formal jacket.
  6. Prepare your outfit and accessories.  Make sure that your outfit is clean and freshly laundered and pressed.  Check that your shoes are clean and any scuffs are fixed, and if necessary get them re-soled or re-heeled.  Check that your bag is clean, dust free and empty!  Write down any questions you have into a smart notebook, and make sure that you have a pen that writes.
  7. Pack your bag with interview necessities.  I like to pack my bag with only the things I may need for the interview.  My packing essentials are mints, tissues, deodorant or perfume, lip balm, hair brush, bottle of water, smart pens, notebook, spare tights.  Your list may differ slightly but it is best to only pack the things you may need, there is nothing worse than reaching into your bag for something and pulling out a load of unnecessary items, or worse, spending valuable time rummaging around to find one thing.
  8. Show up early.  I like to arrive to an interview around 15 minutes early.  This gives me time to park my car, find the interview place, go to the toilet, carry out any last-minute appearance touch-ups and gives me time to breath and calm myself.  These 15 minutes can make all the difference to your demeanour in the interview.
  9. Match your interviewers body language, posture and voice.  Watch how your interviewer sits and moves and mirror those gestures and postures.  By doing this you are encouraging feelings of trust and understanding.  Keep the same tone of voice as your interviewer, match the speed at which they talk, and talk clearly.  Try not to be too lengthy in your answers, shorter and more concise answers are easier for your interviewer to follow and remember.
  10. Ask Questions.  In all interviews I have ever attended I have been asked if I have any questions.  The worst thing to do is not have any at all which is where our research from the first 3 points comes in handy, this is your time to show that you have an understanding of the company, what is expected of you and about your interviewers.  Try to ask at least one question from each – 1 on the company, one on your role and one about your interviewer or interviewers.
  11. Maintain eye contact.  When the interviewer is speaking try to maintain eye contact, and use open body language which will help you seem focused and interested.  When you are speaking try to maintain eye contact or look from interviewer to interviewer.  This shows confidence and helps to build a bond of trust with your interviewers.
  12. Say thank you.  once the interview is over remember to thank the interviewers for their time and the opportunity to have an interview/be considered for the role.  Shake hands and, if not already mentioned, ask when it is likely that you will hear from them.

Do you have any other tips that you could add?  Have you used any of the tips I have listed and how have they helped?

H is for Hair

| Suzi Stamp

AtoZ2019H

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

I always dye my hair bright colours, I’ve been pink, blue, green, orange, turquoise, peach, red, magenta, purple, lilac and all shades and tones in between.  I’ve been dying my hair for around 20 years, and over that time I have had lots of questions about caring for coloured hair so, as todays Blogging From A to Z letter is H, I thought I would share a bit about my hair, dying it and caring for it afterwards.

***I am in no way a “hair expert” and these hints/tips are what I have learned through research and my own trial and error.***

***Please always read any dye or bleach instructions fully before attempting any home colouring and ALWAYS perform a skin and hair test at least 24hrs prior to using.***

When I decide to dye my hair I like to start with a base tone as light as possible so I always start with hair bleach.  I use Jerome Russell Bblonde Powder Bleach and 40 Vol 12% Cream Peroxide from the same range to lighten my hair.  I add the peroxide to the powder and stir through using a plastic tint brush in a glass bowl.  Before applying to my hair I add a generous amount of cheap hair conditioner to the prepared bleach.  I find that adding this in stops my hair from getting overly dry during the lightning process.  As my hair is naturally dirty blonde it doesn’t take long for the bleach to start working its magic and I find that after around 15 minutes it is ready to be rinsed off.  I would recommend checking on your hair every few minutes to see how well it is processing and never leave it on for more than 20 minutes.  Always follow the manufacturers instructions.

IMG_3464 Once the bleach has lightened my hair to the desired level I then rinse off the bleach with cool water.  I towel it dry and then apply Bleach London white Toner which helps to even out the tone of my hair to an almost platinum shade.  Once this has been left on for the time stated in the instructions I rinse it off, again using cool water and then towel dry.

Now comes the fun part, putting the colour onto your hair!

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I tend to use Bleach London Super Cool Colour dyes as it comes in an array of colours and take well to my hair and last quite a long time too.  They are semi-permanent colours and will fade over time but I have found these to fade evenly all over and the colour still remains pretty.  I have also used a few Pick & Mix Colours from Superdrug which also fade down really nicely.

The easiest thing I have found is to squeeze an amount of dye into a glass dish and apply to the hair-line with a dye brush before adding more dye directly to the hair using gloved hands and working through.  Once your hair is saturated with dye then get a length of cling film and wrap it over your head and hair before covering with a towel.  Leave it to sit for as long as is recommended in the manufacturers instructions before rinsing off with cool water.

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Once you have rinsed and towel dried, apply a deep conditioning treatment such as Bleach London Reincarnation Mask or a hair oil like Superdrug Coconut Oil with Argan and leave to sit on the hair for as long as you want.  Personally, I aim to deep treat my hair for around an hour.  This step will ensure that your hair is soft and manageable and will retain the colour for longer.

Tips to make your colour last.

  • To make the colour last longer I recommend always buying a second bottle of colour and each wash, add a bit to both the shampoo and conditioner as you use it.
  • Deep condition your hair once a week, again, adding a bit of dye to the conditioner, this will prevent your hair looking dry and becoming unmanageable.
  • Dry shampoo is your friend, where possible, use dry shampoo instead of washing.  I try to wash my hair twice a week when it has been coloured.
  • Use shampoo and conditioner formulated for coloured hair or use baby shampoo.
  • Try to avoid styling products.  I have found that hair spray especially, seems to suck colour from my hair.

When you want to change your hair colour it is important to fade your hair as much as possible before bleaching or re-dying.  In order to fade the colour you will want to wash your hair as much as possible, anti dandruff shampoo is really good at helping to fade dye!  By fading the colour as much as you can it will mean that, should you use bleach, you shouldn’t need to leave it on your hair for long.

If you want to change your colour without bleaching then think about what colour your hair is now and what colour you may want to end up with.  Transitioning from similar colours can be fairly easy and I have gone from pink to purple to turquoise without any need for bleach.

Here’s a few pictures of my hair over time!

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G is for Gemstones (and crystals…)

| Suzi Stamp

AtoZ2019G

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

Today’s Blogging From A to Z letter is G and today I am sharing about my love of gemstones.

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I’ve always loved gemstones and from an early age I have been a collector of them, I was fascinated with how they looked and felt to hold.  My first gemstone was a piece of moss agate which, when you peered at it you could see formations that looked like trees and bushes.  My imagination used to run riot and I’d spend hours dreaming up scenarios involving being under water and of ethereal landscapes trapped in time, making up stories about the people and animals that could have lived in such places.

Over time, and as I grew up, my collection grew to include, not just tumbled stones, but several pieces of jewellery that incorporate gemstones (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings) and I started to read about the healing powers that the crystals held, how to care for them and cleansing and charging of them.

I find it really interesting how such a small stone can hold so much power and can help in so many different ways.  I carry around a piece of moonstone, hematite, amethyst and rose quartz with me daily, and wear a bracelet with turquoise beads on it, a moonstone ring and a necklace that houses a ball of rose quartz.

Moonstone is a really calming stone, and even when I can’t see it, knowing that I have it with me seems to help me to feel less anxious.  I carry a moonstone tumble stone with me in a small pouch and also wear a ring set with moonstone daily.

Hematite is a grounding stone which is also calming, it can aid in concentration which is really helpful for me as I find that at times my concentration is really low because of the medication I take.  I carry this stone in a pouch with me daily.

Amethyst is another calming stone which can help with headaches too.  It can also help to reduce stress and I like to hold this stone and sit quietly for a few minutes when I can feel the stress levels in my body starting to rise.  This is another tumble stone that I carry with me daily.

Rose quartz is one of my favorite stones.  It is the stone of love and can help to reduce any ill feelings you may have.  I wear this stone daily in a necklace and carry it in a pouch with me daily.

Turquoise is known for its healing properties but is also the stone of protection and communication.  I wear a turquoise beaded bracelet daily and it seems to give me more confidence when speaking and the ability to explain myself in a better way.

Below I have included some images of different gemstones that I found on Google.

If you are interested in gemstones and crystals let me know in the comments!

E is for Evening Skincare Routine

| Suzi Stamp

AtoZ2019E

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

The Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is in its 5th day and that means today’s letter is E!  Today I am going to be sharing with you my Evening Skincare Routine!

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

***This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links.***

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My skincare routine of an evening is really different to my morning skincare routine and focuses on cleansing, exfoliation, face masks and rehydrating my skin.

My skin is fairly dry and flaky due to an underactive thyroid in part and also due to the office environment that I work in though my t-zone can be oily on occasion and I get stress related eczema around my nose and on my forehead too.  I get the odd breakout of spots and blackheads, this last week my skin has been pretty bad because of the weather.  I wear make-up every day that I am in work but when I am at home I don’t really wear any make-up unless I am going out or having friends around for an evening in.

In the evening I like to remove my make up using Dr Organic Rose Otto Cleansing Milk with my facial brush.  I like using my facial brush as it loosens all the make-up, dirt and dead skin cells gently whilst also improving the skin circulation, it is a really gentle way for me to exfoliate without being too harsh on my skin.  I follow this up with Dr Organic Rose Otto Toner which removes all traces of cleanser and leaves my skin feeling really refreshed and helps to prepare my skin for the next step in my cleansing routine.

I use my Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Clay Mask-Scrub-Wash 2 times a week as a face scrub.  I have been using this product for a few years now and really like that the scrub particles are made from pumice which makes it a more eco-friendly scrub than some others which use plastic micro particles.  The pumice is really fine and works wonders on the drier parts of my skin leaving my skin bright and soft and less prone to break outs due to the eucalyptus and salicylic acid ingredients.

On other days I use Calm Skin Soothing Facial Wash from Superdrug, using my hands to apply and Facial Sponges to remove with hot water.  This face wash really helps to calm my skin and is really gentle without any drying effects.

Once a week, after I have double cleansed my skin I use a face mask.  I prefer to use a clay mask and love Skintruth Equalising Face Mask (which I had as part of a skincare set).  This face mask is salon quality and I found out about the brand through the Beauty Therapy course that I undertook a few years ago.  This mask has been formulated specially for Oily/Combination skin and is perfect for evening out my skin tone and balancing the dry/oily areas of my face.  I use this mask when I feel that my skin is becoming unbalanced and more oily in my t-zone.  I also love N-Spa Skin Glow Mud Mask (which you can get in Asda) and will rotate use of this with the Skintruth mask.  This mask has a very similar effect on my skin and balances out the oily/dry parts of my face.

When I need a bit more moisture I really like Creighton’s Photo Perfect Get Ready Mask. (I bought mine in Asda but they don’t seem to have it available on the website, Creighton’s site have it here though).  This mask is a creamy/jelly mask and is not drying like clay based masks which is brilliant to use when I have super dry patches of skin that are in need of a lot of moisture.  I like to use this mask when I have a hot bath as the steam and heat from the bath really open up your pores and help the product to penetrate the skin.  This mask always leaves my skin looking healthy, glowing, moisturised and peachy soft.

I always remove face masks with my facial sponges and warm water and follow with Dr Organic Rose Otto Toner to remove any last traces of mask from my skin.

I like to follow-up with moisturiser and will use Nivea Soft after I have exfoliated or used a clay based mask.  This is a thick cream which absorbs well into my skin and, come the morning, my skin feels more hydrated.  I use Superdrug Calm Skin Overnight Face Mask once or twice a week and apply to the areas of my face that are starting to look dull and de-hydrated more than applying all over my face as I find this quite a heavy product for my skin, that said, it works wonders and sorts my dry skin, and eczema patches out really nicely!

I also use Superdrug’s Calm Skin De-Stress Balancing Facial Oil in place of a moisturiser, usually after I have used Creightons Photo Perfect Get Ready Mask as it adds an extra shot of moisture to my skin and keeps it looking calm and smooth.

***This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links.***

D is for Decorating

| Suzi Stamp

This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

AtoZ2019D

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

Today’s Blogging from A – Z Challenge brings you the letter D and this post is all about decorating!

There is something really lovely, for me, about the whole decorating process, from choosing the colour scheme, the paints and finishing touches to actually starting the decorating process and then standing back and admiring your hard work once you have finished.  But, it doesn’t have to be all hard work, and you don’t need to decorate the whole room in order to refresh your decor, and you don’t always need to paint a wall or put up wallpaper in order to decorate either.  Heres some things you could consider when decorating…

Accent Wall or Feature

Painting or wallpapering one wall or accent feature of a room can refresh the decor really easily and quickly and there won’t be too much of a need to change furniture or soft furnishings much.  In my home I painted the recesses between the chimney breast, the archways in my dining area and the arch between the two rooms.  I painting the back wall part of the archway and chimney breast recesses one colour and then the side wall part another, contrasting colour.  This was quick and easy and required little time (or paint!) and was really cost-effective too.

 

 

You can see the back and side wall detail in the images above.  You could consider painting around windows or doors or even painting the backs of shelving units in order to introduce a pop of colour to your decor.

Tile Stickers/Decals

A simple way to update your bathroom or kitchen is to use tile stickers or decals.  These are really easy to apply and are usually either vinyl stickers that you peel and stick or decals that you soak in water and slide from the backing into place on the tile.  Both options are quick, fairly mess free and look really effective once in place.  There are lots of different sizes to fit most tiles so it is worth measuring the tile and then reading the product description carefully before purchasing.

Window Dressing

Windows let much-needed light and air into a room but that doesn’t mean that they have to be boring or plain.  Switching your curtains or other window dressing can breathe new life into a room without the need of paint and brushes.  Try changing dark, heavy curtains for lighter coloured ones in a softer fabric, adding nets or sheer voiles to your window instead of blinds.  If you have nets, try hanging them at a different height – nets don’t need to hang from the top of the window frame, you can hang them part way down the window so that they still offer privacy but let in more light at the top.  You could think about changing the hanging method of the curtains, instead of a curtain track change to a pole.  You could hang a pretty scarf, a piece of fabric or strings of beads over the pole to add interest to the window.

Photos and Pictures

Updating the photos and pictures you display is a really effective way of updating the look of a room.  You could theme your prints for the season or choose a black and white colour scheme.  There are lots of free photo editing apps and softwares available that let you change how a picture looks or try a print service like Photobox where you can edit the images and then have them printed and delivered straight to your door ready to frame.  Another way of updating your photos and images is to change the frames, try ornate frames instead of plain or vice versa.  You could even paint the frames in a colour of your choice to match in with other items in the room.

Soft Furnishings

Decorate your room using soft furnishings like cushions, throws or rugs.  Not only will this add a cozy factor to the room but it will add a visually attractive element too.  Play around with prints, textures, different fabrics and contrasting colours.  If you are really crafty and handy with a sewing machine you could make your own cushion covers really easily.  In the bedroom you could add a runner to the bed or different pillows for the bed or hang a tapestry to the wall.

Decorative Items

Adding ornaments and other decorative items can really bring a room up to date.  Try adding ornaments and other decorative items, like trinket boxes, candle sticks, dishes or vases, in similar tonal colours that clash with the wall colour.  You could remove items that you already have to create a feeling of more space or try adding items to add interest to selected areas.  Grouping similar themed items together on shelves is another visually attractive way of displaying items too.  Play around with how things are displayed and see how the items look together.

Lighting

Lighting can really change the mood of a room and how you view it.  Instead of always having the ceiling lights on why not introduce lamps into the room instead?  Changing the light shades or even the light fitting itself can really change the perception of a room too, instead of a singular bulb you could buy a fitting that has several bulbs instead, or change a fabric shade to one with glass beads attached.

Furniture

Changing your furniture can make a room feel really different, whether it’s getting a new sofa or table, adding a coffee table or removing a set of shelves.  You could have the sofa re-upholstered rather than spending on a new one, or try painting wooden furniture that you already have to update how it looks.  If you have a coffee table you could add a piece of coloured acrylic to the top of it or sandwich a pretty piece of wallpaper between the table surface and a sheet of clear acrylic.  One way I updated my desk was to use printed vinyl which was really cheap, quick and easy, and there are so many different patterns and colours that you can choose which would tie in with most interiors.

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Room Layout

Aside from physically decorating the room this is probably the one that will have the most impact.  Think about how the room is currently laid out and the placing of the furniture, how the room is used and who by, think of different ways the furniture can be laid and move them around.  the lovely thing about this is that if you don’t like it then you can move it around again and again and its sure to be something people will notice!

Which decorating ideas would you try?

 

 

C is for Crafts

| Suzi Stamp

AtoZ2019C

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

Today, the Blogging from A – Z Challenge is the letter C, and I thought I would do a post dedicated to crafts, crafts that I have tried and crafts that I would like to try at some point.  I will be sharing what these crafts are and why they appeal to me.

Crafts I have tried

  • Artist Trading Cards.  I discovered Artist Trading Cards (also known as ATC’s) several years ago through a friend on Live Journal (remember that blogging platform?!).  These are little works of art that are made on card that is 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size (the same size as playing cards).  The artist creates artwork on them that is, usually, in their normal style and then these would be traded with other artists, a bit like business cards would be traded among business persons.  I really liked making ATC’s as the size was perfect to create on and less daunting than a full size canvas and I liked how quickly you could make artwork.  I also liked how versatile you could be, trying new techniques or skills you have learned.  I have not made any for a while as I don’t have anyone to trade with….
  • Calligraphy.  Calligraphy is a really intricate and ornate form of handwriting that is undertaken with an ink pen and special pen nibs.  Sometime nibs are wide, others are really flexible and can produce a huge, stunning range of different effects.  You can find loads of videos on the internet of people practicing calligraphy and I’ve spent many an hour mesmerised by the whole process.  As with all hand lettering, this is something that you really need to take time over and practice to achieve really good effects.  I really wish I had the patience to sit and practice daily to improve my writing.
  • Candle Making.  I have written a whole post on candle making which you can find here.  I really like being able to make candles as presents and with the range of scent options available you can make something truly personalised to that persons style.  I have since started to make wax melts which is a perfect way to use up any left over wax and scents.
  • Card Making.  I started out making cards for friends and family back in the early 2000’s as I couldn’t always find cards that I liked or that were suitable.  I really enjoyed the whole process, from thinking about ideas for cards, hunting for the right papers and making embellishments to seeing the face of the receiver when I gave them the card I had spent time making.  I enjoyed it so much that I started to make and sell them.  I stopped making cards when I started uni as I didn’t have the time and my creative energies were spent on my class projects but I’m now slowly starting to get back into making cards for family and friends again.
  • Ceramics.  I played around with ceramics in the 90’s when I was in school and I really loved making things from clay and glazing and firing them.  I was never really sure how they would look until they came out of the oven so there was always an element of surprise.  I would really like to try this again but don’t have the space for a ceramics oven or the funds to be able to afford to take this up at present.
  • Collage.  I was not really interested in collage until I started my Foundation Degree in Art, Media and Design where we made boards of inspirational images to use as part of our research and development stage for projects.  I really like the look of some of the collages you can find online, some of them are really well thought out and clever.  I have been thinking about using a pinboard and making my own that I can change around whenever I fancy, full of quotes and images that I find inspirational.
  • Glass Painting.  I dabbled in glass painting a few years ago and decorated vases and bottles using old nail varnishes and a black fabric paint as the design outline.  The things I created were given away as gifts.   I like the idea that you can turn even a simple coffee jar into a work of art and the object gets a new lease of life instead of being binned.  I think that combining candle making with glass painting to create decorated candle holders with the hand-made candle inside would be a lovely way to mix these two skills.
  • Jewellery Making.  My interest in jewellery making started as a kid when my Mum and Dad bought me a book about jewellery that came with some beads and jewellery findings.  I devoured the book from cover to cover and then re-read it several times!  I made all the projects in the book and then went on to buy tons of seed beads from the local market.  I learned to weave them into patterns and made bracelets, necklaces, rings and ankle chains from them.  Since then I have branched out into making charms and key chains from lots of different things like shells and toys from crackers.  Jewellery making is really fun and you can make things as complicated or as simple as you want and it’s really nie to be able to wear something you have made and get compliments on it.
  • Knitting.  My Mum taught me how to knit when I was small though I never got further than the basics and can knit a pretty nifty scarf in basic stitch now.  I dip in and out of knitting but get frustrated because it takes a lot of time to create something as I am so slow.  I also find I have to really concentrate or I forget where I am and what I am doing and drop stitches and make other mistakes so it’s not something I tend to do.  I really admire people like my mum who seem to be able to create really lovely things like jumpers and toys and appreciate the effort and time that goes into this craft though it’s not really something I can see myself getting fully immersed in.
  • Polymer Clay.  Polymer clay is so versatile.  I an’t remember when I first discovered polymer clay so I must have been fairly small at the time but it is something I always have in my craft stash.  I have made beads from it, card toppers, little trinket dishes and little ornaments.  I love that this medium can be used for so many different things, doesn’t take up too much space and you can bake it in your home oven to harden it.  It is available now in so many finishes too.
  • Print Making.  When I was a kid I used to love carving up potatoes and making prints with them and since then I have tried other methods of print making including etching, lino printing, screen printing and something my college tutor called glue prints.  Glue prints are one of my favorites and really easy to do, all you need is some thick card and PVA glue and a print medium like paint or ink.  PVA glue is used to create the image you would like, and you build up areas with layers of glue and leave it to dry in between.  Once the layers are dry you apply your print medium then place it face down onto damp paper, rub the back of it then lift up.  I’ve not done this for a while but I do have plans and ideas that I would like to try at some point soon!
  • Scrapbooking.  Scrapbooking was a natural progression as it used the same skills, and items, that I had already gained from making cards.  I started out with a 12 x 12 inch scrapbook and papers and really liked to record my memories in a creative way.  Since then I have diversified and have used other sizes of scrapbook.  I currently have a La De Dah journal that I am using as a scrapbook.  I love that you can add anything and everything to a page, whether it be journal pages, quotes, images, embellishments and really, the only boundary is your imagination.

Crafts I’d like to try

  • Book Making.  I love the idea of making my own books to journal in and would love to use all sorts of different papers.  I have seen so many lovely hand-made books and really want to give this a go at some point in the future.  These would make really lovely presents too.
  • Felting.  I really would like to try my hand at felting different things.  From what I have seen, there are so many amazing things you can make felting from cute little critters to flowers and jewellery besides a whole host of other things.  I think that I would make some felt embellishments for cards and scrapbook pages.
  • Floristry.  Floristry seems to be a craft that could be really calming.  I like the idea of creating beautiful decorations for the home using flowers and greenery.  And there really is nothing better than the scent of fresh filling your home afterwards!
  • Macrame.  Macrame is the art of knotting strings and has become really big in the last few years and can be found in wall hangings and plant holders, bags and other decorative objects.  I love the look of some of the wall hangings that have been made using the macrame technique and really would like to give it a go to create something of my own to hang up.
  • Mosaics.  I have always loved the look of mosaics and how versatile it can be in interiors, from frames to vases, table tops and floors, it is a way of injecting interest, pattern and colour to a range of different objects.  I like that you can create a mosaic using all manner of materials not just coloured tiles.
  • Soap Making.  I would like to learn how to make my own soaps and create my own scent for them and make different soaps for different types of skin.  These would be lovely to gift to friends and family as well.

 

A is for Apps

| Suzi Stamp

AtoZ2019A

You can find information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge here or read the rest of my A to Z posts by following this link.

A is for Apps

Today kicks off the April A-Z blog Challenge (you can find all other related posts of mine here (for all related A-Z posts) and here (for all blog challenge posts)).  I have chosen the topic of Apps for this first post.

I’ve not long upgraded my phone from an iPhone 6 with a memory capacity of 16gb to an iPhone 8 with 64gb of memory space and what a game changer that has been!  I found, with my 6 that I was always having to back up my photos and delete things from my phone as it was constantly full, usually it was images that took up all the memory space.  I hardly had any apps as I didn’t really have the space for them and only had basic ones that I used constantly on my phone.

I have so many apps now, I don’t really want to count how many… but today I’m going to share with you some of the ones I have on my phone and let you know what I like or dislike about them.  I shall place them in the categories I have them in on my phone.

1

  • Readercoin I downloaded this a few months ago.  It is an app that you can read books or listen to audio on, and you earn “coins” by reading or listening and giving feedback.  I like the concept and really enjoy reading but, the books available on the app are either really old books or they are not very well written.  And I’m not that keen on reading on my phone.  That being said, I like having it on my phone incase I forget my kindle at any point or have some extra time to kill.  I’ve not used the audio part of this yet so I can’t comment on that.
  • Weather Live  I use this app, not particularly regularly as I’m mostly indoors, but if I have plans to go out for the day or want to do something outside then this is weather app is the one I use.  It seems to give the most accurate weather for where I am.  I really like that there is a section on the app that lets you report what your weather is doing if it is different to the weather report.  I’m not so keen on the pop up ads, and to get rid of them you have to pay which, for the amount I use it I’m just going to put up with them.
  • Bitmoji  I downloaded this last month and wish I had downloaded it a lot sooner! If you don’t know what Bitmoji is, it’s an app that lets you make your own avatar.  You can customise hair, accessories, clothes and loads of other things too!  It makes sending texts and WhatsApp messages more interesting!

2

  • Enlight This is a photo editing app that I have used for several years.  It is a fairly simple app to use and I like the different effects you can add to images and that there is so much creativity in this app, such as blending 2 images together.
  • PS Express Another photo editing app that I have used for years.  I tend to use this app for fine details such as red-eye reduction and blemish removal as the control in the app is really good.
  • LogoScopic  I’ve had this app since just before I started this blog.  I downloaded it as I wanted an app that was easy to use to create logos with.  This app was probably the best one that I downloaded out of several and the one that I have stuck with.  It is really easy to use and you are able to create custom logos quickly.  The only thing that I don’t really like is that there is no feature to view all logos, each category of logo has several folders of images that you can customise but you need to scroll through them all which can be a bit annoying.
  • Canva  I only recently discovered Canva but it’s now one of my go-to apps for creating Instagram pictures and all sorts of other graphics for the internet!  I’m still learning all about this app and what it can do but so far I have not found anything to dislike about it!
  • ColorStory  I’ve yet to use this app but I downloaded it after reading about it in a magazine.  I was intrigued as the app has been designed by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman who created A Beautiful Mess (which I used to love for the filters!) so I thought I would download this and give it a go at some point!

3

  • Calm  This app is really useful and I like to use it when I can feel stress, anxiety and panic starting to build.  I put my headphones in and use the breathe section which helps to regulate breathing and just focus on the breath and really helps to control those panicky feelings.  I also really like the scenes section where you can choose different background nature sounds to play, and if you go back to the home screen of the app a video will play the chosen scene.
  • Insight Timer  Insight Timer is something that I downloaded after undertaking a mindfulness course around 2 years ago.  Though I don’t use this app much anymore I do like that you can choose length of meditation, what sort of meditation you want (spoken word, sounds etc) and there is a vast number of different meditations to choose from.  For me, the only problem is the sheer amount that you can choose as I can take forever to select a meditiation and I waste more time looking for a meditation to follow than actually meditating.
  • Breethe  I’ve not used this app for a while but still keep it on my phone as the free meditations are really good.  I used to like listening to the “Wake Up with Intention” meditation in the mornings but got out of the habit when I was off from work.  There are a few good free things with this app but I found a lot of the content you have to be a subscriber to access and for me that cost is way too expensive.
  • Headspace  This is another app that I’ve not used since switching phones.  I did love that it would send through little notifications in the day called “Mindful Moments”, I chose to have 4 sent through a day but you could set it for as many as 5 times a day.  I also liked that you could set a reminder for meditation at different points in the day too.  Again, the only thing I’m not too keen on with this app is that there is a huge cost involved with unlocking all the content which I just can’t afford.
  • MoodNotes  I’ve been using MoodNotes since November.  It is a kind of emotions journal where you can record how you are feeling along with a diary entry.  You can then choose to add further emotions to your entry, both negative and positive.  There is a section with questions that you can use to “enrich” your entry and helps you to look at things from a different perspective or analyse your thoughts and feelings surrounding journal events.  I find this app really useful as there are analytic sections that show data including mood trends and insights that cover mood over time where you can see percentages of how your mood has been.

4

  • TouchNote  This app makes sending your own personalised cards and postcards really easy and quick!  I downloaded this a few years ago before going on holidays as I wanted to be able to send postcards to my family and not have to worry about finding a post box or stamps on the way!  This app made sending postcards so easy and it was lovely to take photos specifically to make into postcards too.
  • Thortful  Another card sending app, this one supports artists who have designed the cards.  There are so many to choose from which would suit anyones taste and style.  The cards are printed on really lovely quality cardstock and can be sent straight to the intended person or sent to you to give to the recipient.  I use this company fairly regularly and am always impressed that the cards turn up on time and are really good quality!

5

  • Forks Over Knives I use this app when looking for new recipes to try out and there are so many to choose from!  The layout of the app is really easy to navigate and the recipes are broken down into type – breakfast items, sides and salads etc, so you can always find appropriate dishes for each meal time!  I’ve not yet used the resources section where you can find things like meal planning and a Cooking School.  I have used the shopping list section which is really useful when you have decided on a recipe and can add the ingredients you need to the list.
  • Foodsaurus  I’ve yet to use this app but it is a translation service for ingredients into different languages.  I can’t remember why I downloaded this app but I remember thinking that it may come in useful one day.  The time has not yet come to find out though….
  • Olio  This is such a good idea.  It’s a bit like freecycle but for food items that you may have overstocked on, tried once and didn’t like or items that are close to their use by date that you are not going to use or items in your food cupboard that you know you won’t get around to using.  You can advertise the food on this app or find food in your area that may otherwise end up being binned.  And with so much food waste going on worldwide I really think this is a fab idea!  Unfortunately, not many people in my area seem to know about the app or use it so it’s been a bit hit and miss but I totally recommend it and is something that I really would like to see people using more!

6

The above apps I have not really used yet but downloaded as I wanted to explore ways of scheduling my content to go live on Instagram and Twitter and getting more creative with my Instagram feed.  I did schedule a post from Tailwind but even though it said it had posted to my Instagram it hadn’t and I’m not sure why.  These are apps that I’m interested to have a play around with and find which one works best for me over time.

  • Wunderlist  I used to use the Notes app to keep a running list of things that I needed to do, usually all the different things I needed to get done were all bundled together into one note and it was really disorganised.  I found Wunderlist through a friends recommendation and love that I can make lists of differnt things and switch from one list to another so easily and add subtasks too, for example I can add “write beauty post” to my Blog list then add subtasks for that particular thing like “research moisturizer, take photos of products” etc rather than list them as individual tasks.  It really helps me to keep on track with what needs doing for each big task.

7

  • The Moon Calendar  I’ve had this on my phone for ages, so long, in fact, that I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t have the app.  I love this app, it tells you about the moon cycle on a day-to-day basis, gives you ideas for self-care and different rituals, has a to-do list, intentions that you can add your own things to (like quotes and photos) and a journal section.  (I did pay for some of the functions on this app through a gift card I had for my Birthday).
  • Countdown!!  I use this app pretty infrequently but I do have count downs active on there as I really like knowing how long until or since certain events (like my Birthday, how long I’ve had this blog, how long I’ve been in my home, how long until Roxy’s Birthday etc…).  I find this app super interesting and easy to use and it adds a sense of excitement to events that are coming up too!

What apps do you have on your phone that you would recommend?  What are your thoughts on my apps?

Blogging from A to Z

| Suzi Stamp

AtoZ2019tenthAnn

This month I am going to be taking part in  the Blogging from A to Z Challenge where each day through April, excluding Sundays, I will be working my way through the alphabet, one day at a time.  To see more about this challenge please see the link (here)

You can expect to see a post from me each day with a topic relating to that days letter, these will be posted each day except Sunday’s.  I will also be posting my usual blog posts (Top 10 Thursday, and posts on a Tuesday and Friday too).

Here’s a calendar so you can see which letters will be on which days…

Blog Calendar April A-Z Challenge