‘An Invitation’ by Simon Fletcher
An Invitation Stop! Take a breath and start again. We know that work is not much fun, with crazy colleagues, highs and lows; the meetings, deadlines, e-mail, news; the letters waiting to be sent and trains arriving always late, so find your home and close the door and settle in your favourite chair with glass... Continue Reading →
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Lalo’s Famous Cookies (aka be careful before baking something made up by a gizillionaire…)
In a quest to eat healthy and yummy food, I decided to make these cookies from Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook, Notes from my Kitchen Table. The 'Lalo' in the name is what her children call her mother, and these are great cookies to give kids as they're healthier than your average cookie. However, in order to make... Continue Reading →
When a friend needs you but you’re not there…
One of my friends died this week. He was a dad in our 'baby group', the group of friends we were lucky enough to meet at antenatal classes when our oldest was born. He was told in the summer that he had final stage cancer with only a few weeks left to live. His death... Continue Reading →
Making time for non-work while travelling
I’ve spent a lot of time travelling over the past fifteen years. While I’m incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to see so much of the world, it definitely tends to sound cooler than it is in reality. I’ve almost seen lots of places: out of the window of meetings and workshops, through the taxi... Continue Reading →
Cozy rediscovery
About five years ago, my sister wrote her first novel, a romance novel set in medieval Scotland. We've been discussing genre writing, and she introduced me to the concept of the 'cozy mystery'. I love crime fiction, but I tend to like my protagonists flawed, my settings dark and my crimes a bit twisted. I love... Continue Reading →
First ever writing retreat
My Christmas present from my husband was the gift of time, something I'm sure lots of people can appreciate is the greatest gift ever for a working parent. Given how often I have to travel for work, it's a sacrifice for him in many ways, as he's left at home holding the (laundry) bag, as... Continue Reading →
Easter bread: our family tradition
Every year, my husband makes the most amazing bread for Easter. It’s not necessarily the most Instagram friendly bread, but it’s a gorgeous, twisty sweet bread covered in cinnamon-sugar chopped almonds. He makes it the day before, a process that takes about eight hours in total, and it’s ready and waiting for us for Easter breakfast.... Continue Reading →
International Women’s Day 2018: What makes me happy
In honour of International Women's Day, we were asked at work to tweet a photo that represents what makes us happy. I chose this one. This is my Nonni, my grandmother, at her 90th birthday party, and I'm teaching her all about selfies here. This is the exact moment when she realised that the camera on... Continue Reading →