October 2024 - Finding a little light in the darkness...

Life Updates

Hey guys. I’ve been a little quiet online this month and just taking a bit of time to process recent developments. October has been very difficult because we lost Mat’s dear stepmum Chris who had been battling with cancer for many years. She was a wonderful lady who I had many giggles and gossip sessions with and I will miss her so very much. Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do and my heart is aching for the whole family.

I don’t know if my defences were down after so much emotion, but I also got incredibly sick with COVID for a week and felt emotionally and physically drained. I just sat on the sofa feeling rather teary for a week. It was a struggle to get myself back up and into the world again, but I forced myself to do so. Luckily my boss Sue is absolutely lovely and had no problem signing me off for the week which definitely helped take the pressure off. Along with feeling quite lost and confused with my career trajectory, as well as worrying my day job may be on the chopping block with the latest University cuts, I felt a bit like I’d hit rock bottom this month. But if there is one thing that I’ve learned from this whole heartbreaking situation, it’s that life is too short and we really need to make the most of every moment while we can. I have definitely been reflecting on where I am in life right now, and I want to make some big changes in the new year. Slowly, but surely, I want to move forward with purpose and clarity. Easier said than done, I know…

After all this, Mat and I really wanted to have some nice nights out and try and find a bit of joy again. Our first event when we felt up to it was seeing Claire Richards from Steps at our local Kings Theatre because the tickets were on a mega cheap deal… It was such a hilarious and super camp evening filled with disco classics and Claire performing with all the enthusiasm of a hostage victim. Paul and Andy also came and snuck into the empty seats beside us, plus there was a massive kerfuffle in the row in front when someone lost their bag and spent the entirety of “It’s Raining Men” waving their phone light around and swinging their chair backwards and forwards in the hopes the bag would magically materialise. (It was with a friend in another row). All in all, a very much-needed laugh of a night!

The following weekend, we met up with one of our all-time besties Sazzie in Winchester for lunch at the Ivy (and dress shopping in Seasalt). It was so nice to see her, get a great big hug and catch up with everything. The food and drink was absolutely delicious, but the company was even better!

At the end of the month, Mat and I spent a night at this cute, retro little hotel in Eastleigh for a dinner-show deal seeing singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard. I have loved Vonda’s music ever since I first watched Ally McBeal as a youngster with my Mum, and I used to listen to her albums over and over in my bedroom throughout my teenage years. Searchin’ My Soul was even one of the first songs I sang live to a crowd at school! This is why it was so amazing to see her live (for the third time now!) and I loved hearing so many beautiful songs that raised me. The dinner was also amazing and we got to keep our table for the whole show then go straight up to bed - Nana’s night out!!!

Finally, we ended the month with attending another of our all-time bestie Paul’s celebration party for reaching 10k raised for charity. If you don’t yet know about One Box Of Fudge and how much Paul raises for his local community, one box of fudge at a time, then please do check it out and put in an order!

In honour of his latest fundraising milestone, he encouraged all his friends, family and customers to dress up in their wedding guest finest for a showing of his favourite film, the absolutely hilarious Muriel’s Wedding. There was a wedding cake, a photo booth and dancing, and it was so lovely to catch up with old friends and celebrate Paul’s success together!

It was also the first group party since Paul was shortlisted for the Pride Of Britain Awards - it was over summer that I sent over a glowing nomination for him alongside many other customers and I was truly over the moon when he finally got the call back! So well deserved and it was brilliant to get to celebrate so many achievements in one night - check out the official promotional video that was shown on Merdian here! (They even used some of the wording from my submission hahaha fame at last!) Well done darling, you are a true shining star!

Mat and I are so lucky to have so many lovely people in our lives and I don’t take any of them for granted for a second. Thanks to everyone who has been there for us when it’s not been easy - I want us to always share joy and fun together throughout all the ups and downs of our lives!

Creative Updates

With everything that has been going on at the moment, I’ve given myself permission this month to take my foot off the pedal a little and have a break.

I have to admit, I find this quite difficult. I am someone who feels guilty for wasting time and I like spending every day doing something creative, whether that’s writing a few pages of a new project, playing with new song ideas or even just getting a good chunk of admin done. It never feels like work for me, it’s what I love to do. So it’s been weird stepping back and not having a clear focus these past few weeks. Weird, but perhaps necessary to avoid burning out.

I have of course been tinkering while I’ve been taking a break. Slowly playing around with the synopsis for my latest YA book. Updating Reasons To Love A Nerd Like Me on Mondays and Fridays. Planning out the songs I’ll be taking to my next studio session in November. Tinker, tinker, tinker.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about what I want creatively for the next year ahead - it’s crazy that we are already at the end of 2024 and I’ve found it’s a great time to reflect and take stock. I want to shake things up in 2025 and take a few more risks. I want to try new things. I want to move forward rather than remain stuck in the same place for all eternity.

It’s all a little daunting. And also a little thrilling. Fuck it. Let’s just give it a go and see what happens.

Movie Recs

Find Me Falling - This fluffy Netflix movie starring Harry Connick Jr. was sooo cute and the perfect cheesy rom com viewing. Heartfelt characters, beautiful scenery and gorgeous original music, what more could you ask for?

Bullet Train - This is not normally my kind of movie, but I found it so stylish and absolutely hilarious. I loved the pressure cooker of the bullet train setting and how everyone’s stories interweaved so cleverly. It was a real thrill ride!

Muriel’s Wedding - Of course, I had to include this after the Muriel party! I loved rewatching this cult classic, it is so joyful and hilarious, and even better was hearing everyone burst into guilty laughter at hearing the word “cocksucker” repeated multiple times in a church.

TV Recs

Strictly Come Dancing - It’s reality TV show season and now our whole lives revolve around Strictly Come Dancing, and I’m not mad at it!! There are some beautiful dancers this year, but my heart belongs to Chris and Dianne. They are my favourite Strictly couple OF ALL TIME. I find Chris so inspiring and their daily Insta-vlogs bring me sooo much joy and laughter! I really hope they will get to raise the glitter ball at the final!

Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK - Mama Ru is back and this new UK season is just as sassy and hilarious as all the others. I am obsessed with La Voix and really rooting for her! But there are so many amazing Queens that it’s hard to choose a favourite!

Big Brother - To top off Reality TV Autumn we have a new series of Big Brother and I’ve been obsessed with the drama. We’ve had bagel-gate. We’ve had chicken-gate. We’ve had red witch-gate. And so much more… It’s truly a brilliant mix of housemates this year and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching their journeys unfold.

Book Recs

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell - A beautiful, tender story about two people with a very deep connection who come back into each other’s lives many years after losing touch. Rainbow Rowell’s writing is so heartfelt, nostalgic and healing. A great reminder to find the magic in the smallest of moments.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover - I am deep into CoHo’s back catalogue now and this mother/daughter family drama was another great story filled with twists and turns. It is going to be adapted into a movie soon and I can’t wait!

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella - This fictional novella based on Sophie Kinsella’s very real life diagnosis of glioblastoma is heartbreaking, yet hopeful, and I found myself crying and laughing all the way through. It was actually very cathartic to read something so real about living with cancer with everything going on right now and it had so many beautiful words of wisdom that I really needed to hear.

Music Recs

Smitten by Pale Waves - The indie-pop rockers are back with their fourth studio album and it might just be my favourite yet! Dreamy, sophisticated songs that feel like the soundtrack to a coming of age road trip movie. So hooky and fun!

Everybody Needs A Hero by Orla Gartland - I am an Orla superfan and her new album is another masterpiece in her legacy. Driving, passionate songs with amazing vocals and witty, engaging storytelling. Chef’s kiss!

Mountain Music by Nina Nesbitt - I have become obsessed with the song “Anger” from this album, it’s just so powerful and so healing. In fact, this whole collection of songs is utterly beautiful. Nina is such a talent and I really hope more people get to discover her music during this era.

I also just have to shout out this live performance by a band called Lawrence shared by a friend on Facebook - this video completely BLEW ME AWAY and now I’m diving into their back catalogue. Phenomenally good!!

Thanks to everyone who reads these little monthly updates - I love documenting everything, I always have done, and it’s nice to share that love with other people! :) See you again in November!