December is here; I’m making my way into all four of my advent calendars (How did that happen?!) and looking forward to all things festive; but it’s time to look back at the month just gone for a moment.

November is one of my very favourite months of the year. It’s full-on autumn; days get colder, the knitwear comes out, hot chocolate becomes a food group and being a hermit is more socially acceptable.

Of course, it has nothing to do with the fact that it’s my birthday month. Not. At. All.

November was not without it’s ups and downs as always but I am sad to see it go so soon. Let’s get to it and look at what I got up to and fell in love with during the penultimate month of this year.

Reading…

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

I bought this book on a whim while trudging around Sainsbury’s, and found it an enjoyable, light read – much needed after the heaviness of my previous book! As always, I’d like to review it properly on here in a little while, so watch out for that. However, for now I’ll say it’s a good, easy read with some touching moments.

Celebrating…

Bonfire Night

I love Bonfire Night. Doesn’t everyone? As cliché as it sounds, I think it’s one of the best nights of the year; bright colours, coziness and tradition. My family always put on quite the back-garden show at home and now that I’m an adult (sigh) I really miss it, what with living a few hours away.

I was determined not to be left out this year, so my friends and I went to the Winchester Bonfire Night celebrations. It was my first time at the event and I loved it. What with parading through the ancient streets with our own flares blazing (beautiful but rather anxiety-inducing!), the biggest bonfire I’ve ever seen, and some dazzling rockets followed by cider in the cold, it was pretty perfect.

I did feel like I was part of an angry mob at times too, which was strangely fun.

Turning 27

I still maintain that I am in my mid-twenties (In my opinion, you’re only in your late twenties when you turn 29). I had an absolutely fantastic birthday celebrating with my family and I couldn’t have asked for more. It was a wonderful start to this year of my life and I only hope I can make the rest of it live up to the same standard.

Who knows what 27 will bring?

Watching…

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

A year-and-a-half after buying our tickets, we finally made it to London to see parts One and Two of the latest Harry Potter instalment. Don’t worry, I’m keeping those secrets! All I’ll say is; yes, we were the twenty-something ladies in the highest seats wearing matching Hogwarts sweaters.

Grace & Frankie

I dismissed this show initially, after deciding I didn’t like it about five minutes in – but my friend Helen persuaded me to give it a second go, and now I am completely addicted. It’s wonderful to watch a show with the older generation at the epicentre, having fun and living life to the full. I also think that it balances humour with poignancy brilliantly. If you’re looking for a new Netflix show, definitely check this one out.

Thor: Ragnarok

I finally got to see the third Thor instalment just before the month ended and it was great fun. I can’t say it was my favourite of them all; although it did make me laugh, I felt at times it was trying too hard to be funny, which set my teeth on edge a little! I still enjoyed it very much, however. See Dad, superhero movies aren’t just for 12-year-old boys!

Buying…

My first Dr Martens

I don’t know why it took me so long to invest in a pair, but I finally got some Dr Martens this month and I’ve been living in them ever since (except, you know, in the office…though I’m sure I can work around that….). They are the comfiest shoes ever, while managing to make me feel like I can take on anything and any one.

Baker boy hats

I bought a hat, and I blame my sister. Some say I suit it; others say I look like Kiera circa Love Actually. I’ll wear it anyway.

Practising…

Self Care

Last weekend I woke up feeling rather rubbish indeed. I’m a big fan of honesty, and I really respect people for sharing their personal experiences with mental health online, and I try to do the same in my own little way – carefully. So, I decided to take some steps to help myself feel better, or distract myself from my own feelings, and had a Self Care Sunday.

This was not the best day to begin with,  but I got a lot done and really felt like I’d been mindful of what I wanted to do and what might help me feel better. It worked! And it turned out to be pretty good.

I’d like 2018 to be a year of more self-care and more honesty, too.

(If only all of my tweets got that kind of response!)