In Which I Get A Bit Personal... Hopes. Fears. Dreams

I've not done one of these raw 'from the heart' type posts for a while now. I often feel a bit nervous sharing my inner thoughts which is daft I suppose as I always receive such wonderful support from you lovelies. So here goes...

GirlGoneDreamer is a lot of things. It's a lifestyle blog, writing platform, but it's also my online journal. A place for me to offload. Something for me to look back on in years to come.

Sometimes I have days when I feel panicked. And no this is nothing to do with my anxiety disorder - though granted that probably doesn't help. No. This sort of panic is the kind I suspect any other female friend in my shoes would feel when they're knee deep into their thirties, no husband or even boyfriend, no kids, no foot on the property ladder, not even a frigging toe if I'm honest. I owe too much money and even though I'm on a debt management plan, it's going to be a few years before I'm completely debt free.

I remember writing a life plan at sixteen which included being married with children by the age of twenty five and working my dream job. Oh how life laughs at sixteen year old me. It obviously had other things in mind.

I should be grateful I suppose. I should recognise what I do have.
A roof over my head.
A paid permanent full time job.
The fact that in time I will be debt free thanks to my DMP. 
My nephews. Three gorgeous boys who never fail to brighten my day or make me laugh. And boy do they make me laugh.
Incredible friends.
And of course I have the other little things that make me happy. *A good book. My love of words. And the rest...
(*Trying to explain this to someone who hates reading usually results in them looking at me in some dumbfound horror. You mean you read just for fun?)

For the most part I am grateful. I've had to learn that happiness is not necessarily about the destination or end goal, but rather the journey along the way.
To say 'I will be happy once I achieve such and such a thing' or when I meet 'the one,' isn't healthy. But that doesn't stop me feeling a pang in my gut when another friend announces their impending nuptials or pregnancy. I want the guy, the wedding, the house and the kids you know?

Life has so far failed to bring me any of these things, and although I am not without hope, I'm also not about to wait for life to catch me up. Perhaps life has something in store for me that I'm yet to discover. Who knows? But meanwhile I'm on a page in my life now where I'm ready to make things happen for myself. No pity party here!

I can't force romance, love or marriage but I can try to make the other things happen. Inevitably I will be debt free in a few years and once I can afford my own home, I'll be contemplating adoption or A.I. (Artificial Insemination not Artificial Intelligence ha ha!) This is 2017 after all. Do I really need a partner to have a child? I think not. Okay so a man would be nice too but do I really want to risk missing out on motherhood just because I waited too long for Mr Right to turn up?

Sometimes I panic like the best of them. Sometimes I wonder why I'm so far behind all my married friends. But then I bring myself back down to earth and remember that if I want changes in my life, then it's damn well down to me to shape myself and make them happen.

Looking at it from another aspect, maybe things are unfolding exactly as they should. Maybe I was always meant to adopt. Perhaps that is my destiny - if you're a believer of that sort of thing. I guess no-one really knows what's around the corner right?


Do you ever panic about the future? Can you relate to this?


If you made it to the end of this awfully long post then high fives to you. Hope the week is treating you kindly. Until next time...


 Justine xxx



Photo via Pexels

Bring Spring To Your Bedroom*

I don't know about you guys but I personally cannot wait for the sunnier weather to arrive. There's something about the Spring season that literally puts a bounce in my step. Obviously the sunshine does help, but it's not just that. I love that this season brings with it new challenges and the opportunity for fresh starts. It's not just the perfect excuse to spring clean my bedroom, but also to give it that much needed makeover.

My bedroom is my safe haven, my 'go to' place when I need to escape from life. When I'm not at work or out and about, you'll usually find me curled up on my bed either reading a good novel or writing blog posts. As I spend so much time in this one room, it's hugely important that I create the perfect environment for myself.

I can't afford to go splashing out on new wardrobes or furniture right now and I know many people reading this are in the same boat, but that doesn't mean you can't change things up a bit.
Who says it has to be expensive? Just by altering the colour scheme or the duvet and curtains, a room can appear much brighter. Aside from the other life essentials (inspirational wall quotes and a glass of wine) a cosy bedspread or duvet is an absolute must for maximum comfort.

When I saw the beautiful range of bedspreads at The Yorkshire Linen Store I just knew I had to have one. I've always been a real 'girly girl' and a fan of anything neutral coloured so I fell in love with this Opulent Jacquard Champagne Bedspread as soon as I saw it. There's also matching duvets, pillow cases and cushion covers. All I'll need to do is put down a nice new carpet, add a lick of paint and 'Bob's your uncle' as they say!

Wayfair also have many pretty designs to choose from and at reasonable prices too. I seem to have relatively luxurious taste so typically was drawn to the Luxury Duchess Bedspread in gold. Both of the bedspreads mentioned are machine-washable and tumble-dryer friendly, although if we get some warmer weather I'll definitely be hanging mine outside to dry!

Photo: Opulent Jacquard Champagne Bedspread

Why not bring Spring to your bedroom with a gorgeous bedspread? If neutral colour isn't for you then you'll find plenty of alternatives on offer. What's more, The Yorkshire Linen Store currently have a sale on! What are you waiting for?


Here's wishing you all a lovely Spring.


Until next time...


Justine xxx


P.S. If you like the look of the Yorkshire Linen range featured above then you may also like these which, FYI, are all half price! Bargain...

Anna Black Bedspread

 

   Ethnic Floral Patchwork Berry Bedspread/Throw

Shelbourne Duck Egg Bedspread

*Collaborated post
All photos taken from Yorkshire Linen website

Four Things I'm Loving About Life Right Now

I've just had the loveliest three days off work and it's done me the world of good. As I'm feeling so positive I thought I'd share four things that I'm loving about my life right now.

1. Writing

I've got well and truly back into writing my novel. I could sit here all day telling you about it but my lips will remain sealed until the final draft is ready. Thank you to those who helped choose my male lead's name. For those who didn't see the poll on my social media channels, Hunter won!

2. Me Time

After feeling incredibly stressed these last few weeks, I decided it was high time I did some recuperating. This weekend saw me do a mix of lovely things. I took my nephews to see a movie on Saturday. Has anyone else seen Sing? It's amazing. Sunday saw me chilling with my brother. We ate out at a little place called The Mystery Tea House. If you're ever in Preston then I recommend you pay a visit there. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life, it was as if we'd been transported to some other worldly place. We sat on the comfiest of sofas sipping spicy chocolate tea and pomegranate juice before tucking into our wraps and side salad. Jason had the vegan option and I had spicy chicken. It was by far the best food I've tasted in ages. The decor was a real mix of cultures and the best bit? We were surrounded by books! You literally could just curl up on the sofa and read if you wanted to. How awesome is that?

3. New Opportunities

I was nearly sick with excitement yesterday. After near enough two years of working my backside off, new opportunities are dropping into my inbox. Hurrah! The only downside to this is that I instinctively wanted to reach for the phone so I could tell my nanna. She was always the first person I would call with news, good or bad. I hope somewhere she knows my dreams are starting to come true.

4. Latest Book Purchases

There are so many fantastic books out at the moment. I've recently bought Paul Kalanithi's 'When Breath Becomes Air' and Bryony Gordon's 'Mad Girl.' Both are more biography/memoir types and I cannot wait to delve into each. If you want to read a review of these on a future blog post then please let me know and I'll happily oblige.


What in your life are you loving right now? If you have any book recommendations then I'm always all ears.


I should really go to sleep what with having work tomorrow morning but I might just stay snuggled under the duvet listening to the rain a while longer. Something about it is rather calming and therapeutic.


Sweet dreams xxx




Image via Pexels 

'After You' By Jojo Moyes

 Murphy's Mother: Book Review 

'After You' 

by Jojo Moyes

 

Dear fellow readers

'After You' is the long awaited sequel to 'Me Before You.'

You really must read 'Me Before You' first to be able to identify properly with the characters and understand the emotions behind such a moving story.

'Me Before You' (pictured above) is a thought provoking and very emotional story of how one persons decision affects more than just one family.

Louisa Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. 

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time...

(Click here to read more on 'Me Before You')

The sequel, 'After You' shows how difficult it is to move on and how one decision can affect peoples lives forever.

Lou Clark has lots of questions.

Like how it is she's ended up working in an airport bar, spending every shift watching other people jet off to new places.

Or why the flat she's owned for a year still doesn't feel like home.

Whether her close-knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago.

And will she ever get over the love of her life.

What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change...

Then, one night, it does.

But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for - or just more questions?

Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe.

Open it and she risks everything.

But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she's going to keep it, she has to invite them in...

(Click here to read more on 'After You')

I must admit I was a little hesitant about reading this book as 'Me Before You' is a very hard act to follow, however I really wanted to know what happened to Louisa after Will.

This novel is full of twists and turns and certainly delivers a few shocks along the way. I just didn't want to put the book down. I loved reading about Louisa's journey and how learning to live again also helped her to start loving again.

It was great to read about the Clark family and in this book their presence brings a lot of laughter and some of the stories made me laugh out loud ( I'm not going to spoil it but the permanent marker plot was hilarious).

The chemistry Jojo portays between Lou and Sam is funny, poignant and just perfect.

The relationship between Louisa and Lily is yet another triumph as they have a great deal in common. They are both lost lonely souls with a reluctance to build relationships as they are in fear of getting hurt again. I know at first I didn't like Lily as I was very protective over Louisa and I'm sure others will feel the same, but Jojo really brings depth to Lily's character and you'll soon realise she has a good heart.

This is a very different read to 'Me Before You' and I absolutely loved it and was left wanting more.

Jojo Moyes you did it again and I'll be waiting to read what happens next...

Until next time

MM xxx

*If you would like Murphy's Mother to read and review your book or if you have any requests, please in the first instance email 'MM' at jamachin07@aol.com 



'Me Before You' blurb taken from: http://www.jojomoyes.com/books/me-before-you/ 
'After You' blurb taken from: http://www.jojomoyes.com/books/after-you/
Photo of 'After You': Murphy's Mothers own
Photo of 'Me Before You' taken from: www.amazon.co.uk

Mini Christmas Haul

Happy weekend everyone! Hope you're enjoying whatever you're doing. I've just got home after a pleasant morning pottering about the shops with my sister and nephews. Of course I made a beeline for all the Christmas stuff as you can probably tell from the header photo. 
I found some really nice items and for bargain prices too... Always a plus when trying to keep the cost down. Here is what I bought...

Festive Gift Bags 50p each, Cadbury Chocolate Santa £1, Lindt Chocolate Santa £2, Strawberry & Pomegranate Fragrance Explosion Bath Bomb & Soap (these smell gorgeous!!) 95p each, Festive Tissue Paper £1 - All from Wilko. Candy Canes £1 for box of 15 - Poundland. Festive Pad & Pen Set £1.99 - Toys R Us.

I also picked up this Christmas Cracker Kit from Toys R Us for £3.99. Every year I traditionally make personalised crackers. Inside each I hide a scratchcard and small gift. They seem to go down a treat plus I love making them. Why not give it a go if you've never tried this?

Have any of you started buying in bits for Christmas yet? 
That's it from me until tomorrow. I'm off to read Glamour & Essentials. If any of you love your nail polish Glamour are giving away a 10ml Nails Inc with every issue with FOUR colours to choose from! What are you waiting for? Run to the shop now!

 Love as always, GGD xxx