Recent Lifestyle Loves.

It's taking longer than I thought to fall back into posting regularly. It's almost like I've forgotten how to write, how to construct blog posts, how to make time for something I love to do. I have some down-time coming up, a few weeks where I don't have to think about anything and I'll be filling my days with books and hopefully some sunshine! Easing myself back into blogging with a few things that have inspired me or made me smile sounded good to me so here we go...

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan
+ Marina Keegan's The Opposite of Loneliness went viral a couple of years ago when it was posted on Yale Daily News a few days after the car crash that claimed her life. Prior to reading those thousand words, it had been a long time since I had felt so connected to someone I had never met. I have the page bookmarked and I've lost count of the number of times I've clicked over to read again. When I heard some more of her work was going to be published I knew it would be a wonderful addition to my bookshelf. I wasn't disappointed. I love your work, Marina. And not just because you're not here anymore. But because you're good, really good. And I'm sad because there's no telling how wonderful your future work would have been.

Swell Pets*
+ Although initially Bailey was mostly excited about the cardboard box his new toys came in, he soon got down to important toy business like squeaking and initiating games of tug. Rope Gromit along with green lizard and yellow duck are his new favourite toys, he's proudly carried them almost everywhere and they have so far survived being left in the mud and having their limbs nibbled almost continuously. We don't recommend the kong frog toy though, he only lasted about 10 minutes before an irreparable hole appeared as if from nowhere. Thank you Swell Pets, Bailey really appreciates his new toys!

Keep Me Jewellery*
+ People are so talented. Tom Blake is the mastermind behind Keep Me, a collection of 10 incredibly sweet characters each with a collar that doubles as a sterling silver ring. The detail in each character is insane. I have few pieces from the range and they absolutely deserve a post of their own. All I'll say for now is that it's incredibly inspiring to see someone come up with an idea, run with it and see it emerge into something that has the potential to be huge!

In The Lonely Hour by Sam Smith
+ I pre-ordered In The Lonely Hour on vinyl because I knew it would be an album that would become an instant favourite. I listen to a lot of music on YouTube but I don't tend to buy unless it's something really special. This is really special. I'm slowly working on my vinyl collection and although I still don't have a record player Amazon is incredible for giving free digital downloads with record purchases.

- Jennie xo