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The October Edit 🍂
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Life, Love and Other Shenanigans
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A little wanderlust, a touch of wisdom, beautiful finds & the art of living well.
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Well, here we are. October. The clocks haven't even gone back yet, the evenings are already drawing in, and I'm wondering how on earth we're this close to Christmas when I'm fairly certain it was July about five minutes ago.
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The summer dresses are being pushed to the back of the wardrobe, the cosy jumpers are making their grand entrance, and suddenly a cup of tea, a blanket and absolutely no plans sound like the height of sophistication.
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And you know what? I'm rather enjoying it.
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October has a way of reminding us that change doesn't always have to be dramatic. Sometimes it's simply about slowing down, letting go of what no longer fits and making room for something better.
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And that's very much where my head is these days.
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🍁 Becoming: A Different Kind of Autumn
I've been thinking a lot lately about getting older, starting again and how wonderfully liberating it is to reach an age where you no longer feel obliged to explain every decision you make.
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At 57, I'm discovering that life doesn't have to look anything like the version I imagined twenty or thirty years ago.
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Some dreams have changed. Some priorities have shifted. And some things I once worried about? Frankly, I couldn't give a rat's arse anymore.
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There's something rather beautiful about that.
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I'm learning to protect my peace, embrace the unexpected and remind myself that there's no deadline for becoming the person you want to be.
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If you've been feeling a little stuck, overwhelmed or wondering whether it's too late to change direction, here's your gentle reminder:
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You're not behind. You're simply living a life that is still unfolding.
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And there's plenty of good stuff still to come.
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✈️ Go Somewhere: A Little Autumn Escapism
Now, you didn't seriously think we'd get through an entire newsletter without talking about travel, did you?
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Autumn is one of my favourite times to dream about getting away.
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Perhaps it's a beautiful European city, with cobbled streets, little cafés and the sort of hotel that makes you seriously reconsider going home.
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Or perhaps it's somewhere warm, where the only difficult decision is whether to order another coffee or move straight to a cocktail.
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I've been busy curating some lovely destinations in my Expedia Travel Shop, including:
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Sorrento, Italy: Gorgeous coastal views, Italian charm and a wonderful base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. I've also shared my own Sorrento experience on the blog.
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Malta: Beautiful hotels, fascinating history and the possibility of a little late-season sunshine.
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Portugal: Quiet luxury, beautiful surroundings and a slower pace of life.
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Okinawa, Japan: An intriguing mix of island beauty, culture and a completely different kind of escape.
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Whether you're actually planning a holiday or simply indulging in a little armchair wanderlust, there's no harm in dreaming.
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🕯️ A Beautiful Life: The Cosy Season Has Arrived
There's something deeply satisfying about making your home feel lovely as the seasons change. Soft lighting. Beautiful candles. Warm textures. A good book. A ridiculously comfortable blanket.
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Nothing revolutionary, just little things that make ordinary days feel a bit more special.
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I've been gathering autumn-inspired finds in my Amazon Shop, from cosy home comforts and seasonal style to little everyday luxuries.
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And, because it's October, there's also a touch of Halloween mischief.
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Whether you're going all out with spooky decorations or simply fancy adding a few autumn touches to your home, there's plenty to explore.
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Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet.
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☕ Midlife, Practically: You Don't Have to Do It All
Can we talk about being tired for a moment?
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Not the I need an early night sort of tired.
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The I've got seventeen things on my mind, three things I forgot to do and absolutely no idea what I'm cooking for dinner sort of tired.
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We've become so accustomed to being productive that sometimes even resting feels like something we need to earn.
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But here's something I'm trying to practise more often:
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Rest is not a reward for finishing everything. It's part of looking after yourself.
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You don't have to turn every weekend into a project. You don't have to fill every spare hour with something useful.
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Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is put your feet up, switch off the noise and give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing.
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Preferably with cake. Because cake helps.
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A Little Something Worth Exploring
Behind the scenes, I've also been working on bringing together more of the things I genuinely love sharing: practical guides, useful resources, beautiful discoveries and ideas for making everyday life a little easier.
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You'll find more of these through my blog and digital collections.
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My aim is simple: to create a place where you can find something useful, discover somewhere wonderful or simply read something that makes you feel a little less alone in the chaos of everyday life.
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❤️ Before You Go...
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If there's one thought I'd love you to take into the rest of October, it's this:
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You are allowed to change your mind.
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You're allowed to outgrow things, take a different path, start something new or simply decide that your peace matters more than other people's expectations.
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Life is far too short to spend it constantly trying to meet everyone else's idea of who you should be.
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So wear the lovely outfit. Book the trip when you can. Take the afternoon off. Say no without writing an essay explaining why.
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And for goodness' sake, stop saving the good candles for special occasions.
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Being here is a special occasion.
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Here's to an October filled with cosy moments, new possibilities, a little adventure and just the right amount of shenanigans.
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With love, laughter and a healthy disregard for unnecessary nonsense,
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Life, Love and Other Shenanigans
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Living, learning, wandering and occasionally making it up as I go along.
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P.S. I'd love to know: are you embracing the cosy autumn season, or are you already dreaming of escaping somewhere sunny? Hit reply and tell me. I always love hearing from you. ❤️
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