Fifty Books Part 1 (There's a load more I wanna read)

Getting round to sitting down, in my fleecy pj's and my onesie isn't something I get to do a lot recently though. What with my old man being ill and me being ill as well but still having to run and hold the fort together. When I say fort I mean my dad's business. It's not often he gets sick, so last week was quite tiring. I'd be up and out of the house most mornings for 8am and wouldn't get home until going up to 5pm. having caught my dad's flu didn't help either. Most nights I would be in bed for 7pm, lost my appetite as well and that's not really like me. 

I'm going to try and read as much as I possibly can this year. Kevin(My utterly superb Fiance) bought me a Kindle Fire HD and I've already downloaded a few books to it. 

Here's the list of books I'm currently reading and want to get round to reading.

1. Fifty Sheds of Grey - CT Grey. This is not what you think it is.
2. Thursdays in the park - Hilary Boyd. A tale about a woman who finds love later in life.
3. Yours Truly - Kirsty Greenwood
4. Chelsea Wives - Anna-Lou Weatherley
5. The Life of Pi -Yann Martel
6. Discovery at Rosehill - Kathryn Brown (this is a paranormal book by a fellow blogger - you can visit her blog here.) 
7. Sanctum - Sara Fine
8. You had me at Hello - MHairi McFarlane
9. Watch Over me - Daniella Sacerdoti
10. The Fast Diet - Dr Michael Mosley & Mimi Spencer
11. Me before you - Jojo Moyes
12. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
13. The Hobbit - J R Tolkien
14. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
15. The Hunger Games - Mocking jay - Suzanne Collins
16. The Hunger Games -Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
17. Glass Tiger - Joe Gores
18. The School Run - Sophie King
19. This thirty something life - Jon Rance
20. Jack Reacher - One Shot-Lee Child
21. Bright Young Things - Scarlett Thomas
22. Raven Black - Ann Cleaves
23. The bad boyfriends bootcamp - Poppy Dolan
24. Just this Once - Rosalind James
25. A Week in Winter - Maeve Binchy
26. The Island - Michael Stark
27. Mistletoe in Manhattan - Talli Roland
28. The Girl with the dragon tattoo - Steig Larsson
29. The girl who kicked the hornet's nest - Steig Larsson
30. The girl who played with fire - Steig Larsson
31. Picture Perfect - Jodi Picoult
32. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
33. The Casual Vacancy - J K Rowling
34. Three Letters - Josephine Cox
35. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer  ( I am just going to read this one to find out what all the hype is about. I'm not a big fan of Vampires and all things supernatural so if this goes down well I might be adding the rest of the Twilight books to this list and taking a couple out.) 
36. Highland Fling - Emily Harvale
37. NYPD Red - James Patterson & Marshall Karp
38. Croissants & Jam - Lynda Renham
39. Rumours - Freya North
40. I Heart New York - Lindsay Kelly
41. Chances - Freya North
42. The Rose Petal Beach - Dorothy Koomson
43. The Woman he Loved Before - Dorothy Koomson
44. About Last Night - Adlele Parks
45. Before I met you - Lisa Jewell
46. The Making of Us - Lisa Jewell
47. The Beach House - Jane Green
48. The Patchwork Marriage - Jane Green
49. Blog, Inc - Joy Deangdeelert-Cho
50.  

my current read is taking me through venice. 

there are gondolas.

where are you?  it's your turn to share.

i'd love to see your list.

5 for Five

5 4 5

Hey Peeps. Thanks to Allie for sharing this. One of the things I want to achieve this year is to attract more followers and these link ups are perfect for this.

So here we go with my contribution to {5 for Five} for this week.

1. Aim to do at least 10 hours of study for my Business & Administration Course.

This is something that I need to try and do every week up until the end of March. It's helping me to be able to achieve success in obtaining a new job.

2. Exercise for at least 20 minutes every other day.

I'm determined to lose a stone before the end of January. Kev (My fella) has promised to try and take me away for a weekend and I want to look nice. I'm hoping to lose at least 2 stones by April because my brother is getting married on the 27. I'm currently a member of Slimming World.

3. Drink at least 3 bottles of water each day.

I don't drink enough water and part of my new fitness regime is to achieve this. Often I will reach for a can of Diet Soda - usually Coke and it's unhealthy.

4. Update the blog layout.

I think my blog needs a new layout and a bit of an update, it's been the same for a while. I think a splash of colour will brighten it up.

5.  Have soup for lunch.

I must admit that I do tend to reach for a sandwich most days, when I go home for my lunch. Most of the time I get home from work and eat crap. I'll have that sandwich (on brown bread of course!) and then during the course of the afternoon, I'll start feeling hungry. Soups are very filling and the thicker I can make them the fuller I'll feel - Hopefully!



Next weeks goals are already being planned and I look forward to sharing them with you.

Sunday Social (Monday Social!)

 
I know this is a day late, but I was so busy yesterday with my Business & Administration Course that I didn't have the time to blog this. 
1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?

My blog is called Thirty Something Ramblings. It did used to be called Pink Banana Smoothie, I decided to change it because I thought it sounded a bit too baby like with a name like that. I've been blogging on and off for about two years. 

2. Why do you blog?

I love reading short stories and novels, I also love writing short stories and hopefully want to write a novel. Blogging enables me to improve my writing skills.

3. What is the first blog you ever followed?

I think that would be "Oh Mishka" or" Novelista Barista". 

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?
That would have to be my post about Slimming World - Time to lend a hand. 

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013?

I'd like to see my blog attain more followers. Hopefully blog a lot more and find some new and interesting blogs to follow.

6. Name your top 3 favorite blogs.

Allie @ Tales of a Twenty Something.  I just love reading Allie's blog. It's so easy on the eyes and I love her layout! 

Dawn @ daybreak1012 

 

Michelle @ ohmishka. This is one of the first blogs I followed and I still love reading it. 

A few of my favourite Avon Products

Hope you're all ok and have all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Well onto the post in question. Around October time I began a part time adventure selling Avon to family and friends. It was going quite well but with the hassle if Christmas and having to complete my Business Admin assessment I let it slip a little. Once my course is completed ill probably try and get back into it. I saw a review of a few of their products on www.flutterabdsparkle.com and knew as an Avon lady I should share mine with you. So here's a couple of my favourite eye products.
First up are my favourite mascara's.
1 is Super Drama in black. I use this as my going out mascara as it goes on easily and doesn't smudge plus it makes my lashes look longer!

2. Super extend in brown black. This is my everyday mascara. It's great for the office.


3. Next are the glimmer stick eyeliners. I just love how these glide on. You can easily get them off and they come off with a facial wipe too. I have the twighlight sparkle and golden diamond.

Have you tried any of these products from Avon? What do you think? I'll review some of my other favourites when I get back into doing it.  

Snapshot for December 2012

1) Candle scents this month:
Spiced Pumpkin. Sparkling Cinnamon. Vanilla Bean Noel (Bath and Body Works, unlike everything else I burn!). Harvest. Vineyard. Pumpkin Pie. Napa Valley Harvest. Orchard Pear. Autumn Fruits. Harvest Welcome. White Christmas. Christmas Cookie. North Pole. Red Berry and Cedar. Christmas Cupcake. Welcome Christmas. Holiday Bayberry. Mistletoe.

2) What I am reading this month:

The Life of PI, Chelsea Wives and anything I downloaded to my fabulous new kindle fire HD. 

3) Three things on my mind:

1. What's going to happen with Kevin at work. He's not exactly Mr. Popular right now. But I won't go into detail.

2. Starting and completing unit 2 of my Business & Administration course.

3. Closing my bank account.

4) Movies I saw:

Elf, Paranormal Activity 4. Part of Toy Story.Bambi. Didn't really watch many movies. 

5) Calendar image for the month: 

Happy New Year! 

6) New recipe tried this month OR Something yummy I made:
Mushroom filo pastry samosas made by Elizabeth from slimming World. 

7) Restaurants where I ate:

I haven't eaten out over the course of December. Ok, maybe once I think we went to Banny's fish and Chips oh and Bannister's.

8) Five things I am loving this month:

1. The glow of the Christmas Tree's lights and all the houses looking festive.

2. Being able to sleep in most of the week whilst off for the Holiday's.

3. Looking forward to sharing fun and laughter with my family and friends.

4. Wearing my new dresses that I bought for the party season.

5. Going out with Kevin.

9) A goal I had for this month:

To complete and submit Unit 1 of my Business & Administration Course. 

10) This month I looked forward to:

Opening some wonderful pressies on Christmas Day and seeing my beautiful cousin who was over from Chicago to visit her parents and brother. 

11) Something I want to be thankful for this month:

Trying new traditions at Christmas. Having the time to chill and relax.

12) A photo I took this month:

Grandad, Dad and Brother. 3 generations. 

New Year's Eve with my sexy man

Me Kev and Mark

Me Kevin and John

My favourite photo of me and Kevin from over the Festive Period.

November Snapshot 2012.

A photo of me:


1) Candle scents this month:

Any of the Yankee Candle Scents for the Holidays.

2) What I am reading this month:

I have just started an NVQ Level 2 Business Administration Course, So am at present doing some reading for that.

3) Top three songs I was drawn to:

Olly Murs - Troublemaker. David Guetta - Titanium. Bauer - Starting Again.

4) Movies I saw:

I haven't seen any movies this month as I have been too busy with work and my NVQ.

5) Favorite tv moments of the month:

Rylan Clarke finally getting booted out out X-Factor. Seriously the guy couldn't sing and was as camp as a row of tents but people kept voting for him. Charlie Brook winning "I'm a Celebrity - get me out of here and Helen Flanagan finally getting stuck in and doing a bush tucker trial!

6) New recipe tried this month:
I haven't tried it yet but I plan to make Roasted Peppers with Potatoes and Fried Egg. Pure comfort food.

7) Restaurants where I ate:

Banny's Fish & Chips - Colne.

8) Five things I am loving this month:

1. Snuggling up with a hot water bottle and my blanket. 

2. A good book.

3. The crisp Autumn Air, although it's now almost winter.

4. All the Christmassy decorations that are in the shops.

5. Preparing to put up my Tree.

9) A goal I had for this month:

To complete the first stage of my Assessment for my NVQ course. 

10) This month I looked forward to:

Not had something to look forward to this month to be honest - but I'd probably say starting my NVQ.

11) Something I want to be thankful for this month:

My family and fiance. 

12) A photo I took this month:

My Top 10 Holiday Movies.

Here are my Top 10 Favourite Christmas Movies. Hopefully there are a few on there that you will like too.

The Holiday - I love this film purely because Cameron Diaz and Jude Law are two of my favourite actors.

Love Actually. It's my favourite film and hopefully it will be on at some point over the Festive Period.

 

Another of My Festive Favourites. Of course I don't always end up like Bridget, hungover and feeling sorry for myself on New Year's Day. Love the ending when Bridget finally gets her man!

 

Now I first saw this wonderful Movie last year when I had to stay home because of the snow and couldn't get over to Kevin's. Let's just say that if this happens again this year then this will be on my list of movie's to watch again.

 No Festive season is Complete without ELF!

 

This is such a sweet and emotional film. I'm going to have to get this seeing Becky (one of Kev's work colleagues) was so kind as to lend it us last year.

Then of course who can forget Kevin McCallister being left Home Alone over the Holiday's. The way in which he outsmarts those two crooks is just genius. 

I love Gremlins. Gizmo is so cute. "Bright Light. Bright Light!"

 

For some reason I have always liked this film. Don't know why. 

And finally, for me. No Christmas is perfect without the Griswald Family. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Makes me laugh every time I see this.

So there you have it. My Top 10 Christmas Movies. What are your favourite Christmas Movies?

Today I'm Thankful for....

Seeing everyone has been posting what they're Thankful for this month, I thought I should share mine.

So....

Today I'm Thankful For....

1. Fluffy blankets and throws 
2. Rainy days cosy fleecy pyjamas
3. Kevin
4. Kevin being home all week
5. Kevin not going to Ireland for work
6. Spending the weekend after this one with him whilst my folks are away
7. Autumn candle scents
8. My Emu boots
9. Leather gloves
10. Snuggly scarves
11. New book recommendations
12. My sweatpants
13. Mint chocolate Smelling Scents.
14. Avon Anew AF-33 Wrinkle Cream.

What things are you thankful for today? 

Blog Identity - Flirty Thirty Something

Tuesday Topics: Blog Identity

Tuesday Topics is here! Can't wait to read all about your blogs!

Here are my answers:

What is your blog about?

My blog is about little things in lie that I enjoy, such as spending time with my wonderful Fiance, my life and sharing photos and snippets from my short stories.

Why did you start blogging?

I guess I decided to start blogging because everyone else was doing it and I wanted to be in with the crowd. But now the more I do it, the more I enjoy sharing things. 

What's something your readers know about you?

I wouldn't know because I only have 4 people who follow me. :-( 

What can't you live without? 

Kevin, family, friends, my laptop, my iPhone and my camera.

What inspires your blog posts? 

My life and things that I see and just feel a connection to.

What do you do when you feel uncreative? 

I try to read a book or look through old photographs to find inspiration. But if I'm feeling like I need to get out, I try to go for a walk and take my camera with me.

How has blogging changed you?

I don't think blogging has changed me, Kevin doesn't read my blog so I can't really say that I have changed. I have tried to be much more creative and try to write or blog everyday. But doing my hectic job it's not always easy to find the time to blog.

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

I'd have to agree with the author of the blog I copied this from - Lauren and say just be yourself and live your life.

Don't let your blog take over your life. Try to aim to post at least 2-3 posts a week. 

Last but not least! What blogs inspire you? 

This is going to be hard. I have so many that I want to include, but as there are so many I will encourage you to follow me and have a look. 

Quote from the Desk Calendar

"All Marriages are Happy. It's trying to live together afterwards that causes all the problems."

- This was so funny, I had to share it.

Stories By Me - Page update

http://flirty30somethingramblings.blogspot.co.uk/p/stories-by-me.html

Good Things Beauty Products

Hello my Lovelies.

I haven't been around for a while as I've not really had much time to post due to trying to juggle three jobs and deliver my Avon products. But when I was in my local Sainsbury's the other day I came across these little beauties on special offer at half their RRP. Here's what I came home with.

Five minute Facial Mask. This has a gorgeous smell to it and left my skin feeling soft and smooth, not dry like it normally feels. I used it after the product below.

Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator. This is amazing! It's got a really nice licorice smell and it's not too strong of a smell. It's very grainy but as soon as you apply it you can actually feel it working.

Next I got the bright eyes eye treatment.

This is just as good as any other brightening cream for the eyes. It got rid of my tired looking eyes from Saturday night in a jiffy yesterday morning.
I want to try the whole range now!!!

Have you tried any Good Things products?

NaNoWriMo - The 30 Day Challenge

NaNoWriMo

I'm finally going to do this. As many of you know, I do like to write short stories, but this is much more of a challenge. 50.000 words in 30 days. I will of course post my story once it's finished.

I'll tell you this - It's called "A Forgotten Love".

Me, Myself and I

What is your favourite season and why?
I like Autumn (Fall) but also like Summer. Autumn is cool (sometimes cold but not too cold) and crisp, just warm enough so that you can still wear a cardi and not a thick coat. Summer because I can look forward to my holiday in the sun and not have to worry about work for a week or two. 

Talk about a moment that changed your life.
A moment that changed my life would be finally meeting the man, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with. Kevin.

If you could be any Crayola crayon, what would you be and why?
Purple. Just because it's my ALL time favourite colour.

Describe yourself as a superhero.
I don't relate to ANY superhero's to be honest. But if I had to, Wonderwoman. I like to try and fulfill my life with all the things that I can.

If you had all the money in the world and could only shop and 3 stores, where would you shop?
Oooh let's see. Apple Store, because then I could buy myself a new Apple iMac. A Macbook Air. An iPad and a new iPhone 5. Next I'd say John Lewis as well because of ALL their lovely products and pulling a John Lewis carrier bag from the boot of your car instead of a Tesco bag just makes me feel a bit special. I'd probably treat myself to Waitrose's nosh. 

Sunday Social - Reading Time

If you've been reading my blog posts for any amount of time, you've probably seen me say that I LOVE to read. So, I was very excited when I saw this week's Sunday Social questions.

1. Favorite childhood book:
My favourite books as a child was anything by Enid Blyton. I loved these books and always imagined I was a fairy and lived in the Magic Faraway Tree. 

2 . Favorite Book lately:
Fifty Shades Trilogy. It took me a while to get into the first book, but once I'd started it, I couldn't put it down. I have already read all three books and plan to read them all again before the year is out. I also loved Harlan Coben's Play Dead. That was another book I couldn't put down until I had finished it. 

3. Book you wish you could live in:
Can I have two? 
Harry Potter. Do I even need to explain? Awesome characters. Awesome places. Magical powers.
Chelsea Wives. The glitz, the glamour, the money and the lovers. Enough said.

4. If you could be any character from a book who would it be and why?
I'm not too sure, I'd probably like to be one of the Chelsea Wives from Anna Lou Weatherley's book. Imogen Forbes. She's the strong character in the book who finally ends up in the arms of the man she thought she had lost forever. I love a happy ending.

 

5. Favorite Book turned Movie?
I'm not really sure on this one, I will have to get back to you....

6. Favorite Magazines:
I love more magazine and cosmopolitan. I'll often buy a certain magazine if it has any freebies that I want in it. Like this month's copy of Cosmopolitan which had some L'Occitane hand cream...

 

30 Day Fall/Autumn photo challenge

Thinking of doing this - It sounds rather good fun and so interesting for Autumn.
 

I might not do all of them but I'll definitely try and do most of them.

Time to Lend a Hand

Will you Lend A Hand? 

Any of my fellow bloggers across the pond who have been struggling with weight loss or just want to get into shape why not give this a look? 

TimeToLendAHand

About

204 million Americans suffer because of their weight... yet they've never heard of Slimming World USA. Help us spread the word through October and win a holiday to New York - details at www.slimmingworld.com

 

or on Lifeline Online for members.

Description

In the USA, some 204 million adults and 12 million children suffer because of their weight. By 2048, it is predicted that unless something is done everyone in the USA will be overweight or obese. If Slimming World could help the people of America to reduce their BMI by an average of just 1% it would avoid 2.4 million cases of diabetes, 1.7 million cases of cardiovascular disease and 127,000 cases

of cancer. That’s why we want to make sure everyone is aware of the amazing world-beating support available from www.slimmingworldusa.com

Slimming World USA

Slimming World's Time to Lend a Hand campaign will run for the month of October. If you have friends or family in the USA please get involved in the campaign and help us spread the word. If you get someone to join slimmingworldusa.com using the online referral system on Lifeline Online or slimmingworld.com they can take advantage of the special offer of $40 for four months and you'll be in with a chance of winning a fabulous holiday for two in New York!

If you want to lose weight and would love the support of a friendly group of people then pop across to the following website

slimmingworldusa

and join in the fun. If you're still not convinced then check out my other blog

saraslimmingworldjourney Oh and you can also have a look at our lifeline online feature...

http://group.slimmingworld.com/useful-features/lend-a-hand-feature.aspx