Cathy Jones

Museums from my travels and ones I hope to go back to soon.

I have developed a massive book collection over the years. But I've pared it down to just the necessities- this list is just one shelf!

My local library is small and doesn't get new stock very often. So I travelled further afield and came home inspired by a library in a bigger town. So much choice! Even though I didn't come home with many business books I could find more from the recommendations in the book I did get. So I am well stocked up for the colder months.

I don't have to travel too far to get to my family home in Dublin, Ireland. But I don't want to carry a heavy bag. So I keep a basic capsule wardrobe, simple and easy to wear clothes that can serve a multitude of functions.

Now that travel is a thing again, I'm trying to take regular trips to see my family and recharge my batteries in familiar territory. Because I keep a capsule wardrobe at my family home, I can take a cabin bag and get the hassle of airport time down to a minimum.

You win some, you lose some describes me in a nutshell. I used to follow the rules and money worked for me. Then life got in the way and I lost my grip on the financial reins. Here is how I am building my way back to a secure and enjoyable financial future.

I'm starting ‘life’ over again in my thirties. And experience has taught me that when I look back over my life, I don't want all my memories to be of time spent sitting at a desk. This list covers all the books I have read to help me understand how best to spend the time that I have got.

Gardening soothes the soul. Even if you don't like getting your hands dirty, just being outside and creating a space that works for you will help ease strain.

Paris is a city to savour. But if you can't stay, then this list is how I spent a short but sweet stopover in the City of Light.

I've been reading romance since the slightly inappropriate age of ten. One day, I hope to have a reading nook where I can sit surrounded by all my favourites.

The path to a creative life is not always available to everyone. It can be difficult to set yourself on that journey. This list is how I learned, what I used and why.

From childhood to adulthood, these books changed something in my life, my ideas, my relationships…

Uncertain weather, toddler energy levels and an aunt who just wants to sit down and have a cup of tea.

I was inspired to learn about excellence by a blog post. It blew my mind to think that it tied up all my interests in one neat idea and made my eclectic bookshelf make sense.

When I was in third grade, my classroom had a reading nook. Nothing fancy, just two low height bookshelves and a big cushion. It was there I used to wait to be picked up from school, safely tucked away with my books in peace.

There are so many people and ways of life in the world now, it is very hard to keep up. The ways other people live might seem alien. These are books that talk about diversity, but more importantly talk about it as part of the world as it is now.