Cathy Jones

It is so hard to believe that we are past the summer solstice already. I still find myself saying oh I'll do that when summer comes. Ok so living in Scotland doesn't help- as I write this it is raining for the third time today. Between bad weather, illness and work the last few weeks have disappeared in a haze. Projects have piled up, plants are dying in my bedroom because they haven't gone to their home in the allotment and I have lost track of what I am doing. A review is needed. I starte dout reading the blog on Fortelabs and that sent me off on a book buying bonanza. Fingers crossed I get something done before my room turns into a compost heap.

Decaffeinated tea is becoming a horrible necessity. It is hard to describe just how comforting I find a cup of tea but caffeine is not my friend. So I am on the hunt for a decaf tea that doesn't taste like leftover Rice Krispies milk. Sadly I never remember to drink anything else. So this is my list of things I will hopefully remember to drink instead of tea.

My focus has switched to gardens lately as I have recently gotten an allotment.

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.

Do I like cleaning? No. However, as I have gotten older, I find I like things being clean. You would not know this from my current surroundings (cough, compost on the carpet, cough). I find it difficult for many reasons so when I do find something I can manage to use it is amazing.

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…