Small But Big; Beets Pulse & Thyme.
23 December 2020 • beets pulse and thyme, nutritionist, small businesses, small but big, vegan
How did Beets Pulse and Thyme come to be?
Turn on the light.
21 December 2020 • basics
Now, more than ever, we have to take note of the happy moments. We have to submerge ourselves in them and take a long, decadent swim, until we surface somewhere remote, unfamiliar and so wonderfully peaceful. And then we'll hopefully turn and squint at the dark horizon we came from, and not remember what it was made of.
These happy moments don't have to be grand and sparkling, with pitch perfect music playing in the background and a warm, soft glow around the edges. They can be the smallest, quietest things. Like your Pilea Peperomioides sprouting a teeny baby in its soil. Or biting into the seeded sourdough you treated yourself to from the bakery, on your way home from work. Finishing a really lovely book before going to sleep. Finding the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, when you'd been worried about finding anything they'd like.
How to get a second home abroad...! *
10 December 2020 • contributor
* This post was written by a contributor. *
If there’s a particular part of the world that you love going back to time and time again, and you have the financial freedom and flexibility to make a big purchase, you might be considering setting up a second home in that location. It’s something some people do - and many more dream of doing it.
But what do you need to consider and get right, when you're looking to set up a second home in another country? It’s not something to rush into if you’re serious about getting it right. So, let's give you a few tips and warnings here...
Choose an accessible property. First of all, you’ll want to choose a place that’s accessible and is surrounded by the amenities that you’ll want to use when you’re there. If you’re going to be visiting your second home for weekends and little breaks, it’ll make your life much easier if it has all of the things you need nearby. Otherwise, you’ll waste a lot of time traveling to a distant shop to stock up on food etc. Accessibility is one of the most important things to take into account here.
Understand your mortgage options. Understanding your mortgage options and knowing which route you’re going to take when it comes to financing the purchase of a second property is something that’s very important indeed. Be sure to explore the different options out there and think about the logistics of borrowing money in another country, if that’s something you’re going to need to do. Do some research and speak to a local mortgage broker if you’re not sure where to start with this.
Take care with transfers. Taking care when transferring currencies is another important thing to think about. Exchange rates can vary depending on where and how you transfer your cash. And if you’re going to need to transfer a large sum in order to pay for a new home, you’ll definitely want to do your research and take care. You don’t want to get burnt by big fees and bad rates of exchanges if there are other options out there to take advantage of. It’s a way in which many people lose out, so be careful.
Understand the legal restrictions. There might be some legal restrictions that you’ll need to take into account when choosing to buy a home in a foreign country. Some countries have restrictions on who can buy properties and how the whole process plays out. It’s important to understand that and to take action when finding a place that you feel confident you can legally buy. If there are restrictions in place that cause problems for you as a buyer, talk to a professional and see if there are ways around them that are safe and legal.
Do ALL your research. It’s important to do as much research as you possibly can before going ahead and making a purchase. Your research should be exhaustive. That way, you can be sure that you don’t miss anything and don’t make any potentially costly mistakes. Research the market and everything else related to property and finances in the location in which you’re looking to buy. The more you know and the more knowledge you’re armed with, the fewer mistakes you’ll be likely to make.
Explore the option of renting it out. You might want to think about the possibility of letting out the property once it’s yours. After all, if this is a holiday home of sorts, you’re not going to be there all the time. You might be able to make some extra money by renting out during those periods. There are regulations regarding renting out properties in most countries, so you’ll need to understand and navigate these if you are interested in renting the place out when you’re not there.
Plan for maintenance. Maintenance should be considered, especially if you’re not going to be there a lot of the time. You want to make sure the property stays in good condition throughout the year and is prepared for the particular challenges and problems that might arise as seasons change. You could hire someone to take care of maintenance tasks for you while you’re away if you can find someone you feel able to trust with those tasks. It’ll be one less thing for you to worry about.
Look for discounted and subsidized options. If you’re looking for a home in a place that offers HDB HLE properties or something similar, you might want to see if you’re eligible for those kinds of discounts and subsidies. You might be surprised by what you find. There are lots of ways to save and reduce your overall financial exposure, and all of these avenues should at least be explored and considered if you’re working with a relatively tight budget. None of us can afford to throw money away.
Make it secure for when you're away. It’s important to think about how you’re going to secure the property when you’re not there. You can’t afford to ignore this because security is a major issue when you’re owning a property overseas, especially a second home. Security can be taken care of with the help of modern technologies as well. With modern alarm and camera systems, you can connect them wirelessly to your phone or computer back home, allowing you to keep an eye on things even when you’re not there.
As you can see, there are lots of things that need to be done in order for you to set yourself up in another country and create a second base there. But despite the work involved, you shouldn’t be put off. For many people, it’s one of the best and most rewarding decisions they ever make - and it could be for you too!
Small But Big; The Hastings Bookshop.
5 December 2020 • bookish, bookshop, bookshops, Hastings, small but big, The Hastings Bookshop
Oh yes, this Small But Big series is officially BACK, baby! For those of you who don't know, I love (to the point of obsession) small businesses. I want to work and shop with them as much as possible, and shout them out on every platform I have. Well, today I am overjoyed to be shouting about The Hastings Bookshop; a newbie to the infamous Trinity Triangle, and a welcome addition to our town as a whole. I was very excited to interview Charlie, the book lover behind it all...
What's your story? How did The Hastings Bookshop come to be?
It's been my dream to open a shop in Hastings for a very long time. I grew up down here and it is such a special, warm and caring place - it deserves a really amazing bookshop. Book selling is in my blood I guess - most of my family are in the book biz. My mum and dad actually met when they were working in a bookshop together - goals! I've been selling books myself since the age of 16. I worked at Waterstones for a bit and then spent a few years working at this amazing bookshop on Tooley Street, near London Bridge, called The Riverside Bookshop - I learnt a lot and made some great mates there, I still love those guys dearly. Alongside my book selling I studied Sociology at Goldsmiths and then did an MA in Modern European Philosophy at Kingston University. I sometimes still write about philosophy, I've recently had a few pieces on French and African philosophy translated into Arabic and published by my good friend Oumar Azzeradj, an excellent Algerian/British philosopher and cultural critic who now lives in St Leonards. During the first lockdown I realised that the future of our industry lies in small, local, independent bookshops and publishers who have a really close relationship with their customers. With this new shop, I'm trying to combine a modern, contemporary selection of books (which try to deal with current social and political issues), and a classic, old-school approach to book selling; for example, recommending a book you think a customer would actually like to read, rather that what you are being told to hand sell by some company big shot. I have complete freedom to stock what I want in this shop and therefore I can make the stock list a genuine reflection of the interests of our community - Amazon and the book selling chains just can't compete with that.
Recent Reads; pumpkins, politics and the patriarchy.
19 November 2020 • bookish, Caitlin Moran, non pratt, Rainbow Rowell
Hello, fellow book lovers. It's been a while since I wrote one of these! In all honesty, I haven't got much reading done, recently. Maybe because I'm too busy, but I also haven't been allocating time for it as much as I did earlier this year. I have to admit, I miss the end-of-lockdown summer days, when I would spent around 8 full hours on my roof, reading reading reading...
Okay, tiny violin moment over. Here are some reviews.
Red White & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston.
An enemies to lovers story, in which the Prince of Wales falls for the First Son of the American President, and their romance must overcome opposition from all sides.
Review via Goodreads.
Everyone was telling me to read this one. EVERYONE. It's a truly unique novel; New Adult (a bit of a grey area, genre-wise!), contemporary (it takes place in a very different 2020), witty, political, and sexy af. I won't lie, I didn't fully grasp some of the political jargon or Very American storylines, but holy cow I gobbled up the sexual tension and delightful character development.
Thank you so much to Claire, aka @paperbookmarks, for sending me this one during Lockdown 1. You're a gem.
Every Little Piece of My Heart, by Non Pratt.
When Sophie receives a parcel from her best friend, Freya, she expects it to contain the reason why Freya left town so suddenly, without goodbyes or explanation. Instead, she finds a letter addressed to Win, a girl Freya barely knew - or did she? As more letters arrive for more people on the periphery of Freya's life, Sophie and Win begin to piece together who Freya was and why she left. Sometimes it's not about who's gone, but about who they leave behind.
Review via Goodreads.
Non is one of my favourite YA authors. The characters she writes are so believable and layered, and their arcs are beautiful. Her dialogue writing is masterful. FACTS. I do love her romantic stuff, but let me tell you she is one of the very best when it comes to writing about friendships. *chef's kiss*
I bought this book with a ticket to a Zoom event with Non in conversation with Gráinne Clear, Commissioning Editor at Walker Books, organised by Lutyens & Rubinstein Bookshop & Literary Agency. Check them out, please! (and consider buying from them this Christmas, rather than That Site)
Pumpkinheads, by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks.
Every autumn through high school, Josiah and Deja have worked together at the local pumpkin patch. They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1st. But this Halloween is different — they are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.
Review via Goodreads.
I am not a huge graphic novel reader (idk why, I just like allll the words), but I had had my eye on this one for a good while. Rainbow's writing is always a treat, and Faith's illustrations were just incredible. As for the story... I liked the friendship stuff, and the setting was adorable, but (spoilers) I didn't like where it went right at the end. I didn't believe it. Maybe it's because I'm cynical and jaded, but I noticed after finishing it that a few reviewers felt the same as me...
More Than a Woman, by Caitlin Moran.
Going back to basics.
8 November 2020 • basics, Brighton
Hello. Let’s try something here.
I started this blog in 2010, back when I wore skinny jeans, Converse and zip up hoodies all day every day, dyed my hair all the wrong colours and felt SO MUCH, I couldn’t keep it all in. I found peace and happiness in my tiny corner of the internet, posting with wild abandon about my crushes, A Level stresses, (questionable) fashion choices and foolish ambitions. No details spared. And while it wasn’t great when my peers found my little safe space and started ripping it out of me for being so mushy, pretentious and quite prone to embellishment, I was never discouraged because it was so good for my mind, writing my feelings out.
Well, over the past few years I’ll admit that I’ve become quite scared to just write, like I used to. I’ve stopped my musing and rambling, and started overthinking and planning, so much so that I’ve lost a lot of the joy I used to get from this platform that I made for myself as a hormonal, angsty, romantic teenager. Now, I’ve proven to you readers quite recently that I still have that same teenager living within me, somewhere, and I’m wondering if I could take a leaf out of her book, as I muddle through the adult world as best I can. I want to take time for myself; I need to stop spending every waking moment trying to fill time with work, scrolling through various social media platforms, social engagements – okay, well, the latter isn’t really a problem any more in this current mess of a world, but you know what I mean. I need to stop trying to make use of every minute of my day. I need to do things just for the fun of it, and not because I can get something from it – be that money, freebies, a following, or a few brownie points here and there.
Photo: Erin Veness
Lockdown Part II (Revenge of the Virus) is going to be very different. For one thing, people seem to be generally feeling much more positive about it; I’ve had conversations with friends and everyday acquaintances who have said they’re simply seeing it as a paid month off work this time, and they’re excited because it means they can binge some more on Netflix, read more books, create stuff, do some work around the house, spend more time with their kids, and so much more. Also, a lot of small businesses are staying open, but making vital changes to how they operate because they don’t want to close again, and they’ve made the effort to figure out how to work with the restrictions.
I’m living my good life, to be quite honest. I’m thrilled to not be shielding this time around – huge shout-out to those who aren’t so lucky; I see you and I know what you’re going through – and I am excited for all this free time, that I will be mostly spending alone (because I love being alone. Did you know that about me?), on self care and my creative projects. I have a couple in the pipeline, and I’ve actually started manifesting them now, and not being afraid to speak openly about them with my close friends. One of those creative projects, I guess, is going back to basics here. I want to start writing openly and freely again, about whatever I’m feeling, and whatever I’m doing. I used to share long posts on here about stuff I’d been doing day to day, and friends I was hanging out with, and what I’d been learning at college/uni. Simple things. I never felt pressured to share political opinions, fine-tuned reviews or #sponsored #content, back then. I think now more than ever, we are needing to connect with our old selves and work out what used to make us happy, and if/why we’ve lost that along the way somewhere.
Photo: Erin Veness
Last Monday, I woke up with my gorgeous boyfriend, and as he got ready for work I realised that it was the last day I could do something spontaneous and have some me time for at least four weeks, with the second lockdown looming. I’d been planning to check in on a Google meet at 10am, then join the live stream of my friend’s funeral at 11am, at my kitchen table, with a coffee. Well, I decided to skip the Google meet, jump on a train to Brighton, and watch the service in one of the indie cafes in the North Laines. I smiled to myself as the train pulled into my favourite seaside city, and I stepped off the train into the winter sunshine. Jordan would have liked this, I thought. You see, Jordan was always a ‘get out there and LIVE’ kind of person. We could all learn a lot from the way he saw the world. I settled myself in a quiet cafe, ordered a long black, propped my phone against the little jug containing the extra hot water I requested, and logged into the live stream. I tried not to wonder if the staff noticed I was getting tearful over and over again as I sat there for an hour, nursing my cup. Then when the service was over, I wandered deeper into the Laines and spent the rest of the day treating myself, mindfully. I got three new pairs of (ethically made) trousers; I grabbed some crispy tempeh tacos in a cafe I’d never been to before; I inadvertently explored the park while searching desperately for a public toilet; I got takeaway vegan doughnuts for the parents, as I was seeing them that evening; I visited the shop on Sydney Street that I once worked in, and when I finally boarded the train home I was full of good food and deep joy (two things which, in my book, are one and the same). I’d shaken off my usual stresses, boring To Do lists and thrifty tendencies, and just enjoyed myself for a change. It had been so long since I’d done me for a day. I know it was a luxury, and I sadly can’t make a habit of it, but maybe I should try to schedule in one of those types of days every couple of months. Maybe we all should. Once the world gets a little more… now, do I say ‘normal’? No. That’s a boring word. ‘Safe’? ‘Chilled’? They’re a bit better.
When was the last time you had a you day? Was it magical? I wanna know all about it. Comment below, or tweet me. Also, what do you want to read on here? As a reader, it’s as much yours as it is mine, I guess. Only it’s not really. I can do what I want here. Mwahahaha.
Be productive, with Mål Paper!
6 November 2020 • Mal Paper, sponsored
Hey, stationery lovers, goal setters and go-getters – have you heard of Mål Paper?
They create simple yet stylish Scandinavian stationery, designed to help us be more productive by focusing our minds on the most important tasks. I don’t know about you lot, but I’ve been feeling like I need a kick up the butt recently, and I’m determined to make this second lockdown count for something. Anyone else?
Well, I have some great news. The wonderful folks at Mål Paper are currently running a competition to win a £50 gift card, so you can treat yourself to some of their elegant, fabulous products. Ooh, or maybe you could put that £50 towards a Christmas gifts for a goal-loving loved one? You can decide how generous you're feeling, or if you are just wanting to treat yourself. I've just entered, and got my eye on their Daily Goal Setter planner, if I win. Or maybe one of the affirmation card decks...
Here’s the link you need to enter, and all you have to do is sign up to their newsletter, and tell them what your #1 goal is. Yep, it really is that simple.
Enter now, for your chance to win!
Lydia Reeves & The Vulva Diversity Project.
22 October 2020 • Lydia Reeves, small but big, vulva, vulva diversity
Lydia Reeves is a brilliant, badass body casting artist, working out of a studio in Brighton (she travels around, too; see her Insta for more info on that). I’ve admired her work for a while now, and was lucky enough to be a volunteer in her Vulva Diversity Project! I then went back to have my fabulous, mismatched boobs cast so I could hang them in pride of place in my home. These experiences were so positive, empowering and fun; I’d recommend her amazing casting to anyone who wants to preserve a bit of themselves, get over any aesthetic hang-ups, and truly love their body. She has so many more awesome things coming soon, so give her a follow on Instagram and keep an eye on her website now!
Lydia recently popped down to Hastings to do some recording for a super exciting project I’m working on. I can’t wait for you all to hear her speaking passionately about body love, breaking stigmas, and the pressures of society. But for now, here she is in blog interview form, talking about her vulva project...
How did the idea for this project come to you? What was the original aim, and has it changed?
After suffering
with huge anxieties and insecurities surrounding my own vulva, I
decided I wanted to create something which helped other vulva owners
to celebrate their vulvas, instead of feeling ashamed by them.
This
started by casting myself, and then a few friends. I had no big plans
for it to go the way that it has! After realising the positive
effects it had on me and my friends, I put a shout-out out on my
Instagram to see if anyone else wanted to come and get theirs cast.
Turns out this project resonates with A LOT of people!! Since then it
has organically grown into this beautiful, diverse, project which has
already helped so so many people understand that all
vulvas are completely normal, and beautifully unique.
When did you first cast a vulva? What was that like!?
I cast my own vulva when I was 19 (almost 10 years ago!) This was after first learning how to body cast, and of course, I applied this technique straight to my vulva! At the time I wasn’t in the right mental place to start embracing my vulva, so hid the cast under my bed for years and years!
When I first started this project last year, my first vulva cast wasn’t the best…It was on one of my best friends and she happened to have a lot of pubic hair at the time. I had no idea how much Nivea cream I was supposed to use, and clearly didn’t use enough! We spent the best part of 10 minutes easing the goop off of her pubes bit by bit as she’d got pretty stuck in there!! A HUGE learning curve for me, and thankfully we’re still good mates haha!
What do you use to make your castings?
I mainly use a high strength plaster to create the finished pieces. I love the organic feel and the fragility each cast possesses.
What is the process like for you, the artist, working with a model?
I absolutely love the casting process. First and foremost I always make sure I’m putting the participant at ease as much as I can. I completely understand that this can be a very nerve-racking experience. Before getting into the casting process, we chat a lot about why they decided to come and get their vulva cast today, and I share a bit about my journey too if it feels appropriate. I could have never predicted how much I’d learn from doing this project, and it’s by far the best thing I’ve done to date!
(Photo from Lydia's website.)
Where did you see this project going? Was there a particular goal you wanted to hit?
I
had no idea where I was going to take this project when I first
started. At the very beginning I kept on saying ‘if it helps just
one person feel more comfortable with their vulva, then I feel like
I’ve done a great thing.’ I could never have foreseen it going
the way it did, as just over a year later I’ve cast 200 vulvas, and
had countless messages from people – both who are part of the
project, and also those who follow my work on Instagram – saying
how much my work has completely changed the way they view their own
vulva! I can’t wait for my exhibition, and my book launch, to reach
more and more people.
Did you know Lydia sells some amazing handmade products, too? Check her store out here!
Where can people find you on social media? And how can they sign up to get their beautiful bodies immortalised in this unique way?
My Instagram is @lydiareeves_artist and my website is lydiareeves.com. I am no longer taking volunteers for my Vulva Diversity Project, but I am still very much casting vulvas, boobies, bums and tums (and anything else you’d like casting!) so please feel free to drop me a message about booking in!
*
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lydia. Huge love for you!
48.
12 October 2020 • about me, facts
For those who don't know... I’m Grace.
I have only recently discovered chow mein, growing my hair out (a little bit) is proving very difficult, I'm trying to make more time to write, doing a 'big shop' in the supermarket brings me such joy, coming off the pill has been amazing and absolutely sh*t, I've finally bought a Monstera Deliciosa, I stare at myself way too much during Zoom calls thinking 'do I normally look like that?!', I'm trying and failing to set bedtimes on my iPhone, going back to work has been weird and lovely and exhausting, I'm just starting a 28 day body 'reset' course with a local nutritionist and I'm so nervous/excited, turmeric is magical, fast fashion is evil, eating vegetables is important, I really think Sara Pascoe and I could be great friends, but then I worry I wouldn't make her laugh very much.
I do these fun fact posts now and again, and weirdly, they get crazy amounts of reads. You nosy peeps. I love you.
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