Let's Start With This One...

August is the time of the year where many of us don’t really know what to do. July is the start of summer. September is when we plan going back to school and giving the year a bit of a refresh. So, when it came down to doing this, I did struggle a little bit. Yet, there were a lot of things that I did love about it. Find out what they are below: 

My Favourite Book: My New Diary - August meant that I had to start a new diary, as my old one run out in July. Now, I know it isn't technically a new book, but I loved the feeling of starting anew the day the month began. I love a refresh and my new diary brought that.

My Favourite TV Show: The Savoy - Recently, I found this little gem on the ITV Hub and I binged watched the whole show in one sitting. It is so fascinating to discover how the other half live and I couldn’t believe some of the things that were announced. £16,000 a night for one room! I can’t get over it! 

My Favourite Food Find: Red Onion and Chive New York Bakery Bagel - I adore bagels at the moment, after struggling to have bread for a long time. This new find, which comes from my favourite bagel creators, is fab if you are looking for a savoury sandwich base. I like to have these with either Branston pickle, mayonnaise or Marmite. Yet, they would be great with loads of different finds too. 

My Favourite Beauty Item: Hygge Candle - Kindly, I was sent this candle from the Amazon Homemade team and I am obsessed with it. Perfect for summer, it has that super fresh smell that summer screams for. Burn this and picture yourself on a beach. I definitely do. 

My Favourite Podcast: The Disneyland Paris Show - Also on YouTube, this special podcast discusses all the news that is coming out of Disneyland Paris. Currently, I am trying to plan a trip to my real home, making this podcast super important to me. I want to find the best date and time for me and my mum to go, which this podcast is helping us do brilliantly. 

My Favourite Experience: After going to see them in Blackpool in July, my brother and nephew decided to come and visit us in August. It was super special for them to do this, as the month is when my nephew has his birthday. Treating him when we got to see him was lovely. Plus, some other family friends came to see us too and it made it even more special. We are already planning when we are going to see them again. 

What did you get up to in August that made it super special? 

Joey X

During the summer months, I find that I struggle to read as much as normal. Maybe it is the idea of sitting around a pool, but I prefer to pick up a magazine and read them then a book. For me, a book is autumn and winter weather material. When you can get all cosy and fall in love with another world. However, I still managed to pick up a few books this month, delving into summer worlds. 

Here is what I discovered during August…

• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich, Steven Levenson and Justin Paul
• Cuckoo by Keren David
• Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
• Heartstopper Volume Two by Alice Oseman
• Heartstopper Volume Three by Alice Oseman
• Heartstopper Volume Four by Alice Oseman
• Heartstopper Mini Comics by Alice Oseman
• No Fixed Address by Susan Nielsen
• Welcome To Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May
• A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley
• The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
• Yours Truly by Kirsty Greenwood
• As Good As It Gets: Life Lessons From A Reluctant Adult by Romesh Ranganathan

What have you all been reading this month? Leave your latest finds and suggestions below! 

Joey X

There are many reasons why so many of us love Christmas. The festive feeling it brings. The beauty of the world when it is covered in lights. The gift giving. The sweet delights baking. I mean there is honestly nothing better than Christmas. Halloween is a dream, but for me Christmas is the best time of the year. As soon as it is over, I start planning the next one. 

With the idea of Christmas in July being a strong contender to when it should really begin within the year, I have already started to spot little signs in shops. Decorations being made and placed on shelves. Present ideas popping up online. New foods being announced for the big season. If it is going to be trying to leave its mark, it is already being announced. All of which makes me super excited. 

I think I get this excitement from my dad, who always wanted to make sure that we had a big Christmas event. He would moan about buying more decorations, yet he would be the first one out there getting them. He would make sure we had the huge inflatables. The best presents. The illuminated, music playing decorations. He went big. And now I go big in honour of his love. 

Don’t get me wrong, I find the festive season hard to celebrate now. Especially, when it was around this time in which he sadly passed away. But I know he wouldn’t want us to spend the Christmas season being sad. He would say that it was utter, ‘bollocks,’ to be upset and to not celebrate. I know that the weather is always a little bit warmer on Christmas day, because he wants us to see him. He loved it and he will always leave his mark on it. 

Therefore, when someone says it is too early to start to celebrate, I tell them to shut up. Life's too short to worry about what people like and don’t. When we want to start celebrating the biggest day of the year for many of us is well up to us. I will buy presents and decorations from January up until the big events and even days after. 

I will decorate my home in November, maybe even in July. I will keep a countdown calendar on my phone all year round. I will talk and talk about it, as much as I can. And I hope that if you love it as much as I do that you feel free enough to do the same thing. You deserve it. We have been through some tough years and now we need to party. 

So, if you want to get that tree out now, in the middle of August, do it. If you want to listen to Christmas songs, blast them out. You are officially allowed to start now. Go forth and be Christmas strong. 

Joey X

Cereal is the best breakfast! There, I said it aha! With so much choice available, suiting all different tastes, the world is a cereal oyster. However, some of the most familiar and best ones can be expensive. So, I have been putting a number of own brand and more affordable ones to the test over the past few years. 

The ones I have found the best making this list. With the cost of living going up, I wanted to share it with you all, because I know that it could be helpful to many to find a new cereal, for less money, but still, if not sometimes better taste. Honestly, you won’t be disappointed…

Aldi Chocolate Hoops, 95p: Love Weetos? Then you will love these hoops, which you can buy three boxes of for the price of one branded one. They taste just as chocolatey, especially when coated in warm milk, making them great for those fall, winter days. It is like having a breakfast and milkshake in one.

Lidl Cinnamon Squares, £1.05: I adore cinnamon squares and these own brand ones are perfect. Full of flavour, with more in the box than there seems, these cost less than half of the branded ones. They are even great dry, like a biscuit type of snack. 

Aldi Crisp Rice (Rice Krispies), 75p: I didn’t realise how much Rice Krispies actually were until recently. Luckily, Aldi has got a fantastic take on the brand, which again is perfect for all the family to enjoy. They cost less than a pound and can be topped with jam and honey to give them a little boost. Although, I have heard that a good helping of golden syrup goes down well too.

Sainsbury’s Balance Flakes Honey & Oats, £1.65: Special K can be costly, yet this take on the brand is perfect and a lot less. Full of crunchy, honey coated flakes and oats, this is great with yogurt or milk throughout the year. It is even good as the base for a muesli or granola starter, if you fancy making your own one.

Aldi Kavanagh’s Organic Porridge Oats, £1.79: Many of you know that I love Flavahan’s porridge. But it can be a bit expensive if you don’t catch it on offer. As a fan of the jumbo oats kind, this version is exactly like it, but for a fraction of the cost. Plus, a little secret for you all now, especially if you are a fan of White’s porridge. It is made by the same company. So, don’t pay out more, when you can be getting the exact same for less.

Honey Monster Puffs, £1.50: Okay, so I know this is a brand, but it is an affordable one if you shop it in the right place. This could be said about all kinds, but honestly, Honey Puffs are so affordable for a sweet cereal at Home Bargains or B&M at around £1.50. Sometimes even less. 

Aldi Harvest Morn Corn Flakes, 59p: Corn Flakes cost quite a bit and if the whole family is eating them then that can add up. Aldi has a fab sized box for only 59p. That means you could buy around five or six boxes of the stuff for around the price of one branded box. You will have Corn Flakes coming out your ears with that stat. 

Tesco Stockwell & Co Wheat Biscuits, 74p: For 24 biscuits it is only 74p, a big difference compared to the £3 or more branded ones. These may have a slightly more square shape, but they taste the same and can keep the whole family happy. 

I know some of these cereals may be boring to some people or not what they are expecting, but these are some of the best I have found in our supermarkets for a fraction of the cost. And we all love a bargain. Of course, it is best to shop around and to look for the best deals, as well as eating what tastes good to you. But if you can save a few pennies from this post then I will be more than happy. My top choice here? Definitely the Aldi porridge or chocolate hoops! Perfection!

Joey X

A few weeks ago, I was kindly offered a few samples from the world of Amazon Fresh. After a fab tasting experience, we decided to order our shopping from the platform, to get delivered when we came home from my birthday trip away. Super easy, with updates all the time on the status of items and costs, I am so pleased that we decided to do this and wanted to tell you all why. 

We haven’t been paid or asked to do this by the way, I was just so impressed with the service both times that I wanted to share what happened when we did our own shop on the platform. After taking a look around the Amazon Fresh shop, to see if the products were actually affordable, we found that a lot of them matched or were very similar to what we were paying anyway. With a number of special offers also on hand, for example a £15 off code for the first free shops and free samples on fruit and vegetables, we started going through each category. 

Looking at each aisle, we could put in what fresh and food cupboard staples we needed, way before we needed them. Amazon Fresh then stored them in your basket, but kept them separate from other orders you made on Amazon. This made it easier to adapt the basket or to see when alerts came up about the prices or statuses of them being available, as they changed all the time. 

This was actually an element I really liked, because it meant that I didn’t feel like I was being used or that they were trying to overcharge me. They kept everything that they were changing and adapting, even costs coming down on show. I haven’t ever received service like this before from a company and I found it really reassuring. 

After waiting a few days to put the order in, as we had free next day delivery and wanted the freshest items, I simply put in the discount code FRESHFIRST3, which gave us £15 off a £50 shop and sent my order off. Before I did this though, they made me aware of items that would not be available, which was only a pack of bagels. Something I wasn’t that worried about. They then processed the order just like an Amazon one when I confirmed it. However, I could make changes to it until it comes. 

With some items in our shopping frozen ones, the packs came in recyclable grocery bags, with ice blocks in them. We actually kept the ice blocks, as we think they would be great to reuse in cool boxes and other ice pack times (Miss accident prone here!). Everything was just as we expected, big and when branded, representing the company brilliantly. The packing of the items had also been done well, with no cold or frozen items, placed near items that should be kept away from colder or watery based finds. 

We chose to have our order delivered between 4pm and 6pm, as we knew we would definitely be in then and because we had freezer items, we had to be in attendance to get the parcel. Yet, you can choose for the driver to leave the parcel on the doorstep or in a safe place, if you don’t need or have any items that have to be sorted right away. Great if you make a last minute order at work. Plus, with such great time slot options, you can get them from 7am in the morning until midnight. There really isn’t a time that you don’t get to pick what you want to fit you. 

After such an easy process, great food with brilliant portion sizes, I could not recommend Amazon Fresh enough. Our family has had everything from meat to meatless. Frozen to Fresh. Milk to Milkshakes. You name it, we have now had it and I will be using the service to get more shopping in the future. 

They really impressed me with every step they took to help me and my family, which meant we could come back from Blackpool with no worries at all. And we didn’t have to carry it either. An added bonus for us, as we have no car. Will I be using Amazon Fresh again? Absolutely!

Joey X

We are well into summer now and I am obsessed, I mean obsessed with the new scents that have been brought out to mark it. I have purchased a few, with perfume being my guilty pleasure, due to them drawing me in. Honestly, I swear I can’t avoid a perfume shop at the moment. 

The perfect sweet smells have been blowing under my nose for ages now making it only fair that I share the best with you all now. Well, the ones that I think you should definitely have a spritz of before it is too late…

DKNY Be Delicious Guava Goddess: This is one perfume that I have in my drawer at the moment. The beautiful mix of guava, mandarin and the fresh hints of sandalwood make it a cocktail in an apple shaped bottle. 

Juicy Couture It’s Sunny Hunny: Not only an amazing tracksuit creator, Juicy Couture is a real perfume gem. If you haven’t tried any of their scents yet, then let summer 2022 be the year you do with this one. It is sunshine in a golden bottle.

Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune: Perfect for those summer nights out, this will bring a mix of magic and beauty, whilst sitting under a setting sun. Holiday memories will be remembered for life with this perfume. 

Paco Rabanne Olympea Solar: Witnessed the brilliant goddess adverts on TV? Well, now you can become a summer goddess with this new perfume from Paco Rabanne. If you love a sweet smell with a musky undertone, then this is the golden trophy for you. 

Marc Jacobs Ever So Fresh: Marc Jacobs is my go to perfume brand. They can never put a foot wrong when it comes to creating a perfume for me. This is another one that I want to add to my collection after smelling it. Watch this space! 

What is a perfume that reminds you of summer lovelies? Let me know, as I am always looking to add to my collection. 

Joey X

I don’t often do posts like this, as I get worried about what people may say. However, I love to read about them. I thought it might be quite nice to write out a weekly meal plan there, to highlight what I eat in anorexia recovery. I struggle a lot with new meals, so I follow them every few weeks, which I worked out with my therapist and dietician. This helps me a lot and my mum is so supportive and helpful in making sure I am okay when making changes. 

This meal plan is mine and everyone in recovery or not is different. I don’t judge anyone for any of the ways that they work to help and get their meals ready or what they eat. We are each our own person and that is what we should focus on. However, I hope that you all like this post, as it is a little fun to read. 

• Monday - Sweet Potato, Stuffing and Mixed Veg with Mayonnaise
• Tuesday - Porridge With Sweet Runny Honey or Syrup
• Wednesday - New York Bakery Red Onion & Chive Bagel with Pickle/Marmite/Mayo and Vegetables
• Thursday - Potato Gnocchi with Meatball Tomato Sauce and Vegetables
• Friday - New York Bakery Cinnamon & Raisin Bagel with Jam and Vegetables
• Saturday - Porridge With Sweet Runny Honey or Syrup
• Sunday - Plain Tesco White Pita Bread with Jam and Vegetables

As I said, this is my weekly meal plan for dinners at the moment and if I can make changes I try to. I have actually added a lot of new foods onto this list, such as the gnocchi, which I tried for the first time again on my birthday. A big proud moment for me. 

If you are going through a hard time with food at the moment, I completely understand and wish you all the best. Even if you aren't, I hope you are all loving your dinners too! We have to remember that all food is good for us!

Joey X

Recently, I hosted a car boot sale in my village. After years of seeing people selling items on our local Facebook groups and leaving items simply outside their homes, I decided that I wanted to help make a fun event in our little community. One that could potentially help people, by raising money that they could use. 

The event was made in a few steps and I loved how much we all came together for it. During the pandemic, I had done a few events with the community, which I was so proud of. Yet, I was super proud of this one, because it was led by everyone, many who were willing to help others find their next bargain. 

I managed and ran the event all online, with word of mouth helping to spread it further. Therefore, I could make changes, help others and host the event from the comfort of my own home and in a fast fashion. Hopefully, with this all being so good, I am looking forward to more events in the future. Especially around Christmas time. 

Therefore, I wanted to share a few helpful tips to help you run an event of your own in your local area…

Find A Place That Everyone Can Get To: We hosted the car boot on the end of our drives, in our front gardens and even on local greens and neighbour’s drives. This made it easy to move items around, set up a map and to help each other feel safe whilst looking around the area. Pick a place that everyone can get to, with no set up fees to help make the money made go further. 

Use Online Services To Run The Event: Using a Facebook Event set up, I invited everyone in my local community, encouraging them to invite others to come along, which helped me be able to make event changes, provide updates and have an ease of access to people when needed. This made it run a lot smoother. 

Arrange A Good Date: Most people where I live like to stay in the village on a Sunday. This made picking a Sunday morning, a day and time when most car boots happen anyway, super easy to choose. Now, people are discussing hosting one on the last weekend of every month after seeing how successful it was, which made me super happy. 

Ask Before You Host: Before all of these steps, I did actually ask on the other Facebook groups if this would be of interest to people. There was a huge positive reaction, which was so heartwarming to see. This encouragement made me even more determined to host the event and seeing more and more people getting interested in it made me happier and happier. I hope that we host more in the future. 

Respect People’s Goods: Whether it is homemade cakes and jam or items that they no longer want or need, respect people's items and what they wish to sell. You can learn about new businesses, people living near you and find goods you never knew you needed by doing so. 

Honestly, in only a few simple ways I made a successful event, which took no effort at all. You can do this too and I hope to hear from you all in the future if you do so, as it would make me so happy to hear about the events you have run. 

Joey X

Now, normally writing a blog post isn’t part of my morning routine. Yet, with Love Island now over, the start of my day has changed again, which got me thinking about what I do each day to get motivated and ready for it. Most days I like to start it the same way, because it works for me. This does change though when we go away and even on the weekend’s. I see a real difference in myself when this occurs though. 

Normally I like to start my day by doing the following: 

1. I wake up at 5:10am every day, sometimes earlier, which means that I can get up and get going before the rest of my family or to have breakfast ready for when my mum comes home from work. 

2. As soon as I get up I head downstairs and pick up my phone and give the house a look over before heading back upstairs to get ready. 

3. Turning on the shower, I take 10 minutes to soak, shave, soap up and relax, before getting out and putting on my towelling robe and doing my hair. 

4. I then head into my room and get dressed, before applying a bit of lip balm, some perfume and body mist. 

5. My earrings and glasses go on next, before I pop on my headwear, which is normally a hat in winter or a scarf in summer to protect my hair or to keep me warm aha!

6. I then head back into the bathroom and do my teeth, which includes a whitening session and then mouthwash, with a bit of flossing too. 

7. Once my teeth are done, my room tidied and I am dressed and slightly decent, I head downstairs, where I wipe over the dining room table and set it up for breakfast. 

8. After a quick toilet trip, I take my medicine, before making a cup of coffee ready for my mum to enjoy as soon as she gets in from work. 

9. I then place our breakfast bowls and milk onto the table and read the news whilst waiting for my mum to get in. 

10. When she arrives, we sit down and have our chosen breakfasts, before we head out for the day or get on with what we need to. 

Ten simple things but all vital in making my day a successful one in many ways. I like to keep a routine to help me function. It may seem strange but it really does help. Who else is with me? 

Joey X

Our home has a bit of a rude name for Sonic the Hedgehog. After a mishap with my nephew, he is known as a wanker. Long story short, he was losing at the game and shouted it out. He was only about four at the time. Safe to say, it has remained grained in our minds. A proper core memory. Therefore, when we hear about Sonic the Hedgehog, it is a big deal. Something that made the sequel to the first feature film big news to us. 

After Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) beats his nemesis Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey), he is faced with a new enemy in the form of Knuckles (Idris Elba). Joining up with new pal Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) to save the world again, the pair are faced with the return of those they thought they wouldn’t see and worlds they hoped to never cross again.

It is safe to say that video game based features don’t always have a great track record, yet Sonic the Hedgehog has been overcoming this stigma for a long time. Well, since its 2020 feature film. Not a huge success, but a big enough one to return to cinemas again, the feature isn’t the best out there again, but it makes for great family viewing. Something that has probably led to it being worthy of another feature film and a TV show. Both in the works now. 

The film’s plot is very much the same as the first, yet knowing how much young and old audiences liked it makes it worthy of it being so similar. Giving off the vibes that remind you of getting up early in the morning to watch cartoons before school, with a big bowl of cereal, this funny, sweet and wholesome adventure is brought to life in a new way with the addition of Tails, and Knuckles. Two figures who aren’t brilliantly developed, but interesting enough. 

Fans of the games will enjoy seeing the plot reflecting what they know from the games. For example, Sonic having to find a map, using a compass to guide him and searching mazes and temples to ultimately win the story. All done so in a two-hour runtime. A little shorter than we all spend playing the game. 

With the brilliant return of Jim Carrey’s villain, the new faces and the familiar plot and gaming storylines, the film works in many ways. Whilst it may not be the best, it is one film that the whole family will appreciate in the end. Sonic saves the day again this summer holiday.

3 Stars

Joey X

For just over a year, I have been volunteering in a local charity shop. I did this to try and build my confidence and it has really worked. I love heading into it on a Tuesday, especially when I work with the dream team (Nicky, Mandy and Pat!). Over this time, I have learnt a lot of tips about how to find a bargain and this has helped me a lot when it comes to saving money.

With a cost of living crisis sadly taking place, it feels right to share these tips with you all now, to make sure and to help many of you save money on your next charity shop haul…

Ask To Go Behind The Scenes: Sometimes a shop will get items just in and store them behind the scenes if stock is overloaded in the front. You can always ask to look at an item if you can see it or find out if they can keep it for you until they are ready to sell them. 

Stock Rotations: Stock changes often happen every two weeks. This means that on a certain day of the week, they will change everything on the shelves and rails to meet the right dates. This date is often placed on the pricing tickets. 

All Electricals Are Safe: Every piece of electrical equipment is PAP tested and checked before it is placed onto the shop floor. This is to make sure that everyone remains safe. So, if you find an item that you think would be perfect, but are scared in case it doesn’t work, don’t be. It will all have been tested to make sure that no mishaps occur. 

Check Prices: Whilst many charity shops will offer a discount or lower price for stock, always do check how much something is selling somewhere else. I often pop into a number of charity shops to look for things I am interested in and now know which shops sell items cheapest. I also know which staff members to ask if I want to see more stock or when it is best to come in. 

Sell It On: If you find a bargain in a charity shop that you may be able to sell on for more, buy it and do so. There is no guilt in this. I have done it before. I feel good about it in fact, because I have helped a charity but can also make a profit from it. You could save all of the money you make and even donate it in the future if you want to. 

What are some of your best thrifting tips? Let me know! 

Joey X

How are we already in August? It seems mad! Yet, this does mean that we are all starting to get excited about the return to school. Well, some of us are aha! For me, I am a big fan of the idea of a new year, regarding the school terms. It feels like a reset in the year. Plus, it means that the Autumn and winter months are coming, which are my favourites. 

With the big school returns it has made me think about some of my fondest school memories. I have so many and often yearn to go back and relive so many of my primary school days. Trips, playground games and even lessons. The time I spent at Hertford Heath Primary were some of my greatest days and below are some reasons why: 

Friends: Making friends when you are younger is so easy. I had no filter in primary school and would often just run up to people and be friends with them. I miss how easy that was and the way that in a single moment some of the greatest people you can learn about and know are met. 

School Trips: When I was in primary school, I loved the trips we would take to old famous buildings, days out to the zoo and even the week away one in year six. Going to the Isle of Wight made me experience my first long time away from my parents. It makes you feel like such a grown up and it gives you a true confidence building experience. Even when I smashed my head against the climbing frame. 

Learning: Oddly, I loved learning everything I did in primary school. I couldn’t wait to go to school. I wanted to read the books we were made too. I wanted to do the math problems. I enjoyed doing homework. I simply loved learning. Still do. Take me back to the easy school days and I would enjoy it all again. 

School Dinners: Although I loved my mum’s packed lunches and the cool bags she would pack up for me, especially on my birthday, when I would get a surprise note and food within it. However, nothing is as good as a school dinner. Especially pizza and chip Friday or the brilliant school Christmas dinner. 

Christmas Month: Speaking of Christmas, I loved how my primary school celebrated Christmas. It would start with a letterbox appearing in the school hall for little Christmas cards. Then the assembly songs would change to festive ones. All lessons would become film watching sessions of Christmas classics. When we were younger, we would do the nativity, fighting to play our parts. It was all so perfect. 

School was one of my favourite things in the world and seeing the local school running makes me want to go back to it so much. Anyone else wish they could go back to their school days? 

Joey X