So, we’re all now working from home. Monica at the Travel Hack put up a great post last week with some tips on how to do it for those of you who may be new to working from home with kids. For those who have school-age children who can entertain themselves safely for a little … More Little things
We’re deep in the belly of the beast. Yet, for some, it’s only just beginning. I have been immersed in Covid-19 for nearly two weeks. We started staying in on the 12th, when I really began to get a grasp on what was going on in the rest of the world. I had been watching … More A little bit of kindness
A break in our regularly scheduled service: the rest of the world is in lockdown and we’re not far behind, as far as I can see. Plenty of folk are already worried, with fair cause. I don’t think we need to panic, but the hope is by ‘over-reacting’ now, we’ll slow the spread for long … More Isolation Book Club
Something I’ve been thinking about this year is my own personal style. With fast fashion becoming an outmoded concept, I get the feeling many of us are moving towards finding a classic look and keeping to it. Knowing what works for your body, lifestyle, and taste, means shopping becomes easier and helps with confidence. As … More Personal aesthetic
To get to my laptop just now I had to step around toys, over books, and through drifts of scrap paper and crayons. There are hoodies and hairbands on the sofas. There are plates of half-eaten scrambled eggs and raisins and cucumber slices everywhere. Naptime is precious. That hour to an hour and a half … More Messy living
Quietly, over the past half a year, I have been working on something. It has recently changed from an idle daydream to a very real possibility. I graduated at the height of the recession after the crash of ’08 with a degree in literature. It was almost worthless, especially as I could not afford to … More Tentative steps
A few years ago I lived in a van. My husband joined me periodically; my cat was my constant companion. We trucked south and congratulated ourselves on avoiding a British winter. However, as much as we loved that season of chasing sunshine and stinky cheese, we have come to realise that we were unfairly harsh … More Wild and cosy winters
A few weeks ago I was invited to speak on BBC local radio (and BBC Scotland) about bringing children to pubs. The experience was nerve-wracking, but what was particularly funny to me was that I was being put in a position I didn’t agree with. I don’t care if most pubs don’t let babies in, … More Swearing around children
It’s easy to feel guilty. Ask any mum. In fact, just ask any woman. There’s always something we think we should be doing better. I know that if I exercise, go outside, eat vegetables, drink water and read a book, I’ll feel much more energised and healthy, and that my quality of sleep will improve. … More Being gentle to yourself
Today is Blue Monday. Hashtag, etc. Not just a Monday, which Twitter and Garfield tell us is bad anyway, but a Blue one. Which is the most depressing colour, as everyone knows. Blue Monday is meant to be the day in the year when people are their saddest. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are distant … More Do it badly
Jemma Beedie 