tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85976694315119863752024-02-08T03:13:47.211+00:00jesslouisekeenjesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.comBlogger259125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-78251869171225893532020-10-07T20:36:00.002+01:002020-10-07T20:36:55.189+01:00Books to cosy up with this autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img alt="In the foreground is a walnut coffee table with two candles lit, and a mug of tea. Behind this Jess sits on a cream/grey speckled sofa, featuring lots of cushions and an orange tasseled blanket. Jess is holding her kindle and wearing a green knitted jumper over a skirt and tights." border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqffuNm3CTh-xl80-bsuGGwL9boOHmXptKmsymAbCzHBa3rTJ7481Qe7X8-uBAhIkGtz9HOJq2NeNDc2OeTR0677bH-DkCgtcTHoGD-8M8hcTl7DRLtCtlJLZNSVezdnY9ZTGz-k_KnD8/s16000/IMG_5168.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The leaves are turning brown, it's getting darker earlier and the temperature has dropped about 15 degrees; autumn has well and truly hit the UK. Now I don't know about you, but when autumn hits all I want to do is stay indoors (and with local lockdowns going on left, right and centre there's not a lot of choice to do otherwise), and aside from watching the Bake Off (SO happy that's back), I like to make myself a cup of tea, light a candle, and get stuck into a book. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Over the last few years I have started to read a lot more again, and so I thought I would share with you my top recommendations of books to get cosy with - they're not necessarily what I would describe as 'cosy' books e.g. set it in the idyllic countryside where someone goes on a holiday and ends up falling in love with the local farmer - but more books that you can get a bit lost in and read in a few afternoon sittings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wnVETAKz8yqPlTCz3NmMDkrqut1X6kixuXuYwmOGw42GERpp5nSz8DNiJjQ9OccUzZ2iGNQZRUfEKA7FI57CVErsoPrlW2oSRgz8h6sj5cu6VVkJWHZMdxceIfWC6L6rD2t4R6E4kpp-/s16000/1.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">One Day - David Nicholls</h3><div>You may have seen the film starring Anne Hathaway and think you don't need to read this book, but you really, really, do. Emma and Dexter meet on the 15th July 1988 on the night of their graduation, and in the morning they must go their separate ways. The book then follows what's happening with both Emma and Dexter on the 15th July for the next 20 consecutive years. Although only describing one day each year, a lot happens within their lives and their friendship. Part of its charm is the reader trying to fill in the blanks of what happened between years to lead to XYZ. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">From the author of The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns is set in Afghanistan from the 1960s to 2000s and is centred around two women, Mariam and Laila. At the start of the book Afghanistan is subject to Soviet rule, and the book follows through the Afghani war with the Soviets, the Taliban taking power, and the US attacking Afghanistan. Events bring Mariam and Laila together, and throughout traumatic events together they form a mother-daughter like bond. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Dominicana - Angie Cruz</h3><div>Dominicana is set in the mid-1960s and focuses on fifteen year old Ana from the Dominican Republic, who is happy where she is, but after Juan Ruiz proposes to her (and she must say yes, despite him being twice her age) moves to New York. In New York she is confined to their flat, and lonely and miserable - NYC isn't the haven it's made out to be. The book follows Ana for about a year of her life, examining an immigrant experience - by the end of it you have remind yourself that everything that's happened to her, happened to her at the age of 15. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The Time Traveler's Wife is one of the beefier books in this selection (over the 500 page mark) but it's very engaging and easy to read so it doesn't feel like a drag. The book switches between the first person prose of Henry and Clare; Henry unwittingly time travels and the book follows their relationship over a disjointed timeline. As an example, Clare first meets Henry when she's a little girl and he's in his 40's, but Henry meets Clare when she's left home and he's in his 20's. The time travel is a bit confusing to begin with but it becomes easier to understand and is a lovely read. I would also recommend the film version of this, but read the book first!</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh Rebecca, the book that got me back into reading! The heroine of this book is accompanying her employer on a trip to the South of France where she meets Maxim de Winter - a recent widower who wastes no time in proposing. Moving to Maxim's home on the Cornish Coast, the new Mrs de Winter becomes obsessed with Maxim's first wife, Rebecca, and all-consumed into discovering what led to her death. Big Jane Eyre-vibes but a lot easier to read (and if you enjoyed Rebecca, you must also read Frenchman's Creek and My Cousin Rachel - basically anything by du Maurier is fantastic). There's a new adaptation of Rebecca coming out on Netflix on the 21st October (not that I'm counting down or anything) that I want to check out - but again you should read the book first!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Far From the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Big lover of Thomas Hardy here - Far From the Madding Crowd is a slightly more positive novel than some of Hardy's other works (especially Jude the Obscure - crikey that's a depressing read). Bathsheba Everdene takes up a position of farm owner on a large estate, which draws three very different suitors, gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier Sergeant Troy, and shepherd Gabriel Oak. Filled with descriptions of rural life, courtship and sexual relationships, if you're after more of a 'classic' to get cosy with, it should be this one! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74UjuJ0O9J4WW9cNudGwOnQ8R3mgYoFtiOv59WbTAMne75rD-WvJuoUIKuXvkmgrmp-enywe8ftkBakpRMHxykAwPiXlBGm7rv4a15SwvDp677DvrermHz1I6PKTXrnuC4tvwheXk9qZj/s16000/Autumn+cosy+books.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstein</h3><div>The Circus arrives without warning with a black sign hanging on the gate that reads "Opens at Nightfall, Closes at Dawn" - the tents are home to a magical and mystical unique experience. Behind the scenes a duel is underway between young magicians Celia and Marco, who have been trained for this exact purpose. Falling in love they set off a series of consequences that could effect the whole circus, as unbeknownst to them only one can be left standing at the end of the duel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The easier of the Tolkien books, The Hobbit is more discovery and less-fighty than Lord of the Rings (and less heavy in the descriptive department). Bilbo, a hobbit who is happy and content with his home comforts, is enlisted by Gandalf the wizard to join a group of dwarves on an expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Along the way Bilbo comes into contact with goblins, trolls, spiders, and the infamous Gollum. You can easily enjoy this on its own without reading Lord of the Rings, and you don't need any prior knowledge to enjoy it either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn</h3><div>This is for all those out there who love a thriller and won't read anything outside of this genre (I know a few people like this!). Amy disappears and husband Nick shows no grief or worry, and soon becomes number one suspect. Alternating between Nick in the present day and past diary entries of Amy, we learn their marriage wasn't all peachy - is Amy really missing? If you enjoyed Gone Girl, I would also recommend <b>The Girl on the Train</b> by Paula Hawkins and <b>Before I go to Sleep</b> by SJ Watson. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">How to Stop Time - Matt Haig</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">This is one of those books that I know I'll never stop recommending. Tom ages one year every fourteen/fifteen years, so was born in the 1500s and is technically over 400 years old, but looks about 40. The book alternates between Tom in the present and Tom in the past, as he continually moves round so there's no suspicion on how he's not ageing, and in the search for his daughter Marion who also has the same condition. A really easy book to get into - and you feel like you're having a fun history lesson at the same time!</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br />The Flat Share - Beth O'Leary</h3><div>This has been doing the rounds this year, everyone and their mum seem to be talking about it (though saying that I don't think my mum has read it!). Tiffy needs to find somewhere new to live quickly after separating from her boyfriend, and Leon works nights and advertises a flat share - Leon will be there during the day and the Tiffy will be there at night. They start to leave little post it notes for each other, and soon become close friends though never having met. If you want a nice light-hearted, slightly cheesy read, then I would recommend this.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br />If I Never Met You - Mhairi McFarlane</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">On the theme of slightly cheesy romcom books, my last recommendation is a recent read of mine - Laurie's long-term partner Dan leaves her right at the start of the book, and in a bid to make him jealous/win him back, she makes a plan with new office hottie Jamie to "date" until the office Christmas party, in turn helping him in his bid to become partner of their law firm. This has big How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes, and is another one I'd recommend for a nice easy (and slightly predictable) read. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope you've found a new read to get cosy with! What would you recommend? I'm always up for adding new books to my TBR pile.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jess x </div>jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-32448131522935965072020-08-13T18:38:00.004+01:002020-08-13T18:38:46.614+01:00Biscoff Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I don't know how this happened, but only recently have I been introduced to Biscoff Spread and OH MY, what a treat. I knew that the biscuits themselves were great - I used to work part-time at a hairdressers and they had the biscuits to give out with a cup of tea/coffee to clients, and I did help myself to one from time-to-time (sorry Lisa). The spread is on a whole other level. My new favourite snack is to dip apple slices into a dollop of the spread, and aside from just eating it off the spoon, I thought it would also work well in baking and made these cupcakes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><img alt="Close up of a group of cupcakes with icing and biscoff biscuit" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8lFTOQO-I0suUzLRGPvArjPuwgOopUG3GdLm8JiuuhoDJF8OCTTpcIgz7z613Kp6dYhsvP73_QL7Zbh4Ohv2mlptvNHbMTPnDMscMgxMaUcVF_CVVzMLpDVOVZvP-LLJYoIIm7W2LSh_/d/IMG_3886.JPG" /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ingredients</h3><div>For the cupcakes:</div><div>- 200g unsalted butter, softened </div><div>- 200g light or dark brown sugar</div><div>- 200g self-raising flour</div><div>- 3 - 4 eggs (weigh as close to 200g as possible)</div><div>- teaspoon baking powder</div><div>- teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div><br /></div><div>For the icing:</div><div>- 150g butter, softened</div><div>- 300g icing sugar</div><div>- 3 - 4 heaped dessertspoons biscoff spread </div><div>- Lotus biscoff biscuits to add on top</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Prep</b>: 20 minutes</div><div><b>Cook</b>: 15 - 20 minutes</div><div><b>Makes:</b> 18 cupcakes</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Method</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cupcake with icing and lotus biscuit on top" border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="732" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV9_Cy4IQMjDvadSvHP-VJjURl53WLEYOXUMkETDeoPYLwKdOjVMU5rioTFeOtmd0Jlgc4rbruk7QofDtVGW7GH0uadOZqPCAcxOr6fnmapuftwPeSGFNN4ixXJcbbz99ootS_n6LaipM/d/8B28B4E0-1AD6-420A-8824-D0C2EC80AEBA.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Heat your oven to 180C Fan/200C/400F/gas mark 6.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Lay out cupcakes cases in your cupcake tray(s).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Beat the butter and the sugar together in a mixing bowl, and then add in your other ingredients and beat together until smooth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases - I find filling it to two thirds full works well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Bake in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes, until a skewer poked in the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Once the cupcakes have cooled, beat the butter and the icing sugar together until smooth, and then add the biscoff spread and beat again. Taste a bit of the icing and if you feel it needs more of a biscoff flavour, add some more spread!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Spoon the icing onto the cupcakes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Add a biscuit to each of the cupcakes - only add one to those that will be eaten that day, and save the others to add on as and when, otherwise they'll go soft.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Tuck in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jess x </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-24342390189504510812020-08-02T17:38:00.013+01:002020-08-05T10:45:32.856+01:00Wedding Venue Tours - What to Ask<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3WW2R9dLrXePWIfXAnkMk90okLcRWd50J2hZAfy6jGRGgtoEjBZPA940QW6wFWhCPHO3z5aOoNEmFN5UVWj_ZhQ5TYVBnOoISjAkJ9IdJTqeR8VAXgcfxBT9J-MvdzgBAj0oEk_2b6oc/s2048/IMG_3202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Outside of a stately greenhouse with gardens." border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3WW2R9dLrXePWIfXAnkMk90okLcRWd50J2hZAfy6jGRGgtoEjBZPA940QW6wFWhCPHO3z5aOoNEmFN5UVWj_ZhQ5TYVBnOoISjAkJ9IdJTqeR8VAXgcfxBT9J-MvdzgBAj0oEk_2b6oc/d/IMG_3202.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Tom and I have been on our fair few wedding venue tours over the last few weeks; after months of looking online it's been great to be able to get out and see venues in person! However having never planned a wedding before, it was a bit daunting to start viewing places; what should we be asking? what's important to consider when looking round? how will we know which one we want to go with? With the help of Tom I've put together a list of questions that we found to be useful to ask, and ones you may want to ask/consider when you're looking round venues yourself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You might have a really clear idea of exactly what you want for your wedding, where you want it, the exact date, or you may have no idea. Whichever applies to you, as a starting point it's great to reach out to places via email to request a brochure and a price list. This will start to provide you with a list of places that are within your budget; I would recommend with the prices you are quoted to look into exactly what it is you'll get within that venue hire. You don't want to book somewhere and then find out you also need to book chairs, cutlery, glassware, crockery etc for everyone on top of what you've already paid, when you weren't expecting to. Some of these may or may not apply to the type of wedding you're looking to have; but should hopefully still provide some pointers around what you may want to ask.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Venue hire</h3><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Is the venue exclusive-hire, or will other weddings take place there on the same day?</b></li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Some venues will hold more than wedding on-site per day. It's a good idea to know whether this could be a possibility, and if it is something you're happy with, or whether you want somewhere where only your wedding takes place that day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Does the venue hire rate change depending on the time of year/what day of the week you decide to have your wedding?</li></ul></h4><div style="text-align: justify;">This was something that changed a lot between venues we viewed (both online and then in person). Some places had the same price for say a Mon - Thurs, then a Fri/Sun and a Saturday. Others had prices dependent on the time of year, or whether it was a weekday or weekend. Whichever though, a Saturday was always the most expensive! </div></div><h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Are things like tables/chairs/cutlery/glasses etc included in the venue hire or do you need to source your own?</li></ul></h4><div style="text-align: justify;">As mentioned above, you don't want to book a venue thinking you get everything that you're shown on the tour, only to find out you actually have to supply it 90% of it yourself separately. </div><h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Are any decorations included in the hire price? Are you able to bring your own?</li></ul></h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Similar to the above, find out what decorations are and are not included in your hire price. Some places we visited charged extra for use of their lanterns/candles, whereas with others all the decorations we saw were included in the hire price. If you want to bring your own decorations, ask whether this is a possibility. </div><h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Can you choose your own suppliers or do you have to choose out of their recommended list?</li></ul></h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Some places we viewed online had a list of approved suppliers, that if we decided to hold our wedding there, we would have to choose from. Recommended suppliers are a great list to start with, but if you want more options choose somewhere where you can choose your own suppliers. </div><h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">What time can you have your ceremony?</li></ul></h4><div style="text-align: justify;">As we're having a civil ceremony, our ceremony time was dependent on when the registrar was available. For the majority of places we viewed, they were either lunch time or late afternoon, so sometime between 12 and 4. The available times may differ between venues/type of venue or ceremony.</div><h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Do you need to book the registrar/celebrant separately?</li></ul></h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Like I said our ceremony time was dependent on when the registrar was available on our chosen date. Before finalising your booking I would recommend ringing to provisionally book your registrar/celebrant so you know they're available for your date. </div><h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Can you hire a band/bring your own DJ?</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A lot of venues we viewed allowed you to hook up your spotify to play music throughout the day, but for the reception if you want a band or DJ, it's good to know whether you can do this (sometimes a DJ is included in the package).</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">What is the minimum/maximum number of guests you can have</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">You may not have your exact guest numbers when you're viewing venues, but should have a ball park figure in mind. Some venues will have a minimum number you need to commit to, and all will have a maximum number allowed. This will also tend to differ between day and evening guest numbers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div></h4></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Food/Drink</h3><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Is there a minimum amount of spend with food/drink?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">With some venues we looked at online, there were no minimum guest numbers, but there was a minimum spend for food or spend for behind the bar. </div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Is food provided as part of the package you're paying for?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Know exactly what's included in the price you're paying!</div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Do they have set caterers you choose from? Can you use your own caterers? </b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Similarly to suppliers, where in-house catering is not provided, some venues will have a list of caterers you have to choose from, whereas others will let you choose your own. </div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Do you have an option between a full three-course sit down wedding breakfast or is it buffet style? </b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">If you're having a wedding breakfast, do you have the option choose between a sit down meal and a buffet?</div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Is there a corkage charge for bringing your own alcohol?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Some places will let you bring your own alcohol but will charge you corkage per bottle. Not all venues will let you bring your own.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Logistics of the day</h3><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Is there somewhere to stay on-site/are there hotels nearby?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">If you and/or your guests need to travel to the area and the venue, you'll all need somewhere to stay! Some venues will have accommodation on-site, with some requiring you to book out a certain number of rooms for your guests to stay in (which you essentially 'sell' to guests). There may be no accommodation on-site but they should be able to provide you with a recommended list of hotels etc nearby.</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>What time can you arrive at the venue?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Whether it's to set up any decorations or get ready, knowing what time you can arrive (and what time your guests can arrive) at the venue will help you to plan out timings for your day. </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>What time does their license run until?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">This will also help you to plan out timings for your day! Some venues we looked at had the option for you to pay extra for an additional hour or two. </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>What time do all guests need to have left by?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">This may differ from the time their license runs until, and it is useful information for the guests to have with their invitations so if necessary they can book transport to their accommodation. </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>If you have brought decorations with you, when do they need to be taken away? That night? The following morning?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">If you've brought decorations, or have floral arrangements, find out when these need to be taken away by/what happens if they're not taken away. </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Is there parking on-site/designated parking for guests nearby?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">The last thing you want is for all your guests to turn up and not be able to park! Finding this information out beforehand will help you to know whether you'll need to book something like a coach for your guests to get to and from your venue, and factor this into your quote price.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Making your decision</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Can they provide you with a quote during the visit/send one to you after, based on the information you've provided?</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Beforehand you can guesstimate a quote based off of the price lists you've been sent, but we found it super helpful to be sent a quote after our visit based off of the information we'd provided them. I would recommend you ask for a quote based on the same guest numbers at different venues, so you can easily see the differences in price and what you get for your money.</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Do you get 'the feels'</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Ultimately, when you look around the venue you'll know if it's the place you want to get married. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All of the venues we went to adhered to social distancing, made us feel safe and at ease and for the majority of the tours, we were the only ones in the venue at a time. We wore a mask whilst inside, and there was hand sanitiser for us to use (and we took our own). If you're wanting to get out and start viewing venues, I would recommend getting in touch to book a viewing, and ask about things like masks/sanitiser so you know before you go. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Good luck with your tours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jess x </div>jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-30968743103366997582020-06-27T18:01:00.012+01:002020-08-05T10:12:16.228+01:00Fudgy Chocolate Cake<div style="text-align: justify;">For a good few years worth of birthdays, THIS was the one and only cake that we had. I'm not sure where the recipe originates from, but my nanna was the first one to make it, and the recipe soon got passed around the family. A rich chocolate sponge, layered between fudgy icing, topped off with a covering of the icing and chocolate shavings. Now there were no birthdays in our household last week, but I thought as we're in the middle of a pandemic we deserve a treat. If you are into chocolate cake, or want to make one for someone who is, then you NEED to try this!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKe1mNc3jQfYFYqQ739tlV7cp-YnhL14IPXuk1xGEHE8kMavV30Tbbj1pGq2L59XmL9mkdnKx9IfT24Q5t0ehwp6_JNzOb0hltBy-i_BGtUKWE8jmlKiPPBpae8S6ymmr_TvCheh9Y51-/s4032/IMG_4112.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKe1mNc3jQfYFYqQ739tlV7cp-YnhL14IPXuk1xGEHE8kMavV30Tbbj1pGq2L59XmL9mkdnKx9IfT24Q5t0ehwp6_JNzOb0hltBy-i_BGtUKWE8jmlKiPPBpae8S6ymmr_TvCheh9Y51-/d/IMG_4112.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">Ingredients</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">For the cake:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 75g plain chocolate</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 200ml milk</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 250g dark muscovado sugar (if you can't get muscavado, any brown sugar will be fine)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 75g butter, softened</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 2 eggs</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1tsp vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 150g plain flour</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 25g cocoa</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1tsp bicarbonate of soda</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the icing:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 100g butter, softened</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 200g icing sugar</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 100g plain chocolate, melted</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1tbsp milk</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- grated chocolate to decorate</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Prep</b>: 40 mins</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cook</b>: 30 - 35 mins</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Method</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeO8jt46b2ZNN1bMqLw-WHuvuVUwC9DZVrc7BulV7vqIsJu3YVG9dtscS9kC28-u9zHQZwUgJ36dI-8NM7UNV4cqN9_M4nYsvEpsFhsxVy_Nl57hpvwE6riDWOUgSriJVUlpprD0GeBFWG/s3768/IMG_4107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3768" data-original-width="2958" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeO8jt46b2ZNN1bMqLw-WHuvuVUwC9DZVrc7BulV7vqIsJu3YVG9dtscS9kC28-u9zHQZwUgJ36dI-8NM7UNV4cqN9_M4nYsvEpsFhsxVy_Nl57hpvwE6riDWOUgSriJVUlpprD0GeBFWG/d/IMG_4107.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Preheat oven to 180C/gas mark 4. Grease and line two 20cm sandwich tins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Put the chocolate, milk and 75g muscovado sugar into a saucepan. Heat gently until the chocolate and sugar have melted. Allow this to cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Beat the butter and remaining sugar together until pale and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs, vanilla essence and the cooled chocolate milk mixture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sift together the flour, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda. Gently fold into the cake mixture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Split the mixture between the two sandwich tins, and bake for 30 - 35 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Let it cool in the tins for a while, before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Once the cake is completely cooled, you can make the icing! Beat the butter and sugar together, and gradually mix in the melted chocolate and milk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Place one layer of sponge on a plate, and spread some icing on top. Carefully place the other sponge on top, and spread on the rest of the icing. If you want to, you can make a bit more so you can spread it round the sides too. Grate some chocolate over the top of the cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Cut out a slice and tuck in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lpOhfXEyh4WzaDhyphenhyphenV60swpm8GY4AbCNw2fbpVZnCrGqjg9Ku1OxD2jtq14TIrrr6y5x9vSXtsskxXn2h8tT4H1zWTu-CZyaYG9gVRhRn-B9rIZebVdpGCAmA6MImja4RNbCSU9GADhaJ/s3725/IMG_4106.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3725" data-original-width="2794" height="14208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lpOhfXEyh4WzaDhyphenhyphenV60swpm8GY4AbCNw2fbpVZnCrGqjg9Ku1OxD2jtq14TIrrr6y5x9vSXtsskxXn2h8tT4H1zWTu-CZyaYG9gVRhRn-B9rIZebVdpGCAmA6MImja4RNbCSU9GADhaJ/w10664-h14208/IMG_4106.JPG" width="10664" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jess x</div>jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-33145804221160712282020-06-03T17:46:00.001+01:002020-06-27T19:56:20.207+01:00Favourite reads of last year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-43lLTTOzRb57mzoxQfbqqJ4lzxWfCxMUY0sFkMFAOekTzpE-0tjJTKgaMdw4hwp_3Dy5rJDFxAU5qMHLprHcM70S84sZewAn_T5n5-v80mdlE9M8BrfoThNqOu6f0duUnsnRk6n_30f/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-43lLTTOzRb57mzoxQfbqqJ4lzxWfCxMUY0sFkMFAOekTzpE-0tjJTKgaMdw4hwp_3Dy5rJDFxAU5qMHLprHcM70S84sZewAn_T5n5-v80mdlE9M8BrfoThNqOu6f0duUnsnRk6n_30f/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" /></a></div>
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I've always loved reading, which is why I ended up doing a degree in English Literature, but after reading A LOT over those three years, for the first year and a half after graduation I think I read a total of 4 books. Having been told what to read for so long, I found I didn't know what I wanted to read, or what sort of books I enjoyed outside of my degree. I found it daunting to choose a book to read and I think after trying to deal with so much mentally by getting used to no longer being in full-time education and being a 'proper adult', reading just wasn't high on my priorities. </div>
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In 2018 I set myself the target of reading 12 books as I thought one a month was manageable; I ended up reading 18 so last year set myself the target of reading 24 books over the year, and I ended up reading 32! I was really proud of how much I read (although I have seen some people say they read 50 - 100 books in a year?! I don't know how you could read that much unless you skim read everything). Out of the 32 these were the books that stood out for me as my favourites and I rated them all 5/5 stars. </div>
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HOW TO STOP TIME - MATT HAIG</h4>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">This book was a breath of fresh air after finishing a disappointing book beforehand, and I picked it up as my friend Reesha had gifted it to me. </span></div>
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How to Stop Time focuses on Tom who looks about 40 but is actually over 400 years old. Tom has a condition that means he physically ages 1 year every 14-15 years, and was born in the 1500s. The book splits between Tom in the present and Tom of the past and how he moves around every few years to avoid suspicion and continues the search for his daughter Marion who has the same condition. This was a really interesting concept, a gripping read, and I felt like I was having a history lesson at the same time! </div>
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THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ - ANTONIO ITURBE</h4>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">*I know this isn't pictured at the top - I haven't got rid of it! It's just currently with a friend to read</span></div>
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As I mentioned, I studied English Literature at uni, and I took a module in Representing the Holocaust, and ended up writing my dissertation on Holocaust Literature, so I've read a lot around the subject. I’m always a bit wary of popular fiction like this, but based on my readings, for me this was one of the most true to life pieces of fiction that I have read.</div>
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The Librarian of Auschwitz is based on Dita Kraus' experience of a child in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, and Iturbe clearly did a lot of research for the novel. Fourteen year old Dita is asked to take charge of the eight books in the children's block that have been smuggled past the guards; an extremely important role but one that could have severe consequences if discovered. Prior to this a lot of books I have read are from an adults point of view, and reading it from a child’s provided a whole other perspective. </div>
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This book is heartbreakingly haunting and at times I had to put it down and go off and do something else before coming back to it - we have this luxury of being able to close the book, but this was the reality for millions of people for so many years, and it is a reality we can't afford to forget. </div>
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THIS IS GOING TO HURT - ADAM KAY</h4>
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I have never laughed out loud so much at a book - which I didn't expect! This book is a collation of extracts from Kay's Junior Doctor diaries. This diaries span a few years so you are taken along with Kay on their journey; quite graphic at times but filled with a lot of personal anecdotes and any medical words are explained which I found really helpful, especially in understanding the differing level of doctor and the different responsibilities these bring. </div>
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This is both heartbreaking and hilarious and one that will make you even more grateful that the NHS exists. </div>
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FRENCHMAN'S CREEK - DAPHNE DU MAURIER</h4>
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I have come to the conclusion that if you give me anything written by Daphne du Maurier I will absolutely LOVE it, to the point that I now actively put off reading their work as I don't want to read through everything too quickly. </div>
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Set in the Restoration era, Frenchman's Creek focuses on Dona, a socialite who has left the London Court life for her husband's remote country estate in Cornwall. At the estate Dona hears rumours of pirates nearby, but on coming into contact with them (in a creek no less) it's clear the tales she's heard are fiction.</div>
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This novel had me laughing throughout, and explores themes of identity, freedom and the self, love, and desire.</div>
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EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU - CELESTE NG </h4>
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I read this in the early parts of last year; you may have heard of Ng's other work, Little Fires Everywhere which I would also recommend, but this was my favourite out of the two.</div>
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Everything I Never Told You starts with the death of the middle, and favourite, child Lydia. The book moves between events before and after this day, and explores the intricacies of what each family member thinks they know about the others, and how far from the truth they are. Splitting the book into different family member's perceptions was really clever, and provided a back story to why other parts of the story that a different family member had referenced, happened. </div>
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Have you read any of these novels? What have been some of your favourite books you've read recently? You can keep up to date with everything I read over on my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/jesslouisekeen">goodreads account</a> - I'd love to follow yours to find some new gems to read!</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-6729906829012752942020-05-17T18:18:00.003+01:002020-05-17T19:30:19.528+01:00Dairy-free soft chocolate cookies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
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As soon as I saw Lily Pebbles post a video on IGTV last week showing her brookie recipe (looks like a cookie but tastes like a brownie) I knew I had to have a go at baking them this weekend. I've struggled in the past with baking cookies as they always ended up spreading into one another in the oven and would come out a complete mess, so I was a little apprehensive about making these. However (!) they retained their shape and didn't come out a mess, so I class that as a success. </div>
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I made a quarter of the original recipe (I managed to make 13 cookies and as there's only myself and Tom able to eat them at the moment, I didn't want to make 50+!). What I like about these (aside from the fact they keep their shape in the oven) is that they crackle on top so they have a slightly cripsy outer layer, but inside is soft and chewy. I don't think I would class these as a cross between a cookie and a brownie as they were not as gooey as a brownie, but were more cakey inside. That being said they tasted super yummy and I think this will be my go to recipe anytime I want to make some chocolate cookies! </div>
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Ingredients</h2>
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25g cocoa powder </div>
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100g caster sugar</div>
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30ml (I used 6 teaspoons) vegetable oil</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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75g flour</div>
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder</div>
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pinch of salt</div>
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15g icing sugar</div>
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<b>Prep</b>: 20 mins (plus cooling time)</div>
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<b>Cook</b>: 12 mins</div>
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Method</h2>
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Mix together the cocoa powder, caster sugar and vegetable oil in a mixing bowl. </div>
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Beat the egg into the mixture.</div>
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Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the bowl and fold in. </div>
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Once combined, chill in the fridge for a couple of hours (or I put it in the freezer for half an hour).</div>
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After the mixture has chilled, preheat your oven to 180c/gas mark 4, and line baking trays with greaseproof paper. </div>
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Sprinkle some icing sugar onto a plate and using a teaspoon (or tablespoon if you want larger cookies!) spoon and roll the mixture into balls, and then roll in the icing sugar.</div>
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Place onto the baking tray and press down slightly. </div>
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Repeat until all of the mixture is used up.</div>
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Bake in the preheated oven for 10 - 12 minutes. If you press lightly onto the side of the cookies and they retain their shape, then your cookies are ready! If you make an indent, leave them in the oven for a few minutes more.</div>
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Let the cookies cool for a minute or two before transferring to a wire rack to cool.</div>
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Tuck in!</div>
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Despite being apprehensive to make these, they were actually really easy to make, didn't take too long and didn't create too much washing up - my favourite kind of recipe. Another time I may add in some chocolate chips for extra chocolatey softness.<br />
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Jess x<br />
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jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-30874618176891779172020-05-12T20:52:00.000+01:002020-05-12T21:12:34.486+01:00Guess who's back (...back again)*sorry if you were expecting Shady but got me*<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Oh hey, hi, long time no see? This all feels very weird and nostalgic; I feel like I'm back sitting in my uni house writing a blog post rather than writing an essay, and not in the middle of a global pandemic. Who knew this would be the time where I woke up one day and thought 'you know what, I think I want to start blogging again'. Maybe it's seeing the same four walls every day!</span><br />
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I started my blog way back in 2014 as I reached the end of my first year at uni (in May to be precise - maybe there's something about this time of year?). I wanted somewhere to share my thoughts, that I could look back on as I got older - an online diary if you will. Included in this were lots of recipes, crafts, as well as travel posts. 4 years and 252 blog posts later, I decided that I didn't enjoy blogging anymore and just stopped. SO much had happened in those 4 years that I think my brain was still trying to catch up with, and this hobby that I had enjoyed and loved doing, just wasn't fun anymore. I was happy with what posts I had published but it felt like it was time for it to come to an end. I didn't want to delete my blog or anything as it housed a lot of memories but I posted my last blog post in December of 2018 and didn't look back.</div>
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I refer to my blog all the time for recipes and to look back at old posts (especially when they appear on my timehop), but it never crossed my mind to write another post until I woke up on Sunday and suddenly had a strong desire to start doing this again, so here I am. I have no idea why after an 18 month hiatus this has happened, but I'm happy it has! It's been a long time since I felt the enjoyment of writing a blog post so I'm pleased that this has returned. Globally this is obviously a very strange and uncertain time at the moment (and this gives me something else to do whilst at home), and personally there will be lots going on over the next couple of years that I know I'll want to look back on and document. </div>
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I have no plans for what I'll be posting or when but for now I wanted to say hi I'm blogging again; if you're an oldie but a goldie, welcome back, and if you're a newbie, greetings! I hope you are all keeping safe and well.</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-22431610224391663782018-12-09T18:00:00.000+00:002018-12-09T18:00:06.864+00:00Christmas at Chatsworth 2018 | Once Upon a Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Every year since 2014, Tom and I have visited Chatsworth at some point in December to see the house decorated for Christmas. Each year has a different theme; this years is Once Upon a Time and we both agree that it is our favourite theme so far! As is tradition on here I'll take you on a virtual tour of the house, and I'll link all the previous years at the bottom of this post. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMV93oYXyvMlsWCuZc363pKtPhMKb24VsMytM882tAW2RznCNizucs3ouzeclw57NyzZqVTV9GdvYr2CZzD7OkPthZybx1CwyAhA72hQjOOFr1f9AFeFnYcmLKopdUZjRkeDEbwQXNs_c/s1600/IMG_5412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMV93oYXyvMlsWCuZc363pKtPhMKb24VsMytM882tAW2RznCNizucs3ouzeclw57NyzZqVTV9GdvYr2CZzD7OkPthZybx1CwyAhA72hQjOOFr1f9AFeFnYcmLKopdUZjRkeDEbwQXNs_c/s1600/IMG_5412.JPG" /></a></div>
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This year we ended up going the same weekend as Chatsworth hosted its Christmas Market, and so we had to park about a 20 minute walk away (still in the estate) rather than in front of the house like we usually do as it was really busy. This was fine as it wasn't raining at the time (there were a few cars getting stuck in the mud where we parked) and on the walk to the house we actually came pretty close to the deers of the park!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM9DPomwFEEFw46RCsULFZi2z6nIMARN575eGFzHZFts_Chubtdq5fqLwiKsgNd7F5L8TmWoLdCBy97dAuDetgzIAuwkXKdSf0My1hp7YGqeySESSnKx5h7ZRfQ-n65EC_Syk7405tKvI/s1600/IMG_9924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM9DPomwFEEFw46RCsULFZi2z6nIMARN575eGFzHZFts_Chubtdq5fqLwiKsgNd7F5L8TmWoLdCBy97dAuDetgzIAuwkXKdSf0My1hp7YGqeySESSnKx5h7ZRfQ-n65EC_Syk7405tKvI/s1600/IMG_9924.JPG" /></a></div>
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We had never been to the market before; in previous years you still had to pay extra for parking even if you had booked to go in the house, but this year it was all included. I would say if you want to go to the market that you actually book to go in the house, because our ticket was around £25 for the house, gardens and farmyard as well as being able to look round the market, and people were paying £20 just to park for the market on the day. It was a really good Christmas market but I wouldn't pay that much to park and have a look around. </div>
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After having a little look around the market and making a mental note of where to return to later, it was time for our visit to the house! What we really liked about this years theme was that it ran throughout the house but every room featured a different story such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, James and the Giant Peach and Mary Poppins, rather than focusing on one story for the whole house. The attention to detail demonstrated the amount of effort that had gone into curating each room, and all of the decorations were beautiful!</div>
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After looking round the house our tummies were rumbling, and normally we go to the fancy restaurant but unfortunately for us this year it was fully booked! (Next year we'll definitely prebook a table). We ventured out to the market and found a hotdog stand, which after a bit of a faff with needing to pay at one point to receive playing cards to then hand to the server in exchange for our hotdogs (?) we got our lunch. After lunch we headed into the gardens, and had a short walk around before it started to rain. </div>
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We went and had a brownie and a drink in the cafe, before looking round the stable shops and the market properly. We did stop off at the farmyard on the walk back as I hadn't realised this was included in our ticket in previous years, and although it was nice to see the animals I think this is aimed more towards families with children. </div>
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As this was our fifth Christmas at Chatsworth trip, it was really nice to have something additional to have a look around and I definitely think we'll go back again next year when the market is running. The market has finished now, but you can still see the house decorated for Christmas until the 6th January (this is in no way a post affiliated with Chatsworth, I just love going and think you will to!). Do you have anywhere you visit every Christmastime? </div>
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Jess x</div>
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Previous years:</div>
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<a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-most-festive-week.html">2017 Oh Dicken's it's Christmas!</a></div>
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<a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2016/12/christmas-at-chatsworth-2016-nutcracker.html">2016 The Nutcracker</a> </div>
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<a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-at-chatsworth-2015.html">2015 Wind in the Willows</a></div>
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<a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-at-chatsworth.html">2014 Alice in Wonderland</a></div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-39604716403953061232018-12-02T18:00:00.000+00:002018-12-02T18:00:23.139+00:00December Bullet Journal Set Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
December is finally here and it's my final bullet journal set up for 2018! I've found having a bullet journal super helpful throughout the year, and so as well as showing you my general set up for December, I thought I'd show you how I'm using my bullet journal to prepare for Christmas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BmtUKSyq9aE_eWbYrJw46ylyDxHIsm6agzv_yWNKmHqYh6_VokB83nSxEmEgwP-lwy8GwWKWeSbWQFYg5Q_75YEF8g3p-uvR6XYebBXVFoVWFUxyEC87OFiMvpOGTmn5Hb7B1r8N-rjH/s1600/IMG_5300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BmtUKSyq9aE_eWbYrJw46ylyDxHIsm6agzv_yWNKmHqYh6_VokB83nSxEmEgwP-lwy8GwWKWeSbWQFYg5Q_75YEF8g3p-uvR6XYebBXVFoVWFUxyEC87OFiMvpOGTmn5Hb7B1r8N-rjH/s1600/IMG_5300.jpg" /></a></div>
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For my title page I went with a vintage Christmas theme and I think this has to be my favourite title page of the year! Sometimes I draw on my title pages, but a lot of the time I think of a theme, find some photos for it, and then print them off and stick them in. Throughout the year I've tended to draw out a calendar across a double page spread, but I found I wasn't tending to flick back to it and so I thought if I simplified it even further into a list of the key things that are happening, I'd be more like to remember them!</div>
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Onto the first Christmas related spread! Tom and I have a LOT of Christmas films, and so when it comes to deciding which film we're going to watch, we write them out in a list and assign them all a number, and then leave it up to a randomiser to choose! We actually started watching our Christmas films in November as we have so many (I'm a Celeb has slightly got in the way of watching any at the moment) and then cross them off as we go. It's a lot easier doing it this way rather than debating which one to watch, and it's nice to have a surprise of which one it'll be. </div>
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Dare I say I've actually finished all of my Christmas shopping? To keep on top of what I've got, I've drawn out a tracker where I can list each gift, who it is for, and whether it's been wrapped. This might seem a bit excessive (Jess can't you just wrap the gifts without making a list) but I like to get little bits and pieces rather than a big present for people, so I thought this would help to keep track of what I have got, and I can clearly see when I've got everything rather than having to back through the collective bag and wonder if I need anything else!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6dJoJJHsQTNsNli66lVEFg0Ery0kmdoiHcHSE_kpFIH59xclDLV9j-AH_fdg4hPrsgegxCrpCK6PGESG6GP6Tc4y2JRjLPLEXTAw4qWlrr4ovgMEN8l2db67rMujXoNv5vQ8wdTfHGU8/s1600/IMG_5303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6dJoJJHsQTNsNli66lVEFg0Ery0kmdoiHcHSE_kpFIH59xclDLV9j-AH_fdg4hPrsgegxCrpCK6PGESG6GP6Tc4y2JRjLPLEXTAw4qWlrr4ovgMEN8l2db67rMujXoNv5vQ8wdTfHGU8/s1600/IMG_5303.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm trying something a bit different this month, as I usually don't do a weekly spread because I use google calendar at work for tasks and things, but I thought I'd try out a more 'to do list' type spread, and start to take this into work with me so I can tick some things off in my lunch break!</div>
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Finally I've created a festive mood tracker in the shape of a tree made from fairy lights, which I'm going to try really hard to remember to fill in every day. Rather than go with the general smiley face, unhappy face, and what I would call the 'meh' face, the moods I've gone for are happy, festive, stressed (as I would generally say I feel this more than unhappy) and mixed because we all know that days are mixed with many emotions and sometimes it's all bit of a blur. I'm hoping by the end of the month I'll have a full coloured set of lights!</div>
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I'm going to make a list of who I need to write out Christmas cards for and cross these off as I write them to make sure that I haven't forgotten anyone! I think at a later date I'll add in a page about food as we're having about 3 different Christmas meals and I'll need to be able to keep track of what we're having and what we need for each. I'll also start thinking about how I want to set out my bullet journal for 2019 (ah it's scary that it's so close!). I hope this has provided you with some inspiration for your December set up an how to use your bullet journal to prepare for Christmas, and I'd love to see any of your spreads for the month! Be sure to come back in a few weeks time to see how I've set up my bullet journal for 2019.</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-56371195502897567342018-11-24T18:24:00.000+00:002018-11-24T18:24:36.891+00:00#jlkadvent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0unOZrKHRQesqmHPXA2jNp9o6GHFMEAofUujlFmcDleXCNrs7Jc-UyoW9tAYqbZ7XTMasy-ugV3_5exoSwkBzd7wikJFw0JBN8CUIqTvmkEtZkn6oGegJ_AR7xjMlgfVUjM-m7kSx7bX/s1600/%2523JLKADVENT-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0unOZrKHRQesqmHPXA2jNp9o6GHFMEAofUujlFmcDleXCNrs7Jc-UyoW9tAYqbZ7XTMasy-ugV3_5exoSwkBzd7wikJFw0JBN8CUIqTvmkEtZkn6oGegJ_AR7xjMlgfVUjM-m7kSx7bX/s1600/%2523JLKADVENT-2.png" /></a> </div>
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Back in September I launched my <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2018/09/autumn-photo-challenge-2018.html">autumn photo challenge</a> - I managed to get most of the photos (although I never saw any conkers?!) and I loved seeing you join in on the hashtag! Now that we're into the last weekend of November and the big guy will soon be coming for a visit, I thought this would be a great time to launch my advent photo challenge.</div>
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If you don't already know (where have you been?) Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, and the countdown to Christmas is my favourite part of the season; I wanted to do something to celebrate this (aside from scoffing my chocolate advent calendar) and I love taking photos of all the lights and decorations so I thought this would be a great way to combine this! There's no specific order to these so I'm going to cross them off as and when I take photos, but I'm aiming to cross off one of these each day from the 1st to the 24th. Make sure you're following my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesslouisekeen/">instagram</a> so you can see all the photos - and I'd love for you to take part too. Be sure to tag yours with #jlkadvent so I can see what you've been getting up to in the countdown to the big day!</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-60640556845869066402018-10-24T10:00:00.000+01:002018-11-13T16:39:24.499+00:0024 of my Favourite Places to Visit<div style="text-align: justify;">
This week is a big week for me - I turn 24 tomorrow! Previously I've written posts on <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2016/10/turning-22.html">turning 22</a> and <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2017/10/23-things.html">23 things I learnt before turning 23</a>, and to mark the occasion this year I thought I would round up 24 of my favourite places to visit. These range from places I've been to once but would like to visit again, to places that I've been to too many times to count and continue to return to! I love visiting places, both new and old, and I'd love to know where your favourite places are so I can add them to my list to visit! (These are merely in alphabetical order and not any order of preference).</div>
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<b>Bakewell</b><br />
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Bakewell is a cute little town in the middle of the Peak District. This photo was actually taken back in 2012 when we came up to the area on holiday! I'm very baby faced and Tilly's a fluffy little puppy. There's lots of shops to visit, cafe's to eat at, and beautiful scenery to look at. I'm actually returning to Bakewell on my birthday to go out for lunch!</div>
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<b>Bungay</b><br />
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Bungay is the closest town to the village I grew up in (more on that later); it's the place I went to school, had my first job, and spent many a penny in the cafe's. It's a small town but has a lot to offer, including the myth of the 'Black Dog', a fabulous homeware shop, and about 15 hairdressers. If you're in the area I'd recommend going to Jester's Cafe for a panini, and then the bakery for a vanilla slice. </div>
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<b>Castleton</b><br />
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Castleton is a village in the Peak District out in the Hope Valley and near Mam Tor - there's lots of little shops, the landscape in beautiful, and it's a great place to go for a dog walk!</div>
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<b>Chatsworth</b><br />
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Before moving to Sheffield, I had been to Chatsworth a few times when we were up in the area on holiday, and it's been a firm favourite since the first visit! There's lots to see in the house and the garden is massive so you can spend a good few hours here. In the summer they open up more of the house, and when it gets to winter they host 'Chatsworth at Christmas' which Tom and I visit annually. (They change the theme every year, in 2014 it was <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-at-chatsworth.html">Alice in Wonderland</a>, 2015 <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-at-chatsworth-2015.html">Wind in the Willows</a>, 2016 <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2016/12/christmas-at-chatsworth-2016-nutcracker.html">The Nutcracker</a>, and last year it was <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-most-festive-week.html">Dickens</a>). </div>
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<b>Cromer</b><br />
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I have spent many a day in Cromer over the years, it's situated in North Norfolk and is a lovely seaside town. It's nice without being too fancy; there's a beautiful beach with a walk along the seafront to get into the town, and they have great fish and chips! My grandparents used to go on holiday a lot in North Norfolk when my mum was little, so this was always a place I regularly visited with them and my parents. </div>
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<b>Derwent Reservoir</b><br />
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Derwent is one of my favourite places to take Tilly for a walk - it's the closest thing to walking by the sea as there's such a large expanse of water, and the views are beautiful! We tend to park the Ladybower side of Derwent as it's free here and there's a long walk up alongside the reservoir up to Derwent Dam from here. In the summer we parked up behind the Dam and walked up the hill on the opposite side - it was such a beautiful place to eat our lunch looking down on the Dam! </div>
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<b>Disneyland Paris</b></div>
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I've only been to Disneyland twice but I would love to return (it's just so expensive!). The first time I went was for my sixth birthday, and Tom and I went back in 2012 when we went to stay with my aunty. I like that there's a mix of levels of how 'extreme' the rides are (Thunder Mountain is one of our favourites), there's lots of parades going on and the fireworks at the end of the day amazing! I'd like to go back so I can spend some time in the Studios side of the park as we didn't get enough time to explore it properly. </div>
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<b>Dovedale</b><br />
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Dovedale is another one in the Peak District, and is a beautiful spot for a walk. It's one of my mum's favourites so I've been a few times whilst staying up this way on holiday, and it's a place I like to go to if it's a sunny day and I want to spend the day outside. It's about an hour's drive from where I live, but it's worth it for the views! It's got the famous stepping stones across the river (I'm too scared to cross lol) and the walk follows the river - Tilly loves it too!</div>
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<b>Dunwich Beach</b><br />
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Dunwich beach is in Suffolk and was about a 20 minute drive from where I grew up. There's a vast expanse of beach to explore and there's a mix of stoney/sandy areas and Tilly loves to dig in the sandy bits! Dunwich Heath is next to the beach which you can also explore, and there's a cute cafe near the car park that serves great cakes and they even have dog biscuits in a jar for your hungry doggies!</div>
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<b>Edinburgh</b><br />
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Tom and I went to Edinburgh in December last year, and we had such a great time! I had been to Edinburgh with my parents when I was younger (I think we even stayed in the same hotel), and Tom and I spent our time exploring the shops and cute cobbled streets, as well as going to the fabulous Christmas Market. </div>
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<b>Flatford Mill</b><br />
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I had been to Flatford Mill as a child and we actually have a painting of it that my grandad painted hanging in our lounge, and Tom and I took a trip there during our <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2018/08/staycation-in-suffolk.html">staycation to Suffolk</a>. There's both the Mill and Willy Lott's House (made famous by a painting by Constable) and it was such a serene and calm place (a bit too quiet for Tom!). There's a few walks mapped out, but when I next go I would like to take a longer walk alongside the river.</div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><b>Kraków</b></span><br />
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Tom and I visited <span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kraków</span></span> <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-trip-to-somewhere-new.html">back in 2015</a>, with the primary reason being going to visit Auschwitz as I was about to start my dissertation on perpetrators of the Holocaust, but this was tied in with staying in <span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-align: start;">Kraków</span> for a few days and also going to the salt mines (which were amazing!). <span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Kraków is a beautiful city, and to this day it remains the place where we've had the best pizza we've ever had! </span></div>
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<b>Liverpool</b><br />
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Tom and I took a <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2015/09/mid-week-getaway-to-liverpool.html">trip to Liverpool</a> (again in 2015) and I absolutely loved it there! It's a great city to visit with no plans - we found so much to do just by walking out of our hotel and seeing where it took us. I would like to go over to Merseyside one day (boats are a big no no for Tom), but it's a nice walk around the docks (where there's also an art gallery), and the World Museum was five floors of amazing exhibits and we couldn't believe it was free to go to! </div>
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<b>London</b><br />
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I'll never be someone who wants to live in London (it's a bit too big for me!) but I love visiting and getting caught in the hustle and bustle for a few days. I used to go with my parents for days out and long weekends when I was younger, and Tom and I have <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2017/03/trips-london.html">been back</a> a few times ourselves for a few days. There's loads to do in London and it's great that so much of it is free. It's really easy to get round on the tube, and my favourite places include the Natural History Museum, and the National Gallery.</div>
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<b>Majorca</b><br />
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Majorca was the first place I went to on a plane when I was younger when I went with my parents to Puerto Pollensa, and <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2017/06/trips-majorca.html">Tom and I went on holiday to Playa de Muro</a> on holiday last year. Once you're on the plane it doesn't take too long to get to, the sun is shining, and there's lots to do! Each time I've been I've had a wonderful time, and I'd love to go back again and visit other parts of the island. </div>
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<b>Mettingham</b><br />
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Remember that little village I mentioned where I lived until I moved away to university? This is it! It's tiny (I think there's only around 200 people who live there) but it holds so many memories for me, and I love to visit it when I'm back in the area. There used to be a pub (it's now a tearoom), and I love going for walks up the lane - it's a place where I've walked (or been pushed as in the top photo!) for my whole life and it's the ultimate nostalgic place for me to visit. </div>
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<b>Norwich</b><br />
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Living in Mettingham, Norwich was the closest city to visit for shopping days (always with a stop at John Lewis cafe at the start, or Bonds as it used to be back in the day) and Tom and I spent many a Sunday in Norwich when we first got together. Norwich isn't too big a city; there's the shops, Chapelfield shopping centre (which on coming to Sheffield and seeing Meadowhall I realised was TINY), the Theatre Royal, and the puppet man (honestly look him up on Youtube). It also has one of my all-time favourite restaurants; The Waffle House. </div>
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<b>Rivelin Valley</b><br />
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Rivelin Valley is b-ea-u-tiful walk and is only a five minute drive from where we live. We've not made it the whole way along (I've been informed there's a cafe at the other end that I am determined to make it to one day!) but it's a walk alongside the river and Tilly loves going for a splash in the stream.</div>
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<b>Sheffield</b><br />
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I couldn't not include Sheffield now could I? The place I moved to for university, and the place I've stayed ever since! There's loads to do here and in the surrounding areas; the city's a manageable size and the Peak District is only a short drive away and I get to see it in the distance daily on Tilly's walks! It's also home to the biggest theatre land outside of London, has lots of museums to visit, and has lots of parks to walk round. I always say that Sheffield has everything except the sea!</div>
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<b>Sheringham</b><br />
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Sheringham is just up the road from Cromer, and as with Cromer, it's a place I frequently visited as a child with my parents and grandparents. Sheringham is smaller than Cromer, but has a lovely street of shops to walk down to the beach, and I found it seems to be a bit quieter than Cromer. I have fond memories of going on holiday to Sheringham with my grandparents, and going on the steam train for my mum's 40th birthday amidst the snow. </div>
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<b>Southwold</b><br />
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Another seaside town! Can you see a theme here? Southwold's probably one of the fanciest seaside towns that I've mentioned, and it wasn't too far away to get to for a walk along the seafront. Close to Southwold is a place called Walberswick where we used to go crabbing (you catch the crabs with a line and a bit of bacon, and put them back before you leave). Southwold has a cute little town, a lighthouse, and there's a row of cannons at the top where many a photo was taken of me sitting on one.</div>
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<b>Warner Bros. Studios</b><br />
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I've been to the Warner Bros. Studios twice, once back in 2014, and the <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-making-of-harry-potter-warner-bros.html">other earlier this year.</a> We went back because a lot more had been added since the first time, and it's so interesting to see how everything works behind the scenes of Harry Potter. Both myself and Tom and big Harry Potter fans, and if you are too I would definitely recommend a visit as it's so cool to see all the sets and then see them when you next watch the films! </div>
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<b>Whitby</b><br />
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This is the last seaside town I promise! I've been to Whitby a few times, and myself and Lucy went <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2018/05/whitby.html">on holiday there</a> earlier this year. There's a lovely beach, cute little shops, and it's home to Whitby Abbey. There's SO many places to choose from for Fish and Chips, and there's even a steam train here too! </div>
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<b>York</b><br />
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We've made it to the last location on my list - congratulations for making it this far! York is a beautiful city, it's home to my favourite museum (the Castle Museum), Betty's Tea Room, and you can even hire a boat out and go along the river (the dogs loved it!), there's also a really good second hand bookshop close to the cathedral. It's less than an hours train ride away from Sheffield, and Tom and I went for <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-trip-to-york.html">our anniversary in 2015</a>, and for <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2016/02/valentines-trip-to-york.html">Valentine's Day in 2016.</a></div>
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That's it; we've made it to the end! I hope this has provided you with some new places to go and visit, and I'd love to know where your favourite places are and why so I can add them to my to visit list. I love going for days out or going a bit farther afield for a long weekend or a holiday, and Tom does too, so please send recommendations my way!</div>
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Jess x </div>
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jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-21780992335488964142018-10-14T20:01:00.000+01:002020-05-13T15:27:23.163+01:00Top Films for a Sick Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week I was struck down with Freshers' Flu to the point that I ended up going home from work one lunchtime and having the rest of the week off work. I spent a lot of my time in bed and then on the sofa, where I watched (and napped to) a lot of films because I wasn't up to doing anything else! The common cold seems to be making it's way around the office and everyone seems to be going down with something, so I thought I'd share with you my top films to get through a sick day in case you end up having one soon!</div>
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<b>Harry Potter</b></div>
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Harry Potter is the ultimate sick day watch, not least because there's so many to go through that they can last you all day if not longer! I've watched the series so many times that it doesn't matter how much I pay attention to what's going on, or if I fall asleep and wake up at a much later point. I always watched Harry Potter when I was poorly as a child, so watching it when I'm ill now is like receiving a comforting hug. I'm not sure I really need to explain the plot to Harry Potter (is there anybody now that doesn't know the story?) but if you haven't had the chance to watch them all through I would definitely recommend!<br />
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<b>Sleeping Beauty</b><br />
Sleeping Beauty is one of my favourite Disney films, and it doesn't require a lot of thinking when you watch it. It follows the tale of Princess Aurora who has a curse placed upon her that on her 16th birthday she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die (one of the good fairies turns this to that she will fall asleep until true love's kiss) and the events that unfold on her 16th birthday. As princesses go she's pretty reliant on everyone else around her, but the drawings are beautiful and I like the songs!<br />
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<b>Mary Poppins</b><br />
Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, and animated penguins as waiters dancing and singing - what more could you want? Mary Poppins follows the tale of nanny Mary Poppins (lol spoiler in the title there) who, I want to say is magic as I don't know how else I would describe her, comes to look after Jane and Michael Banks who have a mother preoccupied with fighting for votes for women, and a father more interested in his job than his children. With Mary, the children jump into chalk drawings, take tea on the ceiling, and dance with chimney sweeps on the Edwardian London skyline.<br />
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<b>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</b><br />
As with Harry Potter, I like to watch a series of films because then I can just take a load of DVD's upstairs and watch the series through. The Narnia series is good because it breaks up the animated films, and The Lion, the Witch, and the the Wardrobe is a good one because it's like a cosy Christmas film without actually being a Christmas film so I can get away with watching it at any point during the year. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe follows four children (Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy), who are evacuated from London during World War II, and move in with the Professor in the countryside. Here they discover the world of Narnia through a wardrobe in the spare room. Narnia isn't as welcoming as it appears, as it's ruled over by the white witch who's made it always winter but never Christmas, and soon the children are wrapped up in this world and the prophecy that they must fulfil.<br />
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<b>School of Rock</b><br />
I think the School of Rock has to be one of my favourite films - to the point that after attending the English Society Ball back in 2016 and the live band played 'Zak's Song' I decided I too want a live band at my wedding just so they can play this song. It's got some great one liners that still make me laugh out loud, and I don't think they'll ever get old. School of Rock focuses on Dewy, who is trying to make it in a rock band but after being kicked out of one he pretends to be his flatmate Ned and takes on a substitute teacher role. Rather than teach the children he turns them into a band with the aim of playing Battle of the Bands (the children think it's a nationwide school competition that they're entering).<br />
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<b>Shrek 2</b><br />
I think I may actually have watched Shrek 2<i> before </i>ever watching the first Shrek, and it's still my favourite of the series. Despite saying I like to watch a series of films, I normally end up only watching the second Shrek because it's my favourite one. This is another film that I used to watch a lot when I was ill as a child; especially when I was round my nanna and grandad's as this was one of the DVD's they had (they had a lot of video's but only had a DVD player in their bedroom!). Shrek 2 carries on where the original left off - Shrek and Fiona get married and the film follows their travels to meet Fiona's parents and discover that Prince Charming was meant to save Fiona from the tower and break the curse, rather than Fiona turn into an ogre permanently. This has a lot of funny moments and I'm a sucker for a good film soundtrack!<br />
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<b>The Wizard of Oz</b><br />
Can you see there's bit of a theme going on here with films involving music and being predominantly children's films? The Wizard of Oz is another one I used to watch a lot at my nanna and grandad's (this time on video!) and it's another one that has a great soundtrack. The Wizard of Oz centres around Dorothy Gale, who is swept up in a tornado and lands in the exuberant world of Oz and her plight to get back home through this weird and wonderful land.<br />
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<b>Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory</b></div>
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I know, I know, you may be thinking 'isn't it Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?' - the new one is but the original with Gene Wilde is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! Both are equally a good film for a sick day, but my preference will always be the original version. I think this version is closer to the original Roald Dahl book, and when you're not feeling so hungry because of your illness I find the mass amount of chocolate in this film ends up making me feel hungry again! This film has a lot of funny moments, including some of the special effects, and it was very clearly made in the 70's. I think this is another one where most people will know the plot of the story, but in case you don't, this film focuses on the elusive chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka, and five children's trip into the factory.<br />
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As you'll have seen from this post, a lot of the films I watch during a sick day, are ones that I used to watch when I was ill as a child, and I'll never try to watch a new film when I'm ill. Rather I like to watch ones that I've seen countless times before so I know where I am if I fall asleep for half of it and I haven't missed anything important, and they all make me feel super cosy when I'm not feeling so great in myself. What are your go to films for a sick day?</div>
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Jess x</div>
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*All gifs are sourced from giphy.com*</div>
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jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-66326530656996478092018-10-07T15:00:00.000+01:002018-10-07T15:00:10.517+01:00How I Scrapbook<div style="text-align: justify;">
For nearly the last two years I've been scrapbooking - my mum made me a scrapbook of my childhood for my sixteenth birthday which I love, and I was looking for something creative to do as a hobby, so I decided that I wanted in! I have now started my second scrapbook album as I ran out of space in my first, so I thought now would be a good time to show you how I scrapbook! My first scrapbook runs from October 2016 (I received my first album and card for my birthday) to the end of 2017, and I started my new one for 2018. </div>
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My pages are set out chronologically by month, but what's on the actual pages for each month doesn't really have an order - it comes down to what I think looks good together! I use 12x12 inch card and fit these into plastic wallets which I then insert into my album. I know you can buy scrapbooks that come with paper inside, but I like having the freedom to put as many/as little pages in as I want to an empty album. I also like the protection that the plastic wallets give as I know that the pages will not stick together/get ruined when I look at them and I think this will help make them last longer. I order my photos through Boots online, and do this quarter yearly so I have a good stock to go through and add to my scrapbook! To show you how I scrapbook I thought it would be good to show the process of putting together one of my pages - I actually need to place another order for photos so this run through is for April of this year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RcIboeNDaxYz4rf4boWaER50g4gs1jMBJlx9OgiW1OZwGvU5-w1bPGNmmafwN8vX3nodhARddbmStFdL5VYKJ7V2kfv9VxwECQ8cJPDUk5kW4bvm37YZXVf8QjVU0mIN4uPFO4eEG-x5/s1600/IMG_4600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RcIboeNDaxYz4rf4boWaER50g4gs1jMBJlx9OgiW1OZwGvU5-w1bPGNmmafwN8vX3nodhARddbmStFdL5VYKJ7V2kfv9VxwECQ8cJPDUk5kW4bvm37YZXVf8QjVU0mIN4uPFO4eEG-x5/s1600/IMG_4600.jpg" /></a></div>
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I start out by choosing which colour card I want for that month; I have a pad with lots of colours in, and if I have more than one page for the month I like to use the same colour to tie it together. Once I've got my sheet of card I get out my photos and bits from the month and then start playing around with the layout. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2-1RiNBMySCeLoHjWW61hqdfpeAqx1nDyybQ3rwctBcFY18nISvXHVmyDxLz1JPgMuwKk5RZxzvL4qcVSU6RlJn6-Wqk3xaGkXpk3aMDTJQ0ZtH98YJxKWgIaJ_Ar9UZpPRULX4gaYLj/s1600/IMG_0520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2-1RiNBMySCeLoHjWW61hqdfpeAqx1nDyybQ3rwctBcFY18nISvXHVmyDxLz1JPgMuwKk5RZxzvL4qcVSU6RlJn6-Wqk3xaGkXpk3aMDTJQ0ZtH98YJxKWgIaJ_Ar9UZpPRULX4gaYLj/s1600/IMG_0520.jpg" /></a></div>
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I like that with Boots you can order square photos as well as the usual 6x4, so I can include any photos from instagram for that month. I also have a instax mini camera which I absolutely love using for my scrapbook! In some months I'll have a couple of polaroids where I'll dot them about the page, but when I have quite a few from the same day I like to block them together. </div>
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Once I'm happy with the layout I then stick them down! Depending on how I'm feeling I'll either stick them down with pva glue or with masking tape. What I like about scrapbooking is that I can go through the photos I've taken (all on my phone!), choose my favourites, and then use them in something I know I'll actually look back on, because I don't know about you but once I've taken my photos they just tend to sit in my phone! I also like to save things from places I've been to, so on this page I stuck in a theatre ticket from when Tom and I went to see Shrek the Musical, but I'll also keep things like train tickets or cards I've received. I have an accordion file which I have labelled with each month, so as I collect things I can put them in the correct month so I know what goes where when it comes to sticking them in. I've found that I don't end up using every single photo I order, or every single ticket that I've kept, but it's nice to have a choice over what I put in when I get to a page. Anything that I don't use I put together in their own folder in case I can use them as background things further down the line. </div>
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I think one of things I find most difficult, is deciding what I want to use for a title each month. For April's page I used some brown paper and flower patterned plastic sheet that I got from a bunch of flowers I had before! As well as keeping tickets etc, I also keep anything I can use to add something else to my pages or pick up things like postcards from places I visit to add in. </div>
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As I've got the protective wallets for the pages, I stick things on both sides of the page and the other side for April is below! </div>
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As well as showing you the process I go through when setting up a page, I thought you might also enjoy seeing some completed pages from my 2016/17 scrapbook. You'll see that when I've been somewhere for a day out or taken a lot of photos in a day, I like to dedicate a whole page to it. I also like to create spreads for trips so below you'll see a double page spread of when Tom and I went to London and Edinburgh, when I went to Suffolk for a week last year and a three page spread of our holiday to Majorca!</div>
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I knew that I would enjoy scrapbooking, but I didn't realise how much I would! I love having all my photos together, along with different things like tickets that spark a memory, and also the space to write out any information or mainly inside jokes between myself and Tom from days out together. Having completed a scrapbook it's so nice going back and remembering things about the year that otherwise I would forget. As I spend a lot of my time on a computer at work, I love having a creative hobby that's offline and the action of cutting and sticking is quite therapeutic. I've already mentioned that I have an accordion file where I keep things like tickets etc throughout the year so I know what month they align to, but I also have two clip storage boxes from Hobbycraft where I keep scrapbooking things. One is dedicated to different cards and papers that I've picked up (I particularly like Paperchase for postcards!) and the other is for other things like stickers, washi tape and different patterned scissors. Hobbycraft are also a great place to pick up different cards/papers and embellishments at a reasonable price. </div>
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WOW that turned this turned out a longer post than I was expecting and I'm hoping I haven't forgotten anything - if you don't scrapbook I hope this has provided you with some inspiration to start and if you already scrapbook I'd love to see how you set out your pages as everyone's are so different! Let me know if you'd like to see a run through of my 2018 scrapbook once I've completed it, and if I've missed anything or you have any questions about scrapbooking send them my way.</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-14233761864995361202018-09-21T15:31:00.000+01:002018-09-21T15:31:47.735+01:00Things I Learnt Whilst at University<div style="text-align: justify;">
Five years ago today I moved from Suffolk to Sheffield to begin my English Literature degree at The University of Sheffield. I cannot believe it has been five years (!). Going away to university was a really exciting yet scary time, and throughout the three years of my degree I learnt a lot of things about myself, with a few English Literature related things along the way. This week was Fresher's week for 2018 and sitting through a welcome talk with the stench of weed and energy drinks took me right back to the start of my degree (not that I had any weed or in fact energy drinks). I thought it would be fun to share with you some things that I learnt whilst I was at university (this list is not an exhaustive list as you would be here all day).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby faced me! This was taken within my first week of being in Sheffield when Tom and I ventured into town for a look around</td></tr>
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You can create a home almost anywhere as long as you have a few things around you and the right people. Growing up I had always lived in the same house and so moving away to Sheffield not only meant leaving home it meant leaving the only house I had ever known as home. From my experience of going from halls to a student house, and then into mine and Tom's house, once you've put out your bits and feel comfortable in the space you're living in, you've made yourself a home.</div>
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Some of the people you meet in the first couple of days of moving into halls/starting uni can end up being your friends throughout the whole of your degree (and after!) What's great about moving into halls is that everyone knows nobody so you're all in the same boat, and everyone's up for making friends. The amount of people you meet may seem overwhelming, but some of those first few can go onto become proper friendships. On my second day in Sheffield I went on a tour my Residential Mentor was running, where she split us into subject areas so we could get to know people on our course before lectures started the week after. It was because of this that I met Lucy and fast forward five years we're still the best gal pals and we even went on <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2018/05/whitby.html">holiday to Whitby</a> together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDW3SRu00aat3f-o1OYoB4EHXV6B-PR4tlKf4rR-cueoiNttgpLJdXZvN0o508FxE5N1EIZu9YVQakcbnYGNSdzesK6c9tnxpy-hkNeeGzgsHxLG7cVh6m7VOnJ47AN5jLeg2QaYgDtK8L/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDW3SRu00aat3f-o1OYoB4EHXV6B-PR4tlKf4rR-cueoiNttgpLJdXZvN0o508FxE5N1EIZu9YVQakcbnYGNSdzesK6c9tnxpy-hkNeeGzgsHxLG7cVh6m7VOnJ47AN5jLeg2QaYgDtK8L/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" /></a></div>
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Cheese costs an absolute bomb. </div>
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I like being able to wake up late every morning and I miss this in my graduate life. </div>
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It's hard trying to share a single bed with someone where you either end up pressed against a wall, or gripping onto the side of the bed for dear life so that you don't fall off (cheers Tom). </div>
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See your friends as much as possible. Whilst at university all your friends are within a 10 minute walk, but suddenly you've graduated and one friend has gone down south, one's gone up north, and another has gone back to Australia (Will come and visit soon please). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj3j2Y4YOnI94aHCL9xPW6UYkxm0IYcLtvbh3EguLGT-HRSv-2VB-Si4q4R0qkf0kPvImE9AhnfY787TR1cXHMR_YZL9ozSGGS7Xm1spPHpQvwVTuD5fWIwEZ5x-MtHBG5GUSnqJ5CjiM/s1600/DSCF3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj3j2Y4YOnI94aHCL9xPW6UYkxm0IYcLtvbh3EguLGT-HRSv-2VB-Si4q4R0qkf0kPvImE9AhnfY787TR1cXHMR_YZL9ozSGGS7Xm1spPHpQvwVTuD5fWIwEZ5x-MtHBG5GUSnqJ5CjiM/s1600/DSCF3346.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sometimes it's going to be hard, and that's okay. </div>
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You shouldn't carry a bowl of coco pops down really steep stairs as when you fall down the bowl will end up flipping up your wall leaving coco pops and a milk residue stuck to it. </div>
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Having a food or drink enough times can make you like it. When Tom and I went to Krakow we kept accidentally buying sparkling rather than still water and because I didn't want to waste it I would always drink it, which eventually made me like it. Some people may think it's disgusting but it means more water for me at a buffet when everyone's gone for still. </div>
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Everyone works differently and at different paces, and there isn't a 'one size fits all' kind of life. </div>
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I need a coffee when I get up in order to function throughout the day.</div>
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You can watch a film for the millionth time and still notice something new (for me it was who I've termed 'Weird Hagrid' in Harry Potter and the Philsopher's Stone, and CGI Neville)</div>
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Everyone has a different idea of when it's 'cold enough' for the heating to go on. </div>
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Fresher's Flu is a real struggle. </div>
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Train journey's are not always fun, sometimes it can be delayed for 2 hours, sometimes it can miss your stop completely, and sometimes you can get a train mid-August in the baking heat where no windows can be opened and you feel like a stunt double for the Wicked Witch of the West. </div>
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'Don't go to university in a relationship' is a load of crap. (To fill you in if you're new here: Tom and I have been together since we were 15 and we both ended up going to the same university because we individually liked it, not because the other was going there.) I completely get that when you move away and go to university how you are as a person changes but that doesn't mean that your relationship can't grow with these changes. Tom and I always said that we'd give it a go and if it didn't work out it didn't work out, rather than throw it all in before we left (because imagine where we'd be today if we had!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5twOnWDngpAZuyJLBl_vZFeyl8Ef1a8DcQKngkE6rdMFVAGU6CcuiHm13hocSz0G5_vpmJhlh07l_v1ZH4YHpewl_rEqheJHbl9s_yjV7pMz7ZohJZU6LkJqjlmJiqgoDdRYCixwP-Br/s1600/IMG_2047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5twOnWDngpAZuyJLBl_vZFeyl8Ef1a8DcQKngkE6rdMFVAGU6CcuiHm13hocSz0G5_vpmJhlh07l_v1ZH4YHpewl_rEqheJHbl9s_yjV7pMz7ZohJZU6LkJqjlmJiqgoDdRYCixwP-Br/s1600/IMG_2047.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jess x</div>
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jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-63145335819623216832018-09-04T18:00:00.000+01:002018-09-04T18:00:05.694+01:00Autumn Photo Challenge 2018<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ah September. Children are starting to go back to school, hushed mentions of the 'C' holiday are mentioned, and summer starts to transition into autumn. The heatwave is definitely over; I'm starting to pull all my jumpers out and thinking whether I need to get a new coat to combat the cold. Autumn is my favourite season of the year - the cosy jumpers, the walks amongst the fallen leaves and aaaaaall the roast dinners (!) To celebrate the start of the transition into autumn, I have set myself a photo challenge to try and capture all the best things about the season. I've taken part in other people's photo challenges in the past (looking at you <a href="http://www.twentysomethingmeltdown.com/">Gwennan</a>), but this year I wanted to make my own to focus on my favourite things of the season! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFXuBOa6mTCLDxiKTWAtcCHy_ADn0FaXoFjUnAAmLlcvL8tWq43ECCC5Z9X5Q0dLzNrycC1L3bedWaf8Z_qKzsFib7oqr4AFWgEPbrQFxiXbH0nvnJYoNlviwKpMxNIiV5X7BoYuaO72n/s1600/Autumn+Photo+Challenge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFXuBOa6mTCLDxiKTWAtcCHy_ADn0FaXoFjUnAAmLlcvL8tWq43ECCC5Z9X5Q0dLzNrycC1L3bedWaf8Z_qKzsFib7oqr4AFWgEPbrQFxiXbH0nvnJYoNlviwKpMxNIiV5X7BoYuaO72n/s1600/Autumn+Photo+Challenge.png" /></a></div>
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I thought twenty photos would be manageable whilst still being a challenge to capture everything. I've left them vague so that I can have some fun with them and I've love it if you'd take part in the challenge too! I'm going to be posting my photos over on my instagram and will be using #jlkautumn so I can see all my photos together so be sure to use the hashtag for your photos too! </div>
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Happy snapping!</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-87243155384815814222018-08-28T18:36:00.000+01:002018-08-28T18:36:20.324+01:00Chocolate Kinder Bueno Cupcakes<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week I made these amazing cupcakes (if I say so myself) for my mum and they were so good that I had to share the recipe with you! They're a chocolatey sponge, topped with a lot (!) of chocolate buttercream icing, and a chunk of a Kinder Bueno I found the recipe on <a href="https://www.janespatisserie.com/">Jane's Patisserie</a>; if you've been a reader for a while you'll know that I've used her recipes in the past and they've always been amazing - these did not disappoint! This recipe makes 12 cupcakes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk-um29_jmff6o2KRd0rtMFwhAn9HvRol-bqjp_rXDJzj-qEBshZcrVsMUeETKc6yyRuelt_QWOVsSeQjtkx-C8g2kwdVBD_Zp4482VzdCmiKEZdbgNv4JTCVtfKRbh3u9MI_sXxGC3-A/s1600/IMG_4226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk-um29_jmff6o2KRd0rtMFwhAn9HvRol-bqjp_rXDJzj-qEBshZcrVsMUeETKc6yyRuelt_QWOVsSeQjtkx-C8g2kwdVBD_Zp4482VzdCmiKEZdbgNv4JTCVtfKRbh3u9MI_sXxGC3-A/s1600/IMG_4226.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>Items needed:</i></div>
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12 cupcakes cases and cupcake tray</div>
Large bowl<br />
Mixer/electric beater<br />
Bowl/saucepan to melt chocolate<br />
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<i>Ingredients:</i></div>
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<b>Cupcakes</b></div>
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175g Butter</div>
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175g Light Brown Sugar</div>
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3 Large or 4 Medium eggs</div>
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140g Self-Raising Flour</div>
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35g Cocoa Powder</div>
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1tsp Vanilla Extract</div>
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2 - 3 tbsp Milk</div>
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<b>Buttercream Icing</b></div>
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150g Butter</div>
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300g Icing Sugar</div>
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100g Chocolate (I couldn't find any Kinder chocolate so I used Dairy Milk)</div>
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Kinder Bueno Bars to top</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsWPUcoGlO6kPlw7hZ0-xtOXV8UZcI1bBhqfYtkII1o93FyoTTroiBNf_LlSJij68t5LkQUKTFwQSHtUH6AhFt8KPVZMSwzFBjozGfUFlR3cHwStOPrvoiLtChcR-dBwBhwA5fePbRTCt/s1600/IMG_4233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsWPUcoGlO6kPlw7hZ0-xtOXV8UZcI1bBhqfYtkII1o93FyoTTroiBNf_LlSJij68t5LkQUKTFwQSHtUH6AhFt8KPVZMSwzFBjozGfUFlR3cHwStOPrvoiLtChcR-dBwBhwA5fePbRTCt/s1600/IMG_4233.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>Method:</i></div>
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- Line your cupcake case tray with cupcake cases, and preheat your oven to 170C (I had mine on the equivalent of 200C because I knew my cooker would need to be higher but amend this to what suits your oven type!)</div>
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- Cream together the butter and sugar, and then add the eggs, flour, cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Beat together until combined, and add a splash of milk if the mixture seems a bit stiff.</div>
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- Spoon the mixture into your cupcake cases - I used some larger Bake Off cases and the petal like detail on the sides ended up helping the icing stay on top of the cake! Bake in the oven for 18 - 20 minutes or until cooked through (after 22 minutes mine were ready but again this is completely dependent on your oven and how it likes to cook!) Leave to cool.</div>
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- Once the cupcakes are cool it's time to make the icing! Melt the chocolate via your preferred method and leave to one side. Cream the butter in your bowl, and add 1/3 of the icing sugar and beat again until combined. Repeat this until all the icing sugar has been incorporated.</div>
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- Add in the melted chocolate and continue to beat until you have a beautifully mixed icing ready to go on the cupcakes!</div>
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- Top the cupcakes with your icing (I have no idea how to pipe icing so I just plop it on with a spoon) and a chunk of Kinder Bueno to each cupcake - I used one chunk but if you feel like sticking two chunks in you go for it.</div>
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- EAT ALL THE CAKE</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9hNtTMviVriEJBjo8O7pWTUMPyLDegL6hQ8uLSfsoxDLQFcfdZLMhz8X33Ha2a22Ge4UEL6rCv6cj_ToFpXz5LH1FqeNmELt22T7uBOYkuHF6D73uXZjgQ1Z2qRC-CyCqHi6Txhugoz9/s1600/IMG_4230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9hNtTMviVriEJBjo8O7pWTUMPyLDegL6hQ8uLSfsoxDLQFcfdZLMhz8X33Ha2a22Ge4UEL6rCv6cj_ToFpXz5LH1FqeNmELt22T7uBOYkuHF6D73uXZjgQ1Z2qRC-CyCqHi6Txhugoz9/s1600/IMG_4230.JPG" /></a></div>
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I can vouch that these went down a treat with my mum, my dad, myself and Tom. I think a testament to a good cake is how long they hang around for - these did not last long! I will definitely make these again, but for now I'll scroll through choosing what I want to make next. What are some of your favourite sweet treat recipes? I'm always open to making more cake!</div>
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Jess x </div>
<br />jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-87327773556154457522018-08-01T18:00:00.000+01:002018-08-01T18:00:03.115+01:00Staycation in Suffolk<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few weeks ago myself and Tom took a trip down to Suffolk to stay at his dad's for a weeks holiday. We decided to have a staycation this year and it was during the UK heatwave so we were really lucky with the weather! I've now been back at work for a few weeks and it seems like a long time since I had my holiday, and so I thought it was about time to look through my snaps and share them with you! If you're new around here, you may not know that both myself and Tom are from Suffolk (now living in Sheffield) and so we knew some of the places we visited but hadn't been to them for a very long time and we had not been to them together before.</div>
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After travelling down the A1and A14 for a few hours accompanied by our updated Sat Nav voice (we went with the Australian man) we reached Tom's dad's house which is located a few miles outside of Ipswich. Our afternoon and evening was spent sitting outside on their comfy sofas and having a BBQ (I was so excited when Steve rang up Tom the night before asking if we wanted one). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOi2Oo6lH4-RZPaALoKg8DSnWvLooTb47a-qdnvF9aqvawzxbm8LA709B98uuaDyK1tA1gJiAkj5Ul2-Z3BqJriq9AWy9yyJHpSU_kqsmIaMKVZzcmlrzYMfNRq5LXF1Ru13loJgfM-l1/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOi2Oo6lH4-RZPaALoKg8DSnWvLooTb47a-qdnvF9aqvawzxbm8LA709B98uuaDyK1tA1gJiAkj5Ul2-Z3BqJriq9AWy9yyJHpSU_kqsmIaMKVZzcmlrzYMfNRq5LXF1Ru13loJgfM-l1/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBKjOC3x8KdIdra2AAj18M43EH7OeoeHnb2c92Ad8sbeiqqGLKDkAVjsyTNBhM_TasLJ5IKrxO2DjFwqYm5MDKqsj9NTJ31ySoQYv4fguuHt1HaafWISeckrt2RASz-OyAUO50SsGUXcw/s1600/IMG_3585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBKjOC3x8KdIdra2AAj18M43EH7OeoeHnb2c92Ad8sbeiqqGLKDkAVjsyTNBhM_TasLJ5IKrxO2DjFwqYm5MDKqsj9NTJ31ySoQYv4fguuHt1HaafWISeckrt2RASz-OyAUO50SsGUXcw/s1600/IMG_3585.jpg" /></a></div>
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On the Sunday we completed a mass tour of Tom's family living further north and a part of this included going to see the house that I grew up in (my parents moved late last year and this was the first time I had gone back to Suffolk when they no longer lived there) and going for a short walk up the lane. It might not look like anything special, but this lane is filled with so many memories from my childhood; of my nanna and grandad taking me to pick blackberries, taking both our family and grandparent's dogs for walks, Tilly shimmying out of her harness and Tom having to run after her, and the time that it rained so hard on a walk that my trainers gained a helpful hole in the bottom. After a trip down memory lane (quite literally) we stopped for an ice cream before carrying on the family tour. Always carry a big bottle of water with you, drink it, and have rests on hot days, because I found out the hard way what happens when you don't. It equals being ill, needing a massive nap with a fan on when you get back to where you are staying, and missing out on a roast dinner. #idonotrecommend</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhZQJh0g8FP7lI7nN48LbBE4-fF6SoCVsR0eTV1gPuS-36O5Oz1avfXlMS44VLoHFtXvmd8ijaeCGvM5QvPdk0wgRCN1QmgB3SnJ5CUxQMbwPQUq8ThCFAVi_q9gsqJZox_CH8vd0dEiX/s1600/IMG_3603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhZQJh0g8FP7lI7nN48LbBE4-fF6SoCVsR0eTV1gPuS-36O5Oz1avfXlMS44VLoHFtXvmd8ijaeCGvM5QvPdk0wgRCN1QmgB3SnJ5CUxQMbwPQUq8ThCFAVi_q9gsqJZox_CH8vd0dEiX/s1600/IMG_3603.JPG" /></a></div>
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On the Monday we took a trip to Colchester Zoo which neither of us had been to since we were children. Fun fact for you, one of the first days out that Tom and I spent together before we were a couple was at Kessingland Zoo when we were 14. This time we opted for Colchester because it was a lot nearer, and it's absolutely massive (we ended up spending about 6 hours there walking round). We were happy to see that the animals had a lot of space and that the Zoo had a lot of information about how endangered each species was and what they were doing for conservation. Our day included seeing the Sea Lions be fed, going on a little train to a Lemur walk, and even feeding an Elephant. Of course the day was rounded up by having a Mr Whippy!</div>
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The sea. Oh how I miss the sea. If you've been a reader for a long time, or follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesslouisekeen/">Instagram</a>, you should know how much I love the sea and how much I miss living a short drive away (I think the nearest beach to Sheffield is about an hour and a half away?). So when I stay somewhere that is in the vicinity of the sea I of course have to go for a visit! We took a trip to Aldeburgh (it's a fancy sea side town) to meet up with Tom's Grandad for some Fish and Chips. It was actually really windy in Aldeburgh and I ended up putting a cardigan on (!) but I still went for a paddle, before walking along the sea front from the car park into the town. After visiting Aldeburgh we stopped off at Snape Maltings where I picked up a new blanket, before heading over to my grandparents and then my Aunt's house. </div>
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We decided to have more of a chilled day on the Wednesday and so we spent most of the day at Steve's in the garden, but in the afternoon we went to Flatford Mill before going to visit my Aunty where we had Dominos for tea (winning). Flatford Mill is beautiful. We actually have a painting of the mill hung up in our lounge that my granddad painted and so I thought it would be lovely to visit the actual site. (Turns out my parents did take me before many moons ago but I just don't remember). This was such a serene and calm place; we went on one of the mapped out walks (where we saw all the sheep) and took a walk alongside the river. I loved it so much here that the photo of Willy Lott's House is now my screensaver at work; no wonder Constable decided to paint it (this is one of the reasons why the mill and surrounding area is well known).</div>
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On our final day we didn't want to go very far because of the long car journey we had ahead of us the following day, and so we went to Felixstowe where we again saw the sea (yay!) and I even managed to get Tom to have a paddle this time. We went to the arcade and played on the 2p machines, before eating our lunch along the seafront and getting some freshly made doughnuts. I then spent most of the afternoon having a nap outside on the comfy sofa whilst Tom read his book, and to finish off our trip we took Steve and Sharon out for tea as a thank you for having us to stay.</div>
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I won't lie to you, I did really want to go abroad on holiday but it just wasn't feasible for us this year which was why we decided to have staycation, and actually, I loved our holiday. It was really lovely to go back to Suffolk again because although I'm glad that I now live in Sheffield, it's a comforting place to go back to and explore places both of us hadn't been to for a long time. As these were places that we had not really been to together because they were a lot further south than where we used to live, it was lovely to hear Tom's stories and be able to share mine with him, whilst making our own memories in these places together. Having hot weather also helped the enjoyment levels! I'm hoping that we'll be able to have a Sheffield-based staycation at the end of the month, and I'm looking forward to exploring the places around where we live more. </div>
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Jess x </div>
<br />jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-71750466824834015442018-07-12T18:00:00.000+01:002018-07-12T18:00:20.741+01:00June 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wowee where did June go and how are we more than half way through the year?!<br />
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1.// We went out for a curry with my parents (I am in this photo but I've been cut off by the square setting lol) where we had a giant naan and spicier than spice curry.<br />
2.// Tom and I made the trip over to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to see Taylor Swift - the props and special effects were really good and I managed to drive back through Snake Pass in the dark.<br />
3.// Tom and I played mini golf before going to see the new Jurassic World film where I had my first Tango Blast (I can vouch that I will be getting one again).<br />
4.// We went to Brodsworth Hall for the afternoon; the Hall was okay but the gardens were amaaazing and it felt like we were away in another country.<br />
5.// Before the heatwave hit we went for a walk up on Stanage Edge - Tilly enjoyed running between the rocks and Tom and Tilly had a Simba moment (check this out on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesslouisekeen">instagram</a>!)<br />
6.// Many an afternoon was spent out in the garden in the sunshine with the odd nap involved.<br />
7.// We made the trip up to Durham to see Tom's brother Lewis graduate (like our graduation it was an incredibly hot day!)<br />
8.// Whilst in Durham and in Lewis' Department's celebratory garden party Tom's shoes fell apart.<br />
9.// The end of the month saw Tom and I travel down to Suffolk for a holiday.<br />
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How was your June?<br />
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Jess xjesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-54922846113433537182018-06-30T17:00:00.000+01:002018-06-30T17:00:12.854+01:00Top Reads from my Degree<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two years ago I finished my English Literature degree. During the three years leading up to that point I read A LOT of books - as you would expect - and whenever I tell someone what my degree was in I always get asked 'what did you read'?. Most of the time I think people are hoping I'll mention a book that they've read as well, and whilst some of the bits I read were the usual classics, a lot were pieces that you wouldn't generally read unless you had a specific interest in the area. That being said, I thought I'd share with you my top reads from my degree that I think you should give a try. I'll share a bit about what each book entails but I will stay vague so that I don't ruin anything for you!<br />
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - Lewis Carroll</h4>
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Now we've all seen the Disney film, but have you all read the book? I had read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland previously, but I had not read Through the Looking Glass. I read both of these as a part of my Romantic and Victorian Prose module. It was really interesting to read them both together and look at them from a literature background on such things like the representation of childhood moving towards adulthood, both within the text and the difference in images between the two. </div>
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is different to the Disney film, but still follows the tale of Alice falling down the rabbit hole and her adventures in Wonderland with the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts. In Through the Looking Glass Alice is a little bit older and goes through a mirror to a parallel-type world where there are familiar faces that appear as different characters because Alice cannot recognise them for who they are because she's starting to move away from her childhood. </div>
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The Reader - Bernhard Schlink</h4>
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I read The Reader as part of my Representation of the Holocaust module. The Reader is split into three parts, focusing on different stages of Michael's life and his relationship with an older woman Hanna Schmitz. Although focusing on the pair, the book deals with the difficulties post-war German generations had in comprehending the Holocaust, and examines the figure of the perpetrator as part of this comprehension.</div>
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*There is a film of the book which is a good adaptation, but I would read the book first!*</div>
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Caleb Williams - William Godwin</h4>
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Caleb Williams was one that seemed to split people I spoke to in my module; most of my friends hated it but I really enjoyed it. I read this as part of my Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature module which was an era that I had never really read anything from; at school it seemed to be you read Shakespeare and then jumped into the Victorian era. Caleb is told a story about a man he works for, Falkland Ferdinand, and begins to examine details of his life which leads him to the conclusion that he thinks Falkland is a murderer. The book then follows the revelation of this, and the pursuit of Caleb by Falkland to ensure that his secret is not revealed. </div>
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Short Stories - Katherine Mansfield </h4>
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I read a few of Katherine Mansfield's short stories in my first and third year, for my Studying Prose module and my Modern Literature module. In particular I read The Garden Party, At the Bay, and Prelude. The stories are obviously all different but what drew me to her writing was her connection with prominent issues like class through her pieces. I bought the collection when I finished my degree because I enjoyed the stories and wanted to read some more! </div>
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'None of Us Will Return' Auschwitz and After - Charlotte Delbo </h4>
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Auschwitz and After is a beautifully heart wrenching collection from Birkenau survivor Charlotte Delbo. I also read this as a part of my Representing the Holocaust module, and 'None of Us Will Return' focuses on Delbo's experience of the camp. Delbo, a political prisoner, explores her experience through poetry and prose, and along with her own experience, shares the experience of others in the camp who are unable to share their own. </div>
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In Cold Blood - Truman Capote </h4>
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In Cold Blood is a non-fiction novel detailing the murder of the Herbert Clutter Family, and I read this as a part of my Contemporary Literature module. It examines the lives of the four members of the family, the two murderers, and other residents of the town. I found this interesting not only because of the non-fiction aspect, but also with its engagement with questions about the death penalty and being on death row. </div>
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My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me - Jennifer Teege </div>
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I read My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me for my dissertation; Jennifer's mother featured in a documentary that I was focusing one of my dissertation sections on, about descendants of prominent Nazi perpetrators. This book follows Jennifer's discovery of who her grandfather was, and also focuses on her turbulent relationship with her mother and examines her attempts to come to terms with the revelation of her ancestor.</div>
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Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy </h4>
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I've already talked about how much I love Tess way back when I did a post on the <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2014/09/10-books-that-left-lasting-impression.html">10 Books That Left a Lasting Impression</a> and my <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2015/07/top-five-classics.html">Top Five Classics</a> and if you are still yet to read it surely my third time recommending it should be enough for you? I was able to read this as part of my Darwin and the Nineteenth-Century Novel module, and I know this is a book that I will continue to re-read throughout my life. I'm not entirely sure what it is about Tess that I love; it's a very depressing book but Hardy writes so beautifully which is why he is one of my all time favourite authors. I think it's also because Tess was one of the first 'classics' that I read at A Level and was the start of what became my absolute love of English Literature as a subject. </div>
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This book focuses on Tess, a farmer's daughter, whose father discovers they are descended from an old family called the D'Urberville's, and the journey that befalls her after this discovery and the lasting effect this discovery has on her and her family's life. </div>
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Persuasion - Jane Austen</h4>
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I had read a few Jane Austen novels before I went to University; Pride and Prejudice and also Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, so I enjoyed having the chance to read another one of her novels as a part of my Romantic and Victorian Prose module. The story focuses on Anne Elliot whose family are moving to get out of debt. Previously Anne had been engaged to Frederick Wentworth who at the time was not wealthy and had no great family name behind him but in the present Anne and Frederick meet again, both still unmarried but Frederick now a wealthy man. As with most Austen novels this has issues of wealth and class throughout and the importance society places on both of these. </div>
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Great Expectations - Charles Dickens </h4>
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Can you tell that I like a good Victorian novel? I hadn't really read much of Dickens but knew a lot of the stories, and I had a vague idea about Great Expectations and its characters. This follows the journey of Pip from childhood to adulthood, from the point of view of adult Pip. In particular it depicts the character of Miss Havisham and the impact that Pip's encounters with her has on his life. Pip, a poor orphan, is pushed into the world of wealth and luxury by Miss Havisham as part of a wider plan she has, and the story focuses on the themes of wealth, class, love, rejection and good and evil.</div>
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I hope that this has been able to provide some ideas of new books to read that you might not normally engage with. Have you got any recommendations for me? I've gotten back into reading this year as I set myself the goal of reading twelve books in twelve months and I'd love to add some of your recommendations to my to read list!</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-6880031219121958552018-06-21T20:41:00.000+01:002018-06-21T20:50:37.079+01:00Turning a Rented House into a Home<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's now been two years since Tom and I moved out of our student house and into our own house (how quickly has that gone?!). We all know that there are certain limitations on how much you can do to put your own stamp on the a rented property; you can't go knocking down walls or ripping out the kitchen, but there are loads of ways you can turn your standard house into a home! </div>
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Whilst in our student house we decorated our individual rooms; moving to a house meant that we suddenly had five rooms to decorate, in a way that <i>both</i> of us were happy with. Luckily Tom's quite chilled with decorations, but there were still certain things he wanted in the house so we had to reach a compromise on some specific items (e.g. Tom's Ipswich Town merch).</div>
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So when you come into our house you are immediately in the kitchen. Despite having one cupboard each in our student house we have easily filled up the cupboards we have now. It's so much easier having designated cupboards for different things, and as our kitchen is fairly small we've tried to not to crowd the worktops with items. As the kitchen walls are tiled we are not able to put up any clocks/pictures etc, so we have covered one side of our fridge in magnets.</div>
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Moving through our kitchen you then come to the lounge. The big things like the sofa/dining table/coffee table/mirror belong to our landlord so we didn't have to worry about splashing out on these items, but everything else we've added ourselves. I think a big point is that although you may rent a house that is furnished, you can still add in your own pieces of furniture to suit your needs. One of my favourite areas of the lounge is the picture wall behind the sofa, which we continue to add to. (I know not all landlords allow people to put things on the wall, but ours were happy with it as long as we fill the holes in when we leave). Having the big mirror on the wall where I would assume used to be a fire place, really opens up the room and makes it seem a lot bigger than it actually is.<br />
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As you can probably tell Tom and I love a good film which is why we have an extensive DVD library in our lounge. When we were looking round this house I could see where our furniture would fit into this room, and we've put two bookcases together to create a mantelpiece type area below the mirror, and means that all of our DVD's are out where we can see them together. On top of the bookcases we have a couple of plants (ones that don't take much to look after!), a few candles and pictures, and to make it more cosy I've interspersed a set of fairy lights which we can turn on in the evening.<br />
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This big bookcase on the right was left here by the previous tenants as when we looked round they said they were going to get rid of it when they moved out so I asked if they could leave it for us. It's not great for books because there's no back and there's obviously been something heavy on some of the shelves as they're not quite straight, so I turned this into a decorative area that's still functional. We store our cookbooks on the bottom shelf, and then the rest of the shelves house different decorative items - the majority of these we already had when we moved in so it was just about putting them out in a way where they worked together.<br />
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We're very lucky in that our bedroom is large and can accommodate a lot of storage - again the big things like the bed, a couple of the chest of drawers and our wardrobe belong to our landlord, but we've added in bedside drawers, a dressing table, and we've bought another chest of drawers. Again we have some pictures on the walls, and we also have a tv where we can watch films and also play on our Playstation One! On our chest of drawers we have different objects that we've collected together over the years.<br />
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We live in a terraced house, and we're lucky that we have the extra space of having our bathroom go over the alleyway, which means we gain a second bedroom. Our bathroom is small and again we can't put anything on the wall because it's tiled, but doing small things like using a patterned shower curtain makes the room feel like ours.<br />
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Our second bedroom houses all of our books and has all my craft bits in. I'm going to be cheeky and not show you this room quite yet because we want to redesign how we use this room and I want to be able to show you the process of this in another post!<br />
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Living in a rented house doesn't mean that you can't make it into your own home and design things your own way. Even if it comes with furniture you can still buy your own, and move your landlords about to accommodate what you need - our bed was the other way round when we moved in but by moving it to where it is now we opened up a lot more of the space available to us. Always check with your landlord if they're happy for you to put things on the wall, and if not there's plenty of ways you can still put up pictures to make it personal to you. Also rented or not, it's always good to keep in mind that it is never going to be exactly how you want it right away and you'll find you change things as you live in the space and redesign as you go along (a perfect example of this is how we are planning to redesign our second bedroom into a proper office space). I hope that you've enjoyed having a look into our we have decorated our home and I hope it's provided some inspiration for you in your space.<br />
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-60274603149821006952018-06-09T16:18:00.001+01:002018-06-09T16:18:59.886+01:00May 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJlNVAE4BBkO8Y-w-dWPfuwMzsU3Bu5sVfnjBCWfA9SFCBM02vBKg9NFwLt2d8vFg6P4oKrkBfOfmitznSgWCLM26oxgoqbB23b5Gc_jkpalFpli2NcI5IxQ5grQmm0_gnXVZWzfOUahI/s1600/IMG_3224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJlNVAE4BBkO8Y-w-dWPfuwMzsU3Bu5sVfnjBCWfA9SFCBM02vBKg9NFwLt2d8vFg6P4oKrkBfOfmitznSgWCLM26oxgoqbB23b5Gc_jkpalFpli2NcI5IxQ5grQmm0_gnXVZWzfOUahI/s1600/IMG_3224.JPG" /></a></div>
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1.// At the start of the month I went on holiday with Lucy to <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2018/05/whitby.html">Whitby</a>, and amongst other things we pretended to be Dracula at the Abbey.<br />
2.// The month was filled with sunny trips to my parents house and brawls between Tilly and Max.<br />
3.// Tom and I ventured to the Beer and Cider festival at the Students' Union where it was reaffirmed that I do not like Beer unless it's fruity.<br />
4.// We had a heatwave on the first May bank holiday weekend and took a trip to Castleton where Tilly loved going in the stream.<br />
5.// Whilst in Whitby I had a paddle in the sea which was freezing cold.<br />
6.// The second bank holiday weekend saw another heatwave and my parents whacked out the BBQ which was LUSH.<br />
7.// Because of the hot weather we took many a trip to Rivelin so Tilly could go for a dip in the weather.<br />
8.// I finished my sixth book of 2018 and so I'm already half way through my goal of 12 books in 12 months and I'm actually on book eight at the time of writing this!<br />
9.// All the bank holidays meant that I got to spend lots of time in the sunshine with Tom, Tilly, Max, my parents and Grandad.<br />
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How was your May?<br />
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Jess xjesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-64825100658670984502018-06-01T12:10:00.000+01:002018-06-01T12:10:16.188+01:00How I've been using my bullet journal and June set up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t6lJzqA3dx_lUjfokoM-xLdDtc5sG1QMK-W_md0qttOW-PJVzNO1Mlofnjxu0IDIbW6bKv5eRQfRXyn22SkSk9m6UD_xUomWMZ8ex01fCBezNWnCZTVrqKm3v9tIKmrP6-2ZPkWzBrqd/s1600/IMG_9458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t6lJzqA3dx_lUjfokoM-xLdDtc5sG1QMK-W_md0qttOW-PJVzNO1Mlofnjxu0IDIbW6bKv5eRQfRXyn22SkSk9m6UD_xUomWMZ8ex01fCBezNWnCZTVrqKm3v9tIKmrP6-2ZPkWzBrqd/s1600/IMG_9458.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although I started a bullet journal back in August of last year, I've been using this notebook for
2018 (you may remember <a href="http://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2017/12/bullet-journal-set-up-2018.html">my post</a> where I talked about how I had set it up for
this year) and thought this would be a good time to let you know how I've been
getting on with it, what I find works for me, and to show you my set up for
June.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Dots are definitely
better than lines. When I originally started using a bullet journal my notebook was
lined (I hadn't bought it with the intention of using it as a bullet
journal but then I found myself swept up in bullet journal videos and wanted a
go myself) but for 2018 I went for the </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leuchtturm1917
and I've found the dots to be less restrictive and it's simple enough to draw a
(near enough) straight line along the dots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">I've found the future log section really beneficial as I can write down
any appointments or things I need to remember in a certain month ahead of that
month, that I can refer back to when it comes around to setting out that months
spread.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">For the monthly spreads I start with a title page so that it is clearly defined and I give each month a theme. For June I went for lavender - sometimes I'll do some drawings on the title page but I think printing out images and sticking them in with masking tape looks just as good a<span style="font-family: inherit;">nd</span> doesn't take up loads of time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">After my title page comes my calendar layout for the month over a double
page spread. I've tried out a few ways of setting out the calendar but I've
found this works best for me as I can clearly see what's coming up, and the
squares aren't so small that I can't write anything in them. </span></span> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bdC0UY8y7_zYEQxYa9mdG6ygN39vbxgf1CbQU9sYtlePpbgAp7MOZq2o-HMgrVgdgUu14mlqLKxjQw0kKwmtcm94sO8Jxv-xl_HP-BNRt_JmWnW-KoR8L0kceOhqVZwU-pCudm25M3jW/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bdC0UY8y7_zYEQxYa9mdG6ygN39vbxgf1CbQU9sYtlePpbgAp7MOZq2o-HMgrVgdgUu14mlqLKxjQw0kKwmtcm94sO8Jxv-xl_HP-BNRt_JmWnW-KoR8L0kceOhqVZwU-pCudm25M3jW/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">After this it usually changes dependent on my needs/what I've got on, but for
June I've set out a double page for shopping lists (food shopping that is), and
then I've drawn out a weekly spread. I'll be honest with you, I haven't used a
weekly spread throughout the year, but I thought I'd give it a go this month
and see how I get on. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqv_6Pb_PR68unq_b9dW1QTssc40X21NL8yj3VPJgRFoxq9CBvfsPKiupY9dWzuBqtdTDXCK-qkD4cP3S98up1V0otLqnUwkhD6ayCgCWFeT4gTI7xTUz6c8oA1HQFdm_ELuP83mnia1S/s1600/IMG_3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqv_6Pb_PR68unq_b9dW1QTssc40X21NL8yj3VPJgRFoxq9CBvfsPKiupY9dWzuBqtdTDXCK-qkD4cP3S98up1V0otLqnUwkhD6ayCgCWFeT4gTI7xTUz6c8oA1HQFdm_ELuP83mnia1S/s1600/IMG_3184.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">After my weekly spread I've then designated a page
for blogpost ideas - I really like using a bullet journal because I can decide
on what order I want things to be in, and I can try out different things and
see if they work for me (FYI any kind of 'trackers' that other people seem to
use do not work for me). In a normal diary you would just have the set days,
but in my bullet journal I can have a shopping list on one page and then a
Eurovision sweepstakes on another (Tom won this year). I like that I can use it
for random things but also for keeping track of appointments and having these
all together in one place is so useful. </span></span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">I know that I'll continue to adapt how I use my bullet journal over the year and will report back to you once we hit 2019 (how scary is that?). I'd love to see any of your bullet journal posts - be sure to link the below!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Jess x </span></div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-6290016032479464542018-05-23T18:58:00.000+01:002018-05-23T18:58:06.383+01:004 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow I cannot believe that my little place on the internet (my 'slice of life' - who remembers that being my blog name?) is 4 years old today! I remember sitting at my desk in my room in Halls writing up my <a href="https://jesslouisekeen.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-one-where-it-all-begins.html">first post</a> (it's a bit of a cringey read) and being really excited to hit that publish button. A lot has happened since that day; I moved out of Halls and into a shared house for two years, I graduated with a degree in English literature, and moved in with Tom and Tilly and ventured into the world of work. </div>
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At uni I loved blogging as a way to not do work for my degree, and if you've been with me for a long time you'll know that I sort of lost my 'blogging self' after uni because I was going through a lot of change in my life and I didn't know how my blog fitted in with this as I had only ever known it with my uni life. There have been a couple of times since then that I've thought I should give up blogging entirely, but I'm really glad that I didn't give up but continued to produce content that I like (and I hope you do too!)</div>
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When I started my blog I didn't really have any aspirations for it other than using it as a way to document different parts of my life, but over the past year I've ventured out into working with brands and I've really enjoyed the chance to do so. Over the next year I hope to get into a regular schedule with blogging so both you and I know when content will be going up. I have some ideas of what I want to write about, but if there's anything you'd ever like to see or know about just let me know!</div>
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I've really enjoyed the ups and downs of blogging over the last four years and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes in the next year. If you've been here for a day or for all four years, I really appreciate you taking the time to read my ramblings and thank you for your continued support.</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-90627270990579064952018-05-18T18:00:00.000+01:002018-05-18T18:00:09.913+01:00Whitby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One thing I love about working is the fact that when I take a holiday it's free time and not filled with assessments like they used to be back in my degree. Months ago Lucy and I booked some time off work so we could go away for a few days, and after deliberating where to go we decided on Whitby as Lucy had never been before and I'll take any opportunity to visit the sea!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-9dkyg10tKuwda8UXNZRj1pmLbv9-IVnFOJtK8GcXVDOfleIHhNnmpiZW0Fz-B8nFrK17yclBLKfgMcjAora1mvH6synBq7FFQG658LZcYAvfziFM61ETgeIB7Aw2iojlAW_4B39brW_/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-9dkyg10tKuwda8UXNZRj1pmLbv9-IVnFOJtK8GcXVDOfleIHhNnmpiZW0Fz-B8nFrK17yclBLKfgMcjAora1mvH6synBq7FFQG658LZcYAvfziFM61ETgeIB7Aw2iojlAW_4B39brW_/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG" /></a></div>
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We stayed in an <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/129855?location=Whitby">airbnb</a> which I had never done before but I had a really good experience and would definitely go back to this property again. The flat is in a great location; it came with parking and I got the double bed thanks to winning rock paper scissors. It was a short walk to the Abbey, shops and restaurants; had amazing views from the bedrooms and balcony, and I would definitely recommend staying here if you're off to Whitby!</div>
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On our first day we walked along from our flat to the <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/">Abbey</a> which is situated at the top of the 199 steps (luckily we walked down them to the town rather than up to the Abbey!). You can see the Abbey from a distance in the car park or the nearby church, but we paid to go inside the museum which allowed us to walk around the ruins and this also included a free audio guide. There's also amazing views of the bay as it sits at the far end of the hill out towards the sea.</div>
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Before we went to Whitby I asked at work for recommendations of places to go and there were a lot of conflicting ideas around where you can get the best fish and chips, but we settled on <a href="http://www.magpiecafe.co.uk/">The Magpie Cafe</a> and were not disappointed! There are a lot of options available on the menu but if you're in a larger party you'll definitely need to book ahead. I can't comment on what their desserts are like as we were too stuffed after our fish and chips!</div>
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On our second day we went on the <a href="https://www.nymr.co.uk/Pages/Category/timetable">steam train</a> from Whitby to Pickering. I used to go on the steam train to Holt with my grandparents whenever we took a trip to Cromer, so it was lovely to be able to go on a trip and enjoy the hour and a half journey each way! We found there wasn't that much to do in Pickering, although since being back in Sheffield someone said the best day to go is a Saturday as there's a market on the main street, but there are also a number of places on the line that would be good to stop at for a walk in the Yorkshire Moors. One of the stops is Goathland which has become famous for being Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone film. </div>
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On both days we went to the arcade (we didn't win anything but Lucy had never been to one before so she was inducted into 2p machines) and went for a walk along the beach which on the second day resulted in me having a paddle in the sea (it was freezing cold but I hadn't seen a beach since about August so I felt I had to!). I love living in Sheffield but I really miss living closer to the seaside as I find it such a calming place to go to. </div>
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Not featured in these photos was a trip on the open top tour bus (good option if you're going about Whitby and want to hop on and off - especially at the top of the steps near the Abbey!), a teddy bear cone ice cream, and a viewing of the S Club Seeing Double film - all of which I would recommend. We both had a fab time away and I would definitely recommend you to take a trip as I will be going again myself one day!</div>
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Jess x </div>
jesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597669431511986375.post-1837228530663673072018-04-30T19:10:00.001+01:002018-04-30T19:10:47.166+01:00April 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1.// The month started off at my parents house completing an easter egg hunt (minus one bunny that my mum conveniently forgot the location of)</div>
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2.// I started a new job at the start of the month, and along with this I had my hair cut a lot shorter (I still haven't been able to master how to curl it with the straighteners)</div>
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3.// On a spur of the moment I bought tickets for myself and Tom to go and see Shrek the Musical - although sceptical Tom thoroughly enjoyed it, and we especially like the Lord Farquad kneeling man/puppet legs prop </div>
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4.// At the end of my second week in my new role we hosted the British Conference for Undergraduate Research which led to me feeling like a security guard with my walkie talkie and there was a lot of balloons</div>
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5.// We took a trip to Nottingham to go to the football for Tom's brothers' birthday. Their team lost and a drunk 75 year old on the train couldn't believe Tom had never had some 'Sally on the side'</div>
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6.// We had a mini heatwave which made me long for the summer sun; I bought myself a pair of 'mom jeans' which make me feel like I'm a part of Stranger Things minus the monsters, and I finished my fifth book of the year which puts me ahead in my 12 books in 12 months goal</div>
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7.// We had a student house reunion minus Luke plus Ross' brother Jordan which involved going for a curry. </div>
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8.// Tom and I took Tilly to Rivelin for a long walk after work and I became a fully trained first aider so if you fall over around me I'm now qualified to heal you</div>
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9.// Tom celebrated his 23rd (!) birthday which involved another curry and brownie cake. CEX also put the wrong game in the case for one of his presents but it turned out to be a better game so silver linings and all that.</div>
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How was your April?</div>
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Jess xjesslouisekeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035607104724643646noreply@blogger.com2