I shouldn’t really be surprised that barely going out (due to a lack of funds) has left me with something of a dearth of things to blog about, however I didn’t realise I’d left it quite as long as I had! [...]]]>

I shouldn’t really be surprised that barely going out (due to a lack of funds) has left me with something of a dearth of things to blog about, however I didn’t realise I’d left it quite as long as I had! Still, things are looking up, so here’s a few of the thing that have kept me feeling optimistic!

* Job leads – I have some work to do, and I’m working from home for the first time! I’m loving not having to drag myself out in the cold each day, but it’s taking all of my self-discipline!

* Spending time alone – I really like having so much alone time tat the moment. Its making me look after myself a bit better than I usually do and it makes me really appreciate the time I do spend with other people.

* Socialising at home – Sometimes (well, a lot of the time actually) it’s so much fun having a big group over and socialising at home or in someone else’s house instead of going out to pubs and bars. Also, drinking champagne at home is cheaper than drinking vodka and cokes out, so it’s a great excuse to break out the bubbles! 

* Wrapping Up – It’s freezing cold this week, and I’m making the most of it by bundling myself up in hoodies, leggings and slipper socks! Throw in a few cups of tea and I’m all set for the day! 

* Other – Writing late at night because that’s when I work best, trying out new pens, stroopwafels, posh yoghurts, plans to spend the weekend shooting zombies, leaving post-it notes everywhere, sleep! 

What’s making your world sparkle? 

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

* Job interviews – OK, so I don’t actually love the interviews themselves, in fact, they make me crazy with nerves, but they signify that things are looking up on the job-hunting front!

This week, I love:

* Job interviews – OK, so I don’t actually love the interviews themselves, in fact, they make me crazy with nerves, but they signify that things are looking up on the job-hunting front!

* Amazing cups of tea courtesy of Choi Time – review coming very soon, most likely tomorrow. 

* Typing a genre into last.fm and launching the radio – instant music to match my mood!

* Managing to apply a screen protector to my phone correctly FIRST TIME! I consider this to be my greatest achievement of the week, considering I usually ruin four or five before I get it right! 

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* Family – meeting my new niece last week,  and spending time with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephew. Also the cat, who received a disproportionate amount of my time and affection, naturally!

* Researching interesting ideas – I have some… I hesitate to call them projects because they may never happen / be made public so I guess ideas is the best way to describe them at the moment. Researching things I’m excited about is an exceedingly rewarding way to spend my time! 

What’s making your world sparkle this week?

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

Y’know, there are plenty of things to love about being unemployed, as long as you can survive on very little money and enjoy your own company (which I really do). This week I love:

* Good wine

Y’know, there are plenty of things to love about being unemployed, as long as you can survive on very little money and enjoy your own company (which I really do). This week I love:

* Good wine * Roasted root vegetables with thyme * Warm fuzzy slipper socks * Counting down until Skyrim’s release tomorrow * A long, stress-free and uninterrupted night’s sleep * Welch’s grape jelly – hard to find in the UK, but I love it * Sending away for free samples of.. all sorts of stuff * Trying out new healthy recipes – I keep being tempted to start a food blog, but the truth is I eat the same things most of the time  so although I love food, I’d probably run out of ideas pretty quickly * Waking up, grabbing my Kindle, and reading for half an hour before moving to start the day * Going to a gaming night tomorrow evening with some really good friends and their adorable cats * Absent-mindedly drawing on the backs of old envelopes * Organising my stash of cosmetic samples * 

What’s making your world sparkle this week?

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

Back into the swing of things, this week I love: 

* Hot drinks on cold days – it’s a lovely feeling, nursing a huge mug of tea in a warm room whilst it’s cold and windy outside, knowing that I [...]]]>

Back into the swing of things, this week I love: 

* Hot drinks on cold days – it’s a lovely feeling, nursing a huge mug of tea in a warm room whilst it’s cold and windy outside, knowing that I don’t have to go out. 

* Encouraging Feedback – Although I don’t actually have a job yet, I’ve had some encouraging feedback that’s keeping me optimistic about my chances (and helping me to think more positively about my interview performance, as I always think I’m terrible in job interviews!)

* Birthdays and amazing cake – The boy’s birthday heralded the arrival of the most amazing carrot cake made by a friend of ours! The party was good too…

Photo Credit

* The Boy’s New Health Craze – He’s trying to lose weight, and attempting to cook really healthy food. This means next week when it’s my turn to cook I can finally start feeding him some of my favourite vegetable-based and even (shock! horror!) meat-free meals and he won’t complain for once!

* Other – Having my laptop back again, reading magazines in the middle of the day, friends and family reassuring me that I’m not going to be unemployed forever, trying new flavours of tea, hand-writing things, realising that actually, I’m a lot tougher than I look, the blogosphere – my favourite source of information, always. 

What’s making your world sparkle this week? 

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

I’m still here and still unemployed, but I’ve just received my laptop back from being repaired (under warranty, thanks to a heating issue that I didn’t find out about until after I’d bought it, but which is apparently quite common in this model) and I’ve [...]]]>

I’m still here and still unemployed, but I’ve just received my laptop back from being repaired (under warranty, thanks to a heating issue that I didn’t find out about until after I’d bought it, but which is apparently quite common in this model) and I’ve been in something of an uninspiring “get up, job-hunt Online, eat, sleep” cycle that hasn’t been very conducive to blogging. This week however, I love:

* Coffee and Cake With Friends – There’s no better combination! I’ve been spending a lot of time in the flat alone recently, so going out for a chat and some delicious Victoria sponge cake yesterday was just what I needed!

* Farmers’ Markets – I’ve always loved them, but never been to the one in town because I had a job and it’s on one Wednesday each month. If I hadn’t been heading into the town centre for the aforementioned coffee and cake I wouldn’t have realised it was on, but I bought a couple of delicious-looking pies, some cheese, a lemon tart and some romanesco broccoli, which I’ve always wanted to try – it’s an edible fractal, how marvellously nerdy!

Photo Credit

* Yumi-Yumi Crepes – I think I’ve mentioned this place before, but the crepe cafe in our local cinema is amazing, and as well as crepes they sell excellent coffee and cakes (notice a theme here perhaps?) and amazing milkshakes with whole blended chocolate bars in them! 

* Make-Up – When working, I would brush a bit of powder foundation on my face and go. Right now of course, I have more time on my hands so I’m making the effort to do my make-up nicely every time I leave the flat, and I must admit it does have a positive effect on my self-confidence!

* Weekend Plans – Going to see Gary Numan tonight (tickets purchased before I lost my job), followed by a weekend of geeky fun with the boys. The zombies won’t know what hit them!

Photo Credit

* Autumn – It’s definitely here, and with it comes wooly jumpers, delicious soups, hot chocolate, evenings spent curled up on the sofa wearing big fluffy slippers, the sound of the rain against the windows and a whole host of other lovely things! 

* Also – Scouring the Internet for free samples, sipping on Umeshu, New albums from great artists, the imminent return of all my favourite TV shows (although Spooks clashes with Downton Abbey, thank goodness for Online catch-up!), finally reading One Day and thoroughly enjoying it (I’m about halfway through right now).

What’s making your week sparkle?

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

]]> http://sparkleandglitter.co.uk/2011/09/t-i-l-t-16/feed/ 0 http://sparkleandglitter.co.uk/2011/08/t-i-l-t-15/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=t-i-l-t-15 http://sparkleandglitter.co.uk/2011/08/t-i-l-t-15/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:50:37 +0000 Vixel http://sparkleandglitter.co.uk/?p=2510 This week I have been thinking a lot about my current unemployment situation, and how to deal with it. I have come to realise that whilst I stand by my decision to stay in my former job for as long as possible due to the [...]]]> This week I have been thinking a lot about my current unemployment situation, and how to deal with it. I have come to realise that whilst I stand by my decision to stay in my former job for as long as possible due to the current unstable job market, sticking with a job I wasn’t really happy in just because it brought in a steady wage was holding me back somewhat. Now I have the chance to find something better, more suited to my personality and career aspirations, as well as time to sort my health out so that when a job offer does come along, I feel totally ready and energised as opposed to dreading the journey in each day. Once I’ve received my final pay, I intend to ask the job centre if I can take up any courses, I’m thinking an IT qualification of some kind since I currently have no way of demonstrating my IT skills on paper, having no formal training. I’m also looking into CELTA courses (I’ve found one I’m definitely considering applying for if I’m still unemployed by January) and writing to publishers to see if I can get some freelance editing work, so that I’m finally putting that publishing degree to some good use! Ideally I’d like to start building a portfolio showing my writing and editing skills to prospective employers. Ultimately, I’d like to be doing something law-related, but right now I’m keeping my options as open as possible. I’m also having as many driving lessons as my teacher can fit in!

So despite the events of the last few weeks, I’m actually pretty optimistic right now, and I love it! I’m just hoping I can keep things that way! 

Photo Credit

I also love:

* Spending hours playing Left 4 Dead 2 with friends – zombie-shooting is great fun, and a fantastic way to wind your brain down if you’ve been studying all day! * Glossybox and Boudoir Privé – I love receiving boxes full of lovely products, and will be writing a full post with my own thoughts on these soon * The new Games on Google Plus (now that it has Bejewelled Blitz too, it definitely beats Facebook for me! * Great food shopping bargains – the satisfaction of spending £20 less on the weekly shop than I usually do, and still buying lots of delicious things is brilliant! * Reading non-law books again! * That “no more exams” feeling – I hope I’ll feel even better once I have the results, but for now just the knowledge that I don’t have to revise is enough * Delicious healthy meals – tonight I’m cooking grilled salmon with stir-fried mixed vegetables in a vaguely Japanese-inspired dressing * Discounted strawberries * 

What’s making your week sparkle? 

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

* My New Laptop! – For the geeks, it’s a reconditioned Dell XPS M1530, about as much power as I could get on a very modest budget. For the non-geeks, it’s red, very shiny, and my new favourite thing!

* My New Laptop! – For the geeks, it’s a reconditioned Dell XPS M1530, about as much power as I could get on a very modest budget. For the non-geeks, it’s red, very shiny, and my new favourite thing!

* That Summer Feeling – Spending hot days reading in the sunshine, waking up to bright, warm light streaming through the blinds, it’s so much nicer than dragging myself out of bed in the dark, as much as I might complain when I’m too warm, it’s far better than winter!

* Google Plus – Nerdiness alert once again, I was thrilled when I received an invite, I love trying out the latest Online big thing and so far G+ is quite brilliant!

* Lemon and Ginger Tea – For some reason I’m absolutely addicted to this at the moment. It’s just so delicious and refreshing, I find it hard to believe that I used to hate the taste of ginger!

Photo Credit

* Singing – Just on my own, whilst getting on with things at home. It’s amazing how much it lifts my spirits, especially if I’m singing along to something I love (in this case the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert, whilst cooking with all the windows open – sometimes I dread to think what my neighbours must think of me!) 

* Philosykos – I treated myself to my first bottle of Diptyque’s much-loved fragrance, and I absolutely adore it! It smells like relaxed summer holidays to me, and I think it’s definitely one I’ll re-purchase again and again. 

* Other – Clarins Beauty Flash balm, discussing obscure documentaries with like-minded friends (and noting recommendations), eating fried eggs and cherry tomatoes for breakfast, Me-time whist the Boy is off airsofting, gathering inspiration from new sources, reading magazines next to a sunny open window, watching lots of TV and not feeling in the slightest bit guilty about it!

What’s making your week sparkle?

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

This week I love:

* Taking every moment I can to read, even the odd 5 minutes here and there between tasks * The BBC adaptation of The Crimson Petal and the White – totally worth watching on [...]]]>

This week I love:

* Taking every moment I can to read, even the odd 5 minutes here and there between tasks * The BBC adaptation of The Crimson Petal and the White – totally worth watching on iPlayer, it’s brilliant * The marriage of a good friend and the amazing reception afterwards * Catching up with so many of my favourite people at said wedding reception * Making plans for those glorious 11 days off in a row for the price of three (thank you William and Kate!) * Travelling home with bare legs because it was so warm * People-watching on trains * Managing to attend an appointment I was convinced I would be horrendously late for, perfectly on time * Delicious green smoothies *

What’s making your week sparkle?

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

This week I love:

* TV Documentaries – My favourite thing to watch when I’m bored! I’ll watch a documentary on just about anything, I love learning things and although I realise they’re hardly ideal for gaining much in-depth knowledge, I’ve often [...]]]>  

This week I love:

* TV Documentaries – My favourite thing to watch when I’m bored! I’ll watch a documentary on just about anything, I love learning things and although I realise they’re hardly ideal for gaining much in-depth knowledge, I’ve often been inspired to geek over something via a good documentary.

* HEAT!!! – It was such a beautifully warm day yesterday, I hope it continues through the weekend as I’m going to a wedding reception that will be even more lovely if we can be outside. I love not having to put on extra layers every morning!

* Shopping - I had to buy an outfit for the two weddings I’m going to soon, as all my smart clothes are black! The result is a gorgeous jewel-blue skirt and navy top that I may post photos of shortly.

* Silly Things that Make Me Laugh – like how the ordering system we use at work requires the gender field to be filled in. If you miss it out it brings up an error reading “Sex is Mandatory”, and like a 15 year-old boy, I giggle every time.

* Also – Tea in all it’s forms and flavours, getting better scores in Fruit Ninja and Angry Birds than the boy, New Angry Birds game!!!, planning to buy delicious treats from Marks and Spencer tonight, sleeping on LOADS of pillows, all the Doctor Who trailer excitement, Planning geeky celebrations – Yuri’s Night on Tuesday – vodka and stroganoff are on the menu!, being organised and keeping up with things.

What’s making your week sparkle?

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling

I’m still suffering from a bout of blogging lethargy, so here’s a very quick TiLT from me, whilst I concentrate on writing new material.

This week I Love:

* Healthy eating – the boy and I [...]]]>

I’m still suffering from a bout of blogging lethargy, so here’s a very quick TiLT from me, whilst I concentrate on writing new material.

This week I Love:

* Healthy eating – the boy and I are trying to cut down on red meat and eat better foods, I’m managing to feed him vegetarian meals without complaint, which is a miracle! * VitaCoco Coconut water, the peach and mango one is yummy and does seem to make a great refreshing morning drink * Really great customer service (from Ocado) * SUNSHINE! Spring has suddenly appeared, and it’s lovely! * Fresh air – being able to open all the windows and give the apartment a good airing without freezing makes it feel like a new place! * Tea * Making a really delicious loaf of banana bread *

What’s making your week sparkle?

TiLT is inspired by Gala Darling