Happy Monday #....20 (I think?)

Last year, when I was away from teaching for a while I got really into posting my Happy Mondays each week (inspired by the lovely round ups of good bloggy friends like Katy, Jasmin, Charlie and Charley, amongst others). Then came January and the whizz and whirl of a new term, and realistically I knew the series would have to fall off the radar.

But today finds me on a chilled Monday (it's been a day of reading, lesson planning, laundry, trash TV and housework) and with plenty to be happy about, so I thought I'd revive the format. Something I'm intending to do from time to time, cause heck, this is my space and I shall use it as I see fit. :)

(While I have you, thank you for all the kind responses after this post. I feel so lucky to have such kind people around me!)

1. Cooking

How lovely it is to have time to cook up some new recipes. The recent sunny weather has me dreaming up quick dinners, big salads, and refreshing cocktails. Pictured above, a quick lunch of mushroom risotto topped with Santini tomatoes (so tangy and fresh).

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Happy Monday #19

It's Monday, it's the start of the week, which means it's time for a lovely, positive start to the week. Katy and Jasmin inspired me with their cheery posts each week, and now, when schedule allows, I join in with a happy Monday of my own. Let's go!

1. New blogging projects

I've been thinking for ages that I'd like to set up some spinoff blogs from this main one. My blog is a lifestyle one, and while I adore the breadth this affords me, I've been thinking for a while that certain elements that I write about are more niche, and I've been toying with the idea of setting up separate domains for them. So this past week I set up CMClaire Cooks, CMClaire Reads, and CMClaire Travels. I have no idea how this experiment will play out...but I'm excited to have a play! I've been writing here for almost eleven years now (good heavens!), and it felt like time to try something new. Worst case scenario, I'll fold 'em back in here!

2. Catching up with friends

It's been a fairly social week, and I've had lots of time with some of my favourite people. Always a tonic!

3. Lumos at the House of Lords

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Happy Monday #18

It's Monday, it's the start of the week, which means it's time for a lovely, positive start to the week. Katy and Jasmin inspired me with their cheery posts each week, and now, when schedule allows, I join in with a happy Monday of my own. Originally I updated weekly, but as the year has progressed and life has changed (and will continue to do so as we move into 2017), I will be doing these on a more ad hoc basis - when I've time and things to share I'll be here :).

1. A very happy birthday

On Saturday I turned 36 (36, man!) and had a lovely, lovely day. Cards and cakes and messages and wine and wonderful people meant I entered a new year on the planet feeling happy, lucky, and surrounded by love. I'm so fortunate to have the people I have in my life.

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Happy Monday/Ten Happy Things #7

Joining up as ever with Katy and Jasmin for a lovely, positive start to the week! Here are my ten happy things from the last week and the present time :)

1.  Fun meetings and fun mail!

Treats from The Body Shop

Poppet cosy in her new bed!

Whether it's exciting new proofs, sweet cards from friends, beauty goodies or treats for the cats, it's been a lovely week for fun things arriving in the post. I've had a few fun meetings to discuss future projects too - I'm excited for what the autumn may bring!


2. Walking around the city.

The Gherkin peeking up over Bishopsgate in the City

Hello, not-so-little bird!

The balmy temps in the low to mid twenties have been great for taking in the sights of town on foot. I'm so excited to do more and more walking as autumn sweeps in.

3. Celebrating Afternoon Tea Week on the river.

Views of the City from London Bridge Pier

What a gorgeous way to take your tea, am I right?

On Wednesday I was invited along by Thames Clippers to join them for a cream tea on the river. I'll be writing a full review soon, but wanted to include it here as it was definitely a highlight of the week! Beautiful views, a splash of bubbles, and some lovely bloggers to meet is a super combination.

4. Instagram.

I am getting really into my instagram at the moment. I set myself a target of 1,000 followers by Christmas and if I keep up the work I think I might make it. If you like pictures of London, travel, food and home, you can find me over there @cmclaire.

5. The Great British Beer Festival!

A sunny day for a pint or several!

Matthew and I popped over on Friday afternoon to take in a little of this year's Great British Beer Festival - such a fab celebration of all things brewed. Olympia was looking beaut in the sunshine!

6. Catching up with friends, and scheduling even more catch ups in the weeks to come!

The diary had a healthy amount of catch ups with some of my favourite folk in the next few weeks and I'm super excited about it!

7. Time away.

Tomorrow is our second anniversary (time flies), and we are celebrating with a couple of days up in Manchester. Life has been manic recently, so a little pampering and relaxation is very much in order! While we are there we'll be doing lots of planning for the big trip next month too - we are so excited to visit New York and Boston for the first time and to revisit Toronto and Las Vegas!

8. Ctrl + Alt + Delete

A few posts ago I shared a Q & A with Emma Packer, the writer and performer of Ctrl+Alt+Delete, currently running at the Camden People's Theatre. On Tuesday I went along to see the show and was so impressed - her performance was raw, energetic and whip-smart. If you're free tonight or tomorrow I'd encourage you to pop along - I'll be watching to see what Emma does next!

9. Cocktails and canapes at the Victory Mansion.

Toasted sourdough topped with beef tomatoes and homemade harissa, and artichoke hearts with aoili? Yes please.

So many inventive and unusual cocktails.

On Thursday I headed over to the Victory Mansion in Stoke Newington for an evening of cocktails and canapes. Again, full review soon, but I had a fab evening in eclectic and beautiful surroundings, and loved catching up with a few blogger pals such as Sheepa, Erin and Jasiminne, as well as meeting some new cool bloggers!

10. Hygge.

How gorgeous is this cover? *heart eyes emojis for days*

As ever, the reading compulsion is strong in this one! I find the whole idea of hygge, the Danish mode of contentment, calm and present-ness, fascinating, so this gorgeous little book from Penguin, on the Penguin Life imprint, is very much up my street. Come on autumn, I'm feeling inspired.... Full review to follow!

So that's my current happies. How about you?

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Happy Monday/Ten Happy Things #6

Joining up as ever with Katy and Jasmin for a lovely, positive start to the week! Here are my ten happy things from the last week and the present time :)

1. Planning ahead.

When you're a planner fiend like me (am loving the combo of my Erin Condren* as a control station on my desk plus a chic Moleskine for in my handbag!), the chance to get organised and sorted for the time ahead is a true pleasure! With lots of travel ahead (Newcastle, New York, Boston, Toronto, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Inverness...) plus writing work, catch up with friends and loads of plans for the blog and other online adventures, I'm loving getting organised for a busy season! 

2. Cooking.

Now the temperature has dropped a little I'm loving being able to use the kitchen a little more - when the temperature is over thirty degrees we don't turn our oven on!

3. Writing.

By posting here a little less often (3-5 times a week), I'm carving out more and more time for other writing. This makes me really happy! It's so great to have time for both blogging and other writing in this season.

4. Fun co-working dates and lovely lunch dates.

Whether it's a lovely lunch with Charlie at The Life Goddess, or co-working with Jaye and Ghenet at Heal's and Dillons (pints of tea you guys. Oh my gosh), I love the mix of days when I'm all work all the time at home, and when I manage to get out and about a little.

Seriously. How delicious does this look?

Such fun to work in such a bright, light space at Heal's.

5. Exploring new parts of London.

The back roads around UCL. Wandering aroung Spitalfields on my way back from the farm. Researching routes for an upcoming day out with Hannah (we are going on a mission - stay tuned!). The city never fails to surprise with its many new places and things to enjoy.

6. Wedding invitations and anniversary plans.

In every year we've been together, Matthew and I have attended at least one wedding, often several. This year, however, we've had none. On the one hand this has been fabulous, with a little more money and time for other projects and travels, but on the other hand I've missed the wedding circuit - love the whole thing, me, from the dresses to the confetti to the music! So it was lovely to get not one but two save the dates for weddings next year in the mail this week. Bring on 2017!

Speaking of all things nuptial, next week will be out 2nd wedding anniversary (and the eighth anniversary of us meeting, too!), so it's been great fun to plan for some Manchester based adventures, whether it's a stay in a lovely hotel, a great meal on the day itself, or catching up with some dear friends while we're up north.

7. Happy mail and fun gifts.

I've been very lucky on the blogger gift front this week. From proofs from Penguin and Little Brown and clothes from George, the postman has been my bestie this week. I also picked up my goody bag from the Thirty-Plus Awards from Erica (I'd been silly and left it behind in the restaurant after the shindig - thank you for scooping it up for me, Erica!) and was delighted to find it full to the brim with The Body Shop goodies - I'm having a whale of a time trying them all out. Love good beauty products.

I also received a fab carafe from Brita this week. As chlorine is (one of) my asthmatic triggers, we've had to filter our water forever. We have the jug filter and it's a godsend - so lovely to be able to hydrate and not get wheezy. This week Brita very kindly sent me one of their 'fill and serve' carafes, which is super pretty, and smart enough to have on the dinner table or a desk. We are so enjoying using it at mealtimes.

A carafe so chic, even Fry wants to crash the picture!

8. Healthy, noisy cats.

On Saturday we had to take the gang for their boosters at the vets and their annual check ups. They do not like going to the vets, but it's so important to make sure they are healthy and covered for any nasties. Our vets are super (shout out to Midland Veterinary Surgery - if you need a great vet in East London we'd highly recommend) and the appointment was mercifully swift, but it was great to hear they are all healthy and thriving. In between all the miaows and yowls of disapproval from the trio!

Fry was soon back on chilled and happy form at home. 

Leela spent the afternoon sleeping off the exertion, 

And Poppet definitely had her eye on me for the rest of the day! 

9. Lazy Saturdays with Matthew.

After the drama that is getting three cats to and from the vets, Matthew and I decided to have a lazy afternoon together. We wandered over to Leyton Food Market, had a drink in the Leyton Technical, and pootled along to visit the new pub on the block, The Leyton Star.It was such a nice way to while away an afternoon together.

Such a pretty fountain in Coronation Gardens - lovely for the local pigeons and sparrows to have a little wash in from time to time! 

Blue skies and cool beers? Yes please! 

10. New books.

My Sister's Bones. Hygge. The House In Quill Court. Swing Time.

Very, very excited to dive in, and loving the hot off the press tote bag too! 

I will never tire of new additions to the TBR pile!

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday and a cracking week ahead!

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Happy Monday/Ten Happy Things #5

Happy August, everyone!

I love kicking each week off on a positive note. I've been doing round-up posts on here forever, but it's nice getting into the routine and discipline of doing so every week, on a Monday. Thanks as ever to Katy and Jasmin for the inspo! Here are my ten happy things from the last week and the present time :)

1. Cooler weather

The recent drop in temperature has been good for the soul. I am not built for temperatures over thirty degrees.

2. Good sushi

One evening last week I was home alone and had just defeated a big writing job, so I decided to treat myself to some takeaway. I was craving sushi, so pootled over to Just Eat and ordered a few delicious bits and bobs. I tried MoSushi, a little place here in Leyton and was so impressed! Speedy service, reasonable prices and delicious food. I'll be ordering again for sure.

3. Ice cream with a little one and his mummy

One of my dearest friend's little boys turned one, and I got to celebrate with him and mummy over gorgeous gelato at Marine Ices in Camden. The combo of baby cuteness, a good catch up, and a massive sugar high was a grand one.

4. Kindness

I've been bowled over as always by the kindness of my friends recently. Whether it's catching up over a glass of wine, an unexpected CD in the post (thank you, Emily!), or just lots of understanding and support when you have some bad news or are poorly, I'm forever grateful for the people around me.

5. Trying. Failing. Getting back up

Speaking of, I'm happy for the chances I get to take during this season. Leaving teaching (perhaps for a couple of years, perhaps more) put me in a whole new area, and there are so many great things, little achievements and moments I'm proud of....but sometimes there are failures, bumps in the road, or simply moments when I feel a little lost! I'm grateful for this time and the chances and challenges it's affording me. Even on the down days I'm trying to remind myself to be grateful for the journey, and I always remember to be thankful for the support I have and the ability to explore.

6. Book events

Last Tuesday, the lovely Zarina invited me along to a YA panel chat at Foyles, as part of their #Storybox2016 events for children and young people. Anna James was in discussion with Sarah Crossan (author of the Carnegie winning One, amongst other titles) and Jenny McLachlan (of the wonderful Ladybird series of books). It was so fun to catch up with Zarina, as well as hearing the ladies in discussion on all things literary!

7. Stationery

If you read here regularly or have spent any amount of time with me, you'll know that I adore all things stationery! Imagine my delight, then, when Pen Heaven asked me if I'd like to receive a new Moleskine 18-month planner to use and review, along with a lovely Parker jotter. They arrived yesterday and I am in love. My desk planner is a little too large to tote around in a handbag (it's something of a desk-based control centre!) - the Moleskine is lighter and more streamlined, perfect for noting down appointments and listing to-dos when you're out and about! I went for a Plum moleskine with silver initials (love that Pen Heaven can engrave, I love a little personalisation!) which I adore together, and match nicely with the jotter in Portobello Plum.

8. Holiday planning

After last week's request for travel suggestions for our upcoming holiday to New York, Boston, Toronto and Las Vegas, we have received so many great recommendations (please, keep them coming, and our holiday is really starting to take shape!

9. The Thirty-plus Awards

On Thursday I was Erica's date for the first annual Thuty-Plus Awards, and had such a lovely time celebrating so many of the wonderful writers, photographers and people in our community! Well done to all the winners, naturally, but it was especially lovely to see three of my regular reads, Rosalilium, Fizzy Peaches and Fashion For Lunch pick up awards. It was so great to see so many people being applauded, and I've found so many new favourites too - Talonted Lex, Devoted to Pink and Thou Shall Not Covet are now all firmly on the 'must read' list, and that's just for starters. Big congratulations to Hayley and her team for putting it all together!

10. New projects

I love writing here and it's such a treat to see my little blog continue to grow, but I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to create a separate space for my book writing, photography and adventures. So I have. If you're into books, please consider following my bookstagram over at London Books and my tumblr, London Books Insta. I'm excited to see where this journey may lead.

Well, that was a post and a half. Happy Monday, everyone - I hope you have a super week!

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Giveaway: Because Books Make Me Happy (Especially These Ones). And so Does Blogging. And Apparently, Long Titles.

I have been reading Gretchen Rubin's blog and her books for a long time.  Her take on happiness and habits really chimes with a lot of my own ideas, while still offerng challenge and inspiration aplenty. I devoured The Happiness Project when it was first published (I'm a project fiend!), loved Happier At Home, and was delighted when Better Than Before was released earlier this year.  I always enjoy reading Gretchen's take on things, and in a year where I'm aiming to change so many of my habits and ways of doing things this book arrived at the ideal time!

I also follow Gretchen on twitter, so when I realised she would be in town and giving talks, I immediately booked a ticket.  And so it was that on Tuesday last I moseyed down to central London for a 7.30am breakfast and an 'improve your life before lunch' session with the author herself.  It was such a nice morning - I met lots of other reading fans and Gretchen herself was charm personified.  She's clearly whip-smart, but also well-spoken and thoroughly warm.  Such a pleasure to meet her!

The event was hosted by Red magazine, and they really ran everything beautifully.  The conversation was conducted by their Health Editor, Brigid Moss. She was a great interviewer, inquisitive and intelligent.

After the talk there was a book signing - I got a 'gold star' as I've been reading the books and blog for so long!  My inner overachieving schoolgirl (you know I was that kid, right?) was thrilled.

I was also the goofball who asked for a picture.  Yes, I'm a fangirl.

I've enjoyed Gretchen's books so much, I felt like I wanted to share them with others.  I've also been thinking I should do a giveaway, as it's been a while and I wanted to celebrate a recent milestone for this little blog (half a million pageviews...on the one hand, small potatoes, on the other, wow!).

So I am going to do a giveaway, and the winner will receive a copy of each of Gretchen's books: The Happiness Project, Happier At Home, and Better Than Before.  They are all great reads and full of wit and wisdom.  I'm thrilled to be able to share them with one of you!

These are my copies - the giveaway winner will receive paperback copies of The Happiness Project and Happier At Home, and a hardback copy of Better Than Before.

There are various ways to secure an entry - all bids will be added to a spreadsheet and then someone selected at random (using random.org).  The ways to enter are:

Leave a comment on this post: 1 entry

Follow me on twitter: 1 entry

Follow me on instagram: 1 entry

Follow me on pinterest: 1 entry

Follow my blog on facebook: 1 entry

(This is probably a good time to mention that while there is some crossover between these four channels, I try to share different things on my profiles in different places too.  Four identikit experiences would not be fun!)

Follow my blog on bloglovin' (I'm starting to get into it!): 1 entry

Tweet about this giveaway: 1 entry

Mention this giveaway on instagram: 1 entry

Pin this giveaway: 1 entry

Facebook about this giveaway: 1 entry

Mention this giveaway on your blog: 1 entry

Leave me a comment below (just one is fine!) and tell me which of the above you've done, and I'll add your entries to the spreadsheet of joy.  This giveaway is combining so many of my favourite things.

If you already follow me on the five sites (twitter/insta/pinterest/fb/bloglovin) please let me know in your comment, and that'll be an entry too for this giveaway - one for each channel.  Loyalty as well as novelty, right?

The maximum amount of entries per person is 11 (one of each), but as it's a random selection, do feel free to do as many or as few as you like.  Huzzah!

Good Luck!  I'm super excited to share these books.  This giveaway will close at 11.59 p.m., BST on Thursday April 30th, and the winner will be announced in my post on Monday May 4th.


Note: This giveaway is all me - the books have been purchased by me, and I paid to go to the breakfast talk.  I just really like positive, interesting reads! :) 

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Happy New Year!

I hope your NYE is lovely, and that your 2015 is brilliant!  Here we'll be having a cosy evening of games, yummy food and bubbles, before leaping into a brand new year.

A few quotes for the happy occasion (RK, you know how I love my quotes!):

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." — Mother Teresa

"Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true." — 

Lord Tennyson

 "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."  — 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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