Another week, another list of good things! I think the last Good Things post may have jinxed us, as no sooner did I write about not having to defrost the car, we got hit by the Beast From The East, and honestly I’ve never seen so much snow – my front garden has completely disappeared from sight lol.

This week I’m feeling a lot more positive and optimistic about things to come, so maybe the changes I laid out in this post are already helping… Either way I’ve rambled enough, so here are my 7 Good Things:

1. Vero – True Social – Would I even be a blogger if I didn’t mention this? Admittedly it’s a bit glitchy as it is struggling to adapt to the sudden surge in users but I love the idea of this app. The only downside so far is that I’m struggling to find people to follow, so if you’re on it –let me know!
2. Leisurely lunches – it can be so easy to just grab a quick something and move on to the next task on your to do list, but whether at work or at home I always feel better if I actually stop what I am doing and take time out for lunch. Even if it is a #saddesklunch
3. Clean Inboxes – Talking of work, ever have them days you feel you might never have a clear inbox, ever again. As soon as you reply to one message, three more appear. That pretty much sums up last week, but it felt so good managing to get on top of it!
4. Snow – OK, this could easily be on a 7 bad things list because I hate driving in the stuff, but it is very pretty and helps make some very cosy nights in.
5. Things Becoming Real – We made an offer on a house this week, and although it was unsuccessful it’s made the house-hunting process feel a lot more real.
6. The Little Things – Some girls only swoon over a Mercedes, but in truth is there anything better to coming home and finding bae has already tidied up/ironed/made tea?
7. Having A Clear Plan – For this piece of coursework I’ve broken it down into chunks and come up with a plan. Of course, there’s the danger I’ll be side tracked by The Real Housewives Of The OC and not stick to it, but having a plan in place makes me feel like I might actually have my shit together. Big up all da organisers and list makers out there!

I never know how to sign off on these posts, because lets face it – other than sharing things that have made me smile, there isn’t a definite, clear point. I’ve made no argument, shared an opinion or started a discussion.

In a weird way, maybe the point is sharing positive vibes, however small or random is enough in itself.

Peace out.

Hmm… I did intend to have these 7 good things, or ‘ good thing to be thankful for ‘ posts go out at the start of every week, a little way to brighten up Mondays I guess. But last week flew by so quickly I missed it. Good one Bex. I really enjoy writing these as it kind of forces me to be more thankful in general –and I hope you like reading them too. As such, here’s a bumper one featuring two week’s worth of good things to be thankful for.

1. A Short Week

I know in the last post I was all like ‘be grateful you have a job’  but at the risk of sounding like a bit of a hypocritical Hayley, here’s to the shorter working week. I only worked two days, and there’s just something sweet knowing the rest of the world has already been slaving away for two hours as your only just getting dressed.

2. Bobble Hats.

I have a new bobble hat. Is this an exciting, ground breaking blog or what? But yeah, not only is it really cosy it also makes me feel like a walking Pinterest board.

3. Cheap Travel

It utterly amazes me to think that just a handful of generations ago travel was only something very few people could afford. We are so lucky that it’s possible to travel hundreds of miles as cheaply as we do. Talking of which, I recently went on a mini-cruise to Amsterdam – you can read about it here.

4. Quality Time

Following on from cheap travel was quality time. Going away meant me and Craig got to spend a lot more time together than we normally do, plus we had a max of 30 minutes of wifi so there was very little distraction in the way of phones. Between work, uni, friends and other commitments it’s lovely to be able to spend some proper time with people who are good for your soul.

5. Pushing Boundaries

Lol, another travel related one. Though to be fair, that is what most of the week consisted of. This week I drove to Hull and back – it’s only a two and a half hour drive but the thought of it was *almost* enough to make me wish I hadn’t of booked the trip. Now that I’ve done it though I am so proud of myself and feel so much more confident getting to new places. Sometimes you just have to be forced out of your comfortzone.

6. Making The Effort For People

Before I went away, my sister popped down to see me. I may have only been going for three nights but it was so sweet that she would make the effort to see me off. It’s a cliché but it often is the small things that make you go all soft and “N’awww.”

7. Getting into a Routine.

How old and boring do I sound? Not going to lie though, I love a routine. I’ve recently started waking up earlier, doing some uni work before work and then either continuing it or blogging in my lunch break. Having a routine just makes me feel so much more in control and motivated somehow.

8. Book Fairs

Maybe it’s the English grad in me, but I love a good book fair. Our local Methodist church recently held one, and it is safe to say I’m now well stocked up for cosy winter nights.

9. Fluffy Socks

Sound the Sexy Girlfriend Claxon. Last time me and Craig went shopping I snapped up some fluffy slipper socks, and oh my… they are life. They make me feel so snuggly and chilled out its untrue.

10. Quotes

I recently read a quote on Human’s of New York, by a subject who just totally got it. Side note, is that what they’re called? The people in the photos?  Anyway I showed it to a few colleagues as it just perfectly summed up some of the daily frustrations of working in an office.  When you’re not sure how to express something, finding out someone else has already done it is just brill.

11. Christmas Songs

As my new car has a digital radio, I’ve now discovered the Christmas channel and oh golly gosh. They just instantly get me feeling positive and ready to take on the world.

12. Knowing Your Family is Safe

That said about Christmas songs, one of them did get to me a bit. Stop the Cavalry  by Jona Lewie really got me thinking about people, now and in the past that have to face Christmas not knowing if their loved ones are safe. I’m so lucky to not be able to imagine a Christmas with half the people missing, or away at war.

13. Finding THAT Gift

You know that present, where you’re just like “YES! So-and-so will love this!” I love knowing someone will like their present, plus the relief you get as you cross them off the Christmas list.

14. Sense of Community

On the weekend just gone, I accompanied Craig to a charity snooker tournament at the working men’s club in which he works. As we hear more and more about the world being divided and a loss of local communities, it was lovely to see how strong a community feel the place had.

I’ve wanted to get in to the swing of having a weekly structured blog post for a while now, but could never find one that seemed to fit. I can’t promise a grand selection of new buys every week, and ‘Outfit of the Week’ just seems a little bit done. Or maybe it’s the dark evenings that are putting a dampener on it.

To be honest, it’s hard to blag people into a post work photo shoot when the temperatures are below zero and they’d have to bring their own torch.

When I saw Little Miss Katy’s Happy Mondays post, I liked the idea and thought I’d put my own twist on it. So every week I’ll be post seven things I’m thankful for. Hopefully it’ll make both you and me appreciate the little things a bit more.

So year, without any more waffling here we go:

1. Old Friends

On the Saturday just gone one of my oldest friends came home from London and we went out for good food and even better conversations. As much as I appreciate my newer friends; there is nothing quite like being with someone who knows all your embarrassing moments and is ready to share their own.

2. Gift Guides

*Sound the crappy girlfriend claxon* Me and Craig have been together since March, and although I know what his interests are I wouldn’t be able to tell you the ins and outs of them. So oh boy am I thankful for gift guides. To be fair, a lot are rubbish and samey-samey but when you find one dedicated to the niche you need they can be a goldmine of inspiration.

3. Cold Crisps Mornings

Even when your hungover and grumpy. Is there anything that can make you feel more awake, inspired and festive than getting wrapped up and getting out there?

4. Herbal Tea

How grown up and mature am I? But seriously, after the crisp cold morning a herbal tea is just heaven.

5. Solidarity

In life we have times when we feel wronged, or like things aren’t going our way. It’s a shame but its true. Thankfully nothing lightens the weight like knowing others feel the same and understand your stance.

6. Lazy Days

As it gets to closer to Christmas everyone is talking about Christmas shopping. And then there’s all the other things that have to be done. But sometimes you just need to stay in bed with your partner til 3pm or wander round a sleepy town doing nothing but drinking hot chocolate. It’s good for the soul.

It’s especially good for the soul if you go the whole hog and get whipped cream on top. Trust me babe.

Sometimes it can make me feel guilty to ‘waste’ a day but it shouldn’t. I did write about this here, if you get like that too.

7. Kind Words

Kindness can come from unexpected places, and that’s one of the things I’m thankful for. When I shared this post, on my Facebook I got some truly lovely comments from people that I wouldn’t have imagined reading my blog, let alone taking the time to comment. It seriously made my day.