B.Forrester is author of The Kingston Chronicles an urban fantasy novel. She believes in magic and mythical beings and often blogs about writing, her projects and poetry.
If you follow my blog you will know that my debut novel (looking for representation) is about a teenager discovering she is a mermaid. I think I have always had a personal love with mermaids ever since going to the cinema and seeing Disney’s Ariel. I was also a water baby, swimming independently from a young age.
When I saw B had written an article on mermaids, I had to read it. I wasn’t disappointed. She has clearly been reading up on the history of mermaids and her article is on Greek Mythology (and includes her poem Siren’s Song). Perhaps this is a teaser of what might be coming in her next published release…
I am always looking for suitable articles to share with my readers. Please check out my post about what I look for and feel free to comment and encourage me to check out your content.
This time, last year, I was struggling with the decision of which school to send my son. The decision felt colossal as this choice would set the foundation of his education. As my first child, he also was setting the path for any future children (I wasn’t pregnant at the time). Choosing was very over whelming and I felt stressed by the pressure.
Here is how I made my three choices for the application.
Location
Make a list of the primary schools nearby. Have a look at where they are located and decide if they are easy for you to get to as the school run will be twice a day.
You may choose to apply for a school close to your place of work or near friends/family whom will be primarily doing the school run (I.e. if you have support from a grandparent).
Performance
Check the league tables. Every year (around January) they publish how students at the school are performing and schools in the country are ranked. This can give you an idea of whether teaching is effective.
However, remember that parents positive involvement will enhance their child’s learning and you can get a year group of very bright students. A school can change drastically by a change of head or boost of funding. Use this data to get an idea of whether the school are getting results from children but bear in mind that it can change.
Ofsted
Read the Ofsted report. This will give you insight into how the school is run. Again, take care to make your own judgement as to whether you agree with the grade given.
One local school was performing in the top 100 in the country but despite their results, Ofsted didn’t like how it was run and scored then as needing to improve.
Also, the feedback from Ofsted will prompt the school to make improvements so the school may already be in a better position than when they were inspected.
Tour
Once you have a shortlist, contact the schools to arrange a visit. Don’t leave this too late as many schools set dates aside and if you cannot make it (or leave it too late) then you won’t be able to visit.
I found the tour the most valuable data in making my decision. One school told me the dates after they had passed so I felt they were disorganised. Another school, I couldn’t get through to on the phone, so, I decided they would be difficult to contact if I had a problem.
The tours enabled me to see the culture of the school and establish if I felt it was right for my child.
The school that won me over wasn’t the best performing in my short list but I got a really positive vibe and decided to trust my gut. I was right to do so because when the new performance table was released, it was top out of all the schools in my short list!
Friends
If your child has made good friends already, you may wish to find out where they are going and consider the same school. However, lots of children start school not knowing anyone and make friends quickly. Knowing other children going can make the transition easier as they know some people to play with but don’t worry if you choose a school and don’t know any other children going.
Word of mouth
Ask around to find out other people’s views or experience of the local schools. Use social media and ask for an opinion on your local Facebook group. This is like checking reviews before buying a product and will give you valuable insight from other parents perspectives.
Making the Application
When making your application, you get three choices. You rank these in order of preference.
You don’t have to give three choices. However, although the council will try to meet your request where possible, if they cannot offer your first choice then they’ll consider you second choice and so on. When they run out of your choices, they will select a school for you – usually the school closest to you home with a place.
Places are allocated firstly to children with additional needs (or in care), then siblings of children from the school, then by catchment, then in order of distance as the crow flies.
All my choices were out of catchment so I did use all my options and gave a reason why I had chosen the school and felt it was most suitable to my son. I gave three options as I really didn’t want the council choosing my son’s school.
The Result
I was fortunate enough to get my first choice and my son has settled in well. He’s making friends and the other parents are really friendly and welcoming. I couldn’t be happier.
Usually, I feature articles on Monday but for Halloween, I would like to feature spooky stories and poems or anything Halloween themed.
The content can be any genre but ideally not too long (2k max). You could provide a sample to a longer piece (i.e. a novel). I will feature a selection of my favourites between midnight on 30 October 2018 midnight and 31 October 2018 midnight GMT.
To take part, all you need to do is add the hashtag #Spooktober and comment on my post to help me find you.
Ideally, submit earlier to allow me time to see your entry but I’ll keep my eyes open until 30 October 2018.
This is the first time I’ve tried something like this and hope lots of people will take part and find it fun. Please feel free to share this post and spread the word.
I look forward to seeing your inner horror writer.
Skin Organics Clean Beauty is a subscription box with a selection of non-toxic, cruelty-free, organic and natural products. These may be skincare, body care or beauty products. Their aim is to help you discover clean, green and cruelty-free products and brands. They dispatch on 20th of the month.
Cost: £19.00 (+£3.95 P&P) subscription, UK
*****
As I am now on maternity leave, I have cancelled my subscription so there is no new box of cruelty free products to reveal.
My skin likes this mist and I’ve been using it daily as a toner. I, however, do not like bottle. When it is screwed up, it doesn’t spray. I have to loosen it for it to work and then it is still tricky to mist.
Although I’m not keen on the bottle the product is effective. I am still interested in trying lip venom by this brand and have high expectations that it will perform well.
Casa Mercarelli: Lemon & Clay Face Mask (sheet lists price as £8.00)
When am I suppose to have time to do a face mask? I now have a few face masks waiting. I feel my daughter is starting to get a routine but I don’t want to jinx it or scare her by appearing to attend to her wearing a face mask.
Butter Bar Soapery: Revive Body Polish (Exclusive product for subscription box – not yet for sale. Expected RRP £15.00)
I’m not a fan of scrubs so it has to be pretty special to win me over and this one did. This scrub deep cleaned my skin, removed any dryness and really hydrated my skin. My legs felt so soft, like silk. I was blown away! This felt like a luxury spa treatment. I would buy this again. It is so good!
BAO Skincare: Apricot Rose Face Polish (RRP £14.00 for 50ml)
Again, I’m not a fan of scrubs but I’ve been using this once a week and I look forward to using it. It’s very gentle although you can feel it working. My skin looks better as a result. I think it gets rid of dry skin and enables my moisturiser to be more effective. I’d buy this again too!
Eden Days Body: Hawaiian Haven Whipped Body Butter (Sheet lists price as RRP £6.50)
My underfloor heating has ruined this product. After melting into a messy oil, it has partial solidified. It is not in two parts, one oily and the other waxy. I can mix it up and it’s still great a moisturise but I don’t think the product is as good as it would have been in its original state.
It is a very affordable price so I may buy it again and give it another chance. I did really like it as an oil so I may let my underfloor heating melt it again lol.
Would I recommend?
My subscription is now cancelled but only while I adjust to a ‘maternity pay lifestyle’. I can’t express how much I will miss these monthly edits. I have loved discovering new products and organic brands.
If you are interested in being chemical free then this is the beauty subscription box for you! It contains a range of organic products from brands that are high end, award winners or start ups. I have not been disappointed by the contents and it’s encouraged me to try products I otherwise wouldn’t have and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
All the products meet the promise of clean, green and cruelty-free – so if that’s something you desire, this is a great box for you.
I shall soon be looking back at past boxes and sharing the products that stood out. Please share if you’ve tried any of these and what organic products or brands you love? Are your skin/body care products chemical free?
Every other Monday, I like to feature a blog article that I found useful to help my readers discover other great bloggers. This article has been in my schedule list for a while but I loved how simple and feasible the ideas. The tips are achievable by anyone and free!
I am always looking for suitable articles to share with my readers. Please check out my post about what I look for and feel free to comment and encourage me to check out your content.
To start the year, I set myself some goals for the year ahead. I plan to check periodically during the year on how well I am keeping on track. If you set yourself goals it is important to check on yourself to make sure you are on target and to re-focus yourself.
If you want to view my last check in on myself, click here.
Achievements
If you only focus on what wasn’t achieved then you lose sight of what you did achieve and feel like giving up. By making time to reflect on my wins, I see, I did better than I originally thought:
Participated in NaNoWriMo (July) and made progress on my WIP
My article on Orangutans was published by Ginger Parrot
I took part in several twitter events!
On Reflection
Here are the highlights from this quarte:
Summary: This has been a very challenging period as I was very tired towards the end of my pregnancy and having a newborn has been demanding. It would have been very easy to give up (or take a break) but somehow I have managed to keep at it and I am proud of myself for my tenacious spirit.
Blogging: My posting has slowed down but I am keeping to the new schedule – some posts have gone live later in the day than originally planned but I am keeping up. I have more ideas than time to write but that is always better than writers block!
Writing: My goal for NaNo was rather ambitious but I a still very proud of what I did manage to accomplish in July (almost 15k). I have also been brave and finally took part in Twitter events (#Pitchwars, #PitMad, #AskAnna). I also had a great time at Felixstowe Book Festival.
Blogging Goals Review
ACHIEVED: I have created a new schedule that include one to two posts per week and I am managing to keep up with it.
NOT ACHIEVED: I have not had time to look at LoCal. I got as far as making a spreadsheet with the links but didn’t get as far as coming up with a scheduling plan.
ACHIEVED: If you have been following me you will have noticed that there has been more personal posts as I have shared days out with my son, my pregnancy and the arrival of my baby girl.
NOT ACHIEVED: I am not ready to vlog. I have lots of ideas but at the moment it can take me almost all day to get a chance to wash my face! The last thing I want to do is be in front of the camera.
ACHIEVED: I am using a spreadsheet in Google to see my content plan. I also keep track of ideas I have for posts and colour the cell – I then can copy this into the schedule where it best fits. This method is working really well for me.
Writing Goals Review
ACHIEVED: Taking part in NaNo gave me the motivation to keep adding to my word count and I made progress almost every day. My goal was 25k which I didn’t reach but I am so pleased with what I did achieve and hope to finish the first draft by the end of the year.
ALMOST ACHIEVED: My son started school this month and I got to make a start on Who Runs The World by Virginia Bergin. I bought this book at Felixstowe Book Festival after her event (click here to read about Lunch with Virginia)
ACHIEVED: I submitted to #PitchWars to hopefully get a mentor *fingers crossed*. But, I didn’t stop there! I also took part in #PitMad and #AskAnna.
ACHIEVED: During #AskAnna I was able to identify the best course for me by CB Creative. I also still have my online courses by “Write Story Books” to complete.
My highest priorities are to continue to be consistent with my blog posting and to finish my novel. I also would really love to be published on Ginger Parrot again so will attempt to write another article for them.
I have my heart set on working with a mentor but the competition for #PitchWars was strong. However, during #AskAnna I was informed of The Literacy Consultancy who have a private mentor service. It is not cheap but sounds like what I want. What do you think of a writing mentor?
The events helped me to connect with other writers which I hadn’t expected. It was lovely to see how other writers were so supportive of each other. I would encourage others to take part in Twitter events and would be interested in doing more. Do you do Twitter events or know of any you would recommend?
Earlier this month, Curtis Brown held a twitter event called #AskAnna where Anna Davis was online to answer questions about writing and publishing. She is an author and worked in publishing for over a decade and delivers some of the CB Creative courses.
The event was good fun – although, a little slow to start. Afterwards, I thought of more questions I wish I had asked but this was my first twitter Q&A that I’ve participated in. Usually, I can’t attend as I’m at work.
If you couldn’t make it, you’ll be pleased to know I saved the Q&As I found most useful from the event (start at the bottom and scroll up):
I hope CB do more Twitter events in future and that I can attend. This was good fun. Best of all, it was great to be invited to ask questions as I then knew we were welcomed and not a nuisance. I would love to hear of more a Twitter events – have you done any?
In 2017, I completed the Curtis Brown course Start Writing Your Novel. Click here to read my review about it. I’m really tempted to do more courses with them but at the moment, I don’t have the time or money.
The Literacy Consultancy looks really good but, again, I don’t have the money to pay for their services at the moment. They edit and review manuscripts and advise of marketability and who to approach and have a mentor scheme where someone with experience supports you with in-depth advice on your novel. I can’t believe I’ve not heard of this organisation until now! Have you?
It’s a cruelty free beauty subscription box and contains a selection of five products – skincare, body care, makeup and occasionally a sweet treat too. Plus, a 50p donation from the sale of each box goes to an animal friendly charity (Animal Free Research). In addition, you earn loyalty points for each purchase which can then be used for money off future boxes.
As I am now on maternity leave, I have cancelled my subscription so there is no new box of cruelty free products to reveal.
*****
Reflect on July’s box
This is how I got on using the products from my July box:
Green People: Sun Lotion SPF 15 (sheet lists price as £6)
Although August has been cooler than I expected, I haven’t used this and I forgot to give it to my husband to try.
Make-up Eraser: Mini Travel Cloth (sheet lists price as £5)
I really like the idea of this and the cloth is so soft. I intended to put it in my hospital bag but can’t find it. I’m really disappointed as I was looking forward to trying such a simple idea. I really hope it turns up and I didn’t do something daft like leave it in hospital…
This was not for me. Against my pale skin it gives an orange glow that looks like I have too much makeup on. It may blend in better if you have darker skin but for me it didn’t.
I was saving these for our family pic but trying to leave the house with a hungry newborn at 9am was near impossible. My makeup was the bare minimum and I didn’t have time for false lashes. Keeping them in the draw means they’ll be ready for the next special occasion.
La Ritzy: Black eye pencil (she lists price as £15)
I have been using this eye pencil and it is pretty good. It lasts all day, doesn’t give panda eyes and hasn’t irritated my eyes even when I’ve put it on the waterline.
Would I recommend?
If buying cruelty free is important to you then this is a your subscription box. They have enabled me to discover new and established brands. The boxes have a decent mix of products so you don’t get lots of the same type of thing.
I like their reward scheme and knowing my purchase goes towards supporting an animal friendly charity.
I plan to look back over my past boxes and work out what was great or not.
My earliest reading memories are built on Roald Dahl’s books. His books brought joy and fear to my childhood and today I shall share those memories and my fondness for his characters.
Roald Dahl’s birthday is 13 September 2018. Each year during September activities are planned close to his birthday to celebrate his books. Find out how to celebrate on his website.
My memories
As a child he was one of my favourite authors and his books will always hold a special place in my heart.
The first novel I stayed up to read
As a little girl, my dad read me a chapter of a book each night at bedtime. One night, we started the BFG (Big Friendly Giant).
He finished the first chapter, tucked me in and turned off the light. But, I couldn’t sleep as I wondered, what happened next to the kidnapped little girl in giant land?
Their was a dim glow coming from my nightlight and I sat up and took a sneaky peek at the next chapter… – Next thing I know, it is morning. The book was finished and I hadn’t slept a wink. I think I had to take the day off school to recover from my reading marathon.
I wasn’t a fan of the film. The little girl wasn’t as I remembered but it may be that it was a long-time since I read the book.
The scariest book I never finished
After that, my dad thought I was able to read before bed on my own. He reminded me of the importance of sleep and tucked me in.
One night, Roald Dahl engrossed me in a world where terrible child-loathing withes existed. It was so real and terrifying, I never finished the book.
I have since watched the film and loved it but the book is still too much.
My all time favourite
It has to be Matilda. She’s a likable character that is strong and determined and doesn’t let her misfortune hold her back. She has telekinetic powers and uses them to make things right. I wanted to be her.
The film is great fun for kids. All the characters look exactly as I imagined, especially, the villain, Ms Trunchball.
https://youtu.be/XuyElRs_48Q
Final thoughts…
I am looking forward to sharing Roald Dahl with my children.
We’ve had free books from MacDonald and my 4y old has enjoyed his samples of The Enormous Crocodile, Willy Wonka and The Witches (he’s braver than me).
He has recently started picking chapter books from the library (Thank you Dennis The Menace from bringing the term ”bum face” into our home), so, I think he is likely ready for a Roald Dahl novel. With his recent love of toilet humour, I think The Twits would be a good place to start or George’s Marvellous Medicine. What do you think?
Can you remember the first book that kept you up all night and which Roald Dahl book is your favourite?
My daughter is now a month old. There have been sleepless nights, baby sick and countless squidgy nappies but she is still perfect. I can’t get over how gorgeous she is or express how much I love her.
Here is a selection of some of the pictures from her first photo-shoot including some family pictures:
Maintaining my blog is very challenging at the moment and I haven’t had a chance to make any progress towards the novel I’m working on since she’s been born.
Hopefully, with my son starting school, she’ll develop a routine and I can find a way to fit it in. At the moment, she needs me a lot and my son also wants my attention. Until then, I’ll just focus on keeping my children happy.
She was 12 days old when we got the pictures taken. Little Wattsits Photography shared the above collage pic on Facebook and if it gets 100 likes, we get a free print. If you can spare the time to visit their page and like it (image posted on 27 Aug) then it would be most appreciated.
