“You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.”

How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?

"Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.

Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. . . .

For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await."


After you is the follow up book from "Me After You" which I reviewed here. 
I read this book as soon as I'd finished the first one because I HAD to know what happened to Louisa and even Will's family. There was an unexpected twist (not really sure twist is the right word), something that I didn't see coming which kept me intrigued through the whole book.  I honestly didn't think this book was as good as the first one but you know why? It was not the same without Will. I thought the book was beautifully written and had a great story. I really do like Lou as a character. It just wasn't as good as the first book. I am glad I read it and I'd still give this book 4 stars. 

Sarah xXx



 

"Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time."
Source.

I've had this book on my kindle (I purchased it ages ago) since forever and I wish I had of read it sooner! Ahh, where do I even start with this book? It is SO good. One of the best books I've ever read! It's written beautifully and Jojo Moyes really knows how to pull at heart strings, doesn't she?! I love the story, I loved the characters whom I fell in love with. I wasn't sure about Will at first (a bit like Louisa perhaps?) but half way through the book I decided I really liked him. The whole nature of this book is just... It's so easy to read and had me gripped all the way through. I want to say so much more but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. All I'll say it, have tissues ready... Plenty of them. 
Fantastic book, I couldn't put it down. Five stars from me! I can not wait to finish the second book "After You". Although, I'll be sad when this series is over.... 

What have you read lately? Do you have any "must reads?" you would recommend?

Sarah xXx



 

Lets start with the best parts and my reasons to smile.


We had a wonderful half term last week. We went on a lovely woodland walk, the kids climbed trees and had a lot of fun! We also went to feed the ducks and walk into our local town, which was truly lovely. My friend who I haven't seen since before Christmas came along with us with her two little girls. We had a really good catch up! We also went to the cinema and visited castle park, the kids had an absolute blast. I soaked in the beauty from the pretty flower gardens. It was SO much fun, so much fun in fact, I didn't want the kids to go back to school this week, haha. Although, it will be nice to have our routine back.


We also made some arts and crafts for Valentines day and some Valentines day inspired cupcakes! The kids love arts and crafts and they certainly love making (and eating!) cakes, bless 'em.

I've been feeling much more positive. Whether that's because I've been getting out of the house more and spending more time outside, I have no idea! But I certainly do feel a bit better in myself. I think sleeping better had a lot to do with it, too. I was sleeping much better during the half term. Knowing that I didn't have to get up early the next morning helped with that. I think I become paranoid that I'm going to oversleep and the kids will be late for school, which results in me keep waking up during the night. I need to overcome this. I never oversleep so I don't know why I think I will! Needs to stop.

Some of the worst parts this week (and I won't elaborate too much because I don't want to dwell on the negatives)

• Not getting enough sleep. See above. 
• Worrying about money. I think most people have this worry though. 
• I need to stop over thinking things. I've been worse though. 
• My camera is still broken. Well, it's not broke. It DOES work, it's just not quite right.  My camera is my pride and joy, ha.

Overall though, not a bad week at all! Next week is my Birthday! I'll be spending it with family and the kids :-) It'll be nice, I'm looking forward to it.

Sarah xXx

Mothers day is approaching fast, it's just around the corner. While I was out and about a few weeks ago I was in Home Bargain, which is a bargain store quite local to me. They have a great selection of mothers day gifts this year so I took the opportunity to grab some bits for my mum with mothers day in mind. I know that mothers day is just another commercialised day but my mum works hard and she deserves to be spoiled on mothers day.
I picked up a glass which has mum wrote on in gold glitter and is ever so pretty! I also picked up a scented candle (in the scent 'Fresh Linen') and a reed defuser (my mum loves these.) I also picked up a bag with 'Lovely mum' wrote on, following the theme of the other gifts. All of these came to under £10! Bargain! Team them with a bunch of pretty flowers and it's the absolute perfect mothers day gift.
(I bought these gifts with my own money, this is not a sponsored post)




What's on your mothers day wish list? Or what are you getting your mum for mothers day?

Sarah xXx

Mothers day is approaching fast and so Baker Ross sent us some mothers day arts and crafts projects to try out! The Mothers Day Roestte Badge Kits caught Ellie's eye! Ellie absolutely loves arts and crafts of any kind and these rosette badge kits were no exception.

Each kit contains 5 rosettes, sequins, self adhesive phone shapes and a badge pin. Each kit features a lovely mothers day message. We also needed PVA glue (not included) for sticking on the sequins. You can also purchase the glue from Baker Ross but we already had our own PVA glue.


Ellie started by sticking on the larger shapes to the rosette. The rosette and adhesive shapes are made from thick foam and the self adhesive shapes were easy to peel off and stick onto the rosette.


"I like the pink and purple one best" Ellie told me. She also declared her love for sequins and really, just anything that shines and sparkles. She stuck on all the shapes and then started sticking the sequins onto the rosette "This is the best part" she said proudly. She had no trouble making these herself. Please do bear in mind the fact that the rosette kits are aged 5+ due to small parts.

Once Ellie had finished decorating her rosette, she asked me to help her with sticking the pin on. I do recommend an adult doing this part because the pin is sharp. The pin itself is self adhesive and was easy to place and stick onto the back of the rosette. 

Aren't they fab? Ellie enjoyed making these, she's 8 years old and I honestly think they're perfect for her! There's very little mess and very little adult help needed (minus sticking the pin on the back). These kept Ellie entertained for a good half an hour. I really just like the fact there's minimal mess to be honest, haha. Priced at £3.49 for a packet of 6, they are well worth the money and they'd make a lovely little gift, too.

Ellie is going to keep the rosettes safe until mothers day and then give them to me with my card apparently. Bless her.

Have you or your little ones been creative lately? Let me know in the comments :)

Sarah xXx


 


We were sent a sample of this product for the purpose of this review, all opinions are my own, honest, personal opinion. I was not paid for this post.

During half term, we went to the cinema, we had a little time to kill before our movie started so we stopped by Castle Park, which is always beautiful no matter what time of year it is! It's so well maintained and landscaped. I only had my phone with me to take photographs on, I do wish I'd had my camera with me though. There are so many of signs of spring just being around the corner and we can not wait!

The kids burnt off some energy running around and looking at all the sights! I was just thrilled to see some flowers in bloom to be honest, haha.
The snow drops on the hill were my favourite! They look so dainty and pretty. Photos do it no justice.

We've had a really busy half term and spent a lot time outdoors, it has been cold but we wrapped up warm and made the most of the half term. We're really lucky that we live in the country side, right by a river! We decided we were going to have a walk into our local town and feed the ducks a long the way! My best friend was also visiting us so she came a long too! We had a wonderful day and really soaked in a lot of the nature around us!


The tide was out which meant we could actually walk along the edge of the river a little way! There were plenty of swans and geese to feed! Charlie loves feeding the swans, they are quite scary and can be quite strong but as long as you keep your distance whilst feeding them, it's fine.



The kids thought it was funny that all the seagulls were sitting on the poles in a line! "I bet they're waiting for any spare crumbs" Ellie figured. "It's like they're watching the world go by" Charlie said. Bless them.


 Ellie liked the white goose best because "he has a big orange beak" haha.

Even my eldest son, who is very much a teenager now, enjoyed the afternoon walking along the river!


Opposite the river is a farm and we always enjoy watching the animals there, too! We're hoping to visit properly in the spring time when the baby lambs and rabbits, chicks and other baby animals are out and about! We did spot some horses though!
It was a really lovely afternoon! The kids even got "hot" whilst running around and took there coats off. We seriously are SO excited for spring and the nicer weather, we will be spending a lot of time outdoors because we love being outside!

How have you been enjoying half term?

Sarah xXx

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