Typecast

I'm a huge fan of Hotter Shoes , especially their winter boots collections.  Each year I head over to their knee high selection but this year I fancied a change so I picked a couple of styles and colours and handed the decision over to my Instagram followers to decide for me in the form of a poll.  The final result narrowed it down to the Whisper ankle boots in dark tan .  I cover many miles when walking the dog and in the Autumn and Winter I want my feet to be toasty and comfy and the Whisper boot doesn't let me down. The upper and the inner 'sock' is made from leather whilst the sole is polyurethane which prevents slipping. The zips on both the sizes of the boot open which makes it easy for anyone to pull on quickly.  What I was really interested in, though, was the construction of the boot itself. Hotter are well known for their comfort and this breakdown of the Whisper boot is fascinating.  A total of 32 separate components are used to create the...

At the beginning of this year I set myself a goal to run 1000km by the 31st of December.  I had just joined Blackburn Road Runners and was wanting to get some serious training done to tackle my 10k personal best time.  Little did I know that I would end up training for a 10 mile race by the end of the month and then training for, and completing, two half marathons ( Darwen and Southport ).  Because of the way races and club runs are structured, I changed my Garmin into miles and promptly forgot about my challenge. Read more about my Ibiza run  on Instagram That was until I went for a quick run in Ibiza , refreshed my Strava profile  and I noticed that I was within touching distance of 500 miles for the year.  I smashed through the 500 mile mark on a club run last week  then I did a couple of calculations, realising that I was nearer to that 1000km goal that I thought I could be. Read more about the run when I broke through 500...

I don't own a lot of jewellery, but what I do wear are pieces that are fairly timeless and a bit unusual. I also have a couple of heirlooms that are safely stashed away (for what or when, I don't know but it's comforting to know that they are there). I've recently started to layer my jewellery and to try and get the most out of it by wearing it more, rather than saving it for a special occasion.  My current favourite collection of wrist wear is my  Choose Life, Choose Love  leather wrist wrap from  Hope House Press  teamed with my two  Pandora   bracelets and my new  Thomas Sabo  bracelet that has a uniquely engraved charm. The Thomas Sabo bracelet is the latest addition to my wrist and it's from  Peter Jackson the Jeweller . I was recently invited to an exclusive evening in their Preston store to learn about diamonds. I took my daughter, Rachel, with me so we could both have a 'grown up' night off. To me, Peter Jackson the J...

Ever since I was a panellist on Sally Naden's daytime chat show on BBC Radio Lancashire, and then took part in a blogger take-over on radio stations around the UK talking about healthy breakfasts , I fell in LOVE with notion of presenting my own radio show at some point in my life. Fast foward a couple of years and I found myself promoting an adult learners course on a local community radio station (Preston FM - sadly no longer in existence) and was encouraged by one of the presenters to join the next training course to become a presenter .  I wrote a two hour show that was based around the spoken word (poems, short plays, monologues) and then ended up hosting my own quiz show on Preston FM - The Big Cheese - which ran for six episodes and a couple of one-off specials.  I also had the opportunity to be part of an actual radio play - Welcome To Our Village, Please Invade Carefully - which is very funny, you should have a listen! But volunteering takes up valuable time a...

Earlier this year I was asked to be an official blogger for The Snowman Tour , especially as the tour is coming to my home town and being presented in Blackburn Cathedral on 11th December. Carrot Productions bring you the magic of the iconic film, The Snowman , with a full live orchestra and additional festive treats in a unique setting. It's a beautiful, fun introduction to the orchestra and a perfect pre-Christmas outing for all the family. The show is in two halves - both around 35 minutes long - and aimed at children aged three and above. The first half will feature a wonderful Christmas overture followed by an animated film of the award winning book, The Bear and the Piano  (written by David Litchfield and narrated by Joanna Lumley) which promises to enchant all ages. The second half of the show leads into the film itself with a surprise conductor during the Snowman Waltz. The musicians are drawn from orchestras around the country including the Hallé, BBC P...

Now that I am edging slowly towards fifty, I wonder how I would feel once I am on the other side. When I look back, I feel life has been good and kind. My kids are now 19, 25 and 27 , and I am no longer in my thirties. Life is certainly changing as the numbers grow in our age.  However, I have not allowed it to change my desires and zest for life. I know that my children will not always be there with me as they move on in their own lives. My nest would be empty, but I plan to fill the big empty with wonderful possibilities. I am going to celebrate my life and make a new beginning all over again. Have any questions about life after 50?  Click here  to know about the amazing possibilities at this golden age.  As I love to travel, I have already made a bucket list of where I would travel once I am alone and my children move out. I already feel like a free bird! Greece is my favourite I love beaches, and I have heard that the beaches are the be...