The July List 2017

July has been a long month but it has, I think, been a little more cheerful than the last couple. No major black clouds in my days as far as I can remember, and this has been a nice little list to put together.

It's got to the point in the year where I suddenly realise the months are running away from me, tumbling down a hill at a staggering rate (July means it's nearly September, and September's practically Christmas!!) but it's not quite time for a crisis yet. I'm in a much more stable position this July than the last, and generally I'm feeling very content. Long may it continue.

In July...

• I revisited my university for an open day with my sister and enjoyed giving a tour and saying hi to my old hideouts, a year after I left. I was amazed that I didn't get too overly emotional because we all know how attached I was to that place (!)
• I've been absolutely hooked to The Handmaid's Tale on Channel 4. The final ep. was aired last night and I'm not over it. I cried on the way to work this morning thinking about it. Honestly one of the best things I've seen on television in years. Elisabeth Moss is fan-bloody-tastic. I'm desperate for a novel re-read now.
• I (finally) had the haircut that I've been debating for over a year. It's nothing drastic but I'd say I've now moved from the long to medium department of Pinterest search terms.
• I spent a few evenings on the beach which were glorious. The sea is a gift.
• Summer BBQs continued, to my delight. Hand me the halloumi and Linda McCartney burgers please.
• I have secretly enjoyed some of the more unseasonal July weather. Summer is great and all but I've been craving autumn and I miss coats. There's a certain temperature of breeze that I can't put my finger on but it gives me huge waves of nostalgia.
• I have basked in the delight of interiors shopping. After putting it off for a long time (because blu tac is hard work), I finally took down my "wall of stuff" - a collection of (mostly) junk that has been stuck on my bedroom wall for an estimated seven years. Planning new dresser spaces and gallery walls has been a joy. I long for the imaginary day that I can afford property of my own to do up all fancy, but for now a single wall will have to do.
• I had a few days off work this month which were very pleasant, although the rain deterred from my "summer" break a little.
• I treated my lovely mum to posh afternoon tea for her birthday. Oh la la.
• I have fallen in love with reading again (not that I was ever out of love with it). I sometimes struggle to put time aside but I've got into a routine this month of sitting out in the evenings and reading until it's dark. Lovely.
• I went to a country show and marvelled at giant onions and show ponies. How bloody quaint.
• I had a wonderful evening celebrating a friend's wedding. It was so nice to see all my uni pals, have an excuse to dress up and demonstrate my embarrassing dad dancing. Weddings are special and an honour to attend. This was one of my first as a sort-of-grown-up. Awww.

xxx