Bits & Bobs { january }

1. blue smoke 2. wish upon a star 3. retro car mugs

4. dublin check lambswool blanket from avoca 5. penguin 'carry on jeeves' books cushion 6. striped boot socks

7. pink whisper 8. charbonnel et walker original dark chocolate drink

I always find January a little depressing, the weather is always cold enough and miserable enough that all I want to do is curl up on my ugly sofa and pretend the outside world has gone away for the month. I would too, except that I have an entire house to paint and a mortgage to pay. So, consider this post the first of a monthly series in wish fulfilment, showcasing products from affiliates (and some non-affiliates on occasion) that would make my mood (and hopefully yours) better.

One of my favourite ways to make the world go away is to bury my head in a book (or several, I can read a couple a day). Alibris is an online marketplace for independent sellers and is stuffed full of new, used, rare and out of print books with intriguing titles like Loosening the Bonds: Mid-Atlantic Farm Women, 1750-1850 and Where's My Cow? (I do love me some Terry Pratchett!). Nora Roberts is my favourite 'girly' author, and with a book I've not read but liked the look of to go with a favourite of hers, I could add a dash of romance to my day. Add to that a lovely retro mug for all the hot drinks I can get down me without busting and I think I'd be well away.

My woodburning stove isn't up and running yet, but there's something about a yummy throw to make you feel warm and cosy. This plaid blanket in ice cream colours immediately caught my eye and should brighten even the dullest of days. It's from notonthehighstreet.com, another marketplace for independent sellers based in the UK that I've mentioned previously here, and I'm all about supporting local small businesses. I'm a big fan of Penguin Classics too, so when I saw this cushion I fell head over heels, I'll need something to squidge against as I read my way through several books. And what better way to keep my tootsies warm but with a pair of wellie socks (striped! I love stripes!) that I can also use when out and about with the wolf? 

I'm trying to get into painting my nails now that I'm temping and especially because I'm doing a lot of DIY. I keep my nails very short, but between the house and the wolf that doesn't stop them from getting dirty no matter how often I clean them. I find it difficult to get used to strong colours though, so perhaps I'll start slowly with this light pink. Jacava's nail varnish is free from all the nasties like formaldehyde that's normally found in nail polish, making them much more body friendly. And finally, this french chocolat chaud is the bees knees and would taste delish in my retro mug. It's not powder, oh no sirree, it's actual flakes of chocolate that you make into a paste and then add hot milk to, it's divine and was introduced to me by my Mum years ago. It's now the only hot chocolate I drink and, much like Pringles, once you pop that tin open you won't stop!

Thanks for stopping by,