A-Z of Happiness

Yesterday I read Jill Mansell’s A-Z Of Happiness as a quick lunch time read and it’s inspired me to put together my own little A-Z of things that put a smile on my face.



A – Autumn
The back to school feeling, the rich brown colours, darker nights, good TV programmes starting, my birthday, Halloween, bonfire night……. It’s just the best season by far.

B – Books
I’m a complete and utter book worm and will always have at least one book on the go. Each year I attempt to read 52 books which is one a week. I usually manage around 50 but I am determined this year and my current count stands at 34. My favourite types of book are crime and psychological thrillers, big fat bonkbusters/sagas à la Penny Vincenzi or books based on the underclass and working class.
Favourite all time book – Brass by Helen Walsh.

C – Colouring
Colouring is a pretty new found hobby and one that I definitely recommend to everyone! It’s so relaxing and definitely de-stresses me. With many things being so digitally focused these days, it’s so nice to get away from the various screens and zone out. Despite the de-stress element, I do get a little bit antsy if I’ve picked colours out that don’t quite go together or go out the lines a little bit.

D - Dreams
I have quite vivid dreams and I love it. It's like watching a TV programme whilst you're asleep. I love interpreting the meanings and reading way too much into them.

E – Eating
I live to eat rather than eat to live. I love food in all shapes and forms, well mostly the stuff that's bad for me.

F – Friends
I know that everyone thinks this but I truly do have the best friends. They pick me up when I'm feeling down and have been there through break-ups and muggings and on the flipside, to celebrate the good times. I could not be without them, especially not living close to my family.

G- Germany
I’m a compete Germaophile. I studied German at university, lived in Hamburg for 06 months and now my job revolves around hotels in Germany. I love the culture. The history and politics, which is so closely linked to my own country fascinates me, especially the separation and reunification. If I had to move to another country, I would happily up sticks and move there. The only trouble would be picking one place to settle in.

H – Hotels
I love staying in hotels, especially alone. You can just truly switch off for a night. You don't have to think about anything... no laundry, washing up, cooking or any of the trivialities that you have at home. You can lose yourself in a Netflix marathon or a book. Plus, there's the buffet breakfasts... I think that just speaks for itself.

I – Internet
I loved the internet since we first had it installed and we had to wait until after 6pm so that it was cheaper and then after a few years free. Kids these days don’t know how easy they have it with unlimited data and wifi. I loved TeenOpenDiary and downloading Westlife fanfiction. My first email address was fool_again@hotmail.com after the Westlife song * insert crying laughing eyes emoji*. Oh the shame. I still love it today….. though social media, Netflix and Missguided are my internet guilty pleasures these days. And I have a more grown up email address!

J – Japan
Seven years spent working in the Japanese tourist industry and I still haven’t been to Japan. It’s the no. 1 destination on mybucket list of places to travel to.
2016 is the year I get saving and make this a possibility.

K – Kennedy’s
There’s no-one who can make my belly laugh as much as my family. It’s that stomach aching tears falling down your face, feel like you’re gonna wet yourself kind of laughing. Bring on our family holiday, our first one ever abroad, in 03 weeks.

L - Leopard Print
My love for leopard print rivals Kat Slater's..... It's that bad. I have a fur coat, shoes, scarves.. If it's leopard printed, I can't resist it.

M – The Mighty Ducks
The films that is, not the actually hockey team. D2 is actually my favourite film.
I was OBSESSED with The Mighty Ducks when I was younger. In 1995 I spent £50 on a Mighty Ducks shirt from Foot Locker. It was all my Christmas money and a pretty big deal at the time. Even now, 20 years later I balk at spending £50 on one item of clothing. I also pretended to sprain my wrist to be like Adam Banks. I made my mum give me a support bandage to wear!! I don’t know why I love it so much, even to this day, whenever I’m feeling rubbish, it cheers me up. Maybe it’s the underdog spirit of it all.

N – Nights Out
There’s nothing better than a night out with the girls. From the pre-drinking and getting ready together, deciding what to wear to the taxi home with a generous portion of McDonalds/chips and cheese, I just love it all. However, the hangover the next day, I don’t love that so much.

O - Oxygen
I'd die without it. Literally. O was a hard one!!

P – Photography
I love taking pictures. In 2011 I took one picture everyday for a whole year and also did a beginners DLSR course. I constantly have to delete pictures from my phone as it gets full up. Its so nice in this day to be able to document our lives and look back on different memories. I'm looking forward to investing in some more equipment and am currently looking into doing some more courses.

Q – Quiz Machines in Pubs
I like to think I'm a bit of a pro at the quiz machines in pubs, or any quiz in general for that matter. I think I like just proving how knowledgeable I am.... or not as is usually the case.

R – Red Lipstick
You just feel that little bit sassier with a slick of red lipstick don't you?! I don't think red lips will ever go out of style.

S – Streatham
Streatham is my little corner of London. I've lived here for three years now and I love it. Granted, it's a little rough around the edges but that's part of the charm. There's some great restaurant, my favourite is Mangetsu for the amazing all you can eat sushi, really reasonable rent prices, a range of transport links and plenty of green space with Tooting and Streatham Common. I only wish I could afford to buy here.

T – Trashy TV
We currently have series linked Made in Chelsea, Celebrity Big Brother, X-Factor, Ex On the Beach and Hollyoaks. I’m also eagerly anticipating the returns of Geordie Shore and I’m A Celebrity…… I think you get the gist. There’s nothing better than coming home from a long day at work and putting your comfies on for a night full of trashy television. When your brains already full and you’ve had the commute home from hell, it really is the one. It’s even better if there’s some equally bad food to munch on through whilst watching.

U – university Of Hull
Monday at Waterfront, Tuesday at Pozition, Wednesday AU night at Asylum, Thursday at Welly, Friday at Piper, Saturday at Asylum…… Chip Spice, The Lawns, Gardner’s Beer Garden, 6th Floor of the library and walking round until a computer became spare, 505050 and 353535, 99p Snakey-B and little pools of purple vomit on a Thursday morning, hot dogs from Res/Sanctuary, Planet Coffee…… It all feels like a lifetime ago now (almost ten years since I left) but it was the most fun four years of which I don’t regret a second. Coming away with people that I’m still friends with and was a bridesmaid for is testament to that.

V – Videos of Marcie
Whenever I feel upset I'll watch videos of the cutest person in the world, little Marcie Moo. As I don't get to see her as often as I would like to, I love these little clips of her world and watching her grow up and change. Never fails to put a smile back on my face.

W – Wine
I think it's pretty obvious why this makes me happy. A nice cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Prosecco please.

X – eXercise
I 'm cheating a bit with this one really. Exercise begins with E but it's hard to find words beginning with X that aren't Xylophone or X-Ray. I have a love hate relationship with exercise, but you can't deny that feeling after a good work out, when you're red faced, sweaty and lungs hurt, you just feel good, like you can do anything. Must be all those endorphins flying around.

Y – Yorkshire
Despite living in London for seven years, I'm a proud Yorkshire(wo)man! I could wax lyrical all day, from Yorkshire puddings to the fact that Yorkshire would've finished 12th in the 2012 Olympics if it were an independent country, but I don't need to. Yorkshire's amazing. End of.

Z – Zzzzzz
Who doesn't love sleep? The best is when you can just doze... lazy days napping in front of the TV or reading a book. Bliss.