My first post of 2020 and my plans for the coming year

Happy 2020 folks! Sorry for the lack of posts the past couple of weeks… the time appears to be flying by already, right? Plus, I haven’t been taking photos of anything, not to mention the fact that we haven’t been out much (apart from Lisbon last week, but I’ll talk about that in a moment). And I’ve been busy preparing for the year ahead. You see, late last year I made the big decision to leave my job at Sophie’s Golf Shop…

I love the shop, and the people in it, as well as all the lovely customers who come back time and time again. However, last year I began to realise something. I realised that I’d let my biggest dream fall by the wayside. I’ve always wanted to write, and I do write. I usually try and publish one or two books a year. However, that’s all I do. I hardly do anything to promote my books and I’ve got about twelve of them out there. I’ve realised, to really achieve my dreams of becoming a successful author, I need to devote all of my time to it. To writing, promoting, advertising, marketing and everything that goes alongside it. And even having a part-time job is preventing me from fully immersing myself in this world again.

So, I handed in my notice at the shop and will continue working there until the end of the month. However, I have offered to cover the summer holidays which will get me out of the house for a bit!

Currently, I am doing an online course about the ins and outs of book marketing, which is very interesting. So, as soon as February begins, I’ll be in my office working from home. And I must say, I am super excited about it. I have so many plans, including writing a novella which will be my reader magnet to encourage potential readers to sign up to my mailing list; I’ll be finishing the next Raven Saga book; finishing my next chick lit novel; starting a brand new series which is keeping my mind occupied at the moment lol. I can’t wait to get started because, let’s just say, it’s very me! Okay, I’ll give you a hint: it’s about witches! And if you know me well, you’ll know I’ve got a thing about all things witchy!

As for the blog, I shall continue to post the occasional style post – because I still LOVE to do that. But I also hope to be producing more book and writing-related content, because that is my real passion. It’s funny how I let it go, isn’t it? But I’ve got my mojo back now and I can’t wait to get stuck in again.

Today though, it’s about style. Yesterday’s style. Yes, this is what I wore yesterday to pop down to Mar Shopping and the Designer Outlets in Faro to buy a few things – a birthday present for a friend, a new lamp for the lounge, a rug for our bedroom and a nice smelling reed diffuser for my office to make it even more inviting. The lamp we bought is super fun – it’s a giraffe with its head poking out of the top. We bought it from Maison du Monde, which is probably my new favourite homeware shop. I’ll post a pic on my Instagram feed soon.

But back to my Sunday outfit. My Massimo Dutti leather jacket and new red shirt, skinny Levi’s, new white Skechers (yes, I finally found a pair I loved!), and my new Desigual handbag which I got for a steal in the sale which I just adore. I mean, just look at that blue. It’s divine!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention Lisbon! We went up there last weekend with our lovely friends and neighbours. It was the first time we’d been anywhere together and we had a great time. The main reason for our trip was to see Cirque du Soleil which was absolutely magical. It was the first time I’ve ever seen them (our friends have seen them once or twice before) and it certainly won’t be the last. Full of awe-inspiring stunts/acrobatics, beautiful music and laugh out loud comedy, the show was outstanding and I shall never forget it. Have you ever been?