Wondrous Words

Little Black Book: A Toolkit For Working Women is the modern career guide every creative woman needs, whether you're just starting out or already have years of experience. Packed with fresh ideas and no-nonsense practical advice, this travel-sized career handbook is guaranteed to become your go-to resource when it comes to building the career you want. Writer Otegha Uwagba (one of Forbes European 30 Under 30) takes you through everything you need to build a successful self-made career: from how to negotiate a payrise to building a killer personal brand, via a crash course in networking like a pro, and tips for overcoming creative block. Plus Little Black Book is full of indispensable advice on how to thrive as a freelancer, and an entire chapter dedicated to helping you master the tricky art of public speaking. Promised as - "The essential career handbook for creative working women." As you can see form my post-it(ed) copy of this, i genuinely found this an insigh...

A #Girlboss is in charge of her own life. She gets what she wants because she works for it. The first thing Sophia Amoruso sold online wasn't fashion - it was a stolen book.  She spent her teens hitchhiking, committing petty theft, and dumpster diving. By twenty-two, she had resigned herself to employment, but was still broke, directionless, and working a mediocre day job she'd taken for the health insurance.  It was there that Sophia decided to start selling vintage clothes on eBay. Eight years later, she is the founder, CEO, and creative director of Nasty Gal, a $100 million plus online fashion retailer with more than 350 employees.  Sophia's never been a typical CEO, or a typical anything, and she's written #Girlboss for outsiders (and insiders) seeking a unique path to success, even when that path is winding as all hell and lined with naysayers. So good i read it twice. A year apart, but still. It was that great a read and resource i would recommend ...

Bo lives a life most people can only dream of. She and her boyfriend Zac are paid to travel the globe, sharing their adventures with their online followers. And when Zac proposes, Bo's happiness is complete. With Christmas coming up, Bo can't wait to head to the snow-fringed fjords of Norway. Arriving at the picturesque and remote hillside farmhouse that will be their home for the next few weeks, Bo's determined to enjoy a romantic Christmas under the Northern Lights. Everything should be perfect. But the mountains hold secrets from the past and as temperatures plunge and tensions rise, Bo must face up to the fact that a life which looks perfect to the outside world may not be the life she should be living... I mean, obviously this was pre-ordered as soon as the title was released, and i waited very patiently... Anyway. Another gloriously Wintry, scandalous, sexy and 'Christmassy' tale. Bo and Zac are supposedly living the Instagram life of dreams which Swan...

This year was the first time I felt that International Women’s Day was really a thing. I had the day off and spent it mooching around London and so many shops had window displays, offers and one store in particular had a display of rose lemonade on the welcome table which just made such a lovely touch. I don’t know whether it’s a result of all the recent media about gender equality and such, but it really did feel like a positive spirit was circling London town. To just pay homage, here a list of some of the authors I felt a special kinship to on this day: Dolly Alderton (enough said). Tales of dates, friends, alcohol and laughs Lindsey Kelk’s ‘I Heart’ series about upping and leaving current life and moving to New York Sally Rooney – her portrayal of emotions, mental conflicts, friendship dynamics and relationships is simply stunning Little Black Book by Otegha Uwagba (see previous post here) The Goddess Revolution: Make Peace with Food, Love Your Body and Rec...

For many of us, life can feel like it's moving too fast with pressure bearing down on us from all sides - whether that's from school or work, family or social media. As a result, we find ourselves frazzled, lost and - too often - feeling blue. It's a subject close to Fearne's heart. Drawing on her own experiences and including expert advice, HAPPY offers practical ways of finding joy each and every day. Happiness isn't a mountain to climb, it's just one foot in front of the other on the path of life, and here you'll find little steps that will help make the differences that count. With workbook elements to help you start and end the day well; get in touch with your creative side; and find peace through written exercises, simple practical ideas and visualisations, these are daily tricks and reminders to help you unlock that inner happiness. This was a recommendation from a close friend and fellow bookworm and I can see why. Such a lovely book that you...

A collection of 8 stories all telling a different narrative and involving a different central character.  An interesting collection focusing on the Vietnamese refugees who have gone to a diverse range countries as a result of conflict in their homeland. What made me pick this up?  Simply - it was different. A collection of short stories which meant i could read a different one when i had a spare bit of time.  I'm glad i saw this at the local charity shop because i probably wouldn't have looked at it otherwise. It was a good buy in the sense that the stories were very different to what i would normally read, with characters i probably wouldn't get into the mindset of. I'd recommend if you want to broaden your bookshelf but i wouldn't say these are 'light' reads as they all have a serious undertone to them. Not the best description i know but have a read and see what you think.  Have a look here