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Christmas is about to descend upon us but it does go by so very quickly. But once Christmas Day is over, that doesn’t mean that the fun times should stop! Most of us absolutely love Christmas . It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year and we don’t care what anyone says – it’s not just for kids! One of the things we love about Christmas is the chance to eat, drink and be merry (is that three things?) It’s also great that you have the time to relax and the chance to catch up with people you might not see a great deal of throughout the year. Furthermore, could there be a more aesthetically pleasing time of the year than Christmas? So what better time to indulge in a festive-themed afternoon tea than, um, the festive season? At An Extra Slice, we're huge fan of anything that involves, food, drink, people and conversation. But there’s something extra special about having afternoon tea, probably because we don’t often find the time to have a real, proper afternoon tea so it’s become something of a treat. And when you combine afternoon tea with Christmas, then you have a delightfully themed tea. Of course, we're not suggesting you have a Christmas afternoon tea on Christmas Day itself. By the time you’ve devoured the turkey with all the trimmings followed by a helping of Christmas pudding, tea will be the last thing on your mind! And as for all that prep when you're already rushed off your feet forget it! The whole point of afternoon tea is that it's supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. But the good news is that you can hold your Christmas themed tea at any time during the Christmas holidays which generally last for twelve days beginning on Christmas Day. The beauty of hosting a Christmas afternoon tea during the season is that many of your family and friends are likely to be in town in order to celebrate the holidays, so it will be a lovely way to spend more time with them before they go home. There’s also no need to buy decorations for your tea – because it’ll already be there: the tree and other decorations will still be up; you might have poinsettias on the table; your fancy Christmas table cloth is likely to be adorning the table, and you may have lots of accessories in traditional Christmas colours. Furthermore, it’s also a great way to use up any leftovers that you might have. Everyone knows that when it comes to Christmas, we really go town, buying/baking/cooking as though we’re facing the apocalypse. So there’s no need to prepare too much food, and in addition, any Christmas type food items that need to be bought are likely to be reduced in supermarkets after Christmas. And let's be honest - time after Christmas, we all want to save wherever we can! The list below gives food ideas of what you can include in your afternoon tea party menu which include typically Christmassy festive flavours: SANDWICHES Smoked salmon and cream cheese Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce Ham and chutney Ham, brie and apple Turkey, Bacon and chipolata Cream cheese and cranberry Cheddar cheese and chutney Ricotta and orange marmalade SAVOURIES Mini sausage rolls Mini Yorkshire puddings with turkey, stuffing and gravy Filo parcels with cheese and cranberry sauce Pigs in blankets Mini Cornish pasties Baked brie with cranberries Cheese scones Cheese and bacon pastries with cranberry sauce SWEET SCONES/TOASTED BREADS Fruit loaf Teacakes English muffins Slices of Panettone Cranberry and dark chocolate scones Orange and cranberry scones CAKES, TARTS AND OTHER SWEET TREATS: Christmas cake Rum cake Ginger cake Mince pies Spiced apple pies Stollen Mini yule logs Orange and walnut cake Cranberry and orange jelly in shot glasses Sherry trifle served in teacups DRINKS: Mulled wine Spiced tea Ginger and cinnamon tea Apple and cranberry fruit tea Eggnog Hot apple toddy Spiced pumpkin latte Shot glasses of thick hot chocolate flavoured with rum or Bailey’s Remember to serve butter and seasonal conserves such as fig, mulled plum or orange curd to go with some of the breads, and you might need some clotted cream if you’re serving scones which you could flavour with spices, orange zest or brandy if you wish. You might also need some chutneys and sauces to go with the savouries. We found a delightful recipe for chocolate and orange scones, by Ellie Simmonds, which we have tried before so know it’s delicious and would be perfect as part of your Christmas tea. CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE SCONES Ingredients 700g/1lb 9oz self-raising flour 150g/5½oz butter 150g/5½oz caster sugar 2 large oranges, finely grated zest of both and juice of one orange 150g/5½oz chocolate drops 200ml/7fl oz whole milk, plus extra for brushing To serve clotted cream 2 satsumas Preparation method Preheat the oven to 210C/400F/Gas 6. Lightly butter two baking trays. Sift the flour into a bowl. Rub in the butter using your hands until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, chocolate drops and orange zest. In a measuring jug, mix the milk with the juice of one orange. Add to the flour mixture gradually until the dough just comes together. You may not need all the liquid. Be careful not to overwork the scone dough. Roll out the dough to approximately 2cm/1in thickness and cut out scones using a 5-6cm/2-2½in cutter. Transfer the scones to the buttered baking trays, brush the tops with milk and bake in the centre of the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown. Remove from the oven and cool on wire rack. Serve with clotted cream and satsumas. Enjoy! Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

Hello everyone! Our first post of the year. We hope that the first month of 2023 has been brilliant for everyone. Let's hope that those new year's resolutions are coming along all right and nobody's given up just yet! Come on - it's not even February yet! Though a lovely friend did say that it was better to call them 'aspirations' rather than 'resolutions' and I agree. I think aspirations sounds lovely as it's more about achievable hopes and dreams rather than something you absolutely have to do - and things that you absolutely have to do never sound quite so appealing. Maybe that's why most people give up on their resolutions before they've even begun! In fact this post has something of a resol- sorry, aspiration theme to it. I'm not someone who's big on making resolutions anymore as it never lasts long. But I do have some realistic aspirations for this year... COMMUNITY SPIRIT One of them is to do more with this site which is still in its infancy and really build up a community for An Extra Slice of Nostalgia Pie. One of the things I love about blogging and running sites as well as the accompanying social media is that I get to meet some truly amazing people - some of them I'm now lucky enough to call friends. I love the feeling of community that these sites foster where like-minded people come together to share knowledge and ideas as well as a few laughs along the way. We've got a lovely, lively bunch of people over at Nostalgia Pie and I'd love to create the same here. READ CHRISTIE 2023 CHALLENGE The other aspiration I've had for quite a while now is to become an avid reader again. I love reading. I've been a keen reader from the time I've been, er, able to read. I was always a real bookworm and I think that's something I get from my dad. When I was growing up, half of the living room was taken up with a bookcase for all of my dad's beloved books. He even had his own little part of the living room with a cosy armchair and a floor lamp complete with fringed lampshade where he used to sit and read his books in the evening - his own little reading nook! And growing up, I always had my nose in a book... which annoyed my parents when we had guests over! Not that I cared... Until I got told off that is! I continued my love of reading into adulthood especially when I lived in London and had mega long commutes into work. But unfortunately real-life has a habit of getting in the way and being busy often means that these days I don't get to read as much as I'd like to. I actually managed to salvage quite of a few of the books that belonged to my dad and brought them over with me to America. Just looking at them instantly transports me back to my eighties' childhood. But I want to do more than just look at them - I actually want to read them! My problem is that I often can't focus properly enough to get absorbed in the novel that I'm reading. I often get past a chapter or two before abandoning the book because I've got a million and one other things that I need to do that can't wait. I needed something that would get me back into the habit of reading and help me to become a more consistent reader again. And then it came along... The Read Christie Challenge... I decided on taking part in this reading challenge just before the new year began which gave me time to rush out to my local library to grab a copy of the first book on the reading list so that I could begin the challenge in January. The Read Christie Challenge is the official annual reading challenge from Agatha Christie Ltd. During the course of the year, we read and explore twelve of the Queen of Crimes many masterpieces. The theme for this year's books is methods and motives in Christie's novels. The books are then discussed at the end of the month with a live typed Q&A session on Facebook and Instagram. The first novel was Sad Cypress which I'd never read before. I did wonder if I'd struggle with trying to get through the entire book. Not because I thought it would be a bad read (come on, it's Agatha Christie!) but because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to focus well enough on the book. As it turns out, I breezed through it. I enjoyed it so much, I watched the TV episode and listened to the radio play. If only I'd shown as much dedication and diligence during my English lessons! Sad Cypress is an intriguing tale of jealousy, betrayal and dark secrets (pure Christie!) and I would definitely read it again. The next novel is Partners in Crime and I cannot wait to get stuck in. Tommy and Tuppence, here I come! GETTING MY VINTAGE ON! I have a love for all that is vintage and nostalgic. Anyone who visits my home will see that my love of vintage is quite evident all around the house. That's why I started two nostalgia sites! But to look at me you wouldn't think so as my style is quite, well... not-so-vintage even though it pains me to say it. I look at all these people who adore vintage and incorporate the styles so effortlessly well into their everyday look, and I have to say - they wear it well! The truth is that while I'm not so bad at rocking the eighties look, I've never been very good at hair and make up and trying to recreate these vintage styles has always seemed quite daunting to me. I enjoy watching my favourite YouTubers demonstrate various styles in some very inspiring tutorials that I have yet to try out for myself. But it's definitely time to change all that. Sure it'll probably be an abysmal flop at first, but it's like I always tell my students - practise, practise, practise! I'm definitely a sixties to nineties kind of girl but I do like a lot of the looks from the twenties to forties. I love a lot of the glamorous styles from these periods so I would love to try them out. I'm a big fan of the Style Me Vintage books (dying to get my hands on the tea party edition!) And I figured that for a beginner like me, these books might be a great help and a good starting point until I grow in confidence and will attempt more complicated looks. I purchased the three in one Style Me Vintage book from a lovely seller called Ang on eBay. You can check out her fabulous eBay store here. Photos: Angel Noire Blog graphics: Angel Noire

We're are a few weeks into autumn now, and even though many of us are mourning the end of summer, us autumniacs (Is that even a word? Well it is now!) couldn't be more thrilled. But we know that those of us who profess our love for the cooler months are something of a rarity and not understood by sun worshippers. Lots of people feel quite low as the cooler season approaches. It's the combination of the drop in temperature; the reduced levels of sunshine; the dark evenings drawing in sooner; the rain... All these elements contribute to people feeling lethargic, unmotivated, and unenthusiastic about life. They feel that their social life tends to dwindle around this time because people don't want to go out as much. They don't want to go out as much! Then there's the constant colds that keep going around, the worries about money as Christmas is fast approaching... Is it any wonder then that autumn is about as welcome as a mouse in a cheese factory? Even though the appeal of the warmer seasons is pretty clear, life doesn't come to a standstill just because autumn has arrived. In fact there's all sorts of wonderful things to look forward to when autumn hits. The fact that the key colours of the season include gold, orange, and terracotta holds a clue - warming, cheery, and earthy... there are lots of good things to look forward to when autumn arrives, and some great experiences to enjoy. And one of the great things about autumn, is that after spending the summer constantly on the go, autumn is a great opportunity to slow down, unwind, savour the little things and take it easy. So for those of you who find the cooler months a bit of a drag, we've come up with a list of ideas to inspire and motivate you, which will hopefully have you feeling more positive and optimistic. 1. DECORATE YOUR SPACE They say a change is as good as a rest, so welcome the new season by changing things up a little. Pack away your bright, lightweight summer furnishings/decor/household items, and bring out the autumn goodies in richly textured fabrics and earthy autumnal tones in order to make some simple changes in space and decor. First things first, and as boring as it may be, get rid of all that summer dust and grime with a thorough autumn- clean. A sparklingly clean, clutter-free environment immediately puts you in a better mood and makes you feel more relaxed. And then you can get on with the fun stuff - decorating! Welcome the new season with some doorway décor in the form of an autumn style wreath or leaf garland Swap your lightweight summer linens with heavier fabrics. Layer up with throws and cushions and turn your living room into a warm and inviting sanctuary Get warm, chunky-knit blankets on your bed, turning it into a snug haven. Always launder your bedding first even if they've been packed away. If there's anything that's seen better days, replace it. As we all know, there's nothing quite like new bedding. That's an absolute luxury in itself! If you have a fireplace, rearrange the furniture so that the fireplace is the focal point Swap your summer curtains for heavier drapes which make the room look and feel warmer Make your rooms look cozier with rugs in earthy, autumnal tones Nothing screams autumn quite like a cluster of pumpkins and gourds. So be sure to create interesting displays in your porch/doorway; corner of your sitting room; by the fireplace' hallway etc. Dot those burlap covered jars around the place! 2. WARMING TO AUTUMN! For some of us, the beauty of autumn is that the colder weather is a great reason to get all comfy, snug and cozy - and who wouldn't like that! And that's one of the advantages that autumn has over summer: If it gets too cold, you just layer up! What do you do when it's too hot? Unless you live near Miami Beach, running around in a bikini is not an option! By now everyone is familiar with the Danish practice of hygge, and as autumn arrives, it's good to embrace the concept of warmth and the idea of being being snug, cosy... and content! You get to wear the kind of clothes that you don't get to wear during the warmer months: comfy, cosy sweaters , long cardis, skinny jeans, boots that keep your feet all toasty... who can wear boots in scorching hot weather? We might all love running around in flip flops throughout the warmer months but it feels so good to be back in a pair of knee-high boots! Celebrate (that's right, celebrate) the autumn season by wearing clothes that make you feel warm and comfy. Buy yourself something new that you'll look forward to wearing this autumn. Or better still - sew/knit/crochet something if you're able to. Get out your flannel pjs! It's the perfect excuse to lie around in cosy pjs, snuggled under a warm blanket, watching movies all day or reading, and drinking hot chocolate (providing it's the weekend of course!) You can absolutely wear bed socks and bring a hot water bottle to bed without feeling like someone's grandad! 3. WEATHERING THE FALL There's something so unique about the beauty of autumn: the evident change in season; the pretty colours; the crispness in the morning air; that golden glow, and the warmth that tells you that even though summer's over, it's not quite winter yet... It's been known that being out and about in natural surroundings can alleviate stress, depression and anxiety, therefore getting a big, fat dose of nature may be beneficial to your emotional well-being. So soak up the natural gorgeousness of autumn and celebrate everything that the season has to offer. There's no denying that blossom looks gorgeous in spring but there's just something naturally stunning about the simplicity of fall colours, and walking ankle-deep in fallen leaves... It's great to fall asleep to the sound of falling rain Choose a day to unplug, unwind, and just enjoy the weather The crisp, cool weather makes for great walks or bike rides Go on a nature walk/hike and take pics Watch a beautiful autumn sunset Go leaf-peeping! Find out which are the best locations to see the fall colours in all its glory and go take a trip out there. Use autumn's nature: collect conquers, leaves, acorns, pinecones etc. - and make a fall wreath 4. INDULGE IN WARMING FOOD AND AUTUMN FLAVOURS! Each season brings with it certain types of food and a variety of flavours that are synonymous with that particular time of year, whether it's fresh produce or particular treats and delicacies. Not only that but certain methods of cooking also become more popular during autumn. So indulge in it all! Indulge in all the apple, pumpkin and spiced goodies that are now available Try out a new crockpot/slow cooker recipe Now is the perfect time to bake, bake, bake! No one wants to be stuck in a hot kitchen during the summer (no one wants to be stuck indoors full stop during the summer!) but autumn's great for practising your baking skills and creating baked goodies that you can share (if you're feeling generous!) The colder temperature means lots of frothy, hot drinks and seasonal beverages that autumn is famous for. Who couldn't love those wonderfully flavoured hot chocolates, teas and coffees that are available. Gingerbread, eggnog, caramel, and pumpkin spice lattes... bring it on! It ain't called comfort food for nothing and warming soups, stews and stodgy puds were made for this weather! 5. THERE'S PLENTY OF PLACES TO GO! Having an active social life is a very important aspect of personal growth and emotional well-being. During autumn and winter your social calendar might not be as hectic it is during the summer but our social life doesn't come to a stand still just because summer is over. If you think colder weather means being cooped up indoors, think again. Some of us have had our best nights out during cold and wet weather. Just think of all those mad Halloween and New Year's Eve celebrations! Furthermore autumn may be cooler than summer but it's still fairly warm so the weather shouldn't stop you from going out and doing your thang! All the best holiday celebrations - Halloween, Bonfire Night, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day etc. - take place during the colder parts of the year Go to a farmer's market and pick up some lovely fresh produce and freshly made goodies Go on a coffee date at the local coffee house and sample those new seasonal flavours If you're lucky enough to have a local drive-in, make use of it and see what's playing. Being snuggled up in the car with a cozy blanket, while watching a movie is an amazing experience Host a bonfire night Go to an autumn craft fair Visit a pumpkin patch... ...While you're at it, visit a corn maze too, and take a hayride. Have a go at fruit picking. Share them with family and friends, or put them to good use in a pie or crumble. If the weather is warm enough, go on an autumn picnic If you don't want to venture too far from your house you can still enjoy the crisp autumn air but creating a snug little outdoor oasis. Get some comfy chairs, lights, tealights in mason jars, lanterns, blankets, weatherproof rugs... if you have a fire pit, then you're really in business! 6. OR YOU COULD JUST STAY IN! But if you do decide to stay in, there's still loads you can do. And you can invite your mates too to really make a night of it! Saturday nights with takeaways, booze, movies and mates are fab Hold a movie night over at your place. Staying in to watch a movie can be every bit as fun as going to the cinema. Get a good selection of movies that you think your friends might enjoy, and some nibbles Start a book club and have regular meetings at each other's houses. Don't forget the snacks! The cooler weather can mean that your skin and hair isn't looking it's best. So that calls for a spa night. Put together a selection of beauty treatments that your friends might like to try. Or arrange a selection of ingredients - yogurt, honey, oatmeal etc - so that everyone can whip up their own homemade face/hair masks Try out a new hobby - or devote more time to an existing one Autumn was made for arts and crafts: sewing; painting; clay modelling, knitting... take your pick! Host a games night Curl up with a good book. Nothing beats a cup of tea and a good read Start up a Come Dine With Me style supper club and go round to each other's homes to discover, who out of all your mates, is the best chef! It doesn't really matter what you do, providing you're spending time with the people you love... 7. MAKE SCENTS Certain aromas can have a positive effect on our moods, feelings and well-being, and make us feel refreshed, calm, energized and can help to promote good sleep. So if the change in season has made you feel down in the dumps, and you're experiencing a bit of an energy slump, it makes scents (hehe!) to incorporate aromas that make you feel better and improve your mood. There are lots of warming and calming autumn-associated scents that will have you feeling the season! These include: Cinnamon Pumpkin Apple Ginger Nutmeg Coffee Sage Clove Fennel Cedarwood Juniper berry Rosemary Bergamot Steer clear of any product that has that ghastly synthetic fragrance. Opt for good quality scented candles and incense sticks; essential oils, floral-scented spritzes... Oh and an aromatic bath doesn't just do wonders for you, but also makes your bathroom smell divine! You can also have a go at making your own essential oil blends to create homemade products. Light an autumn scented candle Make a simmer pot and allow the aroma to waft through your home Bake to your heart's content and get that divine aroma of home baking floating all over the house Put a few drops of essential oil on pine cones or pot pourri Use essential oil in an oil burner Spritz homemade room spray around the house Autumn-scented reed diffuser Spritz some linen spray on bedding. It might even promote a good night's sleep Make autumn scented cleaning products Create spiced citrus jars 8. LET THERE BE LIGHT! The sun sets earlier in autumn and darkness descends upon us sooner. For a lot of people this does nothing to life their spirits but there's no reason why you can't create a wonderful warming glow in and around your home: Fairy lights or string lights aren't just for Christmas, you know! Sit by a fireplace or fire pit to get warm and toasty. Candelit/fireside teas are what autumn is all about! Candles and lots of them to create that feeling of warmth and light Lanterns Pumpkins aren't just for Halloween, and can be used as lanterns all throughout autumn Luminary bags Twine balls and branches Tealights or string lights in mason jars Lights in trees 9. ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS There's lots of little things you can appreciate throughout autumn. Rest and allow yourself a break. Watch your fave horror flicks/cozy mysteries. Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Miss Marple, anyone? Read! It's something a lot of people say they wish they could do more of but don't have enough time for. So pay your library or local book shop a visit, and get lost in a novel Packed tubes, trains and buses are way more bearable when it's cold, so be thankful for that! Appreciate the beauty of a dark city street, after it's been raining and seeing the street lights reflected on the glistening ground. It's great news for holidaymakers and soon-to-be-marrieds as everything tends to be cheaper around this time. 10. HEALTH & WELL-BEING After being constantly on the go during the summer, things tend to slow down a bit when autumn arrives - and that's not necessarily a bad thing. So relax and take the time to chill (just not literally!) Even though you won't be getting your beach bod out for a while, it's still a good idea to keep up with your fitness regime Check in with how you're feeling and what you need Let go of what's been bothering you Create an autumn gratitude journal or chart Book yourself in for a massage Pick one bad habit that you want to work on Strive to create more balance in your life Declutter and get rid of what you don't need Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noir

For us creative types, nothing makes us more content than being up to our eyes in a project - or ten! Some people might enjoy sweating it out in the gym; checking out the new releases at the local multiplex, or hiking through woodland areas but for us keen crafters, the craft room is our happy place. If we're not knee-deep in fabrics, with gluey fingers, glitter in our hair, and pieces of decoupage paper scattered about the place, then something is very wrong! There's a keen army of crafters out there that's growing bigger by the day. Which is quite surprising considering that once upon a time arts and crafts was considered old-fashioned, uncool and fuddy-duddy; something your nan would do. Now it's probably something your man would do! Many TV shows that feature arts and crafts have demonstrated that it's 'cool' to get creative. But cool or not, it's most definitely a fantastic way to unwind and destress which is just what's needed for today's hectic way of life. And let's not forget that during the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, many people turned to arts and crafts to while away the time - and found they actually enjoyed it a lot, with many going on to start small-businesses. For those of you whose idea of a wild time is to find as many uses as possible for odd pieces of ribbon, the following will be easy for you to relate to and things that every crafter knows all too well. 1. JUNK? NO WAY! We collect the ribbons from chocolate boxes, tissue paper from gifts, buttons and beads that have fallen off clothes... many may regard these as waste that needs to be binned, but to craft addicts, these are bits and bobs that are bound to come in handy either now or in the future, or inspiration for a new craft project. To illustrate our point, check out florist Mandy's story: I remember taking an order from a bride who wanted flower girl baskets but had left it a little too late. I had just one weekend to come up with two baskets in a rather unusual choice of colour. So I dipped into my box of trusty oddments, - the same box that my sister always used to laugh at - and came up with tulle remnants, pieces of ribbon and a small bunch of silk flowers all in the desired colour, which I was able to divide between the two baskets and mix with other cream-coloured silks. The baskets looked great. I had one happy customer and my sister never laughed at my 'box of junk' again! 2. WORKING ON YOUR CRAFT What's the perfect gift for a crafter? Apart from more supplies for their craft room, a crafting class or workshop of some kind would really be spoiling them. So sessions at a craft workshop it is! There are workshops and classes available for a variety of different crafts which last from one day for something quick and simple, to several sessions which run for a period of several weeks or even months if you really want to get stuck in. It's a really unique and thoughtful gift - just perfect for your craft-mad friend. 3. HERE'S ONE I MADE EARLIER... If you're a keen crafter yourself and you've got a friend or family member with a birthday coming up, there's a good chance that you'd prefer to give them one of your homemade creations. You know that there's nothing more unique than a handpainted teapot, screen printed T-shirt, beaded scarf, handmade soaps or studded leather wristband you've created yourself. As Laura says: When an old friend of ours was getting married, she didn't include a gift list so we had no idea what to get her. My husband, who's an artist, then decided to purchase a plain glass vase. He then went ahead and etched a beautiful rose and ivy design, complete with the bride and groom's names and the date of their wedding. It was beyond stunning - if I may say so - and my friend told me later that it was one of the most gorgeous gifts they'd received. It's deeply treasured and it reminds them of us every time they look at it - as well as their happy day of course! 4. FIX UP, LOOK SHARP! Your favourite T-shirt has a rip in it? No problem -you simply stitch it up, add some embellishments and it's as good as new. Wooden chair literally on it's last legs? Once it's been repaired, gets revamped with a brand new coat of paint in a bold colour, it looks better than ever before. Nothing ever gets thrown out because you enjoy transforming it into a work of art. 5. YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND THOSE CRAFTING GOODIES! There isn't a craft store you haven't heard of, a craft book or magazine you haven't read, or a craft site you don't know about. And even when you go on holiday, forget the tourist attractions, it's the craft shops you're looking for! Claire tells us: When I first got into crafting, I used to sit at the computer for hours, finding craft sites and purchasing all kinds of wonderful items from them. A 'quick browse' around local craft stores would see me leaving with a big bag of goodies. On a visit to Scotland for a week long break, my husband and I came across a very quaint, little craft shop and of course, I couldn't resist going in. We did not leave empty-handed! 6. YOU HAVE THE BASIC KNOW-HOW You're able to identify a variety of crafting tools and explain what they're used for. You know how to convert measurements with ease. You know your antique rose from your blush pink, and you can talk floristry techniques for hours. 7. WHEN OTHERS SEE AN EMPTY JAM JAR READY FOR RECYCLING... ...you see a container for a new batch of marmalade, jams, or chutneys you plan to give as gifts; a drinking glass for your homemade brew; a new candle holder in need to decoration; a storage jar for your craft bits and bobs; vessel for your new snow globe. That is how you think like a crafter! 8. MAGAZINES ARE THE NEW CARPET! You can barely see the flooring in your house because it's completely covered with craft books that you can't stop purchasing or the latest craft magazines which you love flicking through for inspiration for new craft projects and to find out what's new in the world of crafts. 9. WHY STOP AT ONE CRAFT? A person may be known for one particular craft but that doesn't mean that they won't dabble - or even excel - at others. It's all about the art at the end of the day and us crafters have creativity in our blood. It's all about using our imaginations; developing ideas and creating something that can be enjoyed by others. So don't be surprised if your florist friend is also into balloon art, or your grandad who makes handpainted mirrors is also a dab hand at the potters' wheel. There's no end to some people's artistic talents. 10. YOU'RE A HAPPY LITTLE CRAFTER! Peter explains: Someone once told me that being a florist suited me to the ground because I was such a happy person. Well I don't know about that - I have my moments just like everyone else - but it's true that crafts, floristry in particular, really do bring out the best in me and I'm happiest when I'm getting stuck into one of my projects. This probably explains why the three years I spent at flower school were among some of the best years of my life. Not only did I learn so much but I was among like-minded people who loved getting creative and using their imagination - and boy did we have a laugh! There was the odd row but mostly we laughed! A lot of other crafters feel the same. There's nothing quite like designing and creating something beautiful yourself. And if it's admired by others, so much the better. And if you can actually make a living out of selling your crafts, then you've really hit the jackpot. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

Easter is just around the corner and we are looking forward to yet another gloriously long weekend. For some of us, long weekends mean gatherings, socializing, fun, food as well as a healthy dose of r n'r - and I reckon afternoon tea combines all of these elements perfectly. It goes without saying that at An Extra Slice of Nostalgia Pie, we're huge fans of afternoon teas, and when it's a holiday-themed afternoon tea, then that's even better! One of the great things about hosting an Easter/Spring themed afternoon tea party is that if it's a gloriously sunny day, you might just be able to hold your party outdoors. Inspiration for this tea party comes from colours and ideas associated with this time of year as well as food that is in season. Colours in soft, muted pastel shades are typical of spring, and chicks, bunnies, spring flowers, eggs and chocolate are what springs to mind (excuse the pun!) when we think of Easter, so these will probably play a role in your choice of food, drinks and décor. The list below gives food ideas of what you can include as part of your Spring-themed afternoon tea party menu: SANDWICHES Egg and cress Cucumber and cream cheese Chicken salad Chicken and pesto Ricotta and apricot jam Egg and asparagus Prawn cocktail SAVOURIES Scotch eggs Mini asparagus and quail's egg tartlets Mini Yorkshire puddings with lamb and mint gravy Pea and mint soup in shot glasses Bite-size lamb samosas Chicken tikka on bite-size naan bread with mint raita Spinach and ricotta/feta in filo pastry Cheese and spring onion scones Broccoli and spinach mini quiche SWEET SCONES/TOASTED BREADS Hot cross buns Fruit loaf Apricot muffins English muffins White chocolate and raspberry scones Rosewater and vanilla scones CAKES, TARTS AND OTHER SWEET TREATS: Lemon cupcakes Chocolate fudge cake Carrot cake Simnel Cake Mini rhubarb and custard tartlets Crème egg chocolate brownies Pastel coloured macaroons Chocolate whoopie pies Lavender shortbread Raspberry panna cotta in shot glasses Mini chocolate and cherry trifles DRINKS: Tea! Lemon tea Raspberry tea Vanilla latte Mint tea Elderflower cordial Shot glasses of thick chocolate milk Chocolate flavoured cocktails Don't forget the extras you need to serve such as butter, clotted cream, honey and a selection of jams to go with the toasted breads and scones. And for the savouries, you may need to provide a variety of chutneys, sauces and pickles.

If only there was a day that would celebrate all that was nostalgically great about vintage, retro and a more uncomplicated time. Well actually there is - National Retro Day! If ever there was a day that was better than Thanksgiving and Christmas combined, National Retro Day would come pretty damn close, we think! Nostalgia addicts are coming together to celebrate one of the biggest days in the nostalgiac calendar - National Retro Day! It's a day when we let the wave of nostalgia wash over us; reminisce over our childhoods and teen years - and in some cases our parents' and grandparents' childhoods and teen years; remember the simplicity of the past, and try to get through the day with as few distractions from modern day life as possible! It's almost like a step back in time for one day each year. Although National Retro Day is celebrated in America, there's no reason why nostalgia addicts all over the world shouldn't participate in this fabulous event. So let's take a look at what this day is all about and how to observe it. WHAT IS NATIONAL RETRO DAY? It's a day in which we celebrate our love for all things retro and let our nostalgiac flag fly - with the emphasis on embracing simpler times and avoiding the distractions of modern day life. It's a day to forget about likes, followers and hashtags; it's a day to ignore who's saying what on social media, and it's a day to switch the devices off and party like it's 1999! Or 1959 even if that's your thing! WHEN IS IT? 27th February - which is also the day of: The first Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans (1827) The godfathers of psychology Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud meeting for the first time in Vienna (1907) Birth of Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor (1932) Female suffrage granted in Egypt (1956) Birth of TLC's Rozonda Thomas aka Chilli (1971) Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recording Ebony and Ivory (1981) HOW DID IT ALL START? National Retro Day is the brainchild of Hermelinda A. Aguilar and her son and daughter-in-law Robert and Tina Duran (yep, we're thinking it too - great name!) Together they founded National Retro Day which has been observed since 2018 - making this year's NRD the fourth to ever take place - when the folks at National Day Calendar declared that National Retro Day was to be held on February 27 every year. WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF NATIONAL RETRO DAY? Do you remember when that little rectangular device in our pockets was for making and receiving calls only? Do you remember even further back when leaving the house with a phone seemed like the impossible dream??? Well today we can't live without our mobile phones which seem to perform a million and one functions! In fact we can't seem to live without any kind of technological gadget, and if Wi-Fi is down even for five minutes - it almost feels as though someone has cut off our oxygen supply! As most of us lived in an age where much of the technology we have now didn't exist, we wonder how we ever survived without our modern day wonders. Well spare a thought for our parents and grandparents who had even less than we did - and somehow, they managed just fine. There's no denying that there are huge advantages to living in an age of great technological advancements and where we can get everything at the click of a button and at our door the next day - or even within the hour - and we all like living in the here and now. But many of us are also well aware that there is a downside to being connected all the time. And one of the disadvantages is that ironically it has made us a little disconnected... from ourselves, from reality and from each other! We find ourselves at the beck and call of our gadgets; we buy into the seemingly perfect life of the latest social media darling, and despite having five thousand 'friends' on Facebook, loneliness has become a severe issue of pandemic-like proportions sweeping over the nation. And once again we wonder how our elders managed to live with a lot less but were still able to have more fulfilling, happier lives. So what's the point of National Retro Day, you ask? Well besides being a day to celebrate all things retro - both for those who want to relive a past decade they grew up in and for those who want to know what life was like at a particular time - it's a chance to bask in the memories of the good ol' days, and fly the flag for nostalgiacs everywhere; it's a day to unplug and take it back to more simpler times before the internet, Wi-Fi, and social media started to take over our daily lives. Whenever we think back to highlights from our childhoods, we think about simple pleasures and quality time spent with the people we love. National Retro Day reminds us of how good it is to look back at these great times and remember to spend some time away from the demands of new technology and modern day living. It's a day to create some new retro-inspired memories, and live in the moment without a gadget in the palm of our hands! SO WHAT COUNTS AS RETRO? Good question! The definition of 'retro' will mean different things to different people but the emphasis is always on 'old school' 'back in the day,' and times gone by.' While we can all agree that retro basically constitutes, er, 'old,' it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what point in time is considered 'retro.' To some people, retro is all things 1950s. To others is 1980s. Some believe 'retro' denotes a time when comic books and superheroes ruled the world, while others would say it's before dial-up connection and floppy disks... before mobile phones... before Wi-Fi... before reality TV... Before Little Mix... Your guess is as good as theirs. But yes - retro still means old! But in a GREAT way!!! WHICH DECADES CAN WE CELEBRATE FOR NRD? The time generally considered to be 'retro' are the fifties right up to the nineties. But as we've said, there is no concrete definition as to what constitutes a 'retro period' so nostalgia fans can celebrate any retro time period they prefer. SO WHAT EXACTLY DO I HAVE TO DO FOR NATIONAL RETRO DAY? One of the prerequisites for National Retro Day is that you stay as unplugged as much as possible - or better still, you stay completely unplugged. Which means no endlessly scrolling through your phone, no constant social media use, no being glued to your laptop. Though understandable you still have to work - we're sure your boss isn't too concerned whether it's NRD or not! But aside from work, the aim is to live as simply as possible - for one day! We're taking it back to the days of in-person, face-face-connection; family meals eaten around the dining table and not in front of the telly; when kids spent time outside the house and explored more than just the web, and participated in activities that didn't require Wi-Fi. Do you get it now? National Retro Day is a day to do all things the old school way! There are many things you can do in order to celebrate retro-ness in all it's nostalgic glory. The creators of NRD encourage celebrants to participate in activities that fall into one of these four categories: wear it, play it, drive it, and show it. An Extra Slice decided to add a few more unofficial categories just because we wanted to: make it, attend it, consume it, read it, watch it, do it! Read on for celebratory ideas. WEAR IT Wear retro clothes relating to your chosen decade. Some classic retro clothes might include 1920s lounge wear pajamas; smoking jackets; drainpipes, cloche hats, ripped jeans, leather jackets, circle skirts; platform shoes, shell suits, puffball dresses etc. Certain designers are synonymous with certain decades so you could always dress in Chanel, Mary Quant, Karl Kani, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ossie Clark etc. Think about classic retro hairstyles. Get your quiffs, pompadours, beehives and perms in order! Rock make-up that is associated with your chosen decade. Accessories often get overlooked, so don't forget those chokers, peace sign medallions, bandanas, and retro hair bobbles. Wear a watch. We know, right! Who even does that any more! PLAY IT Play those retro video game consoles - Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Atari 2600, Sega Saturn, etc. Play a classic board game such as Scrabble, Monopoly, chess, backgammon, etc. Listen to your collection of vinyls, cassette tapes, or compact discs. Pick a particular musical genre - rock 'n' roll, glam rock, disco, techno, hip-hop, punk - or a particular artist - Elvis, Diana Ross, Buddy Holly, The Beatles... Or you could just listen to a big retro selection! Play music on a non-internet jukebox. If you're the proud owner of a vintage instrument - play it! Get your friends together to play some classic card games DRIVE IT If you have a classic vehicle, be sure to get it out on the road. Visit a class car show SHOW IT OFF If you collect any kind of vintage memorabilia, now's your chance to show them off: Milk bottles, vintage magazines, sports cards, movie posters, action figures... This'll be your opportunity, if you're a pop fan, to display all the merch you've collected over the years. If you're into retro styling, showcase the hair and make up skills you've learned with the help of your trusty polaroid! Rock retro-style clothes that you've sewn/crocheted/knitted yourself Those of you who have styled your home in retro fashion may want to take this opportunity to highlight your interior design skills MAKE IT Indulge in crafts that were popular back in the day - macramé, tie-dying, paper marbling, model aeroplanes etc. Cook or bake something from a vintage cookbook Sew/knit/crochet a retro-inspired item of clothing Create old-school soft furnishings for your home ATTEND IT See a movie at a drive-in theater. Have a date at an old-school fifties style diner Go to an arcade. Head to a roller rink. Roller disco anyone! Go to an eighties event CONSUME IT Have dinner around a table with your family or friends. Eat at the oldest restaurant/café/diner in your neighbourhood Grab dinner at a drive-in restaurant. Scoff a pack of those sweets and chocolates you couldn't get enough of as a kid. Create a three course meal based on dishes that were popular at your chosen time. READ IT Read a print newspaper or magazine. Read a book - not an eBook! Choose a well known retro novel - Valley of the Dolls; The Handmaid's Tale, Midnight's Children, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit Read something by an author who was popular during a particular period - Harold Robbins, Jackie Collins, Barbara Taylor Bradford Reread a book from a series you were addicted to as a teen - Sweet Valley High, Nancy Drew, Babysitters Club WATCH IT Stick on a VHS tape/DVD and watch a retro film: Rebel Without a Cause; Psycho; The Graduate, Diamonds Are Forever; The Shining; Jaws; The Omen; Star Wars, The Godfather; Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, E.T. The Terminator; Sister Act; Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump... take your pick! Watch an old television show: Dallas, Dynasty; Friends; Happy Days; Hill Street Blues; St. Elsewhere; Cold Feet; Starsky and Hutch Dukes of Hazard... Check out documentaries about past decades Watch a TV show or film that absolutely screams a particular decade: Valley of the Dolls (1960s) Abigail's Party (1970s) Wall Street (1980s) Watch a type of TV format that was once super popular but now... not so much (damn you, reality TV!) - quiz shows; comedy sketch shows; candid camera type shows, TV anthology series etc. DO IT! Call someone on a landline telephone - rotary, cordless, or push button. It's all good! Send someone a handwritten letter Go outside and play some sports Go for a bike ride Don those rollerblades and go for a skate along the beach/in the park Use a clock, an actual clock, for the time. And not your phone If you have trouble adding up digits, use a calculator. And actual calculator. Not your phone Use a non-digital camera to take pics Pretend it's 1985 and use a notebook and pen! This may seem to be a bit of a contradiction considering that we're all supposed to be offline, but one of the official suggestions for National Retro Day is to share what fantastical retro magic you're getting up to on social media, using the hashtag #NationalRetroDay. But there's no reason why you can't post something the night before of what you plan to do. Or you could take pics on the day and post them the next morning. That sounds fair enough and we're sure you won't get carted away by the retro police! The important thing is that you enjoy this day and have fun - lots of it. Happy Retro Day!!! Enjoy! Photos: Pixabay or Angel Noire Blog graphics: Angel Noire

Some of us haven't picked up a book since leaving school - and couldn't care less! But some of us were once avid bookworms who let real life get in the way: we've got to get to work; study; look after the home; take care of the kids; fit in time with our family and friends... it's a miracle if we're able to squeeze in a decent amount of sleep let alone a good read! But for those of us who always had our noses in a book, we really do miss the regular and delightful habit of reading. These days we're all so busy that even when we do get to sit down with a good book, we can't focus as our mind is often on the million and one tasks we're mentally ticking off our list. Or you begin a book, make good progress but then have to take a break from reading because duty calls... and then you never get to read to the end of the novel. So once again you unintentionally abandon the idea of becoming an avid reader. 'Getting back into reading' or 'reading more' are goals on a lot of people's to-do list, especially at the beginning of each new year. Our intentions may be good but it's not always easy to restart that reading habit. We live in an age of constant distractions especially digital ones, and sometimes it's hard to get that focus. So how do you get back into reading again? How do you put down the phone and pick up a good book? (With your hands!) But whether you are the prodigal bookworm or someone who's never really been into books and would like to start, An Extra Slice of Nostalgia Pie has ideas that might just, hopefully, get you turning or even scrolling (we don't mind!) those pages again! But first... WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT READING? We get it - you're all booked-out after graduating and swore you'd never pick up anything with a cover, a spine and pages AGAIN!!! But to miss out on reading is to miss out full stop - in our opinion at least. There's nothing quite like losing yourself in a novel and partaking in an activity that's known for being relaxing, cozy, and enlightening. There's also something comforting about curling up with a good book and a cup of tea, and also nostalgic - reminiscent of childhood and school days. And for those of you who think that reading is boring, well - maybe you've just never found the right book! Reading is far from boring, and a lot like baking or knitting these days - it's suddenly become cool again as the plethora of bookstagrams and book blogs and vlogs illustrate. Here's why we think reading is so important: It's escapism. How many of us have lost ourselves in a book and let our imaginations run riot? It's a great feeling, isn't it? We live in a world of constant, fast-paced information overload and sometimes our poor little brains (OK, not so little!) can't always cope with it. Reading is a great way to relax, slow down and get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. We get acquainted with words again. Remember when our English teacher told us how reading would build up our vocabulary and improve our spelling and grammar? Well they weren't wrong! It's a sad fact that many of us have let our spelling slide or use incorrect grammar. This is partly due to text-speak and an over-reliance on tools like spellcheck. Sure, some people might think this is as unnecessary as the ability to do mental arithmetic - isn't that what the calculator function on your phone is for??? But many of us think it's still important and a useful skill, especially in a work setting - and it makes a good impression. Reading is exercise for the brain. So you should treat reading the same way you would a work out session and read regularly. It's being productive. More often than not, we are glued to our devices, and a lot of the time we're not being very productive with them - just aimlessly scrolling (come on, we all do it!) Reading is a good way to leisurely use time we would otherwise have wasted and gives us the chance to put down our gadgets and pick up a book (although we will allow digital books in this instance!) You need to be occupied. If you're someone whose brain needs constant stimulation, books might be the way to go... especially if you're someone who tends to brood or dwell on the negative when you don't have anything else to occupy your mind. BEFORE YOU BEGIN... Think about the kind of books you'd like to read. If you're going to start with a book that's not your cup of tea, chances are you'll get bored and won't continue. You don't always have to read the classics. If Jane Austen or Charles Dickens made you fall asleep during English class, chances were they weren't the novels for you then. And if they're still not, don't fear as there are plenty more different types of literary works that might be more up your street. Don't worry about other people's snobbery with regards to certain types of novels. If someone doesn't like your reading material, then that's their problem, isn't it? Be realistic. You should aim to read every day in order to create a habit and keep it going. But we don't expect you to finish a book, or even a chapter, every night. Set aside a realistic amount of time - at least fifteen minutes - to fit in some reading. Or if you think in terms of pages, think about reading five to ten pages - whatever works for you - on a daily basis. Find a regular time each day when you're likely to continue reading, and stick to it in order to create a routine and keep the momentum going. That might be in the morning with your first coffee of the day; at lunchtime; during the evening commute, or before bed. Read reviews and recommendations which will give you ideas for new books to read. Check out podcasts, Instagram accounts dedicated to books, magazines, your local libraries recommendations etc. It's time to become a member of the library again if you're not already. You know... to keep those endless supply of books coming in because you're going to be such a read-a-holic... There's nothing like being in the home of books to motivate you into reading again. Try to work out which format you prefer - traditional books or eBooks. The stories may be the same but some people have a preference and feel that they read better with a certain format: they can focus better and get through the book at a good pace, and still maintain their level of interest. One reason why people love old school books is because they, can at a glance, measure their progress with the number of pages they have got through, and you can make written notes, while others feel they can get through an eBook much quicker than it's printed counterpart. And don't dismiss audio books either! Admittedly listening to a story is not the same as reading it. But audiobooks are a great way to get into a story for those who are seriously pushed for time but have the ability to multitask. It's also something people can listen to while they're falling asleep. Why not try a book series by listening to the first title as an audiobook and then shifting to a physical book for the follow-up? Providing you have the time of course! Download books onto a device. It's not our favourite suggestion but if you really can't put down the phone or your tablet, then at least get some books on it! But be warned - you might get distracted by phone calls or incoming messages. So here's are our tips to get you into the habit of becoming an avid reader again. 1. COMPLETE THE FIRST CHAPTER OF A BOOK... QUICKLY! Sometimes it's the getting started that's the hardest bit. So getting over that initial potential hurdle - the first chapter - is key. And that's something that former bookworms and novice readers struggle with. So set aside some time when you know you won't be interrupted and just get on with reading that first chapter in all it's entirety. After that you can set time/page limits and take the novel at your own pace - but remember to be consistent. 2. TO READ OR NOT TO READ It's important to remember that an uninspiring start to a book is not always indicative of how a narrative will develop. It's like a movie - you might feel like walking out of the cinema after the first fifteen minutes but then by the end of it, you're glad you stayed. But on the other hand, we've all come across novels that are painfully hard to get through and we just know that the book isn't really 'us'. So the question is do we continue reading until the end in the hope that the story will get better or do we ditch it and find something that really holds our interest? The decision, as they say, is yours! No one wants to be a quitter but sometimes it's better to stop something that's just not working and try something else that might. So why waste precious time! Give the book a chance and set a limit - say the third or fourth chapter. If by the time you've finished that chapter, and you think you can handle it - keep reading. But if you're starting to lose the will to live, then now might be the right time to put that book down and go in search of one that you might enjoy. Reading should never be a chore, so if you're not enjoying your current reading material, give it up - or it could potentially put you off reading for good. 3. START WITH SHORTS If a novel is too full on for you, start with a series of short stories which will be an easier, equally as interesting, and more varied read. 4. PICK UP A SUSPENSE NOVEL One of the reasons why people get bored with a book is because it's too slow-paced or draggy, and we get bored even before we get to the halfway point of the book. Not a great way to inspire motivation in someone who wants to get back into books. But with a novel that has an element of suspense such as a whodunnit or a psychological thriller, those books are designed to hook the reader and keep them hooked, so they're more likely to be a page-turner; a bit more fast-paced, and really draw the reader into the narrative so you should hopefully want to get to the end. 5. CREATE A READING LIST Set up a list with books you're just itching to read. Then every time you hear about a title you want to read, add it to your list and tick it off as you finish the novel. It'll be interesting to see how many you get through in a year. 6. PICK UP A BOOK FROM CHILDHOOD Even if it is Cinderella! Don't underestimate the power of nostalgia to get you bubbling with enthusiasm, and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Perhaps it's something your parents read to you when you were a child; a book you read when you started secondary school, or a book from a teen series you loved. And if you think that children/teen books are just for kids, well think again! There's a whole host of adults who have gone back to the teen and young adult fiction that they loved when they were much younger. It reminds them of care-free times and how much they loved reading. 7. TAKE A BOOK ON YOUR COMMUTE If you have a fairly long commute into work and use public transport then trust us - a novel makes your journey so much better. You might be too busy when you're at home, and feel too tired when you crawl into bed but when you're sat on a bus or a train with nothing to do, you have no excuses and depending on the length of your journey, you may well be able to get in a couple of chapters. So make a book your new best friend on those long commutes. 8. GO FOR A BROWSE AROUND A BOOK SHOP Book shops are generally known for being quaint and cosy with a lovely, warm ambience. It's no wonder that so many bookshops also have a cafe... and why so many cafes have taken on the appearance of a bookshop. They make you want to seek out the comfy, cosiest spot where you can settle yourself with your tea, and cake while you read your latest purchase. And if you could wrap yourself up in a fluffy blanket so much the better... though you might have to wait until you get home for that! The inviting atmosphere aside, bookshops are of course a great places to find new book titles recommendations. Browsing around book shops is often how lots of people discover their exciting new read - you never know what migtht spark your interest. Read the next part of this post to discover more tips on immersing yourself into the wonderful world of books. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

The second part of our post to get you picking up those books and back into the habit of reading again. 1. CREATE A BOOK NOOK There's nothing quite like a cosy, charming, and inviting space for you to sit with your book and read in peace. Your reading nook could be a small corner of a room; an entire room; the disused space on a landing, or it could even be outdoors - just anywhere where it's quiet and where you won't be distracted. What you need is a comfy seat, a good reading light, and a little table for your tea and cake! 2. JOIN OR CREATE A BOOK CLUB If you want to get into the habit of reading but keep putting it off, joining a book club might be a great way to get motivated when it comes to reading especially if you're someone who likes socializing. You'll feel as though you're part of a team, there's the social aspect and who knows - you might make some great friends as well. Plus book clubs are great places to share ideas and read books that you might not otherwise have come across. And furthermore, if there isn't a book club in your area, there's nothing to stop you from starting your own. 3. START A BOOK BLOG OR VLOG Those who have started a book blog or vlog have done so because they are keen readers who want to share their love of books with likeminded people. As a novice or born-again bookworm, there's no reason why you couldn't do the same. Starting a book blog/vlog or bookstagram is another way to get your motivation levels up; to inspire you to complete each novel; keeps you accountable for your goals, and is also a unique way to document your journey as a soon-to-be avid reader and fiction fan. It's also a great way to build up a community with other book fanatics, where you can bounce around ideas; share news... and maybe make some book buddies! But remember, blogs and vlogs do take time and effort so start one if you feel you have the time, energy and patience to keep it going. 4. READ OUTDOORS On a day when the weather is good, the outdoors makes a lovely calm, and serene environment to get comfy with a book, whether it's your garden, the park or the beach. 5. WATCH A TV OR FILM ADAPTATION OF A BOOK The debate over film and TV adaptations of novels has been raging on since the creation of film and TV adaptations of novels! We're not going to get in on this debate, but as a tool to get you back into reading, adaptations do come in quite handy! True there can be subtle differences (and sometimes major changes) between the original literary work and it's screen adaptation. And of course the book gives more in-depth background and details than its screen counterpart due to time constraints on the latter's part. But the essence of the book remains the same: the plot; themes; characters; setting etc. So watching the adaption may help you decide if you'd like to then pick up the book. Admittedly its a massive spoiler to watch the adaptation before reading the book, so this is not a tip for those of you who don't wish to know what will happen! 6. CHECK OUT REVIEWS FOR INSPIRATION So you can't judge a book by it's cover or by it's title - but you can (a little) by the review! Book reviews are very helpful to potential readers when deciding what to add to the all-important reading list. They give you a general idea of what the book is about, and if you're already a fan of the genre or the author, it might well be a novel you can't wait to get stuck into. Although reviews are useful, remember that whether a book has been deemed good or bad is the reviewer's opinion. It's not necessarily gospel but rather a guide, so make up your own mind. We've come across some books that got fairly negative reviews and we found them to be quite good. And then there were some that got rave reviews and went on to become best sellers - and we really don't know why (no titles mentioned!) So stick to the facts - if it's your genre and the synopsis intrigues you, then you might enjoy it. 7. GO TO A LITERARY FESTIVAL Also known as a book or writers' festivals, these are generally annual events which bring writers and readers together in certain towns or cities. Lit fests are a fantastic way to discover or rediscover a love of books. They are so much more than just authors sat at individual tables with a pile of books! There are readings given by authors; book signings; poetry recitals even acting performances. It's a great occasion for people who really enjoy the creative scene and will have you falling in love with the written and spoken word. And of course it's a chance to discover - and talk to - new authors, and find knew titles you might want to read. Check out what literary festivals are going on in your area. 8. RE-READ YOUR FAVOURITE NOVEL There's nothing like an oldie but a goodie, so if you can't make up your mind about which new title to select, then why not re-read an old favourite? As long as you’re actually reading something that you enjoy and you're keeping the momentum going, that's the main thing. Happy reading! Photos: Pixabay Blog Graphics: Angel Noire