From the bookshelf...

Reading hardback non-fiction books is one of my favourite things to do to relax and clear my head after a busy day. It has been a while since I've made the time or had the energy to do something I really love after work. I wanted to change that so over the past few weeks I've made it a goal of mine to make a conscious effort to ensure that I make time after work to sit, relax and do something I love undisturbed for 20 minutes or so a few times a week. For me this has meant making time to read an inspiring book related to my interests. I've made an effort to leave work on time a select few days a week, get home and sort out the most important tasks around our home, and then, armed with a rooibos tea, I've sat and read a few pages of a book. I've really enjoyed it!

I bought the book Making a House Your Home - The Essential Guide to Modern Day Homemaking by Clare Nolan, a few years ago. It was recommended to me by Mr C's sister who thought I'd really love it. I've had it on my shelf for quite sometime and have dipped in and out of it but only recently I decided that I wanted to read it from cover to cover to get some inspiration and homemaking tips. Having just moved into a new home Mr C and I now have a new space to make our own and I wanted to have a fresh set of ideas to really help me think about how we wanted our home to feel.

I would highly recommend adding this book to your list of must reads if you love homemaking and interiors. It's the book that I would've loved to have conceptualised and written. It's jam packed with interiors tips and home lifestyle advice about making a house into a personalised home. There are lots of lovely photos, a great use colour, plenty of content to read and a great feel to the flow of the book. I'm half the way through at the moment and I'm especially enjoying working through the chapters one by one and picking up ideas that resonate with me. It's not just a room by room decorating book, it's a book about living a great life in your home too. 

Here are a few pages showing the lovely photography...

the great ideas....

and the fresh design.

I'm so pleased that I'm back on track with making time in my week to do things that I love. Having a goal in place to read a book related to my interests after work is bringing me energy that I forgot I had! Having 20 minutes or so of time built into my routine, to snuggle under a blanket, light a candle, make a calming cup of tea, and listen to the autumnal rain and wind outside, whilst reading my book, has done wonders for my soul. I've managed to relax, do something I love and achieve something for me after a busy day at work. It's a small step closer to a bigger goal I have, however doing something small during the week is enabling me to feel and see that my weekdays are more than just about my day job and work.

If you feel like building in some time for you after a busy day and want to enjoy something related to your hobbies and interests, don't forget about your bookshelf. Re-aquaint yourself with a book that you love or have once loved and enjoy taking a few minutes to relax after your day and get inspired.