Happy Things: #2

1. I have been feeling quite thoughtful this month. I don't know whether it's because I am being taught the importance of reflection at university, or whether it's a side effect of getting older, but I feel more in control of my mind. I am finding a voice to answer back all those stupid insecure little thoughts that creep up from time to time, and it feels great to have rational answers to irrational problems. Reflection has also been valuable in helping me to remember just how important family and other loved ones are. And that I never want to take the people around me for granted. If life has a meaning, it must surely lie in the connection between us all. There is nothing more important than humanity, compassion and kindness.

2. I found my perfect coat in Primark. It is warm and cream and fluffy without being massive and bobbly and moulty. I have been looking for a cool textured coat for ages and had just about given up but then this beauty came along. I never shop at Primark and went in on a bit of a whim which really does prove that my coat and I were meant to be. It comes in black too. I recommend everyone gets one immediately.

3. I redecorated my room over a year ago and had just never got around to putting up all my paintings and pictures. I finally took the plunge last week and now my walls feel alive and colourful. The problem is I've collected too many bits and bobs over the years and I don't have enough wall space for everything which obviously means I need to move out immediately so that I have an entire house of walls to cover, rather than just one bedroom. I wish. In the meantime maybe I'll have to start some sort of revolving cycle so that everything gets a bit of hanging time.

4. It is properly autumn now. The leaves are changing colour and there are pumpkins for sale everywhere. I always get so excited at this time of year. The prospect of Halloween and Firework Night make me feel all warm and gooey inside. It's when we all realise that Christmas really is just around the corner. And as the evenings get darker and colder, we all have an excuse to stay inside with tea and blankets. Nights in the cold watching fireworks and taking small people trick-or-treating are a great excuse to snuggle up in huge scarves. I recently bought a new tartan scarf in New Look. It's quite big, and really warm. It's practically like taking my blanket everywhere with me, but somehow more socially acceptable. Perfect.

5. There is nothing better than finding old photographs you'd forgotten about. I recently found some polaroids from my holiday with the boyfriend in the summer. They were tucked in the pocket of a bag. Looking at photos of old holidays and remembering good times makes planning a new holiday even more exciting. Anybody off to New York this Christmas? Oh, right, I am!

What has made you happy this week?