Creative Corner - Writing Prompt 2

 

Today's writing prompt is:

A houseplant is dying. Tell it why it needs to live.

 

Jenny looked at the dying Snake Plant in front of her.  “Please don’t die.  You are supposed to be  indestructible!  I’ve loved you, watered you, why are you dying on me?”  The plant of course, didn’t reply.

This was no ordinary plant to Jenny, this was the only thing left that she had some control over, the last thing before everything in her life collapsed, or so it seemed.  In the past two months she had lost her job, her boyfriend had left her and now her landlord was threatening eviction if she didn’t make up her payments.

Everything that Jenny touched lately seemed to crumble away.  Her world had shrunk down piece by piece until suddenly; the only thing that she felt that she still had control over was that goddamn Snake Plant that her mother had bought her.  Now even that was dying.

Jenny wheedled and cajoled the plant over the coming days to revive; convincing herself that if the plant made it, so could she.  The plant ignored her and got worse by the day, with its now brown and black leaves falling all over the old carpet.

By day five Jenny had given up.  The plant was showing no signs of recovery.  She started packing boxes up around it, readying herself for the move back to her parent’s place.  She didn’t know what road lay ahead of her but couldn’t see anything good.

On moving day, Jenny was carrying the last box out of her apartment when something small and green caught her eye.  Hidden near the centre of the plant was a small green shoot.  New life amidst all the decay. 

The plant went into the box and Jenny left the apartment with a small smile on her face.  Maybe things would work out after all.

Creative Corner - Writing Prompt 1

Writing prompt for today - 

You are looking down through the skylight as chefs prepare dinner for your ex-fiance’s wedding.

I am sat here, on the roof of the hotel where my ex love is getting married, peering through the skylight.  There are a million questions running through my head right now.  How did I get here?  How did it come to this?  Why has the bastard got the same cake design that we chose for our wedding?

Mark always used to tell me that I was too organised.  So organised it seems that I have helped him plan his wedding, to someone else.  How can it be that only nine months ago we were planning our own wedding yet here I am today, staring down at everything we had planned, but I’m not invited.

The kitchen is busy with waiters running around, chefs shouting to get the first course out; I see Mark stayed with the prawn and mango salsa starter that we had decided on. 

I only meant to take a peek around the door of the venue, how did I end up on the roof?  Now I am here, I’m not sure if I'm insulted or if I just want to laugh.  The menu looks to be exactly the one that we chose, the bespoke wedding cake that I had designed is there; I have no doubt that if I could see into the reception room, the place settings and decorations would be the same too.

Where is the bride in all this?  Where is Sarah?  When Mark left me, he told me that he wanted someone who wasn’t so fiercely independent.  Someone who would stay at home, have the children, become the perfect wife that he always wanted.  That has never been me. 

I always used to notice the way my friend Sarah looked at Mark.  The look of longing that she thought I didn’t notice.  Well I did, but never thought anything of it, until a week after he broke our engagement and I saw the two of them strolling hand in hand down the street.

I wonder what life she has chosen for herself.  Her own wedding, chosen down to the napkin holders by someone else, by me, the friend that she betrayed.  Not the best start to married life.  I thought I was over all of that, yet here I am, sat on the roof like some deranged stalker.

Ashamed, I move back to the edge of the building, looking round to make sure I won’t be seen as I descend the fire escape.  I wonder, have I made a lucky escape or has he?  He is the one in the wedding suit and I am crawling around on a roof.

I made it back down to street level and start walking around the building, anxious to get away.  I spy the wedding car pulling up to the front entrance in the distance and my heart starts to beat faster.  Do I hide, do I walk past; do I turn back?  Instead I linger at the corner, unnoticed by the people now crowding at the entrance.

Sarah looks happy, but also a little nervous (perhaps she thinks I am going to jump out of the bushes?).  Mark looks smug.  His loud voice carries down the street.  I hear him telling people that they are going to be amazed by the reception.  All his own work and planning.  He's taking credit for everything, as he always used to.

I smile to myself.  My heart stops it's relentless pounding.  I'm done with this man.  I wait for them to enter the hotel and then walk away, entering my own new life.

The Turnstile

 

Have you ever had one of the moments when you have a sudden realisation that you, or your life (or both) has suddenley changed?

I was reminded of one such moment today and honestly, it is moment that I will treasure forever.  I even know the date that it happened.  Thursday, 4th October 2013.  Nearly ten years ago.  Such a small moment, but huge at the same time.

Firstly, let me give you some back story.  As I have not written on this blog for over a year, I am writing as if I am starting afresh.  So let me tell you about me.

Before I started down the gender critical path and found my true voice, I used to have another blog.  This blog was started as a plus size fashion blog.  The aim was to bring my wardrobe out of the depths of black that it had sunk into and for me to find some confidence.

I started out slowly, posting photographs of outfits that I bought, terrified with every post as if someone was going to reach through the screen and tear my tiny, but growing confidence, to shreds.  I wanted so much to feel better about who I was as a person, feel more confident and dress better.  I saw other girls doing it and wanted to do the same.

I started to get to know other bloggers and a few brands sent me some clothes (which was the most unbelievable thing that had ever happened to me).  Imagine, a clothing brand emailing you and asking you to pick out some clothes to review, and keep!!

I started to get a good readership and my confidence, not only in the way that I dressed but also, and more importantly, in myself, started to change.  I grew, not in size, but as a person.  I could feel myself changing as I forced myself to do more things, go out to places I would not have, speak to more people and challenge myself.

So comes to the day in question.  I had been asked by a brand to travel down to London to a dinner and reveal of a clothing line.  The thought of travelling to London on my own and doing all of that was absolutely terrifying to me so of course, I said no.

But then, the brand came back to me and offered not only to pay my rail fare, but also book a hotel for me.  All I had to do was go.  I couldn't turn down such an opportunity which would be great for my blog and I knew would a turning point for myself.

I remember my best friend telling me that I would be a different person when I came back.  I didn't really understand what she meant at the time.  But she was right.

I never travelled alone, or did anything outside of the house on my own so believe me when I say that I was terrified on that train journey down to London from Preston Station.  I had planned out the tubes I would need to get to get to my hotel and figured that I would take each step at a time and try not to have a panic attack at Euston Station when I decided that I was lost.

I managed, after negotiating around an Ecaduarian embassy in the middle of the street I was staying, to find my hotel.  I got dressed and went to the launch which was amazing and quite unreal to me.  I was there as "blogger press" alongside actual fashion journalists, other bloggers and also prizewinners who had entered a competition to be there. 

We were given a three course meal with wine up to our eyeballs and then were shown the clothes.  We were encouraging to try on and take any photographs we wanted, as well as, again to my shock; allowed to keep anything that we wanted.

I honestly felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, except a shorter, dumpier, not so beautiful version.  I felt amazing none the less.

The moment I realised that I had changed was on my journey back to Preston.  I had navigated my way through the tubes and had arrived at Euston.  Travelling down to London I had worn all black, black boots, black coat.  Travelling back I had decided to wear some of my new gifts along with what I had brought with me.  A black dress yes, but with colourful flower detail.  A bright red coat.  Mary Jane heels.

I did not really think about the outfit when I put it on that morning.  In truth, I had never worn anything like it before.  Colours and prints, together.  Heels when travelling.  

So to the moment.  I was coming throught the turnstile at Euston and I caught sight of myself in a mirror.  I didn't recognise myself at first.  I saw the outfit, liked it, then realised that it was me.  But more than the outfit, it was the expression on my face.  No worry.  No self conciousness.  Happy.  I looked so happy.  I looked like a different person.

I was a different person.  I had grown so much in 24 hours.  Although I still had far on my confidence journey to go, this was the biggest leap I had ever taken.  I just wish that someone could have taken a photo of me right then, that outfit and that expression.  That feeling.

It was one I will always remember and I will always cherish.  Because it was the first time that I realised that the pieces of me that I kept inside, the person that I wanted to be, was showing on the outside.

How To Add More Privacy to Your Windows

 Most people enjoy having large windows that let a lot of light into their homes; we know that natural light is good for us, and our bodies work better with the right amount of natural light per day. The only problem is if you want to keep plenty of natural light and still have some privacy - it can be tricky to find the right window covering to help. 

Photo by Mike Cox on Unsplash

Window Privacy Screens

Many people use a window privacy screen, also sold as a bug screen, to add an extra layer of protection. These are great because they let in a large amount of natural light but offer a little more privacy due to their dark colour. And, of course, they keep mosquitoes and other unwanted insects out too! 

Window screens are a cost-effective option for most people because they can be very simple and attached just with velcro pads or a slot in a plastic frame. 

Window Film

Window film comes in a few different options; you must check which ones will work with your glass in advance. If you have floor-to-ceiling windows, then window film applied in strips can let in a lot of light but block out the view from the outside. 

Window film typically attaches to the window with static rather than a layer of glue, making them a great choice for renting or not wanting to make a big commitment. 

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters offer a few benefits, but one of the biggest is that they are one of the best options to let light in and still get plenty of privacy. All types of blinds are popular because they are stylish too, and they come in a range of colours, thicknesses and opening styles too. 

What’s more, is that they offer a varying amount of privacy based on which style and colour you choose. 

What makes blinds a great option is that as night falls, you can close them! Unlike many of the other options, you can have complete privacy if you choose to. 

Voile 

Both voile and net curtains are the go-to options for people who want to maximise the light in their home and have a reasonably high level of privacy too. They do some in such a wide range of beautiful options there is something to suit every type of interior decoration. The great thing about voile is that it, too, comes in different fittings, so you can have panels or a long hanging piece of fabric. The choice is yours. 

Frosted Glass

If you want to make a bigger commitment to privacy, opt for either textured or frosted glass. Often frosted and textured glass is used for doors or windows that may look into the bathroom. However, you can opt for this type of window in any room you like. 

You might want to completely overhaul the look of your windows, and a replacement might be on the cards: Is It Time To Replace Your Home’s Old Windows? 

Finding the Right Movers

 You may already know that moving is one of the most stressful life events that anybody can ever deal with. Whether you are moving to a new street because you are looking for a bigger house, or you are moving to a new state because you are looking for a better job, moving is going to be stressful regardless of what you do. You need to make this occasion, and it really is an occasion, be easy. 

You need to be able to wake up and feel excited that today is a moving day, even when you are long distance moving. Eliminating the stress and worry of moving is easier when you hire a great moving company to help you do it. Knowing that somebody is going to come and collect all of your belongings and take them to your new property in good condition is one of the best things about moving house. You need to know that you could feel reassured, and here are some of the best tips that you need for choosing a great moving company.

 

Image source: Pexels

• Ask people for recommendations. The best thing you could do when you're looking for a moving company is to ask around. Getting some honest recommendations from friends and people that you trust is a good way to start. Ask people who have just moved to the area that you are planning to move to who they used to help them to do it. You can go ahead and do it alone, but it's always easier to hire a moving company. Do some of your own investigating as well, because what one person likes about their moving company you may not enjoy so much.

• Get all quotes in writing. You know that a company is a good moving company when they provide you with all moving quotes and an estimate in writing. They should do this up front so that you have something up today intangible to be able to use so that when you are planning your move the goal posts are not going to change. You need to know all potential hidden costs, and you need to know what the insurance is going to cost as well.

• Don't forget the red flags. There are actually some red flags to pay attention to when it comes to moving. Most customers don't actually see the red flags or they could even refuse to acknowledge them. If removal companies require you to put down the large deposit before the move has even taken place, reconsider using that company.

• Ask questions. Good moving companies will always be upfront and transparent about their qualifications and their services. Don't be afraid to get all of your questions answered because no question of yours should be considered a burden. You should ask about local licenses, the qualifications, and whether they are properly insured. You deserve the very best for your move.

 

Moving house is always far easier when you have a moving company on your side, so don't be afraid to shop around and make the right choice.