Home General Info & Awareness What I’m Loving This Month [ May 2018 ]

What I’m Loving This Month [ May 2018 ]

by InvisiblyMe
A wood slat background with a heart note pegged on some string to the left. Overlaid is the title : What I'm loving this month, May 2018.

I hope everyone is as well as possible this Thursday and that the week has been treating you well. I’ll do a mini me update soon, but in the meantime I thought I’d share a couple of things I’ve been loving lately.


Alex Barclay Novels

A photo of the book cover for 'Drowning child' by Alex Barclay.

I’d have to say Alex Barclay one of my favourite authors for her engaging writing style and the warmth with which she brings her characters to life. I’ve just read The Drowning Child, and despite the nasty-sounding title, it was a fantastic read. It follows an underlying storyline involving some of the key characters, notably Ren, a detective with bipolar, that I’ve come to love from her earlier novels. That said, it can still be read as a standalone book. I was sad to finish this as I wanted more!

You can find Alex Barclay on The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)  /  Amazon US  /  Amazon UK


The Sunshine

We’ve had a few odd days of warmth and sunshine and I’m so, so pleased to see it. My body copes better when it’s not freezing cold (most of the time, unless it’s roasting hot, and then I struggle with overheating despite still having goosebumps on my arms…) I know when I posted this on the Facebook page a lot of readers said they also felt better when the sun was in attendance, so I hope it’s been around wherever you are. Plus, the Vitamin D is a common deficiency to varying degrees so get it while you can!

I should say that today it has hammered it down with rain. You really need to be quick with getting out in the rare nice weather if you’re in the UK.


My Therapearl Eye Mask

The Therapearl eye mask.

So this isn’t a new purchase as I’ve had mine for a while now, but I’ve been using it even more lately given eye pain and headaches and the warmer weather on odd days means an icy cold mask is more appealing. I love this because you can use it hot or cold (microwave or freezer, respectively) and it’s comfortable to wear, retains the heat or cold well, and is soft enough to mould quite nicely across your eyes or forehead.

When I bought mine, I got it from Amazon UK. You can also find it on eBay UK and eBay US.


Super Sparrow BPA-Free Water Bottle

The range of different coloured SuperSparrow water bottles.

I tend to rely a lot on plastic bottles for water at home and taking out and about with me. I go for cheaper ones and refill them with filtered water. I try to only refill once but nonetheless the issues with health, as well as the environment, made me reconsider my bottle usage. I’ve had reusable bottles in the past but they were on the cheaper side and never lasted long; they had a funny smell and the lid broke on one of them after 2 uses, so this time I decided to invest in a good quality one that would be useful.

I opted for the Super Sparrow bottle – I liked the name & the colours looked pretty funky – and I’m so glad I did because for some reason drinking water from this tastes delicious! I’m not sponsored by them in any way, I just wanted to share the one I’ve bought and would recommend. I also found their customer service to be incredibly helpful. The bottle itself makes the water taste strangely better than drinking it from a glass. I don’t know what it is, but the water tastes lovely. It’s easy to use, quick to clean, has a flip up lid (push a button for it to flip up) that feels sturdy enough, a detachable carry strap and it looks pretty neat, too.

I bought mine from Amazon UK. You can also find it on Amazon US.


TV Time

I’m a little behind the curve on this one, but I’ve just watched True Detective Series 1, which I loved for the characters, superbly played by Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson. Will be checking out season 2 soon.

I’ve made a start on The Handmaid’s Tale as this was another I’d heard of but knew nothing about and assumed it probably wasn’t my cuppa tea. It’s certainly odd, and pretty horrific, but the casting is fairly strong and the premise is novel enough to keep me watching to see where things will go. I had thought there should be a little forewarning over the topic, notably the inability to have, and the striving to achieve, a child, which can be rather triggering if this is an issue for viewers. It’s certainly a dystopian vision from hell.

I’ve also now finished Westworld Season 1 – I knew nothing about this and wasn’t really expecting to enjoy it… I loved it! Definitely different to the norm and intelligently done with fascinating characters, a twisty plot and excellent effects.


What have you been loving lately? 

Caz   ♥

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40 comments

Viola May 24, 2018 - 4:48 pm

A good read always helps! Drinking from plastic bottles and funny tasting water is an issue here as well, I am very surprised to hear that using a good drinking bottle can help with this. Thanks for sharing.

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 4:05 am

I use filtered water and it definitely tastes better in this BPA-free bottle for some reason, it seems so clean and fresh. Love it! I definitely think it’s better to use this rather than refilling regular bottles frequently and I think those wanting to use plastic less will find it a more eco-friendly option, too. Thanks for the comment, Viola! 🙂

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Melissa Henderson May 24, 2018 - 5:17 pm

Lately, I am loving writing and reading. I am self publishing a children’s book. Also, writing my first Christian romance.

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 4:06 am

You are incredibly talented and should be so proud to be undertaking your own self-publishing. I’d love to write something myself, but I don’t think I could be successful at it. Maybe one day… Wishing you all the best with the children’s book and the Christian romance! 🙂

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Terri, Reclaiming HOPE May 24, 2018 - 6:27 pm

I’m glad you got to enjoy some sunshine Caz! We’re in between weather fronts right now. We had rain for about 5 days straight, but we have beautiful, sunny skies today and hopefully tomorrow. After that, it’s looking like rain for another week. My little garden seems to be loving all the rain, so I won’t complain about it.???? As far as things I’m loving, my hubby and I had a chance to go out today for a nice drive in the country and lunch at an old train station that has been converted to a restaurant. We had nice healthy salads for lunch and then a decadent piece of cheesecake for dessert. Yum! Hugs to you!

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:12 pm

I think the gardens probably appreciate the rain more than we do! I just like that it washes my car so I don’t have to 😛
I’m glad you and the hubby got to have a drive out and a lovely lunch – you can’t beat a good cheesecake to finish off lunch! Thank you so much for sharing Terri, I hope the week ahead is a positive one 🙂
Caz xx

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Comedy Plus May 24, 2018 - 5:31 pm

What wonderful things to love.

Have a fabulous day. ♥

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 4:11 am

I hope you’re finding lots to love this month, too. Have a good weekend! =]

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Alyssa May 24, 2018 - 5:46 pm

This was a fabulous post!! Thank you so much for sharing the book you are reading as well. I love to find a good book by a great author and this one does sound great. As soon as I finish the one I am reading, I am going to buy this one. And thank you for sharing what you use for eye pain and headaches. I get headaches way too much so now I am going to try this product!!!
I love you shared things you love. You are quite the amazing person and I am beyond thankful to have come across you! I hope the rest of your day is great and you are feeling well! Sending you so much love and comfort, always!!

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InvisiblyMe May 27, 2018 - 4:42 pm

It’s a good reach and she’s a fantastic author so I hope you enjoy if you do pick up something by her in this series! The eye mask is one I’d recommend trying because it’s so useful and it’s lasting incredibly well, so it’s been a fab investment for me. You are incredibly kind, Alyssa – I’m honoured & so happy to have ‘met’ you in the blogging world! I hope your weekend is treating you well!  ♥

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Claire Saul May 24, 2018 - 8:27 pm

The sun has been great – shame about today though!! We are just about to start Handmaids Tale – and True Detective is one I want to watch. My girl got us in to a Netflix German series Dark…brilliant!! sending hugs xxx

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 4:19 pm

The sun has a nasty habit of disappearing just when we’re enjoying it! The Handmaid’s Tale is certainly quite disturbing and harrowing in parts, but a good watch nonetheless. I hadn’t heard of the Dark series so thanks for the recommendation – will check that out! Enjoy your TV watching & have a restful weekend, Claire! 🙂 xx

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I tripped over a stone. May 24, 2018 - 10:46 pm

I loved this post! Positives all the way through! Nice to read about things and get excited! Yay Caz!

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 4:21 pm

It’s not often I achieve a positive post, so hurrah!! Thanks Kim – have an enjoyable weekend 🙂 xx

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DeeDee May 25, 2018 - 12:19 am

Barclay is one of my favs too! gotta pick that one up!!

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 4:26 pm

Glad to see there’s another Barclay fan in this party, she’s definitely an underrated author in my opinion. It’s a good read, and Ren is just the perfect explosive mix of sarcasm, pain and humour as always – I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
xx

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Lindsay May 25, 2018 - 1:17 am

So glad you’ve had some sunshine! We’ve had some gloomy gray days – haven’t seen the sun in a while – but our blazing hot summer is just around the corner, so I’m enjoying it while I can!

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 4:27 pm

It’s very hit and miss in the UK, with sun when you don’t expect it then back to cold, rainy days just when you start enjoying it. Fingers crossed it comes back soon, and also that the sun shines where you are asap! 🙂 xx

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Dennis May 25, 2018 - 3:52 am

I’ve been loving that after one more week, I’ll be off work for most of June and July. And, as you may have read in my blog, I had a very nice visit to my old church on Sunday.

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 5:19 pm

Yes, it’s fab you got to have a good visit and also that you have time off to look forward to – those are definitely things to be loving! 🙂

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Brigid Gallagher May 25, 2018 - 11:37 am

I love the feedback on the water bottle. It looks like a good investment and great for the planet. The sunshine really gives me a boost too and I have been outside every day. A great blessing after a rather lengthy winter. Happy Friday.

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:14 pm

The bottle has been a good investment for me so I hope it can help others thinking of trying one out as I’ve not been impressed by the couple I’d tried in the past! This one is fab and well worth the price. You’re right about the nicer weather being such a blessing after such a long, yucky winter. Fingers crossed a beautiful summer is just around the corner! Have a lovely week ahead, Brigid 🙂

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Angela May 25, 2018 - 2:55 pm

Have you read the book The Handmaids Tale?

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:15 pm

No – I was stupid enough to not realise it was a book until I started the first episode of the TV series, then I recognised the author. I’d certainly be interested in reading it. Have you? x

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Sophie Hunt May 25, 2018 - 8:37 pm

I totally agree, I have adored these last few days of sunshine and just as I buy some summer clothes it rains!!!

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InvisiblyMe May 26, 2018 - 6:17 pm

Hahah, it’s typical, isn’t it?! Fingers crossed the sunshine doesn’t forget where we are and makes a speedy return 🙂

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Lowen May 26, 2018 - 5:25 am

Tried to hit like but I’m having trouble logging into wordpress. I am enjoying snuggling, because it’s winter in New Zealand 😉 Lowen @ livingpositivelywithdisability.com/

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InvisiblyMe May 27, 2018 - 11:09 am

I hope your Wordpress has sorted itself out now. I’ve had a few issues over the last few weeks with logging in & comments not submitting; it seems a little glitchy for a few people at the moment. Snuggling is good when it’s chilly – what kind of temperatures are you having there during winter at the moment? x

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ignitedmoth May 26, 2018 - 12:11 pm

Westworld looks so interesting. It’s definitely on my radar for shows I’d like to watch at some point. 🙂 Glad to hear you’re enjoying it so much! It makes me want to check it out even more now.
I’ve recently been loving taking photos of all the spring flowers/plants and growing my own lettuce, peas, and herbs. I’ve also been loving focusing more on my writing again lately. Having a little more time to work on things besides the house has been really nice. 🙂

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InvisiblyMe May 27, 2018 - 3:41 pm

Westworld is definitely one to try, give it two episodes and see how you go. I think it’s fantastic, and so different to most other shows out there at the moment. How are the home-grown goodies coming along? Must admit I like the idea of growing my own lettuce as I get through so much of the stuff. I’m glad you’ve got a little more time to focus on the things you enjoy and to branch out a little and get back into writing more, too! 🙂

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Chronically Hopeful Char May 26, 2018 - 3:42 pm

Great list. That eye mask looks good. I also recently got a new water bottle. My old one made the water taste funny too. This one also has a straw built in. so when I’m too weak to hold it, I can lie down and drink and it doesn’t spill.

I recently discovered Safe on Netflix. Loved it!

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InvisiblyMe May 27, 2018 - 3:38 pm

Going to have to check out Safe as that wasn’t one I’d come across before so thanks for the recommendation – Having Googled it I’ve found it’s created by Harlan Coben so I’ll look forward to watching, though I find it a little odd that it’s British. It’s odd with the water-tasting-funny in these bottles that are supposed to be safer and healthier, so I’m glad I’ve found a good one now, and that you have too. An in-built straw is a good idea! The eye mask is fantastic for my eyes & head, and I like that it can be used hot or cold so you could use it anywhere for small areas of pain. Thanks for the comment, Char – hope you’re having a relaxing weekend 🙂
Caz xx

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Sarah May 26, 2018 - 4:41 pm

I actually find I get more headaches in the summer, I try to drink more because I’ve been hospitalised from dehydration before the lack of having one around is always an issue for me! Mainly because I forget to carry one around with me, I was looking at getting one of those fruit infusing bottles I quite like lemon water as it is good for your stomach! I’m definitely going to look for one with a strap now after reading this! X

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InvisiblyMe May 27, 2018 - 3:46 pm

Dehydration can be awful, and even being slightly dehydrated can cause problems like with headaches. It took me a little while but then I got into the habit of always having water with me (and a good excuse to buy new handbags so I can fit a bottle when going out!) The strap is quite handy on this one even though I didn’t think I’d use it, so I’m glad to have that option (it’s also removable). I wasn’t sure about those infusing bottles as I didn’t want to have so much space taken up by the inner section and not enough for water. I’ve tried popping slides of lemon in this Super Sparrow bottle though and that works quite nicely!
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Sarah 🙂

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Kirsty May 26, 2018 - 9:30 pm

It’s true about vitamin D, I know I don’t get enough so had lunch outside today. It’s raining now, but I hope we will get some good weather this weekend. I enjoyed reading through your favourites!

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InvisiblyMe May 27, 2018 - 2:19 pm

Glad you liked the post, and I do hope the weather makes a return soon so you can enjoy more lunches outside! Thanks for the comment, Kirsty 🙂

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Emma (Not Just Tired) May 28, 2018 - 10:39 am

I think I may need to invest in one of those eye masks! Sounds great. Also like the idea of the water bottle. I’m enjoying the Handmaids Tale too, and excited there’s a second series – even though the first episode was hard viewing and I had to watch it from behind my hands!! Psyching myself up for the second one! Loving the sunshine too! Wishing you a good week ahead xx

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:18 pm

The eye mask is fab – really versatile and it’s holding up well as I’ve had mine for ages now. Love it! Always just keep it in the freezer as I like it cold, so it’s always handy when I need it. I hope you like it if you decide to try it too!
I’m glad you’re also enjoying The Handmaids Tale – it’s definitely rather harrowing viewing, and apparently it gets even more disturbing in season 2, which is hard to imagine! Thank you so much, Emma – I hope the week ahead is a positive one for you 🙂
xx

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Suzanne Cox May 29, 2018 - 6:53 pm

The water bottle sounds good.. Kind of wonder whether it would be the magical water bottle that the boys will not break lol

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InvisiblyMe June 1, 2018 - 3:44 am

Hah well it does seem pretty sturdy but I don’t doubt the immense ability for young boys to break anything they get their hands on! 🙂

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