Lifestyle blog | Froth & Fluff

Bye Bye, Damp January

My ramblings on how my ability to commit to my New Year’s resolutions has once again been thwarted by my complete lack of will power

Personal

Feb 54 min read

On Writing - Tell Me, What Exactly Is Your Preferred Position?

Another article musing on the art of writing - this time on your preferred writing positions - how and where exactly do you like to write?

Writing

Nov 2, 20244 min read

The Horror - Short Story

A chilling short story, where a horrifying scene plays out when a ragtag group of companions discover that there is 'Something In The Water'

Short Story

Oct 3, 20244 min read

On Writing - All Blocked Up

Feeling blocked? My latest 'On Writing' article dives into the world of the writers greatest nemesis - Writers Block.

Writing

Sep 24, 20243 min read

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Welcome to my blog!

It's a little bit of everything; my thoughts, opinions, recommendations and rants. Might be serious but more than likely totally irreverent.

There's no particular order to my musings, but come on in and jump down the rabbit hole that is my brain.

Let the posts
come to you.

Bye Bye, Damp January

Like everybody else, I’ve been counting down the endless days to the end of January… and I’ve been able to do that with a clear head, not befuddled by alcohol…. Well, almost all the time…

A 5 minute read on how crap I really am at sticking to a New Year’s resolution. The link is in my bio - or find me on Substack!

#newyearresolution #dryjanuary #january #alcohol #funny #writing #blog #fiveminuteread #humorous

It’s that time of year - the annual Christmas Poem competition at my writers group.

This time, it’s heavily influenced by recent real life events! 🎄 Hope you enjoy!!

#christmas #festive #poem #poetry #writersgroup #christmaspoem #creative #writer #writersofinstagram

Look at this distinguished gentleman.

I had to ceremoniously hand back the Gnome de Plume this week. All our competition entries at Verulam Writers are submitted under a pseudonym- with the group choosing the winner of this fine trophy each time.

My competition entry, written under the name of “Walter E. Grave” for a short story on the theme of “Somethjng in the Water” (see what I did there?) 💦

You’ll find the story on my site, link in the bio, if you fancy a read

#shortstory #pseudonym #gnomedeplume #creativewriting #fiction #writersgroup #writersofinstagram

On Writing - Tell Me, What Exactly Is Your Preferred Position?

The latest in my articles on the topic of writing, first published in Veracity magazine (the in house magazine of Verulam Writers). And this time, I’m musing on the question of how and where people like to do it 👀

The link to this 4 minute frothy read is in my bio

#writing #writersgroup #howdoyoidoit #creative #article #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #creative #linkinbio #tongueincheek

Except this time, I really didn’t. So instead of rocking up to my writers groups manuscript night, with a finished and polished article in hand, I took with me something that I just couldn’t get my head around.

An article I started way back in the summer, when I was obviously full of hope and caffeine. And even though I’d managed to scribble some nearly 700 words, I had no ending. In fact, I didn’t even have the reason why I started this particular article in the first place. The last paragraph I wrote included something of the lines of “and here is the reason for all of this…” followed by a very long blank piece of paper.

And it was such a helpful thing to discuss. So many ideas about which direction I could take the article were suggested - sparking nuggets of memories as to my original intentions as well - rounding off with a confusing conversation about millennial verses gen z hair partings (I’m a millennial masquerading as gen z with my centre parting obvs).

And it’s of the reasons, that I love our little group - very grateful to have found Verulam Writers at the time in my life when I very much needed them!

#verulamwriters #writersgroup #stalbans #localwriters #writerscircle #writersclub #stalbanswriters #writing #creative #support #critique #writersofinstagram

The Horror - Short Story

Back with a short story that I wrote for my writers groups latest competition. I’m not a natural fiction writer, but always worth trying to flex that very lazy muscle.

Theme for this competition was “Something In The Water” - and after some fantastic stories were read, @daveweaver_20 was the deserving winner!

Here’s my rather obtuse take on the subject, so settle in for 4 minutes of madness. Hope you enjoy - the link is in my bio!

#shortstory #storytelling #story #fiction #fictionwriter #writing #creativewriting #writersofinstagram #writingcompetition #writersgroup #somethinginthewater

On Writing - All Blocked Up

So what feels like a million years ago (February), I wrote this article for my writers group magazine. And as the title suggests, I was feeling a little writers blocky.

Whilst I’m not quite through the creative block, things are definitely looking up - so I think it’s still relevant to repost here. Especially as some of the advice I extol in the article DID actually get things moving for me again.

Like some wordy laxative apparently…

Link is in the bio!

#writing #writersblock #blocked #writersblocksucks #creative #blogging #blogger #article #linkinbio #creative #musing #3minuteread

From Relaxation to Road Rage - Navigating My Post Holiday Traffic Tantrums

I should be writing about the beauty of the South West, or reiterating why exactly I want to live by the sea - but no. Instead I’m going to have a bit of a rant about the insanity of an 8.5 hour car journey home, negating all the levels of relaxation I attained on my week away…

The link is in my bio! Hope you enjoy it

#travelling #roadtrip #journeyfromhell #longjourney #travel #holiday #holidayblues #journeyhome #homewardbound #blog #blogger #rant

Networking. Feeling Invisible & Overly Exposed At The Same Time

Struggling with networking? Yeah, me too - so come and find solace in my latest blog. Dive into the challenges of mingling at events and the dread of LinkedIn

Link in the bio!

#blog #networking #blogger #lifestyleblog #funny #creative #creativewriting

Ding Ding - All Change Please.

It’s been a while, but I’m back… and this time with my ramblings about nothing really important - just my irrational fear of the London Red Bus

I’d say that I probably need some professional help for this one, but as I’m already getting that, I guess I’ll be forever walking or tubing it…

So take 4 mins out of your day to get inside my strange old head - the link is in the bio!

#creativewriting #writersofinstagram #bus #buses #londonbus #irrationalfears #blog hi

Books, books, books 📚

Talented bunch of members from the Verulam Writers Group - at the Herts Book Festival today!

BinGate - The Trials & Tribulations of Living in Suburbia

My socials have blown up. And sadly, not because I’ve suddenly become incredibly famous. No, my phone is buzzing continuously with the riveting chat about the bins being collected.

It happens every year, the final gift that Christmas bestows upon us. You’d think by now we’d have worked out how this all works… Read my thoughts on this complex and deep subject in my latest 3 minute blog! Link is in the bio!

#blogpost #musing #bincollection #newyear #editorial #writer

Secretly Wanting to NOT be the Office Santa

I’m nothing if not consistent in the haphazard way I approach this blog. But here I am again, writing about Christmas - and the perils and rules of that much loved office tradition of “Secret Santa”

Read it in the bathroom, when you need to escape the relatives after you’ve all eaten too much turkey! You know where the link is (hint - it’s in the bio!)

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!

#secretsanta #santa #fatherchristmas #christmas #festive #presents #blog #creative #writersofinstagram #linkinbio

It’s that time of year again…. The annual Verulam Writers Christmas poetry competition, this time with the theme of “the season of good will”.

And I’m in absolutely no way drawing from personal experience with this one! Swipe right to read it all!

#christmas #poetry #poem #writing #creative #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity

Challenge time - and ok, the picture might not be quite right but I’m working with what I have in my bloated camera roll…

Am signing up to complete @nanowrimo this coming November. 50,000 words in 30 days. Will I complete it? Who knows - all depends on whether the muse takes and inspires me. I’m targeting starting a different article every day - it won’t be the finished article of course, but that isn’t the point. This is about getting words on paper and creating a little bit of discipline around my stop/start writing habit. Wish me luck (and if you have any suggestions for topics, let me know!

#nanowrimo #writing #blogger #creative

On Writing - Punctuating Above My Weight

On Writing - an article written for Veracity Magazine (the in-house magazine of my writers group, Verulam Writers) about my love/hate relationship with those pesky little symbols that clutter up my words.

Link, as always, is in the bio!

#writing #punctuation #grammer

The Film Set - A Short Story

I’m not one for fiction usually, and the topic of “schadenfreude” utterly perplexed me for the longest time… but I pulled this one out of my brain at the last minute… and managed to come second in my writers group competition. Proud Mandy moment 🥹

#shortstory #schadenfreude #story #writer #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #creative #fiction

Naked and British in a Spa

My latest ramblings on my fluffy blog about my love of facials, why we need to be quite so nude I’m at a spa - and my interesting Italian massage experience.

A link to this latest 4 minute read is in the bio!

#blog #blogger #massage #facial #spa #experience #creative #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #funny #funnystory

I Want To Be Alone (But In A Really Confident, Empowering Way)

What do you get when you smash therapy, a Birdy gig and a new found desire to change things up in life? Endless questions about what’s next, another vinyl to add to the collection - and a new found confidence about embracing being alone and being fine with not socialising.

Always my thanks to @kev_talks_film for the music recommendations - and to @birdyinstagram for being my first! 🤭

Read all about it in my latest blog - link is in the bio!

#blog #confidence #empowering #alone #creative #musing #writersofinstagram #blogger #everyday

Thought for the day… or maybe it’s my thought for the moment…

This classic Ernest Hemingway quote is certainly resonating with me after my latest therapy session (thanks again emergency surgery for sending me into an emotional spiral).

Time to embrace the brokenness and pour it into some more of my ramblings… new blog on the topic of confidence coming soon!!

#bookstagram #quote #ernesthemingway #blog #blogger #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #counselling #therapy #creative

Who�’s joining me for a cosy afternoon, curled up with a good book and a good coffee at the Reading Rooms cafe at @booksonthehillstalbans ? 📚

#bookstagram #bookshop #reading #supportsmallbusiness #booksofinstagram #literature #nonfiction #lifestyleblogger #blogger #coffee

Washer Woman Woes - Trying To Be A Domestic Goddess & Beat The Weather Too

Damn you British weather. I’ve washing to dry and you’re thwarting my efforts at every turn. Link in the bio!

#blog #everydaylife #humour #funny #washing #weather #writing #creativewriting #writersofinstagram #linkinbio

A Terrible Holiday Checklist - The Surgery Aftermath - Part 2

Let me continue with my tale of my emergency surgery on the sunny island of Rhodes. Here I dig into some of the more icky parts of my recovery (you’ve been warned! Especially about points 4 and 5!!!)

I don’t spend all my time humorously reminiscing though - I do take time out to appreciate the positives and people who helped me through this traumatic event. The link is in the bio!

#rhodes #holiday #holidayfromhell #surgery #emergencysurgery #linkinbio #funny #funnyblog #writersofinstagram

A Terrible Holiday Checklist - Sunglasses, Sun Cream and Emergency Surgery - Part 1

Not a blog that I’d ever thought I’d write - but to be honest, it’s been pretty cathartic to do so! And it’s a two-parter! The time is right to share with you the most traumatic experience I’ve ever been through - emergency surgery whilst on holiday in Rhodes…. Where a combination of not being able to understand Greek, the facilities and of course, being sliced open, have all lead to a healthy dose of PTSD. The link is in my bio!

#surgery #appendicitis #holiday #blog #blogger #creative #humour #writer #writersofinstagram #lifeexperience #vacation #greekislands #linkinbio

Some of my recent blogs… looking at life with a little bit of humour and the hope that someone is reading these - even if it’s whilst you’re on the toilet (actually… that’s probably the perfect place to read the random stuff that falls out my head…). The link to my blog is in my bio!

1) I’m a Brit, it’s my birthright to complain about the weather
2) Why do I still struggle with grammar?
3) My menopause diagnosis
4) A British bank holiday by the sea - or not

Www.frothandfluff.com

#blog #bloggers #littlethings #funny #humour #selfdeprecatinghumor #creative #writing #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writers

I May Be Cruising For A Bruising Here, But I Really Don’t Like Tom (Cruise, That Is)

This is the moment that I find out that everyone who reads my blog is a Tom Cruise fan… well I’m sorry.. but not everyone can like everybody…

So what happens when you have to watch two Tom Cruise films in two nights…. You write a blog about it of course…. The link is in the bio

#blog #tomcruise #missionimpossible #film #movie #blogger #writing #creative #allviewsmyown #linkinbio #writersofinstagram #writerscommunity

Oh Joy. The British Weather is Being All British Again

I can’t keep up. One moment it’s raining, the next sunny, the next I’m contemplating the winter duvet. So I’m going to do what every other British person does… and moan about it

Link to this 3 minute read in my bio!

#blog #blogger #britishweather #british #humour #creative #writing #writersofinstagram #writerscommunity #linkinbio

What I Now Know About Owning Cats

Boo. Yes, it’s been a while (again) - and I fully intend to address my absence over the next few blogs (it’s been a wild-ish 3 months). But let’s get warmed up with my observations on owning cats - in particular my two fluffy nightmares, Alf & Ursula.

Hope you enjoy this 5 minute read - the link is in the bio!

#blog #cats #catsofinstagram #blogger #creative #writersofinstagram #writerscommunity #linkinbio #5minread

On Writing - Why Don’t I Still Understand Grammar?

I’m concerned as a writer, that I really should know more about grammar than I actually do. Why can’t I remember my school lessons on verbs and conjunctions - and does it really matter that I don’t remember the rules??

Link to my latest 4 minute blog in the bio!

#writing #grammar #writingskills. #englishlanguage #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram #blogger #blog #linkinbio

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