Hi friends,

Today is Sunday, time to look back in the rearview mirror and talk about my week in and out of the blog. As usual I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted for years by Kimberly @caffeinatedreviewer .

 

ANNOUNCEMENT first: I have problems replying to comments right now! Or since one week.

I can reply from the comment section on the dashboard but not from the post self!

So it’s possible that I will miss some of your comments or won’t know if I already replied or not. Please accept my sincerest apologies.

The support asked me to deactivate Jetpack as it is probably the cause but as I have a way around to reply, that you can still comment and that Jetpack has other important use … I’ll live with it till the next update.

Please don’t stop commenting as it reallt warms my heart and I promise to do my best to reply (I know I have a whole bunch to reply to as I find it easier to reply on one set day. It’s unlikely that I’ll miss some that way.)

 

In my private life

 

It’s been one week since the beginning of the lockdown.

Here schools and universities are closed or rather, teaching through webinars and other onlineclasses.
All shops are closed since one week now, except the chemists and the gorcery stores.
All non urgent surgeries or meetings with the doctors have been cancelled or rescheduled.

We can still go for a walk or a run BUT we have to be alone of with another family member living under the same roof.
We can’t gather in public spaces nor for private events.
If I see someone on the street, I keep my distance.

I am homeworking for one whole week now but some colleagues are already at their third week in a row.

My daughter is still in her dormitory but we fear that the lockdown will be extended past April 5th. What will she do as it’s forbidden once student have chosen their place to stay (dorm or home) to change! I hope she won’t get depressed.

On the bright side, because there is ALWAYS a bright side, she is not going out late any further and has nothing else to do but study … I hope her results will show it 😀 

I haven’t seen people fighting in shops, it’s happened in other towns but it seems that we are more subdued here …

I try to go to the store every other day with a backpack and take what is necessary, not more, to leave something for others. I also did some grocery shopping for my mom that I haven’t seen for three weeks now as my husband is ill.

 

I truly hope that everything will help! And that we’ll avoid even stronger measures. But how many time will this go on? I fear that we are headed for quite a few more months now.

 

But enough with the sad news, let’s get to the good news now.

I have been chosen as a rep for one of my favorite only bookish shops: The Story Gift! I am leaving the url to the store if you are curious thestorygift.co.uk

Deema, the owner of The Story Gift is such a sweet person! And she draws her artprint, the stickers for her candles etc. The shop gives a “fairy” vibe, cosy, delicate and British if I may say so 😉 

I got my parcel filled to the brim with goodies and I did my first video unboxing on Instagram!

You got everything: my accent, my videos who were cut all the time as I didn’t know I had to film with IG’s camera… When I noticed that I was cut quite quickly, I did several very short videos!

Then I had to have a “perky or bubbly” tone else it’s seems I am bored out of my mind! And I was not! I was super excited!!

So room to improve but at least I challenged myself and it was fun! I know what I have to work on for a next time.

Here is a SMALL sample of what was in my box!

Last positive news: I made a new custom funko!

A totally new, without tutorial anything. I made Cordelia Carstairs from Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare. I had some misadventures doing it (try the funko falling while she was perfect but the paint wasn’t dry …and I had to begin again AND me using some nail polish to paint only …it was for nail art and I needed a UV lamp to have it dry! So I had to clean everything and begin …again!)

But even with some minor flaws, I am happy of the result.

Cordelia is of mixed origins between an Indian mother and British father so she has a dark skin tone, fiery red coppery hair and black eyes.

I started from this

And here is the final result.

 

On the blog this week (click on the graphic to read the post)

Strangely, staying home does not improve my reading! I guess a lot of reading is done while commuting. This week I posted the review of two books but I have read three more this week and …I have to write their review!!!

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St James: horror and mystery/thriller but excellent! First five stars for weeks! The audiobook was very well done.

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic is …unique! It’s an “oldie” but as many bookstagrammers rave quite often about it I gave this series a try and I am smitten! 4,5 stars

I had promised to write a “How to make custom funko pops 101” and I did! Click on the picture to read the post.

Top 5 Tuesday has seen another battle of authors where I paired them by alphabetical teams.

 

On the blogosphere and in the literary world

 

This week’s quiz by Epi Reads asks

“Which District from ‘The Hunger Games’ Would You Represent?”

 Click on the graphic to take the quiz. I got: 

“You’d be from District 8!

You’re often underestimated, but you have a lot of potential. You might just be the person to make a name for your district!”

And I found several interesting posts this week! 

Marie at Drizzle and Hurricane shares her best tips to interact with the book blogging community

https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/2020/03/18/my-top-5-tips-to-interact-with-the-book-blogging-community/

 

Pete is talking about how Covid is affecting life in a small village and wearing a cow bell

https://beetleypete.com/2020/03/19/beetley-and-the-virus/

Satou recommends the best gay stories of all time!

https://inkishkingdoms.wordpress.com/2020/03/19/what-are-some-of-the-best-gay-stories-of-all-time/

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That’s it! Now do tell me how was your week? Are you on lockdown too? Anything new? I will reply to the comments “in bulk” tomorrow (see previous problem here above).

Thanks for reading!

Sophie

 

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41 Comments

  1. Our lockdown order came on Monday. It’s such a surreal feeling… I haven’t braved the grocery store though as I managed to get a delivery on Sunday (which is my usual home delivery day). I can’t get another for some time so I’ll probably have to go out before then but the queues outside our food shops are ridiculous… People have lost their minds! So, I’d rather avoid it if I can! Two weeks for another home delivery slot shouldn’t be too bad… I hope!

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  2. Things sound very much the same there as they are here. No public gatherings, restaurants are closed (delivery or curbside pick-up only), most people are now working from home, schools are online only and colleges are starting to close the residence halls. All very surreal. Like you, I think we have a long ways to go. Congrats on being a rep! I enjoyed your Instagram stories. 🙂

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  3. Congrats on becoming a rep!

    I feel your pain with lockdown reading! I thought I would be storming through my tbr but it’s the opposite! What with home schooling, working from home and the added stress and worry I havent read 1 written word. I have nearly finished a 21 hour audio book though!

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  5. That was one of the reasons I came home from Australia… being stuck in a small dorm room while also being half a world away would be incredibly difficult for me! I hope your daughter will be okay though and that homeschooling will go well for you <3 Yay for getting chosen as a rep! I saw the items on Instagram and they look so cool.

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  6. Looks like cute stuff from the shop you’re with 🙂 I never imagined custom Funkos! I only have one – Miss Peregrine. Take care of you and yours!

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  7. Congratulations on your rep opportunity, Sophie! 🙂 Thing looks pretty similar in our society out here too, except for walking outside. There aren’t any extensive rules on that, besides trying your best to keep the 1-meter rule. Hopefully we won’t get a complete lockdown like a lot of places out there. Stay safe. 🙂

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  10. Congrats on becoming a rep for one of your favorite shops. That’s so cool and their merchandise is really cute. Your new Funko doll looks amazing too. My hold on that Clare book just became available so I look forward to meeting this character soon.

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  11. Congrats on becoming a rep! Hope you and yours stay safe with these crazy times! 🙂

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  12. I keep waiting for us to go into nationwide lockdown, but with 50 states and all the polarization over here- who knows? lol We’re such a mess right now. Anyway good luck with yours and hope this doesn’t last as long as some are predicting. Such a changed world. congrats on your being selected to be a rep!!!! That’s awesomesauce.

    I need to read Sundown!

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    1. I keep watching to know what will happen in the US Greg. Will one decision be made for the whole 50 states? So far it seems that each county takes its own decision. Stay safe!

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  13. Sorry to hear your husband is sick. I hope he gets well soon. Not a great time to be under the weather. Congratulations on becoming a rep! It’s nice that others are noticing your talents. Another fantastic funko for your collection!

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  14. It sounds like the response in your area is very similar to my state in the US {Oregon}. I am working from home, making a trip out for necessary items as needed, but other than that staying in. My mom is in the high risk bracket for both age and existing conditions, and I moved in with her after my dad passed so I’m being extra cautious.

    Congratulations on becoming a rep, that’s so exciting! It’s nice to have a bit of good news in the midst of everything else.

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  15. Congrats on becoming a rep, that’s fantastic! I visited the shop and you’re right, it’s quite “British” in the best way…loved it! Also, that Funko…wow! I wonder if you could make me a vamp from J.R Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series?? Stay safe my friend! Xoxo

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  16. Congrats on your rep appointment. Enjoy!

    Those Funkos are cute.

    Enjoy your time outside…we can’t go out, at least not yet. I am allowed to go to the laundry upstairs, by appointment, so there will be nobody else there. That works for me!

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  17. I’m glad you had some great news this week. It’s been weird but we were planning to be home on spring break this week anyway. We slept a lot. Now it’s back to online classes and hopefully more productive routines this week. I have had trouble focusing and am reading moody.

    Have a healthy week and enjoy some good reads!

    Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post   

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    1. Anne many have trouble focusing from what I’ve seen and read on other blogs! I hope we’ll get used to our “new normal” soon enough. Stay safe!

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    1. Thank you Jacquie! And yes the shop ships worldwide! I swear its owner Deema is the sweetest and more charming person too!

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  20. Congratulations on becoming a rep for a shop you really love – that is lovely news in amongst the gloom. And I hear you regarding your daughter’s social life being curtailed – let’s hope she is now able to focus on her studies:)). Take care.

    Reply