Luan Goldie My Writing Process

Luan Goldie

•             What have you written, past and present?

I’m an author and short story writer. My debut novel Nightingale Point follows a group of characters living in an east London tower block on the day of a plane crash. My second novel Homecoming is a love story about university friends and is partly set in Kenya. My novels have been longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize.

My new novel These Streets is a family drama set against the UK’s housing crisis. I wanted to write something which shows how easily a normal family could end up homeless. While it deals with the huge issues of homelessness and gentrification, it’s really about aspirations and who gets to have them.

•             Tell us a bit about your writing process

I like silence, tea and a good internet blocker. I love to get lost in my writing and allow the characters to take over. I’m not easily distracted (especially when the writing is going well) but force myself off the laptop to do other things, like go to a dance class or watch some K-Pop on YouTube.

•             How do you structure a book?

I don’t. I just have my characters and a very, very rough idea of what might happen. Then I go for it.

•             What do you find hard about writing?

Structuring!

•             What do you love about writing?

Getting completely lost in it. It’s an awesome hobby (turned career) and I’m very lucky to do it.

These Streets by Luan Goldie is available now in paperback from HQ, £8.99.

Best Hiking Boots Style Tips for Women

Hiking boots are similar to other types of shoes but with more rugged features that are designed for outdoor use, such as hiking through mud, snow, and other difficult terrains. The best hiking boots for women are designed specifically with the female foot in mind, providing a custom fit and exceptional comfort. 

It can be hard to know how to distinguish between comfort hiking boots and walking boots. Both are footwear designed for outdoor activities, but they serve different functions. Hiking boots are made with a focus on comfort and durability while walking boots are more concerned with style.  A good pair of women’s waterproof walking boots will keep your feet protected from water, mud and snow.

How to Style Hiking Boots for Women

If you are a hiking boot lover, you must be aware of the fact that hiking boots come in a variety of styles. Some are made for rugged terrain, while others are made to take on the pavement. You can find boots with laces or without laces, and ones that have a more casual look. If you want to add some style to your hiking boots, check out these tips:

•    Leather Skirt & Cardigan

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated style, try a leather skirt and cardigan as your hiking outfit. Leather is a durable material that can provide a nice amount of warmth. A cardigan will keep the wind out and keep you warm on those chilly days. A leather skirt will be comfortable to hike in and can easily be layered with other clothing if it gets too cold.

You can also wear this outfit for everyday wear if you’d like! If you want to dress it up even more, just add some heels or wedges to your outfit. You’ll look great and feel great while hiking in this outfit!

•    Black Top & Leather Pants

For this look, pair your black leather hiking boots with a black top and leather pants. The black top should be short sleeved and have ruffles along the bottom hemline of the shirt. 

For the pants, choose a pair of black leather pants that fit comfortably over your boot tops without being too tight so that they do not restrict movement while hiking through rough terrain. 

•    Denim Shorts & Chunky Sweater

A pair of worn-in denim shorts paired with a chunky sweater and hiking boots is a perfect look for fall and winter. The combination of jeans, casual shoes (like hiking boots) and an oversized sweater makes for an easy outfit that works both indoors and out. You can wear this outfit on its own or throw on some tights and a long-sleeved top if you want more warmth.

•    Knit Sweater & Jeans

You can’t go wrong with a classic outfit like this. The sweater is cozy, comfortable and warm, while the jeans are light enough for hiking but still sturdy enough to hold up to whatever terrain you may face. The key is finding clothing that doesn’t restrict movement or impede your ability to hike at your best. If you’re trying to look cute but don’t want to sacrifice function, try layering a sweater over a tank top or t-shirt so it’s less bulky and more breathable. You can also pair this outfit with ladies walking boots.

•    Skirt

For those who like to look cute while getting dirty, a skirt can be worn with hiking boots as long as it’s not too short or tight! A loose-fitting skirt will allow you to move freely while hiking without being constricted by material around your thighs. To make sure things stay in place on this style, choose one that has side pockets so you can easily access any essentials while on the trail (like snacks!). 

•    Wear With Leather Bomber Jacket

One of the most popular outfits for hiking boots is a leather bomber jacket. This is an easy way to add some edge to your look without going all-out with edgy accessories. The leather bomber jacket provides a strong contrast to the brown or black color of most hiking boots and looks great with jeans or slacks.

•    Wear with Black Cargo Jacket

This is a great look for anyone who’s going out on the trail in their hiking boots. The black cargo jacket is perfect because it’s made of a heavy-duty fabric that will keep you warm even on rainy days. Plus, it has plenty of pockets and storage areas where you can keep your gear and other essentials. A black cargo jacket will also go well with any color pants (jeans, khakis) or shorts that you might be wearing to match your boots.

•    Wear with Ripped Skinny Jeans

If you’ve got a pair of ripped skinny jeans lying around, try wearing them with your hiking boots for a casual look that’s perfect for hanging out with friends or going on a day trip. Ripped skinny jeans make it easy to pull off an edgy look without worrying about how much skin you’re showing. You can even wear them with an oversized sweater or button-down shirt to balance out the proportions of your outfit.

•    Oversized Camo Jacket and Ripped Jeans

If you’re into fashion, then this outfit is perfect for you. Start off by wearing a camo jacket with ripped jeans or shorts. The camo jacket will match perfectly with your boots and jeans, making it a great combination for any hike. You can also add some colourful accessories like bracelets or necklaces to spice things up a bit. A pair of women walking boots will also look good on this outfit.

Why Choose Nortiv8 Women Hiking Boots? 

All-Round Comfort 

Your feet will be happy in our hiking boots because they were created with comfort in mind. The materials used were chosen carefully to ensure that they would provide plenty of support without feeling stiff or constricting. Dream Pairs women’s hiking boots can be worn all day without causing any aches or pains in your legs or lower back.

Durable Construction 

The construction of our boots is made to be durable and long-lasting, yet lightweight. They are made with high quality materials that will not only keep your feet dry and protected, but also comfortable. The cushioned insole provides extra support for your feet as you walk up and down hills, while still being lightweight. 

More than Just Hiking 

Women’s hiking boots don’t have to look like men’s hiking boots. At Nortiv8, our ladies hiking boots comes in bright colours and funky designs that will show off your sense of style. They can also be worn for other activities besides hiking, such as walking around town or going on a shopping trip to the mall.

Great Books To Read Now

The Hiking Trip by Jenny Blackhurst

I loved this pacy thriller. I honestly didn’t see the ending coming. One of my fav books I have read recently. Superb.

Don’t trust everyone you meet here…

A young British backpacker goes missing on the West Coast Trail.

No one is sure whether she died or simply disappeared.

Apart from Laura.

Twenty years later, a body has been found.

And there’s only one person who could reveal the secret that Laura’s been hiding all this time.

But she knows that two can keep a secret.

IF ONE OF THEM IS DEAD.

The Hiking Trip is available here.

Looking Out For Love by Sophia Money-Coutts

I have read all of Sophia Money-Coutts’s books and they just get better. The characters, the plot, everything about this book is pitch perfect. It’s like the perfect caper rom-com. 

Stella Shakespeare isn’t having a good day, or month come to think of it. She’s been unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend, cut off from the bank of dad and at 32 years old, she doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life.

What Stella really wants is to find love. She wants all-consuming, can’t-think-about-anything-else, can’t-even-manage-to-eat kind of love. What she found beside her in bed that morning wasn’t love. But when a tall, handsome man in a well-fitting suit walks into her life, she thinks she’s finally found The One.

Everything seems to be falling into place now Stella has met the man of her dreams and has an actual job working with a private investigator nicknamed The Affair Hunter. Although seeing relationships in trouble shakes Stella’s own trust and makes her question if she’s been looking for love in the wrong places all along…

Looking Out For Love is available here.

The Coming Darkness by Greg Mosse

A superb dystopian thriller. This ambitious debut really draws you into this futuristic world and doesn’t let go. Intelligent and entertaining. 

A massive new talent in British fiction, Greg Mosse’s storytelling is complex and finely crafted, combining twisting plotlines, intelligent dialogue and ambiguous characters, all skilfully brought together in an epic climax. Never before has dystopian fiction been so chillingly real.

Set in an alternate near future in which global warming and pathogenic viruses have torn through the fabric of society, The Coming Darkness follows French secret operative Alexandre Lamarque on the trail of global eco-terrorists. Lamarque’s target is set on destabilising the controls placed on global governments that protect human life from climate change. One wrong move and the world could be plunged into darkness.

From Paris to North Africa, Lamarque is drawn into an ominous sequence of events: a theft from a Norwegian genetics lab; a string of violent child murders; his mother’s desperate illness; a chaotic coup in North Africa, and the extraction under fire of its charismatic leader.

Experience has taught Alex there is no one he can trust – not his secretive lover Mariam, not even his mentor, Professor Fayard – the man at the centre of a deadly web of government control. Lamarque rapidly finds himself in a heart-thumping race against time, the one man with the ability to prevent chaos and destruction taking over.

The Coming Darkness is available here.

One Last Secret by Adele Parks

I’m a huge fan of Adele Parks. Her writing is so sharp and entertaining that she makes it look easy. I love Dora, the escort who’s had such a tough life and triumphed. Will one last secret bring her down? This is a glamorous thriller that is sometimes sad, but keeps you entertained until the last page. A must read.  

Another incredible domestic thriller from the Sunday Times number one bestselling author of sensational books like Both of You….

One last client….

A week at a beautiful chateau in the south of France—it should be a straightforward final job for Dora. She’s a smart, stunning and discreet escort and Daniel has paid for her services before. This time, all she has to do is convince the assembled guests that she is his girlfriend. Dora is used to playing roles and being whatever men want her to be. It’s all about putting on a front.

One last chance….

It will be a last, luxurious look at how the other half lives, before Dora turns her back on the escort world and all its dangers. She has found someone she loves and trusts. With him, she can escape the life she’s trapped in. But when Dora arrives at the chateau, it quickly becomes obvious that nothing is what it seems….

One last secret….

Dora finds herself face to face with a man she has never forgotten, the one man who really knows her. And as old secrets surface, it becomes terrifyingly apparent that one last secret could cost Dora her life….

From the Sunday Times number one bestseller Adele Parks comes a blisteringly provocative novel about power, sex, money and revenge.

One Last Secret is available here.

Islands by Mark Easton

I really loved Islands. Well-researched with lyrical prose; it’s enchanting and endlessly fascinating. 

No man is an island, wrote John Donne. BBC Home Editor Mark Easton argues the opposite: that we are all islands, and it is upon the contradictory shoreline where isolation meets connectedness, where ‘us’ meets ‘them’, that we find out who we truly are.

Suggesting that a continental bias has blinded us, Easton chronicles a sweep of 250 million years of island history: from Pangaea (the supercontinent mother of all islands) to the first intrepid islanders pointing their canoes over the horizon, from exploration to occupation, exploitation to liberation, a hopeful journey to paradise and a chastening reminder of our planet’s fragility.

But that is only half of this mesmerising book: aided by the muse he names Pangaea, Easton also interweaves reflections on what he calls ‘the psychological islands that form the great archipelago of humankind’. Taking readers on an enchanting adventure, he illustrates how understanding islands and island syndrome might help humanity get closer to the truth about itself.

Brave, intelligent and haunting, Islands is a deep dive into geography, myth, literature, politics and philosophy that reveals nothing less than a map of the human heart.

The Island is available here.

Busy Betty by Reese Witherspoon

Not only did I love this book, but my daughter did too. A fantastic story with an important message. The illustration is also wonderful. 

From Academy Award-winning actress, founder, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon, comes Busy Betty, a story about a creative, curious, and exuberant young girl who has big plans and an even bigger heart.

Busy Betty has always been busy . . . even when she was just a baby!

When Betty gives Frank a big hug, she realizes he needs a bath, PRONTO! Her best friend, Mae, is coming over, and Betty can’t have the smelliest dog in the whole world! But giving Frank a bath is harder than she thought and just when everything seems impossible, with Mae’s help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork, and one great idea.

From Reese Witherspoon comes a smart and larger-than-life character who encourages young listeners to celebrate what makes them unique and realize that anything is possible!

Busy Betty is available here.

Love My Reads Box.

If you are looking for a gift idea I can recommend Love My Reads. A subscription box which comes with a book and lots of treats every month. Mine came with Dear Dollly by Dolly Alderton. A great book with lots of good advice.

 

Have I Got News For You: The Quiz of 2022.

I’m a huge fan of Have I Got News For You. This book is hours of fun. Funny as ever. Great for yourself or others. Grab a copy now. 

Whatever word you’d care to apply to 2022, no one can deny it’s been eventful. Russia invaded Ukraine, Boris Johnson resigned, the Queen passed the baton to Charles after a 70-year reign, heat records were broken, food and energy bills went through the roof, fading celebrities discovered that libel laws are a great way to generate publicity, Liz Truss spent more money in her first week as PM than anyone since the war, and – as usual – most of the biggest stories broke while HIGNFY was off the air.

What better way, then, to commemorate a year most of us probably want to forget than with over 1,000 quiz questions about it? There’s the Missing Words Round, the Odd One Out Round, loads of rounds that we’ve nicked from other puzzle books, and for any insomniacs out there, there’s even one on the Labour Party.

With questions on everything from politics to pop culture, and Paul Merton and Ian Hislop’s predictions for 2023, Have I Got News For You: The Quiz of 2022 promises hours of entertainment (albeit probably by candlelight) and will serve as the ultimate souvenir of a rollercoaster year.

Available here.

With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher.

This is a quirky and original story from a fresh voice. Kept me hooked until the last page. A heartwarming and beautiful romance.

If you knew how your love story ends, would you dare to begin?

From the outside, Lorelai is an ordinary young woman with a normal life. She loves reading, she works at the local cinema and she adores living with her best friend. But she carries a painful burden, something she’s kept hidden for years: whenever she kisses someone on the lips, she sees how they are going to die. But she’s never known if she’s seeing what was always meant to be, or if her kiss is the thing that decides their destiny. And so, she hasn’t kissed anyone since she was 18.

Then she meets Grayson. Sweet, clever, funny Grayson. And for the first time in years, she yearns for a man’s kiss. But she can’t…or can she? And if she does, should she try to intervene and change what she sees?

Spellbinding, magical and utterly original, With This Kiss is one love story you will never forget.

With This Kiss is available here.

Small Acts of Kindness by Jennifer Antill.

This is a brilliant historical novel from a writer who really knows their stuff. Outstanding. 

St Petersburg, 1825. Imperial Russia still basks in the glory of victory over Napoleon, but in the army and elsewhere resentment is growing against serfdom and autocracy. Vasily, a pleasure loving, privileged young man, returns home from abroad expecting to embark on a glittering career. Having become entangled in an impossible love affair, he joins a conspiracy to overthrow the government. Threatened by exile to Siberia or death, he is forced to flee the Tsar’s vengeance. Vasily hopes to rebuild his life in a distant provincial town. But he cannot forget his lost love, and now finds himself pursued by a rival who aims to destroy him. Can he escape the past, mend his broken relationships and find a better way to change the world?

Small Acts of Kindness is available here.

 

 

I’m a psychologist, a nutritionist, and a mum… and here are my tips for helping your little one sleep through the night

Just like eating and drinking, sleep is an essential human need. If your baby or toddler struggle to sleep, you’ll find out pretty quickly that it has a massive impact on you as a parent too. In addition, healthy sleep supports good immune health, learning, memory, growth, and development. Establishing a bedtime routine is a vital part of the sleep journey for babies and children, so here are my top 5 tips to help your little one get into a healthy sleep routine:

1. As a parent myself, I have experienced first-hand how difficult life can be when your child struggles with their sleep. I used to buy numerous separate items to help my child get to sleep, but now Glow Dreaming’s research-based 5-in-1 system has been a life saver! Glow Dreaming includes a gentle red light to stimulate melatonin production, pink noise to support a deeper, more restful sleep, a built-in humidifier to help your little one breathe easier during the night, and fabulous aromatherapy options. An added bonus is that there is no need to fork out for an expensive sleep trainer as Glow Dreaming can provide you with a personalised sleep program from ICRA (Individualised Circadian Rhythm Amelioration).

2. Developing a bedtime routine plays a really important role in preparing your child for bedtime. Many families have told me that their little one seems to become very energetic at bedtime and it can be a real struggle to get them to bed. This is where Better You’s ‘Roald Dahl’ Kids’ Sleep Bundle can really help. The sleep bundle contains magnesium bath flakes, a magnesium sleep body lotion and a magnesium sleep body spray, all suitable for toddlers over 1 and those with sensitive skin. Magnesium is a mineral that assists sleeping by helping us unwind and is an important factor in how our body manages our sleep cycle. Using magnesium products before bed may help your child to relax and help their body prepare for that all important sleep time.

3. Master Herbsmith and co-founder of Pukka Herbs, Sebastian Pole, set up Herbal Reality, an online resource platform for Herbal medicine. He suggests lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) as a remedy that may benefit young children who are struggling with sleep. He says: “Lemon balm is a deliciously fragrant member of the mint family that provides relief from tension in the nervous and digestive systems. Lemon balm is a wonderful herb for children. Lemon balm delivers its properties immediately as a gentle, soothing yet uplifting remedy, acceptable to everyone from the very youngest of age. Lemon balm tea also has a gentle lifting effect that can be very comforting in low moods and for anxiety and tension. You can use it as a fresh herb tea, dried herb tea, tincture, essential oil or cream”.

4. I recommend growing your own lemon balm so that you always have it on hand. It smells delicious and is very easy to grow in sun or light shade, plus you can dry the leaves to ensure you have a good stock of it throughout the year. I use Earthsong Seeds organic Lemon Balm Seed Pack – a bargain at only £2.50 for a minimum of 150 seeds.

5. Does your child struggle to sleep due to constant coughs and colds during the Winter months? In the UK, most over-the-counter cough medicines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age because the risks outweigh the benefits (1). I recommend having a bottle of Pukka Herb’s Elderberry syrup to hand throughout Autumn and Winter. This delicious elderberry syrup also contains manuka honey, ginger and thyme to support seasonal health, and is suitable for children aged 2 and over.

  1. https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/over-the-counter-cough-and-cold-medicines-for-children

 

5 Ultimate Tips for Creating the Perfect Guest Bedroom

House parties have become the new normal since 2020, and most people have upgraded their homes to accommodate the changing times. You may have friends or relatives that need to spend the night at your house, and instead of letting them sleep in one of the bedrooms, you should have a dedicated room for visitors for sanitation and privacy purposes.

 

Home standards have changed as more homebuyers switch from the busy urban lifestyle to the quiet suburban or rural houses with sufficient mental health spaces. Your home needs features and amenities for visitors, and the guest bedroom is one of the best ways to showcase your hospitality.

 

Here are five of the most critical tips for decorating the best guest bedroom:

1. Use Neutral Colors for Interior Design

The perfect guest bedroom should be pleasing to the eyes. Your extra bedroom will welcome people from all walks of life, so you should decorate it using neutral tones that are muted and soft. If the guest has an eye condition, bright or vibrant colors may hurt his eyes, and he might have trouble sleeping. You should use neutral colors in your general interior design to be on the safe side.

 

Here are some of the neutral colors you can decorate with:

Taupe
Cream
Ivory
Beige
Grey shades
Brown
Black
White

 

Neutral colors also go well with almost every other color available, so it’s easy to style. This website lets you access inspiration for guest bedroom designs and real estate photography editing techniques if you want to convert your guest bedroom into a transient rental unit for extra income.

2. Guest Bedroom Essentials Checklist

The perfect guest bedroom should cover every guest’s potential needs, from toiletries to clean sheets, since you wouldn’t want your visitor to leave feeling worse than when he arrived. You don’t need to add fancy things to your room, as long as you have the bare essentials.

 

Here are the necessary items you need in a guest bedroom:

Comfortable bed, pillow cases, blanket, and sheets
Toiletries
Slippers
Ambient lighting
Curtains

 

You can add preferred items outside necessities, like a television or refrigerator. However, since the guest can access everything in your house, you can stick with the essentials.

3. Check Light Bulbs and Appliances

The ultimate guest bedroom should be safe, at the very least. Therefore, you should check the lights and appliances in the room once in a while. Inspecting electronics takes a few minutes, so you should do it at least once before and after a guest stays over. Since you don’t always utilize the guest bedroom, unchecked broken bulbs and appliances may also become a fire hazard.

4. Decorate Reflecting Homeowner’s Personality

The perfect guest bedroom is homey and personal, even if it’s not your room. It would help if you didn’t aspire to decorate it like a hotel suite since it’s a room made from your hospitality. A guest bedroom allows visitors to rest and relax, but it’s still a part of your house, so you should still decorate the room to echo your personality and likes. You could add a quirky art piece or photo to make the person feel at home.5. Clean Before and After Every Use

The final tip for creating the perfect guest bedroom is keeping it clean. Sweat and moisture could develop a foul odor over time, so you should clean the room right after use. Replace the toiletries and wash the sheets or linen before storing them away.

 

If the guest bedroom has a bathroom, you shouldn’t forget to empty the trash and ensure the drain doesn’t have hair or dried soap suds cluttered. Check the soap and shampoo containers if you need to replenish or restock them.

 

Don’t put the sheets, blanket, and pillowcases in advance to prevent dust buildup; you can set them up when you expect a guest to use the room.

Final Thoughts

If you often have friends and family, you should be ready for sleepovers and all-nighters. The perfect guest bedroom can comfortably accommodate all short-term and long-term visitors. You don’t need expensive or complicated items as long as you have the bare necessities.

BEST TYPES OF WOMEN’S WINTER BOOTS

Since the advent of the human world, winter has been an annual season characterized by cold. From the foggy weather to snowy mornings, it is the time to streamline plans; resort to materials that keep you warm. And as such, the choices of what you wear becomes as essential as staying sleek while fit.

When it comes to winter clothing for women, outfit options are often non-different from the regulars. But for boots, it is. This is because boots are specialized for different ensembles and are one of the last things to overlook in public domains.

We know you won’t love frostbite or acknowledge unpleasant compliments due to your choice of outfits. Of course, not. Here we have provided guides for choosing winter boots and enlisting the best pairs in your racks. Keep reading and find out the one for you.

What are the Best Women’s Boots for Winter?

There are numerous options for women’s boots, but these pairs are the most appropriate for winter:

Lace-Up Snow Boots.

The Lace up-snow boots are familiar women’s boots to step up your fashion game during winter. Made with sheepskin lining – these boots are always adequate for whatever comes your way. And as their name suggests, they will enable you to spend more time in the snow while keeping your leg firm with the laces.

Talk about durability; the Lace-up boots are durable to outlive winter cycles for a long time with built-in rubber soles. From the Dream pairs’ snow boots to other brands, you can lock out snow whenever you have them worn. Want something to weave out styles in jeans and pants? The Lace-Up Snow boots are stylish for what you need.

Chelsea Boots.

Preferring Chelsea’s over other boots during the winter is not odd but the best choice for you as a woman. Chelsea boots are for all-season and are reliable to keep you on track in the colder half of the year. Besides being versatile, water-resistant leather boots come in diverse features that will sit well with your preference.

With insulated layers, the Women’s Chelsea boots will keep your legs warm when it is cold outside. And if you intend to participate in outdoor sports – their lugged rubber sole will suffice.

However, you don’t have to make the whole day deciding on what attire to wear with them. Their different manufacturer brands, including the Dream Pairs, are versatile, stylish, and suitable for casual and corporate dresses during winter and non-winter periods.

Telluride Boots.

Telluride Boots are another boots to include for women when deciding what to wear in winter periods. If you plan to spend quality time outdoors in winter, these boots are the ideal companion. From layers to layers, you will get away with cold and create the best moments with your legs and uppers.

Their upper membrane is breathable and stylish such that you will enjoy comfort with style, like in Chelsea boots. With rubber lug soles, you can schedule each of your visits and have the best time skiing or snowboarding. And if you desire a winter style that differs from the regular, the Telluride winter boots are the ideal key to dressing.

Duck Boots.

Tuck your winter outfits into the Women’s Duck boots, and you’ll be glad you did. These boots are unrivaled in quality, unyielding in cold weather, and solely designed to provide the best for you.

Duck boots come in underlaid shearlings that warm the legs even on cold days. With their leather-made design, you can count on them for optimum safety and elegance. If you want to exude a certain flair, wear these boots with your favorite outfits, and they will go well.

Thigh-High Boots.

Thigh-high boots are not new to women and are one of the finest boots to wear in winter. While these boots give adequate outer coverage for your legs up to the thigh, they also provide warmth and can get you through the winter months.

Though the Thigh-High boots have distinct styles and functions, their leather and suede-made materials are fashionable to leverage to your destinations. You can easily combine the pairs with mini skirts or make a statement with jeans. Either way, their zippers make it simple to slide them on and off when you want to replace them.

Biker Boots.

If you have a pair of biker boots in your closet, winter is the best time to wear them out. These boots are perfect for cold weather as they provide warmth with their interior lining and pair well with different women’s winter duds. With elastic sides and ankle cups, no boots could be better than these pairs.

Biker boots are suitable for several winter clothing, including skinny jeans, when you wish to go out outdoors. If you are petite, the bikers’ chunky soles will add a few inches to your body height and make you appear taller. Worried about frequent replacement? Biker boots are long-lasting and durable enough to withstand cold cycles.

Rain Boots.

As the name suggests, rain boots come in a design specific to rain and snow. They are one of the perfect boots to enlist in during winter and make you safer. If you’d spend most days outdoors, Rain boots are warm and will always keep your legs as such.

Made of rubber – the waterproof Rain boots are in tandem with time and style. Even better, their uppers become quickly drained when wet to enable re-use. Although they comprise lugs sole, Rain boots won’t get your feet bogged down. And when it is time to style, you can always count on them for the favorite outfits in your wardrobe.

What to Consider when Choosing Winter Boots

Winter days can be fun, memorable, or non-different from previous seasons. The moments momentarily depend on how well your plans are and the ensemble used to scale up the time.

If you’re indecisive about what boots to wear, you should start with the know-how of choosing winter boots. With the features outlined below, you will spot the best winter boots and enlist them with your favorite autumn wears.

Warmth.

Boots with multi-layers provide adequate warmth in winter and are typically the best choice for cold weather. While socks can naturally keep you warm, cozy boots enable optimum protection and prevent frostbite. The insulation provided will keep your legs reasonably warm on average, allowing you to spend more time outdoors.

If you have a winter coat or sweater, insulated boots are what you need for a perfect compliment. With the duo in place, you will have the best winter days.

Waterproof.

Warm boots are okay for winter; waterproof boots make it extra better. While we’d prefer you prioritize getting your feets insulated, opting for waterproof boots is also a choice that isn’t out of place.

Aside from keeping you extra safe, water-resistant boots allow you to walk through light snow and puddles. Having them makes every moment outside more enjoyable and protects you from adverse weather-related conditions.

However, your choice of waterproof boots should also include a breathable membrane through which the leg can breathe and keep moisture out.

Traction.

Wearing traction shoes is essential for any daily activity, and this is especially true during the winter. Though it is often cold outdoors during winter, sports events such as hiking and snowshoeing may leave you with no choice but to be outside.

Preferred if you want to navigate different terrain when there are droplets of snow, traction becomes fundamental. As such, boots with adequate traction can allow you to walk without gliding or slipping.

Final Thoughts

Having more than one winter boot in your rack is not odd but helps you become dynamic with your time and outfits. Preferably, you can opt for a pair or pairs from the ones listed above and get along with them if best suited for the weather. However, Waterproof boots remain the ideal option for cold weather or when there is snow. Non-waterproof boots are also not out of place to wear when the weather is below average. The best winter boots choices depend on how harsh or lenient the weather is.

Whisked Away at Christmas by Mahi Cheshire Review

Whisked Away at Christmas gives you everything you want in a Christmas tale, and a whole lot more you didn’t realise you needed.

Set during a bakery competition in Vienna, The Golden Whisks, Nick and Gina have a history that might get in the way of their ambitions.

With mouth-watering descriptions of cake, a formidable and flawed female protagonist, Gina, and a handsome, yet insecure, chef in Nick, Whisked You Away at Christmas is fun and exciting.

It’s original and whisks (sorry, had to) you away to a world you don’t want to leave. I couldn’t love it more. Christmassy perfection.

Whisked away at Christmas by Mahi Cheshire
A Delicious Christmas Romance

Love. Success. Baking. Some things are all about timing.

Set against a backdrop of glamorous balls and designer fashion in beautiful, fairy-tale-like Vienna, the Golden Whisk competition promises everything for Gina Rajasinghe: it’s her big break, a chance to prove herself and win international recognition in the culinary world. The opulent concert halls and charming Christmas markets are a far cry from her humble café in Hackney, where she’s been working hard to perfect her baking skills. If only she could relax and enjoy herself, instead of worrying about her application, and the one or two tiny lies on there. Such as the professional training she never had.

And then there’s Nick Barradine to worry about, fellow competitor and media darling who seems to have it all: money, success, and his own patisserie cafés that have been heralded on both sides of the Atlantic. Oh, and he used to work with Gina. In fact, they used to be close: Nick helped train Gina at his family’s prestigious Barradine’s café back in London, until she disappeared three years ago without an explanation.

It seems they must learn how to work together again, but more than sparks fly when Nick confronts Gina about their shared past. And now there’s a video of the two of them on social media…

Whisked Away at Christmas is the perfect festive romance for listeners with a sweet tooth: a must-listen for fans of Jasmine Guillory or Jessica Redland.

 

Sense Sign School calendar available to buy now – a fun, educational stocking filler which breaks down disability barriers

National disability charity Sense are offering this British Sign Language 2023 calendar – a perfect Christmas stocking filler. The charismatic teachers at Sense Sign School, based on real people that Sense supports, feature in this wall calendar, so you can improve your sign language skills all year long.

 Sign language, calendar, sense

The calendar is filled with fun illustrations which teach a new sign each month, plus bonus signs on extra pages.

Learning sign language is a great way to sharpen the mind, and break down communication barriers which exist for Deaf people. British Sign Language is a recognised language which is used by 125,000 people in the UK.

All proceeds from the calendar go towards Sense’s work supporting people with complex disabilities.

This is a great, low-expense gift which would stand out in a stocking or under the Christmas tree while supporting a charity.

The calendar can be purchased online athttps://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/sense-british-sign-language-calender-2023/ for £4 with free postage, or can be bought in Sense’s nationwide charity shops.