Where the inspiration and ideas for my blog posts come from

In my opinion inspiration, ideas and creativity are a big part of blogging. They are also connected and the inspiration for posts comes from everywhere.

My posts “Driving and my confidence” actually started with a little accident I had. Nothing bad happened, but I had a shock and I just felt like writing about my experiences with driving.

When I got my new glasses, I was wearing them constantly. They made me feel confident, so I decided to write about my story with glasses and contacts. And now actually, remembering this I just had another idea connected to my glasses.

I write different kind of posts. For my book reviews the inspiration obviously comes from reading, talking to authors and also being a beta reader and friends with lots of authors and book bloggers. My travel posts are connected to my travels and all the experiences I make while I discover the world. My lifestyle posts have different sources of inspiration, so here they are.

Daily life: When I talk about daily life, I mean my daily routine, my day at work and things I pursue in the evening. So included here are breakfast, teaching, coffee breaks, weather, the way to work and back, food, drinks, the people I meet, rehearsals etc.

Hobbies: My hobbies are a big part of my blog. I talk about reading all the time, I talk about singing, traveling, colouring, shopping, meeting up with friends etc.

People: Talking to other people is always very interesting. Things they mention could lead to an idea. I see that a lot with the children at school. Sometimes they are really excited about something and want to tell you about it. Sometimes it’s things they mention during the lessons. Generally, it’s also just seeing them happy. This is the same with friends, family and other adults. You start thinking about things that are actually not your thing and get introduced to new things.

Little incidents: With these I mean being a car, having an accident, buying glasses, moving out, buying a house, being pregnant, getting married etc. Obviously some of these things have not happened to me (yet), but I’m sure I’ll be inspired.

Traveling: Experiences during flying, driving, a train ride etc. The experiences with the people, the language, the traditions. Then of course it’s the places you see, what you actually do, how you feel during the travels, the preparation for it, how you feel when you get home etc.

Working in a committee/team: Last year I have joined the committee of my choir and I’m gaining a lot of experience through this, I’m learning new things and all these things give me ideas. The same goes for my colleagues at work. We are a team and working together is interesting, but not always easy.

Other bloggers: This can be their blog, their Instagram or their YouTube channel.

Home: Get outside and explore the landscape and cities close to you. Sometimes the pretty places are not far away.

Fashion: Fashion is funny, diverse, colourful, stylish and much more. When I go shopping or buy new things I have new ideas and I get creative with them.

Music: Lyrics, songs, musicals, singing and more. There is something behind every word, melody, move etc.

Try new things!: This is pretty self explanatory I think.

Take time for yourself: Me-time is important and it gives you the possibility to do something nice for yourself and get inspired by it.

Take pictures: Explore nature and your surroundings and take pictures of the things you see. There are so many things hidden in photos, explore them.

Browse the net: Pinterest, quotes, news, stars. These things all give me ideas and inspiration.

I could list many more things here, but I think you can all see where I’m going with this. Inspiration can come from small things. I usually have great ideas when I’m trying to fall a sleep, in the middle of the night or when I’m in the bath. Too bad I can’t write them down immediately. Usually when I forget them, they come back to me, which is good :). 

Fashion Corner - Red and Black II

The red and black theme goes into the second round. This time a bit more casual, but still elegant. 

I combined my red roll neck jumper from Zara with my new scarf and black Jeans. 

I'm also wearing my necklace from Phantasya and my booties from Navyboot. 

- Jumper: Zara

- Booties: Navyboot

- Necklace: Phantasya (similar)

- Jeans: Zara (similar)

- Scarf: Christmas present

Things I don’t Understand I: People (Not) Coming to Our Concerts/Performances

Welcome to a new little series on Simona’s Corner of Dreams, there are several things I just don’t understand when it comes to life and people, so let’s talk about them. First up are a few things that are connected to the concerts I sing.

Being part of a choir and a theatre group makes it a given thing that I’m on stage performing or singing quite a lot. The thing that follows after that are friends and family coming to these concerts/performances.

In the theatre group we do musicals and I only do them myself when I like the show and the music. In the choir we mostly do classical thing, mixed with accapella, contemporary or projects like Cinema/Rock & Pop Classics. The classics masses or requiems are not everyone’s taste and I totally understand that. The best example is probably my brother. He only comes tot he concerts when he likes the music. That’s important to him, even though he knows my mum and me and we are both on stage.

I always tell all my friends about the concerts, I usually send them the flyer or give it to them personally. With Chess last year I did a bit more, because the music is just fab (hello the ABBA men wrote it!) and it was huge with projections and more. Of course mum and I did the same with family. Anyway, most people sounded interested and booked immediately. Then there are the others who always tell you that it sounds interesting and that they will book soon. The next time you ask them, they still haven’t booked. Then you tell them that the good seats are gone and they have to hurry up, they don’t though. In the end they don’t show up at all, ask you how it went and said that they just had too much going on. In most cases that’s just not true though. It’s always funny when somebody else comes up and says how great it was, then the ones who didn’t come, come up with excuses.

Then there are the ones who come and afterwards all they can say that it was good. No details, no big words, just “it was good” or “I liked it”. After these comments it’s always great to hear people you barely know say something positive. Sometimes they can’t stop anymore.

I love performing or singing on stage, I love making people happy with it and petting a smile on their faces.

I don’t expect my family and friends to come to every single show or concert, but at least by honest about why you can’t come or about how you liked it. 

Book of the Month - January

The books I read this month:

-       Whatever Happened to Vicky Hope’s Back Up Man? – by Laura Kemp 4.5/5

-       My Sweet Revenge – by Jane Fallon 4.5/5

-       Sister Sister – by Sue Fortin 5/5

-       The Legacy of Lucy Harte – by Emma Heatherington 5/5

-       New York, Actually – by Sarah Morgan 4.5/5

-       The Good Girlfriend’s Guide to Getting Even – by Anna Bell 5/5

-       How Not to Fall in Love, Actually – by Catherine Bennetto 4/5

LOVED LOVED LOVED this psychological thriller, my new fave genre!:  

Sister Sister – Sue Fortin

The bit on the back:

Alice: Beautiful, kind, manipulative, liar.

Claire: Intelligent, loyal, paranoid, jealous.

Claire thinks Alice is a manipulative liar who is trying to steal her life.

Alice thinks Claire is jealous of her long-lost return and place in their family.

One of them is telling the truth. The other is a maniac.

Two sisters. One truth.

My opinion:

I have never been into thrillers, but this one has blown me away!!! This is a thriller full of twists and turns and it includes family, love and friendship. These things all put together with great writing create a novel you can’t miss. The storyline in this book is very clever. It builds up and you just get hooked! BRILLIANT!

Sue Fortin on Twitter: @suefortin1

Website: https://suefortin.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US