Glam

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Two Ticks With...Sunny Sweet Pea

It always leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy inside when one of my 'online' blogger friends decides to advertise with me. Jenny, who writes (can we give her a huge thumbs up for the best blog name ever, please?) is one of my absolute favourites on this here interweb. I'm so excited to introduce you to her, and her beautifully written, down to earth blog. Take it away, Jenny.

Dear Jenny, your blog is a firm favourite of mine - but for anyone who might be new to your corner of the internet could you give us an insight on what to expect from Sunny Sweet Pea?
I guess I'd describe as my creative outlet. I love writing, always have. And writing my blog gives me something to channel my creative energy into. My day job is all spreadsheets and figures, so having somewhere to share my photography, write recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth and simply record the everyday things that make life worth while, is really important to me.
Amongst an array of beautiful recipes are book reviews...what's your favourite book and why?
It's fair to say I'm a bit of a bookworm. I have a  channel where I mainly post book related videos, as well as the occasional vlog and I love writing reviews on my blog. But Megs, you've asked the hardest question of all time! I'm not sure this is my favourite ever book, but it's a book that I bought for, and recommended to, so many of my friends, because when I finished reading it I felt inspired to change my life. That book is This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart by Susannah Conway. Susannah lost her boyfriend very suddenly to a heart attack and subsequently started a blog that led to her whole life changing. It's the most positive, life affirming book I have ever read and if you're a fellow blogger, or in fact anyone who has a dream left unfulfilled, then this book will speak to you like no other book you will ever read.Here is my full review if you want to read it.
You live in a beautiful part of the country, Norfolk. Your pictures on your blog tell a thousand stories of how wonderful it is there, but if my readers were thinking of visiting, where would you suggest they stop by?
I still feel like I am new to Norfolk, but when I work it out I have lived here for over six years now. I've grown fond of its overtly agricultural landscape, its long sandy beaches and amazing sunsets. It's certainly a change from my home country of Wales, but the more I explore, the more I come to love it here. Norwich is a beautiful city, with a real vintage vibe. The shopping is amazing and down every little alley and lane you'll find cute coffee houses, tearooms and independent shops, a real city to explore. And on Norwich's doorstep is the beautiful Norfolk countryside, I recommend hiring a boat on the Broads. Perhaps a visit to some of Norfolk's magnificent stately homes - Blickling Hall being one of my favourites. And, one of my very favourite experiences living in Norfolk, visiting the seal pups at Horsey Beach. The grey seals arrive in the winter months to have their pups on the beach. You can get incredibly close to them, such an amazing encounter with nature.
As I said above, cooking is clearly a big part of your life. What tips have you got for any new foody bloggers out there?
Experiment and practice. I am no chef. I still make a crap Victoria sponge, I don't know what it is about them but mine come out so dry. Every time! I turn to Pinterest for inspiration, or find a basic recipe and adapt it. I love my floral flavours, so experimenting with lavender, rose, violets and any other edible flower is one of my favourite things to do. They don't always work, but that's okay, practice makes perfect and my readers don't see my culinary disasters. Trust me, they happen! More often than not.

What's your favourite thing to cook?
I have a seriously sweet tooth, so I adore baking. However I am on a bit of a health kick at the moment as I'm training for a triathlon. You're more likely to find recipes for summer salads, smoothies and protein shakes on Sunny Sweet Pea at the moment. Perhaps it's time to invent a healthy chocolate brownie!
Is blogging purely a hobby for you, Jenny? Or do you have plans for Sunny Sweet Pea going forward?
Blogging is a wonderful hobby of mine that I am lucky enough to make a few pennies from. I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunities my blog has given me. Back when I started Sunny Sweet Pea in 2009 I was quite happy that just my sister read it. I could never have imagined where it would take me over those five years. Going forward, I'd like to see my blog grow and I am working on finding the time to do that. But I also want to start writing more outside of my own blog. I hopefully have some exciting life changes ahead of me, which may see me studying again. 'Life's too short' as they say.
A quote to live by?
'You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore' - Christopher Columbus.

I'm sorry, but don't you just love her? Yes? Okay then, here's where you can find her:
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2 comments:

  1. 28 May 2014 at 15:14

    Love your look, your photos and your dog :))
    Kisses
    Paolo

    Reply
  2. 28 May 2014 at 17:56

    Such a lovely interview!

    Stephanie
    http://missstephanieusher.blogspot.co.uk/
    http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3436251
    xxxx

    Reply