I always loved drawing when I was younger, and I remember my mum buying me loads of How To Draw and Cartoon Drawing For Beginners type books that I'd work through in a matter of days.
I absolutely devoured anything drawing-related that I could, and carried on with it until my Art GCSE, but since then I've kind of lost it. I can still draw, I just never actually do.
I 've been looking at some graphic design-related videos and courses, and now I really want to sign up for an animation tutorial so I can learn how to transfer my artistic flair to a more digital and modern arena.
Whenever I look online for media and creative jobs there are loads of adverts looking for graphic designers and animators, so it's definitely an industry in need of people - maybe I should think about a change of direction in my career? Well, one step at a time...
Photo: seiho (Flickr)

I've been making the most of the Wii Fit during all my evenings and days off, and am really starting to see the benefits!
It's helping me work on what it calls my core balance, which is slightly off-centre, and I can really feel the toning already. And it's great because it's fun - there are all sorts of different games that help you in different ways, it's energising, and entertaining!

I've had to buy a new rechargeable battery for the Wii remote as I keep running them dry for everyone else, so now we have continuous play.
And it's so much better than the gym, not only because it's fun, but because I can literally roll out of bed and do it in my pyjamas if I want - I don't have to worry what I look like, I don't have to leave the house!

Photo: Reinis Traidas (Flickr)

I blogged a while back about the lovely new chimenea I bought for my garden, and well, I seem to have started something... We've used to garden loads since buying it, and so since then I've been finding loads of new bits and bobs to buy and make our garden more comfortable and homely. I've ordered a new patio diner set with parasol, a couple of wooden garden benches and am now doing some research trying to find some interesting and pretty lights, preferably solar. I don't mind spending a bit of money if it means we'll get the most out of the garden, it's only May and we've been out there a lot already, so it'll certainly be worth it. I'll happily sit out there every evening with a glass of wine, fingers crossed the weather keeps up all summer time! Photo: Ti.mo (Flickr)

Trainers are hard to get right. Now, I am not talking about when you got the gym on the treadmill or lifting weights, I mean the trainers you wear day in day out. Going to the pub, going for dinner, just chilling – those kinds of things. Converses are the ultimate trainers for men that should be the first choice. But they can get boring and everyone is in them. One of the best brands I have found recently is Diesel trainers. There are loads of styles, from the basic and simple white pair to the black pair with bright orange laces. They are also very reasonably prices ranging from £40-£70 depending on what style you get. One of my favourites are these jean style ones: They are about £68 from most shops and have the jean effect with white laces. These will look great in the summer with shorts. Picture: chemical-records.co.uk

Bristol-based investment management and stockbroking company Rowan Dartington have moved to Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets' South West team for all their banking services, after 16 years with their previous bank. The nationwide private client stockbroker and wealth management business was recently acquired by the Astaire Group, with new chief executive Graham Coxell. The firm, which has its headquarters in Bristol and offices in London, Hereford, Chichester, Weston-super-Mare and Loughton, Essex, currently has £1 billion of client assets under management. The Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets team have worked closely with Rowan Dartington to ensure an efficient and smooth run in the complex transition. Relationship director Mark Newman said: “Managing the finances of a stockbroking business is by no means straightforward, so we were keen to really get under the skin of Rowan Dartington to fully understand the business and develop financial services tailored to the firm’s needs. We also brought in a dedicated project team to ensure the transition was as smooth as possible.”