Mandys Blog

3 Northern Lasses

Oct 21, 2020

Straightening Magazines

How I love to be able to straighten up a display of TopicUK magazines! It feels like a lifetime since I was able to drive around my beloved Yorkshire delivering our latest edition! How grateful I am to be in good health and back behind the wheel again (speaking of which, I hope you enjoy my latest review of a SEAT Mii). Edition 44 comes with a cover printed on antibacterial paper, an extra precaution to keep our readers safe. Its striking image of "The Yorkshire Shepherdess" and celebrity h

Aug 25, 2020

The power of social media

It has been a while since I have blogged, even though we are still limited with regards to meetings and events, life with both TopicUK and Yorkshire Businesswoman has been particularly busy. In fact, there is now add another title to the list: "Yorkshire Kitchen" too! One of the many joys of working with Gill and Rob is that there is no such thing as a "dull day" and their desire to champion Yorkshire businesses never falters. The newly launched "Yorkshire Kitchen" platform has amazing potenti

Jul 28, 2020

A chance to change

As the nation continues to de-escalate its Covid-19 response, and we slowly and cautiously emerge from hibernation, I cannot help but ponder over what we are all actually going to do when this is over? How often have we heard mention of “the new normal”? Personally, I’m not convinced that I actually want to go back to what I considered normal anyway. I don’t really look forward to sitting in traffic jams on the M62 nor standing on a railway platform crammed amongst others, uncertain as to w

Jul 1, 2020

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet? Do you recall asking that as a child on a trip? It’s a question that has passed through my mind increasingly as the weeks during lockdown have continued. I appreciate that patience always pays and we have to be incredibly responsible and respectful during these unprecedented times and hopefully, the end will be in sight sometime soon. Are the shops open yet? Last month I read an interesting piece where Mary Portas (founder of Portas, a creative consultancy that explores th

Jun 2, 2020

A positive attitude

As we enter into week 8 of a totally new way of living and working, I have reflected on all the things that have happened since my last Blog. You may recall that I shared a photograph of me in a long, elegant red dress putting my recycling bin out and referencing a charity challenge? Little did I realise at the time that my "red dress" challenge would be so warmly received and that so many ladies (and yes, a couple of chaps) would also show their love and appreciation for the bin men and

May 12, 2020

So many hashtags

As we continue to navigate our way through the current lockdown, my "PMA" has been somewhat challenged. Did Easter really happen? Every day seems to blur into the next! My daily routine has most certainly been shaken, not stirred and so many new hashtags introduced into my social media vocabulary: #stayhome #wfh...you name it! Thankfully though, I have not exhausted my hobbies and thoroughly enjoy my once daily walks by the canal which is literally on my doorstep (although the song "Cha Cha

Apr 28, 2020

We will meet again

As we enter week four of lockdown, I have reflected on the impact this has made on both my professional and personal life. As a consequence of a quite terrifying, killer virus I have to admit that the enforced lifestyle change has caused unexpected shifts in my attitude, tolerance and view of life. Time is now filled, rather than passed by in a flurry, healthy meals are planned rather than a box thrown into a microwave and new living circumstances adjusted to. Having both my husband and mothe

Apr 14, 2020

There’s no place like home

One of my all time favourite films is the iconic "The Wizard of Oz" with Judy Garland cast as the young Dorothy Gale. There are some classic quotes and songs including "You have always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself" and one which today seems more pertinent than ever "There's no place like home". I have to say that my life has most certainly changed dramatically since the Prime Minister's request on Monday 23rd March "that the nation undertake social distancing

Mar 31, 2020

Let’s try to keep calm and pick up the phone

I have tried my level best until now to not reference the Coronavirus in my blogs becuase I am generally "a cup full to brimming of postivity and light-heartedness" type of girl. However, the current pandemic cannot be dismissed nor taken fippantly. One by one, day by day, each and every event, awards ceremony, conference and meeting across the county has been either postponed, or cancelled. I've had so many invites pulled for many months that I sense my wings have well and truly been clipped

Mar 19, 2020