🌿 Spring Revival: Preparing My Home for a Gothic Glow-Up

Posted on April 13, 2026 by SpookyMrsGreen

There’s a certain magic in the air right now… not the ghostly kind (for once!), but something lighter. A whisper of fresh starts, open windows, and the satisfying thud of a donation bag hitting the car boot. Spring is creeping in, and I have officially declared war on clutter.

This year, my Spring cleaning comes with a twist. It’s not just about wiping surfaces and reorganising cupboards. It’s the opening chapter of a full home transformation.

Spring revival Gothic garden ideas home inspo home renovation plans and decluttering tips plus FabFinds exclusive discount code at SpookyMrsGreen dot com.
Spring Revival: Preparing My Home for a Gothic Glow-Up

🏡 A House in Transition

We are preparing for a major renovation of our beloved 1950s semi. Very soon, we’ll be welcoming sleek, German-engineered windows in dramatic black frames, along with elegant French doors and a brand-new front door. Think less “tired suburban semi” and more “modern Gothic sanctuary.”

The biggest change? We’re removing the dining room window and replacing it with French doors that open onto the patio. I can already picture it: morning coffee with a view of the garden, evening candlelight spilling out into the dusk… blissfully atmospheric.

But before we get to that dreamy stage, there’s the small matter of chaos.

📦 Decluttering Before the Storm

If you’ve ever lived through building work, you’ll know it’s not for the faint-hearted. Dust travels. Furniture migrates. Everyday life becomes a game of “where did I put that?”

So, I’ve begun the great clear-out.

Storage boxes and baskets are quickly becoming my new best friends, and I’m sorting through years of accumulated “just in case” items. Some will be sold on Vinted and eBay (because one person’s clutter is another person’s treasure), while others will finally make their exit.

It’s oddly satisfying. Each cleared shelf feels like reclaiming a little piece of calm before the renovation storm arrives.

🛒 A Little Spring Treat for You

While I’m stocking up on cleaning supplies and browsing for garden inspiration, I thought I’d share a little something with you.

If you’re planning your own Spring refresh, you can grab a bargain with my affiliate partner FabFinds. Use code SPRING10 at checkout to enjoy a discount on everything from home storage to garden accessories. Click here.

It’s the perfect excuse to finally tackle that cupboard… or give your patio a long-overdue glow-up.

🌑 Creating a Modern Gothic Patio (On a Budget)

Now, let’s talk about the garden. At the moment, mine is looking a little… neglected. Think overgrown, slightly chaotic, and in desperate need of a power wash.

My first mission (weather permitting) is to jet wash the patio and banish the weeds. Once I have a clean slate, I want to extend my modern Gothic interior style into the garden without spending a fortune.

Here are a few low-cost ideas I’m planning to try:

🕯️ Lanterns & Candlelight

Black metal lanterns instantly add that moody, Gothic atmosphere. You can often find affordable options online or in discount stores. Add LED candles for a safe, flickering glow.

🌿 Dark Planters & Climbing Greens

Opt for black or charcoal pots and fill them with ivy, ferns, or trailing plants. They soften the space while keeping that shadowy, enchanted feel.

🪑 Vintage or Upcycled Furniture

Keep an eye on local marketplaces or charity shops. A weathered bench or wrought iron chair can look stunning with a little TLC.

🕸️ Subtle Spooky Touches

Nothing too Halloween-heavy. Think ravens, moons, or antique-style ornaments that hint at the mystical rather than scream it.

✨ Solar Fairy Lights

Soft, warm lights strung along fences or wrapped around plants create that twilight magic without increasing your electricity bill.

🌸 A Season of Transformation

Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up. It’s about making space for something new. In my case, it’s a full home revival, inside and out.

From decluttering cupboards to reimagining my garden as a Gothic retreat, this season feels like the start of something exciting.

Now I’d love to hear from you…

What are your Spring cleaning or home renovation plans this year? And if you have any budget-friendly Gothic garden ideas, please share them in the comments. I’m always ready to be inspired.

FabFinds affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen
FabFinds affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com

Did you enjoy this article? Support your favourite paranormal author by shopping through my affiliate link. Click here. 

Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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#ProductReview + Get Exclusive Discount in the Wild Spring Sale

Posted on March 28, 2026 by SpookyMrsGreen

I have an exciting Spring special offer for you, dear readers! It occurred to me that I hadn’t posted a product review for my Wild deodorant collection recently, and right now you can get an exclusive 30% discount when you order during the Spring sale. Check out with my unique link below to qualify.

And now for a product review of Wild Roll-On Antiperspirant.

Image of Wild roll-on deodorant refill product review at SpookyMrsGreen.com.
#ProductReview + Get Exclusive Discount in the Wild Spring Sale

My Review of Wild Roll-On Antiperspirant

Having used the Wild natural stick deodorants for a few years, I was excited to receive my Roll-On Antiperspirant in the mail. Wild kindly sent me a shiny green case to match my stick deodorant case, and it looks super stylish on my dressing table. But of course, the real test is in the product.

I can report that I do prefer the roll-on antiperspirant to the traditional stick deodorant. My main reason is that I got residue under my arms when I applied the stick deodorant, and it took a while to soak into my skin. With the roll-on I can apply it quickly and get dressed almost immediately without worrying about marking my clothes.

It is easy to refill your roll-on deodorant. The scent bottle screws into the roller section, and you slip your stylish case over the top, clicking it into place. The lid screws on securely and it didn’t leak when I packed it for a weekend away. So, it is ideal for travelling! You get a good quantity of antiperspirant in your refill, and I think it will last me for a while. I’ve been using it for at least two weeks now and it still feels full.

I received the Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt refill with my roll-on antiperspirant, and this is my absolute favourite scent from Wild right now. I love it! You can see my product review videos on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Just search @SpookyMrsGreen.  

About Wild Roll-On Antiperspirant

This is a refillable antiperspirant offering 72hr protection from odour and sweat. It is 90% natural, vegan and suitable for sensitive skin. I can confirm that it worked pretty darn well on my recent overnight ghost hunt investigation, even when I ran around an abandoned prison, up and down stairs, in and out of cells, around the exercise yards and everywhere I was allowed to explore. So yes, the antiperspirant does its job!

Your EXCLUSIVE 30% Discount Code

Use code MRSGREEN to get an exclusive 30% off all Wild Cosmetics Products included in the Spring sale. Click my link here.

Do you subscribe to Wild?

Do you subscribe to Wild? And do you prefer the new roll-on antiperspirant or the traditional stick deodorant? Share your thoughts in the comments and grab your refills with extra discount using my code and exclusive shopping link. Happy Easter!

Image of reusable roll on deodorant from Wild cosmetics
Wild affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen

Did you enjoy this article? Support your favourite paranormal author by shopping through my affiliate link. Click here. 

Note: I received a free sample of the product in return for an honest review, and this article contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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#ProductReview: White Lotus Jade Crystal Facial

Posted on March 27, 2026 by SpookyMrsGreen

We recently celebrated Mother’s Day here in the UK and alongside some heartfelt gifts from my children, I received a Jade crystal facial gift set from White Lotus. It was a very exciting delivery!

If you’ve followed me for a while you will know that I love my crystals and I use them with my reiki meditation, self-healing treatments, and general daily care. My daughters have grown up with crystals, and my elder daughter is using hers to support her through GCSE exam stress and various challenges. We have them all over the house.

Naturally I was very excited to incorporate the jade crystal facial into my daily selfcare routine. I’ve never taken much time for beauty care but now that I’m getting older and I do have more free time to myself, I am beginning to prioritise it. Skincare is just as important as internal care for your body, and I have learned that when I receive facial treatments, it improves the symptoms related to severe Dry Eye Syndrome and LDS that I live with.

Image of White Lotus Jade Crystal Facial product review at SpookyMrsGreen.com.
#ProductReview: White Lotus Jade Crystal Facial

My Review of  White Lotus Jade Crystal Facial

And now for my review. The gift set was presented in beautiful boxes, and contained a Jade crystal roller, a bottle of Activated Jade and Tourmaline Crystal Face Serum, a Jade Gua Sha stone, and a bottle of Organic Green Tea facial oil. There was also a simple leaflet detailing the five steps you follow to perform your crystal facial treatment at home. I decided to do mine for the first time after a shower and I have filmed the process, which you can find on Instagram and YouTube – just search @SpookyMrsGreen.

The face serum and facial oil are designed to support oily and blemish prone skin which is not something I generally suffer with, but I was willing to give them a go. My skin was glowing by the end of the treatment, and I even noticed that my usually hooded eyelids seemed less droopy after a session with the Jade crystal roller, the crystal face serum, the Jade Gua Sha stone and the green tea facial oil. I think that when you use all the products and tools together effectively, they do activate your skin’s natural healing abilities that probably become dulled during daily exposure to unseen toxins and chemicals.

Anyway, whatever the reason, I felt better and saw a positive improvement to my face after I completed the crystal facial. I will now try and use the tools every day as part of my skincare routine. The serum and oil smelled amazing and when I stepped back into my bedroom later in the day, it smelt like I was entering a spa, so that was a bonus! I love the tactile feel of the Jade crystal tools, and it feels special to keep them in their satin-lined boxes on my dressing table.  

Get Your Crystal Facial Now

If you would like to enhance your skincare routine and improve your mood, I highly recommend that you consider White Lotus beauty products. You could treat yourself to some selfcare or maybe encourage a loved one to splash out for a special occasion. Or perhaps you want to give a friend or family member a little crystal love? This gift set would be ideal.

Visit the White Lotus website here and thank me later!

Do you have a daily skincare routine, and does it involve crystals or crystal elixirs? Share yours in the comments, and don’t forget to watch my videos on Instagram and YouTube – @SpookyMrsGreen.  

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Ghost Hunt Recovery Ritual: How I Recharge After a Night in a Haunted Prison

Posted on March 25, 2026 by SpookyMrsGreen

There is something exhilarating about walking through the cold, echoing corridors of a prison long after dark… but let me tell you, the aftermath is another story entirely.

After my recent return to Shrewsbury Prison with fellow investigators, I came home buzzing with energy, a head full of stories… and a body that felt like it had been dragged through another realm.

That’s the reality of ghost hunting.

It isn’t just about what happens during the investigation. It’s about how you ground yourself afterwards. And lately, I’ve realised that my recovery routine deserves just as much attention as my ghost hunting kit.

Image of Shrewsbury Prison main entrance old building heritage building. Image of heat lamp and blood pressure monitor from Currys affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com.
Ghost Hunt Recovery Ritual: How I Recharge After a Night in a Haunted Prison

My Ghost Hunt Recovery Ritual

After a long, cold night in a haunted location, I focus on three things:

  • Rebalancing my body
  • Soothing physical tension
  • Warming up (because those buildings are freezing!)

Here’s what’s currently helping me do exactly that…

1. Checking In With My Body

After hours of adrenaline, cold air, and very little sleep, I like to check that everything is functioning as it should.

A simple wellness device like a blood pressure monitor gives me peace of mind. It’s quick, easy, and helps me stay aware of how my body is coping with these intense experiences.

Because let’s be honest… ghost hunting might be thrilling, but we still need to look after the human body we bring along for the ride.

2. Relief for Tired, Dry Eyes

If you’ve followed my journey for a while, you’ll know I live with chronic dry eye syndrome.

Long nights, low lighting, and constant focus during investigations can really aggravate it.

That’s why I’ve been looking at eye massagers designed to:

  • Relieve tension
  • Improve circulation
  • Give my eyes a proper break

And honestly? After staring into dark corners of a prison for hours… it feels like a necessity, not a luxury.

3. Warming Up After the Cold

There is a particular kind of cold that seeps into your bones during a ghost hunt.

It lingers.

Even after you’re home.

A heat lamp or warming device is something I’ve been craving after my latest investigation. That gentle warmth to bring your body back to life… it’s the kind of comfort that turns a long night into a complete ritual.

Image of Wild roll on deodorant, a red torch, a flashing cat ball, a digital voice recorder, Wild refillable lip balm and an EMF meter ghost hunt essentials at SpookyMrsGreen.com.
Ghost Hunt Essentials at SpookyMrsGreen.com

A Little Self-Care Goes a Long Way

We often talk about protection and preparation before a paranormal investigation.

But what about aftercare?

This is your reminder (and mine) that:
– Your energy matters
– Your body matters
– Your recovery matters

# Current Offer (Limited Time)

Right now, you can get 10% off wellness products at Currys using code: Wellness10. Click my link here.

(Offer ends 1st April, so it’s a good time to explore what might support your own routine.)

 Final Thoughts

Ghost hunting might feed the soul…but recovery? That’s how we keep going.

And if I’m going to wander through haunted prisons and historic buildings, you can be sure I’m coming home to warmth, comfort, and a little bit of modern magic.

Witchy Wednesday: Ghosts, Chaos and Cold Cells at Shrewsbury Prison

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Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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Preparing for a Night Behind Bars: Ghost Hunt Essentials (and a Fresh Secret in My Kit Bag)

Posted on March 12, 2026 by SpookyMrsGreen

After a little time away from the keyboard, it feels right to return to my SpookyMrsGreen blog with something close to my heart: preparing for another ghost hunting adventure.

In a few days I will be heading back to one of the UK’s most atmospheric investigation locations, Shrewsbury Prison, for a paranormal investigation in collaboration with Cheshire Paranormal Society alongside other investigation groups and solo researchers.

Image of Wild roll on deodorant, a red torch, a flashing cat ball, a digital voice recorder, Wild refillable lip balm and an EMF meter ghost hunt essentials at SpookyMrsGreen.com.
Ghost Hunt Essentials at SpookyMrsGreen.com

This will be a return visit for me, but some of the investigators joining us have never stepped inside the prison before. That means they are about to experience its echoing corridors, dark cells, and those heavy iron doors that seem to hold onto centuries of stories. The energy in that building can feel incredibly intense once the lights go out and the investigation begins.

Naturally, preparing for a ghost hunt requires a little planning.

Packing My Ghost Hunting Kit

Before every investigation, I lay out my equipment and double-check that everything is ready for the night ahead. My paranormal kit usually includes:

  • EMF meter
  • Torch
  • Dowsing rods
  • Flashing cat balls for spirit interaction
  • Audio recorder for EVP sessions
  • Notebook and pen for documenting activity
  • Fully charged phone and spare batteries

When we enter a location like Shrewsbury Prison, the aim is always the same: observe, communicate if possible, and document any unexplained activity.

Sometimes the most interesting moments happen when you least expect them. A sudden spike on an EMF meter. A cat ball lighting up on its own in the darkness. A strange whisper captured during an EVP recording that nobody heard at the time.

Every investigation is different, and that unpredictability is part of what makes ghost hunting so exciting.

A Fresh Addition to My Investigation Bag

Alongside my paranormal equipment, there are always a few practical essentials that come with me to every investigation. Long nights exploring old buildings can get surprisingly warm and active, especially when climbing stairs, walking corridors, and moving between locations.

That is why I recently added a new item to my kit bag: Wild’s new roll-on deodorant.

I have been trying the latest product from Wild, and it feels like a perfect fit for my busy, on-the-go lifestyle. Their roll-on deodorant keeps me feeling fresh during long evenings out investigating haunted locations, and I love that Wild products focus on refillable packaging and more sustainable choices.

Whether I’m setting up equipment in a dark cell or exploring an abandoned corridor, it’s reassuring to know that I can focus on the investigation rather than worrying about feeling uncomfortable during a long night.

If you would like to try it for yourself, I have an exclusive reader offer to share:

Exclusive 20% off everything this Spring!
Use code: MRSGREEN – Shop here.

Image of reusable roll on deodorant from Wild cosmetics
Wild affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen

Countdown to Shrewsbury Prison

As the investigation night approaches, my excitement is building. Locations like Shrewsbury Prison carry layers of history, emotion, and human experience, which is exactly what makes them so fascinating to explore from a paranormal perspective.

For those investigators visiting for the first time, I can’t wait to see their reactions when they step inside those silent wings and dimly lit cells.

Will we capture evidence?
Will the spirits communicate?
Or will the prison keep its secrets for another night?

Either way, I’ll be sharing photos from my investigation preparation, including my paranormal equipment and a few practical items in my kit bag.

After all, when you’re heading into one of Britain’s most haunted prisons, it pays to be prepared… both for the spirits and for the long night ahead. 👻🔦

Image of Shrewsbury Prison Victorian prison building haunted prison. Witchy Wednesday at SpookyMrsGreen spooky family lifestyle blog.
Ghost Hunter Diaries: Junior Ghost Hunt at Shrewsbury Prison

Did you enjoy this article? Support your favourite paranormal author by shopping through my affiliate link. Click here. 

Note: I received a free sample of this product in return for an honest review. This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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A Pause at the Crossroads

Posted on January 23, 2026 by SpookyMrsGreen

After fifteen years of writing at SpookyMrsGreen, I am pressing pause.

Not dramatically. Not forever. Not with a door slam.

Just… gently.

Image of a haunted house, lanterns, a cemetery and a full moon with clouds in the night sky.
SpookyMrsGreen on pause

A Pause at the Crossroads

When I began this blog, it had a clear purpose. I wanted to promote my self-published novels. I was building a platform as a paranormal author and needed a place to gather readers. Over time, that purpose expanded. The blog became a home for my chronic pain journey, my experiences as a mother, my spiritual exploration, my ghost hunting adventures, and the complicated reality of being a woman navigating marriage, motherhood and ambition.

It grew because I grew.

And now, I have grown again.

My children are older. I am wiser. I understand myself differently. The version of me who began this blog fifteen years ago was chasing a dream with relentless energy. I admire her. She was brave and determined.

But I am tired of chasing.

What started as creative expansion has, at times, become pressure. Pressure to post consistently. Pressure to monetise. Pressure to maintain visibility. Pressure to keep all the plates spinning across blogs and social media.

I no longer want to create from pressure.

I want to create from purpose.

SpookyMrsGreen has held many identities:

  • Paranormal author
  • Chronic illness advocate
  • Spiritual explorer
  • Ghost hunter with my daughters
  • Wife trying to understand her own marriage
  • Mother growing alongside her children

None of those were false. All of them were true at the time.

But now I need space to ask: what is my purpose going forward?

Image of a Goddess statue lying on a pentagram with flower petals scattered around her. Goddess must Rest image credit NEJ Photography based in Hereford and the local area featured at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Goddess must Rest image credit NEJ Photography

I am still a writer. I will always be a writer. That is not in question.

What I am questioning is where my time and energy are best placed. How I want to use my voice. Whether I want to build something new, refine something old, or step back entirely from the constant online noise.

So I am taking a break.

SpookyMrsGreen will remain here. The archive of fifteen years is not disappearing. I will return occasionally when I feel called to write. There will be no schedule. No promises. No pressure.

Just words when they want to come.

Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, shared, supported, or simply lurked quietly in the background. This blog has connected me with extraordinary people, opened unexpected doors, and helped me process some of the most difficult seasons of my life.

Now I am entering a quieter season.

Not an ending. A research phase. A reflective chapter. A recalibration.

Sometimes the bravest thing a woman can do is stop running.

And listen.

I’ll see you when I see you.

Catherine 💚

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Book Review: Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) by H.D. Carlton

Posted on December 19, 2025 by SpookyMrsGreen

Some books entertain.
Some books unsettle.

And then there are books that crawl under your skin, rearrange your insides, and leave you sitting in silence long after the final page.

Book cover for Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) by H.D. Carlton reviewed by paranormal author Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen spooky family lifestyle blog.
Book Review: Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) by H.D. Carlton

Hunting Adeline did not just unsettle me. It broke me.

I thought Haunting Adeline destroyed me. I was wrong. This sequel goes further, darker, and far closer to the bone. Where the first book constantly reminded the reader that this was a fictional dark romance, Hunting Adeline strips that safety net away entirely.

This is not a romance.
This is a horror story.

My Review of Hunting Adeline

While Haunting Adeline plays with obsession, danger, and taboo through a fictional lens, Hunting Adeline drags the reader into something horrifyingly real. This book confronts sex trafficking, sexual slavery, and the criminal underworld that enables it. It is brutal, graphic, and deeply disturbing.

What makes it so difficult to read is the knowledge that this is not confined to fiction or geography. This is a global crime. There are no comforting monsters here, no supernatural distance. Just people, power, cruelty, and survival.

The story is gruesome and terrifying, and while it technically has a “happy ending,” that depends entirely on how you define happiness after trauma of this scale. Survival is not the same as restoration, and the book does not pretend otherwise.

I’ll be honest. I had to force myself to persevere. There were moments where putting the book down felt like self-preservation. But despite that, I am glad I read it. Not because I enjoyed it, but because it refuses to let the reader look away.

One unexpected thread of relief comes through the character of Sibby, whose dark, unhinged black comedy cuts through the bleakness like a cracked mirror reflecting something feral and chaotic. She reminded me strongly of Harley Quinn. Uncomfortable, dangerous, but oddly human. That sliver of warped humour was necessary breathing space in an otherwise suffocating narrative.

This is not a book I would recommend lightly. It demands emotional stamina, and readers should take the content warnings seriously. But it is a book that stays with you, long after you wish it wouldn’t.

About the Book

The conclusion to the Cat and Mouse Duet is here…

“If she were to die… the world would die with her.”

The worst Adeline Reilly expected for her life were a few unholy ghosts haunting the hallways of Parsons Manor, not falling in love with her stalker and ending up in the clutches of a trafficking ring.

Trapped in a house used to groom women for the elite, she faces the biggest fight of her life. Survive the Culling and escape. But that’s not so easy when watchful eyes are determined to see her fail.

However, Adeline may have an unlikely ally, who just might be the key to her getting out alive. But trusting them is a risk that could cost her everything.

Meanwhile, Zade will stop at nothing until Adeline is safe in his arms again, even if he must burn the world to find her. Hunting his little mouse is what he’s best at. But who she’ll be when he finds her is a battle he doesn’t know he can win.

It won’t be the test of time they must survive, but the memories of who they once were.

📚Buy the Book: Waterstones; TGJones; Bookshop; Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Hunting Adeline is not a comfort read.
It is not escapism.
It is not romantic in any traditional sense.

It is confronting, relentless, and deeply unsettling. If you choose to read it, do so with care, awareness, and kindness towards yourself. Some stories leave scars, even when they end.

🖤📖

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

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Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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❄️ Witchy Wednesday: Welcoming the Winter Solstice

Posted on December 17, 2025 by SpookyMrsGreen

As the wheel of the year turns toward Yule, the nights stretch their long, velvet shadows across our days, and I find myself drawn inward like a bear seeking its den. The shorter the daylight, the deeper my sigh becomes — not from sorrow, but from that ancient call to rest, reflect, and hibernate a little in spirit.

Work still buzzes. Family laughter still fills the rooms. There’s no actual hibernation happening under these cosy blankets, and yet… I slow down where I can.

I light a candle earlier than I once would have. I savor moments of warmth before a glowing hearth. My favourite cup of tea feels richer by lamplight. These small acts honour the return of the sun — even as it briefly bows out of sight.

Spooky occult dark magic image pagan Yule folklore legends dark tales ghost stories winter tales The Darkness of Love book by Catherine Green Witchy Wednesday pagan family pagan mom at SpookyMrsGreen.com spooky family lifestyle blog.
Witchy Wednesday: Welcoming the Winter Solstice

Welcoming the Winter Solstice

🕯️ For many of us modern witches, slowing down isn’t about stopping entirely. It is about intentional rest, embracing darkness without fear, and inviting light back into our lives with reverence and joy.

🔹A Simple Winter Solstice Ritual

Here’s a gentle ritual you can share with your coven, your kitchen table familiars, or even your own reflection:

Yule Hearth Blessing

You will need:
• A candle (white, red, or gold)
• A warm drink or favourite winter tea
• A piece of paper and a pen
• Optional: incense, crystals, pine sprigs, or cinnamon sticks

Steps:

  1. Set your space before sunset. Arrange your candle in the centre and gather items that feel grounding.
  2. Light your candle in quiet gratitude. Feel its warmth spread through the room like a promise of returning light.
  3. On your piece of paper, write down what you wish to release from this dark season (tiredness, worries, endless to-do lists).
  4. Fold the paper and place it near the candle’s glow. As the flame dances, whisper a blessing for peace, rest, and ease.
  5. Sip your warm drink slowly. Let each sip carry the intention of comfort and revival into your bones.

This ritual doesn’t demand perfection. It asks only that you slow your breath, soften your mind, and welcome the shifting season.

🖤A Story for the Longer Nights

As the fire crackles and dusk settles early, there’s no better companion than a tale that mirrors the rich shadows and hidden passions of winter.

I invite you to curl up with my Victorian vampire romance, The Darkness of Love. Let London fog, secret longings, and gothic intrigue keep you company while the world sleeps a little longer:

👉 Read The Darkness of Love here.

Between the lines of longing and moonlit rendezvous, you might just find your own winter magic waiting.

✨ Blessed Solstice, dear witches.
May your candle burn brightly, may your hearth be warm, and may your heart rest a little deeper in these darkened days.

With hearth-light and blessings,
SpookyMrsGreen 🔮🔥📚

"The Darkness of Love" Victorian Vampire Novel by LGBT vampire writer Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
“The Darkness of Love” Victorian Vampire Novel by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Support your favourite paranormal author by shopping through my affiliate link. Click here. 

Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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Mummy Monday: Retail at Christmas, TikTok Lollipops & Surviving the Final Countdown

Posted on December 15, 2025 by SpookyMrsGreen

If you’ve ever wondered what the festive season looks like from the other side of the till, allow me to pull back the sparkly curtain.

December in retail isn’t just “busy”. It’s a full sensory experience. The beeping scanners, the rustle of carrier bags, the hum of Christmas music looping for the hundredth time, and the steady stream of customers all hunting for that thing. The bargain. The last-minute miracle. The TikTok trend their child suddenly needs right now.

Image of Mummy Monday: Retail at Christmas, TikTok Lollipops & Surviving the Final Countdown at SpookyMrsGreen spooky family lifestyle blog.
Mummy Monday: Retail at Christmas, TikTok Lollipops & Surviving the Final Countdown 🎄💚

Retail at Christmas, TikTok Lollipops & Surviving the Final Countdown

Working as a store assistant for a popular discount brand at this time of year is not for the faint-hearted. It’s physical, fast-paced, and relentless. We’ve sold out of Christmas trees. The decorations flew off the shelves weeks ago. And yes… we even sold out of the infamous TikTok K-pop musical lollipops. Blink and they’re gone.

Now, as we head into the last full week before Christmas, our store is being hit with extra-large deliveries daily. Cages stacked high. Pallets wheeled out at speed. Shelves replenished as quickly as they’re emptied again. It’s organised chaos, and every member of staff is running on festive adrenaline and caffeine.

Juggling Work, Motherhood & December Expectations

When I clock off, I don’t clock out of responsibility. I head home to mum mode. School runs, Christmas lists, wrapping piles, meals, and the quiet mental load that comes with making Christmas feel magical while holding everything together.

This is the reality for so many of us. Working mums keeping shops running, smiling through sore feet, helping others tick off their festive to-do lists while ours sit half-finished at home.

And yet, there’s something oddly heartwarming about it too. The excitement on children’s faces. The relief of someone finding what they need. The small moments of kindness exchanged between strangers during a stressful season.

Still Need Last-Minute Bits? I’ve Got You

If you’re still searching for bargains, last-minute gifts, party supplies, or everyday essentials, I completely get it. Life doesn’t slow down just because it’s Christmas week.

That’s why I’m genuinely pleased to share my new affiliate partner FabFinds. It’s the kind of online store that understands real households and real budgets.

Whether you’re looking for:

  • Cleaning products
  • Beauty essentials
  • Home and garden items
  • Pet care solutions
  • Food cupboard fillers

You can find it all with just a click of a finger, without battling the crowds or squeezing down packed aisles.

✨ Exclusive FabFinds Offers:

  • Get 10% off your first order with code: WELCOME10
  • Enjoy free shipping on orders over £25 with code: FREESHIP25

👉 Shop here

A Gentle Reminder for Fellow Mums

If this week feels overwhelming, you’re not failing. You’re doing your best in a season that asks a lot of us. Whether you’re working in retail, healthcare, schools, offices, or holding the fort at home, your effort matters.

Be kind to yourself. Cut corners where you need to. Order online if it helps. And remember that Christmas doesn’t need perfection to be meaningful.

From one tired-but-trying mum to another, you’ve got this 💚

Happy Mummy Monday,
Catherine ✨

FabFinds affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen
FabFinds affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE short story from the Redcliffe Novels series by Catherine Green. Click here. 

Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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Free for all Friday: My Book Review of Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Posted on December 12, 2025 by SpookyMrsGreen

Some books don’t simply sit on your bookshelf. They crawl into your bloodstream, settle behind your ribs, and whisper to you in the quiet hours. Haunting Adeline did exactly that, and I’ve needed a couple of months to recover enough to string coherent sentences together. This story rattled me in the best possible way.

Let me offer you the truth, served in gothic candlelight: this book destroyed me. Utterly. Gleefully. Dramatically. I haven’t felt this stunned by a story since Grapes of Wrath – yes, wildly different genres, but both left me emotionally rearranged.

Book cover for Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) by H.D. Carlton reviewed by paranormal author Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen spooky family lifestyle blog.
Book Review of Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

My Book Review of Haunting Adeline

This novel is unapologetically crafted for a 21st-century Gen Z audience, and as a Millennial creeping ever deeper into the land of spooky mums and paranormal fiction, even I found myself clutching metaphorical pearls… while also devouring every page.

We all know the BookTok hype, so I won’t retell the plot. Instead, let me tell you what I loved.

The dark romance trope spiralling through the narrative feels like watching history loop and tangle around itself. The gothic mansion is a character in its own right, breathing fog and foreboding over every chapter, reminding us that while the story is fiction, the themes it plays with lurk far too close to reality.

Yes, the sexual content is wild. Ferocious, even. But I won’t pretend I didn’t absolutely relish it. And Zade Meadows? Well. Let’s just say he joins the ranks of my fictional obsessions right alongside certain werewolves and vampires who already haunt my shelves.

And then… that cliffhanger. A wicked little trapdoor that I fell straight through, Kindle in hand, immediately downloading book two because I had to know what happened next. That review will be coming soon, once I recover.

About the Book

“I’ve chased you across time and space, and you’ve never been able to get away.”

Adeline Reilly returns to Seattle ready for a fresh chapter: a flourishing writing career, the inheritance of her grandmother’s gothic mansion, and a peaceful new beginning. Except Parson’s Manor is riddled with shadows that refuse to stay still.

Someone is breaking into her home.
Someone is leaving roses.
Someone is sending messages that read less like threats and more like promises.

Adeline has a stalker.

But this isn’t the first time a woman in her family has been pursued by a phantom presence. Her great-grandmother’s journals reveal a chilling pattern… and a murder that still stains the foundations of the estate.

If Adeline isn’t careful, history may repeat itself.
If she isn’t careful, she might fall in love with the monster hunting her.

📚Buy the Book: Waterstones; TGJones; Bookshop; Amazon.

Dark Romance Wrapped in Barbed Wire

If you enjoy dark romance wrapped in barbed wire, gothic imagery, feral devotion, and a heroine on the edge of destiny, then Haunting Adeline is worth your time and your emotional stability. Just prepare to have your boundaries stretched and your breath stolen.

Happy Friday, my lovelies. May your books be wild, your tea be strong, and your fictional men be unhinged. 📖🕯️💀

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)”
by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE short story from the Redcliffe Novels series by Catherine Green. Click here. 

Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!

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