Going back to my (book-blogger) roots!
A Creative Experiment – Inspired by The Cartiers
Revisiting my early days as a book blogger, inspired by my enjoyment of The Cartiers by Francesca Cartier Brickell – a contender for my Book of The Year.
• • •
Becoming a Book Blogger
Way back in 2011, in the early days of my blogging career, I set up a series of blogs called Just Good Reviews.
It was a home to indulge my double passions of writing and spreading the word about wonderful resources.
There was a section called Just Good Stuff. (I was yet to hone my skill of specificity.)
And another delight; Just Good Spa Reviews (I’ll admit I did enjoy that research… 🧖🏻♀️ )
But perhaps my favourite section was the book review collection, imaginatively entitled Just Good Reads.
As an avid reader and lifelong book-lover, I get through a fair amount of books each year, and when I find a gem – I LOVE to share it.
Even though Just Good Reviews has long since faded into digital dust, I still share book reviews on my main site – my most popular ones feature two inspiring creative women; Coco Chanel and Maya Fiennes.
And today there’s a new addition, written by the inspiring Francesca Cartier Brickell about her family’s iconic jewellery empire.
My favourite book of the year so far
I LOVED this book. 😍
If you enjoy inspiring non-fiction reads, business biographies or family sagas, I think you’d enjoy The Cartiers.
And if, like me, you love to read sweeping tales of creative enterprises – how they are born, how they evolve, what challenges and victories they go through – I’m sure you’ll love this book as much as I do.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a new read to escape into, I hope you’ll take a look.
You can read my impassioned review here.
And if you decide to dive into the world of The Cartiers, I’d love to hear what you think!
• • •
The benefits of a Passion Project
This latest review is something of an experiment…
I’m playing with the idea of a Passion Project (as featured in my book, Tonics For Your Creative Spirit), that serves no other purpose than creative delight.
Because blogging is my kind of creative happiness. 💖
I’m curious about the outcomes of simply following our bliss without agenda, strategy or expectation, so I’ll also be monitoring my results.
I’ll keep you posted!
Wishing you a wonderful week in your corner of the world,
Danielle
“…He was more interested in the quest for original design and exceptional craftsmanship.
It was a philosophy that was also a way of life.”
Francesca Cartier Brickell,
on the work ethic of her grandfather, Jean-Jaques Cartier
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ABOUT DANIELLE
Hi! I’m Danielle and I’m the founder of the A Life More Creative blog.
This new project is an evolution of the work I've been doing on my Creativity Blog over on danielleraine.com
I hope this collection of stories from the bumpy creative path inspires your own creative adventures.
And if you'd like to enjoy even more support for your visions, goals and dreams, you can find wealth of resources over on Creative Well, the online home for all my self-study programmes, email series and online creativity courses.
My rollercoaster ride to becoming a writer.
The highs. The lows. The short-cuts.

If you’ve ever wanted to write a book….
If you’d like to shortcut your learning curve….
If you want to truly believe that it’s possible to go from wannabe to successful writer…
This is for you.
“Smart people learn from their own mistakes.
The really smart people learn from the mistakes of others.”
~ Brandon Mull