Links archive

The jemjabella Top Ten: Best of Jem

After a brief twitter conversation yesterday, I realised that I have over 17 years of blog posts on this site, but no way of distinguishing those actually worth reading from what is mostly a collection of personal old waffle. So, here’s my jemjabella all time top ten, as decided right now on no scientific basis whatsoever, and in no particular order:

  1. (2014) Manifesto for Life

    A short and sweet post, blogged approximately a month after I ended a 12 year emotionally abusive relationship. It’s been nearly 5 years and I stand by this post to this day (except the good wine bit but mostly because of my mental health)

  2. (2018) Self Employment and Mental Health

    How I use self-employment to support my mental health in an environment that usually encourages isolation and stress.

  3. (2016) Multi Level Marketing: Scam or Dream Ticket?

    A rant / informative piece aimed primarily at mum-friends who are convinced they’re going to make their fortune through MLM companies like Avon and Younique.

  4. (2016) In Defence of Selfies

    A brief piece on why people should be left alone to take as many selfies as they bloody well please. My opinion somewhat tainted by the fact that I was “not allowed” to be seen on the internet for the duration of my previous relationship.

  5. (2015) I considered cam-girling to pay my mortgage

    There’s nothing particularly profound in this entry but it reflects where the situation I was in; trying to keep my head above water while dealing with a mortgage, huge childcare bill, utilities etc even with two sources of income.

  6. (2015) How I got 20,000 hits a day (and lost them all again)

    My experience of internet fame in an age before Facebook etc made it possible to go viral within minutes.

  7. (2015) I have no idea how to title this post

    Content warning: rape, childhood sexual abuse.
    A deeply personal post on some of my experiences of childhood sexual abuse. Although not a pleasant post to write, and indeed still difficult to read, this opened up the floodgates which has allowed me to talk openly about other instances, as well as truly get to grips with the healing process.

  8. (2014) I feel like a fraud

    On my experience as a single parent, and feeling like a fraud.

  9. (2011) Breastfeeding and Feminism

    My response to a certain sub-section of feminists who consider breastfeeding to be anti-feminist and demeaning.

  10. (2009) I’m a woman, actually

    A rant about being a woman in tech.

Honourable mention to the following which nearly made the list (is this cheating?):

I know some of my readers have been lurking for 10 years or more, so I’d be interested to know if anyone has any favourite posts that I’ve not mentioned?

Lead photo by Tristan Colangelo on Unsplash

Programming Sucks

Websites that are glorified shopping carts with maybe three dynamic pages are maintained by teams of people around the clock, because the truth is everything is breaking all the time, everywhere, for everyone. Right now someone who works for Facebook is getting tens of thousands of error messages and frantically trying to find the problem… read full entry »


Fame at last

Or the closest I’ll ever get ;p I’ve been interviewed by Ryan Gibson for his home-working site Generation Y Working; you can read the interview here » Interview with Web Developing, Home Working Mum Jem Turner


Why I think @ymummyreally is full of crap & a cute nappy I bought

I found myself on a blog entry today that sent my blood pressure sky high (I’m getting old, I can’t help it). It’s @MumsnetBloggers fault. Anyway, the entry in question (“Congratulations Fearne Cotton! Now how soon before someone mentions the ‘M’ word?“) written by ‘yummy mummy’ Louise, questions the modern practice of having babies out… read full entry »

Ironbridge Photography Project

I have the privilege of living in the most beautiful county in the UK: Shropshire. (Not that I’m biased or anything.) This is highlighted in the towns surrounding my own; Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale and the like. Steeped in history, full of landmarks like The Iron Bridge… on their own, they are fairly interesting, but a recent… read full entry »


Amazing Mama / Midwifery Blog

I wasn’t originally going to post this link, and settled for sharing it privately with a couple of friends. However, after having spent several hours immersed in it this evening I can’t NOT share it: “Navelgazing Midwife” It’s not often I enjoy reading a blog as much as I have this one, particularly ones about… read full entry »


The Bookhabit Pyramid Scheme

I know quite a few of my regular readers are aspiring writers and as such, are writing or have written books of their own. In light of this, I think a few of you may find Dee’s post on Bookhabit and its ‘financial model’ interesting. Specifically this excerpt: Bookhabit’s author pay-out model is deliberately structured… read full entry »


DevART Account Holders

If you have a DeviantART account, it would be great if you could ‘fave’ this article. Art theft is lame :(