home comforts

Friday was mission day. I was to meet at a specific time, in a specific place, with a very specific person... But first, let me tell you about the best shoes I've ever clapped eyes on. 

Wednesday night saw me trotting around London Town in my favourite yellow bad boys. 

             

                         

I think they are my favourite spring purchase ever ever, and on Wednesday they had their first proper outing. Teamed with black jeans and a little floaty white top, they made my (otherwise short) legs go on for ever. Hurrah! I'm going to make sure I have at least another few occasions to wear these babies- just look at them! 

Anyway, enough of shoes, back to the mission. I was driving home on Friday and my mother was meeting me half way in the Cotswolds at a garden centre.

I was to meet her at midday, by the watering cans. 

Should I wear all black? Dark glasses? A revolver at my hip? My mother is certainly an odd (loveable) one, and she rarely says a non ridiculous thing, but this was one surely for the record books. Apparently the car park wasn't exciting enough. 

I can safely say I am never going to get the call up for MI5. I was half an hour late, flustered and not by the watering cans. Mission failed. 

By the time we got back home we had certainly earned this. 

             

Isn't it just the best to come home to fresh chocolate cake and a proper cup of tea? 

This weekend has been all about home comforts. 

                   

                   

                   

                   

Home made elderflower presse.

                   

Tea and toast by the bucket load. Crisp duvets, the Saturday papers and roast chicken. Things don't get much better than this. 

Whilst not indulging I found time to walk the dogs..

                   

Ahoy there!! Look at those ears flap!! 

                   

We found a balloon spreading love across the rolling fields. 

                   

                   

I had a Miley moment. 

                   

We even unearthed a sign for my old treehouse. Some 12 years ago- you can just about make out my scrawling handwriting! 

   

                  

                  

Safe to say I'm not looking forward to starting work up again tomorrow. Though I can't really complain- I have just had a whole week off. 

Nose back to the grindstone..

L. 

duvet day

It's a bank holiday and a classic english one at that. It's raining, and when I say raining, I mean pouring. All day. So obviously it's the perfect day to hunker down with a book, a box set, whatever and make the best brunch ever. 

Having hot footed down to London for the weekend- where we quite literally ended up dancing on tables- today's weather has provided me with the perfect excuse to recover. My recovery plan involves eggs and avocado. This is so simple but so delicious, I'll have you drooling at your screen. Grab your coffee and get ready for a taste sensation. 

You will need:

Eggs

Rye bread

Marmite- if you're a lover, balsamic glaze if you're a hater

Avocado

Pepper

                  

Whilst your rye bread is gently chilling in the toaster boil your water. The trick with a proper poached egg is to swirl the water around and carefully slip the egg in with a cup. And keep swirling for a few seconds after- you get that guaranteed good lookin' poached egg shape with this. 

Marmite your toasted rye and slice the avocado on top. 

                 

Add your perfect poached egg and eat straight away.

                  

                  

                  

The perfect start to a day hunkered under a crisp white duvet, hearing the rain patter down. Grab your book and enjoy the day off. 

L. 

 

cruisin cool

In amongst interning at the super cool Black Tomato this summer, I'm also cruising around Italy with Mel and Sarah. For ten days we will be hopping from port to port along the Italian coast and up to Dubrovnik, finishing at Venice. Obviously this has provided the perfect excuse to have a little holiday shop, and the perfect excuse to share my finds with you lovely lot. 

Let's start with some day time attire. I want to slink around in shorts, slouchy T-shirts and a jaunty Panama hat. 

                                                                                     

These ripped ones can be found in Zara. Grab them quick before they scuttle into the sunset.

  

Marina London do the most beautiful beautiful silk clothes. They're so soft and delicious and I just want to be wrapped up in the entire collection. I'd like to start with one of their iconic tees then maybe move towards the dungarees... (Keep your eyes peeled for these jolly chaps).

"Give me an L!"

 

     

My wonderful dad is a wearer of Panama hats. Unfortunately my brother has pinched his old battered number so I'm on a hunt to find my own baby. Effortlessly cool. Makes the perfect summer outfit, timeless. 

Next up are little skirts and dresses, perfect to team with espradrilles and sneaks. 

    

    

   

Psssst! This one is in the sale too! ^^^

   

I love this- a flashback to my childhood. Oversized gingham check in soft cotton. Give me a pistachio ice cream and I'm all yours. 

   

The ultimate summer sneaks. You'll never turn back. 

Now I'm fairly certain there's going to be a lot of bikini wearing during this holiday. They're not always the easiest of things to buy, and it really does depend entirely on your shape (I'm very small on top but larger on the bottom) but a bandeau bikini is pretty versatile. Here is my favourite. Great colour, even greater print. 

   

Let me just fling on a little something whilst I pop down the bay to grab my espresso. 

   

Ahoy there!!

   

Aside from pretty much everything, I'm especially excited to eat whilst cruisin' Italy and Croatia. Gaspachio soups, the freshest seafood and melt in the mouth pasta dishes. Let them be honest and simple. Much like my outfit choices...

   

I'll feel like the bees knees in this, swishing in the salty breeze. 

   

The softest silk ever ever ever. I bow down to you Marina. Bravo. 

I can't wait for this little trip. I'm sure it will be filled with gossip, gelato and giggles. Expect plenty of snaps and envy inducing commentaries. I just wish July would hurry up already! 

Enjoy the Bank Holiday- I'm off to the capital tomorrow to celebrate my birthday with the gang at Ping. Post to follow. 

Here's hoping the rain will clear and the sun will shine. 

L. 

horsing around

Like 99% of the population, I sometimes moan about my job. I work unsociable hours and I now have the sense of humour akin to an 11 year old, but really, I'm pretty darn lucky. I have ample amounts of time in the day to blog away and visit places and I'm surrounded by a whole gaggle of girls who, more often than not, put a smile on my face. That's pretty great, right? 

This weekend proved yet again that I have a great job. My task was to take some girls to The Windsor Horse Show. Pfft hard life, eh. I'll gladly take this 'duty', thank you very much. I've never been before- in fact I've never been to Windsor before- so I lapped up the opportunity. The sun was shining and everything looked pretty great. Boy do I love England! 

                 

   

                 

    

Having grown up on a farm, I'm quite a country girl at heart. So today was the perfect antidote for my week's long search for a place to live in the city. I needed some grass, the faint waft of horse and the feeling of baked earth under my feet. 

   

    

Look at that beauty! Tally ho! 

    

I'm not really sure what this round was. The horses just seemed to strut around and then formed a neat line in front of The Royal Box (which btw, no one was in). Then they took a lap of honour and had a jolly good canter and play with one another. 

    

Unfortunately for me, I was on duty so couldn't take advantage of this wondrous bus. 

    

Next time, I'm definitely making sure I can get involved with that baby. Today I was bound to the water. 

Next up were the carriages. Now I'm not going to shy away from the fact that I love the royal fam. I'm particulary fond of the outrageously unPC Philip, and so to see him wrapped up in a blanket (god knows why, it was a scorcher today) and beaming away as he maneuvered his carriage and horses into the area, was a total delight. I think I gave out a little squeal. 

   

There were lots of very beautiful looking horses here today, and wonderfully dressed women. 

   

   

   

Everyone clapped and cheered as they processed in. I still think Philip was the best. Such a smiley chap. 

Having hoorayed over the Shetland Grand National (yes that really is a real life thing!) the hounds took centre stage. Oh and boy were they an excitable bunch! 

   

   

Arroooooooooooo!!!

   

   

   

"Hey guys, don't leave me behind!"

   

"We were super excitable little chappies. We particularly enjoyed getting mixed up with all the other hounds and making our masters run after us". 

   

"They soon reigned us in though. Boooo, spoil sports".

   

"We were nearly as smart as these bear wearing men. Personally, we think they were all crackers wearing that much fur. Woof woof!" 

I'm not sure I could have experienced a more English day. It really was a rip roaringly good day! 

Until next time. Tally ho!

L.