Summer Lovin' #6

Some highlights of the last week and a half-ish of my holiday.

-some nice reading and TV days, I got a little obsessed with Catfish:the TV show

-I've loved having a friend who's moved in on my road and also lives alone so it's been nice to have people to watch TV with and cook with sometimes.

- a night out with the girls, reliving those student nights.

- I've been enjoying tea and cake with friends, it's especially tasty when it's free from John Lewis!

- a trip home to my parents with comfort food (sausage and mash and apple crumble and custard) and a walk through the fields and a rural church.

-a trip to Ikea to imagine my perfect kitchen and bathroom of the future.

- feeling very lucky to have a great friend who sent me a supportive message and gift.

I have to say I've really enjoyed making the most of this summer, and blogging it! 

Summer Lovin' #5

Here is what I've been up to this week-

Monday- I spent the day making a cake for my mums birthday. I wanted to make a vegan chocolate cake with peanut butter icing, unfortunately this took two attempts because I burnt the first one!

Tuesday- It was my mums birthday and her and my dad came to visit me. She was very excited to see the cake and the flowers I bought her. We then went into town to Las Iguanas for lunch. After some shopping we stopped at a veggie cafe to share a vegan chocolate torte and rum and raisin sponge cake. It was a lovely day and I think my mum had a good day.

Wednesday- I spent the day doing jobs but I did buy a new nail polish.

Thursday- I went to Lincoln to visit a friend. I saw her two new kittens and went to a tea house for the hugest and tastiest afternoon tea. 

Friday- I picked my friend up from the airport and then we headed to our holiday cottage for the bank holiday weekend in Winster, Derbyshire. We arrived to see the amazing garden and view of the countryside. In the evening we ate at the pub in the village which was lovely, we then played card games and Disney trivial pursuit!

Saturday- We drove to Bakewell for lunch  and I tried the traditional Bakewell pudding and custard- it was nice but very different to Bakewell tart! We then went to Matlock Bath which is just like a seaside town that isn't by the sea! We played on the 2p machines and went to the aquarium. After a food shop we had pizzas and curly fries at the cottage and played more games. 

Sunday- we had a lazy start then went to the local pub for a Sunday roast. We then went on a walk, we took the public footpath and ended up in the woods and had walked four miles in the end! We then played a lyric board game and cranium. 

Monday- Once we had left our cottage we headed back to Bakewell to the market. We then went to Chatsworth house, it was raining but we walked around the gardens a little. We looked around the house and I had an amazing cheesecake. 

That's it for this week, only one week left!

Summer Lovin' #4

Although I've had busy days this week I've had lots of time to relax. I have been getting bored but I shouldn't complain.

Sunday- on Sunday me and friend went to Rugby to visit my old housemate and his very pregnant girlfriend. We took a gift and I could resist a cute little pink dress. Then we left them to it and got a yummy roast in a little pub.

Monday- I had a lazy day but went out for a walk to see the flooded river. I then went round to a friends for a movie night, we watched 'white house down'.

Tuesday- I went into town and got myself a new pair of jeans and some hair dye. I also had an iced mocha as I'm trying to get into coffee. Then I drove back to my parents to surprise my Dad for his birthday. I think he liked it, we had presents and cake after tea.

Wednesday- I got the train to West Bromwich to visit a friend, she showed me her place and where she works. Then we went to Merry Hill and did some shopping and stopped for a Krispy Kreme. We went to a pub for tea before I got the train home.

Thursday- I drove home from my parents while they were at work. When I got back I dyed my hair. I used casting creme gloss in the shade 'chilli chocolate'. I wanted to go red again but my hair to also be darker. It was less messy than when I've previously dyed my hair and I'm really pleased with the result. I also cooked a courgette tart. 

Before and After!

Friday- another lazy day but I got washing done and cleaned all my make up brushes. I made a yummy homemade coleslaw to go with the courgette tart from yesterday and took a walk to Asda.

Saturday- chilled all day but walked to the library. Then went round to a friends who had just moved in on my road (yay!) and we had a takeaway and watched a film.

Summer Lovin' #3

Another busy week this week, this is turning out to be a great summer!

Sunday- After last week's London trip I was exhausted but I enjoyed spending time with my parents and my Mum made a great banana bread.

Monday- I drove up from my parents house to my visit my Grandma in Lancashire, we went out for lunch did some homeware shopping then enjoyed the sunshine in the garden with an ice cream before a yummy chinese takeaway.

Tuesday- I took my Grandma to the beach today which was really lovely, we had another ice cream (naughty!) but this one was amazing! Then I made the long drive back to my flat.

Wednesday- I met up with a friend in town for bagels, I then did some successful present buying and we both went for an impromptu pedicure. It was my first one and I loved it, especially since I got to sit on a massage chair.

Thursday- Me and another friend went to Wollaton Hall, we enjoyed looking around the hall which is now a history museum. We had a picnic and then got up and close with some deer!

Friday- Today I spent the morning sorting and I had a make up clean out. Then I went to town and did some more present shopping. After present wrapping I treated myself to some DVDs and a book.

Saturday- I had a lovely lazy morning then met a friend for tea and cake and dress shopping.

Summer Lovin' #2

What a lovely week I've had!

Monday- A friend came down from Birmingham and four of us popped to get some picnic food and went to Newstead Abbey. The grounds are lovely and I liked the hedge maze.

Tuesday- I had a bit of a sick day but enjoyed some chocolates and did some painting.

Wednesday- I met with a friend for lunch and we walked around the park in the sunshine.

Thursday- Met another friend for breakfast and had delicious pancakes then drove back to my parents house.

Friday- Got the train to London with my Mum, we shopped in Tottenham Court Road, Soho and Covent Garden. We then went back to the hotel to freshen up then we ate at 'Rabot 1745'- a Hotel Chocolat restaurant. I had mac'n'cheese pie which was yummy. Then we walked along by Tower Bridge and across it, I found this Julia Donaldson bench.

Saturday- We left the hotel and had bagels for breakfast, we then went to the Tate Modern. We went up to Soho to Beatroot Cafe for delicious vegetarian food, there was a selection of salads and hot food to fill your box. We also had a vegan blueberry and almond muffin there which was yummy. We then went to the Take One Picture exhibition at the National Gallery which I love as I trained in it at university. Before heading home we headed to Camden Town to 'Cookies and Scream' for a delicious but huge vegan cookie ice-cream sandwich.

This week has been a lovely one and the trip to London with my Mum was amazing, I love mini-breaks! What have you been up to this week?

Summer Lovin' #1

As promised, here is my first of 6 posts to document my summer holidays. This week was shorter due to only finishing work on Tuesday but I still made the most of it.

Wednesday- I went shopping and treated myself to an M&S falafel salad and a Dior bb creme. Then had a Domino's night in with the girls watching the Commonwealth games opening ceremony.

Thursday- Spent the day baking Oreo cupcakes (but made time for an ice cream) then went to a colleague's BBQ which was lovely.

Friday- I traveled to my parent's house and iced a cake my mum had baked, then spent the evening watching a boys movie with my Dad.

Saturday- Took my mum shopping and got two dresses then went to the pub with my parents for a few drinks and watched my friend on the open mic night (there was also a rainbow).

Sunday- went food shopping with my Mum today and got some posh puds in pastel ramekins then traveled back to the flat.

Summer Goals

Schools out for summer!

As I finish for the summer after a very stressful year I'd really like to make the most of if! I'd like to set myself a challenge this summer to take a picture or write a note about something good I've done each day and document it on this blog. I also have a few things in mind that I'd like to do-

1. Exercise more- I'd like to do more walking, swimming and yoga.

3. Bake and cook lots- although I've always baked I'd like to try and make some news things and cook proper meals all the time. 

4. Sort and deep clean the flat- not very fun but it will be good to be de-cluttered and will make me feel better.

5. Spend some time away- I'm not going on holiday this year but I do have a weekend away and a trip to London planned. 

6. Spend lots of time with family and friends- that's a given!

7. Have lots of tea parties with my leaving presents from work.

I will post weekly 'summer lovin' posts and hopefully have something to report each day. 

Spring Summer Nail Picks

 

I thought I'd share the nail polish that I always reach for when the sun comes out. I love the turqouise/ light blue shades like Topshop- Air Kisses, models own- Top Turquouse and Essie- Bikini So Teeny. Air Kisses is my favourite as it is so long lasting! Top Turquoise is slightly less summery but a bit of a different option as it's a pretty unusual colour. Essie Bikini So Teeny is great if you want a slight shimmer, this polish makes me feel like wearing a floaty dress and enjoying the sun (on this very rainy day)

 

Last but not least, I threw in a bright pink for when you're feeling adventurous (or not) Essie- lights is a lovely bright pink but unfortunately, doesn't last too well.



Photography

I was playing with my Dad's camera in the sun the other day and these are a few abstract shots I took.

Chicken in motion!

The sky reflected in the bonnet of my car.