Hello Friday

Here comes the weekend. My oh my April is nearly over and summer seems to be making an appearance here in the UK - Please stay Summer! So it's the weekend and here we go....

 

Less than two weeks until we go to Italy, tres excited! We are staying with my friends out there and I can't wait to show H one of my most favourite places on earth

Speaking of holidays you know you are a food blogger when your friend sends you descriptions of recipes when he's halfway across the world. It ends up in you making a rather awesome Thai salad though. Try it - so fresh, so healthy

 

H is away this weekend which means I am having some sister time, some friend time, some in-law time and some quiet time to myself. I love spending time by myself, It restores me and just makes me happy.

Just like I talked about reading a lot of articles on relationships last week, I have also been reading a lot about the choice on not having children. It's something I think about a lot. Maybe one day I'll do a post about it. When you love children as much as I do and are good with children like I am I think its really easy for people to assume that you want children of your own. I'm totally undecided on the matter but articles like this, this and this make me think. Oh, and to all you Mama's out there trust me I have so much respect and your job is an awesome one I am in no way anti motherhood, I just think it's good to look at both viewpoints and to acknowledge it can be a choice.


I've finished reading The Ice Twins by  S. K. Tremayne which was pretty blah and had a rubbish ending. I'm now on to The Good Girl by Mary Kubica which I'm really enjoying so far!

 

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with the girls at The Farmers Wife and September Farm for 

All the Friday Feelings

These shoes are probably my favourite purchase of my summer wardrobe so far. I love lemons and to wear them on my shoes makes perfect sense. Well to me anyways, 

Happy weekend. It's been nice to have a short week and it's nice that spring seems to have arrived in Kent, it feels like the winter has lasted long this year. Some suggestions for your weekend if you are short of things to do....

How about baking some desserts: this one is good as is this

Some really really interesting articles on relationships and marriage can be found here, here and here. I'm a bit like a sponge when it comes to reading things like this at the moment. H and I seem to be going through the stage where everyone keeps asking us "when are you guys going to get married?" and I read articles like this and wonder why we would change something that works so well and yet at the same time I like to think I believe in marriage and maybe we would be the ones to break the cycle.... who knows for now I'll just keep on reading, lets just call it research!

I'm almost finished reading Us by David Nicholls and I've downloaded this to read next. Can't get enough of reading at the moment - makes my commute much more bareable 

Shopping for summer clothes is my favourite thing to do at the moment. I'm loving this playsuit from M&S and I really feel like I need these in my life too. Questionable trousers are my jam.

Alfresco dining for the win - try making these 

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with the girls at The Farmers Wife and September Farm for 

It's Friday and here are my 5 things....

One 

I have purchased all of my Christmas presents - which must be a record for me. Plus last weekend H got most of his which is surely a record for him! So I feel smug. Then I stop feeling smug when I look at the mountains of presents I have to wrap. I have a bit of a tradition whereby I stick on Love Actually, pour myself a glass of wine and spend the evening wrapping up my gifts. I try and keep it as peaceful and as calm as possible!

Two

I have also ordered the Christmas meat - a ham and a turkey. I always want to try goose but then I worry that if people didn't like it then Christmas dinner would be ruined.  I have to confess I don't cook the feast itself - my brother takes on that challenge and he is AWESOME at it.... I will be making these for the starter / canape - perfect with a glass of champagne! 

Three

Check out these vibrant colours! I went a bit Mexican this week and shared some fresh and easy recipes for fish tacos and courgette quesadillas - check them out! Anyone else created something ace in their kitchens this week?

Four

(Not on the High Street)

I've been thinking about my Christmas outfit this year and is it a bit odd that this is by far my favourite thing I've come across. And its for kids. Man, I love petticoats and I love stripes! Even the pigtails I feel are inspired!

Five 

(New York Times)

We are going to my friend Lulabelle's for a Christmas party on Saturday and I am taking ingredients for a Christmas Cocktail - the one I have linked to uses pomegranate but I will make it with cranberry juice. 

1 part cranberry to 2 parts prosecco with a squeeze of lime. 

I'll also make some ginger fizzes:

piece of stem ginger, 1 tsp stem ginger syrup topped up with prosecco

Christmas is well and truly on its way! 

So many Friday link ups! Happy to be linking up with these lovely ladies!

5...... {Oh Hey Friday)

Five 

Reasons why I loved living alone 

Four 

Different Petticoat Colours 

(on the way to the wedding in a VW Campervan)

Three 

Best Friends aka Sisters 

Two

Recipes for you to try 

Bacon Stuffed Dates  /  End of Summer Pasta 

One 

One very much in love, newly cohabiting couple - so far, so sweet 

Linking up today with The Farmers Wife and September Farm.

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Five things {Oh Hey Friday}

What a week! Even though I have only had a three day week for some reason today I feel EXHAUSTED! Lucky for me that its a bank holiday weekend - hello lie in on Monday morning! So with out further ado here are five things on my mind this Friday

One

Forget the bride having wedding blues I have bridesmaid blues! Last Thursday I was honoured to be Chief Bridesmaid for my Lucy and it was such an amazing day.  I also feel very blessed that she put us in such amazing bridesmaid dresses - I swished that petticoat all day long, it's my favourite thing I've ever worn...ever and I can't wait to have a decent excuse to wear it again soon! I managed to hold it together when reading the poem I wrote them and I think everyone liked the favours that I spent hours making. Lu made such a beautiful bride and Andy a very handsome groom, they are the perfect couple and I know they have many happy years ahead of them! 

Two

The night before the wedding I cooked an Italian feast for the bridesmaids, bride and her parents, her last meal of freedom so to speak! It was lush and went down very well. Baked chicken, Parmigiana Melanzane and a fresh green salad check out the recipe here

Three

The Abby can be seen on the hill at the top of the photo 

The view from the Abby - excuse the blurriness

Already our mini holiday to Whitby feels like a lifetime ago but what a lovely break we had. Whitby is in Yorkshire and is a beautiful part of the UK coastline. It is also the place where Dracula is said to have arrived ashore and I must admit the abbey was quite eerie at night! The girls had a great time and H and I had a great time with them.

Four

Stuck for meal ideas this weekend? Fancy something a bit different that's fresh, flavoursome and most importantly healthy? Check out my recipe for Turkey Shawarma  - you wont regret it, it tastes great!

Five

And yes, once more, can we just have a big cheer for the bank holiday weekend!



Linking up today with The Farmers Wife and September Farm.

TFI Friday {Oh Hey Friday}

This week has been loooonnnnnng, I'm so thankful it's Friday!

One

Me and the blushing bride-to-be 

Think I'm still tired from the Hen Party Mayhem! What fun it was though..... my Chief Bridesmaid duties have really started kicking in at the moment I've been purchasing garters, designing labels for the favour jars, went underwear shopping with the bride and tomorrow I am spending the whole day making  the favours! Still should be fun... can't believe in less than a week one of my eldest and dearest friend is getting married. 

Two

Vino, candles and Olives - Perfect!

After a long day at work yesterday it was so lovely to come home and have a glass of wine in the garden with some good friends - I love the warm, balmy summer evenings we have been getting recently although I kindda need a bit of a breeze during the day!

Three

Snail Mail for the Win! My wonderful friend from uni Fliss moved to Oz seven years ago and I miss her everso much! We have always caught up through Skype and Facebook but recently we have started writing to each other as well.  I had forgotten just how lovely it is to receive post. Got such a buzz reading her letter on the train this morning and I'm going to hopefully send her a little parcel for my reply... What are your feelings on writing letters?

Four

Just too good

Five Guys has made it to the UK. We stopped by for a burger and my favourite drink from the US - Pink Lemonade. And wow, what an experience and what great burgers - America should have shared it with us sooner! Now I just need Target. 

Five

Oh Hey Roomie!

And to the big news of the week...... by the end of the month this cutie and myself will be cohabiting together! Yes, we have made the big decision to move my stuff in officially.... trouble is I'm not sure he actually realises just how much stuff I have! Any tips on how to not kill each other are welcome and probably needed.


Linking up today with The Farmers Wife and September Farm.

Things I am grateful for {Oh Hey Friday}

Linking up again for Oh Hey Friday! I loved it last week and so I'm sure that I will love again today! Thanks everyone who stopped by last time I've loved connecting with new blogs through this link up, hats off The Farmers Wife and September Farm. This Friday I've decided to focus on 5 things that I am grateful for; 

One

Face pack Thursdays with my housemate: We have a whole skincare routine, we eat yummy food (this week was Turkey chilli), watch Masterchef, talk a lot and drink a glass of wine and lots of Spa water. I'm often at my Man's house these days so I love coming together and having this time with the other important man in my life!

Two

Horse Guard's Parade 

Nelson's Column - and lots of London traffic!

One day I'll remember to look and see who this dud actually is!

My beautiful walk to work: in the most beautiful city in the world (biased I know)

Three

Chilli

Cherry Tomatoes

The fruits of my labour: My herbs and plants have been thriving for a while but this week both my tomatoes and my chillies started to grow. Excited was an understatement. I love growing food its so fulfilling and means I don't even mind the weeding. In not so good news I seem to have too many snails, caterpillars and slugs trying to eat my produce - any ideas on how to prevent this?

Four

No doubt we'll look something like this! (Source)

Weekend plans: That include gardening, picnic and a music festival with friends - keep your fingers crossed for sunshine!

Five

So dang cute I try and eat him

A year of my love: My Handsome Man and I have reached one year together this weekend. And despite tough situations that life threw at us (the least of it being a 19 year age gap) falling in love with him was simple and this year has been easy and so so full of happiness and love. Easily the best year of my life. I'm grateful for many things in my life but he, he is top of the list every time.  

Enjoy the weekend lovelies

Getting Green Fingers {Oh Hey Friday!}

Linking up for the first time with for Oh Hey Friday! I love reading what everyone's into at the moment.... here's mine and this week I've done quite a random one about what I've been loving this week, but I like the idea of choosing a different theme each Friday! Great Idea Karli from September Farm and The Farmer's Wife, can't wait to link up with you all: 

One

Been really into my salads this week - so quick and easy to prepare when I come home from a busy day at work.... My favourite one this week was a mackerel, beetroot, egg and tomato salad with gem lettuce and red onion. I sprinkled a bit of balsamic dressing on it and it tasted great. Salad for the win!

Two

Feeling proud about actually getting my lazy bum in gear and posting two recipes this week. Both interesting healthy meal ideas. Find them here and here - Give them a go!

Three

Loving all the hard work we have put into our garden - it's starting to get to where I want it to be - although i really need to crack on with some weeding this weekend. My tomatoes and chillies are just starting to look like they are ready to sprout and I never thought it would get me so excited!

Four

Talking of gardens my biggest success so far has to be my herbs! I followed a tutorial from the lovely Rachel at Tryingforsighs blog for making a hanging herb garden! Great idea, I love how it looks and no nasty foxes can reach them to eat!

Five

My beloved has his guitar exams this weekend and he is starting his first guitar teaching job soon. I am a guitar widow. But he's so talented so keep your fingers crossed for him!

Enjoy the weekend lovelies