"Precious, precious, precious!" Gollum cried. "My Precious! O my Precious!"

 {16th July}

I have been searching for ages for the perfect dainty rings to go alongside my wedding rings and vintage gold diamond ring that was my 18th Birthday present from my parents.

I didn't want to spend loads as they aren't ones I will wear every day.  I finally found some really cute ones in Topshop today.  The tiny ring on my index finger came in a pack of 4 identical gold rings, which was only £5.50 for 4.

The ring on my little finger came in a pack of 3 (including the gold one in the below picture) only £6.50 for 3.  I am so in love with the little ring below.  I love the fact it has the little dented look, and sits so nicely halfway down my finger.

For similar ring sets try the Topshop website.

What's making me smile...

Pink Lilies - A nice Friday surprise from my Hubby

{15th July}

It's always nice to look back on what has made me smile this last week.  Sometimes I feel a bit down, not for any reason, I just feel a bit sad.  I think I have realised it is when I get bored and don't have anything fun to do.

That can't be said for this weekend just gone! I didn't even have time to breath but it made for a really brilliant weekend.  

On Friday we had a spontaneous evening at my friend Gabs house, playing on the karaoke, drinking much wine, and a midnight swim in her pool!

On Saturday we had planned to travel back to my parents house in Canterbury to rendezvous with my cousins and my maid of honour.  We had a lovely BBQ, played some croquet, dipped our toes in the paddling pool, and then spent the evening watching our wedding video that had finally arrived in the post.

On Sunday morning we woke up early so that G and my cousin could go go-karting.  G has really got into it recently and I really enjoying going along to watch, especially as the track on Sunday was outside - so I was able to sit in the sun!

Sunday afternoon started at about 12 with a call from our friend asking if we wanted complimentary tickets to Goodwood Festival of Speed for the rest of the afternoon! Um...yes!!!!  It was so brilliant, we had such a good afternoon.  The weather was glorious and I think the two highlights of the day were 1. meeting Bruno Senna (such a major crush on him!) and 2. Watching the Red Arrows aerial display at the end of the day.

There is nothing worse than being tired on a Monday morning, but there is also nothing better than knowing you couldn't possible have crammed anything else into your weekend.

New Life - Baby Olivia Chloe was born 1 month ago
We are so pleased to welcome our new 2nd cousin into the family.

The boys were ready for action in all their kit!

Yes! It's weather for a 99.

O.M.G What a hottie!

Me and one of my greatest loves - A Caterham 7

Desperately wish this was clearer - the Red Arrows drawing a heart in the sky

“The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday-but never jam today"

Blackbird Tea Rooms Brighton

{7th July 2013}

This is a slightly belated post as we actually went out for afternoon tea at the Blackbird Tea Rooms, Brighton, last Wednesday.

My gorgeous sister came down to spend the day in Brighton with me, having managed to finally coordinate a day that we both had off together.  We only really had 2 agendas for the day - 1. Buy some cool clothes, 2. Eat some tasty food.  As soon as I knew Bean was coming down to see me I knew I wanted to go to Blackbird.  Having been open now for a little while I still can't believe I haven't been yet.

You step back into a little piece of history.  We had booked a table, (just as well as it was super busy), and got a lovely seat in the window upstairs.  The decor is beautiful, I am soooo going to steal the bird wall paper, and they have made a real effort to source vintage furniture and crockery.

I sometimes worry that afternoon tea can be a bit 'up itself' but there was definitely no worry of this here.  The tearooms offer a variety of dishes, cakes, and sandwiches.  The Afternoon Tea at £12.50 per person comes with your choice of one of the sandwiches, a scrummy homemade scone and jam, and a selection of cakes.  As Bean and I both picked the Afternoon Tea we decided to pick different sandwiches (egg and cress, and goats cheese) and share.

There was a really good selection of teas to accompany our food - traditional to new (rosehips and hibiscus) all served loose leaf in individual vintage teapots.

One of our favourite things of the experience was the quirky loo (an outhouse in the back yard).  Vintage photos and postcards on the walls and individual hand towels made the whole thing a bit of an experience.

I would definitely recommend the Blackbird Tearooms for anyone looking for a quirky, very tasty, inexpensive lunch.

Hair one minute, gone the next

{11th July 2013}

I cannot tell you how in love I am with the subject of this blog - my hair piece!  There hasn't been an occasion that I have worn this when someone hasn't commented and asked me if it is my own hair and where I got it from.

I have really useless thin blonde hair. I hate my hair - it is flat, and straight, and lifeless and if I style it, it is straggly and unattractive in about 15 minutes.

This hair piece has saved my life.  It was bought for me by my hair dresser as part of my wedding hair (picture above and 1st picture below).

It is a long straight fishtail plait that my hairdresser at Doodahs dyed to the same colour that I had for my wedding, which means that the piece matches my hair perfectly.  People don't believe me when I tell them that it isn't my real hair.

It is so versatile and I wear it across my head, as seen below, and my favourite everyday look is to wrap it around my tiny top knot to give a really big bun, all wrapped up in a gorgeous plait.

TOP TIP: If you have useless, blonde, flat hair, talk to your hairdresser about investing in a plait.  My wedding hair was about £90 which included this plait - best £90 I've ever spent!

(Alternatively - make your own by buying extensions without clips and get plaiting)

Elderflower Cordial

{10th July}

I have always loved that my Mum makes so many things to keep in the cupboard that preserve that summary taste - elderflower cordial, tomato chutney and raspberry jam.

I thought that I would try my hand this week at elderflower cordial.  I had trouble finding citric acid (used for preserving) so I have made mine without - meaning I have frozen some, and will just have to drink the rest pretty speedily!

I used this recipe below - however living in the city meant that finding enough elderflowers was a bit tricky.  I ended up using 20 elderflower heads and as a result the cordial is tasty but a little bit more like lemon cordial!

TOP TIP: use amount stated or more of elderflowers.

1k sugar

1.5 litres boiling water

4 medium lemons

30 large elderflower heads

(55g citric acid - I did not add this as it was tricky to find and used for preserving)

Place the sugar in a large saucepan or pyrex bowl and pour over the boiling water.  Stir until the sugar has dissolved and leave to cool

Grate the rinds on the lemon with a fine grater, add to the sugar water

Cut lemon into thick slices and add to the water.  Add the citric acid (if using) and stir, then finally add the elderflower heads and stir again.

Cover with a cloth and leave to steep for 48 hours.

Strain through a muslin cloth into a clean bowl

Using a funnel pour into sterilised bottles and store in the fridge if not acid has been used.  Or pour into plastic bottles and freeze.

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work - Aristotle

{8th July}

I started my new job at Eventa Group Ltd as Corporate Account Manager today.  I am so pleased.  I finally feel that I have found a job that is a career move, rather than a job for a jobs sake.  I have spent the last 5 years moving from job to job while working on my BA degree and then my Masters degree, but none of them actually used my skills.  I am so pleased that I have found somewhere that I can really see my self staying for the next few years.  Suddenly feel settled.

To celebrate my new job G took me out for dinner.  We went to one of our favourite restaurant - The Ginger Dog.  It's not one of the cheapest places to go, but it is always worth the money.  For a 2 course meal you could easily spend £70.00 but the menu changes monthly, meaning the chefs are constantly using in season produce, and the menu never gets boring. (Plus they do a brilliant loyalty scheme so we cashed in our 2 course meal free voucher and only spent £35.00!)

After a tasty Ribeye Steak with Dripping chips and Baked Peaches with Honeycomb and Brioche we had a really leisurely, and full, wander home in the glorious setting sun.

What a wonderful day.

It's like a sunset on my hands....

{7th July 2013}

Over the last 3 years I have realised the importance of being well turned out when leaving the house.  It's amazing how it makes you feel different you feel.

I don't mean having to be glam and wear dresses and heals every day.  I just mean making sure clothes are not torn, shoes are clean, hair is brushed and neatly styled, and nails are painted and not chipped.  I know it sounds obvious but it wasn't long ago that I was happy to leave the house with holes in my trousers, dirty shoes, unmatched items, and chipped nails.

Having polished, neat nails is so important for that finishing touch.  I really enjoy mixing up the looks and colours on my nails and, admittedly, do spend a couple of hours every other day making sure they are freshly polished.

I love this look that I am wearing at the moment.  It makes me feel really summery and means I get to enjoy some of my favourite colours all at once!

I am a massive Essie fan and this look combines some of my favourites (Working backwards from the thumb):

Temple Spa: No. 201

Essie: Cute As A Button

Essie: Tart Deco

Essie: Fiji

Rimmel:  430 Porcelain

Rimmel: Ultra Shine Top Coat