Perfect Brunch

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I love Marmalade!

Everything about Marmalade makes me feel happy.

I had my first GTT test a few weeks back to check for gestational diabetes and so had to fast for 12 hours.

This normally wouldn't be a problem, but not eating breakfast super sets off my morning sickness, so not eating breakfast until after the test at 10.30, was not so jolly!

What I love about hospital apointments is that it means a trip to Marmelade on the way home.

A ham and egg sandwich with a latte was just what I fancied...thanks Marmalade.

Summer Nail Art

               

I love to do my nails and spend time thinking up new patterns, but sometimes it nice to be pampered for a change and Cami does a fantastic job of making nails look GORGEOUS!

This fab shell design, above, I had done for my holiday to Menorca in July and really made me feel summery.

I have read several blogs about nails in pregnancy and there is research showing the toxins in acrylics aren't good, but nothing that says much about gels.

I've tried to keep my nails with normal paint as often as possible reduce any toxins, but I'd be interested in any other research anyone has done on this?

Anniversary Weekend - A little late!

Back in May we celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary and a very special thing happened...we made a baby!

The lack of posts has been due to me being all over the place with sickness and emotions and coming to terms with starting a family a little sooner than expected.

However, I'm back and have lots to catch up on from the last 4 months.

Disneyland Paris was an absolute dream and we had such an amazing time.  Thanks G for an amazing weekend, one we truly will never forget!

Sunglasses - Culter & Gross,  Breton - Boden, Necklace - Monsoon, Scarf - COS

New Home Editions

Really pleased with some of the new editions to the house that I got for my birthday last month.  I had blogged about this gorgeous John Lewis lamp before and Bean saw it, bought it, and gave it to me for my birthday! How lush!

This gorgeous Emma Bridgewater Honey and Marmelade jar was given to me my Bean's best friend, who always puts 110% into present buying.  This she bought to go with the Emma Bridgewater glass Jug and Cups that she had given us as a wedding present.

Fantastic new teapot, from Forlife that has an in-built strainer for making tea from loose tea leaves.

The Family Feeling

Picture from here

I've always wanted a baby. I've always wanted to be a mum. Nothing in the whole has ever made me happier than the idea of having a baby.

In this first year of marriage though I have found myself, not just wanting a baby, but wanting a family.  Not only do I want a baby, but I want to have G's baby. I want to join us together even more by having something that inevitably links us forever.  Something that we get to make and share; and believe me that's saying something for me as I'm not one for sharing!

The fact that now we are married and in the process of getting a house sorted means that I am ever so much closer to having a baby.

I am trying to have a healthier lifestyle and I am planning to do the Brighton marathon again in 2015 to help me lose weight and then am hoping to fall pregnant after that.

The idea that it may not happen is niggling in the back of my mind, but fingers crossed there aren't any underlying issues that would mean our fertility isn't great.  

Here's to drinking less, smoking less, getting fitter and getting up the duff!!!

Spring Must Haves

I love spring.  I love the idea of opening up the windows and doors and letting the light shine in.  I love the fact that it always feels like a time for cleaning away the cobwebs and getting rid of everything you have hoarded over the winder months.

I love a house and wardrobe clear out, but then it's also nice to bring some new goodies in.  Here are some bits that I'm loving and that I'm hoping will take me nicely into the summer months;

Fab spring/summer crockery for when the weather gets slightly nicer and we can start eating outside (above).

I've had a bit of a thing about Globes for a while, and still lusting over getting me own.  I'm loving the spring colours of this Globe.

I was travelling through London last week and popped in to Oliver Bonas in Victoria station.  I got my hands on this gorgeous Oliver Bonas Ring for only £10.

Since knowing that we were off to France for our anniversary I've falled in love with these Boden Breton tops, and now have a yellow and navy one in the wardrobe.  Perfect with jeans, but also nice tucked into a high wasted skirt for work.

So so chuffed with this Meringue Girls Cookbook for my birthday and really nice to get some lovely summery recipes to move through the seasons....out with crumble and custard, in with meringue and fruit!

I've been lusting over a classic pair of Converse for a while, just saving up my pennies.

Mmmmm....Meringues!

I may have mentioned once or twice that I recently got the Meringue Girls Cookbook.  I'm loving it so much, mainly because they are actually super easy to make, and also because they are unbelievably tasty!

This weekend I decided to try my hand at a couple of different flavours; chocolate with crunchy topping, and raspberry with pink sugar topping.

I used the same technique as last time for the raspberry ones, meaning they came out very circular and delicate looking.  I sprinkled on the sugar before cooking and let them cook away for about an hour.

I used much more of a rough, 'dollop' technique for the chocolate ones, meaning they were much bigger and a bit more rustic looking.

Very pleased with the result of both and took some samples to my friend Jo and her son gobbled up 3, so I'm pretty sure I got the thumbs up from him.

p.s. thanks for featuring me on your blog Jo x