The Month of February

Warmth had the day off work to wait in for a new carpet to be laid. Now all we need for the front room is an over mantel mirror and some pictures.
The train to Canterbury to see Mother, a quiet and lovely weekend catching up and keeping warm.
Really enjoying going along to Pregnancy Pilates.
A quiet Friday evening mooching to the Tatty Devine shop to buy this and discovering it's in the online sale, wandering past MW Nails that I've read lots about, popping in on the off chance they had a space and having a lovely Friday night file and polish in their airport style salon. Still having time to pop to the MAC shop to buy a new eye shadow and then home. A very lovely Friday evening.
Meeting up with a dear friend to go to the Valentino exhibition at Somerset House followed by tea at Laduree. Perfect for a cold dreary Saturday.
Up early on Sunday as friends, with their four children, were coming to lunch and to very kindly drop off a whole load of baby bits and pieces.
A delicious Valentines Day meal cooked by Warmth of lamb shanks and chorizo.
Popping round to Mama and Papa Warmth expecting a cup of tea to be welcomed with afternoon tea of delicate sandwiches, scones, fruit loaf and lemon drizzle cake. Then off to meet Mother for a quick, and very light supper at Victoria, as she then went to meet Pops at the airport.
A wonderful family day on Sunday welcoming Pops back with a 'low key' turkey and trimmings. So lovely to see him, he to see bump, when he left three months ago there was nothing to see. Catching up on three months of our news and all he's experienced. Lovely to know that his stories will keep coming and being talked about.
Beginning the half term with my #bookswap delivery. I have so many wonderful books to read that I mustn't buy anymore.
Off to the Kings Road for a mooch and more importantly meet a dear friend for lunch, catch up and to learn more about babyhood at Pain Quotidian. It was almost like when we used to work together and would sometimes meet up there between visits.
Finally getting round to buying a food processor, so when I saw the latest Hummingbird Bakery book reduced in the shop it felt foolish to resist it.
Discovering a dainty patch of snowdrops, being able to hang out the washing and permanently having a vase of daffodils. Spring is coming and soon I'll be back out in the garden. I can't wait.
Then off to Poole Hotel du Vin for a few days rest. My it was cold. We wrapped up warm and the delicious soup at this deli warmed us. Gawping at the huge houses at Sandbanks, a brief and windy walk along the sandy shores, catching the chain ferry across the spit to Swanage for fish and chips, stopping off at a traditional sweet shop to buy iron rations for exploring Corfe Castle and each night being thankful that we were dining in the hotel's restaurant so we didn't need to venture out.
A lovely evening with Warmth's brother and wife at The Young Vic bar and supper at Ev.
Continuing with the Sunday bake, though the pear, raspberry and oat loaf was just too soggy, an apricot and marzipan loaf from The Great British Bake Off book and another lemon drizzle cake, with an extra lemon added for additional zing.
Reading The boy in striped pyjamas by John Boyne for my school course, finishing Diana Athill, Instead of a Book and really enjoying The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Finishing off the month with The Parasites by Daphne du Maurier, one of my Mr B's Reading spa recommendations.

The Month of June

The month started with the last day of half term and a fish and chip supper with Mother and Pops before a very early start the next day for our family holiday in Mallorca.
Celebrating our birthday there with lovely gifts, two cakes, being twins there has to be two cakes, being transported out there and easy to pack gifts. Swimming in the pool and then Twin and I took everyone out for supper at Stay restaurant.
The rest of the week was glorious. Swimming, reading, sunbathing, a daily cafe con leche, a mooch in a town, a return to the villa for more swimming and sunbathing. Ending the day with beers, rose wine, communal meals, Scrabble and days filled with happy memories.
Returning to work but made more pleasurable by meeting a friend for Monday evening cocktails at Lounge Lover and then supper at Boundary.
Catching up with dear printmaking friends at Waterstones and deciding that our IRL bookclub has come to an end but long live meeting up for friendship.
Meeting a dear friend who is about to leave for Singapore for Friday night drinks at Dalla Terra  and then supper at Dishoom.
A much needed weekend around the house - somehow being in the garden doesn't feel like a chore. Is this how some people view house work
Party weekend... Pink lanterns hanging in the tree, fizz chilling, amazing cakes, home made lasagne, dear friends, including one friend coming over from New York for it. How wonderful friends are. Re wearing my wedding dress - red nails, barefoot. 
Wandering to Tudor Barn Art weekend on the Sunday, eating cake, left over lasagne, toast and crisps.
Cakes baked started off with ones to take into work for my birthday. Nigella's Lemon Drizzle, Bill Granger's Chocolate Brownie, though I forgot to add the chocolate but it was still delicious, Eat Me! Farmhouse biscuits and Hummingbird Orange and Almond cake.
Books read finally finished Jane Eyre, I'm back in love it on this third read. The Paris Wife a perfect holiday book, Florence Finds Book Club book this month. Cheerful weather for a Wedding in the most uncheerful weather. Starting to try and read some of Warmth's books - Evelyn Waugh Vile Bodies.
Book giftings Persephone Cheerful weather for a wedding by Julia Strachey, a gift voucher to be spent on Daunt Books Ilyrian Spring and a delightful book of photographs of me from birth to now from Mother and Pops. A delightful book London A History in Verse, a bibliotherapy session at Mr B's Emporium.

Tomorrow we're off to a wedding at The Horniman Museum. June has been a truly wonderful month.

The Month of May

Began with meeting Lula from The Golden Afternoon Tea Company to discuss my birthday cakes.
Discovering a new restaurant for midweek suppers with friends. The Riding House Cafe. I am still dreaming about the chocolate sundae with honeycomb and macarons.
A surprise Thursday tweet from Gudrun Sjorden saying I was the lucky winner of their retweet to win a scarf. Home on Friday to discover it on our doorstep. A bright and lovely addition to my wardrobe. Thank you.
A lovely Saturday with Twin. Exploring the V&A British Design 1948-2012 exhibition. I'm looking forward to going again with Warmth later on in the summer.
A thorough thorough spring clean of our house. How does it get so dirty?
Off to my hairdresser's pop up shop a new brooch and some cocktail glasses then meeting Warmth for Bank Holiday Sunday drinks at The Railway, our new favourite pub.
A day trip to Brighton. A delightful read of Jane Eyre, mooching in the different jewellery shops and then the most delicious lunch in Terre a Terre.
Enjoying sunshine, venturing out without socks or tights and wearing bright varnish on my toes at last.
A girls' night out on Saturday night to Cocochan.
A glorious Sunday and finally buying the Whistles summer dress.
Meeting mother and pops for a wet and cold Tuesday evening supper at Waterloo Bar and Kitchen then a Thursday supper out with dear friends at Sofra.
A Saturday mooch in Exmouth market - continuing, and ending the birthday jewellery searching. Then to Mama and Papa Warmth for supper.
The family weekend continued with my cousin and her gorgeous family coming for lunch.
The weather turned to glorious, wonderful sunshine. The garden looks amazing. The foxgloves are peeping, the roses budding and the rhododendron resplendent in it's purple glory.
A beautiful sunny Saturday. Meeting dear friend to go to the Christian Louboutin Exhibition at the Design Museum. Then a first time explore of Maltby Street Market. Glorious on a sunny lunchtime. We ate brunch at Bea's Diner and took home the much read about St. John Bakery's custard donuts. Home to rest before going out to friend's annual Eurovision Party.
A sunny Sunday cleaning, gardening and getting ready for our holiday.
Nails painted in Essie Clam Bake means I keep wanting to sing "We had a real good clam bake, we're mighty glad you came" from Carousel all the time.
And today a visit to Mudchute Farm with 120 three to five year olds and the anticipation of our holiday.

Baking my first attempt at Millionaire's Shortbread - I shall make it again. A favourite Hummingbird Bakery Summer Fruit Cheesecake. And a disaster. I attempted to make up my own recipe using stewed rhubarb and left over condensed milk for a loaf cake. It was all a bit dense, soggy and not to be repeated. Nigella's Cappucino Cupcakes for Eurovision.
Reading The wartime stories of Mollie Panter-Downes, the perfect bedtime reading. Two short stories before I close my eyes. Getting started early for the Victorian Reading challenge with a third re read of Jane Eyre.

The Month of September

Started with a gentle introduction back into school.
A Friday mooch around Borough Market.
Taking The Blessings out for the day to a Kentish Country Fair.
Discovering The Painted Lady for nails. I shall return. They're small, they're friendly, they have a good selection of OPI and Essie and they offer you wine on a Friday night.
A wonderful wonderful evening at Any Other Party. All the women there were so warm, fun and thoughtful.
My mother arrived with boxes of letters from the past for me to sort through and store now we're somewhere larger. What to keep? What to throw?
A first, and by no means last visit to Eltham Palace. This was for an Art Deco fair. Oh I should have bought the beautiful wooden bookcase...
Celebrating a friend's 40th at Gauthier in a private dining room. The company was as gorgeous as our surroundings.
Buying furniture - quite a bit of it.
You've read about it before - meeting up with my old colleagues at The Electric for Porn Star Martinis. These meet ups are so precious. We've all gone our separate ways. But there is a tie that I don't think anything can break.
Drinks at Electricity Showrooms in Hoxton. How strange that over ten years ago I looked at a flat in this area, how would life have been different if I'd chosen that path?
Meeting up with dear friends to supposedly watch Spinal Tap. I've still to see it all the way through but it was great fun to meet up.
Trying to fit too much into one day. Ordering a carpet, visiting an open studio in New Cross to buy a painting and then back in time for a friend to come to lunch. Such glorious weather we sat sipping our gin and tonics outside.

Baking - lots of apple dishes from our apple tree. Apple and almond pudding, apple crumble. Salted caramel macarons - they tasted wonderful but they would have been marched off GBBO on looks. A Lemon Drizzle cake with an extra spoonful or two or lemon curd woven through it. A delicious Nigella Onion Supper Pie - devoured in front of GBBO. Finally bought the new Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days. Now what to bake?

Finished Persuasion. But you already knew that. South Riding by Winifred Holtby. It started off being interesting read a novel where the author has such hopes for the role of the local authority to change lives when we're in the midst of such local authority cutbacks. And then it became truly emotional and absorbing.

And just for the record on the 30th September I wore white linen shorts, a t-shirt and sandals to work!

The Month of May

Waking up with a hangover from a wonderful wedding the day before....
Exploring Greenwich in the bank holiday sunshine and then a 'phone call from mum about granny....

A train ride through the Kentish countryside to see mum and dad. Sun shining, green green fields, oast houses and a great book made it less sad. Coffee and shopping at The Goods Shed, eating lunch outside in the garden, a walk along the river, seeing ducklings and ending with walking through a field of cows.
Drinks at The Phoenix.
Discovering the maxi skirt that suits me, having wanted one since last summer but discovering that maxi dresses don't suit me - a straight jersey maxi skirt is for me.
A great Friday evening shop. A favourite Whistles top - I may buy it in white too. Getting to grips with eye lash curlers and discovering that Lancome Hypnose is truly a great waterproof mascara.
Mooching around the Forest Hill Open Studios.
Meeting up with dear friends at a Eurovision party.
Finally receiving notification of our mortgage. We shall be moving.... An initial visit to Criterion Auctioneers to see how it operates for when we're ready.
Meeting dear friends, who were previously friends and colleagues, for supper at The National Portrait Gallery Restaurant. Delicious food, gorgeous company and the views of London sky line - superb.
Discovering the perfect summer red nail varnish - Essie 5th Avenue.
A dear friend was over from New York so it meant the chance to meet up with a lovely group of friends. We met at Bam Bou I've been to the bar before, and this time the cocktails were just as divine but we ate - and the food was absolutely delicious.
Sunday lunch with my aunt followed by boules in the garden.
I would love to tell you all about the christening we attended in a field for Rogation Sunday but alas due to the most horrific accident we spent that time sitting on the A3. The party afterwards was glorious and we spent the Monday recovering from over eating and drinking.
Oh no I've just realised that May started and finished with a hangover...

Cakes baked. Real Cookie Girl's Strawberries and Cream cupcakes for Eurovison (they shall be baked again). Hummingbird Lemon Bars, Lady Grey Tea loaf and a disastrous Ballymaloe apple cake for Granny's funeral.
Books read - High Wages - my first Whipple. I am so glad I saved it perfect for this time. I loved it - strong woman, friendship, clothes, shopping and day dreaming - what could not be more perfect for me? Hons and Rebels by Jessica Mitford. The hand that first held mine by Maggie O'Farrell, The Rector's Daughter by F.M. Mayor.

The Month of April

Friday night drinks with friends by the river...
An early Saturday start to visit cousins in Swindon. A really lovely family day, eating, laughing, talking and a windy walk.
Continuing March's tradition of Sunday Biscuit Baking and a roast.
Meeting dear girlfriends for mis week suppers in town. Eating too many mini eggs. Basking in the April sunshine. Then shivering as it turned cold again.
Painting toenails for the first time this spring. Loving OPI original nail solution it really does work.
Starting on Mad Men Series Four.
Leaving work promptly and driving for supper at my parents. Being abruptly woken at 4.15am to catch the 5.55am ferry to France. Arriving in Arras to join family Warmth in time for Breakfast. Sipping cafe au lait, toasting Mama Warmth's 70th with champagne and a delcious meal. Sitting with sunglasses in the various cafes around the square.
London holiday days. Popping to the Persephone shop for books, bought my first Whipple, calling into Caravan, brilliant book finds in Canterbury's Oxfam book shop, kicking my heels along the Kings Road (oh how I have missed you), foresting in Forest Hill, a trip to Tring. Supper at The Dartmouth Arms.
Much daydreaming about our potential new home...
Visiting Seville - oh my Semana Santa a time of awe and wonder.
Gorgeous Easter weekend in London. Mooching along the southbank viewing Miro and Gabriel Orozco
Then drinks -back at The Dartmouth Arms again. Baking Nigella's delicious Easter Nest Chocolate Cake. A sunny and delicious bbq with dear friends. Eating eggs, hot cross buns, simnel cake on a repeat cycle for two days. To mama and papa Warmth's for Easter Sunday.
Making the place names and table plan for a dear friends' wedding, handing them over... meeting for a Pain Quotidien supper the week before.
Enjoying the Royal Wedding - immensely - far more than I'd imagined. Watching it by myself and with twitterhen travelling to NW3 for lunch with a friend and what turned out to be a street party - my first street party.
And then waking up the next day being a guest at a dear friend's wedding. So in the mood after Friday's wedding.
Reading As I walked out one Midsummers Morning by Laurie Lee, Mrs Tim and the Regiment by DE Stevenson, All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West, Devoted Ladies by M.J. Farrell, The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham

The Month of November

Reading Dr. Zhivago as part of a group read. Then starting a new novel The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Giorgio Bassani- which was also a translation!

Films watched Man on Wire and Gran Torino. Loved them both.

A stressful journey to friends in Sevenoaks where we managed to take the wrong road not once but twice and arrived appallingly late. Thank goodness we were staying the night.
Peppermint cold walks around Honor Oak and Forest Hill.
Meeting dear printmaking friends at The National Cafe.
Drinks and a meal at The Old Vic.
Enjoying being in a new part of London with different places to explore. Mooching in Shoreditch. Shopping at Caravan, eating in Albion cafe and then wandering to Spitalfields. Catching the first scent of mulled wine and then spying Pret's turkey and stuffing sandwiches.
Remembrence day service with Mama and Papa Warmth. Walking through the field of soldiers, hearing the chimes of Big Ben and feeling the boom of the guns as the two minute silence is observed.
Catching a stinky cold.
Eid Mubarak and that means a day off. A leisurely morning and then meeting friends for lunch.
Rekindling my love for Browns. A good Friday night meet up.
A visit to Gaugin at Tate Modern. I liked it but I didn't love Gaugin as much as I'd presumed I would.

Still life with peonies

Starting the Christmas shopping - in making Christmas cards, shopping on the high street, at Cockpit Arts and on the internet. Buying my Persephone Secret Santa - well living in london i had to go to the shop and then for a cupcake at Beas.
Finding this winter's dress, a cosy shrug like cardigan from Topshop and new winter pj's.
Finally spending my Space Nk gift voucher from my old job on Annick Goutal Grand Amour.
A little spend in Topshop on their make up. Especially loving 'Grunge' nail varnish. Continuing the varnish theme. Liking Chanel Rose Confidentiel

Beginning Christmas preparations. We're hosting the Warmth family Christmas gathering on the 27th December. Cook books open..... I want to bake cupcakes galore.

And then the snow came...

The Month of October

Definately felt shorter than September. Feeling that I've come out of the 'new job' cloud.

Lots of cooking for family and friends in our new flat. Having friends and family round makes it seem more like home. There are more memories attached to our flat.
Cooking a delicious banana cake, finally attempted pastry and then an apple tart. Warmth made a delicious mushroom lasagne. Celebrating a dear friend's engagement with champagme and pavlova. Triple Chocolate Cookies and toffee apple cupcakes.

A delicious autumn walk around Horniman Gardens.
Exploring Dulwich Village and Lordship Lane. Walks around our new area - exploring streets.
Attempted to go to Gaugin but too long a queue.
Tapas at Brindisa
Lazy days at home....
Explored One New Change as not far from work. More excited to discover a Daunt Books on Cheapside. Bought Dr Zhivago and stocked up on a few more books.
Finally a hair cut. One day it was fine and suddenly over night whoosh it's too long It Must Be Cut Now!
Drinks with the Best Girls at The Zetter

Read The Great Gatsby, The Princess Bride as part of a read along. A Room with a View in preparation for our trip to Florence. Whilst in Florence Travels with my Aunt by Grahame Greene.


Finally joined LoveFilm . Yet to watch a film though.
Internet woes....
Shopping - Ugg boots - I love them. Uniqlo jeans and lusting after +J coat. Fed up with leopard skin being everywhere. I think that's why I've bought make up as I can't find any clothes I like.
Nails - my local nail bars are cheap but don't have a wide range of colours. I treated myself to Chanel Inattendu and Particulare. Getting better at applying it myself, though Warmth hates the smell.

Highlight our trip to Florence. Next week's posts will be on Florentine Thoughts.

Today we're celebrating Halloween with The Blessings. I'd imagined stylish halloween/autumnal decorating of the flat - Warmth had other ideas.... So here's a picture for Halloween my way.

martha

The Month of September.

Has felt very long.
It started with moving home and job on the 2nd
Hello Forest Hill. I've had fun finding a favourite new coffee shop (The Teapot) new nail place, cobblers and dry cleaners.
Lots of September had been spent unpacking... and working...
A Sunny Saturday Surrey BBQ with friends of Warmth who are becoming 'our friends.'
Eid Mubarak on Friday 10th September.
Drinks sitting outside on the South Bank enjoying the September sunshine and then Dim Sum.
Loving the London Overground - journey to work, so easy to get to Cowshed Shoreditch for beauty treatment, and Dalston to meet a friend and a delicious Vietnamese Huong Viet (Englefield Road).
Discovered that my favourite House of Fraser at Monument isn't open on Saturdays. Hurrah for late night shopping. Searching for The Perfect Winter Boot but did finally find The Perfect Purse.
A party at the most a.mazing flat with a view of St. Paul's Cathedral.
A dear dear friend announced her engagment.
Marylebone mooching and Wallace Collection with dear university friends, one of whom was over from New Zealand.
Discovered a good new bar and tapas restaurant in Charlotte Street for friend's birthday.
Nails Island Hopping by Essie and treated myself to Chanel 'paradoxical' I love it though must get better at applying myself.
A wonderful night with my dear 'former colleagues and more importantly friends.'
Hello King's Road I missed you. Cashmere gloves bought only to return home to discover in pile of unopened post a free postage and 10% off said company!
Drinks in Shepherd's Market.
Menier Chocolate Factory a fantastic lunch and then the final performance of 'Aspects of Love'. Not at all what I thought it would be like.
Read Unless by Carol Shields and The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
The knowledge that autumn has arrived.

The Month of August

A fantastic holiday in The Loire. Drinking Pouilly and Sancerre, bbq's, reading and chatting with friends. Visited La Borne for pottery.

Flirting with Twitter.

Testing which Annouck Goutal perfume to buy.... Tail end of sail bargains.... Cocinelle black leather bag, Jigsaw purple patent t-bar shoes. All Saints denim jacket. Discovered my sunglasses were broken right at the end - do I replace now or next year?

Finding a flat to rent before we become homeless after selling ours... Resting for two weeks at Warmth's parents whilst they're on holiday and we were homeless. Perfect timing.

Toes 'Lacquered Up', nails 'Coral Reef' Essie. Love Coral Reef toenail perfection... 'Mod-ern Gal' OPI on toes and fingers. Then two days back in the classroom sorting it out and my fingernails were wrecked!

Read 'We Need To Talk About Kevin' Lionel Shriver - absolutely loved it. Holiday and house packed brain can't remember what else.

A bbq where I wore hunter wellies rather than summer dress.
Friday night cocktails at The Leather Market and then The Woolpack London Bridge.
Tate Modern 'Exposed' and Francis Alys (strange but absolutely fantastic.)
Anniversary luch at The Oxo Tower, chosen as we bought our rings at a jewellers there.
A random twice in one week mooch along Northcote Road. My godson's sister was wearing a very pretty party dress. She came down stairs wearing it that morning saying
'I just felt I needed to be pretty today....'

Last Friday mooch around Portobello for a while but.... it really will be easy to catch a bus to Spitalfields for after work mooching.

Enjoying the last few days of the summer holidays....

The Month of July

Cooked: Gazpacho a la Hairy Bikers, Cheese and Pickled Onion Tart (Grazia) for Warmth's birthday, Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake (Hummingbird) without the popy seed - damn you Tesco's. Warmth made Delia's Gazpacho - we'll be sticking to that one in future..


Read: That Mad Ache Francoise Sagan, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris Paul Gallico, Vagabond Colette

Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy with dear print making frineds. My favourite artist Farah Sayed had a painting in again.

Discovered two new pubs - The Leather Market - good cocktails and The Garrison - feminine perfection for a pub. I shall be returning...

Porn Star Martinis at The Electric - oh they are wonderful. Two is the perfect number.

Birthday drinks at The Gherkin (Gherkin Fizz not a good choice of cocktail)

A BBQ, visiting dear friends new home, Cricket - again one time too many this year. Celebrating a dear dear friend's birthday with fizz, friendship and flowers.

Toe nails - Essie Watermelon, Opi 'Show down at the ok coral' -a little too much pink and shimmer. Essie Material Girl on toes a little too dark for summer. Trying out 'Flawless' Essie a pink for next Saturday's wedding. Quite like it. Actually wore Opi 'Jade is the new black' which surprisingly went well with my blue dress, and was inspired by walking past the police station and seeing green and blue on a poster and realising it did work.

The Month of June

Henry Moore again but with a different friend. Sheltering from the rain again though.
My birthday!!!
The Crucible at Regent's Park Theatre - a great sunny sunny day. Hurrah for my fantastic wide brimmed black summer hat from H&M.
Nails painted - A list again but that was to match the red polka dot of my....
Boozy, very sunny, friend filled let's finish off the Wedding pimms Birthday Picnic in Holland Park.

Baked my first batch of macaroons - Nigella's chocolate - oh my they were delicious and shall be baked again. Re baked Hummingbird Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes.
Mad Men Series Two - Warmth now loves it too. Hurrah!
A christening and time to catch up with dear friends.
My first Cricket Match - Lords 20:20 and unlike football I would go again.

Grace Kelly and The Quilt Exhibition at V&A
SATC two a chance to watch it with two dear friends who I rewatched all the series with over SATC weekends. Miranda's character just gets better and better and better....
Visiting my father in hospital - a badly broken ankle from sliding down a ladder.
A new job, our offer accepted for a house.
Toenails Tangerine and fingernails Lilacism
A delicious supper in Smiths of Smithfields
To Worthing to visit Granny Warmth. Paddling in the sea, eating 99 icecreams (oh they look so much better than they taste) playing on the 2p slot machines.

The Month of May

A trip to Cambridge to cook for dear friends.
Dim Sum, The National Portrait Gallery, The Bounty Hunter (appalling).
General Election and The Coalition.
Persephone Reading Week - Lady Rose and Mrs Memmary by Ruby Ferguson, finding new blogs, adding books to be read list.
Raspberry, Yoghurt and Orange muffins by The Cookie Girl - delicious and great icing.
Henry Moore at Tate Britain
One Fine Day by Mollie Hunter Downes
Varnished - fingernails - Opi Over the Taupe oooh I did like it, toes Essie Tomboy No More. A return to A list on my toes and Big Spender on my fingernails. (I think this is the shade I wore for my hen nght last year. It's a little too pink for every day.
Tiddlywink evening with food and wine.
Brunch in Browns
A balmy and warm weekend sitting in local pub gardens drinking chilled rose wine.... It felt like summer had arrived.
Fit Flops but need to wear them in... Perfect black sandals from Fenwick - I love them.
Eve Lom face mask - made my skin feel soooo lovely.
Celebrating Dad's birthday.
Baking his birthday cake - Nigella's Strawberry Meringue Cake - mmm may become The Cake of Summer 2010.

Bahama Mama

Away this weekend, alas not to the Bahamas but my nails are in the land of sun. I'm thinking this colour will go well with my new blue and white silk top from Zara. I'm hoping this top will become a firm favourite in my wardrobe. It's striped, which is always a bonus. Silk - so I can basically wear it at any time of year. Three quarter length sleeved, another feature I like my tops to have. It will be a great top to wear any time any place and especially those moments when I'm not sure what to wear either because of how I'm feeling, not sure quite where we're going. I'm thinking of wearing it with skinny jeans and kitten heels on Saturday night. One of those times when you're seeing new friends in their home and just aren't quite sure what they'll be wearing out to supper.

Back to the sun. I had my first glass of rose wine this week. Alas it was inside, not outside but those days will come.

A list

I don't feel very 'A-List' today with a streaming cold but my nails are. I've returned to being bold with my nail colour and it feels better, more me. Just re reading that last sentence. How can a colour of nail varnish give you a different feeling? It makes me feel happy and even happier as I think I've found my perfect red nail varnish. It's with just the right hint of blueness, no orange tone to it. It's red but not tarty. Elegant and no hint of mutton dressed as lamb old lady about it, which can sometimes happen. I shall definately be having my toenails painted in this sometime soon. My final thought today. Do I stick with this red always or venture to maybe find an even better one? What would you do?

I predict a riot

I'm fed up of the cold. I'm especially fed up of wearing dark colours and warm clothes. I seem to be wearing lots of black this winter and now I want colour, bright, vibrant, stylish colour. A riot of colour. Colour which makes you smile, puts a spring in your step and strangers who see you in the street. I want colour of the most marvelous field of flowers, bouquet of flowers. I'm starting slowly. My toenails are a deep pink and my lingerie is never, ever black.

Post script to Dressing for Tea

I'm back from having my nails painted and my feelings about the colour echo why the 'Dressing for Tea' quotation speaks to me. I'm not sure about the colour (Essie Curve Ball) I feel all a bit anxie and unsettled. I'm trying to decide is it just becsause it's a shade I'm not used to wearing or is it that it doesn't suit me. I am seriously considering taking it off and going au natural, or else seeing if the spa where the wedding is could repaint it for me. It's one of those moments in life when I think 'Is it vanity or is it a slight autistic streak within me?'. All the anticipation, thought and looking forward to having my nails painted has slightly disappeared.

Note to self:

Curve Ball is perhaps best with longer nails.

Curve Ball is perhaps best with a tan.

Perhaps I am a stronger nail colour type of girl.

Garnet

A little late in life, that's me a late developer in all things, but I like having my nails painted. This is partly as I've now found somewhere that does a file and polish for £7. So maybe I'll use this blog to document the different colours I choose.

Essie - Garnet.