{Love} All wrapped up in a red ribbon....

It's about this time of the year that I start to fret.  Gifts are bought, wrapped and sat prettily under the tree waiting to be delivered to friends and family as we travel the length of the country over the festive season.  Yep, it's a little too late to be questioning the gifts I've bought.  


It's not that I've been reckless and opted for thoughtless pressies - quite the opposite.  I love finding just the thing for the wonderful individuals in my life but I always have the fear that maybe I've not hit the mark or, worse, got it totally wrong!  Does anyone else feel like this or am I ready to be classified??


Heck, there's mulled wine, mince pies and festive films aplenty to distract me until the moment of un-wrapping!!  Just remember peeps, I love you - underneath that paper and ribbon is a little piece of my heart so be gentle!!  Fake a smile if you need to!


Merry Christmas all x


Image: One

{Quality time} All the fun of the festive fair

Excited crowds at the Christmas market.  The smell of gluwein, sugary crepes and spicy goulash in the air.  Generous measures of red wine in cosy Nordic bars.  Oh, and a little playful moment on the carousel...

Friday digest: links to linger over this weekend....

My round-up of un-related things that have caught my eye this week....  Have a happy weekend x

One: It's November, it's officially hot chocolate season...

Two: Time for an impractical dresser to get practical with these 'Joan of Arctic' boots found by the gorgeous Dilly Dallas

Three: What's your tech set-up? Design Sponge's round-up has me gadget-crazy

Four: Jewellery lust at Pink Wallpaper

Five: Please may I have a library like this?

Six Is it too early to start contemplating my Christmas wish-list?  A little blue box, perhaps?Seven For the love of stripes.  I adore this original art found at Aphro Chic

{Day-dreaming} Local goodies

When I spotted these images on shelterpop of Rachel Bilson picking vegetables with her little sisters, it was all I could do not to leap into my car and head back to the family nest! I've got a serious case of home sickness at the moment - particularly with my youngest brother set to head off to Zambia for 6 weeks tomorrow. I should be there to wave him off!

The beautiful weather we've had over the past few days has only added fuel to the fire.  Lazy days in the city are a real treat but I'd really like to be in the quiet of the Lake District whiling the day away with my family.  Roll on the weekend.....

{Be} Turn down the noise

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and, it's true - I've missed my verbal doodles here over the past few days.  It just has been one of those weeks that tests the mettle!


The picture says it all - I feel a little like I've had the wind knocked out of me this week and, when the going gets tough, it's difficult not to get caught up in the noise!  Tonight I'm taking a little time out with friends to get back to 'ME' without the need to do, be or say the right things.  And try to find my little place in the world!


Photo: weheartit.com

{Mid-week breather} Ingredients for a relaxed night...

... the deepest bubble bath
... a good slug of my Elemis Skin Nourishing Bath Milk
... a gin and tonic
... and a suitable soundtrack: Adele's '21'


Photos: blog.vakrehjem.com; thekitchn.com

{Mid-week breather} Take in the moment

The sun is shining and I have a free day stretching out in front of me.  I'm grabbing my faithful camera and heading outdoors to get snap-happy .... and breathe in the moments.

Photo: loveisucks @ Pinterest

{mood} I'm h-a-p-p-y

I love having flowers around our home – don’t you think they just make a space so much happier?  So imagine the smile on my face now that wedding plans have moved on to talk of flowers.

The look of our day, I hope, will reflect the simple elegance and style of 1930's and 40’s New York and so I’ve been seeking a little inspiration for florals that complement.  I thought I’d share these in the hope that these beautiful bouquets put a smile on your face today.

I'm deliberating over:

The family tradition of freesia....

Ranunculus....

Hydrangea....

Gardenias....

Or a mixture of them all....

Photos courtesy of: A Beach Cottage Life By The Sea  Ciao Bella Photography @ Etsy  Frl Klein @ Flickr  Mary Claire Crow  Maggie Beth

{mood} Romance ....

How much can change in a week! Completely out of the blue my lovely boyf became my fiance last Saturday. Knowing food is the way to my heart, he popped the question at French favourite, Kendells Bistro. 


The beauty of Kendells is in how stepping foot inside this restaurant makes you feel.  With a personal welcome, the backdrop of fairy lights and flickering candlelight, retro French posters adorning the walls and with romantic French music lulling diners, you could be in a chic little restaurant in the back streets of Paris.  And I've not even got started on the food!


Even the simplest things are done beautifully at Kendells.  Fresh hunks of baguette and butter are plentiful on the table whilst you peruse the chalkboard and once you've made your choice, attentive staff surprise you with amuse bouche - the greedy in me always wants more!!  I devoured Salade de Chevre* and (post-question popping) picked at Seabass fillet and green vegetables, whilst we supped on Chablis.  Nerves not withstanding, no dessert this time in place of some French fizz*.

Aside from the many wedding thoughts whirling around my head, the whole experience has me a little caught up with a romantic French notion.  Me and my new fiance hopping on a moped and nipping through the streets to find some secluded spot to enjoy fresh bread, smelly cheese and a bottle of Malbec and really let it sink in ..... I'm getting married!

*Debit: Way too much bread and way too much celebratory fizz
Eiffel Tower photo: via Starstore
Moped couple photo: Sergey Ivanov via Flickr