My week in photos 32

The past week and a half has been FULL of food. I have literally not stopped eating for what seems like days now. 

The Easter chocolate was more than ever before and we spent this past weekend in Somerset celebrating Jane and Val's birthdays, which obviously meant a spot of overindulgence. Here are some pictures of the food, and fun I've been having, over the past few days.

Clockwise from top left: An exceedingly early train journey from St Pancras - A lunch date with The Boy at Yo Sushi - Train views - A morning of relaxation at Monet in Warsash - A Thursday night dinner date with these two weirdos at The Rockstone - Home sweet home for the Easter break - The beautiful Reiss store in Nottingham (fast becoming my favourite shopping destination) - My new favourite pink nail varnish (which just so happens to be by George at Asda)

Clockwise from top left: A sunny Saturday on the South Coast - Death by blue cheese at The Rockstone - Scouting out the lake next to the wedding venue - Essentials for another early start for a day of store visits - An afternoon treat at Lee On Solent - On a quick river walk on Saturday whilst waiting for our pizza (see what I mean about the eating) we spotted these cute ducklings - Scouting out photo locations for the wedding at Titchfield Abbey - Closing off the bank holiday in bed with a stinking cold

Clockwise from top left: Dippy eggs with soldiers for brunch on my day off on Friday - Rocking out my new necklace (K-Middy style) - Gearing up to surprise The Boy's Mum on her birthday - Rambling around the wedding venue - Mike's Bar for Val's birthday party - Prepping for my store visits in M&S Nottingham - Blossoms and blue sky - Glastonbury Tor from Grandads garden

A weekend of weddings (part one)

Way back in March Mum came to stay and we spent a blissful weekend exploring, shopping and talking all things wedding.

As much as the wedding is top of my thoughts most days I'm keen for Lost and Found to remain truly as it is, a rambling collection of musings about my life in general - never fear this won't become a purely wedding based blog space.

That being said, I did want to share with you some of the images from this particular weekend.

I took the afternoon off on Friday and ventured down to Knightsbridge to meet Mother. I tried on a few dresses and we drank a glass of fizz or two but generally the experience wasn't quite what I'd hoped and I came away feeling pretty down on the whole thing. It's amazing what trying on dresses next to a size 6 girl, while all the dresses in the showroom are a maximum of a size 8, can do for an average size girl.

To compensate we headed for an early evening wander around the V&A followed swiftly by a cream tea. I was feeling so rubbish about my waistline by this stage that there was no holding me back. Bring on the clotted cream.

The Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny so we headed for Kensington Olympia as I had bought us tickets for the National Wedding Show. Still reeling from the changing room meltdown which took place the day before I was in no mood for trying on dresses but some kind words from a lady on the Berketex Bride stand had me in a gown in no time. Although it didn't turn out to be the dress of my dreams this experience immediately put me in a happier place for the day ahead.

Mum and I had arrived early so took our seats in the front row for the fashion show which was pretty amazing and really showcased all the different types of dresses there are available these days. Mum had the chance to get some inspiration for her MOTB get-up and there was even some Suits for The Boy.

It was a lovely morning and we came away with lots of leaflets to peruse over lunch. I must confess we only lasted a couple of hours as the venue had started to fill up and there's only so much Wedding paraphernalia two women can take before needing a cup of tea and a sit down.

We strolled along Kensington High Street, stopping off at My Old Dutch for a pancake and Zara for a bargain before resting our legs in Hyde Park near Kensington Palace.

We even stopped off at Reiss to do a covert store visit and for Mum to see the original Biba fountain which takes pride of place on the womenswear floor.

It was a lovely day, full of laughs and giggles and really got me excited for all the wedding planning ahead.

My week in photos 31

Sorry for the lack of posts over recent days - this week has been a busy one work wise and I've come home so frazzled that all I've been capable when getting in from work is collapsing on the sofa (or straight into bed).

Here's a glimpse of some of the things I've been enjoying.

 Clockwise from top left: I went to the newly opened Big Easy in Covent Garden with the maids for a strategy meeting - I arrived home from work when it was still light outside - Checking out a sink I know my Dad would find hilarious - Wholeheartedly agreeing with Lucy Mangan in Stylist

 Clockwise from top left: Realising I won't be living here for much longer (sob) - Checking out the newly opened Benugo for lunch (too much sauce on my salad, in my opinion, but excellent sandwiches) - A cheeky Wagamamas with The Boy - Rocking my new Gap trench, the perfect transitional piece of outerwear - Lunch at my desk - New additions to the cleansing routine - Finally completing the trilogy - Obsessed with my new hairbrush

 Clockwise from top left: Loving H&M mannequins in Selfridges - Looking through the engagement cards - Spicy Chicken Ramen on date night - A Sunday stroll with Zsa - Cocktails with The Boy - Sitting in the sunshine - Pancakes at My Old Dutch on the Kings Road - The annual creme egg addiction rears its ugly head

The Love list

As I've mentioned in some of my recent posts I've been spending a lot of time on Pinterest of late. 

I've always been a fan of scrapbooking and I guess websites like Pinterest are only the natural online progression of this interest. I find inspiration for so many areas of my life on this site it's unreal - but I do sometimes find it difficult to actually put anything that I've found to good use. Because of this I've decided to start up the Love List again, a regular post where I can have the chance to show you what I've been finding, what I've been loving and what I've actually been doing lately.

So lets get started with...The Spiralizer
Hold the phone: this kitchen utensil has CHANGED MY LIFE. 
That's right, capitals.

Although this piece of equipment takes up a ginormous amount of room in the kitchen cupboard, it is so so worth it. I've used it at least once a week since I bought it and my daily intake of vegetables has definitely increased, which can only be a good thing.

LOTD
There's been a severe lack of outfit posts on the blog of late but now that Zsa Zsa and I don't work together, I am yet to find a suitable alternative photographer to take my look of the day images. Zsa and I have some dates planned specifically for this purpose but it's not really the same to not have my lunchtime companion for a wander in the city. I can't wait to get some of my latest ensembles up on the blog so watch this space.

Honeymooning
Naturally, I've found myself thinking a lot lately about honeymoon destinations over recent weeks. After extensive research, I've sort of got my heart set on Burma. Only problem is, we're getting married in rainy season so we may have to settle for a mini-moon followed by the actual honeymoon later in the year. That is, if I can persuade The Boy that this is the honeymoon he wants too!

Hen Do (Not Hen Don't)
I've also been busy hen do planning with the girls (naturally, I already have a plan) which will obviously include some sort of fancy dress. Not sure on the theme yet but some form of Romy and Michelle/Clueless/Desperately Seeking Susan fashion mash up would be amazing. Fancy dress doesn't have to be tacky, throw in a spot of planning and some creativity and it can actually be great fun.

So there you have it, lots of daydreaming and planning and some real, live cooking! Who would have thought it, there is life outside of the realms of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

You're gonna hear me Roar

Firstly I would like to apologise for how utterly exhausted I look in this images - clearly life is catching up with me at the moment.

This was last weekend when The Boy and I had free tickets to the Ideal Home Show (courtesy of my lovely work colleague). 

At the weekends I love to dress as casual as possible but I am trying to move away from my leggings and jean shorts phase (alas, I am no longer a teenager). I've been living in these jeans from Next lately which I picked them up a couple of weeks back at the last Next sale. They were a steal at only £14 a pair (naturally, I bought them in both a light and a dark wash). They're a relaxed fit, feel really comfy and are somewhat akin to being able to wear pyjama bottoms all day long (it's a yes from me).

I picked up the jumper recently when I had some discount to use in H&M. I'd been toying with the idea of buying it for a while but, again, felt like it was maybe a bit too young for me. But who cares, it's just a bit of fun and I personally think it looks pretty good. And it gives me an excuse to run round the flat singing eye of the tiger all day long (much to The Boy's delight).

Jumper - H&M

Jeans - Next

Bag - Clarks

Trainers - Converse

(links can be found below)

Cleaning out my closet

I read a fantastic blog this past week over on The Man Repeller, entitled "How do you spring clean?" 

I found this post so relatable that it almost made me sick. Talking myself into keeping an inappropriate item of clothing in the off chance I may one day be invited to the perfect occasion? That's me, on an almost daily basis. Namely, all those girly summer dresses that would be perfect for a picnic in the warmer months (obviously I hate feeling hot/eating outside/showing my arms and spend the Summer trying to be no fewer than two metres away from some sort of fan).

Having curled up with the paper a couple of weekends back at my Mum and Dads, I happened to read a very similar wardrobe clear out call-to-arms in one of the Sunday supplements. The message of both these features seems to be clear: I need to get serious about de-cluttering and curb my spending along the way.

With the house move just around the corner (having signed the paperwork it all seems very real) I'm issuing a self imposed spending ban for the month of April. Nothing frivolous or unnecessary will cross the threshold of the flat, as I really should be emptying my already overflowing cupboards and drawers, rather than filling them up again with this seasons "must haves".

That goes for toiletries too, I'm a sucker for a Boots three-for-two.

My week in photos 30

This week has been a pretty good one all things considered. Lots of time spent in the sunshine, plenty of eating (my favourite thing) alongside a bit of stressing about the move and some blazing rows with The Boy - he really does not do well with grown up stuff and signing the paperwork seems to have tipped him over the edge. Never fear though, we're friends again and all is well with the world. We have even made some headway with wedding planning - it seems there are lots of things we actually agree on (which is always an added bonus).

Here's a look at some of the things I've been getting up to.

 Clockwise from top left: Drooling over the salads in Selfridges, gorgeous looking but so far out of my lunchtime price league - New haircare I'm considering trying, anything to fight the frizz - My sweet treat obsession - London in the sunshine

  Clockwise from top left: A Thursday morning store visit to Leadenhall - Naughty breakfast on Saturday, loved every bite and the scales are still somehow going down! - Shopping for gifts - Realising how much I'm going to miss the local market (where fruit and veg is a £1 a bowl) - My latest Primarni necklace - Saturday afternoon wandering in Selfridges - No hangover = an early morning Saturday stroll - Blue skies over Earls Court

Clockwise from top left: Menswear team night out on Friday (I left shamelessly early but still had a fab time) - Frosted glass at our favourite pub in Kensington - Bargain of the day alongside a cheeky G&T - Gorgeous displays at the Ideal Home Show - Realising it's time to pack away the coats - Everyone loves a freebie - Lusting after a jacuzzi (definitely not the most essential purchase for the new house)