My week in photos 22

This past week or so has been busy...and hot. 

London for the last few weeks has been hot and humid but not necessarily sunny, mores the pity. Finding ensembles for work has again been a challenge, especially when you want to walk the four miles home without having to carry a suitcase full of work wear all the way.

As usual I've been seeing friends and eating out (a lot) but I have been exercising more and more, which I'm loving. The half-marathon inches ever closer and if I'm to beat my time from last year I need to step it up a gear. 

Here's a little snapshot of what I've been getting up to (mostly eating and taking lotd pictures).

Clockwise from top left: My return to central London has of course meant a return to Lebs lunches - A casual weekend ensemble - Happy Fathers Day to my amazing Dad - Taking Grandad for dinner at the Sussex Brewery

Clockwise from top left: The Summer sales are here - A Wimbledon related celeb spot in Selfridges - My new blender gets its first outing - Another amazing window display at Selfridges - The sunsets over the rooftops of London - A quick selfie - Loving the latest campaign by Fuller's London Pride - Sightseeing on my journey home

 Clockwise from top left: Tired eyes on a Sunday morning - A Healthy Friday night dinner - Chocolate cheesecake at dinner with Grandad - Krispy Kreme's in the office, my kind of workplace

A Saturday in my city

A couple of weeks back was the first weekend in a while when The Boy and I were at home, didn't have much planned and were free to come and go as we pleased. As it turned out we spent a lot of time catching up with friends but still fitted in some time wandering in our city.

On Saturday we'd been invited to go and sample breakfast at a recently opened hotel in Chelsea but the less said about that the better (a generally uncomfortable experience that left The Boy and I looking for the exit). 

To be totally honest, I wish we'd stayed at home and eaten The Boy's amazing cooked breakfast (scrambled eggs to die for). 

But oh well, you live and learn.

After our escape we strolled along to the Kings Road, went to the cinema and then did a spot of shopping before checking out what is sure to become one of The Boy's favourite drinking spots, Cask in Pimlico.

 We paused to watch a Wedding party at the Town hall

 Managed to resist many a delicious looking treat at the Partridges Food Market in Duke of York Square (on every Saturday and definitely worth a visit if you're in London and are a bit of a foodie, like me)

 We stopped by the (surprisingly quiet) Saatchi Gallery - always a favourite

From the Kings Road we wound our way through Victoria to Westminster, I showed The Boy my secret photo spot by the houses of parliament, before heading up to Soho where we met some friends for an evening of unplanned merriment (the best kind).

 Cask - an absolute gem of a pub in Pimlico

I loved the walk and always enjoy a spot of sightseeing with my Boy, maybe flip flops weren't the most suitable footwear but all in all a pretty good day, which ended eating chocolate in bed watching A Time To Kill - bliss.

A sprinkle of magic

When I spent some time at home the other week I finally got to visit the now legendary Sprinkles Gelato in Portswood.

Now, I realise I am somewhat late to this particular party (as I found out when we couldn't even get a table and were forced to eat our food in the car) but if you live anywhere even remotely near Southampton you simply have to pay Sprinkles a visit. 

The ice cream selection alone is incredible but when you factor in all the different dessert variations on offer you can easily see why a move to the area would not be good for the waistline.

The cupcakes looked delicious but I went for a waffle with banana, ice cream, nutella...the works, It was AMAZING. The Boy tried a cup with two different flavours (I forget which) whist The Bro went for a Crepe.

The Boy and I often frequent the various Gelato shops in and around London (La Gelatiera being a firm favourite) but it's nice to know there's somewhere just as good to visit when we return home - we shall definitely be back.

Find out more about Sprinkles Gelato here.

My week in photos 21*

Life has been pretty crazy recently, with long hours at work and lots of get togethers with friends. 

The weekend before last was the first one in a while where I saw friends everyday and barely caught up on missed sleep from the week before. I loved it but it's fair to say that Monday at work was a struggle.
The British weather continues to frustrate (I say whilst wearing sandals and a scarf) as we inch closer to Autumn with so far no real sign of Summer. I have the desire to buy "stuff" but as Zara is going on sale tomorrow I'm trying to hold off.

The Boy and I headed to the cinema last Saturday to check out the new Michael Douglas film - based on the life of Liberace and also starring Matt Damon. It was a slightly camper offering than The Boy's usual choices but we both really enjoyed it. This week: Man of Steel.

Here's some pictures of what I've been getting up to lately.

Clockwise from top left: Dinner mostly consists of salad (sometimes with a side of MIC) - Flowers in bloom - The first car boot of the season (at last) - A little studded number from H&M

Clockwise from top left: Dragon Flower tea at Ping Pong - A night out with the girls - Breakfast with The Boy - A new favourite drinking den - Dim Sum with the work crew - A new friend - An impromptu night in Soho with the gang

*better late than never

A week in Wales

Last week The Boy and I packed our bags and hit the road to take a well earned break and visit some friends in Wales.

Having not really driven for a year or so I must admit I was pretty anxious about getting back behind the wheel but thanks to the satnav we got there safe and sound.

The first stop was Penarth, somewhere that holds a special place in my heart, to visit our good friends Joe and Rox and their gorgeous daughter Edna. The view from their house out across the bay was amazing and one I could have looked at for hours and Penarth itself is such a wonderful, old-fashioned place that I immediately felt right at home.

  The Marine Building - a now abandoned Victorian hotel and the "Old Summer House" - a derelict Victorian billiard room on a cliff overlooking the marina, the beach in the afternoon sun

 Penarth Pier and seafront

 A pit stop at this beautiful lake somewhere in mid-Wales

 Sightseeing in the rain at Devil's Bridge Falls

 The drive to Aberystwyth through deepest darkest Wales

The drive up to Colwyn Bay was long and winding, made even more treacherous due to the torrential rain but thanks to some new songs on the ipod and a well stocked bag of sweets The Boy and I made it in one piece, taking in some amazing views along the way.

 The view at Jody and Olga's in Colwyn Bay

Just when I thought I'd seen enough sea-views to last me a lifetime we arrived at Jody and Olga's to be greeted by a panoramic view of Colwyn Bay, complete with wind turbines and fishing boats.  It was simply breathtaking and, coupled with the most comfortable bed ever, was one of the best places I've ever stayed.

New York in March was unbelievable and this was a different type of holiday entirely but none the less special. It was great to get to spend some time with The Boy and visiting close friends is always a nice way to truly relax. Work today was a slight struggle and I'm already planning my next holiday - even if it's just a weekend this time round.