My week in photos 19

This week has been majorly busy: we were away at our one-and-only wedding of 2013 last weekend, I finished at All Saints on Wednesday and started at Reiss on Thursday, we met the sis for dinner and I went for leaving drinks in Shoreditch on Friday night.

What is it about new jobs? I have spent the past two days so tired that I'm almost asleep on my journey home every evening. I guess trying constantly to make a good impression takes it out of you. 

This weekend will be used mostly for catching my breath before my first full week starts on Monday. Even though I'm exhausted, I am loving every minute and am looking forward to the new challenges on their way.

Here's some pictures of what I've been getting up to, wearing, liking and loving over the past week:

 Clockwise from top left: A sunny walk last Friday - The first Pimms of the Summer - Blue skies over West London - A beautiful bloom

 Clockwise from top left: A Lebs lunch on my return to central London - My first day ensemble - Cooking dinner for The Boy - Drinks in the sunshine - Chicken burger at GBK - A gorgeous leaving cake by the wonderful Lizzie - A cocktail reception - The new office

Clockwise from top left: Ice cream with the sis - New shoes - Leaving presents, they know me so well - LOVE this card in Selfridges - Second day ensemble - Oysters on the Kings Road - A casual look for the weekend - Blossoms 

This week brings The Boy's birthday, which is always busy, so expect another picture packed post next week.

It's always darkest before the dawn

As most of you may know, the past week marked a turning point in my life: I started my new job.

I love Hobbs but the past few months have been far from happy ones for me and I had come to the conclusion long ago that maybe it was time for a change. Luckily for me, one of my favourite brands, All Saints, were looking for an Assistant Store Planner and wanted little old me for the role. It's still early days but so far I'm loving it, the people are great and the role has reignited my passion for branch merchandising which Caroline (my old manager, now friend) started all those years ago.

No longer am I working in the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, instead I'm based in the heart of east London. Which is bound to be good for my bank balance (and my sanity), as no longer will I be tempted by bargain basement stores, or have to battle though the shoppers they attract on my nightly commute. I'm really enjoying exploring the area and spent my day off last Monday taking a look around. Here's what I've found so far.

 Rough Trade - a perfect spot to while away my lunch break.

 Beyond Retro - a vintage mecca for me to explore, the only thing missing was Zsa Zsa and Rebeccs to keep me focussed (and away from the leopard print).

I can already sense that the bagel shops are going to become my weakness - this salt beef, pickle and mustard bad boy will definitely be happening again.

Unexpected graffiti has long been a favourite spot of mine - now there's almost up-to-the-minute artworks being created right on my doorstep.

The advertising for Margiela with H&M was really innovative and once I'd spotted one I couldn't help but find more - I hope to see more exciting retail innovations going on in the area.

We finished the afternoon in The Craft Beer Co (somewhere I know The Boy is anxious to get back to) which I loved as it reminded me of some of the many, many, pubs I've been to with Dad over the years.

What are your highlights and recommendations for East London?

My week in photos 10

I had big plans for posting a series of blogs this past weekend but my phone decided to die on me on Saturday night, so my free days were mostly spent trying to arrange a replacement and persuade Orange to not charge me £50 for the pleasure. Now that that's taken care of, I finally have a chance to tell you about what I've been up to.

Clockwise from top: My morning commute (Ben Howard and fashion magazines, always) - A gorgeous dinner cooked by The Boy, featuring my new fave pasta shape - The Natalie O'Hare event at Warehouse - Coveting this gorgeous digital print top at All Saints - A celebratory treat

The past few weeks have mostly revolved around catching up with friends/emails/TV shows that I'd missed during the madness of half marathon training. 

Thanks to my friend Mary Anne I am finally catching up with Gossip Girl (I stopped watching somewhere around season 3) so needless to say I am (again) desperate to go back to New York. Not helped by the fact that Mary Anne has spent the past weekend in the big apple, so I have many a story to look forward to when she returns to work tomorrow, coupled with my brothers trip there in November. Man life is hard. Still, I shall be venturing Stateside in the Spring so will be throwing myself into planning to occupy my (jealous) mind.

I had a lovely post planned on the amazing Lulu Frost for Whistles launch night that I went to with the wonderful Hannah last week but alas the phone issue put paid to that idea. All that remains is this one, poor quality, picture of this gorgeous necklace I was admiring on the night (and on my trips to Whistles since then). At £150 it's a little out of my price range but still, a girl can dream.

Clockwise from top left: My gorgeous new shoes (from Primark no less) - Pretty wild flowers outside the doctors surgery - Random sites make my morning commute, I love London - Sheep on Oxford Street, of course!

I went to a few events this week and visited a few stores for work but generally I seem to have mostly spent the week pottering around, not spending money (which can only be a plus point).