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)

My week in photos 28 (a Janauary round-up)

To say January was busy would be somewhat of an understatement. The Boy and I decided that, having got engaged over Christmas we would: arrange a wedding and put an offer in on a house. Not just in the same month, but both in the same week.

Much stress has followed but we're both feeling pretty happy with how things are going so far. And now that dry January is over we can both toast to the adventures which lie ahead.

We have however found time for all our usual eating and wandering - here's some pictures of all the other things we've been getting up to.

Clockwise from top left: the last of the Christmas eating over mid morning drinks with the girls - New year chilling at home over my favourite short film (and this blogs namesake) - Packing the decorations away for another year - Heading to work when it seemed like everyone was still on holiday - Congratulations corner full of wonderful wishes from our nearest and dearest - Pub tiles on a Saturday explore with The Boy - Porridge on a cold mornings - The January detox

Clockwise from top left: Cold walks with Ma and Pa - Amazing homemade Lamingtons following Australia Day - A misty London morning - Finishing my January read (recommended) over some soup - Wrapped up for a day of house viewings - Experimenting with my new Spiraliser - A lunchtime date with one of my faves at the Wallace Collection - Picked up a book I've been after for ages at the local charity shop

Clockwise from top left: More from the Wallace Collection - Making friends at London Waterloo - Exploring Farnborough - Train journey essentials

Clockwise from top left: Loving this colour palette at Karen Millen for Spring - Hobbs loving with The Fashion Armoire - Finding a new favourite drink over lunch at Ping Pong - Says it all - Church visits for wedding prep - The usual craziness at Selfridges - Giving my cape its first outing - Banana and Blueberry eggy bread at Ma and Pa's

2013, a round up

2013 was a fabulous year, full of firsts, adventures and amazing experiences. Here's a round up of some of my favourite moments from the past twelve months.

2013: Spring

To me, the new year always means days out and nights in as the weather is so cold. The Boy and I spent a white weekend in snowy London town, an evening at the theatre (seeing Wicked, finally) and Zsa stayed over for food, films and a bit of a gossip.

In March we headed to New York as a family and, although it was absolutely freezing we had a marvelous time exploring the city. I took Mum to a spa, The Boy and I tried out an amazing restaurant and we all got to walk the High Line. It was the trip of a lifetime and one we'll never forget.

I particularly loved the graffti that had sprung up on the storm damaged Brooklyn Bridge.

2013: Summer
We spent a week in the Summer visiting various friends all over the country - and I spent a week cooing over a selection of babies and children. Even The Boy came away feeling broody.

On returning to London we whiled away the Summer months doing what we do best: eating and exploring the city. We had my good friend Kat and her son Leo to stay which allowed The Boy to revert back to his childhood, and spend some sunny days playing in the garden with lego and various Poundland remote controlled aircraft. Which was perfect as it meant Kat and I could spend some time laying in the sun.

We checked out Feast with Zsa Zsa and Ben which, although it was delicious, was far too hot for me.

I took Mum to Fortnum and Mason for Afternoon Tea one day in the summer which was amazing and a real treat.

In August Kimmy and I went to Secret Cinema's screening of Dirty Dancing and it was amazing. A great afternoon/evening with great company in the sunshine, you really can't beat it.

2013: AutumnWith Autumn came my thirtieth birthday and with it many a celebration. It all kicked off with birthday drinks in Hammersmith but also included a weekend break to Paris and a trip to Derbyshire with Ma and Pa. It was a wonderful few weeks spend with my absolute favourite people.

In October I ran my second half marathon, the Royal Parks Half in London. It was more of a struggle than last year as it was so hot but I still loved every minute and am considering running it again next year.

2013: Winter
The colder months brought with them lots of gatherings and festivities with friends and family as Christmas got ever closer.

We spent a weekend in Manchester with Sarah and Ryan exploring the Christmas Markets (and basically eating as much as we could), had a big family dinner at Duncans, and Christmas party season kicked off with a bang, it was a great final few weeks of 2013.

And of course the year ended with a proposal, but there will be more on that later.

A week off with my boy: a river walk to Richmond

Every now and then there comes a time when you really, really, need a week off work. A chance to recharge your batteries, get some clarity and spend some time with your nearest and dearest, and last week in the L&F household was just that.

The Boy and I booked the four days following the bank holiday weekend off work and decided to use the opportunity to spend some time in our city, doing all the things we don't do at the weekends because it's always too busy with tourists and Londoners alike.

We started the week with a long walk. 

Training for the half marathon is well under way and although I hadn't planned in any long runs I figured walking as much as we could each day was as good a training as any. So we woke up nice and early and set off along the river to Richmond. 

I particularly love the patch between Hammersmith and Chiswick, the houses are gorgeous, with views of the river and they make me dream of winning the lottery even more so than usual. The Boy and I often take a walk here at the weekend, it's especially pretty at Christmas time when the households decorate their doors with elaborate wreaths and mistletoe.

The walk is about five miles but is so pretty the distance seems to fly by as you go past so many beautiful sights.

The reason for coming to Richmond, aside from sightseeing, was that I wanted to take The Boy to Pig's Ears, a beer cellar, bar and restaurant stocking over 100 different beers from around the world.

We stopped for lunch, the triple pig burger for me (screw the diet, I'm on holiday), while The Boy went for sausage and mash. Both were delicious - we'll definitely be back to sample some more food (and beers) on our next trip down river.

We met up with our friend Andy and walked back towards Kew, where The Boy and I whiled away what was left of the afternoon exploring Kew Gardens in the sunshine.

The day was wonderful, although pretty exhausting and I collapsed into bed pleased with the 12 miles or so we'd walked over the course of the day. It was a great start to the week.

 To find out more about visiting Kew Gardens visit their website, here.