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 29

It's been a pretty quiet couple of weeks to be honest, the wedding and the house move are pretty all consuming so there hasn't been much time for photos, but here's a little snapshot of some of the things I've been getting up to lately.

 Clockwise from top left: Cheeky selfie in my new Primark jumper inspired by Milk Bubble Tea - Dreaming up our next travel destination (am thinking maybe Brussels) - Remainders of Bridesmaid Brunch sabotaging my diet - Everybody loves the front seat on the bus (especially if the view is this good) - Learning how to play Top Trumps on a lazy Saturday afternoon in the pub - My handy work on a colleagues birthday cake (turned out a lot better than I had hoped and even managed to stay in one piece on the journey to work) - A cloudy and cold Tuesday morning spend visiting the Bristol stores - A lovely afternoon in the garden in the sunshine, finally finishing my book

 Clockwise from top left: I don't care what anyone says, you can't beat Brinner for Dinner - A Sunday afternoon G&T in a new fave pub on Hayling Island - My current addiction: Mr Tom bars and a banana - A sunny Saturday afternoon at the bros flat in Southampton - Stocking up on wedding lace for the big day - An afternoon by the sea - Rocking my new Primarni necklace - Hitting the carboot sale jackpot 

The Christmas list: Volume 1

We've reached that time of year again when The Boy starts actually paying attention to my ramblings when we are out shopping rather than playing with his phone, which can only mean one thing: he has no clue what to get me for Christmas. 

Now, I actually think I'm easy to buy gifts for (lets face it a girl who loves fashion/reading/writing/bathing is far easier to buy for than a boy who has no hobbies to speak of other than watching TV and reading the occasional graphic novel) but The Boy doesn't seem to think so. So, for those of you out there who are facing a similar conundrum, here's my guide for gifts us girls (me in particular) would love to receive. Just in case anyone's feeling generous.*

1. You can't go wrong with Zara Vouchers
Zara's been on my radar for a while now but it's only really been in the past twelve months that I've become a true, die-hard fan. It's pretty much the only high street store that I want to buy something in every time I pay them a visit, which can't always happen due to my bank balance. More's the pity.

2. Selfridges (aka the shop that has everything)
Whilst we're on gift vouchers I thought Selfridges would be worth a mention. I can spend hours wandering around and the beauty of Selfridges is that it stocks brands at a variety of price points. H&m? Check. All Saints? Check. Chanel? Check. Pretty much a shopaholics dream store.
3. Face Paint
Make-up is quite a personal thing but as long as the colours are nothing too outrageous and the brand is good quality an eyeshadow palette, set of lip glosses or a box set is a great gift. My personal favourites are Benefit who do some nice sets, Mac and Urban Decay.

4. Books
I used to love receiving book tokens when I was younger and I still love them now - I can ALWAYS find a book to buy and spend many an afternoon wandering in Waterstones. I love the idea of a kindle (if only to lighten the load on my poor shoulder) but there's something about actually holding a brand new (or well loved) copy of a favourite tale that, well, just makes me happy.

I recommend The Passage by Justin Cronin (I already have two copies so this is not on my own personal Christmas list but I'd love some more people to talk to about it!).
5. Bath & Body products
My personal favourites are Soap and Glory, Rituals and Body Shop - pretty much anything that smells good enough to eat is fine by me, and most other girls I'm sure. There's normally some nice gift packs available at this time of year which can be great value for money, or, if you can hold of until nearer the day there's usually some fantastic discounts on offer.

6.Cold hard cash
Spring 2013 will (finally) see The Boy and I take a holiday together to New York and I CANNOT WAIT. I find that vouchers have a habit of lurking in the bottom of my handbag for months (why is it that when you have money to spend you can never find anything you want to buy?) but currency for a special trip is always greatly appreciated and can often be put towards a memorable experience or nice dinner.

7. Stocking fillers
There are many inexpensive bits and pieces out there that make great gifts, my favourites are: patterned socks (the cuter the better, there are lots on offer in Primark for mere penny's), pretty pyjamma sets (again, lots of variety at Primark), nail varnishes, and costume jewellery from Freedom at Topshop.

And there you have it. Of course there's plenty more perfect gifts out there for girls but I'll leave it at that or I'll be here all night!

* I will be posting The Christmas list: Volume 2 this week which will have gift suggestions for all the family, so watch this space.

Primark AW12 Preview

 

Last week a very interesting email dropped into my inbox offering up a preview of the AW12 goodies Primark have in-store for us in a few months/weeks time. Now, being a Primarni devotee I normally find quite a few things to catch my eye each season, but AW looks set to see me camping outside the Marble Arch store in the hope of nabbing almost all there is on offer. This season Primark, you've hit the nail on the head - see below for my selection so far.

 Clockwise from top left: Jacket £25 - Dress £26 - Trousers £14 - Shoes £12 - Bracelet £4 - Coat £tbc - Necklace £4 - Top £8 - Shirt £12 - Shoes £15