New season loveliness form Mango

The Summer heatwave seems to be over and although it's still somewhat humid on the tube, I can sometimes feel a chill in the air on my early morning commute. I've been through my wardrobe, my Winter boots are at the ready and I've stocked up on September issues to see what the season has in store.

The new season preview by Mango tends to always catch my eye and this season is no different, it's all leather, plaid, oversized coats and denim. Definitely my kind of thing.

Here are some of my favourite looks (which may, or may not end up in my Winter wardrobe).

To view the full AW13 collection preview visit the website here.

Time for tea: Fortnum and Mason with Mother

I love spending time with my Mum and Dad, as my many, many trips home each year prove, but this last Thursday I decided that with Dad and The Boy at the Great British Beer Festival it was time for some quality mother-daughter bonding.

Finishing work at one, I rushed down to Piccadilly where I scooped up a rather bewildered looking Mother from in amongst the tourists and headed straight for Fortnum and Mason ready to enjoy a spot of afternoon tea.

Having been to afternoon tea in London before with my best friend last year, I knew what to expect and was sure it was an experience Mum would love, and I wasn't disappointed.

Afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason is nothing but class, all duck egg china and grandeur, not what we're used to at all but a lovely change all the same. 

With 85 different teas to choose from, Mum and I spent a while deliberating, but I decided to start with the Wedding Breakfast Blend - made to celebrate William and Kate's wedding. How very regal.

We went for the traditional Afternoon Tea, which includes five different types of sandwich, fruit and plain scones, jam, clotted cream, and assorted cream cakes and pastries. Basically a dieters nightmare but we all deserve a treat from time to time.

Everything seemed so small and delicate but each item was delicious and filling, so maybe the second plate of sandwiches we ordered was something of a mistake!

I went for this raspberry topped beauty from the cake trolley - but took it home to enjoy later, as I was feeling well and truly stuffed. Mum took a slice of the Battenberg for Dad to enjoy on the train home.

The special touches, like this art deco tea strainer, really added to the glamour of the whole experience, especially when drinking my Black Tea with Apple which included chunks of real apple.

Our table over looked the Royal Academy and was perfect for people watch, both inside and outside the tea salon.

The Tea Salon was really a beautiful place to while away a few hours - I'll definitely be back.

We left full and happy, took a stroll around the shop and admired things we could never dream of affording, before ambling across to the Royal Academy for Mum to see the amazing textile adorning the front of the building as part of their Summer exhibition.

I must confess these pictures were taken on a different day - as the London weather decided it was time to pour down just as we headed outside, but you get the idea.

It was a lovely afternoon of nattering, delicious food and exploration in London town. We met the boys at Kensington Olympia at 6pm, having walked the whole way from Piccadilly, through Knightsbridge and along High St Kensington, for a brief catch up before Mum and Dad headed off to catch their train home.

The only downside was that the whole day felt like a Friday, which was a shock when I woke up the following morning and realised there was still one more day until the weekend. Damn it.

On Sundays, We Feast

Today's post is long, long, long overdue. Three weeks to be exact. 

But oh well, with all this sunshine comes many an excuse for a nap/ice cream/shower so blogging has taken somewhat of a backseat. Again.

A few weekends back, it was pretty much the first hot day of the heatwave that currently has London in its grips, so I slathered myself in sunscreen and headed East with The Boy. We wound our way to Brick Lane to meet Sasha and Ben, our two favourite foodies, to try out all the delights on offer at Feast, a regular London food festival.

I was moaning before we'd even got inside, it was simply too hot I tell you, but overall uncomfortableness aside, we dashed in and grabbed the nearest table with a patch of shade and did what we do best: eat.

First, The Boy rushed off and bought coconuts for us all to cool off, whilst Ben went on a whistle stop tour of the East End in search of a cashpoint (standard).

 We started off with these little morsels of deliciousness from Yum Bun - handmade steamed buns filled with slow-roasted Blythburgh belly pork, spring onions, cucumber and hoi sin sauce. One word: yum.

 The setting was really cute and kitsch, but far too hot for me.

 I finally got to try the delicious When Mac Met Cheese (more of that later).

 Tempting rainbow-coloured treats by Meringue Girls

 The Boy gobbled down a ginormous hot dog from Big Apple Hot Dogs, surprisingly similar to the ones we had on holiday in March.

The Carlos the Cactus by When Mac Met Cheese - mature cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella and jalapenos, definitely worth waiting more than a year to try...

...even more so the deep fried oreos and macancini's.

 Zsa mentioned that it's impossible to take a picture of her and Ben where they are both actually posing... I guess that's still true.

My little beaut contemplating her next snack.

 Getting hot and bothered at Patty and Bun.

 A Black Pudding Scotch Egg from Monikers - a tasty treat.

 The Boy has found his calling.

 Desperately trying to keep my cool...and failing miserably.

 All finished off with a lamb wrap from....somewhere that I can't remember! Clearly my memory deserted me after my belly reached a certain level of overindulgence.

We rounded the day off with full bellies, another paper hat, a spot of heatstroke and a Wimbledon win. All in all, the perfect Sunday - even if it was a few degrees too hot for my liking.

Feast is a London food experience - bringing together the capitals street food favourites, all in one unique venue. I'd definitely go again, it was a great opportunity to try food from some of the cities hot cafe's and kitchens without the 3 hour queue, which can only be a good thing. Find out more about Feast here.

A place in my heart for Hobbs

With all this warm weather, naturally I can only think of one thing: when is Autumn coming? 

Sure I love nothing more than lounging outside when it's warm (albeit you'll find me in whatever patch of shade I can find) but working in this heat? No no no. Beachwear is not workwear ladies.

Therefore most day's you'll find me dreaming of what type of coat I'll buy in September or what shade of wool I'll buy to persuade Mother to knit me another snood, so these AW13 press images from Hobbs have got me even more excited about the prospect of colder weather.

Hobbs has seen a real change of pace over the past year or so, creating even more gorgeous pieces that would fit into many a women's wardrobe (and I'm addicted to their instagram account for style inspiration).

Here are some of my favourite looks for the upcoming season.

To be the first to know about the release of all these upcoming looks and more, sign up for the mailing list or visit the Hobbs website (there's still many a bargain to be found in the sale if you're quick!).