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.

A world of wonders in Wickham

On Friday I rushed from work, keen for the Bank Holiday weekend to begin, dodged the tourists on Oxford Street and jumped onto the train South. Visiting my Mum and Dad is one of my all time favourite things to do so I'll always leap at the chance for a trip home and beginning my week off with some time in the Heath seemed the perfect way to start.

With our planned carboot rained off on Saturday morning, Mum and I hit Whiteley Village for a spot of girlie bonding before meeting up with Dad for a trip to Wickham, and one of my favourite shopping destinations, Chesapeake Mill.

This treasure trove of all things vintage never fails to leave me dreaming of either a) having my own home to buy antiques for, or b) wanting to open a shop of my own. Maybe one day.

Wickham is not really the place to go if you're feeling particularly skint as the entire village is packed to the rafters with candy box cottages that would make even the most city slick woman dream of a country lifestyle.

Chesapeake Mill is full to the brim of treats - if you don't appreciate the world of vintage I would suggest you look away now...

I think this crockery is absolutely gorgeous and would look amazing on a wooden dresser, or as a signature piece in an otherwise plain kitchen or dining room.

 Although these two dogs are kind of....hideous, I actually love them!

Not everything in the Mill is old, some items are reproductions or boutique items in a "shabby chic" style, which I also really like - as long as these pieces are combined with some older bits and bobs.

Everywhere you look there are patterns and colours to draw you attention.

This cocktail cabinet could look amazing in the right type of house.

On this occasion I came away empty handed (which was more to do with having to catch a train back to London than anything else) but I know I'll definitely be back - Christmas in particular is a great time to visit, especially if you're in search of present inspiration.

To find out more about Chesapeake Mill, visit their website here.

A very spooky Sunday

Last month, The Boy and I did something we've been wanting to do ever since we moved to the area two years ago: visited West Brompton Cemetery to tour one of the Catacombs.

A five minute walk from the flat, we couldn't resist the once in a year opportunity to visit the Catacombs at West Brompton, which run underneath the colonnades around the edge of the cemetery and are usually closed to the public. The Catacombs were used for burials in the 1800s but proved unpopular and most in the cemetery remain almost empty - most people probably don't even realise they exist just metres beneath their feet.

We joined the first tour of the day, led by David Beauchamp, and descended into the almost pitch blackness with some trepidation. The cobwebs, candlelight and just general eeriness were a completely amazing experience and one I'll never forget.

Floral wreaths which were placed on the coffins of loved ones more than 100 years ago remain intact, the flowers dried but keeping their shape, and wooden and metal coffins lie side by side.

Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take pictures in the Catacombs but visiting them was a magical experience and one I won't be able to forget next time we're wandering the cemetery.

Brompton Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven Victorian cemeteries which were built in London's surrounding countryside when burials were banned in the centre of the city in 1830s and is now the only government owned cemetery in the country and forms part of the Royal Parks.

The Boy and I love a weekend stroll in the cemetery, it's overgrown in places but that just adds to its charm.

If you'd like to find out more about West Brompton Cemetery you can do so here.

The Love list: What a girl* wants

My thirtieth birthday is drawing near and I'm being nagged on an almost daily basis by various friends and relatives with the question "what do you want for your birthday?".

The honest truth is I really don't know. Now that I work full time I tend to buy myself the things that I want as and when I save up enough money to afford them so, really, I want for nothing. I'm trying to not really spend, am saving for a both a house deposit and a holiday so basically I'm trying to think through my purchases and not be too impulsive with my shopping.

That being said...there's always the odd treat that catches my eye, so here's what I'm loving lately for all you wonderful people considering buying me something - however, your presence alone at my birthday celebrations is enough of a treat for me.

1. Jewellery
I'm 29 and I'm still wearing costume jewellery. The one piece that I own that doesn't turn my skin green is my watch which The Boy bought me for Christmas and I know I'll cherish and wear forever.

I've been after a pair of gold studs for a while now to replace the pair I wear currently but other than that I like my jewellery to be a little bit different. Not your usual Elizabeth Duke affair.

Here are some of the items I've currently got my eye on.

 Hammered ring - Monica Vinader £50 and  Rio bracelets - Monica Vinader £130 each

I'd love to start collecting jewellery by Monica Vinader and stacking rings and bracelets like these.

2. Grown up pyjamas

 Satin Pyjamas - Victoria's Secret $69.50

I feel like maybe it might be time to throw out the Primark thermal numbers I seem to have lived in since my student years and invest in some real, bonafide grown up pyjamas. These ones come in a variety of patterns and colours.

3. New kicks
I'm on a bit of a health kick at the mo so have been going out running, hitting the bike and just generally trying to get myself moving so I've naturally been leaning more towards gym kit than high fashion items. I've been lusting after some Nike Free Runs for a while now and have finally decided on this pair, perfect not only for a work out but also for the walk home.

Nike Free Run+ 5.0 - £80

4. Perfume
Following being told on a recent night out that my perfume looks like a bottle of Blue Nun (thanks Dan) I've decided that it might be time to change things up a little. One perfume that I've always liked but never really been able to justify buying is J'adore by Dior.

J'adore by Dior - £56 for 50ml

5. Books

My flat is piled high with books covering almost every genre but two more that I'd love to add to my collection are two books by Tim Walker - Story Teller and Pictures, and Grace by Grace Coddington.

 All available on Amazon

So there you have it, all the things I'm currently lusting after but can't really justify treating myself to at the moment, just in case anybody is feeling generous.

*woman