A country carnival

Back in November The Boy and I went on our annual pilgrimage to Somerset for carnival.

Now, I know this post is late, and I know it's hardly worth posting now that so much time has passed but you know what? I don't care so I'm going to post this anyway.

I love the floats and every year just gets better and better, here's some pics of my favourites from 2013.

We headed down on Thursday evening for a three day break with The Boy's family, which I usually class as the first activity of the Christmas lead up, even though it takes place in mid November.

Friday was Wells carnival so we all wrapped up warm and picked a spot close to a pub for refreshments but also close enough to the carnival route to provide ample viewing. I obviously insisted The Boy buy me a balloon (I'm a child at heart).

On Saturday we celebrated Gerald's birthday with a trip to a local restaurant where much merriment ensued, finished off with cocktails and dancing in The Boy's parents living room - you just can't beat a night spent with family, even if it does leave you a tad worse for wear the following morning.

With a raging hangover we then enjoyed a Sunday birthday buffet followed by a trip to see Grandad and Philly, and getting the coach back to London on Sunday evening.

It was a wonderful weekend and nice for us all to be together again, the perfect start to the Christmas festivities.

My week in photos 27 (Christmas)

Apologies that this post is so looooooooooong overdue but Christmas was a pretty crazy (but lovely) time, packed full of things to keep me away from the computer.

We spent a whirlwind week visiting friends and family across Southern England, ate and drank far too much, and decided that next year we all need to set ourselves spending limits on the Christmas gifts - as the conservatory ended up resembling Santa's grotto and the drive back to London was pretty cramped to say the least.

Something extra special took place on Christmas day (more on that later) but in the mean time here are some of my fave snippets from the festive season.

 Clockwise from top left: Father and the Bro - Christmas at Dunc's - Messing around on Christmas day - Me and Slates at the Christmas party - The start of festive food - Seasonal branding - Homemade rocky road - Can't beat a bit of festive knitwear

 Clockwise from top left: Christmas jumper day - A spot of cooking with my Boy - Prepping the table for Christmas at Dunc's - Youngsters night in on the Saturday before Christmas - Stonehenge on Winter Solstice - Christmas eve glam - My little tree in London town - Secret Santa's all round

  Clockwise from top left: The two Mothers share a romantic moment - Flooding on the allotment - A pre-Christmas pub lunch - The two boys on Christmas morning

 Clockwise from top left: Kimmy and I get festive - Games and gifts galore - Another culinary masterpiece by Dunc - A Christmas day stroll with the family - Christmas day drinks with friends -Ma and Pa strike a pose - Me and Mum - Playing a complex game of "The Kitchen"

 Clockwise from top left: Dressed to impress at the engagement party - Snuggled at home by the tree - Any excuse for some sequins - London at night

A weekend with Ma and Pa

Back in November, Mum and Dad came to visit. It had been a while and the rentals were keen to kick start the Christmas period with a visit to the bright lights of the big smoke.

They arrived on the Thursday evening and spent both Thursday and Friday sightseeing with some friends before meeting me and The Boy after work for a catch up dinner. And aside from some drunken behaviour from Dad (and you Stewart) everything went off without a hitch.

We started the day with a surprise for M & D: a mid morning drink at Aqua at the Shard.

Too bright for me

Recommended to me by my friend Mikaila Aqua at the Shard is a bar and restaurant that sits atop the tallest building in London where you can book an area (or not) and take in the scenery. The views are spectacular, and all the more enjoyable because you don't have to pay for the privilege.

The Boy went for a cocktail, whilst the rest of us stuck to tea - after a few too many the night before, Dad most definitely needed to be on his best behaviour!

Next came a wander around Borough market, which was heaving with people keen to pick up a pre-Christmas bargain or two, so we didn't stay for long. Just long enough to try a few samplers and take a few pics before the pub was calling to the The Boy and we headed off to try a few ales.

We stayed a while at the Royal Oak, discussed Dads bad behaviour the night before, Christmas present ideas and both Mum and Dads trepidation about Dim Sum for lunch, a food choice neither of them are sure of.

We headed back central to Chinatown for a spread of deliciousness we thought they might like and, crazily enough both Mum and Dad loved lunch. We ordered Dim Sum galore and everyone gobbled it down - so quickly that we didn't even take any pictures. The day continued with a trip to Selfridges, the Christmas lights of Oxford Street and the wonderfully festive windows at Harrods, before heading home and curling up in front of a film for the evening. It was a lovely way to start the season.

Childhood friends

Back in September when I was taking part in the Blogtember challenge I wrote about my beloved, well worn teddy bear, whom I've loved for all the thirty years of my life. So, it was great to read in a recent copy of Stylist magazine, that I am not alone in holding on to this constant companion and link to my childhood.

Much Loved, a book filled with images of long-loved toys compiled by Mark Nixon really pulled at my heart strings, with many of the bears looking not dissimilar to my very own Teddy, and reminded me of my many others, who now reside in the loft of my parents house.

Nixon's images in particular reminded me of one lonesome bear who didn't even originally belong to me. I found Lonely Ted whilst helping Mum at the jumble sale and vowed that if he hadn't found a home by the end of the sale I would take him home with me. He wasn't particularly special, he wasn't even new, he just needed a home, and I'm a sucker for a lost toy.

So, you can see why this book really tugs at my heart strings. Here's some of my favourite images from the book.

 Much Loved by Mark Nixon is available to purchase on here.

My week in photos 26 (November, a round up)

So, I gave myself November off.

To be totally honest, I'm not sure what happened. I got caught up in Christmas shopping, a visit to Somerset, a London weekend with my family....time simply ran away with me and before I new it it was December 1st and a whole month had passed by with very little blogging. That's not to say I hadn't wanted to write. As usual many an idea had buzzed around my head, longing to make it onto the pages of Lost & Found but, to put it simply, I didn't manage my time very well and now I find myself well and truly in the festive season with a blog that still lacks refreshment.

So, as I find myself spending a dark and cold Friday afternoon on a train travelling back from a whirlwind visit to Newcastle, with my manager sleeping soundly beside me, what better time to reacquaint myself with my lovely little blog.

As it's been a while, I thought I'd do a round up of the month of November rather than a weekly post, so here's a glimpse of all that I've been up to.

 Clockwise from top left: An Autumnal stroll through the streets of West London - On my reading list - An early morning pitstop at a Harry Potter London landmark - Finally tried out Shake Shack with Jade and AP, and now all I can think about is going back

  Clockwise from top left: A gorgeous Enid Blyton Christmas tree at Kilver Court - My new Primark boots - The delicious chicken noodle soup at Suzu in Hammersmith - Healthy desktop breakfast - Making calorific treats for the family - A healthy lunch from Pret - An evening stroll past Buckingham Palace - A little retail therapy from Cos

  Clockwise from top left: My Halloween ensemble - A cutie from New Look that is most definitely on my Christmas list - Black forest hot chocolate from Costa, my new addiction - The Fortnum and Mason Christmas tree, what a beaut