August Favourites

Getting to the end of summer is normally a cause of sadness, but since I love Autumn and I cannot wait to get back in to jumpers I'm glad August is over! Having said all that it has been a particularly good summer and in some ways I will be sad to leave another one behind.

But enough of that - let's crack on with the faves.

Books

I have two time travel books that I have loved this month. Apparently I went searching for this genre for a while! First up is 'The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August' by Claire North. If you love history,suspense and humour then this is the book for you. Working on the idea that there are those among us who can repeat their lives over and over with butterfly effect consequences it is interesting to see the characters develop.

 The second is 'Life after Life' by Kate Atkinson. This novel has been cleverly written so even though you are going over the same life again and again there is always a slight change, making sure you don't get bored. It is also set over WWII which is my favourite period to read about anyway!

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson- I have read a lot of books over my life. Recently it is very difficult to surprise me in novels, I can see what a plot is going, which is why I am including this book in my favourites. Because although I picked it up as a bit of fluff reading two things happened when I read it. 1) I thought I had guessed the plot twist and then it hit me and I was surprised! 2) I read this book in one day. I got home from work and I read it all the way to the end, ignoring the last episode of Glee in favour of this book. That says a lot.

 

The Martian by Andy Weir - Now I read this book last year but thought it might not appeal to all so decided not to include it in my favourites, however with the release of the film I thought I should mention that you should all read the book too! It was a lot funnier than I thought it would be, you almost need to think 'Castaway' on Mars. I am super looking forward to the film but if you do get a chance to read this book, do!

Music

I have been loving summer music with several new favourites that you might like to lend an ear to.

Hungry (Nikias Ibach Remix) - Dotan just makes me want to get up and dance and sway and it makes me wish I'd gone on holiday and played this driving along a coastline.

Listen here!

Peanut Butter Jelly - Galantis is what I like to call 'a good walk to work' song. It's a little bit silly and a lotta bit catchy.

Listen here! 

Unfinished Symphony - The Six is another one of those catchy, dancey songs that I love so much. This one has been around a while but I haven't done a favourites in ages so it has been saved up!

Listen here!

We Ride - Missy Higgins. I found this song through a good old shazam on a youtube video I was watching of someone's world trip. It just provoked all sorts of emotions in me and although I normally try to avoid the slower songs because they make me sad when I only want to be happy, I don't mind with this song.

Fashion

I am quite disappointed with the fashion world right now - if there is one style I really could do without it is 70's fashion. All those browns and suede and yeah I'm not really a fan. I do however need a dress for graduation next month so I've bought the following to try (both Dorothy Perkins):

 Blush Pencil Dress - Was £38 Now £26

Lavender 50's Lace Dress - Was £75 Now £30

Home

I'm including this little beauty in here rather than in 'Books' as the books I write about tend to lean more to the fiction side. This however has taken pride of place in my house where all can see and I LOVE IT. I first found Anna Maes Mac and Cheese a couple of years ago at Glastonbury and I have been an addict ever since. Now I can actually make it their way on my own. With over 50 recipes this is one recipe book that makes me hella happy!

Beauty

I already have another one of these Bourjois lippies and I love it so much I've gone back for more. I love that it goes on like a lipgloss before settling into a matte lipstick. I find it to be quite pigmented, giving a strong colour and it wears for several hours before you need to reapply. I've gone for no 12 - Velvet this time around and I love it.

I am not a big make-up wearer. As I'm sure I've said before when I can remember my 'face' normally consists of eyeliner, mascara and some lippie. If I'm feeling really adventurous maybe some eye shadow. But I went and picked up some new bits from Boots the other day and that included a new mascara which has to be one of the best I've owned. It makes my eyelashes look so long and as it's from the 'Seventeen' brand you don't have to break the bank to buy it. Mine is in the colour Brown Black which has a slightly subtler look than just Black.

 

I hope you have all had a wonderful summer!

C x

Glastonbury Packing List

I've gone a bit Glastonbury mad on the blog this month, but it's hard not to be excited when I know what to expect and that's a whole heap of fun!

I've put together this guide in case this is your first time and just a handy checklist if you are an old timer and want to make sure you have everything before next week!

Backpack

A selection of your favourite festival clothes, you can see mine here.


In the washbag:
Antibacterial gel
Baby wipes
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Deodrant
Razor
Tweezers
Minimal make-up - eyeshadow, eye liner, mascara

For the hair:
Dry shampoo
Hairbrush
Hairties/Hair grips

Randoms:
Torch
Toilet roll
Water bottle
Berroca
Sunglasses
Pen/Paper
Paracetamol
Suncream
Glowsticks
Camera
Phone

Food:
Nutri-grain bars
Multi-pack crisps

To attach:
Sleeping bag
Pillow

If you are going I hope you have such a lovely time and I'll see you on the other side!

C x

Glastonbury O.O.T.F

I am back again this year for my O.O.T.F (Outfit of the Festival). This happens to be one of my most popular posts and also one of my favourites to do as I LOVE shopping and I love sharing my finds with you guys even more!

After a year away from Glastonbury I cannot help but get overly excited about the festival that means so much to me and with only a couple of weeks to go I need to think about packing my bag soon (and then repacking with less items in it!).

SO without further ado here are the outfit choices for Glasto 2015!

Wednesday

As always Wednesday is travel day and I don't know about you but I only ever want to be comfortable when I'm travelling. For this purpose I picked up some on trend print trousers, which I will wear with a black t-shirt. I know from experience that any top you wear normally becomes a little bit sweaty after carrying a heavy backpack so I want something to hide that!

Trousers and T-Shirt

Thursday

The 'getting to explore and drink' day. Every one is starting to gear up for the weekend and people are still arriving and settling in. I'm going for a dress (because I'm hoping for sun!) to lounge around in and hopefully start topping up my tan in!

Floral Dress

Friday

There is going to be a whole lot of jumping around when I see the Foo Fighters on Friday night which only means a dress might not be ideal so I'm braving it once again, the only time I wear them, shorts. These ones are gorgeously crocheted and I will be wearing them with a baggy white T during the day to keep it slightly more casual before changing into something a little more glam for the evening.

White Top and Shorts and Black Top

Saturday

Second day of music and I am planning on going full glam with this gorgeous little dress. I have suddenly remembered that I am a BIG fan of off the shoulder, reminiscent of my younger days when I used to wear little gypsy tops. I'll be spending the day watching George Ezra, Years & Years, Pharrell and Kanye so will be in the party spirit!

Bardot Dress

Sunday

I'm not normally a denim girl but I saw a dress when I was in Primark that I loved! Unfortunately it is not this dress as I cannot find it online but it is similar to the one below with a crotchet neckline and will scale up the festival chic when paired with a white crocheted jacket. What better thing to wear but 70's denim when singing to Lionel Richie on a Sunday afternoon.

 Dress and Jacket

Accessories 

Sunglasses / Hairbands  / Daisy Topknot band

I am trying terribly hard not to over pack this year so will be sticking to what you see here, plus leggings and a big jumper for the evening. As usual I am overcome with excitement and counting down the days! Hurrah!

C x

July Favourites

Not too many favourites this month as I haven't really been here but what I have been loving you will find below!

Music

Only a couple of new songs on the favourites this month, I haven't found a new album I've loved but I'll leave you with these two:

First up - one of my songs of the Summer ~ Milky Chance with Stolen Dance

Secondly - Holdin On by Flume ~ I haven't stopped listening to this and I'm still not sick of it

Books

A very long time ago I started reading a book called 'A Discovery of Witches' and completly loved it. After a little wait Book 2 'Shadow of the Night' came out and finally 2 years later, just in time for my holiday 'The Book of Life' was avaliable. These books written by Debroah Harkness are rich with Vampires and Witches but without the real cheesy-ness of Twilight. There is also a healthy dose of history in there that appeals to my desire to read about the past. These books are brilliant in their detail and also provide you with a romance and passion. My rating: The second book is the best in the series.   

Food/Drink

I hate fizzy water, I just don't get it. However mixed with my new favourite thing ~ Elderflower cordial it's a little bit tasty, very bubbly and makes me happy. It's also a healthier alternative, if like me, you quite like the fizzy pop.

Home

The last thing I need in the house is more mugs but I saw these and they were just too sunshiney to say No to! They also go wonderfully in my Yellow Kitchen and were only a £1 each from Asda. They have sold out of the yellow ones but they do have black ones which you can find here.

Does a month go by without me loving something from Wilkinsons? The homeware section is really good and nice and cheap.

This month I picked up these cute little bowls for £4.50 - perfect for dips when my friends pop over and we demolish a whole bag of kettle chips.

Life

I want to take more time and garden. It would be nice to look out of the kitchen window and not see an overgrown mess. I also want to bring the garden indoors, and my bright idea for this is to grow Chives and Basil in little kilner jars. I just think it will look really cute, and after my last herb garden got knocked off the windowsill by the cat I am taking no chances this time and they are on a shelf. They haven't grown yet but I will keep you updates on the progress!

 Also as many of you will have realised by my many blog posts I have just been on holiday! It was a fantastic holiday, and so lovely to have a chance to relax.

Told you there weren't many ~ also there are no fashion favourites this month as I have already written about all my new clothes purchases for the month here and I'm trying to abstain from buying more! Ha!

C xxx

The Final Day

With a frowny face I awoke on our final day, desperate to try and top up my tan as much as possible before I left.

Our flight wasn't until 9.35 that evening so we had a little bit of time to sit in the sun and take pictures in the grass.

We stopped posing to have some lunch, which was yummy Chicken Lasagne served by my very lovely Grandad.

After saying our goodbyes we headed to the airport to fly home, which was very sad indeed. The mood was not improved when we got to the airport and were told that our plane was delayed for 40 minutes so we wouldn't be flying until 10.15pm. In the end we got back to my parents house at 1.45am so it was a very long day indeed.

It's been such a lovely holiday and I hope you have enjoyed reading about it, I've enjoyed doing these so much - although daily blogging is quite hard! I hope it has been entertaining :)

C xxx

A Trip Down Memory Lane

On our second to last day we decided to take a trip down to Monchique, the village at the bottom of the mountain and my old home.

First we drove down to Caldas de Monchique, it's a tiny little village with a spa and is famous for the water - apparently it has healing properties...

...what it definitely has is lovely picturesque areas.

We had a walk round and bought a few bits and pieces before getting back in the very hot car and heading to Monchique where we stopped off at some of my favourite places and had an ice-lolly. Monchique really is a beautiful place and I was so lucky to be able to spend time there.

Once we got back to the Villa we had a splash in the pool before getting changed for mine and Leigh's anniversary meal, which the whole family was invited to as it was also our last night!

We headed to a restaurant called Solar Do Farelo, with as much wine as you can drink with your meal on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays so we took advantage of that!

We chose our starter and mains from the blackboard, there is only one blackboard and no menus so the owner comes to your table with it and talks you through the options and reads the specials before noting down your order.

I went for the Prawn Cocktail to start and Leigh went for the Wild Boar Salad, both of which were delicious. Sometimes I find you don't get enough prawns in your Prawn Cocktail but I had 10 massive ones so I would highly recommend it if you decide to go.

After a very tasty starter we moved on to the main course. I had duck with orange sauce, which was cooked perfectly and so lush with the sauce. Leigh had Oxtail Stew which was one of the specials.

 

We had such a lovely meal and I would highly recommend going there if you are in the Algarve. Remember to book though because it gets very busy!

 After we went back to the villa we spent a little bit of time looking up at the stars which were out in their millions. It is so lovely to be in a place where there is no light pollution and you can even see the Milky Way spread across the sky which is beautiful and a lovely end to our four year anniversary.

C xxx

A Very Full Day

After an earlier start and a slightly hurried breakfast the family set off en masse to Lagos. For as long as I can remember we make our pilgrimage to Don Sebastios, one of our favourite restaurants in the Algarve.

We are well known there and have our own table, being greeted like old friends when we get there. Before we sit down for lunch we always go to the same bar which is perfectly positioned with it's sitting area to  people watch, which my mother and grandmother do with relish.

They also do pretty big beers there too, which matches perfectly with my pretty big hat....

After we finished our drinks Leigh and I had a walk down the back streets until we came across one of my favourite artists shop. I have been buying this ladies paintings for nearly 10 years and every time I return I buy a new one. I have quite a collection at home! This time I picked a slightly different one, as I normally go for street scenes, but it will go beautifully in our pale yellow kitchen.

We had a quick walk around some of the other shops before heading over to the restaurant to meet the others. We walked in and started naming all fish instantly, I like fish but I have real issues with picking my own!

We sat down and tucked into fresh bread, cheese, olives and chorizo which cooks on your table. I tried not to eat too much as I didn't want to ruin my main course!

I had what I always have, seafood rice. It comes in a big pottery pot and includes crab, mussels, prawns,  langoustines and clams all mixed in with tomato flavoured rice. It is by far one of my favourite ever meals and made even better by the big bib and tools you get to eat it with.

We always have figs and walnuts to finish, served with a glass of 'on the house' port or amaretto. We all took turns trying to crack as many nuts as possible.

After finishing our glorious meal we headed down to the seafront for ice-cream. I got Rum and Raisin as it's my favourite, but not one you find very often.

Feeling very, very full we headed back to the Villa where we spent a nice evening watching films, whilst I did a food shop. All very glamorous.  

C xxx