Snippets from Summer

Here's a few shots of from our holiday in Cornwall.

We were very lucky with the weather, it had been miserable for weeks but we had blue skies for the entirety!

Port Isaac - where Doc Martin is filmed

Fresh shellfish at Port Isaac Harbour

A beautiful cove outside of Newquay called Lusty Glaze!

St Michael's Mount near Penzance

People walking along the causeway at St Michaels Mount - we got the boat!

St Ives

We stayed at a uber child friendly hotel called Sands just outside of Newquay. I had been so worried about the weather I wanted somewhere with things for kids to do just in case. It's a friendly, welcoming, great value hotel with loads of facilities and can see why it's won it's many tripadvisor awards. Their outside space for kids was amazing with zipwires, bouncy castle, swimming pool, tennis courts etc.

We've decided though that next time we want to try the Watergate Bay Hotel a few further miles up the coast. It's had a major revamp and the new decor is gorgeous - fun and fresh with lots of bold striped wallpaper, floor boards and a hit of nautical. I think it gets the balance of child friendly and chic just right.

It's right on the beach at Watergate Bay (obvs!) and across the road from Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant where we had an amazing dinner one night watching the surfers until it grew dark.

The balcony bar at Watergate Bay Hotel

Dinner at Watergate Bay Hotel

Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall

Lusty Glaze at sunset

Our last supper at Lusty Glaze, steak and seafish on hot stones

We loved it and will definitely be back next year, fingers crossed the weather is kind to us again!

I'm back! And Happy Monday!

Phew! What a month August has been, all that packing, sorting and cleaning whilst juggling the children on their school holidays, then our week away to the Cotswolds and then moving house the very next day! It's been hectic to say the least! We got back on the internet a few days ago but I must confess I have been very much enjoying catching up with everyone else's blogs before my own!
Over the next few days I will be posting about our exploring of the Cotswolds and also all about our lovely new home...it's good to be back!
Image via weheartit

Sweet Sunday

Laid back Sundays are the best and I could quite easily drift off here...

I really have a thing for bordered bedlinen, so smart, classic and cool. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend x

Image courtesy of Meredith Hutchison, via Veranda

Happy Friday!

My best friend's little boy turns 4 this week and we can't wait to celebrate on Sunday as he's having a lovely outdoor party. What a lucky boy to have his birthday in July.

Joseph (left, my eldest), Johnny (centre, the birthday boy) and his little brother Harrison (the one with two pairs of glasses on his head)

After being introduced to the wonderful blog Stella Cake by the equally talented Tracey at Procrastination Mama, I am tempted to make this cake for it, I know the boys would LOVE it!

What are you up to this weekend? Hope it's wonderful! x

Lavender after the Rain

Our English Summer has taken a turn for the worst this week but one thing I love at this time of year is the smell of the flowers after a rain shower; the grass, the roses and especially the lavender. I have just dropped Jackson off to nursery and the pathway leading to the nursery door is lined with the most gorgeous smelling lavender which has lifted my spirit after a very early morning and Jackson nearly setting the house alight (but that's another story). Happy Thursday x

Image courtesy of We Heart It

Happy Friday

It's sooo hot here today! I am getting my chores and errands out of the way (I say, still sitting here on the laptop with my feet up) so we can enjoy the weekend which will, I am sure, include dinner out with the girls, a bbq, a picnic and a 5 year old's birthday party on a farm - as any good summer weekend should! Whatever you are doing I hope you have a wonderful weekend xxxxxxx

I'm in love...

...With this stunning rug from Anthropology. To me it just shouts summer. What do you think?

Today's Dawn Chorus

It's going to be a hot one today. If I'm lucky I'll find time to curl up somewhere cool with a good glossy magazine. Happy Thursday!!

A Summer's Sky

Gorgeous Powder Blue is the colour I am feeling today - just like an English Summer's sky it is reflective  and calming. I especially love these last photos of this breathtaking open plan room with stunningly coloured floor but all of them are perfect for a good book and a snooze...! x 

Images via Caitlin Wilson Designs, Things That Inspire, Habitually Chic, My Home Ideas x

A Summer's Weekend

We spent a glorious saturday with the boys, going on a long walk around the woods and parkland we are lucky enough to have up the road from us. There is such a beautiful field there with great views of the downs which is perfect for picnicking and a great children's play area to keep the young ones happy. Surprisingly enough no-one was there so it felt like the whole park was our back garden!

Grandad visited in the evening and for the price of a ham & potato salad he sat with the boys while we went over the road to our favourite restaurant, Souffle, on the other side of The Green. We even managed to bag a table on the patio and had the perfect summer's evening. I had crab spring rolls with mango chilli salsa to start, luke had asparagus tart with asparagus on the side topped with poached egg - gorgeous. Then I had lamb and luke had fillet of beef but the creme de la creme was the Passionfruit Souffle which, ironically, is the most perfect thing in the restaurant. I can't even remember what Luke had for dessert as we had drunk too much wine by then! Hope you had a good weekend too?! x

Sunny Holidays

The boys are currently on half-term and Joe had his friend over for the night last night - we had a bbq, they played football on the green and are now nagging me to go on a picnic (which we will as soon as little legs wakes up!). It's a beautiful day so we must make the most of it! Happy Friday! xx

Images via atticmag and summerhouse

Today's dawn chorus

We are lucky enough to live just a couple of miles away from Leeds Castle, it is a beautiful place with equally beautiful grounds. There is a Home & Garden fair on there today and the sun is shining so we are off to see what we can spy. It is going to be very hot today so a picnic is calling! I must try not to come back laden with too much stuff!

Flying the nest

Just some photos of some pretty things from my wedding day x