17.11.13 | LATELY

Here's what this past month or so looked like:

We took a trip to the sea life center in Brighton.

22.07.13 | LATELY

Summer time & the living is easy - well slower anyway!

Parks, picnics, beaches and ice lollies are pretty much all we plan on doing whilst this heat is here, which is fine by us!

oh, and we finished a little DIY of our stair case - take a peek (grainy iphone pic) ...

05.06.13 | A LITTLE TASTE OF SUMMER

Finally, right?! 

Yes, the sun did indeed shine. I've got to hand it to Mother Nature as this time around, her timing was fantastic. Before we knew it we were sat on a beach, ice-creams in hand watching the birds fly & the waves lap.

Lazy days were filled with sunny walks, we lazed around making daisy caterpillars, we cooked bangers in the garden & the children played croquet (of sorts) on the lawn - how very civilised! 

C and I even scheduled in a couple of evenings out and one night we ate at Efes which is a tiny Turkish family run restaurant in the middle of Worthing. If you are ever that way, you should make a visit because the food is seriously good. Efes is a real hidden gem and I can't wait to go back later in the summer (I'm now also desperate to try & re-create some Turkish recipes at home!) The following night we grabbed a take-away and went to watch the sun set on the beach - bliss.

It was a lovely couple of days away, isn't it amazing what a little sunshine can do?

29.01.13 | LATELY

We took a trip to @bristol. Awesome as always.

28.02.13 | A DAY FOR NEW FRIENDS

On Monday of this week, I was lucky enough to join the very lovely Fritha, Abi and Nell for a day out at the Thermae Spa. I've lived in Bath since Florence was 8 weeks old and in all those 6 years I've never once visited (I know, crazy). So after a frantic school run and one huge buzerko tantrum from India, I was more than ready to chill out and have some child free time amongst new friends.

The spa was / is just beautiful and as soon as I stepped into those hot mineral waters i knew i wanted to stay there for well, days actually! Again, why have i not been before?! 

Within minutes of our guided tour ending, we were relaxing in the indoor pool area chatting about everything and anything from embarrassing waxes (me) Bath rugby team (Abi) and having more babies (er, definitely not me). I'd not actually met Fritha or Nell previously, yet it was instantly as comfortable a vibe as if i was there half naked with my closest and oldest girl friends (it's a funny experience meeting someone for the first time in just your cozzie)...

After we had taken a dip on the rooftop pool we headed to the most amazing steam rooms i have ever been in. Each was infused with a different aromatic essence which I'd never experienced before. It was exhilarating and I can now say I'm a big fan of the eucalyptus mint room - heaven!

Believe it or not, all that time spent doing little more than floating and sitting is in fact hungry work (no, really!) so the three course meal we were treated to did not disappoint. The red snapper I ordered as a starter was so so good and it was a nice treat to have a little glass of wine too. Ladies who lunch eh?  How decadent!

So, all in all an amazing day in this beautiful city with some lovely ladies is just the sort of day I needed and I can tell that the spa is going to be my new favourite thing to do!

This is a sponsored post but as always all opinions honest and my own (I'm clever like that).

This place really is that awesome!

LATELY // 9

I love the light in India's room early in the morning.

Someone caught sight of her big brothers chocolate spread toast. So, i gave her some and this face happened. Happy much?

The mister and I feasted on some super skinny baked fries. Heavenly is the only word...

The mornings are freezing at the moment. Freezing & very sunny.

We went to the Sunday market at The Tobacco Factory.

The big kids shared some churros...

Action shot!

I've loved this bridge since I was a little girl. Clifton is a pretty lovely place!

LATELY // 8

It was Dexter's turn to add the fairy this year...

Flo takes dressing the kiddos pink tree very seriously!

I felt like I worked for Rymans.

I made a good start on the wrapping one night. Then I opened the mulled wine...

The annual trek around some wooden sheds (which mainly sell wooden things).

It was FREEZING, but nothing some warm drinks & food couldn't cure...

LATELY // 7

Freezing cold but fun for some!

We visited Worthing beach on the windiest day in history (not an actual fact but i'd put money on it.)

Flo was on a winning streak at the penny arcade. I'd like to say she's still working her way through them...

Dexter had a birthday party. He loved it, I needed a gin.

I'm re-naming our home crazy town. If you could hear the racket we make, you'd do the same.

I'm slowly accepting i have a birds nest on my head. Peroxide is not really my friend these days.

Is this Autumn at it's best? Yup!

LATELY // 6

1. Beach Baby

2. Treat!

3. Smoky black beans

4&5. Day out with Daddy

5. Garden Potterer

LATELY // 5

1. 6am coffee in the warm sunshine

2. 6am toddler in the warm sunshine

3. big bro, lil sis

4. flapjack face

5. football fanatic

6. the prettiest cottages - the one on the right is up for sale!

7. we invited our new neighbours over for tacos

8. this crazily hot salsa did something strange to my tongue

9. down? Up!