09.09.13 | SPICED ROASTED ALMONDS

My new favourite things are almonds. I like them best when they are roasted & salted and by the bucket load. They are so good, and providing you don't actually eat them by the bucket load, they are really very good for you. 

I've been making them a few different ways but this is a lovely spicy version which is as easy as ABC. This recipe quite frankly is (wait for it) THE NUTS!

Boom! I'm back!

08.09.13 | ALMOST 34

1. I love a good coffee (although I'm more obsessed with tea, green with raspberry if you're making) and what better way to make it than in one of these Pantone Espresso Makers. Coming to the UK soon, hurrah!

2. I am in desperate need of some new cons. I worked out that the ones i wear day in, day out were actually bought 11 years ago when we were in L.A - 11 years!

3. I really really really want a Kanken Mini in Uncle Blue. I'm a bag girl (shoes? Yawn) and these are just too cute. I love, no scrap that, I NEED this bag. Of course I do.

4. Flowers. I love peonies, and every birthday needs flowers. Simple.

5. My kitchen is crying out for a new radio. I love the radio and it is on permanently. My listening schedule goes like this: 6:30 - Radio Two for Chris Evans then over to Six Music for Lauren Laverne followed by Radcliff & Maconie after which I listen to a little Steve Lamacq before switching back to R2 for some Simon Mayo action followed by the evening spent with Jo Whiley. 

Oh yes, it's all serious high brow stuff y'know. My favourite radio day though is Saturday, and woe betide anyone who gets in the way of my favourite Liza Tarbuck. She is hands down my favourite lady of all time! I'm cool & you know it.

6. This book. Jeeeeeez, how many times do i need to bang on about this book before it lands on my lap?! C'mon people, get with the programme.

So, this is what soon to be 34 year old Lia looks like, thank you for humouring my spoilt brattish 6 year old self. Want? Need? Rude!

This is not a sponsored post, i genuinely want all this stuff.

07.09.13 | HELLO THERE!

image here : via here

Well, look how quickly 2 weeks turned into a whole month! I didn't mean to be away for quite so long, but actually it was what I needed. It was such a lovely summer wasn't it? The weather was amazing, and i'm glad we made the most of it. We didn't go away for any length of time, but we visited friends, we took day trips, we caught up with family and we basically chilled OUT.

The kids we're chuffed to almost complete their summer bucket list, and the pace of life slowed right down - such a harsh contrast to this week. Autumn is on it's way for sure and normally I am ready for it (I love it) but this year, I kind of want Summer to hang around a little longer. 

I've been spending less time in the kitchen as we've been BBQing lots and eating out a fair bit so i'm looking forward of getting back in there! I've a few ideas lined up for stuff i'd like to try and a few new recipe books on my wish list ;)

School's back and with it comes a new school run (four miles a day, two of them up very steep hills, ouch), new school clubs (Dex signed himself up for ukulele lessons, how very bleubird of him!) so we need to figure out a new routine for ourselves as at this rate after spellings, readings, walks home, tea-time is looking closer to midnight. We'll get there in the end, i'm just really tired after the first week back and am looking forward to relaxing this weekend with friends (another BBQ!) and having some well needed lie-ins.

Bye Bye Summer, you were most excellent! Dude.

P.S - I guest posted on Abi's You've Got The Love series this week, so if you want a good laugh go take a look at my wedding hair. It's a beaut.

09.08.13 | A BREAK

image: pinterest

I'm taking a couple of weeks off the blog because, well everything needs a holiday doesn't it? The kids are off school, the sun is shining and summer is calling, so i'm going to enjoy it!

See you soooooooon...

06.08.13 | NEIL YOUNG - HARVEST MOON

Neil Young - Harvest Moon

One of my favourites and also one of Florence's (she says he has a pretty voice!)

02.08.13 | FIVE FINDS FOR FRIDAY

1. PINNING // Pinning lots of lovely outfits. I'm kinda sick of my black dress & black cardi combo that i wear all the friggin' time. If you'd like to follow a massive list of things i'll never make, wear or do then you can do so here.

2. SCOFFING // Scoffing this pizza. Although in actual fact my twitchy gallbladder has reared her ugly head again and i'm having to be super strict so I am only eating pizza in my D.R.E.A.M.S

3. LOVING // I found Wit & Vinegar this week. Two of my favourite things rolled into some sort of foodie design love fest! I could be there some time. And i love his font choices (geek) and i really wish he'd have gone with p*** & vinegar...

4. BACK TRACKING // Back tracking through the archives of another new-to-me blog, Wild & Grizzly. It's cute and I love it so.

5. BUYING // Buying (thinking of buying) this print x 3 in different colours to hang side by side at the top of our stairs. I'm guessing i'll get around to doing that by the end of 2014 #realtalk

Happy Weekend Ladies & Gents x

31.07.13 | ROASTED RADISH & CHICK PEA TACOS

I featured a taco recipe on one my FFFF posts a couple of weeks back and I've been thinking about that damn taco pretty much constantly ever since. So whilst I was home alone pottering about my kitchen a couple of nights ago I finally got around to creating something similar and wow - just wow!

This taco was a dream to make, a joy to look at and of course amazing to eat - result! The colours of this dish are SO awesome ( just look at that pink!) and the flavours and textures are absolutely perfect together and well, the fact that it was a taco was simply an added bonus ;)

Vegan it up if you wish by leaving out the yogurt and replacing it with a smooth salsa, either way you're onto a winner.

So once again, if you love tacos you've come to the right place and if you don't? Man you must be sick of me by now.

So I'm either really sorry or you're welcome!

C'mon, lets make this thing!

30.07.13 | SUMMER RECIPE ROUND UP

Needing some inspiration for what to eat this summer? Look no further.
We've got Banh Mi, we've got  salsas, we've got burgers, salads and a vegan BBQ heaven. There's something for everyone here - tuck in!

30.07.13 | WILL.I.AM - BANG BANG

Will.i.am - Bang Bang.

We LOVE this here.

26.07.13 | FIVE FINDS FOR FRIDAY

1. CHERRIES // This recipe? Wow, check it out. I'm going to make this for the cheese eaters amongst me, just so i can try the teeniest amount and see what those flavours are up to!

2. PICKLING // Strawberries? YES! I'm guessing both Florence and I will love this, especially as we are mad about strawberries and balsamic vinegar together already.

3. CUTE // Cute little biscuits for the new king. Haters gonna hate i know (yawn), but I think it's a big deal that a new king was born this week. Welcome George!

4. SAGE // In a cocktail? Sure, why not?!

5. PINNING // this lead me to La Tartine Gourmande. Thank goodness it did - it's my new favourite
place.

It's all about the food this week. What can I say, i'm hungry!

Happy Weekend xox

25.07.13

complete the creepy house challenge // visit nanny in Devon // watch the hot air balloons go up // have friends to play // have a homemade pizza night // visit grandma & grandpa in West Sussex // go on a nature hunt // visit a penny arcade // go fruit picking to make homemade jam // take a day trip to Brighton // paint our faces // build dens at Rainbow woods // have a bbq with friends // make some more ketchup // go to the cinema - at night // throw a Mexican party complete with homemade piñata  // go to the SS Great Britain // fly a kite // visit uphill beach // play crazy golf... 

and the list just keeps on growing! Come back to see how we get on!

24.07.13 | BALMY SUMMER NIGHTS

Ahhh man, I love summer. 

I love being able to have every window & door wide open. I love how the kids are always smelling of suncream or are sticky sweet from ice-creams. I love how almost every meal is either a BBQ or a picnic. I love taking long walks around our favourite park, after dinner when it's slightly cooler and everyone is chilled out. 

Yep, i flippin' love this summer - it was totally worth the wait!