Tag Archives: Weekend

Five on Friday

Posted in Five on Friday by

IMG_7125

{We had some friends over for dinner last weekend and finally cracked open the big bottle of prosecco that my husband got for his birthday back in October!}

IMG_7140

{Now that the kids are back at school we have had some lovely sunny weather (typical!) so there have been quite a few trips to the park. Clemmie was really scared of going on the swings for a while but now she’s got over her fear and is even happy on the ‘big’ swing. She looks grumpy here because she wanted me to stop taking pictures and push her instead!}

IMG_7147

{Our dinner guests brought some beautiful flowers that have been brightening up my work space this week.}

IMG_0144

{When it comes to food, every week is the same for me. I start off with good intentions and make healthy meals like this smoked salmon and goats cheese salad for lunch…}

IMG_7175

{…and then, come 4pm, I inevitably give in to my sugar cravings. At least these apple crumble muffins are homemade AND have fruit in them! Marginally healthier than chocolate methinks.}

Hope you have a fantastic weekend! X

Five on Friday

Posted in Five on Friday by

Rush, rush, rush – that is how I would sum up this week. In between working, trying to sort out childcare, cooking, cleaning and making at least a half-hearted attempt at spending some quality time together, it’s been a struggle keeping up with the blog. Most of my time seems to have been spent refereeing various arguments that have erupted between the children. Half term + rain is definitely not a good combination, resulting in bored kids mooching around the house moaning that there is nothing to do whenever you switch the Xbox/iPads off. Throw in a few late nights – the boys are addicted to Britain’s Got Talent at the moment and have been staying up later than usual to watch the semi finals every night this week – and it’s hardly surprising that tempers have been fraying left right and centre the past few days. But we have had some good times too, catching up with friends, watching movies and playing board games at home. Yesterday and today I had to work so the boys went to football camp while my parents looked after Clemmie. It certainly did the trick as far as bedtime was concerned – Casper was so tired he asked to go to bed at 6.30pm yesterday!

IMG_7097

{We went on our annual family trip to Ikea last weekend. It was relatively painless as we got there half an hour after the store opened so managed to beat most of the crowds. As you may recall it is not everyone’s favourite destination…}

IMG_7109

{It seems ages ago now but last Monday was a Bank Holiday here in the UK. It was grey and drizzly so we went to nearby Hampton Court Palace where the kids took part in a digital fact finding mission around the palace. The boys were really happy as they got to use an iPad but hopefully they learned a few things!}

IMG_7119

{The burger chain Five Guys opened a restaurant near us a few months ago and the boys have been desperate to go so this week we finally relented. It was more expensive than McDonalds but the food was miles better. Clean plates all around}

Granola

{I made another batch of my vanilla granola this week. Really enjoying it with fresh berries and Greek yoghurt at the moment.}

IMG_7121

{I also bought a couple of books, both on recommendations from other bloggers. I was going to save them for the summer holidays but I don’t know if I can wait that long.}

Happy Friday to you all! What are you up to this weekend? We have friends coming for dinner tomorrow night so I have an apple pie baking in the oven, which we will have for pudding. Apart from that, we are just hoping for some sunny weather so we can get outside in the garden.  X

The Weekend in Pictures

Posted in Family Life by

Monday again! Hope you’ve all had a good start to the week. I can’t believe how fast the days are whizzing past. Next week is half term and I have yet to sort out any childcare for the two days I will be working. Better get my skates on!

We had a lovely weekend – busy but relaxing at the same time! A great combination of gardening, kids activities and a bit of ‘me’ time, plus the weather was glorious which always helps!

IMG_7005

{Clemmie and I gave the playhouse its annual spring clean. It could do with a lick of paint but at least we got rid of all the cobwebs.}

IMG_7006

{Cameron came back from his school trip late on Friday afternoon and then had to be up for a football tournament at 8.30 the next morning. Four hours later he was tired but happy to be on the winning team!}

IMG_7008

{I may not have made it to Bruges but my lovely friends still brought back some chocolate for the children.}

IMG_7007

{One of the nice things about sunny weather is that it makes healthy food seem more appealing! On Saturday I made a simple prawn pasta dish topped with rocket and sundried tomatoes.}

IMG_7026

{On Sunday my friend and I took the train up to London, sans husbands and kids, to visit the Glamour of Italian Fashion exhibition at the V&A.}

IMG_7010

{A quick drink in the outdoor cafe before we went to see the exhibition.}

IMG_7024

{We rounded off the day with cocktails and a light dinner at Zuma in Knightsbridge. The perfect end to a great weekend!}

 

 

 

Five on Friday

Posted in Five on Friday by

IMG_6955

{Clemmie playing school with her dolls. It must be a girl thing – I don’t remember the boys doing this}

IMG_6958

{This guy went away on a school trip for three nights this week – the longest we’ve been apart since he was born. He returned safely today – tired and dirty but having had a fab time with all his friends}

IMG_6992

{Husband came home from work early yesterday so we put the kids in the car and went for an early dinner at our local Thai. The yummiest Pad Thai I have had in a long time and a cheeky glass of rose on a Thursday night}

IMG_6996

{I’ve been admiring the gorgeous flowers on display at our local florist. Now the sunny weather has arrived it is time to spruce up the garden, methinks}

IMG_6995

{A football tournament for Cameron, swimming for Casper, a princess birthday party for Clemmie and a trip to London for me to see The Glamour of Italian Fashion exhibition are all on the agenda this weekend. It’s going to be a good one!}

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! X

 

A Weekend of Misery

Posted in Family Life by

tomorrow

Apologies in advance that there will be no positive vibes emanating from this blog today. This has been the most miserable weekend for a very, very long time. As I type this I am really meant to be wandering the streets of Bruges with four of my lovely girlfriends, taking in the sights, going on a river boat, visiting cute little shops and occasionally stopping for a coffee, Belgian waffles and of course sampling some of the yummy chocolate that Belgium is so famous for. Alas, it was not to be. On Wednesday, Clemmie came down with a tummy bug and I should have known then that of course I would be next in line. I won’t go into too much detail but suffice to say that I went to bed on Thursday night with my suitcase packed, passport and Euros in my handbag only to be woken in the very early hours by the most terrible stomach cramps and spending pretty much the rest of night in the bathroom.

Yesterday all day was spent in bed and I was too ill to really do much apart from sleep and listen to the radio. Today I feel a little bit better but now it has really hit home that I have missed my very first weekend away with friends since the kids were born (I have been away for the odd night a couple of times and also some work trips when Cameron was little but not a proper girlie weekend) and I just feel so sad and angry. I did contemplate trying to change my ticket to join the others today but, having not eaten anything since Thursday evening, I just don’t have the energy to negotiate three train journeys by myself.

My husband and kids have been very sweet (although the boys are terribly disappointed that I won’t be bringing back chocolate for them) and I’m well looked after but I just can’t shake the feeling of misery at the moment. But as the quote says, tomorrow IS another day and hopefully there will be other opportunities for weekend breaks coming my way in the future.

I hope you are all having a much, much better weekend than me. X

A Family Outing to Osterley Park & House

Posted in Family Life by

Osterley House 2

I know I’ve said it before, but we are lucky to have so many amazing places filled with history on our doorstep. Last Monday was a Bank Holiday so we grabbed our National Trust cards and drove down to Osterley Park and House, near Isleworth in Middlesex. A huge imposing Georgian mansion, dating back to the 1780s and surrounded by the most stunning gardens, it is one of the last surviving country estates in London. We had a quick coffee and snack in the stables tea room and then set off exploring the house and the colourful formal gardens.

It’s funny, both my husband and I can remember being dragged to visiting these places as children and while our own kids may not love all of it (the guided tour of the house springs to mind!) they do enjoy roaming the grounds, playing hide and seek and climbing trees. Hopefully, in years to come these outings will also give them some appreciation of this country’s history and culture that they in turn can share with their own children.

Osterley House 1

{I love the sweeping staircase}

Osterley Garden 4

{A beautiful summer house}

Cameron jumping

{Jumping high}

Casper jumping

{And there goes the next one}

Clemmie flowers

{Every corner of the garden was bursting with colour}

Osterley Garden1

{I seem to have developed an affinity for taking pictures of flowers – unlike the children they stay in one place!}

Osterley Garden 3

{Gorgeous tulips}

Osterley Garden2

{I wish I could have brought this flower pot back to my garden}

Osterley Garden 5

{A short rest before the next game of hide and seek}

Five on (almost) Friday

Posted in Five on Friday by

I’m a day late with my Five on Friday post but it’s been a busy week. Last night was spent pricing up the last few items for the aforementioned NCT sale and this morning we dropped off two carloads of stuff at the local Sixth Form college where the sale is held. Fingers crossed it all goes! I’m not too bothered about the money but any unsold items have to be collected this evening and I really don’t want any of it back.

We also took six large bags of children’s clothes to the charity shop so at least I can see the floor in my bedroom again. But a temple of minimalism it ain’t (yet..) – six zip-up bags stuffed full of winter gear are going back up to the loft for the next sale in October. One step at a time…

20140503-170700.jpg

{It has been rainy this week and there is still a chill in the air but spring has officially arrived, which means switching from dark polishes to pastels and neon. I love this Chanel ‘Riviera’ polish – sadly it was a limited edition four years ago and is no longer available.}

20140503-170715.jpg

{We have also officially entered the Princess Stage and this week both Rapunzel and Cinderella accompanied me on the school run. Princess dresses are fine for sitting in the buggy but no so practical when the little lady wants to get out and run around the playground or jump in puddles.}

1279820_Gianfranco-Ferre-advert-1991-vogue-5nov13-pr_b_320x480_thumb_big

{I finally booked tickets to go and see The Glamour of Italian Fashion at the V&A later this month. It promises to be a great exhibition with high octane outfits by the likes of Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. Can’t wait!}

20140503-170724.jpg

{How cute are these pink Converse that I bought for Clemmie? I need a new pair too, but maybe not in pink…}

20140503-170733.jpg

{I met up with a good friend yesterday for a quick catch up over coffee and a to-die-for slice of almond cake. The perfect way to start the weekend. And it’s a three-day one which makes it even better!}

Happy Saturday to you all! X

 

 

 

Five on Friday

Posted in Five on Friday by

Easter flowers

{The lovely flowers that my parents brought last weekend are still going strong and brightening up the house on grey, rainy days.}

IMG_6867

{I am determined to improve my photography skills and to that end have invested in two ‘female friendly’ books: The Busy Girl’s Guide to Digital Photography by Lorna Yabsley and A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman – the sisters behind one of my favourite blogs.}

Beautiful Bruges

{I’m off to Bruges for a weekend with some girlfriends in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait. I’ve never been before so if anyone has any tips on what to see/do apart from eat cake, drink coffee/wine and sleep I would be most grateful.}

5-2Breakfast

{I’m not overweight but like many of us I could do with losing a few pounds before bikini season is upon us. I generally eat quite healthily but I have a sweet tooth and can often be found raiding the biscuit tin at 4pm to satisfy those afternoon sugar cravings. I’ve heard good things about the 5:2 diet so thought I would give that a go for a few weeks.}

Clemmie Golf

{Like father like daughter. Not satisfied with having got the boys into golf, my husband came home with a club for Clemmie this week. Looks like I’m destined to be the only non-golfer in our household!}

Happy Friday to you all! Hope you have a fantastic weekend. X

 

A Slice of History on our Doorstep

Posted in Family Life by

It is very easy to take the things that are on your doorstep for granted. Although central London and all it has to offer in terms of history, culture and entertainment is only a short train ride away, there are still many places we haven’t taken the kids to see. Yesterday we decided to play tourists in our own city and visit the Tower of London as a family. I last went there as a 12-year-old on a school trip but the kids had never been and, amazingly, neither had my husband despite being born and bred in this country.

IMG_6801

I have lived in or around London for most of my adult life and I love this city from the bottom of my heart in all its grimy, often chaotic, but always beautiful, glory. In my eyes, what makes it so special is the way traditional and modern are juxtaposed in a way that somehow seems completely seamless. While London pushes the boundaries in edgy fashion and is at the forefront of the music scene, much of the city is still steeped in tradition, from the doormen at old school establishments like Claridges to the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. These contrasts perhaps come through most clearly in the architecture: yesterday we saw the ancient and magnificent Tower of London standing only a stone’s throw away from the glass covered ultra-modern wonder that is the Shard.

IMG_6804 IMG_6806 IMG_6807

Brimming with history, much of it dark and disturbing, the Tower of London is a must-see for every tourist visiting the city. As we picked a beautiful, sunny day in the Easter holidays to visit, the place was fairly busy and the queues for the Crown Jewels and the Bloody Tower (where prisoners were held and tortured) were too long for us to contemplate standing in with the children. But I’m sure we will back again to see the bits that we missed, although to beat the crowds, next time we may choose a rainy day in November!

IMG_6808