WELLY WEDNESDAY

“GIVE A GIRL THE RIGHT PAIR OF SHOES AND SHE CAN CONQUER THE WORLD” –MARILYN MONROE

WIMBLEDON WEAR

Summer Thistle Strappy Playsuit

I bought this super cute French Connection jumpsuit today. I was thinking it would be cute with a little coat and heels to wear to Wimbledon this Thursday, if it's sunny. My adventure buddy L and I are heading off to London this week to check out the tennis and celebrate Canada Day at Trafalgar Square. We are volunteering with the hockey tournament in the morning, hitting up the Maple Leaf pub in the afternoon and grooving to Blue Rodeo that evening.

The summer sale is on and there are some great finds out there. Steve had to drag me away from Cabot Circus kicking and screaming.*wink* I love that the UK doesn't wait for summer to end before having the big sales.

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE CAKE

We were invited to a garden party last weekend and were told they were having a cake baking competition with some pretty sweet prizes up for grabs. I looked through the cook books and asked a few friends but in the end I came across this recipe on Facebook and knew it was the one. It's a pecan pie inside of a chocolate cake.

This recipe was ambitious but worth every bite! Here is the RECIPE

We did not win, but had an amazing day with lots of giggles, food and great weather. I did hear the judges say that our cake took the competition to a whole new level. *grin* The winner was a garden party cake that was beautifully decorated with flowers and butterflies springing from the top.

All the winning cakes were auctioned off for charity and thankfully for us, the rest of the cakes were served with tea. We would have never known how yummy our cake was if it had won.

 Lessons: Simple is better and always make two cakes! xoxo

LOST

ABLE & COLE

Able & Cole - Organic veg boxes delivered right to your door.
A friend had one of these on her counter the other day and remembering with huge envy, I ordered a small veg box this morning. It comes Monday!

OWL YOU NEED IS LOVE

GOING THE EXTRA DISTANCE

I'm going to try out a new Aveda Salon today and shy away from my usual Redken salon in the village. I've been sucked in by their clever advertising with the tease of a hand, arm and neck massage. This salon offers going the extra distance including touching up makeup. I'm cheating on my lovely stylist with good faith in advertising and   promises of extra attention.

My visit thoughts: I believe going the distance has become robotic. It certainly wasn't the relaxed spa environment that I was expecting after reading the article in Clifton Life. The stylist are knowledgeable and friendly but I already had that in my last salon. My expectation management was too high.  I'm not a critic just a girl trying to find a salon where the service matches the price tag. I'll be heading back to my Redken safety net in 6-7 weeks time. Hopefully, my stylist will forgive me for my philandering ways. ;)

YOU LOVE IT, DON'T YOU?

GLASTONBURY

I dropped some friends off a the Bristol train station yesterday.  It was a madhouse of Glastonburians. For those of you that don't know, Glastonbury is the largest greenfield music festival in the world. The festival takes place in the beautiful Vale of Avalon and It  opens today!

 Glamping & Camping are very popular and tickets are usually sold out by May. For all update info check
HERE. I've made a widget of just a few acts to expect this week.

What better day for Glastonbury to start then Welly Wednesday! xoxo

Happy solstice, happy summer!

TO CHANGE ONE'S LIFE

To change one's life: 


1. Start immediately. 
2. Do it flamboyantly. 
3. No exceptions. – William James

GREEN THUMB

I started my morning helping a neighbor weed her garden allotment over in Ashton Court. It was the most rewarding part of the week.

I believe gardening is in my blood and although she probably thought I was being a huge help to her in reality, she was doing me the favour.  While an allotment can be as little as 11 pounds annually, there is a five year wait list on most Bristol allotments. Basically today was a win, win. I was able to enjoy garden therapy whilst my neighbor got free help. I think I will be spending a lot of time indulging my inner green thumb this summer.... if she'll have me?!

Have a wonderful Father's Day weekend. Connor is with us and we will be spoiling Steve with love. xoxo

SHELTER

New Birdy cover.. enjoy! xo

ROYAL ASCOT LADIES DAY

 Anyone who knows me, is aware of how excited I get about the pomp & pageantry of anything royal. Ladies Day at Royal Ascot is no exception; unfortunately, I won't be attending this year but it's on the list for next year. Now, I'll have another year to organize the perfect hat. 


I am still reeling from Trooping the Colour which was fantastic, I've not shut-up about it all week. This excitement is not shared by everyone but it was a dream come true for me.  I'm very lucky to have great friends and family who put up with my zealousness.  


 There are  so many extravagant hats to choose from. My pick is at the bottom. What do you think?


"LADIES DAY" as it is famously known, is a great day at the races and one not to be missed. Focus switches from racing to fashion, in particular ladies and their hats! 


The five days of the ROYAL MEETING at ASCOT provide one of the most unique and colourful occasions on the sporting calendar. Queen Ann founded Ascot Races in 1711 and members of the Royal family still lead the procession from Windsor Castle to Ascot each day.

design by Stephen Jones

Happy race day ladies!

FESTIVAL WELLIES - FASHION - READER'S PICK

Happy Wellie Wednesday! This outfit was emailed to me after my last WW post. It's gorgeous! Don't forget to email me your festival fashion wellie outfit. I'd love to feature it this summer. The dress is from Monsoon one of my favourite shops for dresses here in the UK.

 Keep them coming.. xox

CHANGE

LOOK WHAT I BOUGHT

L (my guest blogger) and I are booked to go to London for Canada Day and then Wimbledon!! 

I bought this gorgeous little clutch for our big tennis day.  Last year I was searching for wedding clutches and found MB on Etsy. I dreamed of owning this clutch for my visit to Wimbledon. Well, I got in touch with Mademoiselle bagatelle over the weekend and ordered my Wimbledon Gigi small purse, it should be here in a few days. 

 It's a good thing that Husband and I went to the pub a few weeks ago and caught the Nadal and Federer match.  It was then he explained to me the workings of tennis. Now when L is freaking out over the match, I'll know why. ( I think ) She loves tennis and I'm excited to go and share her enthusiasm for the game. I wonder who we will get to see. xox

FULFILLED A DREAM

I thought we would have a good time in London, what I didn't realize is that it would be one of the most memorable days of my life.

The parade was spectacular. The soldiers the horses and the bands. It was nice to see the Royal family all out supporting the Queen. After the parade we went to some of our favorite places around London.

The sun always seems to shine on the most special days. London is really magical! 

TROOPING THE COLOUR

We are heading to London this weekend to see Queenie's birthday parade or Trooping the Colour. This will be my first time seeing it, it looks very impressive. I wonder what Queenie will wear?!
I will take plenty of pictures and post a few next week...

The Sovereign's birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour on a Saturday in June.

In 2011 Trooping the Colour will take place on 11 June.

The tradition of Trooping the Colour:
Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.
Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.



Happy Friday, have a great weekend! xoxo

ADELE - GLAMOUR

I dragged my friend Eva around Clifton today, in search of the July issue of Glamour featuring Adele, no luck.

If I was a subscriber I would have had it yesterday. *sigh* with a little *hint, hint*

Hopefully tomorrow I will have two fresh copies in my hand, yes I said two! One for my lovely guest blogger L who has been laid up for a week with strep. Feel better L, Adelle will soon be in your mailbox. xo

JO'S RAVIOLI

I went through some of my pictures and found these from a few weeks back.  The boys were testing out Jamie Oliver's ravioli recipe. They did a great job!

FESTIVAL WELLIES - FASHION

U can find the dress @ ooh la la vintage and the boots at Hunter

This would be my festival fashion pick, what would be  yours?
 Send me a picture of, your favourite wellie festival outfit or just some amazing wellies and I will feature them in my blog this summer. xoxo

293 DAYS

Gosh, I'm a lucky, lucky girl!

JUST ANOTHER...

CITRUS

GREAT ADVICE

1. Spring clean your life.

2. Make your home reflect who you are.

3. Be happy single. 

4. Know you can't "hot house" anything. 

5. Be honest in a relationship. 

6. Take control and find your voice. 

7. Eat less, move more. 

8. Challenge yourself to move forward.

9. Believe in cliches.

10. Know how to let loose.  

Cat Deeley is on the cover of RED for July.  I really enjoyed reading Beautiful, Successful, Stronger, 10 things the past few years have taught her. Here are her tips, but don't miss out on giving it a read through. Happy Friday! xoxo

ATLAS HANDS

 - Enjoy! xo

THE CHEESE BOARD

I am a huge fan of  GP's Goop and loved her latest post on cheese boards. My first cheese board was made for our Martini & Mistletoe party. I went to Sainsbury's and told them how much I wanted to spend. It was awesome!- for my first time.

A while back I got on the kick that a good hostess should always have cheese and delightful crackers in their home. It was just after our return from Paris where they serve lovely breads and cheeses at breakfast and I was quick to jump on the cheese bandwagon. To my husband's dismay, I stocked up on a few expensive cheeses at the grocery and was ready for any unexpected guest to pop over.  

Market deli's are a problem; German Christmas, London Burough & Paris's Les Puces have all emptied my wallet. I get so rared up over all the free sampling and always end up exceeding the lunch/treat, budget. Of course it's not always on cheese; what goes best with deli cheese? Deli olives!  Mmmm... I have a few favourites, both being soft. French Camembert and Dragons Breath Blue made in Upper Economy, Nova Scotia. I'm looking forward to checking out Goops London haunts and maybe adding a few more to my list. 

SOMETIMES

HILLSONG

When I was in Stratford I met some lovely ladies from Seattle, USA. They were in the UK to see Hillsong. I felt an instant connection with them and they promised to send me the CD. Today I received a beautiful card from my North American friends and the Aftermath CD.  It's lovely!



Little hints are given along the path of life, you will not be forgotten - CG xo

SUMMER WELLIES

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month. I'm off to get Connor! Happy June! xoxo