End of term cakes + happy weekend

We've started a little tradition in our house that when it's the last day of term, we celebrate with cake (but to be honest, we don't really need any excuses to eat cake round here). I can't believe that it's the Easter holidays already; this term has been and gone so quickly! Have you any trips or activities planned for the holidays?

Have a lovely weekend x

Bunny!

One afternoon this week I found this little bunny in our living room! I had popped into our kitchen to make a cup of tea whilst the boys watched a dvd and when I returned Alfie was wearing the Easter rabbit ears that Jamie had made at school. Adorable :)

Black + white bridesmaids

I came across this image yesterday and couldn't stop thinking about it. I love that the bridesmaids are wearing something completely different and original (and of course, I can't resist stripes!)

(Image kate osborne photography)

The Carrie Diaries

Are you excited for the new SATC movie? I am! The clothes, as ever, look amazing and it'll be interesting to see a much younger Carrie and the rest of the girls.

Tomato and tuna tarts

These tomato and tuna tarts look divine. The lovely weather we've had over the past few days makes me crave this kind of easy, fresh food.

Maxi skirts

Maxi skirts are one of my Summer wardrobe staples. So easy to throw on and dress up or down. I love all the pleated versions that are available at the moment (so pretty), and the coloured ones are lovely (I love this peach version!) There's one similar here. Do you have any pieces you wear all the time in the warmer months? I'd love to hear!

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Pretty hair

I adore Jessica Biel's hair at the moment; the colour is just gorgeous.

(Image Tumblr)

Gardening + happy weekend

(Planting lavender in worn pots) 

Happy Friday! The weather is meant to be nice here over the weekend so I'm hoping we'll get to spend time in the garden playing, planting, eating... We have a vegetable box that's looking pretty empty at the moment so it would be good to fill that with some herbs we could use to cook with.

Have a lovely weekend! x

(Sneaky) Seaside trip

On Monday both me and Neil had the day off work together and, as the boys were out (Jamie at school, Alfie at nursery), we snuck out! It felt a little bit naughty but so lovely to be able to sit in a coffee shop for as long as we wanted :)

After our drinks (Neil: black tea, me: Mocha latte, yum!) we walked around the town, wandering in and out of the shops, then walked along the sea front. Gorgeous.

Summer evenings

As the evenings are getting lighter I'm thinking about trying to be outside as much as we can and making our back garden as enticing as possible. Don't these lights look amazing? I think they would make any space look gorgeous!

(Via Apartment Therapy)

Pregnancy wear

For all you Mamas-to-be out there; have you seen the gorgeous clothing from Hatch?  The clothes they make are suitable for before, during, and after pregnancy - such a great idea.  I love the idea of treating yourself to a beautiful dress when you're pregnant and not having to store it away afterwards.  (They ship anywhere too: bonus!)

Little Paris kitchen

Did you watch Little Paris Kitchen on Monday night? I loved it. Rachel cooks beautiful meals for two in her TINY Paris kitchen every week: I would jump at the chance to visit!

In Monday's episode she made raspberry-topped Madeleines, each with lemon curd squeezed in the top!  As well as the food, I loved her kitchen and how she managed to fit all her pots and utensils in whilst keeping it looking gorgeous :) (weren't her outfits beautiful too?)

An apple a day...

His little face gets me very time :)

Flowers

Fresh flowers are such a treat. I love picking out pretty flowers then bringing them home to arrange; it's amazing how they bring instant happiness to a room.

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Denim shirt

I love this denim shirt worn over a tshirt; so simple and classic. I've been on the lookout for one to wear with the sleeves rolled up over leggings or open over a little vest and a maxi skirt.  I like this one, this one, and (my favourite!) this one.

Gourmet sandwich

I'm a fan of sandwiches and love trying new flavours and ingredients, and this one looks fab. The bacon looks perfectly crispy; the tomatoes are slow roasted, and the lightly toasted bread has a layer of basil mayonnaise spread over it.  Yum.

Wishlisted cookbooks + happy weekend

We have many cookbooks which I love looking through for inspiration and ideas, but whilst me and Neil were out recently we stopped by a bookshop and I spotted these lovely books which are now on my wishlist. Gwyneth Paltrow's book looks amazing (this Duck Ragu recipe looks delicious!) and the pictures inside are beautiful.

Lisa Faulkner's recipe book has the loveliest images and food inside; definitely one of those food books you can snuggle down with to read.

What's for Dinner? will be amazing if it's anything like Fay's previous cookbook.  I have tried so many meals out of this one and they always hit the mark.  I'm excited to see what new recipes there are.

Have a lovely weekend (and to any Mamas out there, have a wonderful Mother's Day!)

Summer dress

This dress would be perfect for the Summer; easy to throw on for trips out or lazy days in the garden :)

Alfie's blanket

Alfie adores this white blanket. Even now, in a big boy bed, he has a duvet on top of him then this on the side so he can hold the label whilst he goes to sleep. So sweet.

Pregnancy

Love these images of pregnant women; so gorgeous.

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Pizza party

Last Sunday we had our own little 'pizza party', where we all made our own pizzas with whatever toppings we liked.  Neil made the dough, which we left to rest for a couple of hours whilst we went out for a walk, and when we arrived home it had grown so much!  We then started adding our toppings - the boys had simple (but always good) cheese and tomato, Neil went for chunks of chicken and chilli flakes, and I chose tuna, capers and anchovies.  SO good.

Wooden blocks

Whilst at my Mum's at the weekend I found these sweet wooden alphabet blocks and loved the illustrations on them.  It got me thinking how much nicer old-fashioned toys are and how it's often the simplest things that are played with most - I once put together a tray consisting of lots of little containers and spoons / utensils, and then emptied different dried beans and lentils into the pots (these were the only things I had in the cupboard that I thought I could use!) and it kept Jamie entertained for hours.  He would scoop the beans into the pots, measure them, pour them into other containers; it really caught his attention and was worth the mess at the end!

Grandad's 85th birthday

(Jamie helping his great-Grandad to open his presents)

To celebrate my Grandad's birthday at the weekend we had a little party for him. Jamie was on hand to help with the present opening, and, as usual, my Mum's food was delicious. We ate chicken, salads, rice and salmon amongst other things.

Of course, no birthday would be complete without a birthday cake, and the one we had was made up of four different cakes; perfect for offering different options to everyone without having to buy lots of desserts. I chose the coffee cake (and then had a slice of the chocolate as I just couldn't resist).  The boys also ate strawberry jelly, with actual strawberries in!