Friday I'm In Love...

With: Real tea leaves from Bluebird Tea Co. I believe there's nothing better than a good cup of tea but normally plumb for Twinnings teabags over leaves in my haste.

 My friend Sally got a wonderful glass teapot for Christmas and I too wanted a lovely teapot, but they all seemed so pricey when I'd rather spend my cash on what's going inside. I was so glad when this beauty smiled at me from my local charity shop for the grand price of £2.50.

I'd followed a few tea companies on twitter and Bluebird seemed far the nicest. I ordered an Experience pack. a selection of 5 teas and they very kindly sent some new product samples through too. 

The teas I choose to try were Lady Lavender Grey, Dozy Girl, Earl Grey Creme, Hot Mama Jama and Love Potion. I was sent a sample of Mint Chocolate Rooibos, Raspberry Beret and this beautiful little teabag of the Earl Grey Creme; which tasted just as lovely as the pot version.

I've not yet tasted them all, but they'll need a post of their own to celebrate how lovely they are.

With: The complete randomness of the British weather. we had some gloriously hot days in Cumbria, and we have what can be described as changeable. 

This is the beautiful view from my side window at 5pm, blue skies and blinded by sunlight.

This is my dining room window taken at the same time, with a storm brewing. 

As a Cumbrian I'm well used to carrying a bag with waterproof jacket, brolly, sunscreen and an umbrella.

I hope you're getting real Summer sunshine where ever you are.

With: Boris, my new (kind of) bike.

I really need to get fitter, and have been having some trouble making the school drop off and then to work on time, so getting a bike seemed the perfect solution. I would have loved a vintage style one but to be truthful they intimidate me with their tallness and skinny wheels.

I bought Boris from a charity/company called Rebike in Carlisle, which saves old bikes from landfill, fixes them up and sells them on. Boris cost £55 which I think is a bargain, and I feel some crafty refurbishment coming on. I'm pinning all my inspiration here.

With: Fashion, well not really I have a huge love hate relationship with clothes in general. I never feel right in most my choices, and at 36 feel I have no style of my own. However I'm loving some new buys this week, my oh so Summery Porcelain Print top which has blue china including teapots on for £39 and the minty teal Laurel 3/4 length sleeve cardi £39, both these are from Monsoon and look great when matched with coral accessories.

With: New shoes, these beautiful Henderson Cute Brogues are in the Clarks sale, reduced to £34.99. I love the metallic colour of them, as I think it will go with everything but I'm not sure the socks are for me. However any other socks look strange, I think you can only wear brogues with ankle socks, even if you do feel 5 wearing them.These are from George@Asda and are only £4.50 for 4 pairs.

I also like this camera angle which makes my legs seem a little slimmer.

With: Feeling superior for having read the book first. I will try to explain this without using spoilers although be aware the video may give some plot away. 

I love The Game of Thrones books and read all of them in less than a month, when the TV series was made I was dubious that it would capture as much of characters lives as the books did, and as usual it's played on Sky first, which I don't have, so I have to wait for the boxset. 

I was not disappointed by the show, which effortlessly fills out the books and splits them in all their gory and glorious detail onto the screen. Being on twitter means when the show is on Sky I get a twitters view of the action and can guess where in the series they are, last weeks episode was the Red Wedding. 

Safe to say it's quite dramatic and shocking. The video below shows peoples reactions while they watched the end scene, and some of them are hilarious. I love that people can be so engrossed with storytelling, not just on screen but in books too. I had a similar reaction when reading this scene in a cafe and a lady stopped to ask me if I was okay. 

For those watching the series, just wait till Joffery's Wedding, I can't wait to see the reaction video for that episode.

Have a great weekend folks.

Friday I'm in Love

With: holiday planning

In one week, yes one week, myself, Husband Stu, 2 kids, in-laws, sister-in-law, her Husband and their 2 kids are heading off to Orlando. Ten of us, yep ten, are going for 2 weeks of sunshine, Gators, Disney and more sunshine. I cannot wait. We've been trawling books and websites for months now to chose what things will suit all ages and I think some things are still been fixed on.

We've been to Orlando before as a group, but we didn't have kids then so didn't go near Disney. Sticking to Seaworld and Discovery Cove, of which we're doing again as they're amazing. We do have Disney tickets this time though and I think the kids little heads may explode with excitement when they finally see Cinders Castle.

With: Neil Gaiman's Radio 4 production of Neverwhere.

I've always loved this story of the world below, of the people who fall through the gaps of society and time. What more, look at that cast line up a geek could explode from such amazing casting all in one place. You can hear it on the BBC Radio4 site HERE.

With: Monsoon turning 40 years old.

I feel lucky to have a job in retail where the company tries hard to care for their staff while keeping great ethical standards. It's been lovely looking through all the old images of different campaigns, having worked there 9 years I remember quite a few of them personally. 

I think Sophie Dahl was one of my favourites, she looked very womanly I especially loved the Winter campaign she did, well with that cardi who wouldn't. I didn't buy it at the time as it sold out so quickly and I always thought about making myself one someday.

Jodie Kidd didn't seem to model a lot of our clothes but did become patron of The Monsoon Trust.

The latest campaign features another 40 year in Yasmin Le Bon joined by her daughter Amber, her style seems to work well with the Heritage clothes line. Most of which I want in my wardrobe now.

With: Lastly I'll leave you with a wee clip of the Doctor Who Prequel, I'm mega excited for the return of The Doctor but I'll be holiday when it starts, eek. However it will be great to recover from jet lag with a pizza and 3 episodes in a row instead. I'm all about the silver linings.

Happy weekend what ever your plans.

Friday - I'm in Love

It's Friday, and I always think of the wonderful Cure song and dancing like a loon in The Wheel nightclub as a "youth", even though it was never a Friday when it played. 

I thought I'd start a round up of things I'm currently loving, and maybe post it on...

you guessed it, Friday.

First is coffee, I bloody love coffee. I worked for several years in a couple of coffee shops but this one for the longest. It's left me for an addiction for Costa Coffee.

My favourite treat is a mocha and chocolate twist but my waistline won't stand too many, 

but hey it's Christmas  Friday so why not.

Okay so it's a shoddy image and I can't get a better one but I love this dress, the La Rochelle dress from Monsoon(click on it for a better view) for £49. I'm heading off for a special, sunny holiday in March/April and am already thinking ahead to clothes for it. 

I also think Mexican styling will be everywhere this Summer, so it's worth collecting pieces early.

Which brings me to my next love

Frida Kahlo.

I've always loved her artwork, and her story of becoming an artist and lifestyle is so interesting. 

More so I love her style, the jewel colours, flowers, skeletons, daily living and strength shown through art. 

Next up is this wonderful poster from Amanda Palmer's Grand Theft Orchestra Tour, it an illustration from The Bed Song, a hauntingly beautiful song which I'll admit to crying to at the concert we went to.

I would love it framed about my bed to remind me that money, other people and work should not come between you and your partner.

click the poster to hear the song.

Finally a jolly song for the weekend, fitting giving my blog title.

Have a lovely weekend.

Find something to love.

Amanda.x.