Catching up

I have been busy since my last blog post. Doing what, I hear 100 of you cry...doing what?

It hasn't involved housework, or crochet (although I have made a little progress on my first proper granny blanket, which I will blog about another time), or my freelance job.

It's my new obsession. I am truly addicted....

Kite surfing. Oh, I'm not doing it myself (Christ, I've seen myself in a wetsuit before and it ain't pretty - and that was before kids...)

It's just that I've never seen anyone do it before and it's incredible to watch. Look, I'm from Somerset. I do cider and tractors, not throwing myself 40ft in the air on a surfboard like some ocean fanatic at Bondi. My idea of sport as a teenager from the west country was snogging on haystacks. This kind of sport is way more extreme so I now go down to the beach most days and watch the dudes in action (OK and the fact they are pretty gorgeous too makes it more of an attraction.)

Look at this for heaven's sake:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYFoF5UIX0U

I heard the Princess tell the husband: "Daddy, guess what, Mummy and I were watching the kite surfers again today and Mummy was talking to one of them for AGES and he was ever so handsome in his wetsuit."

Awkward.

Anyway, so that's where I am been and everything has suffered as a result, except my kids, they love the beach life. But my cherry tree purchases are pathetic as a result. The weather is too fine to shop (although I saw a gorgeous old Singer sewing machine -with a turning handle- for £40 but had to walk away). Plus I can't sew and I don't have the time to learn right now so it wouldn't have been a wise purchase.

I did, however, buy this top for the Prince from the British Heart Foundation for £1.50. He loves it and looks quite dapper in it I think.

Tie AND braces, how swish

Defiant and sticking his belly out to rebel

We have had a very busy but wonderful Easter. My inlaws came to stay the first week, from Yorkshire. We took them to Brighton and they loved The Lanes, we lay in deckchairs on the pier and fell asleep after scoffing Easter biscuits, we had fish and chips on the beach, we hung out at my favourite cafe (which I've been to three times this week and really need to wean myself off) and ate and drank way too much as always.

Treasures from the cherry tree (did you see what I did there?)

An Easter biscuit? Oh go on then...

The Princess and Grandma

That is the husband's Converse and yes he was dozing

And yes that is ANOTHER Easter biscuit...

Then they went home and on Good Friday we went home to my parents in Somerset. It was my mum's birthday.

My sister took them out for lunch and we turned up and joined them for tea and cake in the local farm shop before all going back to theirs for the weekend. It was so lovely. I cherish my times with my family, the children love going home to Somerset and as always it went way too quickly.

I visited my grandparents' grave again, now that the headstone has been erected, and it was peaceful. They are nestled between daffodils and under a shady tree in the churchyard where I married the husband ten years ago, and my parents married 39 years ago. I find it comforting to visit them whenever I go home,  although it always feels very raw each time.

Playing in the grounds of where we married in 2002
and yes that is a cherry tree dress you spy!

My parents babysat on Saturday night so the husband and I went out for drinks and  he had the kids during the day so my mum and sis and I could spend the day shopping together. We pottered around a beautiful town near Bath, we stopped at a vintage fair, had afternoon tea, looked at the gorgeous little shops and I realised how much I miss them both when we aren't all together. My dad calls us The Coven. Hmmm!

Easter in Somerset:

I really love this pic of the Princess and "Ganny"

Picture courtesy of the Princess!

Simply not playing ball....

A lone dandelion crying out to be freed in the sky (which I missed!!!)

Then it all got silly. As always.

Here Prince, taste this lemon.....

Snigger!

Good night John Boy

The husband and the Prince and I steered clear for the photo!

It was so lovely to all get together - there was too much food, my mum is a true domestic goddess and always has been. She cooks and bakes everything from scratch and makes the most amazing carrot cake ever.

Here are two pictures that would have been lush if the Princess had managed to open her eyes! I gave up after two attempts as got impatient. After all, there were wind surfers to check out. But I love the way the wind is whipping her hair back and forth, so to speak.

Oh and on a final note the husband and the six other Superheroes raised more than  £2,500 for the Brittle Bone Society when they ran the Reading Half Marathon. Thank you so very much for the kind donations, it meant a great deal.

The husband is the Superhero Kick Ass, the green one!

I am very proud! Think they loved all the attention they got too.

Off lambing tomorrow if the weather holds. And Debs, if you are reading this, CAN you see me in the bath???!!! ;-)

It's raining. Men!

I cannot cope with this weather anymore. Came home this afternoon soaked to the skin. Yuk.

But good things have happened today and I swear it's karma.

I went out shopping with the Prince this morning after the school run, to let the husband sleep off a hangover as he went out in London last night. I came home at lunchtime to find him about to leave the house and walk to the train station to head into work. In the filthiest weather. He doesn't own a raincoat and left his umbrella on the train (again. This is the fourth time). What a silly man.

So I drove him to the station. Where he announced "Oh god, I've left my wallet and phone at home" (sometimes I feel like slapping him, he is soooo forgetful!). So I have given him my bank card and if he loses that I'll punch him.

Then I got home to discover he'd left his packed lunch in the fridge. Despite me leaving a note on his bag to remind him. It really is like having three children sometimes.

ANYWAY, he was totally thrilled when I arrived in the downpour with the car, offering him a lift, and he's just found out we've got great Olympic tickets. Never seen him so excited!

The sole reason I went shopping is because I am seeing Bon Jovi on Monday night (and yes I will be mentioning this every single day) and wanted to buy some tattoo sleeves to look REALLY bad!!!

I'd seen some on Amazon for £4.99 (plus free delivery) but they may not arrive in time and I wanted to go to the shop which I knew sold them. I got the train in, hit the cherry tree shops where I picked up the following Ladybird books for 50p each in the British Heart Foundation.

I then headed to the shop for the tattoo sleeves. The staff were rude, couldn't be bothered to show me where the sleeves were, and then I discovered they were £7.50. For the same pair as the ones I saw on Amazon. Rip Off.

I refused to pay it and walked off disgruntled towards the train station and bumped into a mum from the village, who I only really know to say a quick hello.

She was getting the train home too so we were talking and I told her I was desperate for tattoo sleeves.

She looked at me and said "Oh I've got some you can have. Brand new. My husband was given a load at work."

Just like that! She gave me her address and I picked up the car, dropped off the husband and fetched the tattoo sleeves. Let Us Rock.

I am officially the world's saddest blogging rock chick

Look who loves it more than me (so baggy!)

And if all this wasn't exciting enough, I THEN got a text from Cuckoo to say I'd won Pink Milk's giveaway. I am beyond thrilled. Utterly overjoyed and so I raced home to log on!

I am chuffed to say the least. Thanks Heather, can't wait to see it in the flesh. Wish I could make fab things. I just don't find the time. Between raising children, working and blogging and all the housework, I don't seem to find time.

I barely even sit in the front of the TV anymore. Except for Made in Chelsea, naturally. And Embarrassing Fat Bodies, but not when I am eating sausages.

Just visited my neighbour who has a seven week old yellow Labrador. Very cute. The Princess BEGGED me for one. I have asthma which is triggered by animal fur and so the answer is a definite no.

But she is very cute and furry. And I succombed. Then I got all tight chested and wheezy. I never learn. Ever.

Just adorable. A good day, despite the horrid weather.

Hope it picks up tomorrow, I am meeting a new friend in the morning. Then I have an old friend coming over to stay the night with her son, cannot wait for a catch up. Haven't seen her in ages and ages.

A chilled Sunday

I have had a rather pleasant day so far, despite the filthy weather (it's like winter).

I woke up at 10.30am (it was my turn for a lie-in, which happens once in a blue moon) and then went to the garden centre for a cappucino and bacon ciabatta roll while the children played happily. It was a win-win situation.

Then we came home and snuggled up watching Breakfast at Tiffany's for the first time ever. How come I've never watched this film before? It's fabulous. I love Audrey and her outfits and quirky little ways.

And while I was watching it (the kids were playing with a magic tricks set), the husband announced he was cooking the roast beef for this evening. Yikes! There must be some kind of catch, I am thinking.

It truly makes up for yesterday when (other than escaping to the cherry tree shops for an hour), I seemed to do nothing but work all day and was exhausted by 7pm. I had a work deadline and then housework, which was never ending.

I bought these trousers for £6 yesterday from British Heart Foundation but I am going to return them this week and find something else instead. They are totally unflattering. Too big, pockets at the hips and I look as wide as an elephant.

And they don't even look nice on the hanger.
What was I thinking?!

Eek! Ignore the dusty mirror...

I am in desperate need of a decent mascara. The latest one I bought is an Elizabeth Arden one but I don't rate it.  If anyone has truly found a magnificent one, please let me know. The Elizabeth Arden one had good reviews but I am rather unimpressed, to be honest.

I look at my children's lashes with envy and wish I had theirs.

Yesterday morning at breakfast.

Even the Prince is blessed with fab lashes

P.S. On a totally random note, why can't I see who is following me? I can see the number of followers on my Dashboard but that's it. Does anyone else have this problem?

Bristol Fashion

I have a real urge for chocolate this evening but can't be bothered to venture round to the shop to get some. So I guess my urge isn't that strong! But I am thinking a lot about Double Deckers tonight...

Had a lovely day today, a colleague of the husband's came for lunch with his wife and young son. The husband made a gorgeous couscous salad with haloumi, chickpeas, raisins, rocket and a harissa dressing. For someone who doesn't do much in the kitchen, we were impressed - it was gorgeous! I then made some pizzas to go with the salad and we had a good old scoff with lots of wine.

Shame about the weather though. It's been funny all day, I am desperate for the sun. Hurry up already, it's summer!

So I have forgotten about the flip flops for the time being and am back to boots; I get cold feet! The below are my bargain from the British Heart Foundation in Windsor for £4.99.

They are originally from Gap Kids and are a navy blue. I really love them, although they are slightly battered and frayed around the edges. So comfy and worth every penny.  It's a great charity shop and where I found the pair of Earl jeans a few months back. Ooh get me, the height of fashion!

Speaking of fashion, this morning my children got a postcard from Kat Walker. She is Bristol’s retail therapist who represents fashion and shopping in the city, don't you know.

In real life, she happens to be my sister Anna, who has a great job promoting Bristol and this is just a perfect for her.
For anyone living in and around Bristol, Anna's alter ego Kat will share with you all the best sales, offers and fashion advice from Bristol’s retailers, including House of Fraser, Harvey Nichols, Debenhams, Primark, Gap and many more high street names.

For those of you in the south west, click on http://visitbristol.co.uk/site/youve-got-a-friend-in-bristol/friends/kat-walker  to find out more. You can also befriend Kat Walker on facebook - www.facebook.com/katwalkerbristol and see all the deals in the city.

Here is my gorgeous sister as Kat Walker, soon to be seen on buses and billboards throughout Bristol. She is such a lovely girl, beautiful on the inside and out and I can't wait to see her next weekend as it's the Prince's second birthday so she and her hubby will come over to celebrate.

Kat Walker. Cat Walk. Geddit?

She is twinkly fairy godmother to the
Princess and Prince

This is Anna and I as kids. She was always cute.
Do you dig my turquoise outfit from Tammy Girl?!

This is her (on the right) with her best friend at the time Emma Pierson
 (Emma is now an actress, known for her role in Hotel Babylon)

And this was taken of us last year on my birthday.
Anna came up with mum and dad and we all scoffed a huge feast!

And lastly, I was awarded the Stylish Blogger Award recently from Cuckoo at http://www.talesfromcuckooland.blogspot.com/ and I would like to pass this award on to the following three blogs which I really enjoy:

http://www.atalefromtoadstoolhouse.blogspot.com/

http://www.tracynko-motile.blogspot.com/

http://www.oddsocksandprettyfrocks.blogspot.com/

Come and get your award girls!

x x

Fat Face and too many Easter eggs

I have just come home all hot and bothered. Walked to the next village to catch a train to Reading. The husband offered to drive me in to save me catching public transport but the thought of walking a mile in and back and saving carbon footprints got me all psyched up.

I mean I really need the exercise, I've eaten all the kids' Easter eggs now. They both forgot about them and I hadn't. End of. Last night was a huge choc fest and I felt very naughty.

So now I am trying to exercise it off. So I marched the mile in with the Prince in his pushchair, caught the train, walked around Reading for three hours, got the train back, walked the mile home as fast as I could and then walked past my house and straight up to the polling station to vote.

Then I legged it home, put the Prince to bed and had a lush shower and now I feel all chilled. Plus a friend is picking up the Princess from school so I don't need to venture out.

I saw a nice dress from the British Heart Foundation today but decided not to go for it although I am now regretting it. It was a black faux wrap dress from Wallis for £6.99. Wish I'd bought it now. Blast.

Today I am wearing a lush Fat Face skirt which I bought from the British Heart Foundation in Windsor. I wear it a lot. It's green and yellow and very spring like. The only pics I have of me wearing it are below. I wore it to wave off my beloved sister when she went travelling last year. I also wore it on a picnic two weeks ago which you can just see below.



My Fat Face skirt and my Hush Puppy shoes
The skirt was £4 and the shoes were £3!



Picnic by the river two weeks ago. In the Fat Face skirt. Again.

I must get an early night as am so tired. The Prince is teething and I was feeding him at 7pm, 11pm and 1.30am and felt like death this morning. Tomorrow the husband is on a late shift so I am going to entice him to Henley for a walk by the river. Oh, and a fly by all the charity shops!