Monday, 22 June 2015

make the most of seasonal fruits


Day 22 of my '90 days of summer 2015' posts; make the most of seasonal fruits. Don't strawberries just taste utterly heavenly at this time of the year? Delicious on their own, with cream or yoghurt. Our fridge is always full of berries; I put them on my breakfast, have them as a snack or as a dessert after a meal. 

How do you eat yours?



breakfast outdoors

Day 21 of my '90 days of summer 2015' posts; breakfast outdoors. This is definitely one of my summer loves. I love eating breakfast outdoors and taking the time to relax and enjoy every minute. I think this is such a great start to the day and I wish I could start everyday like this, but unfortunately the weather lets us down on a regular basis.

Coffee, croissants and jam; what could be better!


find a summer read

Day 20 of my '90 days of summer' posts; find a summer read. During the summer holidays, I get to enjoy my love of reading much more often than when I'm at work. The books I like to read are lighthearted, funny and I like to be able to lose myself in them. I'm very often swayed by a pretty cover!

Friday, 19 June 2015

have a picnic in the park


Day 19 of my '90 days of summer 2015' posts; have a picnic in the park. I think this has to be my favourite thing about summer. I love picnics and enjoy choosing different locations to have them in. Last year, we had them in some spectacular places and hope to do the same again this year. 

It's great to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air; so good for the soul.

Have a great weekend lovelies!


Thursday, 18 June 2015

keep a one sentence diary

Day 18 of my '90 days of summer 2015' posts; keep a one sentence diary. Each year I always start a diary with such good intentions but by the end of January you can guarantee I have stopped. I'm usually so tired by the time I go to bed that I just haven't got the energy or inclination to write in it.

So writing one sentence a day in a diary doesn't seem such of a hardship as it's brief. I can record a single event, an insight, plan or none of these. If my mind is blank, I will just write 'my mind is blank' and shut it until the next day.

I'm hoping this will help me to write more meaningful things and reflect on the current state of my life.

Wednesday, 17 June 2015

burger and a beer

Day 17 of my '90 days of summer' posts; burger and a beer. In our house, summer means it's burger season. I just love a good, juicy burger with homemade wedges and washed down with an ice, cold beer.


Tuesday, 16 June 2015

wear summer stripes

Day 16 of my '90 days of summer' posts; wear summer stripes. Stripes are a staple part of my wardrobe during the summer months. They remind me of holidays in France, lazy summer days and punting along the river.

I am mixing my stripes between culottes, jeans and capri pants this summer.

How do you wear your stripes?

Monday, 15 June 2015

enjoy a pitcher of pimms


Day 15 of my '90 days of summer' posts; enjoy a pitcher of Pimms. On a lovely, summers day while lazing on the garden, there is nothing better than sharing a refreshing pitcher of Pimms.

It's so delightfully sweet, so refreshing and tastes great with summer fruits. The perfect summer drink!


Sunday, 14 June 2015

make lemon curd

Day 14 of my '90 days of summer' posts; make lemon curd. I just love the fresh, zingy taste of homemade lemon curd. Apart from it being incredibly simple and quick to make, it is utterly heavenly. All you need is a spoon or some hot, buttered toast.

My favourite tried and tasted many times recipe is on the BBC food website here. Sunshine food at its best.



Saturday, 13 June 2015

make a daisy chain


Day 13 of my '90 days of summer' posts; make a daisy chain. Many summer days with my girls were spent outdoors making daisy chains. It is a time I look back on with fondness; the only decision to be made was daisy bracelet or daisy necklace.

But as they got older, this lovely pastime got put aside for friends, films, music and boyfriends. I am determined to resurrect this old tradition we used to have and sit out in the garden and make daisy crowns and bracelets this summer. Maybe when they see me, they will want to join in too!

Friday, 12 June 2015

morning coffee outdoors


Day 12 of my '90 days of summer' posts; morning coffee outdoors. I'm one of those girls who always has to start the day with a cafetiere of coffee. There is just no other way to start the day for me.

During the summer, having coffee outdoors is one of life's little pleasures. Sunshine, birdsong and coffee make for a very relaxing start to the day. I'm looking forward to many more mornings like this during the next few weeks.

Thursday, 11 June 2015

fish and chips at the seaside

Day 11 of my '90 days of summer' posts; fish and chips at the seaside. No summer visit to the seaside is complete without a portion of fish and chips. They taste so much better when eating them by the sea. 

Sitting on the beach, enjoying the view, the smell of sea air and eating fish and chips is one of my summer pleasures. A national institution. 




Wednesday, 10 June 2015

cloud watching


Day 10 of my '90 days of summer' posts; cloud watching. Have you ever laid back in the grass and just looked for shapes in the clouds? I remember doing it as a child but it is a luxury I have never afforded myself as an adult. There is always something else that needs doing; washing, ironing, cleaning etc. Yet, I suspect it is incredibly relaxing and serene - and it is free!

I have promised myself time over the summer to lay back and spend time doing this without worrying that there should be something I should be doing.

'Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time,' - John Lubbock.


Tuesday, 9 June 2015

be a postcard fairy

Day 9 of my '90 days of summer posts'; be a postcard fairy. Why not try and make someone's day with a cute postcard and a cheery message. I know how much I like to receive mail so I thought it would be nice to pay it forward.

Write one today and see how good it makes you feel.


Monday, 8 June 2015

eat a summer cupcake


What's a girl to do on her birthday! Start the day with some delicious cupcakes from Fancie, of course. Blueberry, lemon curd, vanilla, caramel; so many to choose from. I doubt if these cupcakes will last the day!

Have a great day lovelies!

Sunday, 7 June 2015

fly a kite

Day 7 of my '90 days of summer' posts; fly a kite. Last summer we kept saying we were going to get a kite and fly it but it was another thing that we didn't get around to doing. So we promised ourselves that the next visit to the beach we had, we would get a kite and attempt to fly it.

What a lot of fun we had. I haven't laughed so much in ages. Trying to master the art of kite flying in crazy winds was hilarious but we did it. It has to be the ultimate stress reliever! With the sound of 'Let's go fly a kite' from Mary Poppins in my head, I was in heaven.

I can't wait to do it again.



Have a great day lovelies.


Saturday, 6 June 2015

visit a botanical gardens

Day 6 of my '90 days of summer' posts; visit a botanical gardens. The botanical gardens in Sheffield are a hidden gem not far from the city centre. In fact, it's so peaceful and quiet, it's hard to believe you are anywhere near a built up area at all.  We spend a lot of time here all year round but it is particularly beautiful at this time of year. 

There are so many places to sit and read, eat a picnic, chat to friends and admire the view. If it's a cold day, there is a little tea room that sells hot chocolate and in the summer it's all about ice cream. There are so many varieties of plants and flowers and the rose garden is just beautiful. 

What better way to spend an evening after work or a weekend afternoon. 



Of course, we always have a picnic with us! At this time of year, the picnic baskets are always packed and ready so that if we decide on impulse to pop over here, we are set to go. 

Have a great day lovelies.


Friday, 5 June 2015

small sighs

Halfway through the year already! Where have the past few months disappeared to? I have to say though that I am looking forward to the summer months, with warmer weather, lighter nights and of course, getting married.

I am determined to make the most of this summer and that is why I have started my '90 days of summer' series. I don't want to look back in Autumn and think to myself 'where has summer disappeared to?' It's all about enjoying the little things.

This weekend is all about my birthday. It's not my birthday until Monday but we are going to have pre-celebrations, taking advantage of our days off work. We will be having a day at the beach and a family bike ride and picnic, weather permitting!

Here is what I've been enjoying this week:

Cocktails for two

Beautifully scented lilac


 Pastel coloured coffee cups

 Tea and wedding planning


Our picnic view inside Lincoln Castle

Have a great weekend lovelies.


make bread - tuna melt piadina



Day 5 of my '90 days of summer' posts; make bread. If you can't be in Italy for the summer, you can bring a taste of it home with this delicious piadina. It is so easy to whip up for lunch or supper even if you have never made bread before. So simple yet so tasty.

If you want to try it, find the recipe in Save With Jamie.

Have a great day lovelies.