Monday 20 February 2017

Not Quite Valentines Date

Valentines day this year was something of a disaster. There were a few reasons, thankfully none of them relationship related, but the fact that Mr. was miles away on a training course certainly put a dampner on things too. That's why we decided to celebrate Valentines on the previous Saturday.

I've heard a few bloggers and couples comment, especially when they've been together for some years, that they don't 'do' Valentines day. Each to their own though, I quite like it, so does the Mr. We most definitely 'do' Valentines day.

Kitted out in our Vintage finery
Wearing: Shoes - Irregular Choice, Bag - Vintage, Dress - Vintage, Fascinator - Gift

We didn't really do much in the day, other than exchange our gifts. He'd bought two new millinery books for me (I feel a new craft coming on) and I'd bought him a new shirt. Rock 'n' roll, I know. Anyway, that evening I had booked us a table at a local Indian restaurant. We got super glammed up in our vintage finery, and set off there fairly early and I was really surprised by how busy it was. What a good job I had booked.

We enjoyed a set meal, which was far too large for us. I do love curry, I can quite happily binge on curry, and starting off with Prawn Puri, followed by a whole curry to myself, rice, naan and Saag Aloo, yep, that was a curry binge.
vintage eccentric style

I felt like I needed to be rolled up the road afterwards, but I still didn't turn down the complimentary Cognac at the end of my meal.

We set off to a pub which, we were surprised to find was a bit dead. It's a while since we'd been to it, but there was absolutely nothing going on whatsoever, which was a huge disappointment. Talk about all dressed up with nowhere to go.

We decided to quit that joint, and head off to a new swanky wine bar that we'd heard about on the posh side of town. Now, I love a swanky wine bar, but the hubby can be a bit hit and miss. Imagine my surprise though when he loved it just as much as I did. That's certainly testimony to the atmosphere that the bar had.

It was buzzing. Of course, I think it helped that the Mr. seemed to attract a hipster fanclub because of his beard and the way he was dressed. They were adamant he looked like Christoph Waltz in Django unchained. Yeah, I can see the likeness!

Image from: http://www.movieactors.com/actors/christophwaltz.htm

Eventually we peeled off and braved the cold gales rattling in off the North sea and headed home. We had a fabulous night, and whilst it wasn't Valentines day, it was our Valentines day, and it couldn't have been any better.


Monday 13 February 2017

What I Wore: Sunday Lunch

Sunday lunch outfit fashion blogger

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I need no excuse to dress up. Whilst some view Sunday as a day for tracksuit bottoms and Ugg boots, if I'm going out for lunch then I'm not going to miss the opportunity to don a frock and put my makeup on.


Granted, I'm not going to put on my best evening dress because that would be REALLY overdressed, and I've had this beautiful silk dress from Monsoon for some years now so I personally don't feel too dressed up in it. I still always feel nicely presented whilst wearing it though, and think that its flowing sheer layers are perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

luxury fashion blogger
Shoes - Jimmy Choo, Dress - Monsoon, Bag - Michael Kors

I completed the look with my trusty Jimmy Choos, and a beautiful, and surprisingly practical tiny little red handbag from Michael Kors.


Despite the appearance of blue skies and sunshine it was absolutely freezing taking these photographs, so it wasn't long before I had to put my coat back on, the life of a blogger isn't all glamorous you know!


Monday 6 February 2017

Books: The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

I had wanted to read 'The Miniaturist' for some time, certainly since it had been released. When one of my friends offered to lend it to me, it found its way straight on to my 2017 books to read list, and was the first one that I plumped for.

I don't tend to read many novels, preferring biographical or other factual books as a rule, but I often find that once I start with a well written novel, I can't put it down. This book fit that description perfectly and I found myself getting through it very quickly, purely because I could not leave it alone.

Set in 17th century Amsterdam, the tale follows a young woman, Nella, as she embarks on her marriage to a wealthy merchant. All is not as it seems, however, in what should be an idyllic life and behind closed doors the perfect facades of the family that she has married into quickly melt away. Nella has been bought, by her wealthy new husband, a miniature model of their home, and begins to order miniature figures to put into it, but there is a mysterious element with the illusive and mysterious miniaturist. As life in her new home unravels the miniaturist seems to provide some chilling premonitions as to the outcome of events.

This was definitely the right book to start my year out on, and if you like tales of mystery with lots of twists and turns, then this is definitely a book that you don't want to miss.

What novels have you been reading lately?

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