Bonfire Cozy..

Its been some years since I did anything on around Bonfire night, it seems over the years that Halloween is eclipsing this old british favourite and it gets forgotten in the build to Christmas. I have so many lovely memories of Bonfire Nights of old I was determined to bring this back into my autumn plans.


This year M and I spent the evening with the 'big kids' having a Bonfire picnic in the garden.

With comfy chairs, blankets and a very cozy fire pit it was a lovely way to relax, chat and enjoy the evening.
Without getting too stressed we opted for easy food which once prepared didn't need much work:
Hot Dogs, Baked Potatoes, Beans & Cheese for mains
With the camping stove keeping the saucepan warm, the hot chocolate station proved to be a big hit as well.

Some of the evenings entertainment was made with the simplicity of Smore's and Sparklers around the fire.
It was a lovely chilled evening, with lots of laughter, and something I think will become a fall favourite.
I hope that your Bonfire plans are full of sparkle. x

Farewell October...

November's arrived and we are into the last 2 months of 2018. I'm not sure where it has gone and every good intention that I have to blog more seems to get taken up with work and life.
With Autumn being so glorious I have been out with my camera and captured some lovely sights from the season and it definitely felt that London completely embraced fall and all its pumpkin and foliage delights.
Favourites included Covent Garden where Europes largest pumpkin was on display, Wild Things Flowers in Mayfair who's tin baths always bring a smile to my face and the lobby of Claridge's who's weekly floral installations in the lobby were a delight.
I have lots of other stories to share from October and will do so over the next few days (hopefully).

Farewell October ....

So October has fallen asleep in glorious autumnal shades and winter is rapidly approaching. However before we say goodbye to what has been a glorious month of gorgeous hues of gold, red and browns, let me share some of my best bits.

2016 is turning out to be a year of so much change; new job, weight-loss, fitness programme and new friendships and a very busy social life, that it doesn't seem to leave much time for blogging.

With the nights drawing in I am hoping to catch-up on some blog posts and find a rhythm and routine that works for me.
October has seen some glorious sunrises, a little fog, coffee with friends, pumpkins, leaves and park runs filled with colour.
I am now running 3 times a week and have loved watching the season change during the month.
Beautiful blue skies, showcasing greens, reds, oranges and golds.

October saw me complete my 3 month probationary period at work and I feel like I have finally settled into my office and getting comfortable with the job.
The month also saw me at the cemetery to mark my Nan's birthday.

The end of the month saw me take a trip to Portsmouth to see my nephew who moved there in September to start his university life. I met his house mates and took him for Sunday lunch, a walk around the quay and then some retail therapy. We had a lovely day and I cant believe how much he has grown up in the short time that he has been there.
As you can see October was glorious, I made the most of the good weather with trips to the coast both south and east. Had a fab day at a family wedding. 
Looking forward to November and all that it brings x

Autumn Bucket List.....

Today I am guest writing for Gemma on her blog Gems Country Life. I have followed Gem’s blog and Instagram feed for some time now and I am delighted to write a post for her during what is one of my favourite months of the year. 

Gems posts this month are have a real autumnal feel to them which has allowed me to share all my favourite things about October and Autumn before we tumble into winter when the clocks fall back at the weekend.

Lots of people love Spring and the awakening of the flowers from their winter hibernation but for me Autumn is the equivalent of spring but for the leaves and trees as they turn from green to golden glows of yellows and reds.

This year the colours have been spectacular and I have loved kicking my way through the fallen leaves as I walk and run through the park.

Every year I produce an Autumnal Bucket List which I try to complete during the end of September and October; this year we have been blessed with some gorgeous weather which has allowed me to soak up some gorgeous sunrise’s and sunsets through the city, at the seaside and in the park.

Autumn for me features Spice Lattes, Apples, Pumpkins, Cozy Sweaters, Candles, Ugg Slippers and Cashmere throw. My wardrobe switches into comfy boots, and a  capsule wardrobe of browns, tans, greens and berry. Days are filled with gorgeous Sunrises and Sunsets, and park life is filled with Conkers, Squirrels, Swans  and lots of crisp leaves. (perfect for kicking).

So as we head towards November I am going to savour every minute left of Autumn before the days become a little darker and greyer and the festive season is truly upon us and I start compiling my Winter Bucket List.

T's Autumn TV Treats....

So it definitely feels like summer is over and autumn has arrived and that's even more evident with the TV scheduling over the past couple of weeks. My planner has gone into overdrive and I am now stockpiling series for the weeks ahead, when the nights draw in and I find comfort on the safe with a throw, hot chocolate and cashmere socks!

So here's whats on my watch list for the fall:

• Tennison - no release date yet for this, but cant wait to see the adaption of Lynda La Plante's Tennison come to the screen; the story of DI Jane Tennison (Prime Suspect) when she joined the police in the 70's.
• DCI Banks - loving the return on this series. Along with the great investigations I am also loving the under story's of the characters. My friends wife is one of the lead characters which adds to the enjoyment of this series.
• Inside Scotland Yard - completely hooked on this documentary presented by Sir Trevor McDonald. Earlier this year I was lucky enough to see some of Scotland Yards infamous Black Museum and loved it. Opening the doors to this fascinating building is a thrill.
• Starting this week is National Treasure on channel 4 and a welcome return to the TV of Robbie Coltrane and the fabulous Julie Walters - an iconic TV star is accused of rape and then suddenly several girls come forward with similar allegations.
• Another fabulous documentary currently being aired is Inside British Vogue. Fascinating insight into the world of the most powerful fashion house and magazine.

Cold Feet has seen a welcome return to TV after 13 years, its great to see all the old characters after so long and it feels like they've never been away. Enjoying the series and the complexities of the lives, divorces, marriages of the 5 friends.

Thrilled that series 3 of The Fall returns to BBC2 this week - without a doubt Jamie Dornan is the most sexiest serial killer ever and can't wait to see where this series goes.

Sunday nights at (pm my planner goes into overdrive with Victoria and Poldark - perfect Sunday night period drama. Loving both series, but Victoria is currently my favourite.

Another series that starts this week is Paranoid ; trailer looks great and the cast is fantastic, perfect autumnal evening viewing. Finally Our Girl returns with series 2 and Michelle Keegan in the main role filling the very big shoes of Lacey Turner. Episode 1 was a little slow but episode 2 was a thrill from start to finish and enjoying the new characters alongside the old ones.

So that's my autumn viewing list, would love to hear whats on yours .... have a great week.

Hello September ....

So September has arrived with some glorious sunrises and sunsets and I am happy to announce that normal blogging service should resume.
August was a month of so much change, the biggest being a brand new job which sees me enter month 2 and week 5 next week.
September is fairly low key for me and looking forward to some downtime along with catching up with friends, having fun and getting some routine back after a month of change.
My slimming-world and fitness journey takes on a new challenge with me participating in the walking all over cancer campaign of 10,000 steps a day in September.

September also sees the return of a much loved character Bridget Jones - tickets are booked and can't wait for the fun and clutz that she will bring, along with a new romance with the delicious Jack (Patrick Dempsey)
I love September its a month that is filled with gorgeous beginnings, leaves changing and of course Pumpkin Lattes (I'm allowing myself one this season as the syns are huge!)
The Rugby season kicks off this month so a trip to Twickenham is planned
I also have so many blog posts to catch-up on from August during the month including: Paris adventures, Month 1 with the Fenwick family, Fitness and SW update and a gorgeous summer in the city.
Here's to a great September ..... filled with love, fun, friendship and the occasional rugby thigh!

October Daily....

Last month I shared that I had discovered a whole new world on Instagram for Planners and that I would be participating in Mrs Brimbles October daily.
This is my first foray into the fun of instagram daily and I have really enjoyed it.

1. October - kicking off month with #octdaily.
2. Brown - breakfast plans in shades of Brown.
3. Autumnal - hues on the desk and across the planner.
4. So me - whenever friends read my blog the first thing they say is its "so me"
5. Chocolate cake & cupcakes made by me.
6. Favourite - favourite things of autumn, sunrises, scarves, pumpkin latte, cozy jumpers, flowers & sunsets.
7. Snuggly - lots of Kit snuggles in October.
8. Journal - lots of page shares for the planner.
9. Warm Drink - coffee to stay and coffee to go New York style.

10. Colours of Autumn displayed in technicolour from blooms, pumpkins & conkers.
11. Orange - through back to summer shades of orange & pink.
12. Memories - getting ready for NY trip and memory journal.
13. Book - reading an old favourite before I see the movie.
14. To Do - long list in this months planner.
15. Leaves - lots of gorgeous autumnal leaves on  commute to work.
16. Selfie - loath selfies but did share this one of my new hat for NY.
17. Out & About - cake delivering today with this Harry Potter creation.
18. Dashboard - sharing this snap of Taylor's dash

19. Cozy - nothing says cozy more than Uggs, candles, blankets, sofa.
20. Soup Season - home-made soup & ryvitas - staple lunch for October.
21. Apples - Plums & apples for breakfast
22. Decorate - Selfridges decorate for Christmas, journey to the stars.
23. Conkers - signs of autumn
24. Stickers - lots of sticker treats for the planner.
25. Toasty - eggs & toast in brass rail for breakfast
26.  Preparation - thinking about November.
27. Crisp or Crunch - leaves underfoot love the sound as you walk on them through the trees.
28. Pumpkin - T's terrace decorated with pumpkins and candles for halloween.
29. Changing - as October comes to an end you stay to see more leaves on the floor than on the branches, signs that the season is changing.
30. Treat - a day off and a treat to spend it out in the streets of London
31 Halloween - Calendar corner a treat for the halloween weekend.
Thanks Mrs B for hosting October Daily I had so much fun.

Falling into October...

I love October, it is without doubt one of my favourite months.... I love this time of the year. October is for;

~ Pumpkin Spice Lattes

~ Apples & Plums

~ Conkers

~ Warm sweaters

~ Coffee

~ Browns & Tweed

~ Scarves & Boots

~ Carving Pumpkins

~ Falling leaves

~ Long walks

~ Cozy nights on sofa

~ Fireplace

~ warm sweaters

& 

~ lots of Books!

October sees an autumnal makeover on the blog along with calendar and book corner.

I have a few things planned in October; and weather permitting will continue my wednesday walk to work health kick.
I will be cheering along the All Blacks in the World Cup now that England are no longer in the tournament.
Spectre opens at the end of the month, which I am excited about!... got to love Daniel Craig in Tom Ford! yum.
I have lots of blog posts planned, including some New York posts, Instagram fun & TV and Trailers. Will also be sharing some Planner love as well.
Happy October, and Autumnal fall of thighs, books & bond!

Autumn reads.....

Before I embark on a pile of Christmas reads (I love a Christmas book, perfect for a cozy afternoon on sofa with a throw and hot chocolate) let me share what's made my "books to eat" list for Oct/Nov.
I have already shared one of my favourite reads Ali Mcnamara's Step Back in Time here's some of  my other favourites.

• Tangled Lives - Hilary Boyd Lizzie Delancey is a 50 something mum who holds a secret, at the age of 18 she gave her son up for adoption. 32 years later an official envelope pops through the door, her son wants to meet her. Having kept this secret from her 2 grown daughters and son she has to tell them... This starts a journey with Lizzie filled with love, angst, heartache and  tangled family lives. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, loved Lizzie, Daniel her adopted son, and the story it tells.
• Before I met you - Lisa Jewel
Betty Dean has spent most of her life on the island of Guernsey now in her 20's she embarks on a journey in Soho London, tracing the life of her beloved grandmother Arlette who unknown to all had lived & worked in London in the 1920's ... This book is beautiful, swinging between the 20's & 90's its a journey of love, lost & found. If the recent jazz era of Downtown Abbey has intrigued you then this book is for you... Heartbreaking & heartwarming all in one book.
• Cupcakes at Carringtons  Alexandra Brown . Georgie runs the luxury bag concession at Carrington’s Department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry Bay. Her best friend runs the cupcake parlour within the store and her spending constraints means her only treat of the day is a red velvet cupcake with butter cream icing. Carrington’s goes into a recession-busting makeover and soon Georgie is fighting not only for her job, but also for the attentions 2men! ... I loved this book, it features, cupcakes, Mulberry and yummy men... I read this book when undergoing some change at work and it really hit the mark!... Can't wait for the Christmas follow-up
• Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop ~ Abby Clements ...Imogen and Anna unexpectedly inherit their grandmother Vivien's ice cream parlour, The Brighton shop is a seafront institution, but while it's big on charm but very low on customers. Leaving Imogen in charge of the refurbishments, Anna heads to Italy for an icecream cookery course.This is a lovely book filled with charm, family and ice-cream flavours to drool over. It will make you want to spend a day in a bygone era of Brighton. .. And run away to Italy.... With a couple of delicious men and a vintage ice-cream van & recipes thrown into the mix its a scrumptious treat.
• Billy and me - Giovanna Fletcher  Sophie lives a quiet life in a small village of Kent, one day a handsome man comes to her rescue in the tea shop where she works. Unknown to Sophie the handsome man is Billy Buskin actor/teenage heartthrob, who is filming nearby. Billy & Sophie fall in love, and this book shares there journey from village to the city life of London. Sophie's insecurities manifest as she leaves her comfort zone of home behind, with Billy's global success growing .. Can their love survive. I really enjoyed this book, Sophie at times caused me some irritation but the relationship with Molly the owner of the tea shop is beautiful. It did make me cry on the train... So have a hanky handy!.. 
• Amelia Greys Fireside Dreams - Abby Clements  Amelia has always dreamed of a life in the country alongside husband Jack. Buying a cottage she hasn't set foot inside, soon makes that dream a reality. As Amelia begins the refurbishment and strips back the wallpaper & floors she learns about the previous owner and the secrets the cottage holds. With a teenage step sister thrust upon them and 2 hunky grandsons from the previous owner thrown in, Very soon they realise the project is much bigger than what they both expected... straining their relationship & finances. This is a lovely read, it weaves lots of subjects into the story and you will fall in love with the cottage... Perfect autumn read.

Thanks to all the authors that have kept me entertained on my commute during October & November.... You've made me laugh, cry and time travel to other places whilst several feet underground speeding across London.

Up & Out in October...

October is flying past as quickly as the leaves are turning from green to gold, and November is rapidly marching towards us... and before we know where we are Christmas will be upon us!.. Before I talk about Christmas I am going to share with you some of what I've been upto in October.

With the weather being favourable for this time of year, there have been some spectacular Sunrises and Sunsets on my journey to and from work.  Starbucks excelled themselves this month with the spelling of Teresa as Torisa.!!.. William Shakesphere featured twice in my month and I enjoyed turning the fire on for the first time this year.. and curling up with a good book, This months being Amelia Grey's Fireside dreams and catching up with this Autumns, Whitechapel with the gorgeous Rupert Penry Jones.. filled with murder, witchcraft and history. This month I have also discovered that the creme de la creme of notebooks now has an app for mobile & tablet!.. This has been used lots this month.

October featured a trip to the theatre to see Barking in Essex  an evening with Tony Hadley pretending I was 14 again!.... A gorgeous autumnal day in the country and a promotion

October fall....

I'm still struggling to come to terms with that we are in the 10th month of 2013 .... Really not sure where this year is going but its quick!
I love October, it is one of my favourite months... The nights become darker, trees become a cacophony of oranges and reds and you get to pretend you are 5 all over again by kicking the crispy leaves in the kerbside!.. ( every time I do I hear my nan in my ear telling me to stop as I will scuff my shoes!) and pumpkins & apples in a plenty.

It seems that autumn is being as kind to us as the summer was with glorious sunshine and blue skies, which has created the most amazing sunsets & sunrises.... I've had lots of stuff going on in September, which I will share with you soon, a night out at the theatre and some downtime with old friends.
Early this morning I spent some time in the park, enjoying the sunshine, which resulted in a fabulous conker haul... Bought back lots of lovely memories.., think the kittens are going to enjoy these.

October brings another favourite treat of the season Pumpkin Spice Latte... a firm favourite across the pond, Starbucks have introduced over the last few years, with it now becoming the pre-treat to the seasonal Red cups.

These are a welcome afternoon treat in the office,it does allow me to to daydream for 15 minutes that I am in New York! ... Mmm yum.
What autumnal treats are you looking forward to... I've already got the slow cooker out from the back of the cupboard ready for stews and shepherds pie.... Comfort food is a coming!..