Things of beauty...

Here's to a second chance at summer; the weather this week has been glorious. Sunny, warm and like the much-talked-about-but-rarely-experienced 'Indian Summer' that we always get promised here in England. Having prepared for winter cool, I instead find myself digging out flipflops and linen skirts for this little spell of warm weather.

More puppy days have ensued - beach and field walks with him trotting along behind me like the new friend that he is. He is a pleasure...I recommend 'Dog Island'; it's good fun.

I am finding the days merge; punctuated by school runs and dog walks. It's an utterly suburban life and whilst I am revelling in every moment, I get pangs occasionally of wanting the high life. To be out in the city with friends. Wearing heels. I usually get this feeling at this time of year and have come to expect it; it leads to plans for nights out to satiate this need to socialise after dark! The feeling that makes you want to put on a dress and head out. Somewhere glitzy. Hmmm, will have to work on that...

via a lady's findings

via bippity boppity boo

love this...source unknown

via the Sartorialist

photograph by Mikkel Vang

photograph by Polly Wreford

photograph by Jamie Beck

Here's to a sunny weekend...Byeeee!

Things of beauty...

Hello there. Returned with a shock to normal life; it's incredible how quickly those holiday vibes fade in the place of normal. I like normal, there is a regularity to it that feels right. The adjustment for the Boos is harder though; they have to get back into home mode and particularly school mode - starting the middle of next week. We must all get ourselves together and do the September 'starting fresh' season. I like this time of year...bouquets of sharpened pencils at the ready.

I feel, after all of my soul-searching, that I have the makings of a plan. I needed a plan. It heralds me getting back to normality in a wider sense; work, family, schooling, friends. I am reaching the conclusion that whilst times have been hard and I have felt decidedly without direction, it's been necessary for me to get where I am now.

via pretty stuff

Blake Lively in US Glamour

via 100 layer cake

via dust jacket attic

via 100 layer cake

via Dust Jacket Attic

Have a lovely relaxing weekend!

Observational...

Holiday observations...

No matter how much sleep I get, it never seems like enough.
I have been having the strangest dreams ever...is it the ocean air?
Breakfast on the balcony overlooking the beach definitely agrees with me.
We are here with another family and the children are having simply the best time; never seen so many smiles.
Trying to run every second day; it was the deal I made with myself...really should go today...
It feels like everything at home is on hold...but I am aware there are decisions to be made when I return. The key one being: what do I do about my work/life/whole being?
Conscious that summer will end abruptly the minute I step on the plane; England is reportedly swathed in cloud.
I don't even know what the date is anymore.
The bluest blue of the ocean gets me every time I look at it. I am such a true Pisces...
Am I ready for the new chapter of my life?
Daquiri at cocktail time today?
Are holidays the best thing ever? A resounding YES!

via classy in the city

I hope you liked the guest posts - I'm lucky to have such good friends and family hey? Meanwhile I think I will go now, down the boardwalk and step along the shore for a while. All the time thinking, thinking...and breathe!

Things of beauty...

A Friday comes around again; I must admit my grasp on what day it is is slipping, life lacks routine at present. I am learning to embrace the sensation of waking up and wondering what on earth is happening each day.

I have read alot about 'Mindfulness' lately and prior to this new-found knowledge on the topic, my understanding of it was quite basic. I thought it meant stopping and noticing the moment. It can equate to that but it's also, I discover, a much wider doctrine that genuinely means stopping and breathing and attempting to 'just be'. Easier said than done I will tell you! I have been catching myself though, at certain moments thinking 'take this in; this moment, this sensation, this place' and try to momentarily capture the strength of that emotion. We've spent some evenings at the beach this week and I find these moments pour in much like the waves...sunset on the water (a moment), children's squeals as they jump in (a moment), a chilled coolbox drink on a warm day (a moment).

Meanwhile my husband and I had the privilege of attending a ball this week at Goodwood House which, I have to say, was pretty much the best party I have ever been to! Despite being dressed up in Jane Austen-esque regency costume (me in empire line, he in satin pantaloons!) we partied the night away in the most oppulent surroundings. I am here to say that I am becoming mildly obsessed (re-obsessed?) with 80s music; the band just played and played and I never left the dance floor. I love the 80s...! Danced and danced and danced some more - and now my feet still have a reminiscent ache.

And so to things of beauty...

via pretty stuff

Loren Hope designs via pink preppy lilly lover

love this cake...via style me pretty

via crush cul de sac

via this flickr...photograph from Red.co.uk

via Country Living

via crush cul de sac

via bippity boppity boo

My latest mantra: 'Let it go...'

Things of beauty...

Hello blogworld. So here we are - a Friday again and this week I have been spending my time, errr, well...thinking!! I have never thought so much in my life (and that is saying something for me). The product of having more time on your hands? Time to think. In amongst that head time, I also did the most punishing circuit training session ever and now can barely walk unaided. But it's a good ache; the one that comes with well-used muscles. I have seen friends and been walking by the sea. I have lovingly attended school events that would have normally caused me a logistical headache. I have read a book. I have run up my phone bill as there have been a few dark moments where friendly intervention was needed. All in all I am hanging in there. Staying upbeat as afterall, it's all about having a positive mental attitude...

The weekend ahead will be good. Time with family, wishing the weather would pick up. What is with the rain? Come on sun...make an appearance!

from Atlantic Pacific

Oh Olivia P...

photograph by Brent Darby

via home from so cute things

How sweet is this? Pride...

Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein at Cannes

photograph by Elizabeth Messina

I think this boat looks just majestic...and I don't even like sailing. I wish I did...

via a ladys findings from country homes and interiors

via pretty stuff

by Selina Lake

via toast

Trying to smile every day...