Last year, when I was away from teaching for a while I got really into posting my Happy Mondays each week (inspired by the Lovely round ups of good bloggy friends like Katy, Jasmin, Charlie and Charley, amongst others). Then came January and the whizz and whirl of a new term, and realistically I knew the series would have to fall off the radar.
But today finds me on a chilled Monday (it's been a day of reading, lesson planning, laundry, trash TV and housework) and with plenty to be happy about, so I thought I'd revive the format. Something I'm intending to do from time to time, cause heck, this is my space and I shall use it as I see fit. :)
(While I have you, thank you for all the kind responses after this post. I feel so lucky to have such kind people around me!)
1. Cooking
How lovely it is to have time to cook up some new recipes. The recent sunny weather has me dreaming up quick dinners, big salads, and refreshing cocktails. Pictured above, a quick lunch of mushroom risotto topped with Santini tomatoes (so tangy and fresh).
2. Shopping
3. Catching up with friends
Lunches and coffees, ice creams and Hawksmoor visits, fondue and catch ups - what a joy to check in with folk! And still others I need to see before the holiday is through.
4. Visiting Couchella
Just before I headed off on holiday, I was lucky enough to be a plus-one at Habitat's Couchella event. As a homewares nut and a big fan of the brand, the chance to look at the new season's offerings and some classics from the brand as well was too good to pass up and I went along and had such fun. From gorgeous sofas (hence, Couchella), to picnicware I need and sunny plates and bowls that are perfect for the summer season, I loved having a good look around, as well as getting to spend time with some lovely blogger ladies.
5. Quitting
At the start of this year I tried to split my blog into different sites.
One for food, one for travel, one for books, one for everything else.
After a couple of months it became apparent that there just weren't enough hours in the day to keep them all going, so I've folded all the streams back into this blog. I think it could work, but not in the 12-20 hours a week I have for blogging during termtime.
I'm mainly just sad that my pretty Pipdig themes won't get used now.
6. Getting my Greek on
I went to an event all about organic Greek produce last week which got me thinking about some new ways of using Greek ingredients and flavours in my own cooking. I also got to hang out with the lovely Lucy and Hanh, which is always a delight.
7. A morning with Debenhams
I love the chance that the holidays give me to attend more blog events and invites. One such invitation was for a breakfast invite last week from Debenhams and Julien Macdonald to view his S/S home collection and preview parts of the A/W collection. I loved so many of the pieces, particularly the duller-sequins which felt very luxe and chic and the bedding, which was hard to resist curling up on! To stage the pieces the team had dressed a penthouse at The Sanderson, and everything looked fabulous. I really loved the framed pictures (using frames from the Star by Julien Macdonald homewares range) of celebrities wearing pieces by the man himself!
8. Cats
Another wonderful part of hols is the sheer volume of kitty time - the trio have been getting properly spoiled with cuddles, play, and chicken. Fry's fine, by the way - he just likes the camera less (unless it's a video. The boy's a budding YouTuber!).
9. A great evening at The Diner
Piles of gorgeous food, spot on cocktails and a cracking soundtrack? Welcome to my Thursday evening, you guys. The lovely folks at The Diner invited a few of us over to try out the refurbished Islington location. The new space is great (I love the new bar in the centre of the room!) and the food and service was top notch.
10. Italy
What a dream our trip was. I've only written up one part of our travels so far (on Burano), but there are so, so many posts to come. I came back more than a little in love with the beauty of Italy, and we're already scheming to get back before too long. Isn't travel awesome?
I hope you've all started your weeks well - always easier when they are four-day ones, right?
