Tuesday 14 July 2015

FRUITY


I don't know if it's just my taste buds dulling over time, or the lack of artificial colours (or maybe both?) but they don't taste as good as they used to when I was a child?

STRAWBS


What a visually pleasing colour scheme. Great strawberries from the corner shop.

FAN


I harped on for weeks about getting a fan, and Paul eventually relented. It's the noisiest fan in history, but it does the job!

STRIPED


Said Leeds shopping trip saw the purchase of the PERFECT pyjama bottoms, thanks to the GAP. 

Pyjama bottoms: £24.95 GAP

MORNING SEX


Last weekend, Rachel and I ventured to Leeds (Leeds, LEEDS) for a weekend of shopping, drinking and dancing. We woke up, strangely, VERY early on the Saturday morning (6:00 to be precise?!) so we watched Sex and The City in bed with tea.



Tea cups: £3 IKEA
Tea: T2

Wednesday 3 June 2015

MACARON


Macarons! Paul took me to a Macaron making course recently. It was AMAAAAZING, and was just in the arches at London Fields. A lot simpler to make than first appears. But it's all in the technique, which I guess the books don't really tell you.

BARBICAN (AGAIN)


It never gets old really. Rachel and I work equidistant from the Barbican, so it's a great excuse to get there, at least once a week.

CLOCK


J'adore, j'adore, j'adore

WHIP


Revisiting wedding venue, two years on, avec Mr Whippy.

THREE



Red lips, white walls, black roll necks.

TURNER


We visited Margate recently, as we wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It's not too far from London, and we hear it's all kicking off.

Whereas I don't think I am ready to leave London just yet, I definitely felt a rumble there. It was really refreshing to see this seaside town redeveloping, and at the forefront of it was the Turner gallery- pictured below.

Just wonderful

Friday 17 April 2015

P


One of the best things about leaving the band was that I didn't have to be away for extended periods of time away from home or Paul. So when he was recently away for three nights, I really missed him. Although it is good to miss people I think, it makes you really appreciate them, that little bit more.

BLACKHORSE


This was a wonderful morning on my way to work. It was the first super sunny and bright morning we had of the year... Spring had officially sprung!! This is my current favourite piece of architecture on the tube line. Blackhorse Road.

HAND


Aesop hand cream. Of course.

NEW


Early April saw a new season, a new coat and a new job. Still within the same company, I now am working with attorney training. I wore my brand new COS coat to celebrate the first day.


Tuesday 14 April 2015

NAP


This is my favourite position that Alabama gets into when she's napping. Face plant into the radiator.

EGG


A bit premature, but I'm playing catch up - AGAIN. This was my first crème egg of the Easter season, avec jasmine tea- of course. I still stick by my guns, that novelty chocolate- as opposed to off the shelf- tastes better, this includes advent and Easter.

TICK TOCK


This clock... Well. It's just ridiculously, wildly, perfect.

Thursday 9 April 2015

MELTING HEART


Melting heart, my ultimate current favourite...

BENEFITS:
Many, many benefits. It releases tension in you upper arms, shoulders, and neck. Also expands the whole front of your chest. Melting heart stretches out your abdominal muscles, and gently stimulates your back muscles in preparation for further backbends. On top of this it also opens up your hips and stretches your hamstrings.


TO GET INTO IT:
Come onto your hands and knees, and begin to walk your hands forward, melting your heart centre towards the floor. Try to keep your hips above your knees and your hands shoulder width apart. Breathe deep in this intense stretch for 10-20 full breath cycles. Notice how the neck reacts to the pose, if it is more comfortable place the forehead near the floor instead of the chin.

SPANDAU


We recently went to see Spandau Ballet at the O2 in Greenwich with Paul's work. I have never seen so many 45 year old women in one place in my life. It was cracking. The Blitz era was definitely the highlight.

TATTOOS


Tattoos, tattoos, tattoos... Forever wanting to get one, then ducking out at the last minute. Well now it's settled, it's decided. I shall be getting this with my very best friend Rachel. Some may say this is a bit soppy or high school, but frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!

Wednesday 8 April 2015

LASSE


Paul and I recently purchased some prints from our extremely talented friend Lasse Dearman
We met him when we were both in bands, he takes the most mesmerising shots of bands. He excels in intimate situations, and documents and just captures every single moment perfectly. We are really pleased with the prints and cant wait to get them up on the wall!


CHAIR


There really is nothing better than waking up on Saturday morning, and the whole room is bathed in bright white light.

SOFA


The sofa has arrived! Six weeks of waiting, and it's finally arrived! Randomly, it's from DFS- official grown ups now. Click HERE to see in detail... It's the perfect depth and oh so cosy! I was worried it may be a bit big, as the width of the living room is quite short, but it fits perfectly, and comfortably seats three!

CU COPPER


So iPad holders are a nightmare to get hold of. They're either over priced, or hideous, or they break very quickly. This is why I am excited to announce the arrival of this incredible copper iPad holder!

It is sexy, sleek and durable.... And the BEST bit is it's reasonably priced! CU COPPER also offer candle sticks ad coffee stands! Click HERE to check them out!

PINK SKIES


Leyton genuinely has some of the most mesmerising sunrises I have ever seen! Waking up to the whole room bathed in pink is just glorious!

EASTWICK


So yes, we have already realised I am a candle FIEND. The latest to the collection is the wonderful Eastwick Candles

They are soy candles all handmade in London. Keeping things simple they use all natural soy wax, cotton wicks and a blend of paraben free fragrance oils and aromatherapy grade essential oils to create luxury scents that gently fill the room. Their products are vegan friendly and their packaging is minimal, recyclable and reusable.

DINNER


A busy evening, and not finishing until 21:45, calls for a speedydinner. And to be honest, this was divine. Home made bread, red wine, Sicilian tomatoes and mature cheddar.

I always make the NY Times no knead bread, and it is SUPER EASY. Click here for the recipe....
 

Friday 20 March 2015

ANTIGONE


We saw Juliette Binoche play Antigone at the Barbican a couple of weeks ago. I loved the set, it was minimal, functional but beautiful- just like the Barbican itself. Seeing Juliette in the flesh was so inspiring. She is so, so charismatic, and endlessly mesmerising.

STREET

Our wonderful little street, on a sunny afternoon. I love this street. I look forward to seeing how photographs each season. Spring, certainly is a winner!

COSY


Every night, at about 21:00, Clarence sets up for the night in his little cosy spot.

WHALE


In Brighton, they were in the process of erecting a Whale Graveyard, as part of the annual Whalefest (yes this is a thing!). Each cross represents a whale or dolphin, that has died in captivity.

From birds eye view, or from the promenade, it is shaped as a killer whale and it's calf. Heartbreaking, and inspiring

BEACH


We have many memories in Brighton. And words cannot describe how wonderfully giddy you make me, even after nearly seven years.

Thursday 12 March 2015

BARBICAN


Saturday saw another trip to our spiritual home- the Barbican. We went for drinks near the water. One day we will own a flat here. Our own little concrete utopia.

GREEN


New life. Well I truly thought this was a goner, and now look at it!

Monday 9 March 2015

MARMELO


Super excited to see Marmelo open up in Leyton recently. We went a few weeks ago, and then discovered they are open Fri, Sat and Sun for dinner, so for the start of our anniversary weekend we went there last Friday. It's a selection of sharing dishes, so we went for 5 and a bottle of red. Wonderful!

COTTON


TWO WHOLE YEARS since we got married. Where on earth does the time go?! The traditional gift for second wedding anniversaries is Cotton... Well Paul loves his fabrics, so this was a relatively easy one... Not looking forward to some of the later ones... Like tin!?...

JAMIE'S


I love the attention to details in all of the Jamie's all over London... But the threadneedle street one has to be my favourite. I snuck in a couple of glasses after work on Friday, ahead of dinner plans. Look at that ceiling!

GREY


So we are nearly half way there!! As always, I am having waves of "Oh GODDDD" and just want to reach for the bottle (of dye, not wine...) However at this point in time, I am feeling good about it. Someone actually asked me who did my highlights the other day, as they wanted to have "grey hair" and I explained it was natural, and they WOULD NOT believe me. I assure you, if I was going to pay someone to do this to my hair, I would've done the whole length, not just the top half!!

Wednesday 4 March 2015

EPSOM


Eight hours of Vinyasa over the weekend truly broke my body! I was struggling to do down dogs in the end! I jumped straight into an Epsom salt bath on the Sunday. Using Epsom salt in your baths is an advanced detoxification strategy that has amazing health benefits. The salts are named for a bitter saline spring located at Epsom in Surrey, England, and is different than traditional salts in that it is actually a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulphate.

The salts are great for lowering blood pressure, and flushes toxins and heavy metals from the cells, which eases muscle pain and helpsthe body to eliminate harmful substances. It's also great for nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood. Relieves stress, by getting rid of excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

So there we go. Go get some Epsom salts!


REVISION


I had an anatomy exam on Saturday last weekend, and of course, in true Samantha style, I left it till the last minute to revise! I didn't get out of work till 20:00 on Friday, and I knew if I went home I would crash and fall straight into bed, so I plonked myself in a conference room at work and revised for nearly 2 hours. Home by 23:00 and out like a light. I passed the test!

SLEEP


Monday mornings suck, as we all know, but THIS was so hard to leave. He knows how to strike a pose.

DREAMING


Oh my goodness I am CRAVING the sun, I am CRAVING the freedom to do NOTHING and just RELAX and not think about work/ essays/ exams/ house building. Alas, my next break won't be until August. (Technically we have a small break at the end of June in Italy after the intense yoga school for a week!) However, this break is going to be three weeks and it's going to be WEST COAST USA. So very, very excited.

Sunday 1 March 2015

BUPA


I hate it when I have nothing to blot on. But this BUPA dental card was just the right size! Also, on another dental note, after ten years of living in London, I have eventually made the leap of faith, and found myself a dentist based here in the capital. I always used to go home to Newcastle to see my dentist... Seems ridiculous in retrospect.

TRACKS


Really enjoying the hues of blue in the train tracks at Leyton.

ESSEX


Last weekend we went to Rachel's Mum's in Essex for a night. It's great to get out to the countryside sometimes! Look at these amazing Autumnal colours?! Even though it was Feb!!


SEAT


We currently don't have a sofa. So whilst we wait for it, we are squishing between two armchairs and the eames chairs... Cats favour this chair. I often end up sitting on the floor........

Wednesday 25 February 2015

CHINESE NEW YEAR


For Chinese New Year, my work held a free lunch and of course gave out fortune cookies! I like it how life sometimes gives you little messages to remind you of what you need to know at the moment.

TWISTING


Here's my beautiful bodies at a yoga class I held recently. As we don't have a sofa yet, I am taking opportunity of the lovely big space we have available, so am trying to hold a couple of classes each week. This was a Yin class, opening up the shoulders beautifully.

COCA COLA


Coca Cola. Sometimes, it is just necessary!!