Lifestyle and Parenting blog based in Surrey.

Saturday 23 April 2016

Soho Farmhouse Fashion




If you follow me on Instagram or snapchat you way have noticed that a few weeks ago I headed to the gorgeous Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire. This idilic Londoners retreat to the countryside is just beautiful. Styled to rustic-luxe-perfection you can curl up fireside on a beaten-up sofa sipping hot chocolate, chill out outside with a cocktail in hand or use the facilities on offer. We opted for a happy combination of eating, drinking, spa treatments and exploring - but what to wear? High fashion really doesn't fit here so it's time to get your off duty look ready. 





I opted for some Breton Stripe action from Crew - I don't think you can ever go far wrong with a navy stripe. The 3/4 length 100% cotton tee (Ultimate Breton in Navy & White £38) was as perfect for cycling around the estate on our bicycles as it was for enjoying all you can eat brunch - I can't stop thinking about the waffles combined with Nutella and peanut butter...... 



Whilst you are at the Farmhouse you can take the horses out for a hack in the countryside - or if you're feeling less adventurous, just go and visit the stables to meet the four legged friends. I layered up with more stripes from Crew (Half Button Swat in White Linen & Navy £50 - currently 20% off), again combined with my Amelie Skinny Jeans from River Island (£40) and my Superga plimsoles (£50)





Even in the evening at the restaurants and bars, the look is casual - I recommend a loose waist as the food is too good....!


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Thursday 21 April 2016

Girls Saturday: Workout and Brunch


A few weeks ago I was invited to PHIIT London - a private pilates and HIIT studio in Fulham with my more fitness-keen pal Megan. I hadn't really got the memo and thought we were going for more of a 'stretch and snooze' style class followed by a lazy brunch. This was not correct. The hybrid class I joined was a mash up of pilates with high intensity interval training (HIIT) using a MOTR (pictured with us both using) TRX and a selection of kettle bells and body weights.

10 minutes in and I didn't think I was going to survive the rest of the class,...but I persevered - with the short length of time we did each exercise for, before moving on to the next, making it more achievable. This really was a full body work-out - and I really felt the benefits in my core then next day, even after just the one session.



This was the first time I have used a MOTR which gave a fun and different element to the class - using to work out our arms, legs and balance (which I may have slightly failed on...!) Our instructor Aleska was super helpful at making sure we did the exercises correctly and got the most out of the class - with a really positive and enthusiastic approach.





The studio space is really cute - with kilner jars dotted around, in little pastels for decoration and a massive one, used as water dispenser - which was most certainly needed! I absolutely love the bulb-light PHIIT sign too!




So after we had cooled down and caught are breath we headed to Hally's round the corner for a well deserved brunch of avo on toast and a cheeky 'sharpener'... well we had deserved it after all....





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Wednesday 13 April 2016

Baby-Toddler Girl Spring Fashion

 As much as I love shopping for myself, you can’t beat a bit of baby cloths shopping. the change of season and the upcoming first birthday of my little girl has lead to some purchases to restock the wardrobe. With little Sophie being togged up in greys, reds and navy over winter it is time to inject some colour and I am head over heals in love with lemon - it is just so fresh and spring like. Love Love Love. I do love my girl in her skinny jeans which I have also bought in a dark and lighter denim as they are just so easy to wear, the knees don’t look to grubby after crawling about and you can combine with the cuties little summer tops. When the real warm weather hits I can swap the jeans for some cute little bloomers.




Lighter leggings are brilliant as it gets warmer as they keep delicate skin covered and cool at the same time. How cute are these in sunshine yellow with a gorgeous denim flutter top or floral tee.








Dungarees are a toddler staple all year round, as they are great at keeping everything 'together' for cooler spring days this floral denim ruffle bum set with white body suit will perfect for soft-play-chic and as the mercury rises the beautiful floral dungaree suit with heart detail body suit will keep your princess comfy.








Little play sets are just gorgeous for spring time. I've just discovered Portages brand Patachou which has the most delicately patterned floral pants with a white blouse in the lightest and softest cotton. If you are more into bolder kids-wear how adorable is this knitted play-set from Boden with Bunny jumper and flower knees? (I also love to combine the jumper with her skinnies). If you love knitted leggings, you must check out Blade & Rose which have the cutest motifs on the bottom - the unicorn being a new addition for SS16 which I have teamed with a beautiful M&S pink embroidered tee.










What girl's fashion post isn't complete without a frock? This denim with white embroidery folk dress has given me dress-envy.... I wonder if it comes in my size...




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Saturday 2 April 2016

Signature Scents: Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay


Who doesn’t love Jo Malone? We I certainly do and it is another brand that is perfect for helping you create your signature scent as many of the fragrances are available in bath, body and home products in addition to colones. This means that your fragrance can envelope you and become part of your style. 


 One of the reasons why Jo Malone is so well loved is that the stores will help you to find a fragrance that you love. For Mothering Sunday I spent an hour at their Sloane Street store where I described my mum’s personality and was then suggested a handful of fragrances - which was so much more manageable than sniffing my way through the entire collection. 

 One of my favourite fragrances from Jo Malone is Blackberry and Bay. My super generous sister introduced me to this scent by gifting me with a selection of products for my birthday last year and I haven’t looked back. 


The combination of the fruity blackberry with the deep cedar wood and the bright and fresh bay leaves is perfect for every season. I get to try out loads of fragrances, but this is one I come back to time and time agin and I always get complements from wearing it and having the candle burning in my home (if only Jo Malone did a diffuser in this scent!!!) Jo Malone is on the pricy side, but the products do last - so you can look at as an investment! The cologne is my fave (large 100ml bottle £85 and handbag perfect 30ml bottle £42) which is really long lasting and just smells divine in my opinion.


To add to the body collection, the Bath Oil (from £17) is such a treat after a long day and the uplifting scent is a gorgeous way to end your evening and for real luxury follow with the intensely nourishing Body Creme (£50).

I am a massive fan of Jo Malone candles (£42) as well, so finish off your signature fragrance by burning to get your house smelling gorgeous too.






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