Frills 'n' Spills

Red dresses have long been a staple in my wardrobe and this smock number from good old M&S is a fun addition to my collection. I am not a fan of sleeves on dresses (although I've worn a few recently!) but I fell in love with the relaxed shape of this dress. Smock shapes are not the most flattering on me but they are very comfy and the gorgeous crochet detailing on the waistband meant I was sold! I wore this for a family meal a few weeks ago and it was ideal, especially for my postprandial snooze on the sofa! I may have gone a little overboard on the red front here (yes I do have red dress, nails and lipstick) but it is my favourite colour...

I love block heels and this slimline Whistles pair are so elegant. I just need to keep scouring eBay until another pair turn up in my size!

Last weekend, Mark and I headed down to Devon to spend a few days relaxing with my in-laws. We stayed at The Old Torcross Hotel which was converted into apartments and it was the perfect location, literally 20 steps to the beach with the most amazing views. I have always loved being by the sea and I could feel the stress lifting as soon as we stepped out of the car.

Blogging is a funny old game, and one I didn't do much of in 2016. It was a very strange year for me and mine, we had some lovely highs (including celebrating a decade with Mark, being bridesmaid for my little sister, spending V-day with some of the best people I know, being made permanent at work, visiting Barcelona and even managing to feel more at ease with myself and my body thanks to semi-regular exercise) but I also had some really tough times, especially with my dad's accident. Luckily he is much much better now and will continue to improve but there's nothing like a big shock to push you out of your comfort zone! I'm not very good at asking for help but so many people stepped up to the plate this year so thank you, you don't realise how much it helped! Slightly maudlin but I'm hoping that 2017 will be calmer, there's plenty to look forward to but slightly less drama excitement would be nice! I have always been a great believer in the transformative power of clothes and this top was both a fun purchase and another step out of my shell. I tend to avoid drop waisted clothes but I loved the fun print and shape and couldn't bear to leave it on the shelf.

It was the perfect choice for a lunch date with Mark as it looks fancy but is actually mega comfy and easy to wear. It makes enough of a statement that I didn't have to hunt down any extra accessories which is always a win in my book!

I have worn much less foundation this year,  it's amazing how distracting a swipe of bright lipstick can be! This is my failsafe summery shade: Max Factor  in Bewitching Coral, it is one of those colours that looks good on everyone...

You can't beat a swooshy hem! 😍

I have had this bag for donkey's years but apparently I have never posted about it on the blog which is a surprise! I think I picked up on one of my charity shop trips at uni but can't be 100% sure without my handy wardrobe referencer (a.k.a my archive of outfit posts). I love the super soft suede and snazzy tassel and it is surprisingly roomy for such a small bag, I managed to fit my purse, massive keyring and all of my diabetes stuff in, not bad going at all!

A better look at that hemline and a repeat of the bottom half of this outfit... oops! I have missed sharing my outfit pictures over on the blog and whilst I'd love to promise that this is all going to change with the dawn of a new year,  realistically, I don't think I will ever get back to my old schedule of posting every other day like in the good old days! I'm hoping to spend more time reading (and commenting) on my favourite blogs this year so please do hit me up with your favourites!

My sister is getting married in mid-August  (not long to go now!) and we spent this weekend up in Manchester to celebrate her hen do. We spent the majority of the day at the RHS flower show at Tatton Park, followed by dinner at The Old Sessions House then drinks at The Alchemist in Spinningfields. It was a really nice day, even if I did get sunburnt and drink too many cocktails! I only had my phone so please excuse the lo-fi pictures, I was going old school!

Café Smithy was my first stop, you can't beat a flat white and Eggs Benedict to get your day started off on the right foot!

As you would expect, the gardens were filled with hundreds of beautiful flowers.

I did not expect to see so much veg there though, these award-winning onions were seriously impressive!

I love how many different types of squash there were too! 

I have never seen a horned melon before but I have to confess that I am intrigued!

If only you could get these beautiful beans at my local Tesco!

I'm not sure what this was but it looks pretty primeval...

I would have stolen this if I could have fitted it into my handbag!

My mum spent a lot of time trying to work out how we can recreate this beautiful arch/table combo for the wedding in a couple of weeks...

They had sheds made up to different themes, I loved this little library one...

The millennial shed was super cool, the idea was that a shed is all any of us will be able to afford to live in with rising rents and house prices!

'The Seed Bouquet' was inspired by the flowers in a traditional wedding bouquet. I love how bright and cheery the flowers are against the dark grey.

The bride-to-be in the wedding shed!

The inside out shed wa probably my favourite though: tools on the outside, plants inside!

I have no idea what these were but they look pretty darned cool...

Gigantic lilies...

We had to stop for a glass of Prosecco (or two) to cool down...

This had to be the best part of the day for me- we made mini willow baskets with the Woodland Skills Centre and it was so much fun!

How cute is this?! I was told I had 'good weaving technique' and I couldn't have been prouder, I was such a teacher's pet! I am seriously considering doing a course to make a stool or something for my birthday though, how cool would that be?!

I can't believe we have had the hen do already, now just to countdown to the wedding in a couple of weeks!

The weather may be warming up slightly but I'll take any opportunity to wear this ridiculously glamourous coat! I wore this outfit for our big family meal at Dumbleton Hall and it was perfect for the (very fancy) surroundings. I love any opportunity to get all dressed up and this coat makes anything look snazzy...