Flippin' Heck!

Yesterday was Pancake Day. One of the best days on the calender!

I went round to my friend, Cat's house, and she was the best hostess! 

Since moving into halls for my postgrad course, it was so nice to be in a proper home that felt lived in and loved. It just felt completely calm and homely and after a fragile morning due to a few too many cocktails the night before, it was just what the doctor ordered!

She made tea, she had bacon sizzling away and an assortment of pancake companions laid out ready.

Not only that, but we didn't just cook using your standard frying pan, no siree. She had a mini pancake stove ready and it was the cutest and most fun thing!

I had every combination possible. Nutella. Bacon and syrup. And my favourite which is a classic, lemon and sugar. I think my blood stream is pure pancake batter now! 

With the softest cat I've ever met to cuddle, a pot of tea to keep pouring, and relaxing times with fantastic friends, it was just pure bliss.

What did you do for pancake day? What your favourite topping?

Hoe you're all well,

Speak soon.

A.x

Marvellous place to shop, Marvellous friends, Marvellous time

With my recent freedom, I've been spending some time with family and friends.

Two of my friends from home came to visit me, and it was lovely to have some fun, share some laughs and drinks, and create some new memories to add on top of the old ones we have. 

As well as an evening painting the town red, we went for a little wander and spot of yummy lunch at one of my favorite gems in Northampton, The Most Marvellous Place To Shop.

A fantastic vintage shop that's has brilliant treasures hidden within it, from colourful glassware and pretty tea sets and cake stands, to vinyls that were the soundtracks to your parents youth and dresses and coats that that could paint out a lesson in history.

They also have a cafe within it called Nana's Cafe, and not only is the decor and furniture kitsch, adorable and different, the food is brilliant and so reasonably priced as well.

I indulged in a chicken, bacon and avocado salad, with one of my favourite drinks to wash it down, a peach iced tea.

An assortment of sandwiches and fresh milkshakes were also had between my friends, and they looked mouth-wateringly delicious and filling.

I love places like these that take away from the day-to-day surroundings of the norm, and every trip has an abundance of treasures to be discovered. 

If you're ever in Northampton, I would definitely give this place a visit, and I wish there were more places like this around!

Recently, I've also made a trip to go see the University I'm going to be studying my masters degree at in a couple of months (fingers crossed on my current degree results!). I'm ever so slightly scared to be leaving my home and friends of 3 years, but more than that, I'm so excited for what new friends, experiences and memories I'm going to have in the up-coming future :) 

While there, I also spent some time catching up with my big brother, sister-in-law, and gorgeous baby nephew. It was great to share some laughs and to see that gorgeous baby's face everyday and hearing that giggle..I almost didn't want to leave!  

It is true what they say, there's nothing like family, and if anything, this week has just reitereated how great and important it is to spend time with those you love and those who love you.

Memories with family and friends are just priceless.

Have you got any places near you which are different and special to you? Or any vintage gems that you've foudn in such places recently?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

21!

Yesterday, I turned the wise and ripe age of 21!

At the weekend I spent it with my family, who truly are the best and most loving family I could have ever asked for.

As not all of us get together all that often, having them all come back to spend the day with me was brilliant enough, but they also threw me a surprise pirate party!

(my brother took some brilliant photos, but i have yet to copy them off them, but i'll update this post when i do!)

When i asked why pirate, I just got a response of why not?! We all had pirate hats and eye-patches  played pin the eye patch on the pirate, and i had treasure hunt planned out for me, with goodies for both my 21 year old self and my 5 year old nephew to find.

It was such a lovely and brilliant day, and I went back to uni, where i woke up to my 21st birthday.

My bonkers and amazing housemates surprised me with confetti, banners, tea and horrific but hilarious photos plastered around the house!

I then had an exciting day at uni where i got to experience my outfit being shot at my first ever photoshoot! I'm so happy with how it looks and how it's all turned out, and as we're all usually working on these pieces in the sewing room and don't get to see it all put together, it was such a boost for us to see the final result and is definitely spurring me on. Unfortunately, due to copyright reasons, i can't post any photos yet :(

I then went out to dinner with some friends, and it was lovely to just spend some quality time with them, and a while back at home, i went for a birthday dinner with my friends from my hometown as well, and with us all away at uni, it was just brilliant to spend time with my amazing and caring friends, and just reiterated how that years later, how amazing all my still friends are :)

I really have had the best birthday, I've eaten so much yummy goodness that I'm surprised i haven't turned into a cake! i have so many people in my life who care about me, and support and love me, and i am so thankful for them. I am one happy, lucky, and truly spoilt birthday girl, and thank you to all of those who have sent birthday wishes, messages, cards and presents!

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

Happy Birthday!

Today is my housemate and dear chum, Hannah's birthday!

She's gone home today to spend some quality time with her family, but yesterday evening we went out for a birthday meal along with some other of our housemates and friends on our course, and it was lovely.

We went out for some very yummy tapas, that i should of stopped eating long before i actually did, but it was just too good to leave, sitting there on my plate...staring at me... 

We had fun with moustaches, thanks to Hannah's mum...

Michaela's sister made an amazing oreo-chocolate, birthday cake!...

 And we popped open some celebratory fizz.

There's a comedy-sketch duo on Youtube who i love and think are hilarious, called OMFGIt'sJackAndDean!, and they have this running joke of portraying these overly posh gents who constantly come out with catchphrases such as "BALLS DEEP MY FRIEND!", while clinking their brandy glasses. Hannah and I love this and have kind of incorporated it into our lives, which can be a bit misunderstood when blurted out and we forget we're in public...
And well, this is our tribute to it :) You should definitely go check out Jack & Dean if you want a good chuckle from two talented lads.

Although our friendship hasn't been the longest, Hannah has no doubt become one of my closest and bestest friends. We live, eat, laugh, cook, and dance together and I'm yet to get sick of her....yet ;)

So here's to all the brilliant fashion choices we've made...

...our beautiful photographs....

...all the times we talk about food, even when we're eating...

 ...all the celebrations after we've handed in work...

...the snow we've trekked through...

...that 's been so cold we've shivered down to our bones...

 ...and one of the very first memories i have of our friendship where you frantically picked up an entire outfit in 10 minutes flat!

And even though you're not a gorgonzola-cheesy fool like i am, you don't need to be, because you've been there for me for (and you've slipped in the affectionate hug here and there when you've had a drink or two down you!). 

You've brought out the dirty cackle in me when I've down, by having crazy dance-offs. You get my weird ways and dance moves, and sense of humour. You're always there for a cuppa. You're an amazing person and that I'm so happy to have met you and so glad to be share my uni experience with, and I'm looking forward to what adventures the future holds. And most of all, you always return my slippers when I've left them in your room. And well, that says it all really doesn't it? :)

So here's a Happy 21st (+1) Birthday to you lovely!

 Hope you're having a brilliant day and your fellow peaheads will have a cuppa ready for you on your return :)

Speak soon,
A.x