10 Things That Have Made Me Happy This Week

So, after many months (well 2, but look at that sunshine!) I found this one saved in my drafts. A massive desire for sunshine right now means I couldn't not share it and I already have massive cravings for all of the food, drinks and girly time that happened in this lovely week back at the start of September. As we sit here in long socks, big jumpers and snuggled up in blankets here's a quick look back to sunnier times... 

This week was a lovely one. A sunny weekend, so much girly time, holiday planning and wine drinking. New nails, brunch eating, a puppy visit and a little cooking sesh. Here's the things that have stood out this week...

Countryside wonders

When I was at home a few weeks ago I had a firm date in the diary for one of my oldest friends. He's one of those people that every time I see him, no matter how long since the last time, we click straight back and I feel like I'm constantly laughing when I'm around him. Oh and eating. There is always a lot of food involved! This time was no different. We headed to the infamous Jimmy's Farm for lunch, played with the animals, acted like small children (I've known I'm since I was 4 so it doesn't matter that we're now both 23…) and finished our day with a Simsmiths g&t. A pretty perfect day and I think the photos say it all!

You can check out Jimmy's Farm here and the restaurant always has some great options on the menu!

10 things that have made me happy this week...

1) Coming home for the weekend! Mummy food, love, sister and baby times and a little bit of chill out time before the last couple of weeks of term. 

2) Underwear shopping. I have discovered THE best brand (unfortunately its American so postage charges aren't great) that stocks silky, beautiful underwear: its classy but not slutty which is so difficult to find on the high street. Check out Eberjey here. 

3) The fact that the Promenade website is nearly ready to go live - watch this space next week! Lots of hard work but I can't wait to reveal all!!

4) Having a tidy room; I needed a sort out and finally gave in this week. It will be nice to go back to uni and clean space (despite the fact that my wardrobe is currently collapsed under the weight of all my dresses but we don't have to talk about that bit!!).

5) The wool and knitted blankets that I found when out with mummy this weekend. Perfect for the season and incredible to crawl under of an evening!

6) Skype calls with my biggest sister as she chills out on the beach in India - I love catch ups!

7) Apple crumble. There is nothing better than homemade crumble on a wintery day, especially when eaten by a big log fire!

8) Christmas shopping with mummy, helping her buy for everyone and my list continually growing! 

9) Waking up to hilarious drunken 2am phone calls from the boy and his friends; i was laughing hysterically in my sleepy-ness! Drunken love is always entertaining! 

10) Eating the biggest and best roast dinner. They really really do make Sundays! Good wine, yorkshire puds and huge trays of crispy roast potatoes. I'm now sitting in a big food coma and there's no where else I'd rather be!

Home Sweet Home

I spent last weekend at home, eating drinking and catching up. There is nothing better than being sat at home in the sitting room in front of a fire, with a big glass of wine and mummy! I really didn't do anything apart from eat and drink and chat but sometimes I think that's all that is needed. The last few weeks at uni have been crazy busy and it was a relief to have a little bit of a break. Home is cosy, countryside and the fridge is always full - my kind of heaven!

We went to Lucca for lunch on the Saturday, Nutella pizza is incredible. This was followed by a trip to the newly opened Shephard in Langham on the Sunday - not great - but the company giggled and my niece kept us all entertained! The Aspalls was on tap though and that for that alone it was worth the trip! Babies are a huge component of my home life as everyone around me knows - a 1 year old niece and a 7 week old Godson really do keep me entertained and I love to go home for some playtime with them!

Home grown raspberries and a good bottle of Sauvingnon really do sum up my perfectly chilled weekend at home!

The Mistley Thorn

On Sunday evening, just before I headed back up to uni, mummy took my sisters and I to The Mistley Thorn for a farewell supper. Our local restaurant, just a few minutes walk away from home, the restaurant specialises in fish dishes and does so very well!

The interior is traditional with a mix of furniture and artworks adorning the walls. Staff are attentive and friendly and while the menu isn't regularly updated it is seasonal and there's always several things to choose between.

We began with a good bottle of white, a French Sauvingon which is always a good choice here, and surveyed the menu. It took a while but eventually we all went for fish of some description, apart from my veggie sister Joy who went for a delicious gnocchi dish. By this point the wine was gone and we had to order another bottle - we're good at social drinking okay! - and we tucked into some homemade focaccia and soda bread while we awaited our dishes.

Joy began with a soup which was spicy and fresh simultaneously, while mummy went for smoked salmon, also really good. I was saving myself for my main so just ensured the wine glasses remained topped up!! 

The star of the show was definitely my dish, a fish stew with mussles, prawns and an array of white fish, in a tomato broth with new potatoes in. It was delicious and the chips I ordered on the side were the perfect salty addition for dipping. This was my last meal at home so I was definitely making the most of not cooking for myself!!!

Mummy and Becky went for the mullet with veggies and Joy's gnocchi is below. What I like about this place is that while the dishes are not haute cuisine, everything is tasty and moorish- just the sort of restaurant that is perfect to have on the doorstep! 

Dessert finished the meal perfectly, chocolate yumminess which was rich and indulgent. Classic yet tasty and well presented. I love food and apart from my family a full fridge is one of the things I miss most when at uni so this was the perfect way to say goodbye for the term, or at least until my next visit home to stock up!!

Babys first birthday

The start of September saw my niece's first birthday. I don't know where the year has gone and it makes me feel very sentimental, from holding her in hospital when she was a day old to her starting to talk, nearly walking and playing, keeping us all busy and giggling throughout the days.

Of course, we celebrated in style! 

Party number one was a day time affair on the village green with all the neighbours: think bunting, at least 50 bottles of wine and more cakes than could fit on the table. Ona played, and socialised, and flirted with everyone! 

Party number two was a family affair. Supper on the green with huge pans of paella, yet more wine and homemade birthday cakes. Ona's papa cooked, seafood paella with homemade aioli. Sometimes not going out to celebrate occasions is so much nicer and this was just a really lovely chilled evening.  

The sunset over the village green truly added to the atmosphere of the occasion, as did the very smiley baby as she ate!

Seeing this now I'm back at uni truly makes me crave the fridge at home!!

A perfect weekend of celebrations - happy 1st birthday Ona! <3