Ruby's

Maria's housewarming

One of the first weekends I had in London, in fact the Friday of my first week of work and before we had even moved into the flat, Maria had a housewarming. It was low key and gorgeous. Filled with catch ups and lovely to see her new home. Most of it was spent with a glass of wine in hand and all of us giggling and I can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night. It wasn't a late one for me as had to  face the commute home but it was the perfect start to the London nights to come. 

The genuine smiles in the photo above definitely does the night justice. 

<3

And we danced all night.

The last few weeks have been a bit sporadic with regard to blog posting so I thought I'd start off the new year with a little catch up of my going's on! There's lots scheduled over the next couple of weeks, including my Christmas Hamper posts with some gorgeous recipe's for pressie inspiration at any time of the year! 

Top: 

The stunning Christmas tree for my sister's first Christmas in her new home; the gorgeously grown up Ona; views over the Stour Estuary on a wintery morning.

Middle: 

So many chocolates have been consumed over the past couple of weeks, these get the gold star of approval!; OCs supper: 130 men, 7 girls, of course; discovering my boobs, it was a big moment for us all!

Bottom: 

Girly catch ups with my favourites; new year frivolities; library moments.

Top:
Sarah went to Durham and got a new car (we couldn't resist the ridiculousness of this pic!); getting ready sesh :)

Middle:
The outdoor christmas tree and views over the green; my favourite niece, New Years outfit.

Bottom:
The first midnight of 2014; one of my favourite pressies from my big sisters with pics of every big family occasion over the couple of years - its gorgeous!

<3

Supper with my favourite

Sunday night was a catch up night. One of my oldest friends is having a baby and due to uni and work commitments I haven't seen her nearly as much as I would have liked to over the last few months. We headed to The Sun in Dedham, a very quaint country pub with a great food menu, tucked off the high street in picturesque Dedham. Its a favourite with my friends and I for the cider on tap and huge beer garden.

After a long time surveying the menu and looking at baby scan pics (so hard not to be distracted!!) we both went straight for mains and chose the same: Fresh Hake on a bed of jersey royals, runner beans and a tomato and black olive sauce. We were served homemade breads to start which were delish and the main was superb. Tasty, fresh and filling!



After mains we couldn't resist a peek at the dessert menu but nothing took our fancy. So, we did what all sensible girls do and headed down the road to Milsoms for chocolate. Another favourite local restaurant, the dessert menu never fails and the outdoor seating on a summers eve is just perfect!

We took a table amoung the roses and checked out the menu. Not being able to decide between homemade profiteroles with chantilly cream and dark chocolate and the chocolate platter - milk choc mousse, choc brownie and berries set I'm white chocolate- we went for both and decided to share. Sensible yet again right?!

It was all heavenly. Chocolate-y yumminess and when combined with the company and a very good catch up it made for the perfect Sunday eve in the sunshine!

Less than 8 week to go until the bubba is born and I cannot wait! The mummy to be is getting pretty excited too...

Here's to gorgeous catch ups with old friends in the summer sunshine! 

Life Lately #6

My last week and a bit in pictures...

New hair products; girlfriends; clear out

Lunch in 10; summer flowers; country walk ending at the perfect pub for chunky chips and corona 

Puppy dogs; summer walk; ice cream

My gorgey niece; girly supper and the perfect dessert; babysitting selfies

The most gorgeous lab in the world; flowers for mummy after a busy day to brighten the kitchen

Carboot sale wonders; mummy shopping is the best kinda shopping; antipasti in the sunshine

Sunday afternoon drinks; new phone case- I couldn't resist!; perfect pasta (recipe to follow!) 

Northampton walk and cow whispering with the boy; clean linen is the best feeling; prepping for a new bubba- my godson to be!!! 10 weeks to go!

Decorators at home; new wallpaper in the upstairs hall; sale shopping and a gorgeous Topshop find!

There's also lots for sale on my eBay at the moment with more to come- AllSaints, Topshop, Jack Wills, Zara and more! Check it out at http://bit.ly/14QK4Ru if you fancy!

<3

London calling to the faraway towns

Saturday was a London day. The weekend couldn't have come at a better time and a revision break was more than necessary! I headed down to London in the sunshine for a friends houseparty, meeting the girls en route at Spitalfields for cocktails and supper! Having not seen the girls properly for a couple of months it was lovely to catch up and we went to Las Iguanas, and while its a chain I was really impressed with the quality of the food (and tequila!), even if the service was a little below par. I went for the Chimmychanga with rice, refried beans, sweet potato and spinach and would definitely reccomend it! The cocktails were filled with tequila and were delish!!

We headed over to the pub opposite the boys house and caught up with the impressive amount of school friends that had made it down from all over the country for the evening! After a glass or two of Aspalls we were ready to head to the boys, check out their gorgeous appartment - they both landed jobs straight in the city after graduation - and turn on the Taylor Swift, we really wern't feeling 22!!

 

 

And one of our hosts had passed out by midnight, Postman Pat at his side!!

The appartment has gorgeous views over the city and after a couple of g&ts we couldn't resist some pics with the lights of London behind!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a lovely night, very chilled out and filled with catch ups and lots of laughing which are always the best kinds of nights in my opinion! The mornings hangover cure was more than necessary though and it was not an enjoyable train journey back to Brighton to carry on with the revision!! I now can't wait for summer times and most importantly our holiday to here that is booked for September.

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend has been the best kind of weekend. On Friday, I spent the day with mummy, pottering around the shops and eating. Lots of eating!

The boys had planned a night out in the evening and as much as I despite Colchester for a night out - its an army town and always crawling with both squaddies and underage children (my Essex snobbish-ness comes out to play, sorry!!) - I couldn't resist a catch up. We decided that we had to do it properly, dressing up and with lots of pre-drinks so the girls all headed over to mine for a getting ready sesh and some silly pictures!

It was so lovely to just have some time to catch up. Its so rare that we're altogether these days with uni and job commitments (some of them are already in the big grown up working world!!) so coming home is a treat that we all really savor.

The copious g&t's and wine combo definitely aided the silly pictures...

We headed into town and seeing the boys was lovely. There were only a few of us out which I think made the night even better!

And this was basically how the night ended...!!

The next day, (feeling fresh, ahem!) we headed to the races after the most incredible hangover breakfast. Pain au chocolat, strawberries, and orange juice, followed by smoked salmon & poached eggs on rye bread toast. Incredible! 

Higham point to point happens a few times throughout the year and its the perfect excuse for more catch ups, lots of Aspalls and some occasional bets. Its always full of lots of giggling and gorgeous puppies and is the perfect way to while away a Saturday, despite the freezing cold and occasional snow showers!

Its weekends like this that really sum up how amazing it is to be able to come home and spend time with the absolute favourites that I was at school with over 4 years ago. Roll on summer adventures, road trips and afternoons in the pub post exams!!

Excuse me while I kiss the sky

Finally I'm home but the last week was a busy one! I've been busy at uni working with Brighton Fashion week - check it out here - putting together content for their newspaper that will be given out at all of the shows and in the lead-up to the event. Exciting but time consuming!

On Friday evening I decided at the last minute that I should pop to London to see my sister and niece. I'm so glad it did! A big fire as it started to gently snow, pumpkin gnocchi with pesto, toasted seeds and spinach, an ice cold beer and some big baby cuddles!

I woke up early on Saturday morning and popped to Oxford Street to meet some friends. Cami is moving to Paris for third year and somehow had never been to Liberty so we decided she simply couldn't leave without visiting! I stopped off in Topshop on my way to meet them and was pleasantly surprised by the SS13 collection. I'm not the biggest Topshop fan - expensive for what it is and not that original - but there were some really cute pieces that might be on my list of considerations for my summer wardrobe now the student loan is in! This dress... very simple and classic but really nice fabric.

And I think this shirt would be so lovely with high waisted denim shorts...

This dress is from one of the basement designers, I can imagine it looking stunning when tanned at a summery garden party, glass of pimms in hand... ahhh I wish...

And while I would never spend £25 on a 'vintage' scarf when I can get them for £1 at Portabello I was more than a little bit taken with this pheasant number...

A fab addition to the flagship store is the photo booth on the ground floor, cheesy but fun with a group of friends!

And Lola's cupcakes never fail to impress. This was breakfast!

I met the girls and as we wandered across to Liberty I came across & Other Stories. I'd heard so much about the shop but completely forgot where it was located and was SO glad I got the chance to pop in! Founded by the H&M brand, & Other Stories is for the more sophisticated customer, with spaced out rails, incredible fabrics and gorgeous pieces, all at reasonable prices. I didn't get the chance to try anything on but will definitely be heading back next time I'm in London as there was lots that caught my eye.

These shoes...

...and gorgeous tea dress especially!

After Liberty we headed straight to one of my favorite Islington hangouts for a girly lunch. Ottolenghi serves the best salads and cake and is located on Upper Street, in between Highbury & Islington and Angel tubes. The food is fab, service is always impeccable and everything tastes incredible. If you haven't been, go. Simple as that!

Lunch was the amazing salad plates, we didn't even go for mains and cake and fabulous company made the lunch fairly perfect! Now I'm looking forward to the trips to visit Cami next semester!