Photo of the Day - Saturday 7th July 2012

A fun day of hen party activities were planned for today, starting with It's a Knockout (in the pouring rain and mud - British summer - WTF?!?) and then an evening meal followed by drinks in Bristol town centre, dressed as dalmations!

Photo of the Day - Friday 6th July 2012

It's been a busy day today! I had a rare day off work so enjoyed a coffee with a friend in town this morning, followed by a Skype session with my South African BFF, and then I zoomed off to Bristol for a hen weekend. One of today's pictures is of the rather naughty cake that the mum of the bride-to-be made for the hen do!

 

Photo of the Day - Thursday 5th July 2012

I went out for a few drinks this evening in Stow-on-the-Wold. One of the pubs we visited had these really cool chairs that looked like they were from the Matrix. They were super comfy too - I could just imagine sitting in this chair in the pub in the winter, warming myself by the fire.... In fact, if it was a couple of degrees cooler it would probably be time to put the fire on now - this summer is proving a total wash out!

Photo of the Day - Wednesday 4th July 2012

I started a kayaking course this evening which was fantastic fun, but I didn't take any pictures as I was scared of drowning my camera, along with myself out on the water! (I am known for destroying cameras rather often - one in blizzard whilst hiking up a mountain and another on a theme park ride...)

However, I did at least have something I could photograph - a plate of disgusting chicken bones that my colleague had put in my drawer whilst I was out of the office in Croydon yesterday. Bleurgh!!

Revenge time... I think so! ;)

Photo of the Day - Tuesday 3rd July 2012

Croydon isn't the prettiest of places at the best of times, and when it's raining it's even worse! I had a meeting in central Croydon today and took these pictures whilst in the car stuck in traffic. Roll on returning to the picturesque Cotswolds!

Photo of the Day - Monday 2nd July 2012

It's Monday AND it's pouring with rain. There's only one way to brighten up the day... Head into Specsavers at lunch time with a few work colleagues, find the most ridiculous glasses you can lay your hands on, all pull the most hideous faces and then take a few self portraits. Result = happy!!! (Although I am slightly taken aback by just how awful/demented we all look hahahaha!)

Photo of the Day - Sunday 1st July 2012

Okay, so technically speaking I didn't take today's photograph; my mum did! But I had to show her how to use the camera on my phone, so I may as well have taken the photo myself!

My parents had a BBQ today and the extended family and I all descended on their home for lots of tasty food. My cousin has just got her gorgeous new car, so we took it for a spin after lunch.

Can't believe it's almost Monday again now!

Photo of the Day - Saturday 30th June 2012

As you may be able to guess from today's picture, it's been a rather dull day! I was meant to go to Longleat with a friend but the rubbish weather put a stop to that. So instead, I had a rare quiet day at home. I'm currently looking for some nice new teas to drink and these are some of the ones I will be trying. Bored yet? Me too!

Photo of the Day - Friday 29th June 2012

In keeping with this week's 'exploration' theme, today's lunchtime walk was a new route yet again! We walked through the grounds of the Royal Agricultural College, discovered the local caravan/ camping site and Cirencester's park's tennis courts. These photographs are a few of the things we saw along the way.

Word of the Week

Ineffable

Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words: "ineffable beauty".

Too sacred to be uttered.

Synonyms:

unspeakable - inexpressible - unutterable - nameless

Examples:

1. The ineffable humiliation of his defeat led to his withdrawal from politics.

2. Morrel listened to catch the last sound of her dress brushing the branches, and of her footstep on the path, then raised his eyes with an ineffable smile of thankfulness to heaven for being permitted to be thus loved, and then also disappeared .... (Taken from The Count of Monte Cristo)

Photo of the Day - Thursday 28th June 2012

Despite the fact that I have worked in marketing for some years now, I've never actually been to the Data Marketing Show until today for the first time. The show is held annually at the Olympia Grand Hall in London. It gave me a chance to meet in person so many agencies and suppliers that I work with on a daily basis but only ever speak to over the phone! I also blagged lots of freebies - after all that's what shows are for!

Sizzling Summer Selections

Yes, this Summer is proving to be a wash out! Fortunately I have these current perfect little pleasures bringing joy to my life:

1. The 1st season of the awesome US TV series Revenge has finally arrived on the windswept shores of the UK. It's bursting at the seams with sexy Southampton socialites and is gloriously dark. I simply can't get enough of it right now!

2. Time out in London - I've had a few business trips to London this month and have used the opportunity to visit friends in the area and generally have a mooch around this amazing city. If you are planning a trip to London soon and need a little inspiration, have a look at Visit London's website for some ideas.

3. All things Jubilee - June got off to a great start with a double Bank Holiday weekend in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. I am loving the current patriotic feeling in the air!

4. The English countryside - The long Summer days make for the perfect opportunity to enjoy time in the countryside running or hiking. In fact I ran my first 10k this month at the beautiful Westonbirt Arboretum!

5. Skinny jeans - I have finally succumbed to the skinny jeans craze - although I am only brave enough to rock the look with long tops or cardigans. Lots more squats needed before I will have my ass on display in a pair of supertight skinnies!

6. Volunteering - I spent most of my spare time in May & June on a training course for volunteer work I signed up for recently. The hard work has paid off as I have completed the training and will be starting volunteering very soon. Go me! :)

7. Curls, as flaunted above by Olivia Palermo - I'm loving curls right now! If, like me, you struggle to get the perfect curls with your straighteners, then hop over to the GHD website and watch their video tutorial on how to achieve the look.

8. L'oreal Sublime Bronze spray tan - This is definitely one of the best spray tans I have used. It's super easy to apply (just spray on and try not to inhale!), doesn't streak, looks natural and smells nice. Perfect for when you spontaneously decide to wear a skirt!

9. Mondovino crackers served with a selection of Waitrose dips - mmm, enough said!!

What are your perfect little pleasures right now?

Photo of the Day - Wednesday 27th June 2012

In keeping with what appears to be this week's theme of getting out and about to explore the outdoors,  the Lanky Lads and I decided to venture off to the Roman Ampitheatre today. It was an hilarious adventure that involved scaling a couple of fences, negotiating our way through waist-length grass, finding our way through the woods, re-enacting a scene from the Gladiators in the Ampitheatre and then eventually finding our way back to work via Cirencester Hospital's car park! Fun times :)

Photo of the Day - Tuesday 26th June 2012

Cirencester is a dinky little town, but it is amazing how many fabulous shops are hidden amongst its beautiful streets! My latest discovery (courtesy of a work colleague) is the Woolmarket, which houses a collection of independent (albeit expensive!) shops, including a children's toy shop and clothing shop as well as a cafe bursting with tasty varieties of ice creams! I found a gorgeous organic cotton dress for my cousin's daughter's 1st birthday in Happy Hens. I shall definitely be visiting the Woolmarket more often now! :)

Photo of the Day - Monday 25th June 2012

After a week of far too much eating, I have decided to get out for lunchtime walks this week instead! Today, the Lanky Lads and I took a stroll through the park to look at Cirencester's equivalent of 'the hatch' from the TV series Lost! There's an ancient underground pathway that leads from the Abbey Grounds park through to Cirencester's church and today's picture is of the old entranceway (although this has now been sealed up).