Hey guys and dolls – remember me? I’ve been such a let down this week, I know. But between nights out, picnics and charity events I’ve been super busy and kinda exhausted. Still – lots of piccies for you today!

THURSDAY:

Cardi: George; skirt: charity shop; shoes: Dotty P’s

Thursday was warm and sunny and I needed a day-to-evening outfit as we were going out for drinks straight from work. Before we hit the pub (cracking night out, btw, ending with the most appalling pool playing you’ll ever see!) I swapped this cardi for my shrug:

I gave in to these shoes while trying to find some flipflops the other day. They’re Dorothy Perkins, were £12, and are extremely comfortable. Plus the ankle strap means that they don’t fall off my feet. I think they may prove to be favourites.

FRIDAY:

No pics – I was tired and rather late getting out of bed, so threw on my old favourite black and white skirt and a black cardi. The evening was spent relaxing in front of the telly/falling asleep to Pan’s Labyrinth.

SATURDAY:

Fantastic day! Despite the forecast the sun was shining and I was out in the early morning heat buying ingredients from the local shops. I made chocolate cupcakes filled with nutella, a few salmon and cream cheese and lots of cucumber sandwiches (with the crusts cut off, naturally!), a chickpea and tomato salad, and a bottle of homemade lemonade. And bought Pringles, of course!

We raised almost £50 for Macmillan Cancer Care (thanks to all my super-generous friends xx) and had a fun afternoon of sunshine and chatter. Then we retired to the pub – as you do!

Dress: Laura Ashley; sunglasses: charity shop; shoes: Topshop

After a gin and tonic on the way to the station with Cath I went back to Ben and Lauren’s where she cooked me curry, then did one of the sweetest, most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me…

I mentioned on here that my Tiffany’s in Newcastle was Popolos bar – where I could get a violet martini when I had the mean reds. I said I wanted to take her there some time. Knowing that I needed a pick-me-up she got in touch with Popolo’s, told them the situation, and asked for the recipe. She then ordered all the ingredients online so that she could mix me a violet martini whenever I needed one! Can you believe what a sweetheart she is? I feel so incredibly moved that someone would go to those extremes of effort for lil’ me! I just can’t put it into words. Thank you so much my lovely xxx

Lauren and Laura (in super-cute dresses)

Today Jess, Martin, Cal and Jackson the puppy came to visit and we went to the local play park for brunch – smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, apple cubes, oatmeal cookies and leftover cakes.

It rained a very little bit, but we stuck it out and it passed. It was a lovely start to the day, and although the playpark was essentially to keep Cal (10) amused, Ben and Lauren also took their turn…

It has been a really lovely weekend. After how low I have felt the last couple of weeks it was just what I needed, and I have felt loved and appreciated and unbelievably lucky.

Thank you to all my lovely friends and family (and extended family, which is really how I see Lauren and Jess) xx