A few of my favourite things... III

The weather in London has been miserable, rain, rain, rain and yet more rain. Plus the wind and the general greyness, it's enough to get one down. So I have been utterly grateful for the next in my series of favourite things, my Hunter welly boots. These are the things of magic, they are sturdy, fun and most importantly keep my feet warm and dry.

It's one of those things I've always hated, wet feet, especially wet feet in nice shoes, which are then wet feet in nice ruined shoes. So having wellies has become an essential for me. Plus it means I can behave like a four year old and jump in puddles with glee.

So for those city dwellers who are fed up of wet feet, go get some Hunters! And even if they seem a little pricey they are the best, my last pair broke within about three months much to my upset and so from now on I will be tried and tested!

I am only slightly upset that I went for plain old Aubergine and not something a little jazzier. Maybe for the next pair I can branch out :)

Dorma Pot Pourri

Upon my return to London I came into the office to find a little bag of goodies waiting for me. Excitedly peering into it I pulled it all out rapidly to explore and found beautiful packages, cream and gold and elegant.

One such package was a box of Orange and Cedarwood Pot Pourri from Dorma. I am not normally one for things like Pot Pourri, we used to have it at home when I was little but since then it is not something I have thought about having. Plus living in rented accommodation one tends to care less about extra details to make it look and smell really nice. So it was a surprise to find myself so delighted at this beautiful box of shapes which smelt so good.

Now it is sat in our living room, spreading it's gentle but natural smell throughout and making me smile when it looks so pretty. And it's also made me think that these are the kind of things it's worth buying quality products for, which this Dorma one definitely is.

And so I shall see what other goodies there are in this little bag and recommend this as something which could be both a great present for someone else and to yourself when you need something a little bit more luxury to perk up a room. Check out the Dorma website for more info!

Kazakhstan Part 1

We arrived back late last night after a very long day travelling, I was already pretty tired from the trip but that really slayed me. So I was much relieved to crawl into a warm bed with J last night and drop my head on the pillow to switch off.

Kazakhstan was fun though. We worked hard and it felt like a really valuable trip workwise, plus the people we met were overall absolutely lovely and I was so well looked after.

So to start with below is a picture of the view from my bedroom window in our hotel in Astana. Hopefully it gives you some idea of what the city is like, there's a lot of construction going on, so in almost every view there are cranes. But considering the city is only 11 years old it's doing pretty well!
More to follow soon but a few things to catch up in the office first, hope everyone is well and I shall try and catch up on all the lovely posts I've missed and the news.

Hope you have great weekend's! xx

Astana - Kazakhstan

It's about -13C here, cold, really really cold. And so dry. But kind of amazing too, so much space compared to London. Busy busy busy to be honest so apologies for not having commented much but I'm taking photos to share when I get back.

Until then, enjoy your weekend's!

M xx

Friday fun photo

From Cute Overload

Isn't this photo amazing? It took me a little while then I was sat there going wow! What a moment to have got.

Off again...

I should be on a flight to Astana, Kazakhstan right now. Off with work to go to a couple of events we're participating in. It should be good, absolutely freezing at this time of year but interesting. I'm back late on Thursday 26th. I will try and blog, comment etc while away but time and internet connections might be few and far between. Hopefully lots of photos for you upon my return! Again apologies in advance and promises of being better again shortly.

Arrivederci! xx

A few of my favourite things... II

I am not a big make-up girl, in fact I hate having foundation on as I feel like my skin can't breathe. But there are a few items I can't do without and mascara is one of them. Without it I feel bare and horrid. My most recent one is Max Factor's Masterpiece mascara. I don't often get caught by marketing but there's so much choice out there I couldn't decide and having recently seen their advert I bought it. And I'm impressed, for a mascara it has both a good lengthening and volumising effect. So it comes with me where needed, for opening up my little eyes and making my eyelashes ready to flutter.

Award time!

I've been a very lucky girl and have received some blogger awards. The first came from the lovely Everybody Says Don't who gave me the over the top award. And following shortly are some quickfire questions attached to it.

The second two are very sweetly from Gaynor over at Our Day by Design.

So here goes on some of the quick fire questions...

1. Your hair: shoulder length and uncontrollable

2. Your favourite food: Italian or Lebanese

3. Your dream from last night: Not packing any clothes for the upcoming work trip I have this week

4. Your favourite drink: Tea or red wine, here I agree with Everybody Says Don't

5. What room are you in: living room

6. What is your hobby: Cooking, walking, pole dancing

7. What is your fear: drowning

8. Where do you want to be in 6 years: Somewhere with J

9. Where were you last night: At home hosting dinner party

10. Muffins: Fruity

11. Last thing you did: Ate dinner

12. What are you wearing: Black jeans, yellow vest top, black cardigan and pink scarf

13. Your TV: House, Ugly Betty, University Challenge and Life

14. Vehicle: Feet (I can't drive)

15. Your favourite store: Reiss, Liberty, Zara

16. Your favourite colour: Red

17. When's the last time you laughed: sometime today but I can't remember when

18. When's the last time you cried: mid week feeling sorry for myself

19. Your best friend: J

20. Favourite place to eat: Home

I think one of the other awards asked for 10 things about me but I'm not feeling very creative so maybe another day.

Anyhow I need to pass these on, which is the fun bit! So here goes:

Fashion's Most Wanted

Cheap 'n Chic Living

Westendmum

Make Do Style

The Un-Bride

Holy Hanna... Wholly Krista

Peacock Feathers and Diamond Rings

Miss Jessica Rabbit

Anyone I've missed or who would like an award leave me a comment and I'd love to share!

Normal service to resume soon I hope! M xx

Lurgy

I have finally got my first proper illness of the year. Somehow though I am still in work when I really should be at home. Yesterday I was so cold my fingers toes and lips were blue which was kind of funny, until it took me about 2 hours and lots of layers and heaters to warm them up again. J also has lurgy so we are a right pair at the moment, spluttering and sniffling around. Most becoming. Here's hoping I can kick it as quickly as I got it! And also apologies but I hope this explains the paucity of comments/posts etc.

Goats and a date night

I had an awful day at work yesterday, too much to do, not enough time and rude people upsetting an already tired me. So it was with relief that I left the office to head over to meet J. We met at Black and Blue on Wigmore Street, where we both merrily polished off our burgers (which were pretty good burgers). A little bit of food, a beer and not being in the office and I was beginning to perk up.

So then we headed off to go and see The men who stare at goats at the cinema. I wanted to see this for a couple of reasons. One the story looked good, it's my kind of film. And secondly I really like George Clooney. Not just because he's very attractive but also because he's a great actor. And it lived up to my expectations. Based on a real story about a division of the US army it is both funny and slightly sinister with great acting from a great cast. I don't want to give too much away but suffice to say it's one of those stories which is so crazy it has to be true.

And so we walked home in the cold November night, enjoying each others company and our 'date night' (we never do date nights normally) and then to bed, sober, warm and glad to be home.

Phewee...

I have just finished (well almost) a six week course I was managing and running. I am now tired. And the next one starts on Monday. Ah well, pays the bills I guess. But I know I have a lot to do, and all I really want to do is dance around and say yippee! Then sleep for a long time. So instead I shall knuckle down shortly. Until then my apologies for the scantness of posts/comments etc.

I leave you with a cute snow monkey, taken from the National Geographic International Photography Contest, which is worth a look for the fabulous photos.

Would you want one of these?

Again whilst in Mayfair I caught this rather 'delightful' toilet. It struck me as odd that while someone was on the toilet they might want some porcelain nipples poking in their back. Perhaps this is something about interior design I will never understand... Your thoughts?