Donuts instead of Cupcakes??

Well I finally managed a wee holiday hurrahhh. Its been long overdue. I popped over to the windy city of Chicago which was rather nice. I shall ramble more about that later. Anyway I thought it would be nice to bring a bit of America back for the guys in the office so i picked up a box of a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts.

I have been informed for many years now that these are the Rolls Royce of donuts... they were so right; I don't even like donuts - until now!!

I'm afraid I troffed the yummy chocolate topped and filled one before the photo.

I must confess I didn't touch a cupcake whilst away. I did hoover up a large slice of Cheescake factory raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake though. mmmm hunger attack strikes again, oh dear I must be healthy before I pop!

A weekend in the country

Well it’s always nice to head out to the countryside especially when it’s to visit a chocolate box village with 3 fabulous pubs and a local brewery. Miss Macey and I spent splendid sunny days in a gorgeous little place near Farnham in Surrey. If only my camera had been charged I could have wowed you with cottage gardens spilling with colour still in bloom enjoying the Indian summer. We went for country walks where I apparently looked like a city girl as I was the odd one out with silly smart boots, clearly should have packed the wellies!!

Our lovely host Nicky spoilt us rotten in true English style, Earl Grey tea and Fortnum & Mason biccies on arrival. A spot of shopping in chi chi Farnham for us, while the others played tennis. We then lounged in the gorgeous living room on comfy sofas with a log fire roaring away. After much hilarity, story swapping and more tea we popped out to the pub. Now I do love a real British pub. Scrumptious homemade food, great atmosphere and no worries about how loud we were all being.

Such a relaxing and hilarious weekend was just what the doctor ordered, especially as it was topped off with a tasty roast with all the trimmings and the best sticky treacle pudding ever. I need to get the recipe yummm.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

My lovely friend Sequin and I had a fabulous day out at the seaside. We declined the bucket & spades and put our time to better use – chatting!! We started off at Walberswick which is apparently where the celebs live. I have yet to spot one though!

We then travelled across the river in a cute little rowing boat. In between chatting 100 miles per hour we were wowed by the architecture, it’s a lovely place to be (although I expect it’s average age is 60 so not too rock star in the evenings).

We worked up an appetite with a brisk walk along the esplanade and into the little shops and entertainments on the pier. I thought I would put up a couple of photos of the famous beach huts at Southwold. They are rather charming, even if they cost a bomb. It's always such a nice day out

We found a lovely little tea room called Tilly’s. Really scrummy food and very reasonably priced too – unheard of in Southwold!!! Miss Sequin and I had to stop ourselves from spending our invisible money on Vivienne Westwood winter coats & utterly impractical but to die for aubergine suede platform boots with big floppy bows. Still dreaming about them though boo

Magpies be warned!

OMFG M&S goes G&S. Gorgeous and sequined! What is happening on the High Street? Some serious morphing is going on in your trusty & well known multi -nationals.

Next has been trying on All Saints style for size, last season rocked some raw tailoring which wouldn’t have looked out of place in the A.S stores – with the exception of the price tags.

River Island is continuing to bring the customised front to the masses (although I suspect that they may have lifted a few ideas from the fabulous designer & creators who bless our funky little fashion markets – but this is just a whimsical thought – I know how RI love to take people to court) Nice range though & their handbags are splendid.

So back to the start – M&S… what is occurring?!! I’m still trying to understand the huge success of Per Una. Is there something in the weave that attracts the over 50’s and makes them loyal subjects? Anyway I digress (again). So I was skimming through a fashion magazine & spotted this photo – WOW!! Sadly I spotted this picky much later than most as it the online shop is currently out of stock of the skirt. Boo L. Is it just me being ever the magpie, or are sequins the best for getting you into the party spirit? I guess the taffeta cocktail frock for the 2009.

And what age is too old for a short skirt??? Or is it just the legs & the courage of the wearer that counts? If only I could walk in my skyscraper platforms… xx

Travelling in style

Well I have been visiting lots of my lovely friends recently and decided that the train is really the way to travel since my chauffeur doesn’t exist! I do travel 1^st class though (due to cheap online tickets I must add). My start off point is always a warm welcome (except when I nearly missed the train last week for cramming too much in). Acle station is very cute indeed. It’s well looked after with some quirky ideas like the flowers in the bicycle shopping basket and a topiary train!!

Anyway just to prove it still looks nice in October… although considerably less colour.