Rowdy Ramblers

Rowdy Ramblers

One sunny, delightful Saturday in July - I went on a ramble and it was rowdy, the 'rowdy rambler' title can live on. A lovely lady has been organising these rather fantastic rambles for years, this was my first, it was splendid.

It was quite an achievement to add to my list making it to Victoria station on time - we were all meeting at 10.30 am, I woke up at 9.30 am, hungover. I arrived lagging behind my pal, iced coffee, headache tablets and a Pret tuna baguette in hand. Hurdle number one had been tackled. We were starting the walk / hike / ramble in Hassocks before making the 11 mile walk to Lewes to travel back.

As you have probably grasped by now, the place / places were beaut. There is something magical about escaping the city for the day, wandering through fields and getting a big hit of fresh air. The meandering paths turned rather frequently into uphill paths, my bum muscles complained the next day, I however, did not. Half way through, we stopped at one of the most wondrous pubs I have ever stumbled across for a refuel with food and cider to help us on our way. The pub had an abundance of charm, local ciders and a bow of free tampons in the ladies (what a bloody nice touch eh?).

So, a run down of the day - hangover, iced coffee, train, fields, sun, merchandised hats, a mirage ice cream van, fields, hikers with walking sticks, cider, fields, greeness, air, sheep, pub lunch, cider, fields, forest, views, fields, road, laughter, 'banter', rowdiness, cider, pub, train, tube, walk, dirty burger, bed.

All in a days work, as they say... If you have any brill suggestions for new rambling destinations, do leave me a comment - I have caught the 'rambling' bug it seems. Speak soon x

Oval Farmers Market

Oval Farmers Market

I should have posted these agesss ago, because for one - the outfit photography is ten times more beautiful than what usually graces my blog, and two - the Oval Farmers Market is one of my favourite places to be in London on a Saturday morning and that is something that needs to be shared with the world (aka the internet).

This particular Saturday I met Amy (Vintage Reflection), her lovely, snap happy boyfriend Dave and her wondrous dog Coco (who she is lucky I didn't steal...) for breakfast. I really should branch out, but every time I walk over the market threshold, I am drawn to a cheese filled toastie and a coffee. Nothing wrong with loyalty.

Anyway, back to the market - I love this place, especially when I have a slightly fuzzy head from a little (too) social Friday night, the cheese, coffee and sheer wholesomeness of the farmers market evens me out again. There are so many characters in the market tat draw me back week after week - the lady on the coffee stand is always up for a good o'l chat, the older gent who sells jams makes my heart swell every time he asks me to try his home made jams and the guy on the 'giggly pig' stand just adores what he does and sells every time type of sausage going (all delicious obvs). Everyone grabs local groceries and breakfast and finds a spot on the ground to catch up with pals and eat.

Anyway, next weekend - rebel against the hangover, drag yourself from lying in your bed to lying next to a cheese toastie on the grass near Oval station. You won't regret it - brownies honour.

Dress - Dahlia, Mac - HM, Backpack - New Look, Boots - ASOS

Outfit pictures by Shooting Dave.

Notting Hill Carnival | Drunken Street Dancing

Jacket & Skirt - Topshop, Books - New Look, Necklace - Dahlia, Top - Vintage

Notting Hill Carnival | Drunken Street Dancing

I have always watched the coverage of the Notting Hill Carnival with awe - so naturally, as soon as I  uprooted and planted myself in London, it happened. This post is long overdue but everyone needs a bit of carnival spirit no matter what the season.

I came to the carnival prepared with my most eccentric array of clothing, tissues, prosecco, gin, cider and a thirst to dance - my priorities firmly in order. If you haven't heard of the Notting Hill Carnival it's a huge, colourful carnival that takes over the streets of Notting Hill for two days a year, and has done so since 1966, and will hopefully continue for many more.

The streets are filled with incredible music, happy people and ALL of the colour - bands circling the streets on the back of lorries spreading tunes and positivity, Caribbean dancers doing their incredible thing, steel pan sounds ringing around London and more corn on the cobbs devoured than I can even imagine. I loved my first carnival experience, the only downside I found were the endless crowds (I spent a lot of the time penguining around, almost just levitating through the crowds) and the never ending search for the toilet, oh to be a man in those fateful situations...

I am not sure if I have ever mentioned the fact that I spent 5 years playing in a steel pan band?..... well... I spent 5 years playing in a steel pan band, I was actually quite good and I loved it. The sound steel pans make may be one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. The carnival has definitely ignited my pan playing spirit - could I join a band here? I think so.

Any amazing Notting Hill stories that I can get lost in? If so, you have to leave them below!

DIY Fur Trim Video

DIY Fur Trim Video

It's Autumn and fur is back!

All the shops are full of fur and fur trimmed clothing for an outrageous amount of money - I decided to do it myself.

You can use anything that may need updating in your wardrobe but I bought a top and skirt from BooHoo and customised ( I bought this top and this skirt).

If you want the clothing to last I suggest going around the glued on fur and stitching it on to add more support - I would also suggest hand washing over the machine.

Please watch, craft, like and subscribe!

The Weekend Vlog 07

The Weekend Vlog 07

This weekend was a pretty great one - we had decent(ish) weather, an art exhibit opening, cider, tasty Indian food, cake, pizza, the Notting Hill Carnival, dancing and hangovers.

Please scoot on over to Youtube, watch, like and subscribe. Do it for the pizza.

Back to Basics | Primark Haul Video

Back to Basics | Primark Haul Video

You know the feeling when you assess your wardrobe and you have tons of exciting pieces and nothing to go with it?....

Cue haul.

Lambeth Country Fair

Lambeth Country Fair

I am now back from jaunting around the French Riviera, I have a ton of posts and a few videos to post, just to cling to the sun and sense of freedom a tad longer - but before we get into sun, sea and sand I wanted to show you the Lambeth Country Fair.

The Lambeth Country Fair is one of my favourite events that South London has to offer. I mean, it's hard not to get excited by a day that is based around cider, tasty food and reggae music. The day actually got off to a sunny start, that was until the England decided to be the ultimate cliche and rain / thunderstorm / apocalypse... but you will see that for yourself later. So, it started sunny and I went with it - watermelon skirt, sandals and wearing ALL of the colours.

The fair itself is just lovely, even the trees decided to dress up for the occasion. Fuelling up on tasty food before the cider consumption and dancing begins is always the number one priority. I had discovered 'Anna Mae's Mac 'n' Cheese' at the fair last year and I had been craving the cheesy goodness ever since. I went for the 'Kanye Western' because cheese, bacon and hotdogs is a pretty mouthwatering, heart stopping combination.

Skirt & Sandals - Primark, Jumper & Necklace - Topshop, Satchel - Urban Outfitters

We wandered around, taking in the atmosphere before settling on a stage to dance, drink and be merry. That lasted around an hour before the skies began to cry, we then spent a good hour stood under a tree (wet) with umbrellas hoping that the sun would show itself again. The fair was over but our spirits were still high, we danced through the mud all the way to a reggae bar. Everyone was full of mud and wet but that actually added to a pretty great atmosphere.

All round great day.

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