Flower Pressing

Villard de Lans is one of the most beautiful places when it comes to flowers. They're everywhere, fields full of different flowers are scattered everywhere for tourists & locals to swoon over.

So I decided to steal some... well pick some.

I'm not totally sure on how you're supposed to press flowers, but this method seemed to work. Once home, I laid them out on a piece of paper on my windowsill & let them dry for a little while before piling a load of books on them... how delicate.

After about three days , I checked back on them and they were beautifully flattened.

All that came after that was arranging & sellotaping them in place. I love how they can make an otherwise plain page look beautiful.

Also that text on the paper I used, is an extract of a book that a good friend of mine has written. She is 17 years old & very talented. One day this book will be published, watch this space!

Listening toooo: 'Treading Water' & 'Humming Bird' by Alex Clare 

(I'm still at Reading festival as this post is published, so if you don't hear of me again...I've been eaten by a pack of wolves whilst camping, not to panic anyone or anything........) If not, then hopefully I've been to see Alex Clare, woooooo - hence the little obsession.

Covent Garden By The Sea (Brighton)

Yesterday I went to Brighton for the first time in ageeeees with my boyfriend, Paul.

We got off the train & crept into a side passage to get away from the crowds. It turned out this passage was the beginning of North Laine - an area famous for its unique & vibrant boutiques. We looked into a few shops but quickly headed towards the food shops, for a beach picnic.

(p.s. how awesome are those balloons?)

The beach was packed but perfect, it was cool but sunny & as it was a pebble beach, our food remained intact, bliss.

There were even a few brave people out swimming despite the water being freeeezing.

After lunch we made our way to the famous pier...

It was so lively & so much was going on. The rides looked good although we didn't go on any (this time...).

There were also hundreds of 2p, 10p & various other machines inside the arcades.

Our next destination was a very pretty park Paul had heard of, so we set out searching...

On our way we found this fountain which had apparently been adopted as a bird bath:

The park was gorgeous! Filled with flowers & trees and there was a beautiful building in the centre (The Pavillion).

After a fair bit of roaming around & taking photos of all the pretty flowers, we found a lovely spot in the shade close to a man playing music in the park.

It was loooovely! I would describe Brighton as Covent Garden by the Sea (hence the title) It has all the lively street artists & independant shops London has on a slightly smaller scale, and with a sea next door - hooray!

I have a few more photos of the day ready for my next post too! Dun dun dunnn...

Listening tooo: 'Let's go' by Matt & Kim and 'New Slang' by The Shins

(I'm off to Paris now woohoooooooo!!)

Flower Crowns

Whilst what seems to be everyone is outside in our b-e-a-utiful sun, I am still here, doing countless past papers & sums. Oh joy.

But it doesn't mean I can't dream of flowers & pretty things. Don't these photos make you want a flower crown sooo badly?!

 Perhaps its just me getting excited for music festivals a bit prematurely haha, but either way here are some pretty flower crowns for the summer!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Although my favourites will always be the homemade ones (like below), what's better than making a daisy chain? (Or Marguerite chain in that case)

Listening tooooo: Spector - 'What You Wanted' & The Strokes - 'I'll Try Anything Once'

Cardiff Part 1

A couple of days ago was the Cardiff University Open Day.  

For me this meant waking up at the crack of dawn with 2 alarm clocks & travelling across England & Wales to get there before 9AM. (You can see it meant a lot to me!) I arrived at the station on time, just as the sun had risen, along with the many communters who were waiting for their trains.

Two trains, 3 hours & a playlist later, I arrived at Cardiff Central train station. 

Before long, I was finding my way around different talks and presentations which were really informative (I soo recommend them to any prospective students).

The course I was interested in was Architecture.

 I had a look around the workshops & its so interesting to see how creative the students are with their work and models. One of my favourite aspects of the course was their style of presenting their work. You can clearly see the thought processes and inspirations each student had - its inspiring!

Once the talks & tours were finished, I bought myself a light lunch (sushi of course!) & picnicked in one of the most beautiful parks. Flowers and blossom filled the space & it was a perfect (although slightly chilly) lunch.

I say 'chilly' but compared to previous weather, we're practically in summer, so I decided to get my favourite shoes out - say hello to my beloved Toms!

I then met with M & we made our way into the inner city for a slightly warmer addition to lunch & I picked this delicious looking thing!

On the other hand, M picked this beast of a sandwich. I was a teeny bit jealous...

We then hit the the city centre. I adore Cardiff's city centre, it looks so pretty, has the perfect shops & so many of them!

When I say 'perfect shops', I am not kidding. My all time favourite was there. And here is a sneak peak of it before part 2...

P.s. I think I am in love with these scalloped shorts & stripes...

Windowsill Gardening

Officially, spring will come in 28 days - on March 20th.

But apparently the sun can wait no longer. So I have taken full advantage of this & taken to gardening.

As I don't have any plants in my room, I decided to take a trip down to the local garden centre & pick my perfect indoor plant.

The place was filled with colour & it looked beautiful with the spring sunshine.

One of the more personal touches I enjoyed was the farmer's market nestled inside the Garden Centre. Filled with local produce & presented delightfully, there was a lovely variety of jams, vegetables & many other products.

After having a little nosey around, & debating whether to get a Paprika plant - I didn't as they grow outdoors - I found what I had been looking for. Kalanchoe Flaming Katy. 

A plant I could keep in my room, which didn't require much attention & which looked beautiful.

I also bought some Carrot Rondo seeds for a windowbox vegetable patch - aren't they the cutest?

Once home, I planted my tiny carrot seeds & pampered my flower.

Fingers crossed in a few months I'll be using the carrots in a recipe post...

Picking Daisy Petals

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me...
We've all done it as a child, picking petals off those poor little daisies & when you get older, flowers are still a huge part of romance.

And I adore it.

The spectrum of colour flower merchants bring is beautiful.

On the subject of loved ones, here is my list of 10 things to do together:

• Go to a roller disco (yes, retro clothing is a must).
• Make pancakes & fill them with every flavour imaginable.
• Draw / paint each other, let your creativity out.
• Go on a road-trip - get lost & explore.
• Build a blanket fort.
• Go to a zoo.
• Slow dance to old fashioned music.
• Sprint in the night - is there anything better?
• Sing at the top of your voices to your favourite songs.
• Bake yourselves a fancy meal at home & wear your best gear.

And to finish off, here is a lovely quote from a lovely bear:

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."
-Winnie The Pooh