Summer has finally arrived here in England, so I’m trying to make the most of every free hour. This weekend will involve bike rides, lazing in the park with my love, and Sunday brunch and a trip to the flower market with my friend. I wish these long balmy days could last forever.
1. Last weekend, after a late Saturday night at a glittering Cambridge ball, we spent all of Sunday afternoon lazing in the Botanical Gardens. We packed a little picnic, found a peaceful corner, and spent hours and hours just reading beside each other beneath the shade of a big tree. I started The Versions Of Us (which had been sitting in my ‘to read’ pile for at least a year) and haven’t been able to put it down since (bonus points for being set in Cambridge). It’s meant to be lovely all weekend, so I know where I’ll be tomorrow morning…
2. How are your 2016 goals and resolutions going? We’ve over half-way through the year, so now is the perfect time to assess how things are going and put in motion actions to get where you want to be by the time the year is out. Personally, I’m trying to have more spontaneous adventures and travel more often, get better at balancing every part of my life, and actually turn up to barre class every week.
3. Do you need a palm-print teapot? Of course not. But it sure beats a sad tea bag in a mug. I ordered this one recently and it makes me smile every time I use it (and I’m pretty sure I score bonus adult points for actually using a teapot).
4. Business in the front, party in the back: obviously I’m going to need these cute little ankle-strap pumps for work (and weekends, and everywhere in between…)
5. Ok, I probably need a Self Portrait intervention but, well, it’s just so very lovely (and the quality of labels triple the price). I just added this blouse to my collection and it’s true sartorial love.
6. Have you read Lena Dunham’s piece on our addiction to apologising? Even though I know that as a woman it’s incredibly disempowering to say ‘sorry’ a hundred times a day – sorry for having an opinion, sorry when someone else is rude to me, and sorry for one of the many balls I’ve failed to juggle that day (not seeing my friends enough, not leaving the office early enough to spend any time with my fiancé, forgetting to do something important) – it’s a habit I have trouble shaking. Do you say sorry more than you should?
7. We’ve lived in our place for exactly two years now, yet still most of our walls are completely naked. So I’ve resolved to finally set about getting all my pictures framed (including my beloved Gray Malin aerial prints) and putting up a gallery wall.
P.S. Don’t forget you can follow me over on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook for daily updates + catch my latest posts (in case you missed them) here:
Style: The best little white dress + coffee dates in Notting Hill
Life: On freedom, love and politics
Style: Punting on the River Cam with friends
As always, please do let me know what you’re buying, doing or enjoying this week in the comments below (I always love reading your favourites). I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend!
Pictured above: hat // book // sunglasses // dress // sandals // bracelet
Love, Miss B xx
what a lovely roundup! I’ve lived in my home for two years now too! 🙂
XO Sahra
Que Sera Sahra
Thank you! And I hope you’ve been more successful in acting like you actually own it than I have and actually hung some pictures up 😉
B xx
I’ve started to spend my afternoons reading like you and it’s the best thing ever! I had planned a ton of activities and visits during my staycation and ended up feeling more frustrated than anything. The best moments of the last couple of weeks I spent reading on my balcony with a cup of tea, getting lost in Montmartre or biking around Paris. I had forgotten that the day does not need to be eventful or productive to be a good one.
It’s so true. I’ve been trying to make the most of summer here in England (because, let’s be honest, it’s pretty fleeting) but have realised that it’s just as good to spend hours lazing in the park with a picnic and a book as it is rushing around doing everything.
Hope Paris is treating you well!
B xx
Definitely guilty of saying ‘sorry’ when I shouldn’t, but I’m getting better at it! Thanks for the reminder that I need to revisit my goals. My fiancé and I just moved from Kansas City to Chicago this week and that was a big one for both of us! Now that we’re here, there are several more goals on my list that I can tackle. Hope you have a great weekend!
I’m trying so hard to apologise less (especially in the workplace, where I realise it diminishes my own self-worth), but it’s a habit that seems to be hardwired in 😉
And congratulations on the move! Moving half-way around the world was definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done (it forces you out of your comfort zone and gives you a fresh perspective on everything), and Chicago looks so wonderful!
B xx
I’ve recently picked up a teapot as well and I love it! Also love those sandals, and have been wanting to try Belvoir’s elderflower drink. x
Jen | affecionada
I definitely recommend the sandals (they do a version each year and this is actually my 4th pair because they’re so cute and comfortable).
B xx
I’ve lived where I do for almost 9 years…I want to move so bad, but it costs. As for having artwork, etc. on the walls – we’re not technically allowed.
Spending a day outside reading sounds absolutely wonderful, and so relaxing. Pity that it’s been so hot and humid where I live.