Wednesday, May 10, 2023

The Wedding Guest Edit 2023

 Well howdy partners! Happy Wednesday to you. I hope you had a lovely long weekend/s (what an absolute treat to have two in a row!). Today we have one absolute whopper of a Wedding Guest Outfit Guide for you - I don't know why but I essentially made it my mission to complete the internet in the making of it and have trawled roughly 582 sites and gained one hunchback and one alarmingly stiff clicking finger in the process. However, she's here! I get a real thrill out of dressing up for a 'do so it was a really fun one to put together, stiff finger and all. I've split it into three sections - dresses, non-dresses and accessories - so I really hope that it's helpful in some way! As always, if you end up getting anything from it please do send me a wee snap so that I can enjoy the wedding fun vicariously through you. Alrighty then... let's go! 

DRESSES

The good, the bad and - well, actually, they're all just good. Promise.

...I told you I tried to complete the internet, didn't I? There are, truly, so many great dresses out there at the moment. Some of my favourites? VERY hard to choose, but I do love this beautiful & Other Stories number (one of my favourite colours and those SLEEVES. Excellent stuff), this Mango number (the colour, the shape, it's all perfect), this puff sleeve priarie number here, this beautiful orange dress (currently 20% off!) and Rixo smashing it again with this little number

NON-DRESSES
Not a fan of a dress? Not a problem! 


Again, lots of lovely options out there at the moment and in so many great colours too! Total joy. I'm in love with this wee two piece (lots of options to wear it as separates throughout Summer too), this colourful Rixo number, this beautiful skirt (very into it with that copper tank) but this and this have to be my favourite of the lot. Best. Colour. Ever. Kermit would be so proud.

ACCESSORIES
Shoes, bags, earrings and... more shoes
Sweet accessories. Always a fun way to add pizzazz (and also great for changing up an outfit you already own!). It'll be of absolutely no surprise to you that I love these shell earrings (I am powerless to the pull of a shell), these Mach & Mach-esque heels and these sassy-but-still-very-comfortable-looking (a real rarity) platforms

...And there we have it! I really hope that helps in some way, if not then I had a grand old time eating biscuits and pulling it all together. 

Amy 

Sunday, September 11, 2022

A Welsh Adventure to The Lavender Escape

The Lavender Escape Wales Kip Hideaways (16)
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Well howdy there! A very happy Sunday to you. I hope everyone's had a lovely weekend - I was starting to get a little bit anxious about the arrival of Autumn now that's September's upon us (where did that sneak up from?!) but it's actually been such I mild weekend I could even hang a washing up outside. What a rush! Well, now that I've established I'm firmly in my 30s with that sentence, I'd like to take you to a special hide-out in the heart of Wales known as The Lavender Escape. Wales is somewhere I've always wanted to see more of; Rob has family there, as well as living nearby himself in the past, and has always raved about it, so we decided this was the year we'd see a little more of it. We found the Lavender Escape via Kip Hideways, who I'm sure you'll have heard me mention many a time before. If you're in the market for a quirky wee stay that's a little different to the norm - Kip are your guys. They've got a whole host of special stays across the UK so we knew from the get go we were in good hands.

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We arrived slap bang in the middle of a heatwave so, when we were greeted with the sight of The Lavender Escape's wild swimming pond we almost fell to our knees in gratitude. Surrounded by wild flowers and rolling hills, it is one truly breath-taking spot; I think I took roughly 5000 photos of it during our stay as it changed throughout the day, at sunset and sunrise in particular it's a real sight to behold. We had a little read through the guest book (my favourite thing to do, as well as getting a warm fuzzy feeling you can also pick up some great tips for what to see and do in the surrounding area) and the most notable thing was everyone saying how relaxed they felt, which you really do feel as soon as you step onto the farm. Be it walking through the Lavender fields, bird-watching, swimming in the pond, being a child again on the swings and see-saw, reading or playing cards on the front deck (accompanied by one of the delicious cakes from the on-site shop) you really do feel yourself beginning to unwind from the get-go. There's also a fire pit there for your use - not the most appropriate in the middle of a heatwave (I don't even think Mitchum could help with that one) but in Spring/Autumn/Winter it would be the perfect spot to sit out and cook some dinner or roast some marshmallows. As it's so remote you've also got a clear view of the stars in the eve which makes the stay all the more special.

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The Lavender Escape Wales Kip Hideaways (1)
The accommodation itself is in a Pantechnicon (otherwise known as a large van used for transporting furniture) which has been cleverly converted. You've got a king sized bed, small kitchen, bathroom and shower and it's all kitted out with the beautiful Lavender scented products made on site. Worry not, you don't have to be a guest to try them - you can find them all over on the website here!

And there we have it, one very special and very quirky stay where you'll be made to feel very welcome by everyone who works there from the minute you set foot on the farm.  One thing to note is that the wild swimming pond is open to the public for a small fee during the day (one to keep in mind if you're driving past and looking for somewhere fun to stop off!) but it does mean that during the day there is the possibility that it can get a little noisy. I imagine it was busier than normal when we were there with families stopping off to cool off during the heatwave, and that many other times you'd have the place entirely to yourself, but just a wee something to note ahead of the stay. In the eves and early morning you'll have absolutely no problem with that, however - it's as quiet as quiet can be and so incredibly peaceful and still. Another thing to note is that it's located only 20 miles West of Hay-On-Wye so, if you're looking to do some exploring during the day, you've got that right on your doorstep! We popped over on the day we left, which just so happened to be market day, and had a great wee coffee and wander in the sun. There are also some pretty epic walks in the area (you bet I read that in the guestbook) so plenty to do if you don't decide just to chill the whole time! You can find the Lavender Escape, as well as Kip's other hideaways across the UK, here.

With that, I shall bid thee good eve - have a very happy Sunday and I'll be back with some more waffle soon. Most likely about my rapidly increasing excitement for Bake Off's arrival.

Amy 

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

A Spring Wishlist

Well howdy partners! How do? Where on EARTH did April come from? I feel like I was just watching Jools ring the bells in last month. But then, in saying that, Winter also feels like it's lasted about 500 years. Time you are one tricky bastard. When I did a wee Q&A over on Instagram a couple of weeks back, one of the things that was asked for most was Spring recommendations. Rather than spam you with lots of stories on those, I thought a blog post would work best! I've tried to tailor a good chunk of them towards weddings as I know the season is very much sneaking up on us and the organised among us are starting to look for something to wear (a much better way to do it than a panic order three days before the wedding, naming no names. Ok, it was me). 

Some personal favourites on the list of mine are this Reformation-esque corset, these high waisted jeans (the cost per wear of my Levis is now down to around 0.01p, a better investment you'll never make), this saucy cut-out midi which is crying out to be taken on holiday, this Faithfull two-piece keeps winking at me (they do the best holiday wear and the quality's incredible, I've had a couple of their bits for years and they get whapped out holiday and holiday again), these tailored trousers (my favourite style for pairing with vest tops, tees and blouses in Summer) and, speaking of items that get abused holiday after holiday, you can't beat a good pair of birks.

However, if we're talking wedding favourites, that's a whole other kettle of fish. Step up, this magnificent Belle-esque dress. I spotted this in Selfridges last month and was pulled towards it like a magnet to a fridge. Can confirm it'ss just as nice in real life and makes an excellent stroker. It's hard to go wrong with a polka dot number and especially one as great a shape as this one here, and this beauty (which comes in two colours) looks like it'd be a cracker you could wear again and again. This puff sleeve number would work just as well for a wedding as it would on holiday or on a picnic blanket down at the park (basket of apples optional but greatly enhancing accessory), we've got a one shouldered hero and, if you're fancying something a bit different, this wee jumpsuit looks an absolute treat! 

Before I head off, doing up the house is taking up a lot of our time at the moment - I've discovered it IS possible to take three hours to decide between two almost identical lamps - is an interiors wishlist post something you'd be interested in? If so, I'll happily put one together. It might be a nice way to justify my prolonged lamp staring. 

LMK as the kids say. 

Happy Wednesday,
Amy 

Friday, November 26, 2021

November Favourites!


Well hey there! Happy Friday. I feel like this week has absolutely whizzed by. In fact - this entire year? I absolutely love Christmas and all things Michael Buble but I feel like I haven't quite earned them this year - in my head it's still around October. Anyway, enough about me losing all concept of time, I'm still trying to stick to my two blog posts a week till the end of the year resolution, so here is the first of this week's! Initially it started up as a round up of Winter favourites, as a lot of people had asked for advice on coats/boots, but then I accidentally got sucked into some partywear pieces. So I guess it's maybe turned into more of a November favourites post? There are a few pieces on there that I can personally vouch for; this Chanel-esque cardigan which has just come back into stock (you can see it on me here), this checkerboard fleece (you can see it in a different colourway on me here - it is SO cosy to wear), and these big chunky boots (spendy boys but very comfortable, go with everything and have worn very, very well). My Levi's jeans (pretty much any photo on my Instagram where I have jeans on, it's these babies) are also 30% off today which is verrry exciting! 

A couple of other pieces which I love (from afar) are this purple jumper, which is such a happy unusual colour, this chunky collared knit - which reminds me of a Grandad in the best way - this checkerboard cardi, because I apparently can't get enough of checkerboard at the moment and this beautiful Rixo coat which I shall continue to stare at longingly. Oh! And how could I forget these magnificent gold velvet platforms? Worra dream.

Right, I better go, I need to buy a calendar and work out what day it is.

Amy 

Thursday, November 18, 2021

A Kip Hideaway Stay in the heart of Culross

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Red dress is Delfi Collective via Hirestreet / Floral maxi dress is linked here 

Well hey there! Long time no blog, as they say. I don’t know what’s happened to poor bloggy this year but it’s been sadly very neglected - these parts are almost as sad and dusty as the Duolingo app I downloaded last New Year. However! I’ve set myself the challenge of two blog posts per week till the end of the year so let’s see how it goes... Right now I'm aware that I have about as much conviction as when I tell Rob I won’t buy anymore pairs of black boots, but hopefully I’ll surprise myself (and you). Maybe I'll even be writing posts in Spanish by the end of the year, who knows! 

I wanted to start back with a post about a magical little getaway in the heart of the 17th Century coastal village of Culross. It's somewhere I hadn’t visited before but had seen pop up on my feed many a time, particularly across the Visit Scotland-esque instagrams. You might even recognise that colourful street above yourself! 

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Checked two piece is Jessie Bush x Kitri

We stayed for two nights at the beautiful Design Cottage in Fife, which we found via Kip Hideaways - home to some of the best boutique properties in the UK - and had such a lovely time that I could shout about it until I was blue in the face (which, to be fair, I am a lot these days with how cold it is in Glasgow). It's run by the lovely Laura who is a complete and utter interiors whizz. Not only has she cultivated one of the most relaxing spaces I've been in, she's also decorated it in a way that will leave you wanting to overhaul your entire house. 

There are a few brilliant walking trails nearby and the village sits around 45 minutes from Edinburgh, but we ended up spending a large portion of time relaxing in the cottage because we loved it so much. There's an open plan living room and (very well equipped) kitchen, two bedrooms, a mezzanine upstairs with a sofa bed, two bathrooms and an incredible terrace outside. As you can see, we were very lucky with the weather, but I think it would make for the perfect getaway all year round. Me and Rob were actually chatting just the other day about how lovely it would be to visit again in Winter with friends, armed with board games, hot chocolate and food a-plenty. Speaking of food, there are two important food-based points that I need to mention about the cottage. The first is that there is the most fantastically well-stocked tuck shop (that's not the word I'm looking for is it? But I somehow can't seem to find the correct word... Minibar?), which you can see a photo of above. From crisps, to chocolate and biscuits, to nibbles that can be paired with specific drinks, to glass bottles of Irn Bru (the last one particularly excited me) to lots of locally sourced products like coffee, honey and candles, Laura has thought about every single thing you could possibly need during your stay and more. The second, I'm going to capitalise here just to stress how really wonderful it was, THE BREAKFAST. So much care has been put into it. A hamper was delivered each morning, bursting with fresh pastries and bread from a local baker, yoghurt, fresh fruit and juice, muesli, meats, cheese... the list goes on. It was such a special touch and a real highlight of the stay.

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Now, as I say, we spent a lot of our time relaxing in the cottage, but when we did venture out we made ourselves very comfortable at the hideaway that is Bessie's Cafe. It was 24 degrees - can I get a collective, 'say what!?' - when we were there, so we sat outside in the sun with our iced coffees and homemade cakes, chatting the afternoon away and pretending we were in Italy. To walk around the beautifully preserved cobbled streets of Culross feels like stepping back in time (in fact, if you're an Outlander fan it may excite you to hear that some scenes were shot here) and no more so than at the beautiful Culross Palace. Tickets were sadly sold out when we were there, but even from the outside it's a special sight to behold! 

 And that brings to an end a round up of a very lovely stay. I honestly couldn't recommend it more - as you can probably tell - if you'd like to book a stay yourself, or to find out a little more information, you can find the Design Cottage here

Amy 

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