Bank Holiday Weekend!

The only thing better than a weekend, is a bank holiday weekend! Three whole days of fun, sunshine, friends, lazy lie-ins and pure relaxation. Sadly the sunshine was rather shy this past bank holiday but it did nothing to dampen the holiday spirits. 

AN and I started our weekend in style in Mayfair with a delicious dinner in a beautiful ballroom, complete with not one dessert, but a whole trolley of desserts! The evening was made even better when we could just walk up the stairs with our full tummies and collapse of a soft and squishy bed with the cosiest duvet and good book. 

Saturday morning started in the way that all Saturdays should, with a never ending breakfast spread, a full pot of tea and table covered in newspapers. We made sure to eat plenty and stock up, preparing for the day ahead and AN's annual shopping trip. Once a year AN braves the shops and re-stocks his wardrobe from top to bottom. A day not for the faint-hearted and not to undertaken on an empty stomach!

A quick walk through the pretty streets of Mayfair and we came face to face with Bond street and Oxford street. A quick pitstop to Selfridge's food hall was required where we re-fuelled with a cupcake and a milkshake. The sweetie hall was almost too exciting for my little heart to handle!

On Saturday evening we braved a comedy club for the first time and were happy to find that our expectations were far exceeded! Too funny for photos....oops. 

Sundays are for strolling Spitelfield's market with family and friends, shopping for bowlers hats, vegan chocolate cake and handmade jewellery. Not only did I sample my first taste of greek food (delicious!) but I also stepped foot into a hipster East London coffee shop for the first time. Truly a day of firsts! 

We rounded off a busy weekend with a Monday brunch with the beautiful MW and slightly hungover TR and ON, followed by a walk along the river. AN was in his element sitting in the sun watching the boats take to the water. 

Sadly, even with a three day weekend, the weekend was over too soon. Bring on the next one! 

Mood - contented. 

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A Chamonix Love Story

It has started! My contemporaries are starting to get married, which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. The past weekend, AN and I went on a whistle-stop tour to Chamonix and back, in 36 hours to celebrate the marriage of Mr and and Mrs R!

 

Our adventure started at the Premier Inn Gatwick where we had our classic airport bed picnic! A bed picnic involves getting into p.j's and tucking into a feast of baguette, salmon pate, popcorn, fruit salad and any other random foods you happen to feel like eating. No better way to start a wedding holiday! 

After a 4am wake-up call and problems at check-in, we had to sprint for our flight. I would not usually class myself as a natural runner at the best of times, however, at 5am my running ability was even less wonderful than usual. 

We were fortunate enough to be sat next to a very friendly couple who happened to be going to the same wedding and who very kindly offered us a lift up the mountain. Transport issues dealt with - tick! 

After a quick change and a slightly embarrassing walk through the centre of Chamonix town, we arrived at the prettiest little mountain church, decorated with white roses at the end of the pews. 

The rest of the wedding continued to be as beautiful as it was when it started! The speeches were amusing and touching, and the food was absolutely delicious. Any wedding that includes a mountain of macaroons and not one, but, two wedding cakes, pretty much tops my list of favourite things ever. 

We danced all night, made new friends and celebrated a wonderful Chamonix love story. 

The next day, slightly sore headed, we had a quick patisserie and crepe in a little cafe on the square in the the beautiful sunshine, overlooking Mont Blanc. In that moment, the whole week of stress and panic leading up to the weekend became worth it and we both felt so grateful to have been part of something so wonderful. 

Congratulations Mr and Mrs R! You make a beautiful couple and you have an adventurous and exciting life ahead of you. 

Mood - Excited 

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A Trip To Hogwarts - Part 2

You already know by now that my visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour was the best day of my life (near-enough), so much so, in fact, that I needed to split it into two posts! 

Having visited the Weasley's kitchen and the Ministry of Magic we found ourselves in Malfoy Manner and face to face with Voldemort himself. Pretty scary stuff, but not as scary as Professor Umbridge's pink office! Even for me, the pink hue was rather shocking. 

We moved onto the large outdoor set installations after a quick pit stop for some Butterbeer. I had been very excited to try this delicacy and had high expectations. AN was not a fan but I loved it, although we both agreed that it was not how we imagined it. With Butterbeer moustaches we headed to where is all began; Private Drive. 

AN couldn't resist a quick trip on the Knight bus, complete with snow cascading down, putting the final touches to an already perfect moment. 

Around the next turn we can face to face with some pretty scary creatures, and some not so scary. It really is amazing how much imagination and creativity goes into making a fantasy a reality, which has become completely realistic in the minds of so many. 

Without a doubt, the highlight of my visit was our walk along Diagon Alley. We popped in to get our robes, our wands and stack of school books before checking our account at Gringotts. AN was completely absorbed choosing his Quiddich supplies and checking out the new Nimbus 2000, typical boy! 

The final room, however, was possibly the most enchanting and was filled with scale models of the Hogwarts castle, each bigger than the next. I knew I would be impressed but the detail, scale and believability of the models was truly outstanding. It was the prefect way to finish our tour, leaving us completely enchanted by the magical world of Potter once again. 

HP even manage to find its way into my stocking, meaning that I spend Christmas day in the most glorious way possible; snuggled up on the sofa with some Bertie Bott's and a great read. 

To quote JK Rowling - "All was well" 

Mood - planning my next visit! 

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