My favourite beaches…

I spent some of the weekend cleaning up the files on our laptop (a very boring task) and got side-tracked going through our holiday photos. It was just the kind of medicine I needed! As stressed and nervous as I am about our move, it was good to remember how very lucky we have been to explore the world – and even luckier, it feels like it is only the beginning! Unsurprisingly, I found myself lingering over the magnificent beaches we have been to and in doing so, I realised how very different they have all been. The beach is a special place for me, where I do most of my deepest thinking. Problems are solved, hurts are healed and I always leave feeling lighter and happier. Here are some shots of my favourite beaches around the world:

Do you have a favourite beach?

The Red Beach and Oia – Santorini, Greece

Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Praia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal

Pajara, Corralejo and Pozo Negro – Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

First 2: Saunton Sands, Devon, UK       Last pic: Camber Sands, East Sussex, UK

Playa Esmeralda, Guardalavaca, Cuba

Chaaya Island, Maldives

Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece

Venice (taken from Lido), Italy

Shipwreck Beach, Zante, Greece

Magazine Beach, Grenada, Caribbean

Glentana, Buffalo Bay, Blouberg, Wilderness – Western Cape, South Africa

Monday Snoop – Serena and Lily

It’s been a not-so-secret dream of mine to one day own a little shop, preferably somewhere on the coast, and to fill it with beautiful things and hopefully make some money from it. It’s just a pipe dream but I have done a little research, enough to know that not only is it risky but it’s very, very hard work. I admire anyone who does, and does it well. Serena and Lily (originally online retailers) have done just that by opening their very first store in the Hamptons in Beach Market, Wainscott. The coastal themed shop blends seamlessly into the background and offers their signature linens, artwork, vintage finds and custom surfboards painted by Serena herself. I have pinned all of these images to remind myself that it can be done!

Images via Remodelista

What I want!

It’s been a while since I had the time to put together a wishlist, and to be honest, I didn’t really have the time to do this one – there may or may not have been some skiving involved! It seems like the quicker I have been getting rid of stuff, the quicker I have been buying more. It’s gotten so bad that I have actually contemplated leaving my bank card at home. There is no 2 ways about it, I am panic buying! Since I failed miserably at No Buy July, I am going to try and do this for August and window shop ONLY. Here’s what I spied in the windows:

nightshirt; scarf; watch; perfume; bracelet; shopper; iphone case; stool; peg bag; blanket; frame; bowl; baskets; potted plant; lamp; pillow; scented candle

Wire Baskets

I am a packing machine. Miscellaneous crap has been ceremoniously dumped on the tip, treasured items have been bubble wrapped and documented and we have endured weirdos from Gumtree turning up to collect the furniture that we gave away. We have been a little bit too organised and have ended up getting rid of most of our storage a little too early. This means every available surface is littered with items that were previously relegated to recesses of drawers. It’s a complete nightmare. I am dreading the day our bed goes! So it’s no surprise that I am all over little storage items that can be packed in our full-to-bursting container. Australia has very strict regulations on bringing in timber (I will weep when I give away my brand new wicker laundry basket) so I am sticking to canvas containers and my new love affair with wire baskets. Bit of a strange topic for a blog post but there you go!

Do you love wire baskets as much as me or should I seek help? 

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Windows, doors and blinds!

I primarily choose a restaurant because I know/have heard the food is very good. Atmosphere and service comes second but are still very important to me. It’s an added bonus when the restaurant I choose is a little unusual – something out of the norm. It becomes a talking point for everyone eating there and soon the dining area is filled with a buzz (what a clever way to create immediate atmosphere)! It’s a little too far away for me to visit but I came across Bon Restaurant in Bucharest and thought it would tick all the boxes for me. Over 200 reclaimed doors, windows and blinds were used as wall panelling. The seating arrangement is relaxed and the lighting is simple and cozy. Apart from the obvious aesthetic, the food and service is not too shabby either, with Tripadvisor reviewers giving Bon 4.5 stars!

Designed by Corvin Cristian & Vlad Vieru

Images via

Sloane Ranging!

About 5 years ago, I landed a job that was only 3 stops away from my home on the train line. 15 minutes on the train, 40 minutes door-to-door. When you live in London, commuting is king. I used to work with someone who commuted from Portsmouth (2.5 hours away, that’s 5 hours of travel every day). 2 hour commutes are actually quite common. For suburb living, not having to use the tube is nearly unheard of. I knew I had it real gooooood! The difference a shorter and more scenic journey to work made to my life was monumental. I had time in the mornings to do the washing, prep dinner and vacuum. I had time in the evening to relax. Our office was based in a large converted house in Sloane Square and if you have been to London but have never been to Sloane Square then be prepared to get back here immediately and rectify it. The tree lined streets, the regal walk-ups and the spectacular shops will keep you busy all day. Over a year and a half ago, we moved offices - I was gutted, my bank balance was not.