August Favourites

My favourite things this August....

1. This last week was spent in Portugal, away from the stress of preparing Megan for high school and relaxing in the sun.  It was also the first time since she was born that I got to lie on the beach, listen to the waves and actually read a book.  This was my favourite view!

2. Relaxing evening meals and the odd cocktail  or two. My drink of choice this holiday was a pina colada.  I'm not a big drinker but as you can see they didn't last long!

3.  On the way home from the airport I stopped at the supermarket to find a body scrub to look after my new tan.  This has quickly become my favourite beauty product.  I adore the smell and will be picking up some more items from the Treacle Moon range.  I love that they are made in Britain, are 100% cruelty free and support the Khandel Light charity that work to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged families in the desert state of Rajasthan, India.

4. I think the summer weather is starting to turn as Mr Harley is starting to spend more time indoors :)  It has been a long summer without him snuggling up with me at night, but I am pleased to say that I cannot move for him since we returned from holiday and this makes me so happy!!

and yes, this is his little tongue poking out after he lost a tooth!

5. My favourite outfit on holiday was unexpectedly this dress from T K Maxx.  Such an unusual hemline and print for me but I loved it!

Now that August is at an end I know that the rest of the year is going to fly by :(  September sees Megan start high school next week and my 32nd birthday!  One thing I'm looking forward to however is the new series of Downton Abbey - I cannot tell you how excited I am to see the trailers on television!

How was August for you? Do you have a busy September planned with lots to look forward to?

Amy-Louise

xx

linking up with Ashley , Katie and Style Elixor

Vilamoura dreams - What I wore

Sunglasses - Dorothy Perkins, Dress - T K Maxx, Sandals - Next, Watch - Michael Kors.

Whilst in Portugal, we made use of the local bus service and headed over to Vilamoura, Portugal's answer to St. Tropez.  As promised it is a beautiful luxurious resort where the rich and famous come to soak up the sun and spend their Euros!  I knew shorts and a vest top would not do, so I put on this dress that I picked up in T K Maxx for £10.00!  I was a bit unsure when I bought it as it is not a style that I would usually go for but it became a firm holiday favourite - a bit more dressy and very cool, which was so important as we were melting as soon as we stepped out of our air conditioned apartment!  I also bought the sandals from Next in the sale so only paid £12.00 for them instead of £22.00.

We wandered around the 1,000 berth marina in awe of the yachts that were there, wishing that we could afford one! Megan and Dave ate crepes at footballer Luis Figo's 'Bar Sete' (bar seven).  I have no idea who he is but apparently he is very famous and Dave was pretty excited about it!! The shops were divine and so was the food (the prices were pretty hefty too!).   

I really did not want to leave but we decided that we will definitely return for an adult only long weekend at some point. 

Amy-Louise

xx

linking up with Random Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Happy Kids Inc., Look What I Got, What I Wore.

Sunny holidays and an extra day :)

Hello lovelies! It feels like ages since I've been around these parts, but we are now home from Portugal and thankful for a Bank Holiday Weekend that is enabling us to put off returning to normal life for a little longer! 

The weather was scorching, we're talking 100f, with none of the algarve breeze that I'd been told so much about! It was lovely to get away and I'm looking forward to sharing some of our holiday snaps with you during the week. 

This weekend has been about returning home and the inevitable loads of washing that follow! Luckily we stayed at Dave's parents the first night we were back and got some done there. We also carried on in the holiday spirit and sat out in the sun,  reading and drinking more than my fair share of English breakfast! 

Of course, coming home wouldn't be the same without the obligatory take away the first night although, choosing seemed a tough task for Dave that night! 

I spent most of the day Saturday in bed as my fibro was bad. I couldn't lift myself and the pain made me sick but by Sunday morning I was feeling a lot better.  We visited my grandad and sorted through a load of old photo albums which brought back lots of memories. 

Today we sorted out the rest of Megan's new school uniform buying her trainers, shoes etc. My baby starts high school next week :( Tonight will be spent soaking in the bath and in bed watching The West Wing!

How have you spent the Bank Holiday? Are you dreading the return to work as much as me or am I just suffering from post holiday blues? 

Amy-Louise

xx 

linking up with Sami and Leeann

Pig racing, packing & parties!

The start of the weekend was spent at Avon Valley Park, where the girls (aged 11, 10 and 6), groomed ponies, we watched a pig race (Megan guessed the winning pig!), Tim had to rescue his car keys from the giant rabbit pen and the kids played on quad bikes and zip wires. The weather was great and the park was huge but due to time constraints we didn't make it all the way around. It was a great place to catch up with friends and for the kids to burn off some energy. We are sure to be visiting again soon!

   Here come the piggies racing for the food...

   ...apart from this little piggy who wasn't interested at all!! 

After a sleepover with friends, the rest of the weekend was pretty quiet. Megan had her usual dance class, we went shopping for the last few bits for our holiday and I spent a few hours in work Sunday afternoon whilst Megan was at a friends birthday party.

Now Monday morning is here however I'm thinking it may have been a bit too relaxed as I have so much to do before we go away! 

How was your weekend? 

Amy-Louise

xx 

Linking up with Sami and Leeann

H54F -Growing up fashion, it's all about the kids!

I've had a few days off work this week which has been nice and enabled me to spend some time with Megan. Whilst I was working on Wednesday however, my sister took her shopping to New Look to buy some clothes with her birthday money. At 11 she is most definitely developing her own style which I think will be on the more edgy side. She definitely takes after my sister who can pull off outfits that I could never in a million years manage! I used to selfishly get frustrated when Megan wouldn't wear what I had bought her or turn her nose up at the pretty outfits I chose, but now I love that she has her own style and her personality comes out in her clothes. She still likes some of the prettier clothes which makes me happy, but is now much better at creating outfits that don't make me shudder!! 

(All New Look apart from (grubby!) Next high tops)

Here are my five favourite things from this week....

1. That this weekend is the last before we head to Portugal for our summer holiday. Although our weather has (on the whole) been good to us this summer, we are now half way through the summer holidays and I can't wait to get into the sun and actually RELAX!! Lying by the pool whilst Megan is at the kids club, reading a book sounds bliss to me. Exploring the old towns, playing on the beach - I cannot wait :)

2. Only having to rush out of the door twice this week to work. I love the lazier mornings that school holidays bring on my days off. 

3. Evenings spent lying on the bed with Megan introducing her to films such as Maid in Manhattan, My Girl and You've Got Mail. Loving having an excuse and someone to watch girly films with. It won't be long until I get her started on my Audrey Hepburn collection! 

4. Days out with my dear friend Tim and his girls. Things are so busy we have gone for months without seeing each other, so the summer holidays are the perfect opportunity for fun filled days. Today was such a day with a visit to a wildlife park, pony grooming, pig races & quad bikes - so much fun with three girls in tow!

5. I'm really appreciating living close to my sister again, being able to help each other out, pop around for girly chats and spending more time with my niece and nephews. We're like chalk and cheese but she's been my saviour lately and I'd be lost without her. 

What have been your best bits of the week? Plans for the weekend? I'm so looking forward to packing my suitcase! Have a good one :) 

Amy-Louise

xx

Linking up with Long Distance Loving, Lauren Elizabeth & Katie Did What

Transition pieces?? Not yet thank you!

Dress - Primark, Leggings - New Look, Cardigan - Primark, Ankle Boots - Ebay, Necklace - Peacocks, Watch - Michael Kors (and yes, these selfies were taken in work! It was quiet and there was a mirror!).

The sun last minute disappeared when I was ready for work Sunday afternoon and as I was left with little time to change I just threw on a pair of leggings and these ankle boots I had picked up ready for autumn.  After weeks of living in summer dresses, shorts and sandals, the sudden colder, wet spell was a shock to the system and a reminder that autumn isn't that far away.  I've started to think about what transitional pieces I'd like to add to my wardrobe and how I wear my summer clothes into the cooler weather, but however much I try and however nice some pieces that I've seen in the new collections are, I'm just not ready to think about it just yet!! Thank goodness today the rain stopped and the sun and heat returned and thank goodness for our holiday to Portugal next week! Maybe, just maybe once our holiday is over I will be excited to look at autumn pieces, but for now summer please stay with us I'm not ready for you to leave!! 

Are you looking forward to the new season additions? What transitional looks will you be going for? Or like me are you keen to keep hold of summer?

Amy-Louise

xx

linking up with Because Shanna Said Do, The Pleated Poppy, Styled Lile A Rockstar, The Tiny Heart, Penniless Socialite.