Bras, BBQs & British Weather

Just a few instagram pictures from this weekend. The highlight of my weekend had to be going to a Céilidh (said 'Kay-lee') held in order to raise money to help fight Breast Cancer. So many people are affected by cancer be it personally or through family, friends etc. and I think it's so important that we do raise both awareness and funding so that research into finding a cure can continue. The Céilidh was a fantastic night of laughter, dancing and bunting made out of bras, a perfect event for such a worthy cause!

Other spare moments were spent seeing my family, eating lots of naughty food and having a BBQ even though it was overcast and poured it down about 30 seconds after we stopped eating. Bit of a mad dash to take everything inside but totally worth it because I'm a big fan of outdoor eating, even if it is in slightly miserable British weather.

LYMH.

7 things about summer...

1. Refreshing drinks. My Nana makes big pitchers of orange juice, lemonade, a splash of wine, slices of lemon, orange and cucumber. Served over ice it's the perfect accompaniment to an evening meal (or at any time for that matter).

2. Sunshine. Sadly I haven't had much to enjoy this year due to being so busy working but trust me, if I had a spare day any time soon I'd be charging to the beach to sunbathe, splash about in the waves and run amongst the sand dunes.

3. Flip flops. Easiest, comfiest (open to debate, my Mum would argue otherwise) & most versatile shoe. Big big love.

4. Summer reads. Yes we should all spend time reading the classics and yes, I love Jane Eyre as much as the next person but lets face it... when it's scorching hot and you're relaxing in the garden, the best books to join you are romantic, chick-lit with vibrant scenery, hot guys and a cute ending that leaves you all warm inside.

 

5. Fruit. Even though we can get most fruit all year round now, it never tastes as good as in the summer! My faves are raspberries and blueberries (with a good scoop of vanilla ice-cream).

6. Lighter evenings. I'm so sad that we've already passed the Summer solstice. There's something so cheery about not coming home from work/school in the dark. Better enjoy it whilst I can!

 

7. BBQs. Good food, laughter, a healthy dose of Pimm's and you're all set for a great night. 

Photo credit 1/2 - my own photo /3/4/5 - my own photo

LYMH.

Sunshine and a lake.

Just a couple of pictures that have emerged from the start of the summer. One of Marcus' relatives took them and so all photo credit to her! I love 'action' photos, the second one makes me laugh - I look so determined in pulling Marcus in the lake. It was revenge for when he earlier tried to push me off a dock, I promise!

LYMH.

Summer visit.

I unexpectedly got some time off from my summer job the last couple of weeks of June and so after some last minute bookings and mild panicking from yours truly I was off and away to see my boy! 

Marcus' sister, Brie was graduating that weekend so we went back to his home town for my first ever graduation experience. Her ceremony was lovely and she looked gorgeous as usual.

The weather was beautiful the whole weekend and it was so nice to meet some more of Marcus' family and have some time to spend with Brie and his parents. We also went to Marcus' cousin's graduation and her grad party. The party was held in a park and the lake looked so beautiful that day. If we hadn't of had to go early because we had to drive home, I would have loved to have hired a boat or pedalo because the water looked so serene.

Back in Buffalo the next weekend, one of Marcus' friends from high school came to visit and had never been to Niagara Falls. So I returned for my third visit and my second excursion on the Maid of the Mist. Even though I'll never get back the delight I got when I saw the falls for the very first time, they still manage to make me take a step back and go 'wow'. The sheer amount of water cascading down is incredible and the Maid of the Mist is such good fun.

Other things we got up to during my two week visit included going to a big outdoor Fountains of Wayne concert (so awkward that probably 99.9% of the people there were just waiting for Stacey's Mom - including ourselves!), having a great rooftop day drinking party, eating yummy food (I especially love Wendy's burgers and fries, Chipotle and my beloved Sourpatch Watermelons) and an epic mini-golfing session (Marcus killed it and I sucked). Such a good two weeks!

Marcus rocking his pinny and shades during our rooftop session ;) love you!

LYMH.

Playlist. #1

Better Off Without You - Summer Camp

Can't Stand Me Now - The Libertines

Evening / Morning - Bombay Bicycle Club

Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepson

Baba O'Riley - The Who

Right Thru Me - Nicki Minaj

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

Too Young To Kill - Brite Futures

Not Coming Home - Maroon 5

I Still Remember - Bloc Party

Want U - Lo-Fi-Fnk

I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You - Black Kids

Kiss Me - Rediscover

LSF - Kasabian

LYMH.

This weekend...

Marcus played golf whilst I avoided revision like the plague... 

Guess which are England and which are America? :)

LYMH.

forgive us for what we have done because we are young.

I'm so late to the hype but Young by Tulisa has become my sunshine anthem the past couple of days. I didn't even like the song at first but now I'm obsessed! It makes me think of beaches and laughter and friends and dancing and SUMMER.

Image Credit - 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5


Can't wait to finish my exams and begin my summer. 

LYMH.

A couple of summery days.

We might be 3000 miles apart but we've both been getting some nice weather recently...

(From top left, clockwise) My sister & I whilst out shopping in Manchester, my uncle's dog enjoying the sunshine, a picture he sent me whilst he was having dinner by the canal, him driving home with a rather pretty sunset, out for a lunch in Boston and a pic from his recent lacrosse trip.

Needless to say his photos recently have been more interesting than mine! However, I did have a lovely time out with my sister and may have spent a few more pennies than I should have done... damn you Zara!

LYMH.

A Summery Wishlist.

At the moment I'm really hoping to go and visit Marcus at the beginning of summer and so of course I'm already thinking about pretty outfits to wear in the sunshine (because it will be gloriously sunny obviously).

Simple and fresh is what I want to go for and I think these pieces would be so easy to work in with any outfit. Plus I adore the tie dye bag, so cute and not too badly priced at all!

Denim Jacket - £24.99 - H&M

Cork Wedge Heeled Shoe - £49.99 - Zara

Tie and Dye Shopper - £29.99 - Zara

LYMH.