iPhone Pics - April 2012

1. Looking down. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Saturday lunch at Lui's, Tynemouth. 7. Snow in April! 8. New make-up buys. 9. Sea Salt Caramel Fudge from TK Maxx - amazingly good!

1. Peach Melba cocktail. 2. Bowl of blueberries. 3, 4, 5. Baking Madeleines. 6. Jelly-Bean sweets. 7. My only Easter eggs, with a cup of hot chocolate. 8. Raspberry Mojito. 9. Lunch at the Garden Kitchen. 

1, 2,3, 4. Lunch at the Garden Kitchen. 5. Miniature saucer crackers at Lakeland. 6. Jam-jar cocktail. 7. Looking down. 8. Morning Starbucks. 9. Halloumi salad lunch in Revolution.

1. New Metros. 2. Diet Coke break. 3. Fruit bowl. 4, 5, 6, 7. Lunch at Las Iguanas. 8. Painting in The Living Room. 9. Yummy Irish Soda Bread.

1. Candles at home. 2. Mozzarella salad in Revolution. 3. Breakfast for dinner. 4.  Looking down. 5. Dark n Stormy cocktail in Las Iguanas. 6. Through the mirror. 7. A favourite Lalique ring. 8. Looking down. 9. Browns restaurant.

1, 2, 3. Lunch at Browns. 4. Hot Air Balloon necklace. 5. Through the mirror. 6. Breakfast. 7. Pirate nail enamel by Chanel. 8. New lip balm in the April GlossyBox. 9. Baked a healthy All-Bran cake.


Filter: Sierra
Instagram Name: pink_bow

Hot Air Balloon

When I bought this Hot Air Balloon necklace and vintage 1950's dress on two separate occasions, I didn't realise until I put them together how perfectly well matched they are. The coloured pastel stripes in the dress appear  exactly the same in the necklace. Worn with plum patent ballerinas from Carmens Steffens, my current favourite pair of shoes, this is the perfect spring pastel outfit.

Hot Air Balloon Necklace via Etsy ~ Vintage 1950's Dress via Etsy ~ Carmens Steffens Ballerina Shoes via Spartoo ~ White Tights (old) ~ Chanel Nail Enamel in Pirate ~ Tom Ford Lipstick in Cherry Lush

Kelly Love AW 12/13

It wasn't that long ago that I posted about the Spring/Summer 12 collection by Kelly Love. Already the Autumn/Winter 12/13 collection lookbook is out and I am as equally enamoured this time around. The pieces are so simple, classic and beautifully tailored. I could see myself wearing them any time of the year as the fabrics are light enough for summer but easily layered for the colder months. I was very much looking forward to the Autumn/Winter collection and Into the Woods does not disappoint.

Food Lately

Sandwich plate of various Cheeses with Spiced Apple Chutney, (shop-bought) Sushi and mixed Grapes.

Fruit bowl with Strawberries, Orange, Watermelon and Pomegranate Seeds.

Two-egg Omelette with Feta Cheese, Spring Onions and Black Pepper.

Sea Salt Caramel Fudge (from TK Maxx) - amazing!

Baked Beans on Multi-Grain Toast with Bavarian Smoked Cheese, Crunchy Topping and Spicy Tomato Sauce.

Pink Lady Apple sprinkled with Vanilla Sugar and Cinammon.

Blogs I Love

Inspired by Mariell's recent All The Girls posts, I decided to begin a new feature on here to share my favourites also. I'm always on the look out to find new blogs to read, the only requirement being that they inspire and motivate me to do better with my own blog. These are my daily reads, with posts I can't wait for each day. I am inspired greatly by these ladies - their creativity, style and photography.  The more low key and unknown the better, I'll have more for you over the coming weeks.

It seems most fitting to begin with Hjartesmil. This lovely Norwegian shares with us her life with fiancé Jostein, her travels from Norway to Paris to current location London. Her photography and creativity are quite amazing, she photographs weddings and publishes her own magazine Hjartemagasinet. 

Secondly, is Swedish blog Emma's Vintage, fairly recently found through Mariell. I love the style of editing of the photographs on this blog which suits the style of Emma so well. The blog mostly covers vintage but also gives me a peep into the fashionable life of one living in another country. And like most of my favourite other blogs, it covers interior, travel and food as well as fashion.

Finally for this time is Dans, Dans, Dans. As well as being the title of one of my favourite Murakami books, the world of Mina is quite fascinating. Beautiful photography with an enviable collection of vintage dresses, I am also quite taken with her beautiful vibrant hair. She is a beauty in the form of a modern day Marilyn Monroe, remains true to her own style without following modern trends. Exactly what I want to see in one of my daily reads.

Detail of the Day

Today I will be wearing my Smoky Quartz Amethyst Cocktail Ring from Social Experiment.

Garden Kitchen

On Easter Monday, I was invited to Newcastle's newest eatery, the Garden Kitchen. Situated in the elite part of the main shopping mall, Garden Kitchen caters for a full lunch and cocktails as well as lighter bites for the much needed re-fuel in between shopping, of teas, coffees and cakes. Here are some pictures from my visit, it was a very busy lunchtime that day, it being both a Bank Holiday and a Football Match Day. It made for a very busy atmosphere at the time we arrived, eventually quietening down towards the end of our meal.

We started with a chilled glass of prosecco and a selection of breads with apple butter and house pickle. The menu had plenty of variety, both sweet and savoury - as well as the main menu, there were two additional options to choose between, named Garden Picnic, the latter being your traditional Afternoon Tea with sandwiches and scones.

For the main course, I chose one of my trusty favourites - Crispy Fishcake, Buttered Spinach, Soft Poached Egg & Hollandaise Sauce with a side order of French Fries. And my friend ordered the Roast Chicken Breast with Gratin Potatoes, Chicken & Thyme Gravy with a side order of Buttered Spinach.

No meal is complete of course without something to satisfy my sweet tooth, so along with our lattes, we sampled the Madeira Cake and a Chocolate Caramel Flapjack.

Finally, we ended the meal with a cocktail each - a Lavender Cosmo for my friend and the very cute Held in Preserve! which came well recommended and was a mix of Blackberry Jam thrown together with large Havana Club Rum, a splash of Chambord and a drizzle of cranberry juice, served in a vintage style jam jar.

I love nothing better than long lingering lunches with good company. And this was the perfect end to the long Bank Holiday Easter weekend. Sat in light and airy surroundings, it was quite easy to forget we were actually in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne's busy shopping centre. Newcastle is definitely in need of some good quality, quirky cafes and restaurants and this definitely fits the bill.

A special thank you to the two girls you can see above, not only for their great table service but also for letting me take pictures of their amazing face-paint, done earlier by Bryony's Beautiful Faces, who was on hand throughout the day.