The Northall

Every January, my husband, sister, brother-in-law and I make a point of going out for dinner and drinks. It's essentially in lieu of buying one another expensive Christmas gifts (though we do buy little things to unwrap for fun), and it also gives us something to look forward to in dull and dreary January. I love what has become an annual tradition, and this year I thought I'd share it with you.

Sunday Smörgåsbord

Clockwise from top left:

1 Spring is on its way! I am longing to see its pretty pastel shades out of the window...

2 After over a year of being married, we have finally put some photos up on the wall!

3 One of the best cocktails I have enjoyed in a long time ~ Bubblegum at the Bassoon bar in London's Corinthia Hotel. Delicious.

4 'Pirum Parum' from Fine Little Day, framed in Ribba from Ikea. I just love this sweet scandi poster in delicate shades of grey and pink. I knew it would be perfect for our bedroom the moment I laid eyes on it. I only wish I could cheer up the poor little pear!

5 Snout. It's a hard life having someone to love you, feed you and clear up your poo...

6 New set of lights from Blaze On (to replace the ones the bunnies chewed through <sigh>). Decided to branch out from hearts and try Star, Sun and Moon this time instead, and am really pleased with them.

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend!

pp x

Lust List ~ January, 2014

If I happened to have a spare thousand pounds...

Whistles, Meghan Crepe Dress in pink, £115

10 lbs in 10 weeks.

More than anything, this blog post is a testimony; it is essentially my way of ensuring my own accountability for the calories I ingest and burn over the next ten weeks. I think it's worth stating at this point that am not a body fascist, I love food and I have no intention of either starving myself or spending every god-given hour at the gym. I am not technically overweight (yet!), but I have been feeling heavy and less comfortable in some of my clothes, and something has to change now before I move any further in the wrong direction.

Source

Thirty before 30.

I turn 30 this year. I am not afraid.

Source

Being an August baby, I've always been keen to catch up with my peers in the age stakes. I remember how agonising it was, waiting to turn sixteen, seventeen and eighteen, simply to finally be legally allowed to do all the things you'd been doing for years anyway. It seems strange now, to have been in such a hurry to have the next number in the sequence proverbially stamped on your forehead. I can honestly say that 30 is no exception; I'm sprinting for the finishing line. Whilst I acknowledge the significance some may place upon the end of their twenties, I cannot share their trepidation in the face of the big 3-0. For me, this birthday milestone is all about celebrating the passing of my twenties (interspersed as they were with bad boys, poor financial management and regrettable sartorial choices) and embracing my thirties (making good choices, making money, making babies - not yet, Mum & Dad!).

Winter Weekend Warmers

It's cold, it gets dark early and all you seem to want to do is eat and sleep. Here are my top picks for making the most of these Winter weekends...

Hunter Original Short in Biscuit, £70

Magpie Make & Do ~ Macarons au Chocolat

Macaroons are a real favourite of mine. I love to eat them (that initial crack of the shell that gives way to the most gratifying of delicately chewy textures...); in fact I'm happy just to look at and admire them in all their pastel perfection! Locally, the best can be found at Maison Blanc. The time was finally ripe for me to try making my own, when one of my best friends kindly bought us this beautiful recipe cook for our anniversary (the pages are edged in gold leaf!):

Magpie Must Haves ~ For The 9 To 5

I don't know about you, but it's little everyday luxuries that really see me through my working week. Enjoying daily rituals and making the most of work and chores with the right accessories really perks me up when the early starts, long days and grim weather might otherwise get me down.

Here are my current Top 5 must haves that see me through my working day...