Cambridge Weekends

With its fusion of history and youthful population, Cambridge has a lot to offer and makes it such a vibrant place to visit.  I could wander around the cities roads longing to one day own a tall, skinny house clad in persistent Ivy with Victorian windows and a very political looking black front door.

Late Friday night, singing along to MJ, we took a mini road trip up to Cambridge to visit my fiancé’s brother and his girlfriend. On Saturday, Claire and I left the men to business and enjoyed a very girly day. This row of idyllic terraces we’re set within a square with a small green in the centre. If we stay put in England this is the type of house I would love to settle in for a while (totally not influenced by the descriptions of houses in Austen and Brontë novels :s ).

Claire introduced me to a really quirky and unique shop called Terminal D in the city centre. They stock some lovely tea dress and unusual bags and accessories. All the pieces come from Korea and seem to be really well made. Also, reasonably priced - dresses approx £40. I saw a lovely jacket, which I didn't get at the time but wondering whether I should have...hmmm. Ignore the heart purse in the image below and you'll see that they have some lovely items. Well worth a visit if you're in Cambridge.

So after a busy morning (ahem...shopping), we retreated to Hobbycraft to pick up supplies and went back to Claire's for a cosy afternoon experimenting with a new craft idea. We were inspired by a project from A Beautiful Mess - DIY Tea Bags and set about making a selection. I'm going to have another go at these soon and I'll post the result. To make these I had to dusty off the skill of using a sewing machine - It must have been at least 10 years ago since I was confronted with the need to use this but Claire is a very good teacher. She is much more 'craft' minded than myself. Hopefully you may see a feature post on A Girl's Imagination from Claire in the near future.

This is a much more watered down version of events otherwise you would all be reading well into the night.

Although, I couldn't complete my Cambridge post without a mention of Claire and Gav's most adorable Persian cat! I'm not really a cat person (something out their tails and eyes spooks me a bit) but this gentle, little, bundle of fluff is different...who could say no to this...

Night x





Christmas nostalgia in Sweden

Lots to catch up on this week. Last week we completed our decorating. I cannot explain how much of a relief it is to finally be able to say that! In true geek style, I couldn’t help taking before and after photos...I promise, the last you will hear on the subject! 



So, last week was extremely inactive in terms of blogging and tweeting. On Wednesday morning, I flew to Sweden for a 3 day internal conference. We stayed about 40 minutes outside Stockholm in the ‘countryside’ suburbs on an event type complex. I felt like I had gone back a few weeks to before Christmas. A blanket of snow covered everything in sight. Fairy lights lined the main buildings and garden statues, evoking true Christmas nostalgia.

As the trip was only for 3 days, even the cold, minus 5 temperatures were a pleasant experience. I can safely say I’ve experienced a ‘proper’ winter this year, as it looks as though the South-East isn’t going to get one this year. I had the opportunity to put my woolly jumper, scarf, hat and gloves to very good use (all Christmas presents, only the scarf had been used up until that point).

When it comes to dressing for the cold months, the Finns have got style combined with practicality down to a fine art. In at least 5 layers, including a bulky coat, the Finnish women effortlessly pulled off elegance. Lots of faux fur, leather boots and statement hats where their main fashion pieces. While the men looked just as stylish, again in leather boots, jeans/thick chinos, shirts, woolly jumpers, tweed blazers and quilted gillets and coats. Reading this back it all sounds a little Jane Austen esque, although I was hoping that their very modern take would come through in my description. I couldn't quite ask for them to pose for my blog #notappropriate comes to mind.

It sounds like I was at a fashion conference. Unfortunately the subject was a lot less fashionable. The theme of the conference was about making a difference in the company I work for. A key phrase I took from the conference was, “Work hard, have fun, make a difference.” It was quite motivational. We have a conference every year in January with particular roles invited. There’s nearly 200 of us from the company, from locations across Europe. It’s a great opportunity to meet people from other cultures and be inspired by their talent, values, thoughts…and course, their fashion. 

I could ramble on but I’ll save that post for tomorrow because as usual I have too much to say on it - Tomorrow's post - Cambridge Weekends

See you tomorrow.

A very busy January

As the end of January looms I have found myself reflecting on how quickly it has passed. Everyone seems to pass comment on how fast the months go by but this month really has evaporated. I've had such a busy month. I hoped to be posting double the amount.

We decided to redecorate upstairs, which has literally seen our home turned upside down. This is the main reason for my lack of posts. Our carpet is being fitted as we speak. As a result we camped out in the living room on our mattress on the floor last night. Before and after pictures will be gracing this blog over the coming days - you know when you've become a 'grown up' when you get excited about a new carpet!

This month my fiance and I are making big plans for the coming year which as soon as they start to come to fruition, I will certainly be blogging about - don't want to tempt fate just yet.

On Saturday I dusted off my running shoes. I thought I was only going to make about 3k before feeling like my lungs were about to explode but something came over me at 2.5k and before I knew it I was back at my house having run 7.4k! Was extremely pleased with myself so treated myself to a new pair of trainers - Love them!

My cake making abilities has began to circulate around work and I had my first 'order' - Black Forest Gateau. Sunday afternoon was spent mostly on perfecting this delicious number;

And of course this month A Girl's Imagination was born and I have spent a lot of time faffing around with layout and design rather than posting - This gets really addictive!

Thank you to everyone who has followed via BlogLovin and to those of you who randomly cross my little space and read my posts. I didn't imagine how many people would be interested in what I write.

Finally, huge hello to a very beautiful friend of mine Sophia, thanks for the lovely feedback :)

L x

A quick trip to Munich

Yesterday morning I got back from a short business trip to Munich. We left in the early hours of Wednesday morning and flew back early Thursday.

I had only been to Germany once before for a school trip when I was 13 or 14. We stayed in pairs with families in a small village and met up with the rest of our class during the day. My memories of Germany were not the best and had not encouraged me to visit again. Mainly because the food the family fed us was quite terrible (for a 13 year old who only ate pasta and salad cream, at least).

My view of Germany has been changed due to this trip. I'm much more open minded now than I was as a young teen. The people were so welcoming and interested in where we came from. I was surprised at how much of the German language came back to me!

We were recommended a couple of Bavarian restaurants in the city by the client we went to see. Unfortunately both of these were fully booked and the wait was quite long. It was coming up for 8pm and we were starting to get cold and very hungry. We wandered about with Google Maps in tow on the iphone but got completely lost and we're finding it difficult to pick a restaurant.

Finally, we came across something familiar. We felt as though the early stages of frost bite had started to set in so, we ashamedly ducked into *whispers* Hard Rock Cafe.

After this trip I have added Germany to my list of places to visit. It will be good to go back (not on business) and really experience the culture. Frankfurt is a city I'd like to see and I can practise my German again and perhaps try traditional Bavarian food!!

L x

Novel + Clutch = Fashion

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday every week, for the past three years NET-A-PORTER drop an email in my inbox called "What's new for you this [weekday]." I signed up to these when my parents bought a very beautiful pair of shoes for me for my 21st birthday. I always read these emails and browse their website imagining that I could be a loyal customer who shopped only here for dresses and tailoring. High end designers really do excel when it comes to these pieces. Unfortunately, for quality a hefty price tag usually isn't far off. THE OUTNET is a good place to start if you've saved your pennies yet it's still not quite enough for NET-A-PORTER.


Anyway, I was browsing the NET-A-PORTER site this morning and came across these quirky clutch bags from Olympia Le-Tan. (Images taken from here and here)

Being an English graduate the design of these clutches really appeals. A shame though that Shakespeare is the only one not be marked as 'Sold Out'. If I could pick one it would have to be Shakespeare, I started off hating this class in my first year and by my finals this was the class I most looked forward to.

I love the concept of carrying around a novel as a fashion piece. With the birth of Amazons' Kindle, printed novels are falling in demand. A very famous second hand book shop in Rochester cannot accept any more books from donors as they have found that their sales have slowed and donors increased!

For now this clutch is something to only imagine that I own as they are priced very generously at £995 each. A little out of my reach...but we can dream.

L x

p.s. Thank you for the lovely comments on my previous post

Stop. Re-evaluate

The first week of blogging is coming to an end. Within such a short space of time the dos and don'ts of owning and writing a blog are very apparent. Google Blogger is an excellent tool for the beginning blogger, who isn't quite ready for the full control that WordPress can offer. I am very grateful for Blogger this week.

The thought of making this blog 'live' was exciting yet daunting. Feeling daunted came from worrying about what visitors might think and whether they will stop by and read or bounce along to the next one out of a million blogs readily available to digest. This worry has encouraged a great learning curve.

A Girl's Imagination is my little space in the world which I should enjoy and write what I want to write about.

Reading other people's blogs in someways is as much as a negative as it is a positive. Other bloggers have given inspiration to creating a blog. However, when sitting thinking about what to write your mind is clouded by these daily reads. You find yourself writing in a similar way or about a similar topic. Surely this is only natural as of course you want your blog to be successful and have the number of followers and site visits like they have. The learning curve has been that in order to build followers and site visits you have to forget exactly this.

Blog for yourself, because you enjoy it, because on that day you have something to share. And if people along the way like what they read and follow you, well let's just say that it is a lovely compliment and bonus.

Lauren

The perfect afternoon treat

I find baking very therapeutic and therapy was just what I need after a long morning of sanding, painting, pulling up carpet, replacing light switches, fitting new lights... although I must confess that the majority of this work was 'lovingly' completed by my Dad and fiance.

My Mum appeared later on in the afternoon to help me get my living room back after serving as the 'dumping ground' for furniture from rooms where the carpet was being taken away. Then we escaped from the drama, taking the little cutie above out for a nice fresh walk. This is a terrible photo but would you believe probably the only photo in the family of her. She is afraid of cameras! This was taken on an ipad which she had not come across before. After hearing the camera shot on the ipad, this piece of technology has now become another thing that on seeing she cowers her head away and slips quickly out of the room. She should be a fierce terrier!
I thought we all deserved a little treat after such a busy and productive day so I made my Mum's favourites - Rock Cakes
These are so quick and easy to make. I tend to find that I always have the ingredients to hand too. See my recipe below for Mum's Favourite Rock Cakes...

Ingredients;
225g self raising flour
2 tsp baking powder
35g sugar (granulated)
100g butter (take out of fridge prior to baking so it is fairly soft)
100g raisins/currants
1 large egg (free range/organic if you can)
2 tbsp full or semi-skim milk (your preference)
Extra sugar for sprinkling on top

Method;

• pre-heat the oven to 200 Degrees Celsius
• add the flour, baking powder and butter to a bowl and rub with your fingers until you get a breadcrumb consistency
• then add the sugar and raisins to the bowl
• beat the egg and milk together. Add to the bowl and give a good a mix until everything is combined.
• using your hands make 10 ball shapes from the mixture, place on a greased baking tray and squash very slightly.
• depending on your oven they will take between 15 - 20 minutes. Bake until they look golden brown.

This recipe makes 10 medium sized rock cakes, for larger or more cakes double the ingredients adding a little more milk if your mix seems too dry to combine properly.
If you make these send me a picture and let me know how you got on!
Enjoy.
L x

Beautiful memories

Whilst I've been decorating I came across my Australia photo album. Being that it was quite cold out today, I've found myself missing the whole experience.

This time 2 years ago I was still out there enjoying the Australian summer whilst at home in Kent people were battling with the bulstery snow storms. It certainly was a shock to the system coming home. Australia was a magical place for me. I long to go back but there never seems to be 'time'.

Apple create beautifully bound photo books and I had the one above made with my most memorable and special photos. It comes packaged in a neat box to keep it safe. I should take it out more often but I find it's one of those so very special things that ends up being put in a 'safe place' and rarely looked at so that no harm comes to it. Perhaps I'm too sentimental.

These are a selection of my most memorable moments and scenes from my visit to Australia.

The Whitsunday Islands were my highlight. Every photo could appear on a postcard. The environment was so lush and alive. I remember standing at the lookout point taking in the scene above and thinking that there can't be a place more perfectly beautiful. Paradise.

If I could be dropped off on this island with enough to be self sufficient for the rest of my life I would be there in a flash! No politics, media, phone, internet...literally to be completely free. I've always wanted to appear on the Shipwrecked reality program as that is the closest you could get to experience what it would be like.

We had a spa room on Hamilton Island and this was our view. Waking up in a place like this really does make you happier.

Above: Art in the centre of Sydney. These bird cages were suspended between 2 sky scrappers with bird song sounds playing out faintly from the cages.

A hazy view from the rented apartment in Bondi Junction, just outside of the city centre.

I just love this image. Australia is known for it back-packers and I couldn't help grabbing a sneaky shot of this group of back-packers, who were likely moving on to Bondi Beach.

And to finish...this is my favourite image. My fiance took this photo one evening while at Bondi Beach. This is one of those photos where you can close your eyes and your right back at the moment just as it was taken. I can remember the cold sand on my feet and laughing/screaming, trying to get the flock of seagulls to fly up together (you can't see but there were hundreds of them stretched along the beach). I'd like to get a huge wide version of this printed and framed for the bedroom. The colours on the wall will compliment it perfectly.

This year I've promised myself to make time for more adventures and memorable experiences. Probably not as far field as Oz. Even if I stick to visiting new places in the UK. Life really does fly by and for me, making the most of it is seeing and feeling new places.

L x

A little introduction...

My resolution was to dedicate time towards creating a blog...so here goes...
I'm sitting on my bed as my fiance and I have decided to decorate so currently all other rooms are in a topsy turvy state.

The title of my blog, A Girl's Imagination, has been taken from one of my favourite novels, Pride and Prejudice, although Austen uses the line "A lady's imagination..." This is one of my favourite novels and Austen a favourite author.

I work in Marketing, which I love. The people you meet, the insight and exposure to powerful brands, the ability to change someone's perspective with a tailored message and the fact that how people respond to marketing constantly changes...keeps you on your toes.

Outside of work I am a self confessed 'Monica' - I like clean and tidy. Also, love cooking. Last year's new year resolution was to cook all dinners from scratch which has been a great learning curve.
I love to shop, try new restaurants, visit new places, read lots and spend time with my fiance, friends and family...oh and blog as of now. Photos and reviews on these kind of things are what you can expect to find here. No picture this time. I spent this evening creating my heading/banner on my blog.

Enjoy.

(...*a little scared about clicking publish*)

L x <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3333801/a-girls-imagination?claim=m3j4y8kuuzq">Follow my