Thoughtful post

Sometimes what we need is to step away from the laptops, mobiles and iPad's.  Sometimes we need to read a magazine, watch a movie and just lounge on the sofa.  Sometimes we need to go for a walk, explore some nature or stop to look at what beauty is around us.  Sometimes we need to not speak to anyone and just take a little time to have a duvet day - and most importantly not feel guilty.

So sometimes, make time for yourself and take a step back.  You might find something new and amazing.

H

Love it: Autumn

Autumn is by far my favourite time of year. I am a person who loves being cosy, and snuggling up at home with my hubby and our cats is my favourite thing to do in the whole world. It is a time of year when for me work gets hectic so my home is the calm, soft, warm place I can retreat to when it all gets a bit crazy. It is a time I usually get to reflect on the year that, like so many before it, has gone by way too fast and dream of the plans I can make for the last few months of the year.

Hidden Treasures: Alexandra Vintage

This month's Hidden Treasure hails from Reading and is a definite favourite haunt of H's when she has a rare visit to Reading.

"Alexandra Vintage is a vintage network taking pride in its group of passionate vintage Buyers. A love for all-things vintage, Alexandra Vintage’s Buyers hand-pick pieces of vintage fashion from across the globe, offering affordable collections of quality vintage clothing & accessories for men and women."

Basically, Alexandra Vintage is a Studio in the Town Centre, where you can shop by appointment to have a browse around the rails.  They also have a great Online shop which has just recently won the National Vintage Awards 2014, so it is definitely worth a visit.

The store also got a mention in Episode 2 of Dawn O'Porter's new Channel 4 show 'This old Thing', where she introduces the virtues of Vintage to people who are normally high street junkies.

There are clothes on offer, alongside buttons, jewellery, bags, scarves, pretty much anything your vintage self could want really.  Alexandra can be found in store and handpicks everything that goes into her shop and so you know that it has been chosen.  There are even wedding dresses on offer and Alexandra can help you find something for any kind of occasion.

In an office block just around the corner from the main high street, Alexandra Vintage is a gem of a find for all you Vintage lovers, and if you can't get there, remember there is her online shop to drool over too.

I have my eye on a nice blue paisley print dress, now what to wear it to!
H

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Hidden Treasures: Frock & Roll

We found this little Gem of a shop when we did our Live it Vintage event way back in 2012 and since then it has given H the excuse to go back for visit after visit.  Many a wedding outfit has been bought and alterations still to be finished in the wardrobe - what is it with me not finishing clothes?!  This visit resulted in a 1960's skirt purchase, but no alterations required! yey.

Frock & Roll is tucked a little bit out of the way in Reading and so you definitely need to know it is there to make the effort to walk up to it, so it definitely fits our hidden treasure category.  But if you work at the hospital or go to the University of Reading you will be right around the corner and if you love Vintage, you will make the effort.

When you go in there is just row after row of Vintage treats on offer, from men's attire through to women's, skirts, dresses, tops, coats and of course all the accessories to go with.

There is a large array of Jewellery as well to go with your outfit and so something for everyone.

You can peruse all the clothes at your leisure and there is a changing room and dressing area set-up so you can see colours and styles.

All in all, Frock & Roll is a treasure trove of all things Vintage and they do go to events too and so if you can't make it to the shop, you could see them at an event.  Thanks to Ali for once again making it impossible to leave without buying something!

Am off to see what I can put with my new skirt.
H

Dreaming of my very own...Reading nook

I can only dream of one day having a house that would be home to a reading nook.

As the autumn nights draw in there is nothing nicer than cuddling up with a good book.

I Love the idea of dedicating a small area of your home to a place to just relax with your favourite read.  Making it all comfy and cosy with lots of cushions and blankets, surrounded by your favourite reading materials. 

I have a Pinterest board where as per usual you can check out my favourites.

Do you have a special place to go and read, relax or hide away from the weather? A favourite cushion or blanket to keep you cosy?

Have a lovely weekend.

Sammy xxx

Friend-iversary Afternoon tea at The Forbury Hotel

As well as it being 15 years of H and Sammy, there is a third member of our trio who you may have seen in some of our photos yesterday, our other friend Sam.

To celebrate we decided that afternoon tea was in order - how very civilised.

As we met when we were at Reading College, we thought it was only right that we returned there for our anniversary and so after a spot of checking out the shops in Reading we went to The Forbury Hotel for a very special Afternoon tea.

In our 15 years of knowing each other, we have been through a lot of changes (we were teenagers when we first met), some tears, but definitely lots of fun along the way.  We all have elements of our personality that are so different but also have so much in common which keeps us all balanced.  Just like the perfect Afternoon tea.

There was sandwiches first, of course.

Then onto the scones, but which way do you eat yours?  Jam first and then Cream like H or Cream first then Jam like Sammy.

Then it was cake time!  We had a great selection of Toffee Eclairs, Banana cake, Raspberry and Chocolate Mousse Tart, Macaroon, Fruit cake and Chocolate and Pistachio slice. Yum Yum.

A great chance to catch-up with each other and eat some delicious cake with lots of tea.

A perfect Sunday if you ask us.

We would definitely recommend the afternoon tea at The Forbury Hotel,  The interior is beautiful and the staff were attentive and helpful. It was £16.50 each for full afternoon tea which gave plenty of food and endless tea for each person. The cakes, scones and sandwiches were all yummy and they switched out some of the sandwich flavours per our request, without any fuss.

We will defiantly be making a return visit.

Both Sammy and I feel very privileged to have Sam in our life.  She is due to get married later this year and we are soooo excited.  She is an amazing person and has always got our back and more importantly shares our bizarre sense of humour.

But before this gets too gushy, we will leave you with some pictures of the beautiful Forbury Hotel, well worth a visit if your ever in the Reading area.

On of the waitresses kindly took a photo for us to add to our collection.

Here's to fifteen more years, we are thinking a trip a little further a field for that one, maybe Barbados? he he.

H, Sammy (and Sam)

xxx

Link for the week: Books for good

This week's link has a little charity flavour.

You might remember a few weeks ago Sammy did a post about Breakthrough Breast Cancer's fundraising fashion.  They have just added a new campaign and as its related to books (which I LOVE) we thought it only fair you guys should know about it.

http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/news/all-news/breakthrough-launches-new-reading-campaign-penguin-and-whsmith

Breakthrough Breast Cancer has teamed up with Penguin and WHSmith to launch the Read Pink - Make a Difference campaign.  Each of the Read Pink titles carry a 50p donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and  WHSmith are offering a "buy one get one half price" promotion on the titles!  Even better.

I have heard about some of the books on the list and also read a few.  My favourite being The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  This book is about African-American maids from the Deep South in the 1960's who decide to help a woman write a book about their treatment at the hands of their white employers.  This is a hard hitting subject which really lets you into the world in which women in the deep south would have been in.  It is an uplifting book though, all that being said and you come out of it knowing that people who believe in each other and trust each other really do win.

Anyway, back to the books:

Belle - Lesley Pearse

Stolen - Lesley Pearse

Trust Me - Lesley Pearse

The Promise - Lesley Pearse

The Help - Kathryn Stockett

Foursome - Jane Fallon

The Ugly Sister - Jane Fallon

The Patchwork Marriage - Jane Green

Mr Maybe - Jane Green

Accidental Husband - Jane Green

The Mystery of Mercy Close - Marian Keyes

Anybody Out There - Marian Keyes

Sushi For Beginners - Marian Keyes

Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes

The Seamstress - Maria Duenas

The Postmistress - Sarah Blake

The Girl You Left Behind - JoJo Moyes

Me Before You - JoJo Moyes

Lake of Dreams - Kim Edwards

The Memory Keepers Daughter - Kim Edwards

Secret Life of Evie Hamilton - Catherine Alliot

A Rural Affair - Catherine Alliot

One Day In May - Catherine Alliot

Between A Mother & Her Child - Elizabeth Noble

The Way We Were - Elizabeth Noble

The Friendship Test - Elizabeth Noble

What The Nanny Saw - Fiona Neill

The Fever Tree - Jennifer McVeigh

Women Who Went To Bed For A Year - Sue Townsend

Pieces of My Heart - Sinead Moriarty

So, pop on down to WHSmith and check out which one, or two or three of the books you want to go for.  I have heard really good things about The Seamstress and Accidental Husband.

Let me know which ones you go for.

Live it

H