Return to Reading

I did mention before that I was planning on returning to Reading Festival. After a disaster experience in 2012, I decided I was finally ready to try out the whole 'festival thing' properly. And that is what I did. I bought a weekend ticket only 4 days before it started, which made the whole affair so much more of an exciting whirlwind for me.

This year, I decided to do it properly. I bought my own two-man tent, a little camp bed so I could have just a sliver of luxury whilst out in the fields, and I packed everything I could think of that would make me just a little more comfortable.

So off I set, weighed down with hiking rucksack, chair, tent, sleeping bag and camp bed. I honestly have never been more exhausted from carrying something. I remember arriving in camp, unleashing the pop up tent and promptly lying in it, downing a vodka and lemonade. That may sound alcoholic, but it's a festival and I was tired and thirsty, ok?

I had a bloody brilliant time. The ONLY downtime was the saturday night, when Ella and I were 90% certain we were going to die of the cold. We huddled together in my tent, as we knew sleeping alone was not an option, and then hyperventilated for about 6 hours over the night. I have never been so cold.

Day one in camp. 

I wore:

Urban Outfitters dungarees (AGAIN)

Joules coat

H&M socks

Sainsbury's wellies

Camp! This was right before we parted ways. A sad moment for all.

I wore: 

Accessorize flowers

Topshop 'Straight Ace' lipstick

Topshop top

Joules coat

Zara leggings

Lovely Harriet and I getting the drinking started. 

Camp looking lovely and clean, as always.

Reading 2014 was a blast. I never had myself pegged as a festival girl, but I truly had a great time. I can't wait to try out others- that is if I can afford it next year with my pitiful student lifestyle. For now, I can just be proud that I made it through a festival- and had a whale of a time.

A Croatian Adventure

Who doesn't love a good family holiday? It's a fortnight of the year when you have the family's unbroken company, which is simultaneously unbearable and totally needed. It leaves you feeling both relaxed and utterly frustrated. Which is exactly why I revel in the annual family holiday.

This year, we tootled off to Croatia. Porec, Croatia more specifically. It's a small town about a three hour boat journey to Venice, and about an hour from Pula airport. No, I'd never heard of Porec either.

The town was just lovely. The architecture reminded me of Italy so much, and the atmosphere was great. Chilled in the day, and at night Millie and I managed to seek out some of the nightlife which turned out to be unexpectedly fun. 

Food-wise, OH MY GOD. It was just brilliant. I love Italian cuisine, and really was not expecting to find it here in Porec. However, it was filled to the brim with lovely Italian dishes, with pizza and pasta cooked to perfection, and ridiculously cheap too.

We stayed in a tiny island just off the mainland, which you caught a five minute ferry to and fro. The island as called St. Nikola, and the hotel we stayed at was the Hotel Island Fortuna. Great hotel, good food, lovely service and amazing location.

The view of the mainland from our little island. There aren't any beaches so we stayed by the pool, but that is a seawater stretch, and I did manage to get in some snorkelling time. 

  

The main town square. Nearby was my favourite restaurant, Artha's. They did amazing vegan and vegetarian food, and I begged my family to go almost every day. I nearly got my way.

You can see our hotel in this picture- looks pretty cool! 

I'm wearing:

 Urban Outfitters dungarees

 New Look bandeau top

Topshop sliders

ASOS sunglasses

How gorgeous are the evening views? 

I'm wearing:

H&M dress

Accessorize sandals

I'm pretty sure I consumed more cocktails over this holiday than I ever have in my life. Mine was the Pina Colada. They also made a mean Sex on the Beach!

We took a boat trip to Rovinj one day, after which the boat stopped in a tiny cove and myself and Millie jumped off and swam. Lovely end to a lovely day.

This was our penultimate day in Croatia. Looking pretty bronzed by this point! 

I'm wearing:

Topshop top

H&M shorts

ASOS sunglasses

Accessorize sandals

Lewis having a ball with me. 

I'm wearing a dress from Topshop.

Here come the disposables! See the tiny cobbled streets? This photo is going up on my university wall to remind me of sunshine, tans and my big sister.

Making new friends whilst in one of the only 'clubs' which was actually very nice. We met a lovely girl out there from the UK- Roberta. The boys were from Austria... not so sure about them

I'm wearing a dress from Missguided.

Let's just appreciate this photo of Lewis and his ice cream. Look at it. Just look. 

Croatia, I miss you. I miss your sunny days, your amazing food, your cool markets and hippy shops and even your distinct lack of sand. I hope one day to return to you, but until then, I dedicate this blog post to you. 

Many thanks to Croatia.

Wild Strawberry

I mentioned in an earlier blog post (very much earlier, apologies for he absence) that I wanted to go to the Wild Strawberry Cafe, the pop up yurt in Peterley Manor Farm. Its adorable appearance and unique tent-like structure makes it stand out from the typical cafes that are in Bucks, so Ella and I hopped over there one morning for brunch. 

We were seated quickly and quietly, which was expected as we ventured there early on a Tuesday morning- not exactly the busiest time. 

The menu was slightly limited, I'll be honest. Compared to other brunch destinations, there isn't a huge variety. However, this was justified by the fact that this is a 'pop-up' cafe, and the options we did settle for were definitely pleasing! 

Prices are reasonable in my opinion, especially as portion sizes are decent and the location is perfect.

The interior was reminiscent of Great British Bake Off in my opinion, with bunting galore and cute quirks adorning the tables and walls. 

Ella looks chuffed with her luxurious hot chocolate, despite the hot weather that accompanied it.

I opted for Earl Grey tea, and AAH look how cute everything is! The miniature watering can complete with gingham bow almost made me cry with happiness.

The moment arrived for the grand event- the breakfast. I went for a classic, of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, draped across toasted sourdough bread. The eggs were creamy and gently seasoned, and they certainly weren't stingy with the salmon- even though it's hiding under all the egg here!

Ella went for the decadent blueberry pancake stack, with greek yoghurt and maple syrup. I stole a forkful of hers and almost, almost regretted my decision to go with the eggs. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy, although I do think they could be more generous with the blueberries here.

We stayed afterwards for a little extra drink, and I of course went for the elderflower. It was honestly the best elderflower pressè  I have had, and the lime and mint made it mojito-like. All it needed was a dash of rum and I would have been good to go!

 See the cuteness? SEE IT?!

I couldn't resist this last picture due to my obsession of all Potter-related regalia. 

I want the box.

Overall, I wish the Wild Strawberry Cafe was more than a summer fling for me. The quaint touches and delicious food and drink leave me wanting more, and I definitely hope it will turn into a longer-lasting affair.

Festival Toe-Dipping

I have a self-confessed festival phobia. Large, oppressive crowds, unhygienic facilities, overpriced food and a lack of sleep have all made me avoid the festival season since Reading 2011 *shudder*.

Or so I thought. Seeing the line up for Wireless 2014, I thought it was about time I dipped my toe back into the muddy festival water to see whether my fear of them had changed- and it unequivocally had.

I had always thought you needed to be blind drunk or off your head on ecstasy to enjoy festivals, but I went to Wireless stone cold sober (due to drinking the night before... oops.) I found myself loving the atmosphere the crowds and the music despite being on water all day long, and threw myself into the festival experience.

The crowds no longer seemed scary and dangerous, but were now new friends and dancing partners, new people to share the music with and sing along to the songs with.
The unhygienic facilities were something to laugh at rather than shudder at, and weren't even too awful-  perhaps the bad reputation of festival toilets have forced the management to up their game.
The overpriced food was well worth it- my £7 wrap was not only absolutely essential after a long day of dancing and shouting, but was well and truly stuffed to the brim- I couldn't even finish it.
Above all, the lack of sleep was something I actually wanted. As Wireless is only a day festival, we caught the train back after Kanye West's (YES- I SAW KANYE). However, I found myself wanting to go back to a muddy tent and carry on dancing with my friends, to have the day all over again tomorrow.

So it appears I am paving the way to being cured of my festival phobia. To test my resolve even further, I am planning on returning to Reading Festival this August for a whole weekend, where I will hopefully be revelling in all the festival grunge and grime.

Wish me luck- by the end of summer, I hope to turn my phobia into an addiction.

I wore:

Sunglasses- H&M

Dungarees- Urban Outfitters

Bag- Topshop

Headband- Topshop

IGGGGGGGY

Pick Your Own

Something that will always remind me of the days of childhood is Peterley Manor Farm, a 5 minute drive from our village. The farm has a brilliant little shop filled with organic produce and homemade cakes, and in the summer is home to a pick-your-own farm. There are rows upon rows of strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, beetroot, amongst a multitude of other crops.

Not only this, but there has recently been a cafe opened on the farm, serving charming afternoon teas and brunches- my sister and I are dying to try this out.

My family took a trip to Peterley to pick our own, and came back with an abundance of berries and vegetables, freshly plucked from the plants.

Millie wore:

Dress from Urban Outfitters

Jacket from River Island

Sunglasses- vintage

Bag- vintage

Perhaps our family are a little too fond of the nautical look?

I wore:

Sunglasses- ASOS

Bag- Dune

Jumpsuit- Band of Gypsies

Shoes- Topshop

Peterley is the perfect activity to fill lazy summer days, and you certainly reap the rewards from going- strawberries and cream have never tasted so good!

London in the Sun

A pre-holiday shop is always called for the moment you realise your wardrobe is completely devoid of any summery clothes. A panic overtakes as you rush to the nearest retail outlet, with our chosen destination being the best- London of course.

Just 40 minutes by train away, it never takes much planning to go on a day out to the big city, so my sister and I hopped on and went to London for a much-needed spree.

Urban Outfitters was popular between my sister and I, due to the fact their sale was amazing- I picked up three items. A pair of lilac dungarees for £18, a pair of culottes for £20 and a purse for £14. All of these will be featured in a later blog post, so keep your eyes peeled!

We headed to Covent Garden and perused the little market stalls. Millie is inexplicably attracted to any trinkets or useless goods, so naturally she was drawn to the china stands, all containing nothing either of us needed. I managed to drag her away.

My outfit for the day was light, cool and summery. Perfect for the stuffy tubes and crowded streets that I would be trapped in all day. From head to toe:
Headband- vintage
Sunglasses- ASOS
Lipstick- Candy Yum Yum by Mac
Top- ASOS
Shorts- Topshop
Shoes- Topshop
Bag- H&M

I stopped off for a bubble tea from Bubbleology in the Oxford Circus Topshop. An acquired taste, bubble tea is definitely one of my favourite things from London that I can't seem to get anywhere in Bucks. The best flavour is White Peach, without a doubt.

Fresh coconut water seemed to be in fashion on the streets, as we passed countless stalls selling the stuff. £4 seemed a little overpriced though!

The last stop of the day was undoubtedly the best, as we paid a visit to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen. I went for the bacon and avocado burger, and ohhhhhhh my god it was delicious. It was the perfect thing to up our energy levels after a long day shopping, and put me in a great mood for the crowded train home.