Lookbook: Gunnersbury Park Moments

The other weekend Miss A (The Film Graduate Diaries, read it here) suggested we bring a camera along to a new local treasure she'd stumbled across for some artsy snapshots of the surroundings and each other.

Gunnersbury Park, with the low winter sunshine and crispy cool air, is a lovely park with fields of green, duck ponds, cafes, and of course intriguing classical architecture strewn around. The perfect location for an impromptu photoshoot!

So for part one of our little lookbook park adventure.

The gorgeous Audrey, Miss A's kitty cat, wondering why we're playing with cameras instead of her.

Inspiration for keeping your jewellery tidy and on display, again Miss Anastasia style. Absolutely love this! For more see her blog here.

Zara coat // Zara top // Alexander McQueen scarf // Naughty Monkey booties // H&M leggings

I've frankly lacked all inspiration for using up the Christmas gift cards at the shops as of late. Perhaps it's all the crowds flocking to the remaining sales. Maybe it's the fact that the shelves are full of left-overs post-rush/present shopping. Or maybe it's the January gloom. But then again, I'm quite happy staying in my comfy classics like these. Big cosy knits, boots and a warm scarf always does the trick!

The beautiful red head that is Lady A. The sun shining on that hair mixed with the striking red lipstick, the light blue leading the colours into darker options with the navy jacked and black jeans. Absolutely gorgeous! 

Miss A, and for the breakdown of her casual cool look check out her post here.

It was a lovely afternoon, playing with the beautiful light and taking in the wonderful views the park had the offer. It's amazing what you notice once you stop to consider the little things, and while I find a camera can sometimes hinder you from noticing the reality around you instead of staying glued to the lens it can also provide a challenge to see the angles you might not have noticed otherwise. 

The beauty of crunched colourful leaves as the orange rays of a late sun plays on them. The branches of a tree reflecting against a clear blue sky, creating a fairy-tale like roof over us. The ducks playing in the pond, movement against the calm. And so on.... There's so much beauty all around, it's important to stop and take it all in sometimes.  

More photos to come, with a bit more park focus. But as a little teaser. 

xo

Tea time and other Richmond Adventures

On Sunday I very excitedly hopped into Mr blue (the car) and set off to Richmond for a long overdue catchup with the lovely miss Anastasia (to follow her general epicness, quirky lookbooks and commentary on working in the Media Industry, all in blog form, check out The Film Graduate Diaries here). 

As our craving for a cuppa had to be filled sharpish we spotted this little gem.

Boasting a selection of teas AND Monmouth coffee (this delicious blend has taken London by storm, popping up in more and more locations all with a common theme of quirk, passion, and casual hipsters in the immediate vicinity). 

They apparently also do a 'Current US President Special' as can be seen with their 'Obamarama' blend. 

The menu also boasts some 'Tipsy Tea', how brilliant is this! I've tried cocktails in tea cups before, but this is a whole new adventure.  Some Squiffy Earl or a bit of The Red Squirrel anyone? 

In the end we still settled on some classics, as I ordered a Roiboos and Miss A went for the good ol' Camomile with some honey. 

We both immediately started scanning the rooms for ways to bring this little tea spoon stirrer home. Fortunately a waitress took pity and pointed out that there was also a little sales shelf where we could shop to our little tea-drinking desires.

Being the lactose-intolerant food-porn addict I am the notion of 'dairy-free ice-cream' did not go un-noticed, and I helped myself to some Chai Latte with Chocolate Sauce. A mixture of flavours that plays away to different tunes on your palette long after you've finished the portion. Adventures and a bit naughty, but lots of fun. 

We had brought our trusty laptops along for an afternoon of nattering and scribbling. But as I managed to get stuck in every traffic jam possible the slight delay left us accidentally chatting the day away. However, we did rest our eyes on another kind of keyboard.

As my birthday passed a little while ago miss Anastasia brought along a little package of goodness (thoroughly spoilt already) featuring this lovely tote! It's a beautiful mix of creamy/turquoise colours (my favourite blend) and features one of my top five must-finds-for-the-flat - the old school type writer. 

I may be a bit in love!

The quirky little touches didn't stop there, as our bill was served in a Treasure Chest. 

After realising the sun had long since said good night and we really ought to move onto dinner we started the stroll back to the car. But obviously got distracted by Whole Foods and their Christmas bakery. 

Being a food-lover with a slightly disadvantaged tummy places like Whole Foods is like a food haven. They offer a lot of control to the consumer, and a wide variety of choice without throwing big brands with complicated ingredient lists in your face right and left. 

You can even mix your own Muesli, or why not blend up your own porridge? And while you're at it, grab a bottle of the finest healthiest Olive Oil.

It's a pricey treat, but well worth it. Downstairs treated us to lactose and gluten free frozen yoghurt, natural ingredients to most everything we picked up, the finest fish and meat selections, and rows after rows of fresh happy food. Just look at these eggs!

Upstairs isn't bad either, turning the idea of fast food into a filling but nutritious on-the-go experience, and a health shop with vitamins and natural remedies at your disposal. 

So for the obligatory Lookbook post... 

// Jacket by Zara // Boots by New Look // Jeggings ala Pull n Bear // Scarf by Alexander McQueen

Until next time.

xoxo

P