Afternoon tea with a slice of theatre and fort building

Yesterday my beautiful friend, Emily travelled all the way from Cumbria to visit me in London for less than 24 hours. 

Emily is my wanderlust friend, if I ever want to go on an adventure, it's Emily I call. 4 years ago we'd travel the country spontaneously to see bands that we loved (Oxford, Bingley, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham, Cardiff to name a few) 2 years ago we road tripped to Exeter and visited Paris for a week for my 18th birthday. After Paris we went almost 2 years without seeing one another again, life got in the way, but neither of us gave up on the friendship, and more recently we've been having monthly Skype dates and met up in Preston in January. 

And a week ago, we were on one of those Skype dates, and Emily was suffering from a particularly severe case of wanderlust, and I, being the good friend I am, convinced her to come and see me the following weekend. 

We started the day in my home, catching up and hugging a lot, then we rushed to the theatre to see a matinee performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Considering most of the cast were made up of children, the show was incredible, although I was saddened that none of the classic songs were included - until the very end that is, when Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket performed Pure Imagination together; but it was the set design that really stood out for me. I studied set design at university for a year and still have a huge passion for it. 

Afterwards we went for afternoon tea at Ladurée.The weather was beautiful, and so it was the perfect place to visit, as the store in Covent Garden is all seated outside. 

                                                                                           

The food was, honestly, incredible. At £21 the afternoon tea is one of the cheapest in London, and also one of the best. 

However, although the company and food were the best I could have dreamed of, the service was awful and ruined the experience, after taking our order the waiter did not return to ask us if everything was ok, nor did they bring milk to the table for my tea, they didn't even offer. After the deliciously filling macaroons and finger sandwiches, plus other desserts, neither Emily or I could finish the absolutely Ispahan, pictured below, we asked for them to be boxed up so we could take them home, something I have done often at other restaurants. They told us it was illegal to do so and completely refused. 

In the evening we had planned to go into Camden to see Frank Turner's DJ set in Underworld, however we were both exhausted and instead decided to build a fort made of sheets and a dozen cushions with a home made picnic, diet coke in champagne flutes with a children's film playing. Both of us are adults, and both of us know how to do adulthood properly. 

Thank you for a wonderful weekend, Emily - I can't wait to see you again soon!

Until next time,
Stay Beautiful.
Jessica 

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Watermelon Wishlist

All the sunshine we're had in London recently has me excited for summer and I've been drooling over hundreds of different online retailers for the perfect summer outfits - my pinterest board is fit to burst! Most of the clothing I've been looking at I'll use as inspiration whilst charity store shopping but there's one trend that I'm head over heels with for summer '14 (and possibly the rest of my life) and that just so happens to be watermelons, yes, watermelons. Take a look at my watermelon wishlist below and you'll see why I'm lusting so hard! 

1) Picnic person dress by Bea & Dott, $109.99 -oh my oh my! This going to be THE dress for summer for me. The cut of the dress is so sweet and will suit me perfectly (perfect spinning in the flowers, no ?) and the watermelon collar is to die for, it isn't over powering and yet makes the dress at the same time. SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY! 

2)Watermelon Lip Balm by Models Own, £4 - I've been obsessed with lip balm since I was in primary school, my lips are chapped in all seasons so they're always slathered in the stuff. This one comes in a bright green compact with mirror. I've actually already ordered this so I'll let you all know how I get on with this one. 

3) Forever Fruitful Bag by ModCloth, £44.99 - Oh my goodness! How adorably perfect is this purse! It's just the most darling thing I have ever ever ever seen! I squealed when I first saw it and I'll definitely be investing. (oh pay day, where art thou ?) 

4) When I love melon shorts by Lazy Oaf, $84.99 - I'm not usually a denim shorts type of gal, but this is such an adorable print and will be perfect for rolling down Primrose Hill! No knicker flashing here and as stylish as ever! 

5) Frozen fruits apron by Jessie Steele - £34.99 - I love this red and white striped apron with it's watermelon trim, I can just imagine myself backing a victoria sponge cake ready to take on a picnic in Regents Park! Alternatively you can wear it as a dress, just slip a little black skirt underneath to keep your dignity!

6) Misumi white watermelon print oversized top by Newlook, £14.99 - Again, not my usual taste, however it would be great to throw over a bikini at the beach!

7) Sheer chiffon watermelon tank by aeropostale, £16.97 - I think this tank top would look super cute on a hot summers day ticked into a green pleated midi skirt. 

8) In refreshing fashion fan by ModCloth, £29.99 - What a wonderful fan for cooling off when you're melting on the tube! Stylish AND Practical, my two favourite things! I'm definitely investing. 

9) Slice of style cardigan by Bea & Dott, $44.99 - Now, I'm not fool enough to think we'll have beautiful weather all summer long, and this black cardigan with watermelon collar will be perfect to wear over a little white lace dress to keep the chill off!

Until next time,

Stay Beautiful.

Jessica X