Easter at Hever Castle, Kent

It's officially Easter week{!!!}, which reminded me of one of my favourite days out last year, a gorgeous sunny day out at the beautiful Hever Castle in Kent. Sitting down to write this post, I can't quite believe how quickly the past year has gone. It's zoomed by! And right now the weather couldn't make me feel any gloomier, so looking through these photos is making me pine for the Summer months...

Over 700 years old, Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, wife of King Henry VIII {before she was beheaded... don't you just love medieval history?!}. But whether you're a history boff or not, the magnificent castle makes for a perfect English day out with it's beautifully manicured gardens, restaurants, boating lake, a maze to get lost in and various medieval activities to join in with such as jousting and archery. The weather was set to be a winner so we packed the picnic blanket and drove down into Kent. We'd never visited Hever before but as we drove through the surrounding Kent countryside I had a feeling it was going to be pretty special. It's no wonder that the castle is situated where it is. Where else would be fit for royalty other than in the middle of Kent, The Garden of England, with its' beautiful rolling hills?

Not so happy Friday...

Apologies for the lack of blog posts this past week, I was struck with the delights of a stomach bug and so I've spent the past few days in my sick bed feeling very sorry for myself. I can't think of anything worse than being sick, but it's made me truly thankful for my incredible boyfriend-turned-nurse who looked after me even when my dignity was totally lost. {I love you, Rob! <3}

Thankfully I'm feeling a lot better now, but needless to say there is no #thisweekshappiness post today. You can look forward to some Easter Baking on the blog next week though :)

Here's to healthier and happier times!

{Bright yellow Daffodils in Greenwich Park earlier this week}

Lydia xxx

This week's happiness

Things that have made me happy this week...

Spring-scented candles

I got these cute miniature Yankee candles in my Christmas stocking from Rob - he'd bought them in bulk online, I think there were about 20 in total{!!} so as I reached into my stocking I found more and more and more of them! I love them and it's nice to have some alternative smaller sized candles to tealights {I do love tealights though, never under-estimate IKEA tealights!!}. Now the Spring and Summer months are arriving it's nice to have some more refreshing floral, fruity scents going on... I'm fed up of Wintery scents like cranberry and cinnamon now. The Bahama Breeze yankee smells so good!

Review: Tacx Satori Pro Turbo-Trainer

My boyfriend Rob is really into cycling so I can't say it's ever a surprise if I arrive home to find that he's purchased yet another bike gadget. Our balcony has turned into a bike shed, after all! When I discovered he was planning on getting a turbo trainer however, I was {secretly!} a little bit excited. It's such an ingenious idea, to be able to fix your bike on to a stand and train static, right there in your living room. An exercise bike in your home... literally! I was immediately keen on the idea - I'd be able to ride my bike at home whilst watching TV!! 

Working shifts means that neither of us has any kind of routine whatsoever and so exercise can be rather sporadic. Generally I try and run around 3-4 times a week but some weeks I'll only manage one if I'm lucky. Occasionally I'll mix it up and go swimming and I use the gym quite regularly too where I use the exercise bikes and do some weight training here and there. But shift-work is exhausting and when I'm tired there is always the temptation to choose the sofa instead. Leaving the house is effort isn't it?! Not to mention when it's dark and cold outside too, it's so difficult to find motivation to exercise when all you want to do is light candles and cosy up indoors!
 
But this is precisely what is so great about having a turbo trainer. It's like the gym has come to you instead. I don't even have to leave the flat to exercise - I can sit on my bike in my PJs, merrily peddling away whilst catching up on trashy TV. Amazing!

This week's happiness

Things that have made me happy this week...

Daffofils
I've arrived a bit late to the daffodil party this year, I only got round to picking up my first bunch this week! They've been cheering up the kitchen with their bright, gorgeous yellowness. Spring has finally arrived!

Recipe: Peanut butter squares

It feels like forever since I posted a recipe on here so I guess it's about time for an overdue baking post.

There's always, without fail, a few jars of peanut butter in our kitchen cupboards. Usually we have a few jars on the go because one of us will foolishly open a jar without realising another is already open... but I guess it doesn't matter too much really because they always get finished. We go through jars of the stuff! Peanut butter is one of my favourite, staple foods and I adore it, whether it's layered on thick slices of toasted brown bread or spread on slices of fresh, cut-up apple or... yep, I'll admit it... straight out of the jar on a spoon. Too good! Just the smell of peanut butter takes me straight back mentally to my childhood. On cosy afternoons at home my Mum would make us peanut butter on toast as a pick-me-up. Maybe it's a sentimental thing but peanut butter will always remain a comfort food for me.

In a moment of chocolatey-craving-madness this week, I started flicking through my recipe books in an attempt to find something that would satisfy my desire for naughty little treat. Then I remembered about one of Lorraine Pascale's recipes I discovered a while ago -  Peanut Butter Squares. With my firm love of peanut butter, I couldn't resist giving them a try.

The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street

It's funny isn't it, how as a human race we are so fascinated and won over by the concept of climbing the tallest buildings to get great views from the top. Just like so many people, I love the idea of being able to look around from above, from a totally different viewpoint than my normal peripheral vision allows. There's something quite special about the occasional ability to observe the landscape for miles and miles. So when I heard about The Sky Garden {which opened in London to the public recently} I immediately booked us a slot to visit.

The Sky Garden is located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street; otherwise fondly known to us Londonders as The Walky Talky Tower in honour of its toy-like shape. It really does look like a gigantic Walky Talky looming above London's smaller albeit beautiful, charming buildings. It was within planning permission requirements that the vast space at the top of the building was to be used as an area open to the general public. What a great idea! And so the space has been designed as a garden in the sky; a tranquil getaway from the hectic hustle and bustle of the city below. A space to look, admire and enjoy. 

This week's happiness

Things that have made me happy this week...

Self indulgence

...because it's totally necessary sometimes, isn't it?! I treated myself to a new pretty floral scarf in the Fatface sale and enjoyed the naughtiest hot chocolate in Bill''s Cafe earlier in the week whilst waiting for my friend to finish work. Sitting in cafes by myself always makes me feel like a real grown-up {hah}!

Beauty: La Roche-Posay

During one of many {miserable} visits to my dermatologist about my never-ending, ever-depressing problem with acne, I was recommended a couple of products. On a scrap piece of paper along with my Isotretinoin prescription, the Doctor quickly scribbled down La Roche-Posay - Effaclar and Vichy Laboratoires - Normaderm and told me to "stay positive and try them". But I'd had enough of endless silly recommendations that didn't work and felt frustrated that nothing seemed to help my skin calm down and appear less angry. I'm pretty certain that little piece of paper was thrown away as soon as I got home. Two years later I'm kicking myself that I didn't take note of it and take the Doctor's advice sooner...

Whilst scrolling through the lovely Rosie's blog {Cider With Rosie} a few weeks back, I stumbled across those words again... La Roche-Posay. Rosie has deemed the Effaclar Duo blemish control serum as a miracle product for her, so what could I possibly lose by trying it out for myself?!