Friday Fashion Fix

Yesterday, Mr. Martini and I had a very enjoyable day. With no particular plans or commitments, we wandered around Covent Garden (if you go early - say, for example, after dropping off your child at nursery) you can avoid the tourists. It's actually quite pleasant when you're not rushing back to work. We went up Neal Street and into Neal's Yard, where we both had a fantastic massage - no need to book, just walk straight in.

We had coffee and a leisurely browse in Foyles on Charing Cross Road - I've never been in there before and it's marvellous. The Selfridges of book shops, you might say. And we rounded it off with a fantastic lunch at Brasserie Blanc in the City. We were back home in time to have a cat nap before picking up Junior.

And the best bit? I even managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping. In my state, clothes are generally out, but I could not resist these absolutely fabulous Dr. Martens - a bargainous £42 reduced from £85. There is no doubt this me clinging to my younger days - yes, I used to wear these when I was 15. I used to paint my old ones and think I was hard. I was not, and tippex doesn't actually count as paint, but ah, the heady days of youth...

Of course, when I was younger, I failed to notice the very sensible aspects of these boots - 1. waterproof - so very good in the rain and 2. flat - so I'm not going to kill myself pretending I can still wear heels at six months pregnant (or not for any length of time, anyway). Nevertheless, they are still cool and will allow me to rock my inner child for some time to come...

There are still loads on sale in the store on Neal Street - failing that, check out the online store for your size.

It's time for a holiday

I was inspired by the most recent blog post by excellent blogger Babyrambles. She was challenged to spend £9.50 on something better than a holiday (The Sun is running an offer selling holidays for £9.50. What you actually get for this price is unknown to me - I'm guessing it's not two weeks, all expenses paid at the Atlantis Dubai - but nevertheless, a holiday for less than a tenner sounds pretty good to me). 

Some ideas that occurred to me:

1. A winning lottery ticket (really goes without saying but top of the list anyway)

2. A bottle of wine that I can drink with my husband - six months in, and there are still three to go before I can properly enjoy a glass or two guilt free. The state I'm in at the moment, a bottle of wine is far less effort than traveling on holiday!

3. Some new books for mini Martini. The enjoyment he gets from his books is unbelievable and his laughter makes my heart swell every time I hear it

4. Debbie Bliss wool - although you'd only get three balls for £9.00 (at the most!). Don't judge, but I'm finding knitting increasingly therapeutic - I know, I know, I'm aging in dog years

5. Dinner at the Mirch Masala in Tooting. It may not be posh, but it's the best Indian food outside of India. And cheap - what more could you want?

In short (and you won't hear me saying this often), it would appear The Sun has got it right on this occasion. There aren't many better ways to spend £9.50 - so check out the details here.