(Life) Through My Lens

Life has been manic recently... with preparation for the boy's arrival, the boy's arrival and then all the fun that that brought with it. Here are a few of my Instagram snaps from the last couple of weeks and more will definitely follow, once I've got my life back in order ;)

I'm linking this post up with Jenni & Ashley, so be sure to pop over there for some more Instagram fun :)

:: Samantha ::

Twitter | Pinterest

(Aspects of my Life) Le Sigh

After ten days of...

this...

and this...

and this...

and this...

it's now time for this...

There are exactly 37 sleeps until next time and yep, I'm excited already ;)

:: Samantha ::

Twitter | Pinterest

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(Looks I Love) Mint Green

I definitely need to add a pair of these to my wardrobe for Spring... they'd look fab with a pair of nude heels or even with a pair of flats for a casual, daytime look.

What do you think? Would you be daring enough?

:: Samantha ::

Twitter | Pinterest

Image Source: 1 2 3 4 5

(Thursday's Thoughts) Being Happy

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."

- Henry Ward Beecher -


:: Samantha ::
Twitter | Pinterest

Image Source: 1

(Health) Who Knew

This is interesting stuff...

According to a professor at CCNY, bananas are the remedy we should be turning to for many of life’s common ills. So, whether you're suffering from morning sickness or a hangover, you should read on to find out more...

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito Bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

What do you think? 

I know that I'll definitely be stocking up on these beauties before my next big night out :)

:: Samantha ::
Twitter | Pinterest

Image Source: 1

(Beauty) Scented Nail Polish

For my birthday, I was given this as a gift...

{Via}

Although my birthday was back in January, with everything that has been going on recently, I haven't had time to try it out... until this afternoon, when I realised, much to my surprise, that it is scented!

{Via}

So, rather than the awful, toxic smell that you normally get from nail polish, mine has a floral/girlie scent and the colour is perfect for spring. Or just for brightening up a grey day in February :)

:: Samantha ::
Twitter | Pinterest

(Aspects of my Life) Today

Today I am here...

With him...

*Happy days*

(Something for the Weekend) Let's Fly Away

Although I am definitely dreaming of Summer and all the amazing things Summer brings... this time of year, for me, is all about snow! I was actually in Lake Tahoe at New Year but due to the serious lack of snow they've been having this season, we were unable to ski. So, therefore, my current dream get-away destination would be a week skiing/snowboarding in Lake Tahoe and this is what I would be wearing...

I think that picture sums up perfectly just how beautiful this place really is. The runs are wide and long and many of them face towards the lake, so this is the exact view you get on your way down the mountain. It is just so dreamy and is the best way to take your mind away from everything that is going on in everyday life - perfect relaxation :)

I am wishing you all the most wonderful weekend... my boy arrives in London today and I really couldn't be more excited!!

Love, Samantha xx

(Thursday's Thoughts) Don't Settle

{Via}

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." 

- Steve Jobs - 

(Aspects of my Life) A Little Game

Last weekend, I was tagged in a little game by Betsy and I've decided to play along, so here goes...

{Via}

Rules:

1. post the rules

2. post 11 facts about yourself

3. answer the tagger's 11 questions and then set a new 11 questions

4. tag 11 bloggers to play along

{Via}

Eleven facts about me...

f1: I have just bought my first apartment and this was more expensive than I ever imagined but has made me happier and more proud than I ever imagined it would as well.

f2: I am currently totally addicted to Pinterest – you can follow me here.

f3: My boyfriend is American and we’re currently doing the long distance thing, which is pretty tough when there are 6000 miles and an 8 hour time difference between you but Skype is a life relationship-saver and I think we do pretty well :)

f4: I am very allergic to peanuts.

f5: Last year, I ran the London Marathon and it was an amazing experience.

f6:  Cucumber is pretty much the only food that I cannot stand (apart from peanuts, of course:)

f7: I think that freshly washed and ironed bedding is one of life’s little luxuries.

f8:  I used to work for a big film company and as a result, I’ve been to lots of premiers and after show parties -- oh so glam ;)

f9: I currently work in Marketing but dream of becoming an Interior Designer... one day :)

f10: Travelling throughout California and driving Highway 1, with my best friend, in our convertible Chrysler, is probably one of the best experiences of my life (and also when I met my boy;)

f11: This is the first time I have ever listed any facts about myself.

{Via}

Questions & Answers...

Q: Why do you blog and/or read blogs?

A: I started blogging because I really wanted somewhere to be creative and somewhere to diarise things that are going on in my life. I also wanted a new focus and something to take my mind off the distance between me and the boy.

I absolutely love reading blogs. I’ve been reading them for years now and I love seeing other people’s creativity, their ideas and sneak-peaks into their lives :)

Q: If you could have one celebrity endorse your blog, who would you pick and why?

A: I would pick Charlotte from SATC. I love her preppy style and her cute, innocent personality and her desire for a family life.

Q: If you could guest-star on any reality show, which would you pick and why?

A: Definitely The Hills... because I’d love to spend time just shopping, sunbathing, partying, doing brunch/lunch/dinner with beautiful people... this probably makes me sound really shallow but I’m not, I promise ;)

Q: What is your favorite Halloween costume ever from your past?

A: Oh gosh, I’m English and we don’t really do Halloween here, so I don’t have an outfit from the past but I hope that one day, I will celebrate Halloween in America and I’d like to wear this.

Q: Team Peeta or Team Gale?

A: Hmm, I don't understand this question... what am I missing? I'll have to Google it!

Q: If you had to be turned into a vampire, would you prefer to be bitten by Bill Compton, Edward Cullen, Lestat, or Bunnicula?

A: Oh goodness, Edward Cullen any day :)

Q: Name two foods that you eat together that everyone else thinks is gross.

A: As a result of having an American boyfriend, I am now much more likely to combine savoury and sweet food, much to my sister’s disgust! We don’t really combine savoury and sweet over here very often.

Q: What do you really think about the color combination of pink and green?

A: Love it. Especially pale pink and pale mint green... so cute with skinny white jeans in the Summer :)

Q: Which character do you most identify with in Rent?

A: I’ve never seen Rent :(

Q: Would you rather be the queen or the power behind the throne?

A: Definitely The Queen

Q: What is the one topic that makes you nervous when you talk about on your blog and why?

A: I’ve haven’t come across a topic that has made me nervous yet. I’m trying to keep things light hearted for now but who knows what will come up as time goes by...

My Questions...

1. In life, is the glass half empty or half full?
2. What is you favourite recipe to make?
3. Where are you dreaming of holidaying this Summer?
4. What was the last book you read & did you enjoy it?
5. Have you/would you ever consider living abroad and if so, where would you live?
6. If you won 1 million pounds/dollars, what would you buy first?
7. Which 5 famous people (dead or alive) would you invite to a dinner party
8. Do you believe in love at first sight?
9. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
10. Who inspires you?
11. What do you plan to do this weekend?

This is where I break the rules... I tag all of you... let me know if you join in :)

:: Samantha ::

(Recipe) Kate's Lemon Chicken Pasta

This is my best friend, Kate's, favourite pasta dish...

It is delicious, really quick and easy to make and I definitely recommend it with a glass of chilled white wine... exactly how she would enjoy it :)

Here is the recipe...

Serves 4

You will need:

• 4 x Chicken Breast
• 4 x Cloves of Garlic
• 1 x Lemon
• 2tsp Dried Tarragon
• 1/2tsp Garlic Salt (can use normal salt but I like mine with loads of garlic flavour :)
• 1tbs Olive Oil
• 4 handfuls of your favourite pasta
• 250ml Single Cream (or double, whichever you prefer)
• 2 handfuls of Spinach

Method:

• Chop the chicken breast into 1 inch pieces
• Finely chop the garlic
• Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan
• Fry the chopped garlic on a low heat until browned
• Add the chicken and brown this on all sides
• Once the chicken is browned, add the cream, tarragon, garlic salt and juice from the lemon
• In the meantime, add the pasta to some hot salted water and cook according to the packet instructions
• Turn the chicken and cream down to a simmer and stir periodically
• When there is about 2 minutes left for the pasta to cook, add the spinach to the chicken and cream and allow to wilt. Once wilted, mix thoroughly
• Drain the pasta and add to the chicken and cream and stir thoroughly again to ensure all the pasta is covered in the sauce
• Serve in warmed pasta bowls and enjoy :)

:: Samantha ::

(2012) i love you

Aww...

{Via}

*Happy Valentine's Day*

I hope today and everyday is full of love :)

:: Samantha ::

(Life) Through My Lens

This weekend was manic but very satisfying. I have now taken delivery of my sofa and did my (fingers crossed) last Ikea shop for a while, so everything is totally complete in my apartment :) I am fully moved in and absolutely loving it!

The rest of the weekend was made up of dinner with friends, tea and cupcakes with my parents and trying to work out how to survive without the internet! This was a sad realisation this weekend -- my Broadband isn't being installed until February 29th and I didn't realise until now how much I rely on and use the internet! What did we do before the internet and iPhones? Thank goodness the boy will be arriving on Friday... our current long distance relationship relies on Skype!

Today, I'm very excited to be linking up with two of my favourite daily reads for the very first time. Hop on over to a {little} dash of ash and Story of My Life for more Instagram weekends :)

:: Samantha ::

(Cute) A Proposal

This is just the cutest...

It certainly made me smile :)

Happy Monday... let's make it an amazing week.

:: Samantha ::

(Something for the Weekend) Pink & Red

When I read that the theme for this week's Friday's Fancies was to be pink and red, I immediately thought about the print that I've just ordered and LOVE! The colour combination also fits perfectly with this lovely time of year and the fact that it's almost Valentine's Day -- *swoon* ;)

I don't think that all the items I've selected below would fit together as a complete outfit but I absolutely love red jeans and I wear mine all the time. I think this You, Me, Oui! hoodie is adorable and the two together would make the cutest casual Valentine's date ensemble :)

Being British, I love everything Alexander MxQueen, particularly this Union Jack clutch and I think the sheer pink scarf would compliment any outfit well.

To finish, at the moment, no dream outfit of mine would be complete without something Tory Burch -- it is definitely my current brand obsession, much to the boy's despair! ;) and these patent leather ballet flats are just divine! I cannot wait to make this dream a reality...

*Have a lovely weekend :)*

Hoody
£95 - net-a-porter.com

High waisted jeans
$80 - topshop.com

Tory Burch patent leather ballet flat
$235 - toryburch.com

Alexander McQueen union jack clutch
£845 - net-a-porter.com

Alexander McQueen sheer scarve
£245 - net-a-porter.com

(My Flat) The Sofa

My sofa arrived this morning and I have been worrying about this day for about 10 weeks... the quote that I used this morning definitely rings true again, as I had absolutely no need to worry at all... it fits, the colour matches the rest of the room well, it's comfy and I LOVE IT!!

"Worry is a misuse of imagination."

- Dan Zadra -

I MUST remember this more often and trust that everything will work out perfectly in the end :)

:: Samantha ::

(Thursday's Thoughts) Laugh, Live & Know

Carrie Bradshaw once said...

"Eventually all the pieces fall into place... until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason"

{Via}

Now, more than ever, I'm trying to keep this quote at the front of my mind... the boy is going to be visiting from California exactly a week from today and at the weekend, he broke his collar bone in a snowboarding accident - perfect timing ;)

Earlier this week, for obvious reasons, we thought that he might have to postpone his trip and I was so sad - we have been planning and looking forward to this trip for months -  but luckily, the doctor has given him the all clear to fly, so there was no need for my worrying... as is usually the case, it just goes to show that there is no need to worry and we just need to keep reminding ourselves that everything happens for a reason and what will be, will be :)

:: Samantha ::

(Products I Love) Ankle Love

Oh goodness, how pretty and amazing is this...

It can be purchased here... I seriously think that I need this in my life :)

:: Samantha ::

(Good Ideas) How Cool

It is freezing here now. Over the weekend, the weather took a turn for the colder and we had sub-zero temperatures and snow and now everywhere is frozen and slippery. I love the snow but, this time it wasn't a pretty winter wonderland, it was more of an icy slush!

Anyway, enough of my moaning... the colder weather got me thinking about the Summer and warmer weather to come and then I saw this and thought is was a totally genius idea...

{Via}

I just cannot wait for Summer BBQs. They are definitely one of my favourite Summer activities and this would be such a cool way to keep your drinks chilled in the warmer weather :)

:: Samantha ::

(Aspects of my Life) New Girl

I'm not sure whether I'm slow on the uptake or just English (we always get things later here in England) but I watched the pilot episode of New Girl when I got into bed last night and I LOVED it!! I thought it was quirky and cute and it made my heart ache a little as I knew it would be something that the boy and I could enjoy together... if he wasn't 6000 miles away in California! 

{Via}

We're working on making changes to that long distance and in the meantime, I shall just enjoy New Girl whilst snuggled up in bed... alone ;)


:: Samantha ::

(Something for the Weekend) Spring Fever

{Via}

With the weather just starting to get colder, my mind is turning to Spring, with its longer days, warmer weather, picnics outside and brighter fashions.

Today, I'm linking up with {av} over at {Long Distance Loving} for some Spring Fever!

My inspiration for this outfit came from Pinterest (of course!) and I just wish my wallet would stretch to the cute Tory Burch flats and the gorgeous Michael Kors watch. An oversized gold watch has been on my wish list for so long!

I hope you all have a really lovely weekend :)

Below is where you can purchase these beauties... if only! ;) 

Marni crew neck top
$1,345 - marni.com

J Brand skinny leg jeans
£190 - liberty.co.uk

Tory Burch flat shoes
€81 - pret-a-beaute.com

Mulberry oversized leather handbag
£925 - flannelsfashion.com

Michael Kors face jewelry
£200 - harveynichols.com

:: Samantha ::

(Book Love) The Help

Wow, I finished this book last night and it had me gripped from page one, all the way through to the end and I couldn't put it down. I definitely recommend it. It opened my eyes and reminded me about a history that is way more recent than I realised. I love books that have you hooked from the beginning and now I have that feeling that I'm missing the characters. I only get this with really good books... does anyone else get this when they finish a book?

{Via}

I haven't seen the film yet but I intend to add that to my list of things to watch. I'm intrigued to see how they take the book to the screen... personally, I always prefer the book but we shall see :)

{Via}

:: Samantha ::

(Thursday's Thoughts) Beautiful

To be remembered...

(My Flat) Wall Art

I have just ordered the following wall art for my flat and I cannot wait for them to arrive...

{Via}

{Via}

I'm pretty sure I know exactly where they're going to go :)

(2012) February Already

I cannot believe that it is February already. This year is flying by and I still feel like I'm in slow motion after the festive period... I need to step up my game before this year is gone and I'm left standing with lots of unfulfilled dreams!

{Via}

However, even though I feel like I've been hibernating because it's cold outside, I did actually achieve quite a bit in January...

1. I saw the New Year in with my gorgeous boy in Lake Tahoe, California
2. I've been busy decorating and buying items/furniture and basically just making my new flat beautiful - this was more time consuming than I was expecting and required a lot of thought, measuring and planning!
3. I celebrated my birthday, along with lots of friends and family
4. Tried really hard to get back into my gym routine but this has been very hard!
5. I went to Bikram Yoga for the first time ever and LOVED it! My friend is currently doing the 30 day challenge and I am going to add this to my Bucket List to complete before the end of the year... watch this space!

{Via}

My dreams/plans/aspirations for February, go something like this...

1. Move into my new flat!
2. My boy will be making his first trip across the pond to visit me in England and I couldn't be more excited! He got his very first passport just for me - that makes me feel special ;)
3. Make way more effort with my writing and ensure that I post here on a far more regular basis
4. Cook more for friends and become way more adventurous with food. My very lovely friend bought me a subscription to Good Food magazine for my birthday and I am hoping this will help
5. Start my New Year's Resolution of baking a new cake every week

{Via}