Whew, I’m a little late to post my January round up. This is my first round-up post ever, but they’re one of my favourite things to read on other people’s posts. At the end of every month (well, knowing me probably usually a little late), I’ll be posting my month of memories, starting, of course, with January!
Picadilly Waterstones…
With 8 nieces and nephews, the birthdays really pile up. My family and friends all know that I take no greater pleasure than in getting the perfect little gifts for them all. In December, two of the littles had their birthday, and this year I decided that we would have a day out together, instead of something that could be wrapped in a gift box (and, probably, discarded a few hours later 😉 . My niece and nephew love books, and they love a wander round Waterstones, so there seemed no better option than to buy them some book vouchers and take them out for a wander around Picadilly. I met my big sister at 9am sharp so we could beat the tourist crowds and it was so lovely. Waterstones was so quiet, and we were the only people around.
It reminded me just how magical bookshops are, and what enjoyment you can get of a quiet Saturday spent browsing beautiful books.
The top floor restaurant has a beautiful view across London – there’s something magical about being in a quiet book shop, eating a brownie and looking out at a busy and noisy London playing out beneath you…
Riverside Walks….
I absolutely love a brisk walk on a cold day, we’ve been so lucky in January with some nice sunny (if freezing) days. I sometimes get tired of the long commute and think that, really, I’d be better off moving back towards where I work, shortening my commute and getting on with things.
Walks along the river with my best friend always get me a bit ‘re-centred’ and remind me that London is home.
Cake Decorating…
Last year for my birthday, my gang brought me the coolest present – a cake decorating class we could all attend together. After a year of trying to sort conflicting diaries, we finally managed to get to it. It was an amazing course, fantastically well run and we have the loveliest ever teacher! I’ve started following the Rock Bakehouse on Instagram and I’m really keen to go back to do some of their other courses!
I also managed to catch a stinking cold after walking to a football match in the freezing rain! As January wound down, my thoughts turned to my 28th birthday and planning my party! More on that later…
Kate x
Those cupcakes look absolutely heavenly, feel free to bring me cupcakes anytime you want!
I’m so excited for these new monthly round-up posts from you, I’m the same as you, I love reading them! Riverside walks are such a lovely thing to do, although it has been so cold lately! I very much need to visit Waterstones early morning, I love visiting book shops but they can get so busy, first thing in the morning seems like the ideal time!
Beautiful photos as always 💕
Hels xx
http://www.thehelsproject.com
Author
I will happily bring you cupcakes lovely ladies! I know its been soooo cold! You should definitely check out Waterstones, you could even take Doug – their childrens section is huge – obviously I was there with my nieces and nephew but really I was quite glad to have a chance to pour over the Harry Potter and Enid Blyton books without judgement 😉
Kate x
I love Piccadilly Waterstones. The cupcakes look beautiful, I love baking and decorating cupcakes, I don’t get much time these days though!
I’m looking forward to more monthly posts!!
Steph x
http://www.wanderlustpulse.com
Author
It’s so lovely – I can’t believe I’d never been! The cupcakes were so much fun, its so easy to forget how enjoyable it is!
Kate x
I’ve been terrible at remembering to post my monthly round up posts recently – it’s so easy to forget! I love riverside walks too and the cake decorating sounds such a fun thing to do x
Jenny | Luxestyle
Author
I know! I am totally the same, I’m trying to motivate myself with the prospect of how lovely it is to look back!
Kate x
Wandering around Waterstone’s first thing in the morning when there’s nobody about sounds like heaven to me! The only thing that could possibly make it better would be tucking into one of those delicious cupcakes, I really am impressed at your icing skill! The roses look incredibly intricate and I’m sure they took you an absolute age to perfect, but you absolutely nailed it! I love reading roundup posts as well, this has inspired me to get my bum in gear and write one for February!
Abbey xx
Author
I am positive that you, Hels and I need to enjoy a little early morning Waterstones trip ASAP! It was so perfect – you forget how heavenly bookshops are! The rose was really challenging, I needed showing quite a few times before I could get the hang of it!
I can’t wait to read your round-up post lovely!
Kate x
All of these look like so much fun! The family Waterstones trip sounds adorable, and I’m glad you’ve got a niece and nephew who love reading! The cakes look incredible too. A group cake decorating class sounds amazing 😀
Author
It was so lovely! I’m so pleased as all my nieces and nephews like to read bless them!The decorating class was so much fun – I hugely recommend it!
Kate x
Them cakes look so amazing, group cake decorating sounds so fun. We did it once at school and made such a mess but it was so worth it because everyone had fun and make memories. Thank you for sharing 🌸✨
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
Author
It’s so enjoyable, I could happily spend my days icing cakes!
Kate x
We would love to do some cake decorating, your looks fabulous! Sounds like a great round up of a month for you!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk / http://www.foodandbakertravels.co.uk
Author
It would be the perfect class for you guys!
Kate x
Book vouchers are an amazing gift! I would be so, so happy if I got book vouchers for every birthday and Christmas for the rest of my life. I love a good walk, too. I’m trying to get back into it and get back into fitness. Those cakes look absolutely lovely! I wish I could decorate like that.
xo, Victoria
How to Survive Valentine’s Day, From One Single Girl to Another
Author
Aw thank you Victoria! I love it because it opens up a world of opportunity for the kids to pick something they really love and an experience we get to share!
Kate x