Voyage to Versailles

I couldn't stay away! 

I'm now in the weird transitory phase between being a student and just plain old unemployed, which is leaving me spinning a little. Before I dive into the world of work (knock on wood) I am off for one last jaunt to North Carolina and Bermuda (from Tuesday). My friend who is working in Versailles encouraged me to come over one more time and I couldn't resist - six months later, I got to revisit Versailles and Paris, in completely the opposite extreme temperature from last time.

It was a little over 30c for the long weekend, and we started off with a picnic by the lake at Versailles. The weather made life a little difficult with regards to my hair - half of the photos had to be thrown out either because my fringe was starting to look like the offspring of the Beast from the Black Lagoon or because I was trying (and failing) to squash it down.

Versailles is an area just full of fabulous colours, in addition to really great architecture. Perfect for showing off my new flamingo dress! The best thing is that the back is open, thank you God, allowing for a little air.

I don't think I could ever live in France, just because of the language difference and my near complete inability to pick up the native tongue, but these kind of balconies and shuttered apartments made me near sick with jealousy.

My way of coping with hot weather in France is to stop every hour or so at a Bistro or cafe and get a Citron Presse, sans sucre - extremely refreshing, if sour - not for the faint of heart! Really miss them now, but unless you make them at home, you won't find them in the UK.

Saturday night was spent watching Midnight in Paris, Eurovision and eating a lot of great cheese! On Sunday we headed into Paris, taking a stroll through the Marais district.

Some amazing shops around this area, particularly foodwise, though many were shut for Sunday/the bank holiday Monday. We saw this queue in the street which stretched for about fifty metres, all queuing up for what are apparently the best falafel in the city, dedication!:

I don't even want to think about the insane amount of food I ate over the break, but we still couldn't resist picking up some sweet treats from a cupcake/cheesecake restaurant, particularly when I saw their sense of humour:

The only redemption from the colossal amount that I ate, was that we walked for miles and miles. Knackered:

 

I'll post the rest of the photos tomorrow!

Outfit One: Dorothy Perkins Flamingo Dress, Kimchi Blue suede slingbacks.

Outfit Two: Strappy Dandelion Dress and Rocket Dog Oak Sandals.

Accessories: Mulberry Oversized Alexa in Watermelon and Ralph Lauren sunglasses.

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Back from the dead!

Degree = done and dusted! Now I just have the long and nerve wracking wait to get my results for my dissertation and then my overall grade. Shreded nerves already. In happier news: tomorrow night is my graduation ball, and whilst I haven't gone Anthro, I'll be sure to put some photos of my outfit, which I hope will get the seal of approval from you all.

These photos are old now, from after Easter, but I couldn't resist sharing them with you. They were taken at the wonderful Bluebell Railway. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a steam train line that still runs in Sussex today, using authentic steam trains. There are only three stations along the track, each is styled in the fashion of a significant period of railway history. 

My favourite was Horsted Keynes, which is where the photos were mainly taken. It's just gorgeous, with flowers everywhere and vintage advertisements.  It's also used as a set for a lot of period dramas including Downton Abbey (where Mary sees Matthew off to war) and, my favourite period show ever, North & South (the romantic final scenes on the trains and the platform) - seriously if you haven't watched the latter, I can't recommend it enough. Even better than Pride and Prejudice! There, I said it.

You'll have to forgive me for looking frazzled - the baby cousins were with me and I also had my head halfway out of a train window for the best part of half an hour! Health and safety be damned.

Now if only I had a handsome soldier to be waving off from the platform. Not that I'd want him to be going to war, mind...

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