31.07

Cider-with-Rosie-The-Awkward-Blog-cover

I’m so, SO excited to be sharing an interview with the wonderful Angela, of The Awkward Blog here today on Cider with Rosie! She’s been one of my favourite bloggers to follow for a good couple of years now, because it’s just 100% impossible to read one of Angela’s posts and not feel uplifted by it! I mean, you only need glance over the gorgeous photos I’ve popped into this post to see why I love it so much, right?! Anyway, enough from me, and let’s get to know Angela a little better!

1. Will you tell us a little about how you got started writing The Awkward Blog, and what it means to you?

It all started three years ago- I was working at an advertising agency and just felt like I desperately needed some sort of creative outlet to escape into. I didn’t have a clue about having a niche, I didn’t know any other bloggers personally, I just wanted a space to write things or share some photos. Over time, I loved that it connected me to this new online community and that’s really what my blog means to me- connecting to other people through our different stories.

2. How would you sum up your blog, in just 3 words?

Silly Little Adventures…because I feel like that’s essentially what my life is about-whether it’s going on a trip, having an embarrassing moment, sharing a recipe or a story, they’re all my own little adventures (and also, I try not to take myself so seriously!)

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3. Let’s talk a little about the blogging community! What’re some of your favourite things about being involved in the industry? And anything you’d like to change, if you could?

I like that blogging is a community- there’s always a social aspect to it. It’s created many new friendships that I otherwise would never have made and I love that! I love that it opens up all these conversations and exchange of stories, and a sense of kinship.

On the other hand I do feel that we put too much pressure on ourselves, to the point it sucks the fun out of blogging. There is always a sense of needing to be better, to network more, to master this, that or the other more. Blogging has always had this edge of competitiveness and its easy to start questioning yourself. So if I could change something, it’d be that. We should all be nicer to ourselves. I felt a bit burnt out by it all towards the end of last year, and I promised myself that I would remember to have fun with it again.

4. Would you share with us three of your favourite posts, and tell us why they’re particular favourites?

Number one is my wedding! I got married last year, here in London. Having all my friends and family together blew my mind (I also wore feathers, so that was pretty cool too)

Number two, isn’t really a specific post. I like sharing my Life Lately updates- if I have a few interesting links to share I’ll add them in, as well as little snippets of what’s been going on recently. I’m less strict with myself on a Life Lately update; it’s not about layout or photo quality but more of a focus on sharing the everyday (for instance, hiding out in a loo at work)

Travel posts are my favourite, but I have a soft spot for the Morocco ones. I like looking back on the photos and remembering our newly wed adventures there.

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5. Okay, let’s talk London! What would be your ideal way to spend a day in your home city, if budget were no option? :)

My favourite way of wiling away the time would be to just walk! I’d make the most of the day by grabbing a coffee and a croissant and then people watch along the Southbank. I’d explore the Tate Modern, cross the bridge over to Embankment, and head towards Soho. I’d get some tea and dessert at Said Dal café, browse the shops on Carnaby Street and maybe treat myself to a mani/pedi. I’d ride a bike through Hyde Park and wander up Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road for trinkets. I’d head south to Brixton to have dinner and drinks at the market and then to a gig at Brixton Academy, before heading home to sink into a sofa with tea.

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6. Travel is a big passion of yours, right? What destinations have been your favourites to visit, and where are you keen to explore next?

Morocco, where I spent my mini-moon, was exciting. It’s only a four hour flight away but it’s a different world. There’s an air of adventure there but also, a great place to unwind and relax. I’ve recently come back from New York and it was really cool getting to explore the city with my sister this time round. Next week I’m looking forward to a weekend in the countryside and then for New Year’s, we decided to escape winter for a bit and are planning a trip to the Maldives.

7. If you could snap your fingers and suddenly become master of any particular skill or talent, what skill would you choose?

I wish I was more musically gifted. I’d love to play so many different instruments- The guitar! The drums! The bass! But I have zero coordination. I tried to take guitar lessons but sadly, I’m about as skilled as Phoebe Buffay. I grew up on a tropical island, where it felt like everyone could play something and I was envious that my musical talents only extended to the recorder. I can play a mean Three Blind Mice (and a decent Smelly Cat)

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8. And finally, it’s our old favourite Desert Island Discs! If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring along for the ride? You can bring two albums/CDs, two books, two films, ingredients to make a meal, and one luxury item!

Two albums- Can I have a Motown and Soul music compilation? I never ever tire of Sam Cooke. My second album would be…the Grease 2 soundtrack. I know it’s awful, but it’s so bad that it’s good, and if I’m stuck on a desert island, I’d really need some laughs.

Two books- I’d take Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, because that’s my favourite of the series. Then I’d also take Bossypants by Tina Fey to keep me laughing and motivated.

Two films- I’d take Labyrinth because it’s a classic (and David Bowie) and then probably Toy Story.

Ingredients to make a meal- I would take rice, spring onions, and some sort of honey soy glaze for the fish I will catch. I’m assuming I will be an expert fisherman.

And finally, my luxury item would be a razor to tame the leg hair situation. I’m on an island, I need to remain mermaid like at all times.

~ ~ ~

Thanks so much to the lovely Angela for such a fun interview! Don’t forget to follow along with The Awkward Blog via Bloglovin, and head over to read Angela’s most recent posts too!

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30.07

July-advertisers

Happy weekend, my friends! Today I’ve got another round up of the lovely blogs that’ve been linked here on Cider with Rosie, and I’m so happy to be sharing them with you! Each of them is fabulous in its own way, and I hope you’ll love them as much as I do. Don’t forget to follow along with them each via Bloglovin’, too!

The Awkward Blog
Angela’s blog has been a favourite of mine for such a long time now, and I’m so pleased I get to shout about it here this month! The Awkward Blog documents Angela’s life in London with her husband and two beautiful cats (who I remember being the tiniest kittens not so long ago!), and the adventures they all get up to. All of Angela’s posts are so beautifully photographed and written, whether it’s one of her regular ‘life lately’ catch ups, a travel post (A’s recents updates from NYC gave me serious travel envy!) or a fun, chit-chatty type post about ongoing flat renovations (I can’t wait to see the finished result!) or a hilarious list post sharing the things that happen when you get married. In short, I’m a MAJOR The Awkward Blog fan and just know you will be too!
Favourite post of the past month? Things that happen when you get married. 

Silverspoon London
Angie’s blog seems to just keep getting better and better as the months go past! Silverspoon London is a luxury travel and lifestyle blog, and forms a wonderful journal of all Angie’s jetset and dining adventures around the world. This month, Angie’s visited the Philippines and  experienced wonderful Filipino food on the private island resort of Amanpulo, had the dreamiest afternoon tea at the Four Seasons in London, and stayed in a hotel that looked like a princess palace in Lausanne, Switzerland! Not only are Angie’s posts already pure escapism, but they’re also fantasically well researched and contain helpful and comprehensive reviews, too. I find myself returning to her blog time and time again, and am certain you’ll just love it too!
Favourite post of the past month? A Luxurious Day in Lausanne, Switzerland.  

Bunnies Are Magic
Aleksandra’s blog was new to me this month, and I’ve so enjoyed getting to know it! Aleksandra is originally from Poland but now is based here in the UK, and her blog, Bunnies are Magic is all about inspiration. The inspiration she draws from her experiences and the world around her, and inspiration she hopes to pass along to her readers, too. Her writing has this wonderful dreamy quality that I find so charming, and her posts are totally unique- a real skill, if you ask me! This month, Aleksandra’s talked a little about the nature of envy and jealousy, about the choices we make to prioritise looks over comfort, or comfort over looks, and about her experiences of moving abroad. I find each of the posts on Bunnies Are Magic so engaging, it’s like reading a mini book each time I click through! One to add to your reading list right away…
Favourite post of the past month? Things no one told us about…moving abroad. 

To see your own blog featured here on Cider with Rosie, visit the Sponsor page and snap up an advert! It’d be so lovely to get to know you and your blog a little better :)

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28.07

Cider-with-Rosie-DFS-garden-festival-chic-8

T I M E   F O R   A   G A R D E N   P A R T Y ?

Now, Jason and I are hardly your typical festival goers.

We’re too fond of home comforts- of the snuggliness of our own lovely bed and crisp, line-dried sheets, of familiarity and routine, of the dogs who fall asleep by our feet each evening, and of, let’s face it, the glory that is hot running water ;)

And, let’s face it, we’re just not that cool either!

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But, the lovely relaxed atmosphere of some of the more family-friendly festivals I’ve seen pop up over the past few years does totally appeal to me!

The ones where children and adults alike enjoy music and great food and refreshing summer drinks from sunrise to sunset, and the whole affair has a garden party kind of vibe, as opposed to being all about mud and tent-burning and the like! ;)

And so, when just recently DFS got in touch and challenged me to give my garden a mini ‘festival chic’ makeover using some of their gorgeous furniture, my immediate response was a big fat YES!

I loved the idea of trying to capture a little of the summer festival spirit, and bringing it home to my very own garden!

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The set we picked out for our garden makeover ‘look’ is called the Napa, and is made up of four woven rattan armchairs and a glass-topped table, comfy grey seat cushions, and a parasol to boot.

The chairs are insanely comfortable (especially when accessorised with a few colourful cushions to complete the look) and the table is the absolute perfect size for our pretty tiny garden and deck space!

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I love that right now the decking is looking so lush and vibrant, flanked on all sides by flowering plants and our hanging basket and wall planters.

The tomatoes are nearing the end of their life (I’ve been picking regular handfuls of ripe beauties for a weeks now, and eating them in salads and on toast in the mornings!) but our strawberry plants are just beginning to spring into action!

I’m a little concerned about the little nibble marks that have been appearing on the strawberry plant leaves, but I can never seem to spot any slugs or caterpillars when I go out looking for them. Keeping my fingers crossed Jason and I get to enjoy the fruit before the bugs do!

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Once Jason and I had finished bedecking the lovely parasol with a set of the festoon lighting we’d bought for our wedding last year, we put some music on (still obsessed with Bear’s Den, and also the Spotify Weekly Discovery playlist!) and then sat back with a tall jug of watermelon and apple juice pepped up with some frozen berries and mint.

Candles were lit, Teddy and Elsie pottered in and out of the house proudly showing off the rawhide treats I’d given them to keep them from getting under our feet whilst we set up the garden, and eventually we all settled down outside on the deck, and whiled away the evening whilst the sun went down.

So what’s that- music? Check! Fancy drinks? Check! A beautiful and cosy outdoor space to enjoy? Check!

All the ingredients for a ‘festival chic’ vibe at home, don’t you think? :)

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Thank you to DFS for sponsoring this post.

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Posted in HOME, Sponsored, SUMMER

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26.07

Cider-with-Rosie-baby-shower-11

C E L E B R A T I N G   B A B Y   C H A P P E L !

So, this weekend, I had a baby shower! And it was amazing!

All of Sunday morning Jason had been chivvying me along through the errands we had to get done, and I couldn’t understand it.

We were due to nip over to my brother and sister in law’s house to shoot their six month baby photos (or so I thought, at least!) at around midday, but Jason was dashing around like a man on an important mission all that morning! The timings aren’t that important, I remember thinking!

I was a bit confused about why Jason was so insistent on driving me over there and also that we be there at bang on midday, but it all became clear when I opened the door to Russell and Clare’s living room, and was greeted by my Mum, sister, mother in law, Clare, cousins, Auntie, and best friends (plus all the babies too!), all shouting ‘Surprise!’!

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Clare had decorated the room *so* beautifully it totally blew me away!

There was a whole table of homemade sandwiches and cakes and popcorn (the stickers say ‘Ready to Pop!’- how cute!) plus some family favourite sweet treats made by my Mum.

Fun games and activities were set up in every corner (wooden blocks to be decorated for baby C, & a pin board of baby pictures I had to identify!) and, of course, all the babies had scattered their toys far and wide across the floor!

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We spent our afternoon playing ‘guess the baby’s weight/sex/due date’ (most guesses are for girl right now!), eating mountains of cakes, passing little Beatriz around for baby cuddles, and watching one year olds Darcey and Dylan toddle around the room holding court!

Oh, and the baby (and I!) were so spoilt with so many beautiful gifts. In fact, I don’t think I’ll need to buy a single sleep suit, blanket, book, or toy for this lucky baby for another year!

Though who am I kidding, I totally will…;)

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The whole afternoon was just so lovely, and I was so touched by the effort all my family and friends had gone to to celebrate the impending arrival of our baby that once I got home I cried like a baby myself, ha! So grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life, all ready to love this baby come September.

Thank you x1000 to Clare for organising me the greatest baby shower, and to my friends and family for making it so special.

And now, Baby Chappel, you can just keep cooking in there for another four weeks, and then feel free to make your appearance at any point! We’re all waiting! <3

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