What I Read in June & July 2018 – Round-Up & Mini Reviews

Wowzers, it's been months since I've posted a reading wrap up, I'm so sorry! My new job has been taking up a lot of my time and I haven't been reading as much as before. Though even when combining two months worth of books (seven books in total, two not pictured as they were ebooks) I didn't have the motivation for blogging as I've been feeling mentally depleted. I have a ton of blog post ideas but I need to find the time and energy to get back to a regular posting schedule. The exhausting heat of summer hasn't helped either, but I'm hoping xas cosier months are ahead of us I'll be able to get back into the swing of things. Thanks for your patience in the mean time 😊

Honey Bee Afternoon Tea at Dalloway Terrace

My friend Laura from Laura Patricia Rose and I do love a good themed afternoon tea. I think my favourite one we've tried together is still the Autumn Afternoon Tea at Emmeline's Lounge in the Conrad London St. James hotel, but the Honey Bee Afternoon Tea at Dalloway Terrace – a location beautifully decked out in vibrant flowers and buzzing bees befitting the tea's theme – has got to be a very close second.

Spring Awakening at Stockwell Playhouse

After 13 The Musical last year at the Ambassadors Theatre and Bring It On the musical, which is currently playing at Southwark Playhouse, the British Theatre Academy is on an absolute roll as they've also brought provocative coming-of-age musical Spring Awakening to London audiences for a limited run at the Stockwell Playhouse.

Sounds and Sorcery Celebrating Disney's Fantasia at The Vaults

I've been a huge Disney geek for as long as I can remember. I may not mention Disney quite as much on my blog as I do in real life (though I have a few themed posts planned, so stay tuned!) but that doesn't mean that my love for the 90-year-old mouse and his friends has disappeared in the slightest. So when I heard about a new immersive theatre experience at the Vaults underneath Waterloo Station inspired by the Disney classic animated film Fantasia, I was sold.

Bring It On at Southwark Playhouse

Last year I had the privilege to see the most excellent 13 The Musical at the Ambassadors Theatre, which wasn't only a great show in its own right but was really amplified in its awesomeness by the mega talented young cast from the British Theatre Academy. Needless to say, my expectations were high for their latest production – Bring It On at Southwark Playhouse – and, let me tell you, they absolutely smashed it.

One in a Million by Lindsey Kelk [blog tour]

When I'm in the mood for a properly funny and witty romantic comedy read, there is one author I know I can *always* turn to: Lindsey Kelk. She is the queen of writing novels that are jam-packed with loveable characters that are super relatable in their awkwardness, with cringe-worthy dating disasters that make me realise that, you know, things could be worse than they are in real life. And since the protagonist still ends up with a swoon-worthy hottie, there may be hope yet for the rest of us...

Exploring England: Mayfield Lavender Farm

You don't have to go all the way to the French Provence to immerse yourself in fields of fragrant lavender, in fact you hardly have to leave London for the opportunity to wander through rows of the beautiful purple flowers and an impromptu photo shoot with Instagrammable features throughout the fields. Mayfield Lavender Farm in Surrey has opened its doors once more for its annual lavender season. After years of thinking about going we finally made the trip down this past week – and it was glorious.

West London Wonder: Strawberry Hill House & Garden

I love exploring London but one thing I'm not nearly doing enough off is going beyond zone three to discover the wonderful things the outskirts of the city have to offer. Especially West London is an area I don't tend to venture to much as the journey from my North London home can be on the longer side. However, there are many awesome places to discover, which have been handily combined into the West London Wonders trail. The first one I got to experience recently is Gothic Revival castle Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham.

Preview Party for Wilde About the Girl by Louise Pentland

As a self-proclaimed YouTube addict, I first came to know author Louise Pentland through her wildly popular channel Sprinkleofglitter (2.5m subscribers and counting) where she posts about lifestyle, motherhood, beauty and more in her funny, genuine and super relatable videos. I've binged on them many a night, let me tell you. And if being a successful vlogger wasn't enough to be proud of already, Louise has also written some crackin' women's fiction novels, the latest of which will be published next week!