SweetPeas & Satchels

So strangely enough I have been full of busy this month, meaning I haven't had as much opportunity as I would like to get blogging.

Me & my sister, Ruth had an amazing little getaway to beautiful London earlier in the month (post about that soon to follow.) As expected I spent ALL of my money (much to the dismay of my Bank) but it was totally worth it. Normally I find myself returning from a shopping spree with a hoard of dresses, but unfortunately I was too busy spending all of my money on the most beautiful bags you have ever seen! 

Cambridge Satchel Company 14" SweetPea 

Cambridge Satchel Company 13" Cream Crocus

Anybody that knows me well knows that I have a massive obsession with Cambridge Satchels. I received a 15" Classic Vintage Brown for my birthday two years ago & it's rarely left my side since, & I was completely determined to add to my collection when we visited the Cambridge Satchel Company shop in Covent Garden.

My original plan was just to buy one, but I couldn't control myself once I got in! Like my Vintage Brown, both of my satchels are embossed with my initials M.A.G & I couldn't be happier with my purchases!

M.  

Home is where the heart is.

I have just returned to Carlisle after spending the most lovely week at home in Sunderland.

Now I know that Sunderland isn't the most classy or beautiful place in England, but it is my home and I will always have a love hate relationship with it. It is the home of most of my nearest and dearest, & it's where I was raised. I had an amazing childhood there.

I spent last weekend at the Atherton household with their beautiful little girls. Olivia, Isabel, Isla & I spent the day in the garden, watching films & making ridiculously tasty cookies. It truly is my little home away from home. The girls never fail to make me smile, unintentionally obviously.

This is (R-L) Isla, Isabel & Olivia (it feels wrong saying it in that order.) They are three of the sweetest most beautiful little girls & I feel so proud to say I have watched them grow up from being babies.

Trampoline fun with Isla & Issy.

All in all I've had such an amazing week at home. I got to see my Grandparents, my Dad & spend lots of time with my big 'little' sister as she refers to herself cause she's a skinny bitch and I most certainly am not.

I can't wait to have more weeks like these at home. It reminds me of how thankful I am to be surrounded by such amazing people.

Best friends & beautiful people

So ... I haven't posted in a while because I've felt really stuck and uninspired photography wise. I know I should be excited & happy because summer is finally here; but everyone has gone home for summer & there is not much to be done in Carlisle.

One of my favourite things to photograph are all of my friends and our everyday life, we're sort of like a little family so when we're all apart and in different places all over the country it makes me sad. Is it possible to be home-sick for your friends? 'Cause I think that's what I have. So I'm just looking over some old photos & missing them all. Beth & Jake included but they're camera shy.

The very beautiful Jess dancing in the park. I am definitely missing spontaneous group days out.

 Mitch loving himself & thinking he's the Don of the skatepark. We both hate & love him all at once.

 Mitch, Pete & their mate Dom ... I honestly don't know what they're doing. Freaks.

I am so excited to move into our house in September. Hopefully then I will be feeling more inspired! I miss them all so much, it just feels weird when there's just a couple of us together. Jess always jokes that we're like F.R.I.E.N.D.S ... but we really are! Everyone is so different but that's what makes us work so well. We love & loathe each other & it's in a completely functional way!

Naughty shopping

So the other day I went and did a bit of naughty shopping (it's naughty because I really can't afford it at the minute, but we all need a bit of retail therapy, don't we?)

My favourite purchase of the day was definitely my new 'Miss Selfridge' hat. You have to love student discount, don't you!

I'm pretty much wearing it with pretty much EVERYTHING I own, but the wind is not loving it, blowing it off at every chance it gets. Boo.

Day trips and car kips

Today I went with Kate, Laura & Ella on a day trip to Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire.

It was so lovely & the perfect opportunity for lots of photographs which is always my favourite thing about adventures out and about (even to Flamingo Land!)

Ella hit the swings

Ella and Kate looking at the giant tortoises

It was such a lovely day, but really tiring as well (so naturally me and Ella both fell asleep on the way home.) I can't wait for more day trips in the summer so I hope everyone is prepared for me to prove it with lots of evidence. 

Oh Paris ...

At the end of 2012, I was lucky enough to visit the oh so magnificently stunning city of Paris in order to visit the amazing Paris Photo 2012 exhibition, world renowned for it's amazing work from photographers such as Don McCullin & Bruce Davidson (swoon). 

As well as visiting the exhibition we had the chance to explore the city ourselves, giving us free reign on all of Paris. It was more beautiful and magical than I could have ever possibly imagined. There were countless things that I found visually captivating that I just needed to photograph; the whole time we were there I think I only ever put my camera down to sleep and eat (& of course charge the batteries).

It was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I would love to go back again. I feel so blessed. 

Surrounded by beautiful friends and family

I am so lucky that I am constantly surrounded by my beautiful friends and family. There is nothing I love more than photographing those closest to me. & it just happens to be an amazing bonus that all of my nearest and dearest happen to be ridiculously beautiful.

These are a few of my favourite shots from years gone by. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them.