The Palm Print Maxi Dress

I'm wearing:
Maxi dress - H&M
Sandals - ASOS
Sunglasses - Topshop

It's summer! Or is it? It is, technically, but oh my, we're being kept on our toes aren't we? I've complained so much about not having any sunshine but when it appeared, I had no idea what to wear.

Avene Thermale Spring Water Spray

Oh, hot weather! We all want it to come and then when it does there's nothing but complaining. I love it when the sun is out, but there are two things I struggle with: over heating and make-up slipping.

I bought this small 50ml size of Avene Thermale Spring Water Spray on Escentuals for just £2.80. I got it mainly to use as a setting agent for make-up, something I've never used before. It is great for fixing my powder based foundation, but I forgot the first time to let my mascara dry before spraying it, giving myself pretty impressive panda eyes! 

I took this on holiday to Spain with me and kept it in my beach bag throughout our time there. It was the most cooling and refreshing thing to use when even a parasol gave no respite for the heat. Just a light most of it over my face was enough. 

The best thing I've used this product for though is sunburn. I've never had sunburn before and my god I hope I never get it again. I never knew that showering could hurt! When I was lying in bed, the thin sheet I slept under was enough to irritate the sunburn. In desperation I tried the spray and it was a revelation! I cannot recommend it enough for irritated and sore skin and it's definitely going to be a must-have beauty product to take on any holiday from now on. 

Hot Weather on Hampstead Heath

One thing I really love about living in London is how I can walk with no idea of where I'm going, and somehow find myself somewhere amazing. Last weekend I set off in the crazy hot weather with a general aim to head towards Hampstead, having lived nearby for a year but never really going to explore.

We ended up walking past Kenwood House (where there was a conveniently placed ice cream van for heat relief!), around the edge of Hampstead Heath, and into Hampstead itself. The area is so pretty and quaint. It's quiet but bustling. There are lots of small cafes with outdoor seating and antiques shops who had moved their wares outside where it was marginally cooler than in their small stores. The quintessential English feel was perfectly topped up with bunting but counteracted by the round-the-block queue for a creperie!

We walked through Hampstead and reached the famous Heath where it was over run with sun seekers. Dog walkers were throwing balls, couples drank red wine on plaid blankets, groups of friends did cartwheels and cracked open cider. Everyone was happy, the atmosphere was so jovial it made me laugh! That and watching tens of people going crazy for the coolness of the bathing ponds - all daring each other to be the first to dive in. If I'd have thought it through I would have taken a bikini and gone too. Instead I wore my favourite striped tee from Monki with some vintage high-waisted shorts - possibly a rookie mistake, as it turns out the high-waist was pretty warm!

T-shirt: Monki
Short and belt: Vintage
Sandals: Miss Selfridge
Sunglasses: Miu Miu

Necklace: Accessorize

We made our way home via Parliament Hill where we looked over one of the most famous views in London, watching out over all the notorious London buildings: the Shard, the Gherkin, Canary Wharf and the BT Tower. We could even see the London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral. And as we headed back down the hill, we came across a bandstand with musicians getting everyone nearby to dance despite the heat. It was infectiously happy; London really is magical in the Summer.

Hope you've managed to enjoy the sunshine!

Recipe: Apricot and Peach Clafoutis

I love baking. But baking generally means cakes, pies and bread, which aren't all that good for you. I live with 5 other people and work in a busy office, so if I do make something for fun I can always shift it, but half of the fun is in the eating, let's be honest. 


I found this recipe in the Evening Standard magazine last week, it's by Rachel Khoo and is nice and summery. I like to think it's more healthy than my signature Mars Bar Cheesecake because it has fruit in it, but the sugar probably doesn't help!

Ingredients
4 eggs
150g sugar
Pinch of salt
50g ground almonds
2tbsp plain flour
100g creme fraiche
100ml milk
2 apricots, destoned and chopped
1 peach, destoned and chopped


Method

• Preheat oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4, and butter and flour a 19/10cm baking dish or tin.
• Whisk the eggs with the sugar and salt until pale yellow and thick.
• Sift and fold in the ground almonds and flour.
• Stir in the creme fraiche and milk.
• Scatter the fruit into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly.
• Pour the batter over the fruit and bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and set.
• Serve warm or cold.

Follow me on Instagram (@charlienin) where I inevitably snap a pic of what I'm cooking most days!


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Life: October Sunshine

I'm sure you're sick to death of reading the words 'Indian Summer' and 'hottest October on record', or if you're really odd you're probably sick of the ongoing heatwave we've been experiencing in the UK. Let's be honest, whatever type of weather we have people will complain but I refuse to moan about this glorious sunshine! England barely had a summer this year, and I haven't been out of the country at all as all my money was spent on moving house, so despite having to stay in the office for most of this mini Summer I've tried my hardest to make the most of it.


I work in beautiful Chiswick, and took the opportunity to sit out on Turnham Green with Pink Julep and Pauper Princess to take in the rays and look angrily at the unemployed young people who could sit there for longer than us. Check us out being summery!

Pic by Pauper Princess

We also had a great opportunity while scoping out places for an event to sit on a gorgeous terrace at a private members club in the sunshine with a complimentary drink and a gorgeous view over Covent Garden where we could see the London Eye and Parliament in the distance (the pic doesn't do it justice!).

The view over London in the sunshine

'Working' in the sunshine - lovely!

And of course there have been BBQs and a lot of sitting about in the garden reading copious amounts of trashy magazines. Bliss!


Apparently there's going to be snow in the next few weeks. I won't complain then either as it means I'll be able to wear my big lovely parka which I've missed. I'm British, I can deal with any weather!