Even when the rain is bashing against the window, you can’t help but love autumn. I’m a huge fan of colour and it pleases me greatly to see those hues of red, orange and gold. Our lawn is littered with beautiful red leaves. I’ve no idea where they came from but they bring a smile to my face every morning.
Welcome to the fourth week of the Alphabet Photography Project and letter E! Thank you to everyone that joined in last week.
These photographs of POD were taken in the garden when we were reviewing some pieces from the new Mamas & Papas Liberty range. Little did we know how entertaining she’d find me pretending to tickle her while she was on the swing. Even just the act of following her general direction kept her amused. I just love moments like this and having a permanent memory makes them that little bit better.
How to join in
It’s really easy to join in with the Alphabet Photography Project. All you need to do is link up a post with a photograph the represents that week’s letter. It’s entirely up to you as to how you interpret the theme – whether an object, an adjective or a representation of that letter. Hints are on the Alphabet Photography Project page (just click on each letter) and there’s also a Pinterest page full of photographic inspiration.
You can also join the #alphabetphoto project on Instagram (PODcast is here) and post in the Pinterest, Facebook or Google+ communities.
The Alphabet Photography Project runs weekly with a new letter at every Wednesday. You can link up your post anytime from that day to the following Tuesday.
There was a time I’d only ever wear heels so it came as a surprise when POD’s arrival marked a renewed love for flats. Don’t get me wrong, I still love heels but oh my word can they be uncomfortable at times! Despite various gel cushion options and continually making excuses to sit down, my feet still feel like they’re on fire if I’m in heels too long.
I only became aware of Hotter recently and not long afterwards they invited me to an event in their Winchester store. I’d browsed their range online beforehand and was drawn towards some rather fabulous boots – several pairs I might add! Truth be told, while I adore shoes, I’m a huge fan of boots and although I have quite a few, I work on the theory that you can never have too many! A bit like handbags.
The team at Hotter (head office and in-store) were so welcoming and provided us with some wonderful treats while we browsed their range. You’ll be pleased to hear I did have some sandwiches before tucking into the rather delicious profiteroles!
One of the things I hadn’t realised about Hotter is that their range is huge. Founded in 1959, they’re the largest shoemaker in the UK and they really do cater for all tastes. From comfortable lows to stylish highs plus of course gorgeous boots. Their Belle boots caught my eye almost immediately as I’ve been looking for a pair of boots like this for years. Made from super soft nubuck leather, they have an adjustable calf fitting and full length inside zip. They felt glorious in my hand but I wasn’t convinced my chunky calves would make them look quite as flattering as they did on the shelf.
But I was wrong, these black Belle boots fitted perfectly. They were so unbelievably comfortable too I didn’t want to take them off. I think this was referred to as “having a Hotter moment” and I definitely was. No, that’s not a euphemism if you’re wondering! The following day saw me back in some pretty but particularly uncomfortable boots at the Blog On conference – I’d have been in my Belle boots had I been able to change my outfit!
There were several other boots (and shoes for that matter!) which took my fancy in the Hotter store. The Briony boots, Ivy boots, Danielle boots and Vanity boots were a few of the favourites. The Belle boots were certainly the ones for me though! They’ve barely been off my feet these past days as they’re perfect for the school run – either over black trousers or beneath a long skirt. It might sound strange but they’re even more comfortable than my trainers!
Hotter Shoes are offering 10% off your first order, from any full priced item in the range, with free delivery up until 24th December 2015. If you’d like to take advantage of this, please use the code PNDTEN – this offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer.
Disclaimer: I received a pair of Belle boots from Hotter Shoes for the purpose of this review. Opinions are as always my own.
Hello everybody, welcome to What’s The Story for w/c 19th October. Thank you to everyone that joined in last time.
This week’s #whatsthestory post is all about the colour! Although it’s wonderful all year round, National Trust owned Winkworth Arboretum is especially beautiful in autumn. With hues of red, orange and yellow wherever you look, it’s a stunning place to lose a couple of hours.
How to join in
What’s The Story? enables you to share the stories behind your favourite photographs. To join in all you have to do is share a photograph and the story behind it. You can write as little or much as you like and your photo/s can be from any time. The Linky is open every Monday until the following Sunday.
Feel free to use the What’s The Story? badge or include a link to PODcast in your post and do share some comment love too. There’s a community on Google Plus so do pop over if you haven’t already. We’re at Charly Dove or PODcast.
Please feel free to tweet me your posts whenever you like and I’ll share them for you throughout the week.
Grab the badge!
Hello everyone, welcome to week #67 of the Black and White Photography Project. Thank you so much to those of you that joined in last time.
This photograph was taken at Summerleaze Beach in Bude, Devon last weekend. It’s a wonderful spot and it was nice just to stand in the autumn breeze watching the surfers attempt to catch the waves.
How to join in
To join in with the Black & White Photography Project, just link up a short post featuring a black and white photograph or black and white photographs. The photograph/s can be from any time – both old and new are welcome. You’ll find a post on how to create better black and white photographs here.
Don’t forget to share on Instagram using #bwphotoproject. You can also share your posts and photos in the B&W Photography Project Facebook Group. Please feel free to tweet me @The_Doves if you’d like your post retweeted too.
Grab the badge!
Feel free to grab the #bwphotoproject badge (you’ll find a monochrome one here).
We first came across Maya the Bee on the Tiny Pop TV channel and it fast became one of POD’s favourite programmes. She was thrilled when we were invited to the €17m Maya the Bee preview and had a great time beforehand.
She got to spend (probably a little too much!) time with a life size Maya, eat Maya biscuits and make a Maya mask. She even enjoyed a spot of colouring and whizzing down a slide into a ball pit before the film began.
Maya is a curious bee and continually on the lookout for adventure. She brings disorder to her well regimented hive by buzzing around everywhere, keeping her teacher Miss Cassandra on her toes. But one day there is uproar when the royal jelly – the Queen Bee’s elixir of life – is stolen from the hive.
Buzzlina, the royal advisor, accuses the hornets but Maya finds out by accident that the evil perpetrator is in fact Buzzlina herself! Before she can clear up the conspiracy, she is forced to leave the hive by the Queen’s domineering advisor.
The fascinating yet unfamiliar corn poppy meadow becomes Maya’s home. Together with her lazy best friend Willy, who also doesn’t fit into the community, the bees embark on a dangerous journey to find the royal jelly. With the bees and hornets old rivals, the brave duo discover enjoy lots of exciting experiences and meet many new friends including hornet boy Sting.
Back in the beehive, as the Queen Bee becomes weaker, Buzzlina announces to everyone the royal jelly has been stolen and the hornets have to be the culprits. Miss Cassandra secretly looks for Maya and Willy in the meadow asking an ant general for help. Arnie and Barney are set to work looking for the two, accidentally destroying the hornet buildings to collapse in their search. The hornets quickly suspect the bees have destroyed their camp.
With uproar on both sides, when Maya returns to the hive she quickly discovers the queen’s advisor wants to rule over the bee colony herself. She is locked up but is rescued by Willy, Sting and grasshopper Flip. They arrive back in the meadow just in time to stop the hostilities that had developed between the bees and the hornets. Buzzlina is identified as the real royal jelly thief and punished.
With the jelly returned to the recovering Queen Bee, she appoints Maya ‘bee ambassador’. From that day forth she gets to spend all her time with her friends in the corn poppy meadow showing that friendship is certainly thicker than honey!
We absolutely loved this film. Not only is it a wonderful story about friendship, it’s beautifully shot and the animation is just superb. At 88 minutes, it was also the perfect length to keep four-year-old POD suitably engaged. Maya the Bee buzzes into UK cinemas on 23rd October 2015, do go and see it – it’s just lovely.
Welcome to the fourth week of the Alphabet Photography Project and letter D! Thank you to everyone that joined in last week.
This photograph was taken when we were at Whipsnade Zoo a few weeks ago. We stopped for a time to admire the fabulous views which were pretty special on such a clear day. Just before we left to see the giraffes, POD took it upon herself to stand on a nearby bench to take it all in. I would have loved to have known what she was thinking about. One thing was for sure, she was miles away!
How to join in
It’s really easy to join in with the Alphabet Photography Project. All you need to do is link up a post with a photograph the represents that week’s letter. It’s entirely up to you as to how you interpret the theme – whether an object, an adjective or a representation of that letter. Hints are on the Alphabet Photography Project page (just click on each letter) and there’s also a Pinterest page full of photographic inspiration.
You can also join the #alphabetphoto project on Instagram (PODcast is here) and post in the Pinterest, Facebook or Google+ communities.
The Alphabet Photography Project runs weekly with a new letter at every Wednesday. You can link up your post anytime from that day to the following Tuesday.
With a large proportion of family members already golfers, it stands to reason I’d have taken up the sport years ago. But for whatever reason it hasn’t happened. Instead I’ve cheerfully pursued ball sports I’m already familiar with, such as tennis. When Monarch asked if I’d like to participate in a golfing experience at N1 Golf in London, I was a little apprehensive. There was tapas and wine tasting on offer so I agreed on the basis a couple of drinks would certainly improve my game. Its worked when I’ve played pool in the past.
Hello everyone, welcome to What’s The Story for w/c 12th October. Thank you to everyone that joined in last time.
This week’s #whatsthestory post is from Audresselles and Wimereaux in France. We took the Eurotunnel to Calais and spent the weekend exploring the Côte d’Opale.
How to join in
What’s The Story? enables you to share the stories behind your favourite photographs. To join in all you have to do is share a photograph and the story behind it. You can write as little or much as you like and your photo/s can be from any time. The Linky is open every Monday until the following Sunday.
Feel free to use the What’s The Story? badge or include a link to PODcast in your post and do share some comment love too. There’s a community on Google Plus so do pop over if you haven’t already. We’re at Charly Dove or PODcast.
Please feel free to tweet me your posts whenever you like and I’ll share them for you throughout the week.
Grab the badge!
Hello everyone, welcome to week #66 of the Black and White Photography Project. Thank you so much to those of you that joined in last time.
This photograph was taken when we visited the Musée du Mur de l’Atlantique on the Côte d’Opale. Built by the Germans in World War II, Batterie Todt was officially opened in February 1942. Today it’s dedicated to military history with thousands of collectibles spread across ten rooms on three floors. The barracks, engine room and armoury have all be reconstructed too so you can almost imagine what life must have been like. A fascinating place to visit if you’re ever in the area.
How to join in
To join in with the Black & White Photography Project, just link up a short post featuring a black and white photograph or black and white photographs. The photograph/s can be from any time – both old and new are welcome. You’ll find a post on how to create better black and white photographs here.
Don’t forget to share on Instagram using #bwphotoproject. You can also share your posts and photos in the B&W Photography Project Facebook Group. Please feel free to tweet me @The_Doves if you’d like your post retweeted too.
Grab the badge!
Feel free to grab the #bwphotoproject badge (you’ll find a monochrome one here).
