Trip to The Tate Modern

We had a family trip to the Tate Modern today to see an exhibition for Occupation for spaces on education and why they look the way they do.

The exhibit was created by new teachers studying at university who worked with  number of schools. My daughter and her friends work was featured as part of the exhibit

Their art project within school was to create masks for the exhibition.

Amelie | Occupation, Philippa Bloomfield, Tate Exchange

Amelie | Occupation, Philippa Bloomfield, Tate Exchange

We also took some time out to have a look around the Tate Modern, a first for me! I know being a Londoner its a shocker.

Tate Modern, London

Tate Modern, London

Tate Modern, London

Southbank, London

Holiday Time In Bardolino, Lake Garda Italy

What can I say Oh My Bardolino has been amazing!

I've wanted to visit Lake Garda for a few years now, I'd seen all the pictures, Richard E Grants Hotels TV show and obviously the paparazzi snaps of George Clooney who has a place here.

Bardolino, Lake Garda Italy

Well what can I say it certainly lived up to my expectations.  The hotels in Bardolino where a little overpriced for us so we decided to stay in an AirBNB our first time to try it out.

Our AirBNB Apartment

We was only a short 10-15min walk away from Bardolino centre and we'd also hired a car to make sure we could take in as many sights as we could.

The beautiful Lake Garda, Bardolino

There are so many other towns to visit on Lake Garda, a 45 min walk along the lake front will take you to Lake Garda town itself and you can catch the lake buses to visit more of the towns all just as beautiful.

Visiting the beautiful towns on Lake Garda

We took in a trip to Verona which was a beautiful town to see the sights but in particular Juliets Balcony.

Juliet's balcony, Verona Italy

The wall of Love, leading the way to Juliet's balcony

We had an amazing meal on the lake front with the sun setting as we ate.

A sunset dinner in Bardolino on Lake Garda

Pre Dinner Nibble, Bardolino Lake Garda

Oh and to my top my delight Bardolino has its own Rose Wine which was gorgeous (we bought a few bottles back) and how can I forget the ICE CREAM!

The delicious Rose Wine of Bardolino, Lake Garda

Cheeky ice cream in Bardolino, Lake Garda

As I said it was amazing Bardolino totally lived up to my expectations, it has such a laid back relaxed atmosphere and I can't wait to go back!

A Fleeting Visit To Venice, Italy

Now everyone says how romantic and wonderful Venice is but I have to admit it certainly was'nt on my top ten list of places to visit.

So as we were off to Bardolino in Lake Garda Italy for a weeks break we decided to fly into Venice for a fleeting visit and see if its all its cracked up to be.

The Canals of Venice, Italy

The stunning buildings lining the canals of Venice, Italy

So on landing we headed straight for Venice as we only had a few hours to check it out (well I did say it was a fleeting visit).

On first getting there we walked and walked until we finally worked out it was far easier to use the river buses, yes we are total Noobs!

The colourful houses of Venice, Italy

Views from the river bus of Venice, Italy

As you can see from just a few of my snaps taken Venice is a beautiful place and I have to say it has certainly captured my heart, it was such a shame that we only had a few hours to dash around and get as many sights in as we could.

It is packed with tourists but we are certainly adding it to our ever growing list of weekend breaks for another future visit.

St Mark's Square, Venice Italy

Our fleeting visit to Venice, Italy

Break Away to Llangollon, Wales

We took some time out this week for a short birthday break to Llangolen in Wales, we had fabulous weather and amazing views from our B&B.

We stayed at The SunBank Holiday Cottage & B&B in The Cow Shed! That's right I said The Cow Shed and it was absolutely gorgeous and a must if your looking for a short getaway!

The Cow Shed at SunBank Holiday Cottage & B&B

The Cow Shed at The SunBank Holiday Cottage and B&B

The Holiday Cottage at The SunBank Holiday Cottage & B&B

The Views at The SunBank Holiday Cottage & B&B

London Lumiere Light Show

The gorgeous light changing dress at the Liberty of London Store for the London Lumiere Light Show

This weekend we spent a wonderfully cold evening in London's West end to visit the London Lumiere Light Show and despite the crowds, it was sooo busy they had some wonderful displays, our favourites of the night being this gorgeous dress on display at the Liberty of London store.  It was amazing and changed colour, as you can see I tried to snap as many of them as I could.

The gorgeous light changing dress at the Liberty of London Store for the London Lumiere Light Show

And of course the amazing giant flying fish!

Giant Flying fish at the London Lumiere Show

And everything else...

Giant Flying fish at the London Lumiere Show

The London Lumiere Light Show

The London Lumiere Light Show

The London Lumiere Light Show

Desk Makeover

I've cleared up my desk and given it a makeover, there is actually a purpose for the clean up but for now it's top secret!



Desk Makeover

Mojo Rojo du Piquant Sauce

During our trip in Gran Canaria we took a boat trip on the Mondragons Dream it was an amazing day with amazing weather. 

 

Boat trip on Mondragons Dream

We was served an amazing lunch with this Mojo Rojo Du Piquant Sauce its so delicous, so now I'm back home I just had to make it myself, I found the recipe here Mojo Rojo  and its just like it! Perfect and so easy to make 

#sauce #grancanaria #dips #mojorojo

Summer Crafting Ideas

Lately I have been pinning alot, but it was whilst pinning that I came across an array of crafting ideas that could be of interest for my little one to do (Amelie is 9yrs) during the summer holidays.  Lets face it the summer holidays are only a week away and with the current weather we are having, I'm envisaging many complaints of 'I'm Bored'

So I have been slowly collecting some crafting ideas that will hopefully keep my little one busy on the wet days to come over the summer.  Pinterest and the internet is a great place for findings Tutorials and DIY ideas, some don't even have to be children related, with a little imagination they can be easily adapted to suit a child.


So here is my first find for this week

Turning Cereal Boxes into Organisers


A great idea and one we can do together, I plan to get some very nice paper from PaperChase (never can resist the PaperChase) and making our own organisers for our drawers, to help organise our stationary, my little one is always losing her colouring pens and I'll be honest my drawers are a bit of a state.

My messy drawers need sorting

Happy Summer Crafting Everyone

Resource - Cereal box Organisers from The Stonybrook House Blog

Weekend Catch Up

It's been a busy one this weekend, we are currently fostering a new little kitty for the MIL.

Pumpkin our new fostered addition

Introducing Pumpkin, his a cute little fella, if not a bit nutty and has made himself right at home in our mad house.  We will be looking after him to help him socialise with our dogs and until he grows a little bigger then he will be back off to his permanent home.

 We already have a cat, my daugthers Misty, she is nearly 2 yrs old now and is a bengal/siamese mix, she did'nt take to the new kitty at all well and has spent most of the weekend skulking off to sulk, but shes finally coming round to the idea of havng a ball of fluff to  push around :)

Misty our own kitty cat

So its been a bit hectic here with cats and dogs all running around under my feet, I did however get a chance to make a few new charm bracelets, here's a peak

Lilac Millefiori Bird Charm Bracelets

Lilac Millefiori Bird Charm Bracelets

This lilac bird themed charm bracelet features my millefiori polymer clay bird beads, teamed with an assortment of lucite flowers and crystals.

Cupcakes & Tea Charm Bracelet

and my cupcakes and tea charm bracelet, featuring my polymer clay cupcake beads.

I also added some new additions to my Etsy Store, so despite the busy weekend it has been quite productive after all.

Peach Cream Scribble Necklace, Polymer Clay

China Blue Millefiori Thong Necklace, Polymer Clay

Black & Red Petal Polymer Clay Bracelet

Part of Handmade Monday with Handmade Harbour

Slacking off so soon

Ahh but I have a valid excuse, I've been on holiday to Dinan in France and had a wonderful time. Its such a lovely place I want to move there !!!

Obviously I wasn't on holiday all this time when I got back I set about making changes to my website to allow for me to accept orders and payments direct from my site and today it is complete at last (apart from a few minor tweaks ;)

Please take the time to have a look and I hope you like it as much as I have enjoyed the hard slog of getting it up and running.

http://www.lottieoflondon.co.uk/