Does anyone else get a bit low the day they go back to work from a holiday? I was so down in the dumps yesterday about going back to work today I just completely failed at doing anything I was meant to do - like posting this! I was off for an extra couple of days at the end of last week, which was absolutely wonderful. I got to spend loads of time with LF and enjoying some good weather, but now I just really want a couple of weeks off so I can sleep in, sunbathe and have lots of fun. Doesn't being a grown-up suck? At 26 I still miss Summer holidays and long breaks. 

To try and make myself feel a bit better about going back today I got up extra early this morning and took a slightly longer walk with the dog, gave myself time for a long shower and have spent the last half hour watching Youtube videos and drinking cups of tea. Giving myself that extra time at the start of the week makes me feel so much better about the world. Anyway, I'm going to try and slip in one more cup of tea before I head out to start the day. How do you cheer yourself up when you're going back to work/school after a break? 

When was the last time you walked into a charity shop and found a perfect dress? All of you who love thrifting will know the moment. You spot a pattern, or a cut, or a detail and you pull out something absolutely perfect, the dress that you wish all dresses would look like. Then there is the moment of panic, was it on the wrong hanger? In the wrong place? Will it fit? It's the moment we all hope for. That's exactly how I felt when I spotted this lovely piece. I was just walking home from work and decided to pop into one of the (many) charity shops I walk by. I was actually looking for a sideboard for the flat, but there wasn't anything quite right, so I ended up at the clothes instead. Not only is it absolutely beautiful but at £4 it was a complete steal as well.

I wanted to try and put together a second hand outfit to go along with the dress but I found it a bit more difficult that I expected. I've not been doing as much trawling the charity shops lately and it is definitely showing in my wardrobe. I did manage to find this cardigan that I've had for a couple of years now and my newer foxy scarf but my bag is from Primark as are my boots. I unintentionally ended up with a bit of a pattern clash but I love how this outfit ended up. I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to wear a lot of red with my hair coloured again but I think this looks pretty good. 

Finding this dress has made me excited about checking out charity shops again, I think I might ban myself from the high street for a month or so and see if I have any more luck. What have your favourite charity shop finds been lately? 

This was meant to be an outfit post but, as you can probably tell, I got a bit distracted. In fact if I'm honest there were no good photos of my outfit in this bunch of photos. Luckily there were lots of nice ones of plants and things. These are actually a couple of weeks old now but I still wanted to share them. I was looking through my 'draft' folder at the weekend and found them forgotten at the bottom of the page. Going through them late last night I couldn't believe how sunny and warm it looked. The weather has been so changeable lately I can barely believe it is Summer. We've had some truly incredible rain the last few days, but photos like this remind me there are good points in Scotland too.

When we moved back in the middle of January I actually felt like this area of town was a bit bleak. We had lived by a large park for the couple of years before that and moving down by the river I felt like everything was a bit bare and grey. It turns out I couldn't have been more wrong - there is greenery everywhere round here! I know it is a silly thing to get excited by but I think being around nature makes me feel so much more grounded - even if it is hidden between rows of concrete. I swear if I moved out of the city I would have a  heart attack! It's funny how nature, or even just photos of nature, can effect you that way. 

The end of another week already, although for a little change in pace this one has felt incredibly long. June looks set to be really busy with work, friends and my ever-growing 'to do' list. It's been a great week as well though so I really shouldn't complain. One of the things that kind of held my week together is the photo project I'm taking part in this month with Sarah. I can't remember if I mentioned it back at the start of the year but this month I'm guest photographer on Two Days The Same which is Sarah's 365 Project this year. Each month she has someone joining her and this month it is my turn. It runs a week behind so you can check out the site today to see my first photo.  

Just to add to my busy week I also decided now was the time to learn how to knit. It's a skill I've wanted to learn for a long time but have never really gotten into. This was my first attempt. It isn't very pretty but I think I have the absolute basics down and I've already got a couple of squares I hope I will be able to turn into a blanket eventually. 

It's taking a very long time but I'm slowly but surely growing the black out of my hair. I really don't want to bleach it again so I've switched to a red dye and got the darkest bits at the end cut off. I'm really happy with it and it feels so much more comfortable for Summer at this length. 

The weather has been really changeable this week, going from gorgeous baking sunshine to a complete downpour in less than an hour. I have been living in this combination  of parka and my boots. The jacket is the perfect size for carrying around with me and I love the polka dots and flowers. It's saved me more than a few times in the last few days! How has your week been? 

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Joules is one of those brands that I've always been aware of, their vibrant prints and classic style is pretty much the epitome of the British countryside. Rightfully so, Tom Joules started the brand selling at equestrian events, before expanding with a pair of pink wellies into the beautiful colours and prints they are known for today. Their Summer collection this year has a plethora of beautiful floral dresses that could keep you happy all year long along with their damn fine wellies and, new to me, iPhone cases. 

I was originally going to put one summery outfit together but there were so many lovely things I ended up with a couple of themed ones. The first would make a gorgeous dog walking outfit, the yellow coat is a perfect bright yellow for those Scottish Summer showers and the bag is the perfect size for dogs leads, balls, bags and treats with enough space for my camera too. Secondly we have a beach day outfit - sandals so I can go paddling, sunglasses and a nice draped cardigan if it starts to get a bit cool. Last off we have my dream work outfit and accessories, including floral print diary and memo pad so I can keep up to date. 

Joules have also created a lovely video showing off some of their latest collection, which you can check out here. Watching it is making me super excited for all the Summer parties coming up. I've got my fingers crossed the weather will stay nice this weekend so I can go up to the Meadows Festival tomorrow and soak up the sun and the atmosphere. 

Hope you are having a fantastic Friday! 

The Botanics in Edinburgh was one of my favourite places as a child. My friends and I used to spend hours everything summer creating imaginary worlds in its grounds and exploring every inch of the place. When I was a teenager me and my friends used to come down for picnics and find somewhere that we could gossip about boys without being overheard. For the first time since I became an adult I'm back living within walking distance of the garden and we have been waiting and planning for LF and I to have a sunny day off together so we could go. 

The stars finally aligned last Thursday and we spent a beautiful day walking round and taking a thousand photos, as you can probably tell from this photo heavy post. I think my favourite moment was our little squirrel pal below, it was nice not to have the dogs so we could get close to him. We also walked round the Chinese garden, checked out the succulents and the new rock wall with the tiniest plants growing out of it. We also spent ages looking at the edible garden that they are growing in conjunction with local schools and of course we had to end up in the gift shop - the plant shop could have seriously decimated my wallet if had somewhere to put them all. 

We tried to see as much as possible, but we barely managed to scratch the surface in just one visit. We also didn't get to visit any of the greenhouses as they were closed for maintenance, which I was a little disappointed by, but it does give me a reason to go back again soon. I'm sure I'll have loads more pictures to show you for that visit too. 

Another week gone already and another month. I'm so excited about June though, I've got so many good things coming up this month. I don't want to jump ahead though so here is what my last week looked like. 30p flowers were definitely the best thrifty find of the week, it's just a pity that Mania decided to eat them while I was at work on Wednesday. What a little pain! 

Lots of wandering around the city centre yesterday, you gotta take advantage of the sun when you can round here! Sunday was pretty much the same but sticking to my area of the city, I stopped by the market and picked up some bits and bobs for the week along with snapping a photo or two.