A Polka Dot Sky

 Wearing: DIY dress, Topshop shoes

Summer is most definitely here! I'm enjoying the freedom so much. There have been lots of sunny days and already countless bicycle rides with Louis. Wimbledon is back, I'm reunited with my pals and I even managed to snap up a great job for the summer season. Even number years are always good and I can already tell that this summer is going to be a cracker. Aside from all the working and summer shindigs, I've been practicing my sewing with my new brother machine. One of my summer goals is to make at least 4 dresses and this is my first. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I spent hours in the fabric shop and finally settled on this light blue, polka dot fabric. Usually I make dresses by following a pattern and with the invaluable assistance of my mother dearest. This time, however, I was without both. Instead I followed the tutorial of The Pineneedle Collective. Her video, here,  is so helpful and well put together. I made a few alterations in places but pretty much followed all of her instructions to the tee. I'd really recommend checking her tutorials out if you are new to sewing. They have helped me save both money on patterns and time deciding what to make. Hopefully i'll have another summer dress made by the end of next week. If I stopped watching so much Once Upon a Time I'd get my sewing done a lot faster. Hope your summer is going swell! 

Loch Lomond

By yon bonnie banks an' by yon bonnie braes

Whaur the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond

Whaur me an' my true love will ne'er meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.

Chorus:

O ye'll tak' the high road, and Ah'll tak' the low road

And Ah'll be in Scotlan' afore ye

Fir me an' my true love will ne'er meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.

'Twas there that we perted in yon shady glen

On the steep, steep sides o' Ben Lomon'

Whaur in (soft) purple hue, the hielan hills we view

An' the moon comin' oot in the gloamin’.

Chorus

The wee birdies sing an' the wild flouers spring

An' in sunshine the waters are sleeping

But the broken heart it kens, nae second spring again

Tho' the waeful may cease frae their greeting.

Chorus

Last weekend was an absolute scorcher. Instead of sleeping in we took full advantage of the unusually sunny weather and caught the morning train from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch. From the station it's only a short 5 minute walk to the Loch Lomond just behind the Lomond Shores Shopping Centre. The original plan was to head from Balloch, around the Loch to Luss. Unfortunately, my walking boots and thick socks were way too uncomfortable in the summer heat for a 8 mile walk. Instead, plan B. We grabbed some lunch in Dug Cafe. I scoffed down the best chocolate cake I've had in a long time and the Eton mess cake looked so tempting. Fully fueled we set off on a shorter walk around Balloch House/Castle and it's grounds. The whole area was teaming with families, no doubt making up for the wet bank holiday just passed. We sunbathed (and got burnt), ate yummy ice cream and hummed Loch Lomond. By the end of the day I was ready for bed. Every year I forget how sleepy the sun makes me. I do wish summer siestas were a tradition here. Surely I'm not the only one who's energy is drained by the 'evil day star'?

Forth Clyde Canal

While in Glasgow for a short while, I've been exploring the area by going for runs and cycle rides. On Friday the weather was absolutely lush. It finally felt like summer and I didn't need to worry about weather waterproofs for once. Initially I set off for a short cycle ride. However, this somehow turned into a 21 mile cycle. I followed the track alongside the Forth Clyde Canal. Unlike some canals, the route was well suited to all kinds of bikes as it was fairly flat and well maintained. As you can see from the photos, it doesn't take long to escape the city's buzz and reach some stunning views of the fells to the North. I believe the canal runs the whole way to Edinburgh and I'm hoping to cycle those 60 odd miles by the end of summer. For now though, my legs need a well deserved rest.

Louis

My oh my, it has been a while. I've been deep deep in revision and exams for the past weeks and sadly everything else has taken a back seat. But now it's summer! I'm free from exams and blogging no longer counts as serious procrastination. 

As soon as exams were over, my first act of freedom was to go on a

long bicycle ride. Although the glorious weather we had when I was stuck in the library departed, it was still a fairly pleasant day. My main focus of this post is to introduce one of my greatest loves. Louis. Louis is my vintage bike. He's french, a flashing red and full of character. There are few days I don't cycle him and I honestly can't imagine not having him now. I got him at the beginning of this academic year to replace my previous bike 'rusty'. So far I've taken him on lots of adventures and this summer I'm even considering cycling him to France. Here are some photos of him and my cycle ride to Craigton Country Park. The park itself is wonderful. In the middle there is a lake with a house in which looks like something out of a fairy tale. 

If you are stuck for anything to do this summer then I encourage you to get on your bike and ride! There are so many cool places you can discover in your own town on two wheels. Hopefully I'll be able to upload some more adventures with Louis soon. 

Blazing Red

         

Wearing: Vintage shirt, Vintage Jumper, Aspire shoes, Vintage skirt

This week required some red. I had a lot of stuff to get done and wearing red made me feel prepared to attack those essays with some force. I actually took these photos a couple of days back now. A lot of the snaps came out too pink. Clearly my camera couldn't handle the drastic change in my outfit choices from all blue to pretty dang red. 

Usually, when I get dressed my choices depend on my mood. A lot of my mood in the morning is mostly influenced by the weather. If I can see that it's set to rain for a good 24 hours then I'll pick out something dark, cosy and perfect for dragging though the fields with my copy of Jane Eyre. Other times, when the sun beams through my curtains, my hand dives straight for a floral dress that will be perfect for flouncing around town. On this particular day, I knew I needed to get down to business. Wearing red always makes me feel powerful and ready to check through my to do list. Whether I manage to is another matter entirely.  

On The Rocks

Wearing: Vintage shirt, blazer and skirt, Regatta coat and Topshop shoes

Blue is with beyond doubt my favourite colour to wear. I have numerous blue ribbons, navy shirts, baby blue knits and even my pale blue practical waterproof. Over the years, my wardrobe has become almost completely full of blue items. Once I was on a trip with some random people and I remember a girl complaining about how much she hated black and navy being put together in an outfit. Black and navy is my go to. As I've grown up I seem to have become a lot darker in my choice of shades but always stuck with blue being at the core. To me, blue and black are classy. I'm sure as the summer months creep in, as they are even up here in Scotland, I'll add some warmer colours to my outfits. For now though, I'm quite happy camouflaging into the bright blue sea and chilly azure skies. 

Shepherd's Delight

Wearing: Vintage Blazer, Forever21 Dress, Hunter wellies, Vintage hat, New Look Scarf

I've always had a fascination with the sky and clouds. I guess it's part of the reason I'm studying geography. I love the way it alters so quickly and is constantly on the move. It truly boggles me when there is a super lush sunset and people don't take a even a short moment to take it in. The other day, there was a stunning pink sky dying over the horizon. Despite my protests, my pals refused to come with me to see it. After grabbing my camera is had almost died out but I see got to enjoy most of it. Most often I'm able to catch the sunset and take a stroll on the beach. This year I'd like to greet the sunrise more. Unfortunately that would involve me getting up in the wee hours of the day and ,for a night owl like myself, that would be prove extremely testing. Alas, I'll set 11 alarms and it will happen.