History in the Heat

Now, we may have left school behind us for now, but I wouldn't say that mean we automatically have to stop learning things or being interesting in finding out something new and interesting about the part of the world we live in...
So, when we made a trip to Drumlanrig Castle, a mere hours drive away, we did so with the intention of doing just that - basking in the heat, exploring the history of our area, and possible even learning something fascinating.

It truly was magnificently hot, often a bit too much so, but we've realised you just have to make the most of it when it's here! Plus, it meant we could stroll around the gardens and have a quick reliving of our younger days in the play park, at whatever speed we wanted (ie pretty slow - still recovering from a cold here guys!)

The gardens were lovely up close, but so much lovelier from up above, all perfect lines and angles and symmetrical colour. I'd like to think if ever in my lifetime I were to own such an expanse of land it would be looked after that well, but in reality it'd probably just end up as a mess of wildflowers and overgrown weeds.

These trees/bushes were amusing; whoever decided that all a stately garden needed was a few cupcake shapes decorations definitely had the kind of sense of humour I like.

And the castle itself, so grand and impressive, can you imagine living in a place like this?

I can picture it hundreds of years ago in sunny weather just like this, practically unchanged. Sweeping gowns, constricting corsets, plenty of hands working, scrubbing, making sure it always looks its best.

Even the surrounding buildings, like the stables, were pretty, though this would be a much more recent development, with hanging baskets and clean stonework and calm resonating throughout them.

And whatever this little cabin was too caught my eye, nestled away in the unrulier parts of the gardens (probably just a toilet or shed, no need to romanticise it too much)...

The tour of the Castle itself was made interesting by a guide who clearly genuinely loved his job (it can change everything!), and we wandered the halls surrounded by endless paintings and photographs and tapestries, cordoned off from ornate furniture and bedsheets and mirrors, out of reach of glinting chandeliers and patterned ceilings. Learning about Dukes past and present, wives, pastimes, scandals.

Such fun!

(Let's Go To The)...

BEACH EACH, LET'S GO GET AWAY....

Anyway...

Sunny weather and school holidays call for inevitable beach trips in all occasions, and yesterday we set off for a relaxing evening by the sea. Now, of course we had to do things in style, and packed up not only a BBQ and all the accompaniments, but also picnic blankets, deck chairs, sandcastle gear and giant bubbles!

It was honestly so lovely to escape for a little bit, to just sit in the sun in the peace and quiet, surrounded by trees, and enjoy good food without any worries.

Even though I personally wasn't feeling very good, due to stupid summer colds which are sweeping through the house right now and a long day spent in a warm office looking at a computer screen, it turned out to be just what I needed. A little bit of time pretending the rest of the world didn't really exist and breathing in fresh salty air and filling my belly - perfecto! 

Plus, I was very eager to whip out my camera once more and snap away at the beautiful sights, because I feel like I haven't had the chance to in the longest time! I certainly wouldn't call myself a photographer in any way, but I love the focus that gazing through a camera lens gives me, like those scenes are all that really matter...

A fairly short visit, it may have been our first time to the beach this holidays, but hopefully it will by no means be the last! Maybe next time we'll even actually get in the water, and be there before the sun begins to set (although that is arguable the best time of day).

It may only have been a few hours out of normal routine, but sometimes that's all that is needed to clear your mind and find some kind of balance and calm.

There's a quote by JFK that I really like regarding  the sea, which always comes to mind in these moments:

"And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came."

She's Alive!

Yes! Indeed! I am still here (somewhere), I just haven't been very visible as of late - we all know how it is. You get an idea, it's all wonderful, then something happens and you put it off, and then again, and again, and before you know it, two months have passed and you seem to have vanished! Thankfully, the arrival of summer holidays means that blogging is edging further to the front of my brain, into the spaces left over by exams and schoolwork, all of which are now finito. (I think I'll break myself back in gently though...)

Ew, exams
Probably as little said as possible would be best in this case. In fact, there isn't even much to say about them now, it feels like such an age ago! It's only been a month since they were all over and we started our new timetables at school, but it could have been forever, really. Now I'm pushing worries about them out my mind, because I know it does no good at all, and trying to just welcome the idea that whatever happens on that results sheet in a month, happens, and it is not the end of the world.

Summer's arrival
It seems the whole world goes a bit mad as soon as the sun comes out, and we can wear our shorts and sandals, baring white legs to the world. Of course I am also a bit partial to some warm weather, even if my skin may not agree (it's the time of year where I more or less resemble a lobster 24/7)... Trips to the park, walks in the middle of nowhere, laying in the garden, it's all great!

Rainy day obsessions

Obviously, on the flip side, we have the days with the torrential downpours and weird thunderstorms, and there's been plenty of new obsessions for me to fill these things up with. Between Game of Thrones and Orange Is The New Black, both of which  have only recently got into, I've probably never watched so much TV in my life! Plus I've had plenty of time for book reading, journal writing, picture painting - all of which may slip into posts of their own in the near future!

Now what?
Well, it's the holidays, so I hope to expect lots of relaxing and fun activities, days out... Fun opportunities that give me nerves for days, days spent doing blissful nothingness, time that goes fast and slow. Places to explore, new things to try, books to absorb and words to write, that's what summer's all about right?

A Walk in the Bluebell Woods

Well its the simple things which can make a day isn't it... at least thats what was proved to me very recently, when we set off on a bleak Saturday in search of a place to stroll, and wound up at Culzean Castle (where it just so happened to be raining even harder, ick!)

Regardless, we simply popped up our hoods and down our sleeves and wandered on, first around the swan pond. Truthfully, there were probably more ducks than swans, but it was still lovely. The trail we went round wasn't even ruined by the downpour, in fact everything just appeared brighter; greener, not to mention the bluebells, which were like a thick rug on the ground, painting it with pastel shades. 

One round of the swan pond later, and the heavens seemed to close, persuading us to keep with out exploring and venture into the walled garden. With four cameras between the five of us, there were probably pauses at each beautiful flower or tree or statue, as our eyes feasted on the wild abundance of colours and textures of the nature around us.

This time of year has to be my favourite in terms of plants, due to the blossom which makes it way into every corner and inch of the gardens it grows in.

There were commemorative benches strewn about everywhere, some immaculately maintained, and some somewhat given over to the nature - the best way, I think.

It did feel much like a rainforest at times, bar the chilly moments.

Unfortunately the soup and cake we stopped for lasted too short a time to catch on camera, as boy it was well ready for, but there was time for a quick classic "Beth-on-a-weird-tree-thing" picture (so it's all good?!)

And that was that! Any previous tired moods (courtesy of moi) were banished, replaced with soggy clothes, a good dose of fresh air, and a spring in our step. Culzean really is a fantastic place just for a stroll around, even if we're yet to do so on a day without torrents of rain!...

x

Smile with Tired Eyes, Tired Minds

I don't think anyone could argue there to be many things greater in the world than a sunrise, viewed through sleepy eyes, tinted by the groggy happiness of being woken up by pink light pouring in through the window.
Now that its nearing summer, and the end of the school year, I'd like to think this will begin to happen more often, be that because I like to remain optimistic about the Scottish weather, or just because I could certainly do with that helping hand every morning to snap me out my slumber!
A sunrise (or set) is the most perfect excuse to wander round aimlessly with my camera, and recently after unexpectedly waking up early one day, I decided to pull on a hoodie and trainers with my pyjamas and do just that...

Seeing the sky in all its bright and pastel glory makes it so much easier to think positively the rest of the day, don't you think? Its as though those rosy shades seep into your brain, and suddenly you find the maybe that test, or awkward moment, or bad hair day isn't quite as bad as you initially thought! And who wouldn't want that kind of realisation?

I can only hope that whether the sun chooses to shine where you are or not, you can perhaps take a moment to enjoy the whole experience vicariously through my photos.

Meet The Elite: Met Gala 2014

I'm probably a bit late on the Met Gala bandwagon this year, but with so many dresses/accessories/style queens to consider, I wanted to make sure the ones I picked as my favourites really were the best! As an event it's something I've always been vaguely aware of in previous years - big dresses, anyone who is anyone all under one roof, it's fairly hard to go unnoticed - but this year was the first where I've actively gone and found out about it a bit more!

Basically. for anybody who is new to the whole concept, it's a highly exclusive annual ball held in New York to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Art. With the organising committee headed by the one and only Anna Wintour, it is one of the hottest events for anything and anyone with a soft spot for fashion, as lavish ball gowns are unleashed, along with extravagant hairstyles and experimental beauty. This year's theme was 'Charles James', whom I was initially clueless about, but whom, after a wee bit of digging, it appears was the British designer responsible for creating wonderful ball gowns sculpted to fully flatter the female form. Indeed, I would say that many at this year's gala paid him great tributes, and he would have been very proud. Here are just a few of my favourites...

Suki Waterhouse - definitely the most beautiful dress of the night, in my opinion, in a "totally just wrapped myself in tutus and working it" kind of way...

Karlie Kloss, not one I've seen covered very much, but so so stunning, so I can't think why! (Ugh I feel like we should just bow down to her or something!)

Model Karolina Kurkova, stealing the show in this breathtaking ensemble, unusual, but in a totally amazing way!

Shoe designer Tabitha Simmons just made me want to live in a fairytale with this dress, with my own turreted castle and private rose garden (or something equally as cliche)...

Ooh Emma Stone, you go girl! She's always on point with her style if you ask me, and whilst I did think this was quite simple considering the occasion, I couldn't really fault it!

And for the couples?...

A clear first! I dare you to find me one girl who hasn't seen these pictures of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds and just wanted to be her already! Old school glamour will never go out of style...

A close second in the couple stakes, just for sheer class, has to be Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, who showed that simplicity will always be in fashion!

On that note, I feel I can say that despite my insane jealousy, I have been thoroughly inspired. Admiring such outstanding designs only remind me why fashion matters! 

It's events like these, despite being extremely flashy and excessive, which can show the world once and for all that even when fashion isn't the most important thing in the news right now, when there's always something so much better or worse happening in the wider world, it's still something worth reporting and showing off-and enjoying! Whilst not everybody has the body to pull off a figure-hugging gown, or the cash to splash on a $25000 ticket for a one night event, there's no reason why we can't still revel in fashion and learn to build and love our own styles! If these people can go out in wild dresses and look drop dead gorgeous and inspiration, why shouldn't the rest of us have such fun too?!

In the words of the woman herself, Anna Wintour:

"Create your own style...let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others"

And we all know if Anna says it, it must be right in the eyes of fashion!

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