Sun, Sandals and a Very Large Fountain.

So, this week it has been Summer! I have spent large chunks of time trying to stay as cool as possible (which ended in a fantastic purchase of some spotty wide leg trousers in the New Look sale.) A lot of money has been spent on various cold drinks, and my sun cream stocks are finally starting to run low!

One of my favourite places to take the kids (all 75 of them) on days like these is Chatsworth House. The stately home is only an hour away from Nottingham and is incredibly beautiful. I must confess that I haven't actually been inside, the two times I have visited I have headed straight to the Gardens because they are far too beautiful to add as an afterthought!

This is my favourite place to sit in the grounds, you get covered in a light spray from the fountain (a god send when it's so stupidly hot!)
There are plenty of places that deserve an honourable mention however:

The Cascades are beautiful (and fun to walk up). They are a series of steps made by a French architect, each one is a different size so that the water produces different sounds.

The whole place is lovely, definitely worth a visit if you ever get the chance (and have a good day to do it on.)

This week I have also been spending large chunks of my free time in Lush. Their new range of not-make-up is fascinating. The colours I have tried  have extreme staying power (Calm as eyeliner: two days, three trips to Nottingham, one shower. Ambition as Lipstick: one very long coach ride back from London, multiple drinks, a shower and a meal.) but also manage to retain their colour (I am sick of things fading stupidly fast.) However, the most impressive thing about their make up range is their foundation. I tried a bit of it and lo and behold, IT MATCHED MY SKIN. Finally, I have found a foundation that is as pale as me. Gone are the days of "this will definitely be pale enough for you, maybe even paler!"........ "Oh.." Jubilation! If only I could afford it, ho hum.