I just want to lie on the beach and eat hot dogs. That's all I've ever wanted.

Evening darlings! It's been a very busy few days at work and at home. I've become involved in a really interesting project at work, but the time we have to complete it is very short so it's panic stations, the last few days have been really busy and next week will be too. As I said in my last blog post, it's nice not to be bored out of my mind! We've also been planning out - or rather, trying to plan out the next few years' work and that's a bit mind-blowing, to be honest. So while the past few days have been interesting and stimulating, I have to admit that they have also been emotionally quite trying.

It's been a while since I got all introspective on yo asses, and I promise I won't go on too much. I promise there's a nice dress and some shoes further down the page! Maybe it's the heat and the resulting lack of sleep combined with work, but I've had a fretful few days. I get like this - when one thing is unsettling me then everything else comes crowding in too. It's okay, but I suppose it's at times like this that I realise that the things that led me to becoming so ill last year will still take time to resolve. And some of them are still only becoming clear to me now. The more time passes the better I feel about it, and more in control of my feelings as well. I just keep discovering bits of shrapnel here and there, I guess! I don't mean to be vague - this stuff is too personal and too boring, even, to go into here. But it's just that I've been in a rum old mood these past few days.

Anyway, like I said, things have been busy at home too. Nic is working hard now in the evenings as well and I've been keeping busy too. I've been working on my Sewaholic Lonsdale dress - I'm not sure if I'm going to stick rigidly to the sewalong but I am taking my time with it. It's really too warm to be spending too much time over a hot iron, but I'm enjoying it. Sewing is therapeutic for me, especially when it's being accompanied by a bit of singing and dancing along with my Kate Bush records!

Nic met me at the station after work today and we had a little walk in the sunshine, which was bliss after a whole day spent in front of my computer. Our postie had called early this morning, so I had a new pair of shoes to prance around in today.

Red Herring floral dress with a belt from Accessorize, Ness Ebony Bluebell bag and Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Lady Dragon shoes

I bought this dress when I was at home in Northern Ireland and, although it's a little big on me in the bodice, I just love the print and the colours. I confess, having seen it on Lauren a few weeks before going home, I was thrilled to find it in the Craigavon branch of Debenhams.

My new Lady Dragon shoes don't match the dress but I don't care. They arrived this morning just as I was leaving for work and I wanted to put them straight on. I'm cool like that. I'll save these for a shoe challenge when I've considered my ensemble more carefully.

Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Lady Dragon shoes. I want them in every colour, no exaggeration.

Nothing new to add in the caption to this one. If I look tired it's because I'm tired!

This evening I've been doing a bit more sewing, a wee bit of writing and even some baking! Nic and I are putting our foraged blackberries to tasty use. The cake is ready to come out of the oven, so I'm going to pour myself a glass of wine and relax with an episode of The X-Files. I'll see you all soon, my loves.