I have a lot of work to do this afternoon. Those mines aren't going to sweep themselves.

Evening all, happy weekend! I hope you've all been having a good one. I have had a good weekend - the weather has been beautiful and I've been doing lots of fun, restful, weekendy things. It's good because last week was a little bit on the stressful side of things. Well, not exactly stressful but it was certainly not my best week. The transition into the civil service is not easy on my team and my usually quite upbeat colleagues are clearly feeling the strain. Everyone is too stressed to even comfort eat, which is very telling. When the closure of our organisation was announced last May, there were cakes everywhere but this feels sort of different. It's small potatoes as far as problems go, I know, but it's been a tough week. Added to that I've been feeling restless. I always feel this way after I've had some time away - that it's so nice not to have to engage with my everyday life, it's really hard to get back into it. All week I felt that I needed a really good cry, and thankfully the very sad final episode of Treme's first season obliged. I don't want to inadvertently spoil anyone, but something very sad happens and I felt better after having a good old cry over it.

Thankfully the rest of my week picked up a bit after that. On Thursday Nic and I went to meet Kate and Evelina for a coffee after work, followed by a drink with Lysy and The Scientist. You shouldn't underestimate the healing power of friends and wine!

I was in the office on Friday. I usually work from home but until the new IT systems are ironed out I'm office bound on the Friday and it sort of sucks. It could have been worse, though, and as the sun was shining when I got back into Leamington, Nic met me at the station and we went for a walk in the park.

Ponte dress from Dorothy Perkins and Converse trainers

Fridays in the office are a bit more casual, hence the trainers. It was a bit warm for tights, but the stupid trainers always rub if I don't. I'm pretty pleased with this dress - it was an impulse buy from the sale rail and, happily, it rang through £3 cheaper than the ticket price. It's comfortable and has sleeves, but I think the contrast between the cream of the yoke and my actual skin looks a bit strange. Still, I'll take it for a comfortable work frock - it looks good with heels, too.

The flat was in a total mess after a busy week, so Nic and I spent Saturday morning cleaning before heading out into the sunshine to walk to Warwick. It was such a beautiful day and we took a detour on our walk and ambled along enjoying ourselves. We were even able to have our lunch outside, in the churchyard at St. Nicholas Church. I had a wee gift to pick up, and we wandered around the town centre looking in the charity shops. The fair was on, which made Warwick a totally different place to normal - but it was a good day out all the same.

St Nicholas Churchyard

The walkway behind St Mary's Church - wearing my River Island apple dress and Swedish Hasbeens

Outside St John's House, we're going to go back soon to properly explore this lovely building

Saturday evening I cracked open the bottle of champagne D gave me for my birthday, and Nic and I watched some Cagney and Lacey, and enjoyed the happy tiredness you get after a long walk in the sunshine.

Today has been very quiet - nothing more exciting than coffee and cake with friends and a bit of writing, and fairly soon we're off to the pub for some live music.

Fever Cezanne side lace dress and Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Lady Dragon shoes

I can't remember if I have saved these shoes or not, but although I have worn them I'm not sure I have. So now they're definitely saved, and that's a good thing. I'm feeling a bit short on words this evening, so I'm going to sign off here and go to the pub. Have a good evening, my lovelies x