I’ve got to say – this isn’t my favourite outfit ever, and definitely not my favourite set of outfit photos! But it was such a pretty place, and I wanted to have some more outfit photos, so you’ve got them!! I think a big aspect of my blogging is that it’s real: all my outfits really have been worn, sometimes they’re great, sometimes not so great, but that’s how things work out, this is how real people dress, and I think that’s what I love about my little blogging world – I’ve surrounded myself with the blogs of real people like me, rather than people who wear clothes just for the photos and change (they are out there, believe me!).
But anyway, I’ll talk about the outfit first, then the place =) These swan trousers are Primark, yes, Primark. Not Topshop (here) where the ever-famous ones are from (check out Charlotte’s post for a mini list of bloggers who have them!). I spotted these on the Topshop website a while ago while looking for a pair similar to the sold-out H&M floral trousers, but after spotting the £38 price tag, I immediately forgot about them. Then when these caught my eye in Primark for just £9, I couldn’t resist. Yes, they’re not as good quality as Topshop, yes, they don’t fit quite as well, but they have swans on them, and let me tell you, they are super comfortable! These have a thick elastic waist band and the material is slightly stretchy, so when I was planning an outfit for travelling the 5 hour car journey back from London after a 21st party, they seemed perfect. Comfortable and as pyjama-like as I could get away with!!
Note the no make up look here too, pretty impressed with myself for not looking too awful after the night’s ‘sleep’ (ahem, 2 hours max?!). Although I’m a bit annoyed Ben looks pretty alright in his picture despite drinking like 6 times as much as me (ok, not difficult considering I had like one glass of wine…I’m not a big drinker), but he is pointing at a non-existent flower, I must point out!
Cardigan: New Look (similar here)
T Shirt: Modcloth
Swan Trousers: Primark (Topshop ones here)
Flats: Primark
So as I mentioned, we were travelling back from London, a 5 hour journey, and after a pretty tiring night, we thought it would be a good idea to stop off somewhere. Hardwick Hall is pretty much half way for us, and actually pretty close to where we stay in the Peak District with Charley and Frankie (our plan is to return there this summer with them!). I’d looked it up before we left – it was only 5 minutes off the M1, but you wouldn’t know that once you were there, it seemed as if it was in the middle of the countryside. Since we didn’t want to be back too late, we decided to just have wander round the gardens. The drive up to the Hall itself turned out to be lovely! It was really long and through a beautiful parkland, then even before you get to the Hall and its gardens there was a lovely courtyard with small shops selling all sorts of National Trust things, cheese, meat, plants etc. All lovely old people-y type stuff that I love!! Since my parents are National Trust members we got in for free which is awesome.
There is a the newer Hall and also the Old Hall there (third picture) which is owned by English Heritage but if you’re National Trust member you can get in there free too, so I really wanted to go in there because I love really old ruined things, but Ben said we could go next time. I think if we do go in Summer, we’ll spend the whole day there because the Hall itself is pretty big, then there’s all the gardens, parkland, a lake and a mill to visit there!
The gardens were so pretty and it was lovely to stretch our legs!! I loved this mushroom tree and took loads of pictures of pretty flowers and statues, but I won’t post them or you’ll get bored!! I’ll be back soon with some proper outfit photos =D I was supposed to be at an interview for my GTP (Graduate Teacher Programme course) this morning, but I’ve been suffering with weird stomach and back pains recently and spent about 3 hours this morning laying on the bathroom floor at Ben’s house in excruciating pain. I’ve been to the Doctors this morning and saw the one there who isn’t my GP (he is so much better!); he’s referred me for an ultrasound on my gall bladder because the pain is centred under the ribs on my right hand side, and if that is normal he thinks it might be IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), but my mum has suffered terribly with that for years and it doesn’t seem to be the same, but we’ll see. Hopefully I’ll get it sorted soon!
Love,
That place looks so nice! And so do you, love those trousers! I wouldn’t be able to spot the difference between them and the Topshop ones (ok, from a distance :p) but for that price, you can’t complain! And I hope you’re feeling better soon! You seem to be in pain very often lately, hopefully they find out what’s wrong! xx
Those trousers are so cute! They totally look like the Topshop ones!
Becky
xx
http://www.beckybedbug.com
i had the same problem and they passed it off at ibs! i still get the pains too! the trousers are amazing! xx
http://www.bideyourtime.blogspot.com
I am a national trust member so I will keep Hardwick Hall in mind, thank you for mentioning it :). I love your swan print trousers, and they were such a bargain at £9! xx
Hardwick Hall is beautiful, lovely pictures. I love those trousers, I can’t believe they were £9 it makes me want to run to Primark right now!
I hope the scan is helpful and they find out what is causing you pain =(
xx
emsipop.blogspot.co.uk
I love Hardwich Hall it’s not far away from me at all! You need to go to Chatsworth! xx