foiled again

Last year I wrote a post entitled 'it's only March' as we were experiencing something of a heatwave in Edinburgh around the same time, a year ago. I missed the boat and did not quite manage to get the top photograph of this post in last week, heralding the joys of Spring and its better weather. A week ago we were experiencing cracking weather and sporting sunglasses (as in the second photo down). The bottom image is of my daughter and me in snowy Edinburgh... yesterday.

the wonder of wellies

image via aigle.com

I will not bore with details of the weather. It is raining in Edinburgh. It has been raining for days, though it feels like weeks, if not months and perhaps even years. I met a friend outside her office today (in the rain), for lunch. I quickly clocked her really nice (waterproof and French), parka. I almost always dress inappropriately when it comes to the weather here and these days do not really own anything that could be called anything more than splash-proof. Which is ridiculous really, seeing as I currently live in Scotland. Anyway, this parka was not only a great hue, but stylish and cut perfectly. Aigle: not what I would have termed in the past as one of my go-to brands of choice, but the aforementioned outergarmet and their current collection has changed my mind. This is a company proud of its heritage and quality, made in France products. The website, with its nautical back stories, looks great and is totally on trend. They do a lovely line in shorts, shoes, jumpers and have even teamed up with agnès b for a range of limited edition wellies. If like me you thought differently about this lot, have a think again.

la flamme

The sun made a spectacular reappearance in Edinburgh today. And as if to mark the occasion, the Olympic Flame is winding its way round the streets of our city.

an Easter break

Ahhh, now that's better. We escaped the latest dodgy Edinburgh weather almost a week ago. Nipping across the Channel last weekend, we were just in time to hunt for eggs in the sunny garden and eat our chocolate in the peace and quiet of the Languedoc-Roussillon countryside. It has been a mixed bag weather-wise, but generally warmer than Scotland and all happy to be enjoying proper family time in our French home-from-home. The media is all over the upcoming presidential election, now days away. Good to be here at this time. Highlights of our stay so far have included the following:

- +25 degree temperatures;
- a trip to Intermarché to check out the cheese counter;
- an electrical storm at night;
- a Vacherin (the dessert, not the cheese);
- enjoying our apéritif on the terrace (Panaché , Apéricube and Crackers Belin);
- a miel and pelardon pizza from the pizza van;
- le Grand and Petit Journal on Canal +.

Simple pleasures.

return of the mitts

Goodbye blue sky, hello grey. Bye bye sunshine, hiya snow. Off go the sandals, on with the down. This has been the fastest and most dramatic weather turnaround I think I have ever seen. My watch tan line from what, all of 4 days ago, is making me think that the K Jacques St Tropez were all a dream and I had actually been in about the St Tropez tan. Scenes above are ones of Edinburgh, yesterday (today is much the same). Large balls of hail, snow, battering wind and a two and a half hour power cut. There was much watching of this little guy, Didou, below.

You Tube: Didou dessine moi un cheval

it's only March

The weather man/woman/person was a tad pessimistic a couple of days ago. No grey skies to be seen over Edinburgh, not even a single white one. Just glorious, hot, sunshine. This is the life. Pas mal. I could not let this week go by without a trace left of this weather and something to remind me of 'that amazing week in March'. The K Jacques St. Tropez are getting their first airing of 2012. I certainly did not think it would be this soon. It is still only March.

goodbye grey sky, hello blue

At least for today (though, shh, the BBC are announcing grey skys over Edinburgh for tomorrow and beyond...) Today, spring was welcomed to 2012 with some appropriate weather. Sun and warmth all round. With the clocks changing this weekend, that must surely be a cue for spending some of our hard-earned pennies? Agnès b., Parisian, chic fashion staple, has just launched her SS12 collection. Brilliant at producing classics that never seem to age, in every sense of the word, you can never go wrong with one of her shirts, jumpers or cardigans. This season, I am particularly feeling her dots and florals. But there really is something for everyone in all of her collections.

Images via agnesb.fr

blue monday

According to some, today is the most depressing day of the year. The 3rd Monday of a new year has in recent times become known as Blue Monday. Today, for several reasons, happens to have been pretty good for me. Yesterday was good, too. We went on a trip to the seaside on the first proper wintry winter day of the 2011/2012 season. Bonne Année, Bonne Santé à tous!

a storm and something savoury

That is an aerial at a jaunty angle, because it is about to be blown off a roof. There have been severe weather warnings for Scotland throughout the day and it has been particularly stormy in Edinburgh. The radio warned people to stay at home - so I did. I got my head down and made good progress on an editing deadline for next week. I also did some baking. My husband and I had a cook-off a couple of weeks ago. It was our daughter's birthday party and we decided to make some treats for our guests. One of my contributions was a cake aux olives and it went down a treat. This is what I baked again today, while the storm was raging outside.

Cake aux olives

180g flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
150g cheese (my favourites are comté, mature cheddar, cubes of blue cheese)
100ml olive oil
100ml milk
300g pitted olives (green, black or mixed)
100g nuts (optional)
salt, pepper

Preheat the oven at 180 degrees. Mix the flour with the baking powder. Separately mix the eggs, olive oil and milk. Mix altogether with the olives and cheese. Place the mixture in a loaf tin and bake for 50 min. Best left eaten slighty warm, so try to resist the temptation to eat straight out of the oven.


Source: Author's own.

here comes the summer

Image via apc.fr

Designers must be applauded for bringing out their Spring/Summer collections, in the dead of winter. This last week or so, Edinburgh has suddenly become properly cold and with it has come the ritual of layering and hat, scarf and mitt-wearing. Whilst it is chilly there right now too, I am impatient to get to France and smiled when I opened up an email from apc today. I smiled when I saw the photograph above, which looks to have been taken in the Jardin du Luxembourg, in Paris. I smiled too because it is sunny and looks warm. When the weather is good, I love sitting and lazing around in the iconic green metal chairs. I've earmarked a few pieces from the S/S 2012 collection already and have found myself wishing away the winter, already.

double rainbow

Black sky; amazing light; snow forecast on the hills; and many rainbows over Edinburgh, today. Our flying visit to France is soon. Let's hope we beat the weather this year and get there and back before Christmas.