'Beach hut Jangle's' by Cobby31

Photo credit: Cobby31 on Flickr

I probably should have posted this a couple of days ago but... Hello April! So far it has been a good month and the rest of it looks set to be rather busy. The school holidays started today which I am so pleased about. I am exhausted and whilst I know I won't exactly be putting my feet up got two weeks I will appreciate the change of routine. Hopefully we'll also get a few lazy mornings.

April is also an exciting month because it's my birthday. I was feeling quite bummed about turning 37 but I have realised I have so many friends turning 40 this year without complaining. I really shouldn't be fussed about 37! And I must mention a much more important birthday this month. My little boy will be turning two. Whilst I am a bit sad that this means a definite end to the baby years I am actually more excited because two is such an amazing age. There will be so much fun stuff he and I can get up to together.

So let me wish you a happy weekend and a happy Easter holidays if you are off on them too. I will leave you with this lovely photo. I don't think I need to explain why I love it. It's a beach hut that is just all kinds of pretty. A perfect photo to kick off what I hope will be a wonderful Easter.

'My Britmums Live photo that has nothing at all to do with Britmums!' by Me

My Britmums Live photo that has nothing at all to do with Britmums!, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

So this weekend I went to BritMums Live and I can honestly say it was amazing. I wanted to write this post yesterday but spent the day just processing the whole thing in my head. This was my first blogger conference and I think it’s fair to say the whole thing was rather overwhelming but totally inspiring. I met some amazing, inspirational, talented and genuinely lovely people.

I have no idea exactly how to write this so I thought I would go with the bullet points I jotted down in my notebook on the way home on the train. So in no particular order here are my thoughts on the conference.

Not all of the sessions felt particularly relevant to me or my blog but I loved the two photography ones I attended. I am now in love with iphoneography thanks to a great presentation by Richard Gray so expect a few Smartphone pictures to appear here in the future.

My last post was all about decluttering. Well that’s all gone out of the window thanks to the massive amount of freebies I brought home with me. Seriously I must have looked a sight carrying so much stuff through London. I was close to getting myself stuck in the barriers of the tube station at one point.

Bloggers are amazing people and I wish I’d met more of them and been a bit more vocal. Because I’m a tad on the shy side and it felt like no one had really heard of me (having an anonymous blog doesn’t help with this) I didn’t really make as many new friends as I would have hoped. I’m much harder to shut up on Twitter though so I’m sure I will chat with people from the weekend on there instead.

I got a feeling not a lot of people actually read my little blog but that’s fine. I honestly do blog just for me and if anyone else reads this it’s a bonus. I did give out a few business cards though so hopefully a few people will come over here for a visit.

I missed my family like crazy, especially my two children as it was the longest I’ve ever been apart from them. I definitely got the “me time” I’ve been craving for a while though which was fantastic.

There were some fantastic speakers. Katy Hill is hilarious. I love her openness and the way she is a self-confessed over-sharer. I will definitely be following her new blog. And Katie Piper is an inspirational woman. I met her when she signed her book and thought she was lovely.

And finally this weekend was really special for me as I got to finally meet my good friend Heather from Stay at Home Mum Loving It. We’ve been friends for a while now but had never actually met until this weekend. And I am pleased to report that she’s just as lovely in real life as she is online! It feel like we’ve know each other forever and I’m sure we’ll be friends for life. I now need to convince her to come and move to the south east of England as we live just too damn far apart.

I had no idea what photo to put with this but I figured it should really be one of mine. I hardly took any pictures at the event itself so here is a picture of beach huts in Cornwall. I figure this might be the first post some people read of mine so I should make it known from the start that if you follow my blog there will be beach huts!

'The gap' by woodmaniroc

The gap, a photo by woodmanlroc on Flickr.

I've been watching the best ever programme on TV recently and am so sad it was the last in the series tonight. It's called George Clarke's Amazing Spaces and it's about making places to work, live or relax in very small spaces. I am fascinated by things like this. I can't say I'd liketo actually live in a tiny space like that - I've done my time living in bedrooms and little flats over the years - but i woud love a little place of my own to hang out in. This programme has made me really, really, really want a beach hut. I think I will definitely buy one when I win the lottery (note to self: start playing the lottery).

I love the colours in this beach hut photo. So sharp and clear and the light is perfect. It's really not helping me get over this beach hut obsession of mine!

'Southwold Beach' by katlightner

Southwold Beach, a photo by katlightner on Flickr.

I'll tell you what I've been neglecting over the past few months - my Polaroid camera. I was so excited to finally get one that worked but I think a combination of things has made me lose interest a bit. Firstly, my son was born and he's been keeping me very busy. In fact I don't take as many photos as I used to with any camera, not just the Polaroid, I simply don't have the time! Actually that's a bit of a lie. I am still taking A LOT of photos. They're just mainly of my children. And secondly I finally got onto Instagram and it's kind of filling that instant photography section of my life. I know it's not the same at all though so I really need to pull my finger out and get good at taking Polaroids. First step is buying some more film.

This is the photograph that inspired this post. It's a lovely example of that lovely warm vintage feel you get with a Polaroid photo. And of course it's Southwold beach with beach huts do what's not to love. In fact Southwold was the very first place I took a Polaroid photo. Unfortunately I was extremely disappointed with the results. Hopefully one day I'll go back and get it right.

'Victoria & Albert' by Gillsphotos

Victoria & Albert, a photo by Gillsphotos on Flickr.

It's been so long since I've taken any beach hut photos myself so I'll just have to keep enjoying other peoples's. Here is one that particularly caught my eye. There are so many things to love about this image. The names for a start are really cute. Nicely done by the owners and well spotted by the photographer. I like the contrasting colour of these two huts as they are just so different even though the names suggest these are a matching pair. I was also really taken by the little details in the photograph such as the sightless wonky angle of the black and white hut and also check out the contrasting clouds in the sky. It looks like a lovely sunny day but is there actually a storm brewing?

'Cliff Top Beach Huts and Misty Contship' by Lizziefrog

Cliff Top Beach Huts and Misty Contship, a photo by Lizziefrog on Flickr.

I just had to share this picture with you tonight as I think it's rather amazing for many reasons. Firstly, it's a picture of beach huts so I'm definitely going to be drawn to it. It's fascinating though. Why are there beach huts perched on top of a cliff like this. Where is the actual beach? I also think the composition of this is really good. I love the beach huts on one side and the beautiful blue sea on the other. And I also want to mention the light as that's gorgeous too. What beautiful early morning sun. I could sit staring at this picture for ages but how amazing and peaceful would it be to see this scene for real.

'Beach Huts (Again!)' by ChrisDale

Beach Huts (Again!), a photo by ChrisDale on Flickr.

I can't believe it's April already. This year seems to be going so quickly. So far the month has started well. We got loads ticked off that 'To Do' list I was telling you about (and added some more jobs along the way). And today my husband took a spontaneous day off work which was fantastic as we got to have a lovely family day in the sun! I've been expecting bad weather all weekend so when yesterday and today were still sunny and nice they felt like bonus days!

Anyway, as is often the case at the moment, here is a photo which has nothing to do with what I've just been telling you about. I just wanted to share this as I think it's brilliant. Love the moodiness of it with the grey skies and the rather shabby looking beach huts. I am sure they look much more exciting on a sunny day but here they do look rather unloved and weatherbeaten. I also love how different they all are and how a couple of them look like sheds! I've realised they also look a bit out of place on grass rather on the actual beach. This just proves that I love beach huts and photos of them whatever state they're in and whatever the weather is like!

'Blythe beach in the snow' by Swaffs

Blythe beach in the snow, a photo by Swaffs on Flickr.

Apparently it's meant to snow again tonight. In fact it could be snowing right now - I just haven't got the energy to move to the window to have a look. As much as I really enjoyed playing in the snow on Sunday, I can't say I'll be overly impressed if we do get more as it's only just started melting from last weekend. I wouldn't normally be such a grump about the snow but the pavements have been so icy this week and as I'm pregnant I'm extra worried about falling over.

Oh well, I guess it means more excuses for lovely snowy photos and this one is fabulous. Love that it's a snowy beach and love the bright colour of the beach huts against the crisp white snow. I think the thing that makes it's most striking is the perspective and how the lines of the huts and the fence meet up.

Right, I'm off to look out of the window as I have a feeling it might have actually started snowing since I starting writing this post!

'A different angle' by Me

A different angle, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

I love blogging, I really do. It's not just about my own blog - I also adore reading other people's. I've said here before how great it is to have had the chance to "meet" so many amazing and inspitational people. I also love that blogs are full of things that people love and make them smile. That's what I try to do with my blog anyway. I want it to be a sanctuary away from all the stresses and strains of life (and this week's been quite a stressful one). I also think that blogs are written by people who love life. Even if they are having a hard time and feeling negative they still love life enough to get to a keyboard and blog in an attempt to feel better.

Today's picture is therefore something I love. Beach huts - suprise, surprise. This one's from the last summer in Southwold just newly edited. I like the different angle this was taken from. I was down on the beach below, in case you were wondering. Not lying on the ground!!

Happy weekend everyone!

'Steam and Beach Hut at Goodrington Sands' by Matt McNulty

Steam and Beach Hut at Goodrington Sands, a photo by Matt McNulty on Flickr.

On Friday, if you recall, I posted a rather sad looking photo of beach huts that I took in Devon last week. Well in interests of fairness I thought I'd show you an image of how fantastic Goodrington Sands can look. I mean a beach with beach huts and steam trains - no wonder I was a teeny bit excited to be staying there (although I did know that the trains don't run at this time of year). I love this picture because the train looks beautiful, the huts are colourful and the sky is bluer than blue. I think we may end up going for another visit one of these days!

'Packed up for winter' by Me

Packed up for winter, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Apologies for this photo. I usually like to start the weekend with something bright and happy but I just had to share this one with you. Earlier this week we had to make a trip down to Devon. We were staying at a place called Goodrington Sands in Paignton and must admit I got a little bit excited when I found out that there were going to be beach huts there! However, when we got there this is what I discovered. The huts have obviously been packed up for winter and were being stored in a nearby car park! How terribly sad. If I had a beach hut I'd be there all the time summer or winter. Anyway, ever the dedicated beach hut photographer I thought I'd take a few snaps anyway, just to let them know they were still loved.

Happy weekend everyone - I hope your weekend isn't as cold and lonely as this picture looks.

'4 Days in Southwold 26' by vintage 1953 & wackymoomin

4 Days in Southwold 26, a photo by vintage 1953 & wackymoomin on Flickr.

Eleven days into 2012 and I've not posted a beach hut photo yet. Let's change that now. I love this one. I think it looks really bold and dramatic. Great colours, great compostion and fantastic lighting. That sky is really beautiful and so well captured too. Really puts me in the mood for a spot of beach hut photographing myself.

'mersea in the snow' by Jo Ingate

mersea in the snow, a photo by Jo Ingate on Flickr.

When I went to Southwold I thought I'd reached my beach hut heaven but then I saw photos of these huts in Mersea, Essex. They are just so pretty.

I've decided to share this particular photo with you as it's so striking. I love the bright blue sky, the blinding white snow and the pretty pastels. It looks like something from another planet. Well something from a different country at least. It definitely doesn't look like a winter day in the UK.

Now, how do I break it to my husband that we need to be going on another little beach hut adventure soon?

'Beach huts in blue' by Me

Beach huts in blue, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

As you may or may not have noticed I've not posted in a while, that's because I've been off on my travels in Suffolk. Yes, I did it! I finally visited Southwold and I must admit I did actually squeal a little bit with delight when we arrived. The beach huts were as awesome as I'd hoped. And what made it even more amazing was that a lot of them were being used so I got to have a nosy inside. They are really cool. Most of them were really big so there was space for a bit of a kitchen and seating area. In fact I've lived in flats with smaller kitchens that some of these beach huts.

As can you imagine I took rather a lot of photos. Busy sorting through them now and will share more with you soon but here is one which was instantly a favourite. In fact I am thinking of getting it made into a print for my bathroom.

'beach huts' by Hamish1979

beach huts, a photo by Hamish1979 on Flickr.

I generally like to blog something different each day but today I'm afraid I'm going to show you another Southwold photo because it's rather lovely. I love the beautiful light as the sunrises. It shines on these stunning beach huts as they are all lined up ready for a day of action by the seaside. They do kind of look like they are lined up ready for battle - except of course there can't be much of battle needed to chill out in a beach hut by the sea.

Happy weekend one and all. I hope it's a beautiful one.

'Brighton brighton brighton' by trembly1

Brighton brighton brighton, a photo by trembly1 on Flickr.

It was sunny today so my little girl and I decided on a trip to Brighton. We had lunch, played on the beach, then did a spot of shopping. The highlight for me was probably having a look in a camera and photography shop which I've walked past so many times before but never actually gone in. It was fantastic and it's really made me think some more about getting an instant camera of some sort. It was nice to chat and get some advice from someone who obviously had a lot of knowledge on that type of camera.

If I did get a polaroid style camera then I could go down to Brighton and take photos like this. What I love about polaroids is the gritty realness you get. It also means you have to work to find beauty in every day things and look for places that are really interesting. I love this beach hut photo because it's so retro and "real". It's an interesting contrast to all the bright and pretty beach hut photos you see.

Right, better get researching. I've asked on here before but any more advice and opinions on the subject are most welcome.

'holiday ghosts' by friendlydragon

holiday ghosts, a photo by friendlydrag0n on Flickr.

I love this beach hut photo because it's got beach huts in it obviously but that's not the only reason. I love the old postcard effect and it works so well here. I can really believe it was an old picture stuck on someone's wall somewhere. I also love the light. Even though there are all the vintage tones it still feels like a bright sunny day. One thing that does confuse me a bit though is that the photographer has labelled this as a sad and melancholic image where as I don't really see it that way. I think my perception of it is more of old but loved beach huts waiting for the summer so they can be enjoyed again after the long winter months. What do you think? Is this a happy or sad photo?

'Beach huts' by ania115

Beach huts, originally uploaded by ania115.

I am so tired today. Unfortunately I can't blame a child waking up or a crazy night out - I just went to bed too late last night and when I did I tossed and turned for hours unable to sleep. Usually I'm OK with late nights like that but for some reason I'm wiped out today. Anyway that means I shall be posting this then heading off to bed.

I still have so many things to do but they'll have to wait until tomorrow apart from tell you how lovely this photo is. I love beach huts and beach hut photos and this one is really intresting. I love that there are only a few colours in it as they all work perfectly together. I love the vintage tones - it makes it feel like it was taken in the 70s. My favourite thing though is all the shapes and sizes of the beach huts. I am so fascinated I want to go there right now and see what they look like in real life. Unfortunately I'm a little sleepy so maybe I'll got another day.

'beach hut' by Donnah Whittaker

beach hut, originally uploaded by Donnah Whittaker.

Yes I know, more beach huts..... but how could I resist this lovely photo. These pastel colours are just so pretty and don't they like just look so excellently cared for. The best bit of course is the old man sitting in front of one of them. He cycled there just to sit at his beach hut on what looks like a not that warm day. That's just so 'British' and I love it! I hope he was having a relaxing time.

And of course as it's Friday I'm going to wish you all a wonderful weekend! Hope it's filled with lots of fun things and hopefully a little bit of sunshine!

'Herne Bay beach huts' by Me

Herne Bay beach huts, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

We visited Herne Bay in Kent this weekend and I must admit I was rather excited about doing a bit of beach hut and general beach photography. I left my husband and daughter playing on the pebbles and wandered off down the beach to see the beach huts. If you look really carefully you can see them in this photo.

I was a bit frustrated that the weather wasn't so good - especially as the sun only went and came out shortly after we left - but I think I got some shots that were OK. I'm showing you this one as it shows you some of the beach huts I got stupidly excited about. I also love the fact that if you take a camera to the beach in winter you can take lots of lovely photos without trying to avoid anyone playing frisbee or sunbathing. Although saying that there was actually someone else loitering by the beach huts with a camera when I got there!

Anyway, hope you like this photo. I'll show you another one later in the week.