'St Ives' by Me

Photo credit: PhotoPuddle on Flickr

This summer we went on holiday to Cornwall. It was our second holiday there and I loved it just as much as I did when went last year. In fact I think I fell in love with it even more. I hope we can manage another break away down there next year. It's hard to explain why exactly but the place has really captured my heart. It's still in England but feel like a million miles away. It's just so beautiful and I love the relaxed atmosphere. As you can imagine I took one or two photos so I had better start sharing them here. Here is Porthminster Beach at St Ives. It is such a lovely sandy beach I could stay there all day. Sigh... Cornwall I miss you...

'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.

'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!

'View from the Brighton Wheel' by Me

View from the Brighton Wheel, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

In a previous post I showed you a photo I took of the Brighton Wheel which we went on at the weekend. Well today I thought I would show a view from the top. I have always loved aerial photos of beaches - especially ones with lots of coloured beach umbrellas - but I never thought I'd get the chance to actually take one of my own. I am really pleased with this one. I have enhanced the colour and contrast to make it a very bold and summery photo but to be honest in my eyes this was what the beach looked like. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the sea was green. We've not had a lot of days like that this summer so it's good to make the most of them when they happen!

'Le temps des vacances' by telomi

Le temps des vacances, a photo by telomi on Flickr.

Hello again weekend, lovely to see you. It's been a busy and not completely unstressful week which was a shame because I was on such a high after last weekend. Barbecues, great friends and The Olympics - how could it not have been brilliant? Anyway, hopefully this weekend will be just as fantastic. We're hoping to squeeze in a little trip to the beach. That's got to be a mood lifter surely.

I love this beach picture. It's so simple but there is still loads going on in it. And the delicate colours work so well here.

Happy weekend everyone!

'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?

'Happiness is... (II)' by Fabiana Gauto Photography

Happiness is... (II), a photo by Fabiana Gauto Photography on Flickr.

So, what are you up to this weekend? Not sure what we're doing yet as it depends on the weather but I think some kind of family day out is in order. I had hoped that by the middle of May it would be picnic weather but that doesn't seem to be the case sadly.

I've chosen this photo today as I think relaxing on the beach would be a great way to spend the weekend. Also I really love this beach umbrella, it's so pretty. I also love how it matches the sky so well. The final thing to note is the people paddling in the sea. A really cute little detail that brings something special to the picture.

Happy weekend everyone!

'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!

'Father and daughter on the beach' by Me

Father and daughter on the beach, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

It's Mother's Day here in the UK today. I have had a lovely day being spoiled by my little girl and my husband. I really am a very lucky lady. And being a mother really is the best thing I could have ever done. I love my daughter so very much it's scary. Just can't wait to meet my new baby now and continue the journey as a mum of two.

Here is a [photo I which I think is appropriate for today - my husband and daughter playing on the beach together. I really like this picture. They really look like they're doing some serious pebble throwing!

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful mothers out there. Hope you've had a great day too.

'Ben & Jerry's' by C a r o l i n e ♥

Ben & Jerry's, a photo by C a r o l i n e ♥ on Flickr.

There is no reason behind posting this photo tonight other than I just saw it and it made me smile. I love photos with these kind of colours and tones. I also love beaches and I must say I rather like ice cream too. (I scoffed a yummy Mars Bar ice cream today in about three bites but that's another story). Oh to be on a beach eating Ben and Jerry's right now. Sigh....

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

'The sparkle of the sea' by Me

The sparkle of the sea, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Whenever I'm at the beach on a sunny day I think the sun shining on the sea is so beautiful. Of course I always try and capture it in a photo but it never seems to come out as I hope it would. I had another go on Brighton beach the other weekend and you know what, for once I'm actually quite pleased with the results. What do you think? Have I captured the sparkle of the sea? If not, any good tips for getting it right?

'Brighton seagulls' by Me

Brighton seagulls, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

So how was your weekend? Mine was pretty good actually, especially yesterday when we went down to Brighton for the afternoon with a friend. After the week we'd been having weatherwise I was starting to wonder if we were making a bit of a mistake heading to the coast but it was a beautiful day. It was chilly of course but nowhere near as freezing as I thought it would be. In fact we sat on the beach for ages and only left because we were getting hungry and felt in need of pizza.

I wasn't actually planning on taking many photos really as I always take so many down in Brighton but as the weather was so beautiful I found it hard to resist. I love this one of the seagulls just hanging out with West Pier in the background. I made the colours look a little bit retro too and I think it works quite well.

'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!

'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.

'339/365' by soulman53

339/365, a photo by soulman53 on Flickr.

I know "It's my blog and I'll post if I want to" but I do feel a bit bad about not posting very regularly at the moment. You see for me this is meant to be a pretty much daily blog but that little thing called life has once again been inconsiderately getting in the way. I have been having a good week though which is included my 20 week baby scan and a rather fun Christmas party. Lots of other fun stuff coming up in the run up to Christmas too. In fact I can't believe Christmas is only a couple of weeks away now. This means I must try and find some beautiful festive photos to share with you, and try and take some of my own. This year's personal challenge is to try and get some lovely ones of fairy lights.

In the mean time though, here is a wonderful picture of one of my favourite places - Brighton. I just love the light of that beautiful morning sky. And even though it was taken this month it doesn't look that cold. In fact it makes me want to go an take a stroll on the pier right now. Perhaps with a an extra few layers on though. And a hat. And a scarf. And a few pairs of gloves!

Happy weekend everyone!

'Under the pier' by Me

Under the pier, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Here's another photo from our lovely day trip to Eastbourne a few weeks ago. I have always wanted to take an under the pier shot and it was so accessible here that I just had to go under and take a few snaps. I love how there's so much going on. So many beams and legs holding it up. I guess there'd have to be really but when you're walking along a pier you don't really think about what's under it. I think this photo works best in black and white too. I think it looks dramatic and interesting.

'Seaside buckets' by Me

Seaside buckets, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Here's another photo I took on the beach in Swansea last month. I love taking photos like this, that aren't set up at all. I was just sitting on the sand, saw these buckets and though that would make a nice picture. And it did!

I had been planning to use this photo in a post this week about how it was really starting to feel like September now and how it'd been raining lots but I've been a bit surprised by the weather this week. In general it's been rather lovely. Today was particularly beautiful. In fact the weather was warmer and sunnier today than the day I took this photo and that was August. Fingers crossed for a few more lovely days like this before autumn arrived for real.

'Starlings Swarming over West Pier' by tommy martin

Starlings Swarming over West Pier, a photo by tommy martin on Flickr.

I remember West Pier in Brighton before the fire that pretty much destroyed it. I just don't have any great memories of it as it was just some place I took for granted in Brighton. Just something that was there. I wish I'd taken more time to admire it like I do now. I still think West Pier is beautiful. The remains are so fascinating.

I think this is a great picture of the pier before the fire. Gorgeous isn't it? I love the light but my favourite bit is the starlings. Watching them swarm like that is such a surreal and awesome sight. They used to continue to fly like that around the remains. I don't know if they still do. In fact one day I sat on the beach for about an hour just watching these birds. Totally spectacular.

Apologies to people who've never been to Brighton and don't know what I'm going on about. I hope you can still appreciate this lovely photo. If you ever get a chance to visit you really should.