As the summer is almost officially at an end, (Was it just me or did the temperature drop last night to reveal an autumn chill?) I wanted to make sure I have posted all our summer adventures.

The trouble with taking a mammoth amount of photos all the time, is it takes so long to choose your favourites. 

This week is going to be emotional. We have lost Sammy's precious dog dog (he held him out of the car window he says) and although we have managed to get through 2 nights without him, I am dreading a bad dream night. My sister is returning to work full time today, my big boy will be wearing a pair of school shoes, my small boy will be heading to pre school, without the security of his big brother, and my family will be united around the globe, to support each other through something personal and private.

I know lots of people couldn't imagine taking a good few hundred photographs on a weekend away, but everyone is a memory for me. Digital cameras were invented to give us all the ability to click away to our heart's content. 

If you ever get a chance to visit Honfleur, snap it up! And if you don't, I hope these photos will make you feel as though you were there! 

I felt so inspired in Honfleur, inspired by the food, the flowers, the vintage brocante shops, brimming with French goodies, the architecture, the people and oh my days, by the beautiful b and b we stayed in. You can see my post on where we stayed here.

On the ferry ride home to Portsmouth, I scribbled down ideas, lots of which you will see over the next month or so. 

This summer has taught me so many life lessons. That your family, your health and happiness are priceless. 

Sometimes I think we should slow our lives down, I've even said it to friends out loud over the last couple of days, inspired by their relaxed way of life. But it's just not in our nature. We live almost every moment to the max, and for us, that's the magic.  

This week has been full of food. Food and photographs. 

I have been completely inspired this week to conquer my foodie fears and, wait for it, I have finally baked my first cake. 

It's a cracker. I can't wait to share it on Friday! 

We are heading off for our family home in Southbourne for a whole week with my sister, her husband and our little niece! A week of cuddles, beach hut bbq's, hopefully swimming in the sea and wine!

It's been nearly 4 years since our last week's holiday with The Broadleys, and then there were only 2.  

I can't wait to share Yasmin lu's first holiday. That will be every family member who has had their first holiday in the flat we adore, at Southbourne Sands. 

Thank you Granny and Grandpa. We love you and miss you.

I'll be blogging a little, so do check back in for some photos of happy family times, delicious food and French wonders. 

Happy last week of the school holidays everyone! 

After an eventful evening on the night before my birthday, (you can see why here) we spent the day shooting daggers across the swimming pool to each other. My sister in law really spoilt me with a beautiful breakfast and we spent the day drinking cocktails, sunbathing and playing in the pool.

Fortunately, the angry fog started to clear, albeit slowly, and after a delayed present opening, for when my brother arrived home from work, we ended the day on a better note, with a our first taste of barbequed Jersey corn and ice cream cake! I had some wonderfully thoughtful gifts which I will share later this week. Ever wanted to make your own Bokeh? Well then make sure you check back in.

The next day we headed off to New York for our first real family city adventure.

The boys were giddy at the station platform and chatted to anyone and everyone who would listen! The train takes just over an hour, and that whizzed by.

We arrived at Penn Station and walked through the flower district. Tiny shops that were like narrow tunnels, bursting with every kind of beautiful flower you can imagine. Potted palm trees lined the streets and as it was 11.30am, the real hustle and bustle of the early morning buyers had died down and we could enjoy a leisurely stroll, peeking into a few of the shops and wishing I could take them all home! I got a little obsessed with the purple varieties and the succulents, oh the succulents I want some!

We wandered up to the Flat Iron building and gave the boys the history of the Empire State building. The history they wanted to hear about it featuring in a Ghostbusters movie!  

We were so impressed with the new pedestrianised areas. In fact this article shows you exactly what I mean. We have only ever visited the city in the Winter, but in Summer it has a glorious, relaxed atmosphere. Still buzzing, but in a happier way! Less pushing at street crossings and generally everyone seemed more friendly.

Then we found the shop of my dreams. The shop we didn't make it so when we came in February, you can see what fun we had without the boys here, that is featured in one of our favourite guides City Notes. 

May I present to you the wonder that is Fishs Eddy.  A family owned, single store in the heart of Manhattan.

I know - can you imagine how I reacted when we walked in! 

A mix of vintage (and I mean proper, scream because its so lovely, vintage) pieces and modern ceramics. Coloured mason jars, vintage crockery and airline cutlery. There is a dedicated area for trade enquiries (that's actually where I first saw one of their preserve glasses in the flesh, in a restaurant uptown) and gift registry. 

The attention to detail in the shop displays is incredible and one of my favourite details was this bench outside the front door! 

We decided that the day in New York City needed to be about the boys and not about racing around as many sights as possible. Because Patrick lives in New Jersey, we knew this wouldn't be the only time we bring the boys to visit, so we made the most of the lovely weather and the free parks.

At their ages I also think they enjoyed it more! 

We took them on the subway up to Central Park, which felt like another mini adventure in itself. We then spent a couple of hours watching the world go by, eating ice lollies and laying in the sun. Ollie had a snooze, Rich rested his shoulder and Sammy made friends with a little New Yorker, 6 year old Dexter. I watched as they chatted away to each other without any fear or shyness and it was a pleasure to see my confident little boy, telling him about living by the sea side in Weston super Mare. 

We walked past the famous rocks where everyone was talking their magic, souvenir photos and headed to the famous toy store FAO Schwartz for a turn on the "Big" piano. Amazingly, I think the boys were so overwhelmed by the scale of it all, they didn't realise it was a shop where you could buy things. They happily walked around admiring all the toys and we left with absolutely nothing.

We truly had one of the best days we have ever had as a family and I remember thinking as we pulled into Hamilton Station, way past the boy's bedtimes, just how lucky we are. To experience these times, visit cities some of their class mates may never get to see.

The reason I take so many photographs is because I want them to grow up realising they live a very privileged life. That even though they are so young and may not remember this trip to New York, that there will be an album of photos to remind them.

That these are not ordinary times but extraordinary! Magical moments to treasure.