The English Mademoiselle Diaries

//1970's German Army Shirt - Twisted Magpie(Vintage)//Trousers - Monsoon//Shoes - M&S//

I discovered this khaki green 1970's German Army shirt when I was in Whitby a few days ago at the vintage fair I mentioned here. I couldn't wait to style it, so I kept it simple with some charcoal skinny trousers and some black Chelsea boots. I think this shirt is going to be one of my autumn staples this year as it can be layered with so many other items and all of my other favourite autumnal colours. And of course I accessorised with a strong red lip and an adorable Springer Spaniel.

I had a lot of fun shooting this outfit with my sister, we did it en-route back home after walking our dog. That is one thing I am going to miss is long walks in the country with my dog where you are unlikely to see another person for miles (6 mile power walks are my favourite). The light kept changing so my camera reacted in a way I didn't expect creating shadows where there weren't any, and making some of the images really grainy like the old film photos I used to get developed as a child.

XO, Miriam

Is there anything better than seaside towns filled with the smell of salt water, surf wax and the local chippy? For me at least seaside towns with an option for surfing and possible vintage shopping are always going to find a way to my heart. Whitby is one of those places, even if we didn't surf, Ellie and I definitely did some vintage shopping and indulged in some fish and chips with our families.

On out way into town in the hope that some of Ellie's favourite vintage shops were open on a Sunday, we spotted a sign to a vintage fair in a church. So we followed the signs and began to browse the different stalls. We both finally decided to purchase something from Twisted Vintage, which is a company run by a lovely lady called Nicola. She is currently on tour with her shop and has been across Britain this summer to festivals and other vintage sales. If you spot her brand go and have a look she has some great pieces!

This stall belonged to Nicola of Twisted Magpie

I wish I could spend more time in the sea, not on a boat or near the sea but in it. I realised the last time I was in the sea that there is something beautiful about the power of the sea and that no matter how well you can swim or surf ultimately the sea will always have the power to over throw you or to let you harness that power and let it feels as if you are at one with the sea.

XO, Miriam

So over this bank holiday weekend my family and I went on a trip to the North of England to visit my friend Eleanor from Green and Aquamarine. So naturally we took a trip to York where we drank a lot of tea, walked around the walls and rummaged through a few quirky and vintage shops. I have been to York a few times before but I haven't really payed too much attention to all of the different buildings across the city. The mix of different buildings from different eras has a certain charm to it that not all cities have and I love as you will be able to tell by my choice of city to study in along with my love of Bath.

XO, Miriam

//Necklace - Accessorize//Shirt - Zara//Jeans - Hollister//

The colour of the sea and the sky, of my camera and of over half the items in my wardrobe. To me the colour blue is the colour that represents everything I love and hold dear. My favourite shade of blue is the one that is also a pale grey, the colour between the sea and the sky just before sunrise and just after sunset. It is the before and after light. It is the one colour I will wear without question, so people see blue in my eyes above all the other colours.

Blue is clear skies, deep pools of water, it is all the swimming pools I have ever used for therapy swimming, the numerous pairs of jeans I have worn to destruction, my preferred colour to write in, the colour of my bed sheets and the colour of love.

Blue is love.

XO, Miriam

While I was in Jaipur I was in one of the many fabric shops in the Old City, when I spied this lovely block printed fabric which I proceeded to barter for and buy. When I bought it I though about using it as a wall hanging at university, but after assessing the space in university halls I chose to create a duvet cover out of it. So I headed out to the local fabric shop to find some fabric suitable for a bed linen, I ended up purchasing this wonderful blue material. Having measured up current duvet cover and adding 2 inches for seam allowance I pinned the two fabrics together and began to sew. then I added buttons and button holes by hand for want of a machine that can do button holes! Next up a quilt!

Please ignore the mess around my bed...

Would you make your own bedding?

XO, Miriam

My Sister and I jumping of a cliff into some of the warmest sea water.

XO, Miriam

So last week I accidentally took part in The Great Blogger Bake Off by posting this recipe for Molten Chocolate cakes. Now this week I am going to willing take part. The idea is that you bake something on Tuesday ready to post a picture of you eating it while watching The Great British Bake Off on the Wednesday. The only catch is what you bake is determined by what they are baking on the GBBO that week.

This week is biscuit week and I made Strawberry Cookies. Duh.

Ingredients:

//110g of Butter//3/4 of a cup of Sugar//1 and 1/4 cups of Plain Flour//1tsp of Vanilla Extract//
//200g of sliced Strawberries//1 Egg//1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda//

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.

2. Using an electric mixer beat together the sugar, butter, and vanilla extract.

3. Now beat in the egg and the flour into the mixture.

4. Pat the sliced strawberries as dry as you can and gently stir them into the mixture.

5. Drop the mixture on to the trays, leave room for spreading.

6. Bake for 10-12minutes and eat warm.