A stroll around the streets of Edinburgh always end up being a fun afternoon. There are little gems and new finds around every corner. I have lived here a full year and I'm still baffled by how little I have seen of it.

On a sunny day, there seems like no better place than walking down the Royal Mile. With street performers, tourists and bustling shops, I couldn't ask for more atmosphere.

Lois and I decided to go for lunch, but before we even got there, we found this gem.

Its called Miss Katie Cupcake, and is a quaint jewellery shop on Cockburn Street. Let me show you around... 

They had gorgeous candles with quotes on them to make you smile.

And adorable jewellery, all handmade. The lady at the till was working on necklaces as we looked around.

The jewellery ranged from clocks, teacups and even scissors.

Bunting lay around the shop for that vintage feel. Flowers filled every corner too, like the floral headbands below...

We 'Awww'ed' at everything, and bought ourselves a little something, and headed for lunch afterwards. 

This is what I bought, and I have been wearing it since. I just love it! A teacup ring!

We headed down the royal mile, and ended up somewhere a little more conventional.

Nando's - our favourite place if you want good chicken, and lovely staff!

We ate and ate, filled our bellies and headed back home, satisfied with a good day in Edinburgh!

I also ended up with a bit of tartan along the way. I wanted the traditional tartan as part of my wardrobe for a while, so this will definitely keep me warm in winter.

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"He used to be a singer in a rock and roll band.

He would write the songs and I'd tremble at his hand but oh, la laa.

He lost poetic ethic and his songs were pathetic, and he's a failure now..."

Laura Marling is a wonderful artist. She came to the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, so of course Rachel and I leaped at the chance to see her.

Rach is one of my good friends over here at University. We seem to always end up doing things together...this usually involves eating...

The Usher Hall is also beautiful. It was built around 1914, and with the detail inside and outside of the building, it makes a concert seem extra special.

Nick Mulvey was the support act. My goodness that man can play the guitar. With just his voice he had silenced the room in seconds.

The crowd were quite indie and chilled, which I liked. I have been to quite a few concerts, and most of them have been standing. So arriving to assigned seats is wonderful. No sore feet, no person breathing over you, all the stuff that usually comes with a concert (which I usually embrace in the moment).

 Theres a house across the river but alas i cannot swim,

And a garden of such beauty that the flowers seem to grin,

Theres a house across the river but alas I cannot swim,

I'll live my life regretting that I never jumped in!

Laura arrived on stage in her converse trainers and floaty white shirt. Chilled as ever, it was an intimate concert between her and the guitar. Her voice makes me melt like butter, so soft its like a lullaby. She sang her heart out, and without an encore she retreated after leaving us satisfied. Everyone clapped and cheered after a night of wonderful music.

Of course, as students, Rachel and I headed to the typical McDonald's for something delicious and fast.

It was a great night to be in Edinburgh!

I'll leave you with my favourite song of the night, Goodbye England:

I will come back here,

bring me back when I'm old.

I want to lay here forever in the cold.

I might be cold but I'm just skin and bones

and I never love England more than when covered in snow.

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'Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.'

1 Corinthians 13 v 7-8

Here in London was the morning of Sean and Charlotte's big day. After nearly a decade of knowing each other, they were about to finally tie the knot.

The theme was New York, The Big Apple (Do you get the apples in the flowers then?)

I was also privileged to be asked to do a reading for them in the church - Winnie the Pooh! How cute!

The girls got on their skyscraper heels, and the men in their dashing suits all for the big day.

Don't my cousins look amazing? 

The church was filled with beautifully simple decorations, with greenery and lilac. I nearly shed a tear when Charlotte walked gracefully down the isle. Her veil glistened as we watched them take their vows in front of God. Sean carried a beaming smile from one ear to the other.

We gathered at the end down the pathway to watch them take their first steps into the world as husband and wife.

Oh, isn't she just beautiful?

And with the NYC theme, came the taxi as their wedding car. We all screeched with glee when we saw it drive of.

What a wonderful couple they are. 

The cake was also spectacular! Have you ever seen the program called Choccywoccydoodah? Its based on a cake shop in Brighton who make chocolate cakes with exquisite designs. Well, the cake was from there. (It tasted as good as it looked can I just say...) 

But first, we hit the sweetie table. Feeling like little children in a candy store, we piled our bags up to the brim with chocolates, marshmallows, love hearts, and much much more. We may have went back for more too.

Here come the girls now.

We have welcomed Charlotte into our family, she is a caring, fun loving girl who is always up for a good time. 

The lilac dresses were a subtle colour that contrasted so well with the decorations. All the girls looked stunning!

Now here comes my man in his new suit. All in blue, his smile topped off the perfect outfit. Gotta love a man in a suit!

Inside, the fairy lights glistened and twinkled across the roof. It felt like a fairytale.

Viv and I weren't too long in getting into the party atmosphere either. A bit early but hey!

Each table represented a different popular place in NYC. We were Wall Street. The theme was NYC because this is where Sean popped the question, so it was lovely seeing the personal touches being brought it. 

The first dance is always so great to watch. The couple have their few moments to forget about everyone around them, look into each others eyes and dance.

But then the party really got going, and everyone's feet got jiving to the music.

TJ, my darling baby cousin was the perfect gentleman on the dance floor.

Poor child!!

Yep, they are so cool.

My uncle surely brought out some moves too. 

My cousin Sean was still smiling through to the end of the night. How could he not?! 

The moves were at times graceful...

And other times not so much....

With our feet now ready for slippers, the night ended on a high.

Everyone hugged and kissed goodbye, and we walked into the night under the twinkling lights. 

Congratulations to Sean and Charlotte who are now off to Florida for their honeymoon. Lucky them! A very blessed couple indeed who bring out the best in each other. I wish them every ounce of happiness for the future. Thank you for a wonderful day.

Then it was time to fly back home, and return to normality.

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