Category Archives: Rebecca

My Month: April

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This month is a tale of two halves. As you read this I’m travelling back from 2 weeks in South Africa, (remember when I started planning back in January?) I have so much to share from the trip but for now will whet your appetite with a few Instagram snaps. The first half of the month follows, with my usual and far less interesting exploits ;)

As always, the links in the list go back to posts I have written that correspond to the snaps (if you want to catch up,) and you can follow me throughout the month on Instagram @rebecca_norris on your phone, online or there’s a feed on the right hand side bar here on Florence Finds :)

  • My Travel Outfit for the plane: spots and stripes, layers and flats.
  • Cocktails on the roof of The Grand Daddy Hotel, amongst Airstream caravans
  • A long way from anywhere, at the Cape of Good Hope
  • A rainy day outfit for walking and sightseeing on the Atlantic peninsula.
  • The view from our Camps Bay Hotel
  • African Pengins at Boulders beach
  • Just one selection of amazing seafood we enjoyed.
  • Table Mountain, from the ferry to Robben Island
  • My very apt lion birthday card (from Paperchase) from Pete :)
  • Birthday outfit
  • The view from Table Mountain
  • Camps Bay beach
  • One of our hotels on route to The Eastern Cape
  • Meeting the Cheetah’s at Tenikwa – a trip highlight.

  • Making macarons with my sister and enjoying nights out over Easter, with Francesca again.
  • Re-wearing my Whistles Wisteria print dress for a (cold) early April wedding with tights and sparkly shoes (see it worn here and here also)
  • Mixing animal prints in my new favourite outfit – worn for the Style Me Vintage Weddings book launch in London.
  • Animal print points with my blue lace skirt (and Pete getting in on the footwear action!)
  • The Style Me Vintage Weddings launch
  • Breakfast in Hoxton
  • New reading material, courtesy of Gemma, pre-holiday.
  • Purchases from & Other Stories
  • Trying out my new boots and my go-anywhere dress for dinner one night.
  • New art (that I bought pete for his birthday) framed and ready to hang, starting off our new gallery wall.
  • Outfits of the day, trying to bring colour into cold days.

How was your April readers? Are you looking forward to May with all it’s bank holidays and the promise of warmer weather?

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Spotted: Style Me Vintage Weddings

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I have been excited about writing today’s post for what feels like months and this weekend I finally got my hands on a copy of Style Me Vintage: Weddings. I don’t normally write about weddings these days, but this wasn’t hard to make an exception for as it was written by my friend and fellow blogger, Annabel Beeforth of Love My Dress, a wedding blog with ‘a focus on vintage, retro, glamorous, chic and elegant content.’

Way back when I was a wedding blogger (at Rock My Wedding,) I had 2 big goals. 1. I wanted to be featured in Grazia magazine (just because it was my favourite magazine,) and 2. I wanted to write a book. I’ve always taken great pleasure in blogging as an industry and being a part of it as it advances and develops, particularly in the UK, so although it wasn’t me who eventually wrote that book, it gives me no end of pleasure that it’s my friend Annabel who takes that prize and deservedly so.

Annabel is one of the hardest working wedding bloggers out there. Anybody who thinks full time professional blogging is a cushy job really doesn’t know enough about what’s involved. Sure there are perks and glitzy industry events, but nine times out of ten you arrive knackered after the usual slog of prepping blog posts and the part of the job that really takes over, the administration behind the scenes of answering emails and actually running a blog as a business. To add writing a book to that is a massive workload so my hat really goes off to Annabel for pulling it off.

The book, as the title suggests, focuses on vintage wedding style, breaking it down by decade and this is where Annabel really shows off the incredible knowledge she has developed as an expert in vintage style. There are real vintage style weddings and inspirational styled images. Each chapter also has sections on perfecting every aspect of your look for an authentic take on vintage inspired, with beauty, fashion, stationery and decor touches to complete the look.

And what a job Annabel has done. I love a good coffee table book – for me they have to be beautiful to hold and beautifully illustrated. Annabel ensured that when she enlisted Joanna Brown who has captured the images which really are of the highest quality and completely breathtaking in places. Special mention goes to Michelle Kelly, (my colleague at Dream Find Do,) and founder of Pocketful of Dreams, who styled the images to ‘create distinct decor elements that would bring each era to life’ with her impeccable eye and managed to make vintage very very modern. Zoe Lem takes credit for the fashion picks and styling.

For me the triumph of this book is in its genuine display of knowledge, collection of real historical references and then the incredibly thoughtful respresentation of those eras presented in the inspiration images.

You can find Style Me Vintage: Weddings on Amazon – if you need to buy a gift for a bride to be that you know, if she likes vintage style then I guarantee she’ll love it. :)

Well Done Annabel!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

My Month: February 2013

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How was your Febuary?

Love
Rebecca
xo

PS Follow Rebecca on Instagram here...

Looking back…

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Today is usually the day that I share my Instagram round up of the month, but on the last day of the year I feel more like looking back once more, before the calendar moves forward.

It might sound strange but at the beginning of 2012 I had an overwhelming sense of positivity for what was to come. I just knew 2012 was going to be good. Perhaps that was because 2011 had been an epic struggle at times, in my career, as a blogger, it was only my relationship that had held fast throughout. 2012 has more than lived up to expectations and I feel the same sense of excitement now to see what 2013 brings.

I promised myself that we would go away more and Pete and I had several breaks. In January we went to The Drawing Room in the Elan Valley and it was so good we’re going back this January, this time with Jess and Dan.

In February we went to Italy to Ski and March saw us in Shoreditch at The Hoxton.

In May we did a long-awaited road trip from San Francisco via Yosemite, Sequoia National Park and Death Valley to Las Vegas.

June saw us on the West Coast of Scotland in Arisaig for a family wedding, in July I went with my Mum and sister to Bath and the Thermae Spa, and in September Pete and I went to Cornwall to The Llawnroc before another wedding in Farnham and stayed at The Aviator.

November saw us back in America visiting Florida (and Disney) for some R&R, ending up in Miami via the Everglades. I really can say I fulfilled that ambition!

After qualifying in 2011, 2012 was the year I found my feet at work. Although I work as a locum, for the majority of the year I have been in the same practice and it’s given me a huge amount more confidence as I settle into the responsibility of being a fully fledged GP. Now I finally feel ready to settle down into a more permanent job if the right one comes along. I also almost burst with pride as Pete got a job he wanted and loves. Hopefully he’ll be there for a long time.

And of course, I turned 30… ;)

Florence Finds has gone from strength to strength. Almost 2,000 of you pop into Florence Finds on a daily basis, which frankly just blows my mind. Heading off to London Fashion Week and being nominated for 2 Cosmo Blog awards was pretty exciting, as well as my first magazine mention in Closer Magazine and later writing for Company Mag. And of course, with Michelle I launched Dream. Find. Do. and held our first 2 workshops.

Besides all of that though, the blog has given me great pleasure. I’ve planned decor projects, documented my cooking adventures, met new people, and had fun with my wardrobe, not to mention enjoyed reaching new readers. Thank you so much to all of you who come here and help to give Florence Finds the community that I treasure.

If you have time today, spend ten minutes thinking about what you have achieved this year and give yourself credit where it’s due, even if that’s for surviving a less than perfect year. Please share your highs and lows in the comments box – all comments welcome, no matter how epic!

See you on the other side readers!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Coming soon – #JanuaryJoy

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Hello readers! Did you have a wonderful Christmas? I did :)

I promised I would be back when I had something to say and now I do. My thoughts are starting to turn towards January, the New Year, a fresh start. I’m thinking resolutions and just like last year, how I can make January more fun. I was so inspired by Anna from Skin and Blister‘s #ShareAdvent idea, that I thought I would extend last year’s January Joy into a ‘join in’ series for readers and bloggers.

I’m giving you all advance notice so you can, a. get excited about all the fun times there are to be had in January and b. get involved!

The numbers in the image above correspond to dates. As per usual here at FF, there will be no weekend tasks. I’ve also left them somewhat haphazard in arrangement – you don’t have to sign up to do everything and you don’t have to do them in order. Dip in and out as you like.

If you would like to follow along with January Joy feel free to spread the word on your own blog (and use the image above,) or tweet about it using the tag #JanuaryJoy. You can even post it on Instagram! If there’s something on the list that you’d like to contribute a guest post on – maybe you had a kick-ass savings plan last year, or have a super-tasty veggie recipe to contribute then please let me know. I’ll link to anybody who gets involved on the appropriate days.

If you’d like a blog button you can click this one and download a zip file of buttons at 300, 250 and 180 px width for your sidebar:

So let’s get excited about 2013!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

One More Sleep…

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Instagram Month

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It’s time for my Instagram round up again with only one more day left until December and the full on festivities that it brings. You can expect A-LOT of Christmas cheer over the coming month here so get ready!

In the meantime, here’s the best of my November via Instagram, do share your highlights and anything good you’re looking forward to in December!

  • Beach wear that already feels like a distant memory in Sanibel Island, Florida.
  • Neon Nails with Bling it On ring finger
  • Travel in style with Globe Trotter and stripes
  • A new J.Crew necklace
  • Violet nails by Orly (Rio)
  • Thinking pink when it comes to make up – tutorial coming soon…
  • Packing up Pimp it Pretty Lanyards for Dream. Find. Do.
  • Essie’s ‘Lapis of Luxury’ with H&M Gold sparkle polish layered over.

  • Clearwater beach and American dognuts
  • My favourite bookstore in America – Barnes and Noble
  • Probably the most important thing to happen to America all year, Obama got elected back in.
  • Amazing American Salads and stunning sunsets over downtown Miami
  • Retro cars on Ocean Drive and returning to the England’s ‘green and pleasant land’.
  • Getting back to healthy breakfasts – porridge with berries accompanied by a happy cat, back from the cattery.
  • Michelle teaching at Dream. Find. Do. this weekend.
  • Giant sprouting parsnips being harvested at the allotment and winter walks as the last of the leaves fall.
  • Amazing chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream at Malmaison London.
  • Students in class at Dream. Find Do. London.

If you want to follow me on Instagram, search for Rebecca_Norris in your Instagram app, or now you can follow me on the web here at Instagram.com/rebecca_norris

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Snapshots…

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This afternoon I’m taking time out to prepare for the second Dream. Find. Do. workshop – this time we are heading to London and being hosted by the super cool Hoxton Hotel. I can’t wait to meet our students and share all my blogging finds from over the last 3 years. I can hardly believe I’ve been blogging that long! (For those of you who want to know more, Sam from A Little London Wedding has just posted her review of the first workshop in Manchester and it’s great read.)

This afternoon I’m sharing some snapshots of the little things that I’m loving right now but I’m also getting discount codes through left, right and centre for the next few days so I have also included a little list of them for any of you who want to get ahead with your Christmas shopping – take advantage and get a bargain! Scroll down after the photo’s for the list.

The new flamingo joining us on my living room mantlepiece (from here)

My Dad’s old Canon SLR (that I learnt to take photo’s with) adding to the interiors books on my picture shelf.

A cute Christmas decoration from my sister that I’m making all-year-round pretty on my wardrobe door handle.

Unpacking the Alphabet bags for the Dream. Find. Do. goodie bags this weekend.

American treats we brought back from Florida…

My favourite new necklace – A ram (because I’m an Aries) from J.Crew.

Happy Shopping!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

PS!

Snapshots: A Different Kind of Halloween…

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This Halloween I’m in Florida, which whilst not being the most typical of backdrops to a traditionally cold and dark celebration, what with the crystal clear blue skies and swaying palm trees, is actually pretty cool – the Americans really embrace this particular celebration.

As it’s Halloween today I thought I would share a few pictures from the most surprisingly Halloween-y stop we’ve had so far – at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando. It’s strangely the second time I’ve been in Disney at Halloween (I was there a few years ago in Paris for my Mum’s Birthday in October) and was impressed with the extent of the decor then. We also took full advantage of the more Halloween appropriate aspects of the park too ;)

Pumpkins greeting us at the Main Street entrance and Halloween garlands on the buildings…

Old town Halloween appropriate signage.

Disney Pumpkins on every street lamp…

Halloween paraphernalia and a headstone I spotted in the entrance to the Haunted mansion ride and couldn’t resist snapping. ;)

A chilling (but fun) tombstone…

Pumpkins decorating every surface.

Even Sleeping Beauty’s Castle got a spooky make-over…

Happy Halloween readers!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

What If…

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Over the weekend, I was catching up on some Greys Anatomy (one of my all-time favourite TV series,) and watched an episode titled ‘What If?’ I’ve always been a bit of a fatalist and it made me think about something that often crosses my mind… what if my life had been different?

Everybody has defining moments in life I believe and whilst they may not be dramatic, they all serve to influence the path we take. I’m always curious as to whether those moments, choices or not, would really affect the way life turns out, or if it’s fate. Would we find ourselves in the same places regardless of the moments in between.


Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors (1998)

My defining moment will always be losing my Dad. That might sound an obvious statement, but looking back, I think it changed my outlook on life, my personality, and went on to influence my choice of career. It was seeing my Dad after various trips to the specialists around the country that made me first think of medicine as a career and probably helped me to get my place in medical school too.

It’s wider reaching than that though. Before my Dad was ill we had such similar personalities that we argued a lot in terrible stand off’s of my Dad asserting his parental authority in the face of my youthful defiance. I firmly believe if I hadn’t had the unfortunate walk-up call that he wouldn’t always be there and life had gone on as normal, we might have continued to spar like that for years to come. I might have not only taken a different career path but have chosen to go much further from home for University, to achieve the independence I craved.

People often talk about regrets in life and it’s fashionable to say you have none, but the one thing I regret bitterly is that my Dad never met Pete. But if my Dad had been around and my life hadn’t taken me to medicine in Manchester, would there have even been a Pete for Dad to meet? And that’s when the fatalist in me kicks in. Some things in life feel so concrete, that it’s hard to imagine them not existing. I like to think however life had gone, I’d still have ended up with Pete, two halves of a whole.

That of course, is exactly how the episode of Greys turned out… Meredith gravitating towards Derek, Cali and Arizona’s eyes meeting, you get the idea. It left me thinking, how many of you have had a defining moment in life and have you ever wondered how different life would be if you had take different decisions or not experienced certain life events. Do you believe in fate?

Love,
Rebecca
xo