Let's give em' pumpkin to talk about...

The Cutting Crew, Pimlico

Foxes Farm Produce, Basildon

The Coach & Horses, Woodbridge

It’s officially the end of the first month of starting this blog. So I really want to start this post by saying a massive thank you to anyone reading this right now. It’s because of you that I have been enjoying this process so much. With more than 3,500 views to date on the site and over 200 reads on every post, it has already exceeded any expectations that I’ve had for it. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the support and the messages I’ve received of questions about the places I’ve been to. It makes me so incredibly happy to know that I have people reading what I am writing and actually liking it. It’s been a dream so far so I’m excited to see where else this crazy thing will take me to. 

Make sure that you’re following me along daily on Instagram at @coles_ and and/or on Twitter     @NY2LDN to see what I am up to!

So as for this week it was a bit of a low key one. Just lots of walking around exploring the Westminster area. I even took the long way home one night just to get more acquainted with walking through Central London. During sunset was the perfect time to do it. Literally anywhere along the Thames is a sure bet for a great picture and beautiful views. If you’re in the Westminster area, Ebury Street has some incredible store fronts decorated with fall themed flowers. It’s actually not far from Peggy Porschen Cakes, (the place I went to in my previous post) that also has a stunning store front.

I also did a bit of pampering this week as I’ve been absolutely craving to do something different with my hair, since I haven’t dyed it since well before the wedding. So of my discoveries this week I’ve found the Treat Well app which basically tell you the best spots for all types of services for men, women, and even children. There I found the highly rated Cutting Crew chain of hair salons. I visited the salon that’s on Warwick Way, in Pimlico. Absolutely loved it! They gave me exactly what I wanted. I had the mini friend with me for a haircut too and they were very accommodating to the both of us. They gave us beverages and snacks while we waited and got our hair done. I opted for a caramel colored balayage. It took some time to adjust to so much color in my hair at first but I am really loving it now. Needless to say I’ve now found my go to hair salon in London.

http://novelhairstudio.net

Sam and I’s outing this weekend was to Foxes Produce Farms out in Basildon, Essex. Although the weather felt like summer, we did the most fall activity there is.. PUMPKIN PICKING! If you haven’t gotten the picture yet, I’m a tad obsessed with them, and the entire autumn season really. So much so that Sam even made me a cornucopia from cardboard boxes and some rope. Super impressive and he really made my Nintendo Game Boy decoration for his birthday, look like a kids project. His cornacopia now goes perfectly with all of our mini pumpkins and corn we picked!

We really enjoyed ourselves on the farm. We were equipped with a wheelbarrow and ready to find the perfect patch. (The wheelbarrow also made for the most impressive camera stool) There were kids everywhere, as it really was a great day to get out with the family. Pumpkin picking has to be one of the most fall type of activities you can do in America. Apart from apple picking and drinking warm cider with some cider doughnuts (UGH I miss it). But here in England I don't think many people have really done it before. And if you've been on Instagram at all this week and you're American its basically taken over your entire feed this weekend. Lucky for anyone who follows me and doesn't have many other American friends, you'll get your fair share of pumpkin picking pictures. Complete with flannel wearing and boots. This specific farm also had hayrides, a food stand, and an ice cream truck! (Which is usually would be weird but on a day that it's in the 70's was ideal). That's where I had my first ever 'flake' in my ice cream cone. It's basically like a stick made of swirls of chocolate. Very enjoyable and I wish I had a picture to put up of it buttt unfortunately with it being so hot, and me having a ginormous sweet tooth, it didn't last very long. Foxes Farm has a lot of upcoming events for the Halloween season, complete with a spooky hayride and corn maze. They even have an upcoming mud run, that I may just have to look into. The farm had guides up for picking the right pumpkins, the specific types of pumpkins you can find (I had no idea there was more than one!), and loads of those head cutouts that you can take pictures out. Even though there were a lot of people at the farm, the fields are massive so you don't have to feel crammed in one location with everyone.
https://www.foxesfarmproduce.co.uk

I had no idea there were blue and black pumpkins, I thought this just meant that they were mouldy!

 
We finished off our weekend with a visit to my brother and sister in law's house. We went to the nearby town of Woodbridge, Suffolk. As it was me and Sam's first time in town we were really excited to see what it was all about. It has a lot of small shops, as well as a small cinema that does a 3 course meal during the viewings (sounds like a perfect date night to me!). We settled in at Coach and Horses pub, that is part of the Deben Inn, for an early dinner. It was super delish! Probably the best pub food I have ever eaten. It's not all the basic pub food you would find in most places since it also had a salmon and prawn risotto which I ate ever last bite of. The staff was friendly and there was loads of seating inside and out. We opted for the outside seating area, since we knew it would probably be the last weekend that we could eat outdoors before the start of the really cold weather. I fully enjoyed it for the views and all the dogs that came through with their owners for an early Saturday night drink. I really cant't wait to hang out here more and get to visit more of the local restaurants.
http://www.debeninns.co.uk/coachandhorses/

As for this upcoming weekend, I've got loads going on and I really can't wait to share!