Over Easter we went to Holland but before we set sail we had a few days staying with my sister in sunny Southend. I loved it. The weather was beautiful and it felt so classic and British summer sea side towny. A lot of time was spent collecting shells and beach glass and people watching along the sea front.

With all the beautiful beach huts, long piers and fair ground rides I felt thoroughly inspired, so I'll add it to my never ending list of places I'd like to use for summer photoshoots.

Over the last year I have been putting the occasional flower into a big book and leaving it under the leg of a desk and forgetting about it. Recently I have been thinking more about pressing flowers regularly, to keep a diary of the passing year and to look back on and think how old fashioned and timeless they seem.

I found Polly's blog and see that she is well ahead of me. I think her pictures are simply beautiful.

These photos make me want to dress up. Brightly coloured net and lace goodness. That yellow one on the left is pretty much perfection.

 Photos from here.