Sunday Smores

If you know any born & raised Brits still living in the UK, send them a "smore kit". Most people I've spoken to here have never heard of a smore! 

 How did they live without them?

A good way to spend a cold February afternoon if you ask me! 

Sunday Morning Reminders of Home

It's a snowy Sunday in London. The heat has been pumping all weekend & I'm perfectly content with a  cup of tea and a warm flat. 

While getting my hair cut yesterday I was reading an 'Elle Essay' in January's UK edition. It was about a girl who had moved from New York to London and left the familiar behind to follow a dream.  

From her difficulty in meeting people in a city as big as London to just missing the friends who had known her for so long, before I'd even finished the first paragraph I was tearing up. While London has and continues to be a dream come true, its had its hard bits.

As I approach the date of my Visa expiring (3 months time) and I face the fact I can't have both, I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be living life long distance in 2013. Between Canadian maple syrup and skype chats, home is never too far away. 

I like to think that no matter what happens with my Visa in April, the home I've created in London will never feel too far away either. Even if it is through imported baked beans & jelly babies? I've got wonderful friends on both sides & I've got the options of two great cities to live in. Whether I want it to or not, a lot is going to change these next 3 months. It's both nerve wracking but also quite exciting. 

I've had so many great opportunities since moving to London. The latest of which is an internship with Selfridges I started 2 weeks ago! Voted "Best department store in the world" for 4 years running it's such an inspiring place! The Heinz beans above are from their recent campaign No Noise. 

2hrs to Paris...

The beauty of living just a 2hr train ride to Paris is that popping over for  a couple day for NYE is both realistic & if planned ahead budget friendly!

So just that I did...

We rented an apartment from airbnb.com (highly recommended!!) and for just 68 euros a night found ourselves smack dab in the middle of Paris, with our own place to call home.

Evening walks along the Seine

 Countdown on the Champs-Elysees! It was packed with people from one end to the other. We stopped about mid-way and at 12 everyone popped open bottles of champagne. 

 There were no fire works. It was just a mass of celebrating people with all the charm they needed from the sights of Paris and presence of friends & family. 

 First sunset of 2013!

For Christmas I got a new camera. I had so much fun taking photos these 3 days. A resolution for 2013:  some snapping skills. 

A 2-hour wait made 100% worthwhile by the views off the first tier of the Eiffel Tower. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 

xx

Weekends are for...

 Jelly doughnuts in south kensington.

Rainforest salad on Kings Road

Branded empanadas from the same market on Kings Road. Other offerings include flutes of champagne, oysters, beef pies with gravy, fresh sushi...never mind all the shops located conveniently just steps away. Perfect Saturday? I think so. 

A Family Affair

Just last month I had the chance to go home for pretty special couple's wedding . When I say home, I mean my parents house which they managed to convert in a beautiful wedding venue. The garden was on top form & people in top spirits. 

The day was made even more special by the presence of so many friends & family. From the guests themselves to the caterers & parking directors everyone had a personal connection. A weekend I don't think I or the bride & groom, will ever forget.

First things first-up the CN tower to give the non-Torontonians a glimpse of the city

Wedding day!! & perfect weather

Barn & Heather's beautiful dried hydrangea mobile made by her!

Bride & her beautiful bouquet

Looking goooood

Makeup artist & bff (oh & delicious locally sourced food!)

Couple's first dance. Certainly not the last. 

Welcome to the family Martin!! 

Welcome to London: Place-Columbia Road Flower Market, East LDN

Columbia Road Flower Market: 

Located in East London, just a ten minute walk from Brick Lane and Shoreditch, for anyone who likes a nice bouquet of flowers Columbia Road is a must-see. After learning about it through a friend's sister, it exceeded my expectations. When my dad and sister (both avid gardeners) visited a month ago I found it the perfect occasion to make the trek...

It originally started as a Saturday market, but as the Jewish population developed it moved to Sundays and the flower market developed. Some vendors still selling their flowers today have been established at the market since 1949!

Peonies! "One bunch for a fiver"

Open from 8am-~3 Sundays

A visit is not complete without stopping for lunch in one of the winding alleys lined with cafes & antique stalls. Above: a salt beef sandwich on bagel w/ pickle.

In fact I liked it so much I just had to go back. Above: with a chorizo sausage, grilled pepper, rocket & olive oil. More info on The Columbia Road Flower Market. 

While we're on the topic of flowers...

Kiehls Calendula Extract Toner. I bought a bottle a couple weeks ago when it recommended to me for soothing red skin & it was on sale! So I thought I would give it a go! If you have sensitive skin & don't like the burning alcohol feel of most toners, give this one a shot. Find it here.

Next time: the product(s) of my visits to Columbia Road!

Starting Now...

Ok I have failed at updating this as I promised.

But I have made it to London, attended the royal wedding (well actually just made it to west minster at 5am, until jet lag hit at 8am and I went back to bed as the guests were arriving. Minor failure, major to some)

I have decided to make this primarily photo blog from now on. I am more of a photo person, so will see how that approach works.

Last day in Halifax waiting for the air porter

Back home to a lovely Easter Sunday tea party. Deco courtesy of Sister Heather :) 

Tea Party Clan (minus a few) Was such a great day. 

Sheridan faves! 

Ok eyes are shutting & hotel internet is fading. 

London photos soon! xx