Family love

So it’s been a while since I’ve checked in. I guess it all comes down to me being stuck in a bit of a rut. I’m sure it happens to most people when the weather changes and you get into hibernation mode. London is an amazing city to live in. But coming from sunny Australia the cold gets to you after a while.

My mood has been lifted due to a visit from my favourite sister from Aus. She brought her positive attitude with her along with her smiles and a home made Christmas cake from mumzy. I automatically feel more motivated to get out there and see more of the city. She has been here for a week and I already feel like I am a tourist again. Exploring different parts of the city and getting to know London all over again. Here are a few photos of our recent adventures.

Sisterly love <3

China town adventures

Our christmas presents... getting a little excited!

My fav x

A day at the Zoo

This weekend was all about reliving the past and returning back to out childhood. It was Joe’s best friend’s birthday and we all decided to have a games weekend. We kicked off our weekend starting with a few ciders and a very competitive game of Cranium. I suddenly remembered how competitive I get whilst ‘winning’ cranium.

On the Saturday it was one of the hottest days we’ve had in London since I’ve moved here- so what do you do on the hottest day of the year you go to the Zoo obviously. I can’t believe how excited I got to see the Giraffes. It just goes to show no matter how old you get your never to old for the zoo (or face painting).

Earlier that day.....

Later that day......

Animals!!

(Too old for face paint- I think not!)

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and made the most of the fabulous weather!

 

50 Shades of obsessions

So I’m sure everyone’s sick of hearing about 50 Shades of grey BUT, I’m just going to throw it out there, I’m obsessed!!!! The girls at the office are running around like little hens, excited to swap sexy stories and their favourite parts. What I love about this book is that I’m 22 and I can relate to a 40 year old about it. YES it’s badly written, as my jealous boyfriend points out over and over. But it’s a twilight fan fiction; it was never going to be Hemingway!

Sure the fact that it’s about a 20 something billionaire who is overprotective manipulative and ridiculously handsome man. I lost my point!

I think this book is a great thing for guys and I’ll tell you why:

1. Girl reads book
2. Girl starts to wonder what it would be like if she implemented some of the red room activitys in her relationship.
3. Guy is shocked and is happy with the change of direction!

I have a single gal friend who tells me she feels sorry for me because I’m in a relationship and therefore she still has hope of finding a man like Christian Grey. Well to all the single ladies out there searching for their Mr Grey Good luck!

The closing of London 2012!

For the last year living in London has been absolutely amazing. With the Queens diamond Jubilee and the build up for the Olympics, London was the place to be. The month leading up to the Olympics I remember having a conversation with Joe about the mixed emotions felt about the Olympics being held in London. I wasn’t happy about my journey to work being disrupted (what with it taking 40mins already!). Taking the post out had become impossible with all of the new arrivals walking around taking photos of all of those letterboxes.

I have to say once the games had officially started I was hooked and my attitude had completely changed. I loved the energy at work- everyone had something to say about the latest event that was on. I funnily enough found myself getting addicted to sports that I had no idea about. I found it so inspiring to see these fit people who train for years every day to represent their country to the best of their ability. I became very patriotic supporting Australia, and getting very competitive with co-workers about who was better, the Brits or the Aussies. Obviously it was Australia’s year for winning Gold!

Joe had surprised me with tickets to go to the closing ceremony at Hyde Park, Blur (one of his favourite bands were playing for the last time). I unfortunately didn’t get to go to any of the sporting events for the Olympics but I truly felt apart of this country at the closing ceremony. I loved standing with thousands of people singing along to the songs that meant so much to them as a country.

Ten things that have made me smile this week

So I came across this great blog about things that make you smile, finding this website made me smile! So I thought I’d share ten things this past week that made me smile :)

1. Waking up to beautiful (non wearing coat weather)catching the bus to work and indulging in my two guilty pleasures (50 shades of grey and frosties)

2.  Making almond toffee on the weekend

3. Watching Usain Bolt win the gold!

4. Having a cosy night in with Joe and watching the Lorax J

5. Watching Sopranos with Joey

6. Having a work buddy bring me lovely books and muffins to brighten up my day! Thanks Gabby! x

7. Witnessing how competitive men can get whilst playing Fifa

8. Learning something new. This weekend I started working at a florist shop, I wanted to learn something new and decided to just do it!



9.  Having the best bubble bath in the world! I don’t usually have baths at all but this time I went all out with bath salts, bubble bath, bath milk and scented candles.

10. Having the motivation to go to the gym. I joined a Gym last month and to my surprise I actually make use of it. I’ve been making myself go at least three times week and it’s paying off big time!

An English countryside getaway

So this was the first trip away with the in-laws (yes very daunting, I know). We decided to head to the Cotswolds for a few nights away and escape London Town. The first couple of nights we stayed at Gloucester at a Leisure retreat. The first day we strolled around the golf course and enjoyed the most gorgeous views of the English country side. I loved walking around the course (that was until after the first nine holes I realised we were only half way through and there was another nine to go!). This place was special to Joe because when he was growing up this was the place that he and his family would go for an annual holiday. All year they would look forward to the holiday, so I think he and his brother were a little anxious about returning. The place had been renovated over the years and had changed considerably, I think this was a little bit of a let down for them. Its just like anything else you remember when you were little; it’s never going to be as amazing as it was years ago. I felt proud to be there though, to see a little part of Joe’s childhood.

Never the less after two nights at Gloucester we were ready to say adios to Joe parentals and make a move to Painswick queen of the Cotswolds. This little quaint village was just what you would imagine a little chocolate box village to look like. It was kept in pristine condition by the proud locals, unlike the locals sauntering around London they would actually smile at you in the streets. My stay at Painswick really made me think I have adapted to the London ways more than I had thought. The quiet streets after 9pm made me feel uneasy, Joe and I had gone for a late night stroll and felt guilty for whispering to each other because it felt like we were shouting at each other. We stayed in a beautiful B&B ran by a semi retired finance worker from Australia and an eccentric ex art collecting wife. We instantly felt at home as soon as they both sat us down for a chat over tea and home made chocolate brownies. We had a long chat about the history of the house and why they loved having people come to stay with them. The house was covered from head to toe with dark and emotional baroque style paintings. I took pleasure in observing these paintings during the day, but at night the place felt like a haunted house!

After a weekend of over sleeping/eating/drinking we were ready to head back to London, and for the first time since I’ve lived in London I was excited to get home to our warm little flat!

Here's to another year London!

So I have just passed my year anniversary of moving to London, and it does get you revaluating your goals and dreams! A year ago I was waving goodbye to my friends and family with my big backpack on ready to discover the world! Well it has been a crazy year indeed! Starting from scratch and setting my life up in London has been a great rewarding adventure. It’s something I never thought I would be able to do. Of course I’ve had help and support from my lovely family back home.

Here’s to another year London!

xxx

Subway salad

So this is a recipe that I made up using fridge treasures. It’s a great side salad for any dish, but is also tasty enough to pack for lunch the next day. I call this salad the subway salad because to me it tastes exactly like my favourite sub!

Ingredients

·        1 bag of mixed lettuce

·        Half a red onion diced

·        2 medium carrots, grated

·        A handful of mozzarella cheese, grated

·        3 tomatoes wedged

·        (and the secret ingredient) 3 large pickles diced

For the Dressing (Sub ranch)

·         1 half a cup of thick olive oil

·         1 teaspoon of salt

·         1 teaspoon of pepper

·         1 table spoon of mayonnaise

·         1 table spoon red wine vinegar

·         1 table spoon of mustard (English)

Preparation method

In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, mayo and mustard. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together lettuce, red onion, carrot, cheese, pickles and tomatoes toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy! And just a little tip- add the dressing before serving- you don’t want to end up with a salad soup!

Dinner with the Donaghys

This week we invited Joe’s parents to come over for a home cooked dinner. We were a little excited to have them over for the first time be fair. They arrived and we served bruschetta and vegetable soup to start and then the main course was ready to go. Joe had prepared brie stuffed chicken wrapped in streaky bacon. It’s always nice for parents to see their kids all grown up and able to cook a meal without burning the house down. I love doing little dinners like this because family time is very important to me.  

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend !