I'm a terribly sporadic blogger, I know. Things have been pretty mellow lately, and we've just been plodding along taking each week as it comes. The trees outside have gone from beautiful colours, to grey and bare, and the temperatures are slowly dropping... my second (or third, really) winter in London.
I love spending Christmas here. There's something so wonderful about enjoying the holiday in the opposite weather than what I'm used to. (I can't say I'm missing the 38-42o Celsius days back home.) I love the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street. I love the toffee nut and eggnog lattes in Starbucks. I love the coats and the scarves and the boots. I love the ice skating rinks that pop up out of nowhere. I love the random winter fair in Leicester Square. I love the mulled wine.
I've had my Christmas shopping done for about a month now. It might sound super impressive, but keep in mind that I literally only have two people to buy for: Jason and Oscar. Yes, the cat. He's just as spoiled as Jason, if not more so. I won't go into what presents I've bought for Jason, but suffice it to say that a) they're awesome and b) I'm awesome and c) giving presents is awesome.
It's so expensive to send gifts through the post that I don't send family gifts - but I'll be home in April, so will be sure to take some goodies back with them then. They'll just have to settle for really awesome (word of the day!) Christmas cards instead.
It's funny how as I've got older, I really appreciate the thought and time that goes into gifting to other people - although I'll admit, I'm still a sucker for receiving them too. All in moderation! Unfortunately Jason, bless his cotton socks, always struggles with what to buy me. His reasoning is that if I want something, I tend to buy it for myself anyway, which is actually pretty true. I have the patience of a ladybird. Do ladybirds have patience? I do not know. I digress.
What I do know, is that Amazon? Socks, while they may be unexpected and certainly surprising, are not my idea of a gift from a loved one. I'm just saying.
Without further ado, here's what is on my Christmas wishlist this year.
Cluster Ring
It's so beautiful and sparkly. Hint: I'm a size O/P, Jason.
Ollie the USB Owl
I can't think of anything cuter to have on my desk.
Tan Shoulder Bag
One can never have too many handbags.
Paperchase Diary
It will match my cute new coin purse!
Digital Luggage Scale
How have I never seen these before?
Glass Pearl Drop Earrings
Simple and cute.
Body Shop - Strawberry Stuff
I can smell it already...
A New Watch
This one, with its dash of bling, will do nicely!
Vibrating Travel Cushion
Perfect for my upcoming long haul flight.
The Genie
And yes, Jason, you have to do it for me!
Ralph Perfume
I'm currently obsessed with Givenchy's 'The Secret' but this is a classic!
Books
Any of them. Any kind. Even in vouchers - I'm not fussy.
Donations
RSPCA Sydney or the Guide Dogs would be my picks.
What are you wishing for this holiday season?
It's been that kind of weekend - the kind where you sort of want to curl up in your pyjamas and not venture outside. Add the rain and the gloomy weather, and it all adds up to hiding indoors like a hermit. Which is exactly what I've been doing.
Two days indoors, indefinite cups of tea, and my newly opened box-set of Ally McBeal DVDs, and I feel a bit sorry that this weekend is coming to an end. Even though it's not been memorable in any sense of the word, it's been exactly what I wanted. And getting a weekend off this close to Christmas is pretty darned impressive.
What does this week hold? Let's see...
Work: can't escape that! I like my new job but it can be sometimes draining. Last week saw my colleague and I off on a roadtrip around some of our branches in South England, and even though it wasn't a super challenging week, just being away from my own desk made it exhausting. I'm happy to be back in our regular Central London branch this week. We have a new starter for our team starting on Tuesday, so I see lots of training days ahead that will keep everyone busy.
Play: not much planned yet! Will hopefully be squeezing in a showing of New Moon this week with a few friends. I think I'm about the last person on the planet to have NOT seen it yet?! Ah well, hopefully there will be one or two less screaming girls in our screening, if I'm lucky.
I'm also eagerly anticipating a parcel at work, full of new cat toys. I'm sure that isn't exciting to most of you guys, but if you had any idea of how naughty Oscar has been lately, you'd be excited too. He's a whopping 1.5 years old now, and is most definitely on his way to the Terrible Two's. Any ideas on how to keep an ever growing indoor kitty from losing his mind (and his owners from losing their sanity) are welcomed.
Happy end-of-November!
I'm really looking forward to being able to wedding plan. At the moment, I'm planning the wedding planning, which makes perfect sense in my head but not much sense when I write it down. I can look, but there's not a great deal I can actually DO, and at the moment that's just fine with me. Okay, I lie: it's more than a little bit frustrating, but what can you do?
Ha! I know what you can do! You can book an impromptu visit home to get a head start on everything, that's what you can do!
Yes, during one random lunch break a few weeks ago, I decided to have a quick peek at flights back to Australia for a visit - and it worked out quite nicely that I had some holiday allowance ready and waiting to be booked in. A few text messages later, and everything was booked: I'll be back down under in April for a two week visit, and I'm super excited.
I know it was literally only a year ago that I was sitting around back home, just itching to be back in London, but it's different now. This time around, I have my shiny Visa, and can head straight back here to my boys nice and easily. And this time around, I have a mission - to cram in as much wedding stuff as possible! I'm planning on stealing my mum and MOH (hee!) and checking out all of the churches and venues I've been ogling online for the last few months.. and maybe even put a deposit down on one that catches my eye. It's going to be awesome!
So in the meantime, it's back to trawling the web for ideas and inspiration, and watching my bookmarks folder continue to expand!
In the midst of the vampire crazy hitting the internet, I thought I'd jump on board. I'm a huge Buffy fan, and yes, I may also be on the Twilight bandwagon (Team Jacob!) and came across this video. It's a clever little mash up between the two that made me laugh out loud a couple of times!
(I'm not an Edward hater, don't you worry - I'll be hitting the cinemas next week to catch New Moon and do my share of swooning.)
It's been a hectic couple of weeks here in London. Why, you ask? Let's see...
(Be warned. It's photo heavy - like most of my posts lately. Love it!)
Bonfire Night
We didn't really get into this last year, as we didn't really have a clue what it was about and lived too far out to be bothered. This year, some work friends organised to head down to Clapham Common for the fireworks display, so off we went.
London Tour Guide
The fabulous Kirby and I had a few (short!) days together in London, and made the most of the Autumn weather to go sightseeing. Hot spots: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Victoria & Piccadilly Circus. Even managed to duck into Hamleys for a spot of shopping, and to escape the pouring rain. Wouldn't expect anything else!
Autumn Leaves in Green Park
Couldn't resist playing in them - and how could we not? They were everywhere, and simply gorgeous - made for some beautiful photographs. We started a trend with our throwing of the leaf shots, and ended up having lots of followers.
High Tea at the Haymarket Hotel
I've been here twice now, and love it. Sat in the conservatory with a never-ending supply of tea, sandwiches and scones and the most amazing strawberry cake I've ever eaten. Even for someone who doesn't like strawberries! Indulgence? Yes please.
Euro Disney
My third Disney visit in a year; who says it's just for kids? Caught the EuroStar to Paris and then headed out to the parks for a quick trip. We were there on its very first day of Christmas decorations, so lots of fun decorations and events. The weather was freezing, with the sky changing colours every five minutes. Gorgeous.
Paris Adventures
One of my favourite cities, I've visited quite a few times now. The weather was cold, but we took in most of the sights in one day - hectic but fun.
And... there you have it. A little overboard with the pictures, but that's just how it works around here! (Miss snap-happy over here managed to take 350 pictures in our 2-day visit to France alone.) Crazy.
Halloween isn't much of a tradition where I'm from in Australia. We have the occasional trick or treater, but it's certainly not a holiday like it is elsewhere in the world.
We are staying in this year, but I was determined to do something to mark the occasion. Enter the one lonely pumpkin I saw sitting on a shelf in Marks & Spencer...
I actually had a great time creating my (albeit very classic) masterpiece. I didn't realise how much work went into it... and bar from one panicked moment when I happened to punch my pumpkin's eye out (literally) it was fairly simple. Jason watched from afar... sharp objects usually have a tendency to end up slicing off his skin.
So now let me present my pumpkin carving process in all its glory - with an Oscar snapshot thrown in there for good measure. Happy Halloween!
Did you do anything out of the ordinary this Halloween?
I have a dilemma. It's kind of wedding related.
You see, I'm fine with having a long engagement. I'm not a particularly girly girl, I have never had dreams of pretty pink floral arrangements or floofy white wedding dresses. What I am though, is a planner. I need things organised. I like being in control.
(If you think that sounds bad, you should see my desk. Everything is in drawers, labelled, or in special compartments. I function so much better when things are sorted.)
With that said, here's where I'm befuddled. How much planning can one do for a wedding while living abroad? I know Janet pulled off a stunningly beautiful destination wedding in Mexico, and that I'm sure there are loads more of you that are much more experienced with all things wedding than I am.
I can look, yes. Thank goodness for websites - I can spend hours searching and exploring and trying to figure out options. But I'm hesitant to actually book anything without visiting first, without being there and exploring and seeing if it 'feels' right. It's the same with the church and the reception, and most other things too.
That being said though, and if I did leave it until I went home before I sorted anything out.. well, that leaves the slightly obsessive compulsive planner in me breaking into a cold sweat. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I'm hoping for a May 2011 date - and if we're not heading home for another year, that really only leaves 5-6 months to sort everything out. Is that too short? And what am I supposed to be beforehand?
AAAAH.
I'm not sure what I want. And I know it's early days, but I really want to start cracking along and following some kind of schedule. Or at least making my own list of things to do, so I can feel like I'm doing something, rather than just sitting here staring at my ring all day long.
Anyway, what do you all think? Planning-related thoughts and advice welcomed!
I didn't mean for things to get so quiet around here, but I suppose that's a good thing. I've had a really busy couple of weeks, things have been going well over here.
I've been showing my engagement ring to anyone who dares walk over to my work desk. As in, HI, HOW ARE YOU?! -shoves ring in face- LOOK!! Everyone has been great at the ooh-ing and aah-ing that I've come to expect. It's so much fun!
I got a new job at my work, technically a small promotion, so I've been throwing myself into that. I'm still working in education/recruitment, but now I get to focus on international teachers who are making the transition to the UK. It's fantastic, because I get to co-ordinate international things from here in London, and it's something that I went through myself just two years ago on the other side. I also get to work crazy hours and have a laptop/mobile that I can use to work from home on the odd occasion.
One of my friends from home, Julie, came to stay with us for a few days - she's now off trekking around Europe on a Contiki tour - but it was nice being able to show her around a few local haunts. She managed to take in Stonehenge, Bath, Salsbury, and some central London landmarks, in 2 days: not bad!
I was filmed for television. The Brit version of 'How to Look Good Naked' to be exact - and no, I most definitely was not naked, thank the heavens. We were walking down High Street Kensington doing some shopping, when a whole stack of cameras started walking towards us. My reaction was to swerve and walk around them, but Julie got caught up in them and ended up calling me back. They ended up asking me if I wanted some fashion advice (errrr...) and started to picked my outfit apart.
I should cut in here to give you some background on this: I had woken up at 6am to meet Julie at Paddington after her flight arrived - so I had the world’s fastest shower, threw some clothes on in the dark and was out the door. I was wearing a knee length denim skirt, plain black long sleeved shirt and knee high black flat boots. They told me they liked my boots (as the camera panned down to my legs) and that I needed to put on a belt and a blazer and WORK MY CURVES.
Yes, Gok Wan told me I had fantastic curves and to show them off. Riiiight.
It wasn't until the cameras walked away and we kept on shopping that I realised that I HADN'T BRUSHED MY HAIR THAT MORNING AND IT LOOKED HORRIFYING. One day I am going to be watching Channel 4 at night and the show will come on, and then I will see myself. And then I will die of shame. And my tombstone will read: "She may have curves, but she really should have brushed her hair."
I sucked up the pain since my first try at Spin class, and have now made it my Monday morning 7am pain session. And guess what? I'm getting much better! Last week was an endurance class with a lot of build-up climbs and flats, and I managed to do the whole thing. I think I'm fast becoming obsessed.. but once a week is more than enough for me right now, thankyouverymuch.
Have I mentioned that I've got an awesome fiance? Because I have.
So, back to all things engagement - let's just say that now I have the actual ring on my finger, literally this time, I've started thinking ahead a little more. For the last nearly three months, I've been content brushing people off when they ask about when and where and the details... but I'm actually starting to get incredibly excited at the prospect of planning. Real, actual planning. It's very exciting.
I'm still stuck in the limbo stage of not knowing when we're even moving home, let alone setting a date, but I can start researching - that'll tide me over for a little while. Be prepared for a whole lot of wedding related rambles, and most likely a few fits of frustration along the way - but it wouldn't be a wedding without a few of those!
My engagement ring is finally back!
(You can start wailing with excitement now, I know I have been!)
It's been a long road, with a couple of hiccups along the way, too.
Last week, we received a call from Tiffany & Co saying that the ring was finished its resizing work in New York and was on its way to London to be hallmarked. The message ended with the lady thanking us for our patience, and reassuring us that the ring would be back with us soon.
That message made the wait even more bittersweet - because I knew the ring was nearly finished, but I still had to wait for it to be completed. I snapped about a week later, and ended up harrassing Jason to make a phone call and see what stage it was at. He was told by a customer service rep, that the ring was still in New York and not expected back until late November.
Looking back, I think it's safe to say that this is when I had my first Bridezilla moment. Hey, nine weeks of waiting does not a happy fiance make.
I flipped out a bit, and sent a panicked email to Tiffany & Co - asking them exactly where the ring was and why we'd received two conflicting stories. We got a call the next day apologising for the confusion, and restating the first message: it's in London, but not ready yet. Back to the waiting game.
I got home on Wednesday afternoon earlier than usual, just after Jason got in. He was standing in front of our wardrobe looking like a deer in the headlights, and blurted out 'What are you doing home so early?' He looked so guilty that I asked what he was doing, and he sighed and told me I'd spoiled his surprise - and then pulled out the ring!
So, that's the end of my story. It's strange.. now that I have it on my finger, I feel more 'officially' engaged! The ring is even more beautiful than I remembered, and seems to match my hands perfectly. And oh! The sparkle. I went to work yesterday and kept stopping mid-typing sentence to just stare at it as it caught the sun.
The boy did such a great job. Enough of my ramblings.. here's the bling!
This is my favourite time of year.
I love the crispness in the air. I love the scarves and tights and knitwear. I love the crunch of the leaves. I love the clearness of the sky. I love the colours. I love looking at forecasts and feeling the weather gradually cooling down.
This is my second Autumn in London, and I'm very much looking forward to it.
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