WEEK 30-31: Colour, Spice and All Things Nice

It's safe to say Autumn has well and truly arrived in London, each morning I wander the streets on my way to work and am treated to the beautiful colours of the leaves on the trees and below my feet. 

I'm lucky to catch a bit of day light in the mornings on the way to work, and it gets dark again as early as 4.30 in the afternoon. I've been grateful to not have a whole lot of rain so far, but I'm betting it's just around the corner. 

With the cooler weather comes the desire to stay indoors and keep cosy. With that in mind, on Friday evening a few of us girls got together for our first colouring in a wine night. Colouring in is not just for kids anymore! Reliving our childhood memories, wine in hand and plenty of gossip to boot I think this is the first of many regular colouring-in nights.

Work in progress

Busy at work

With a side of yummy

All done!

While Friday was her actual birthday Ashleigh chose to celebrate on Saturday with a trip to the St Pancras Hotel, where the video for the Spice Girls Wannabe was filmed (amongst many other things). Clearly a long time Spice Girls lover I was more than a little excited to go visit the site. 

The building is so beautiful, both inside and out.

We first had a Champagne (or two) at the bar in the international terminal before getting our Spice on in the stairwell. 

'Press for Champagne' I work in fashion, but thats my kind of button. 

The birthday gal.

Cheers

annnnnd here it is...

Girl Power

See the resemblance...

In the zone from our Spice Girls take-off we went on to find a bar to boogie the night away. Hope you had a great night Ash, my head did not enjoy waking up on Sunday thats for sure. 

This week it's the Rugby world cup final, Australia Vs New Zealand. It's also Halloween - needless to say in a town filled with Kiwi's and Aussies London will be buzzing come Saturday night. Lets see what the weekend brings!!

WEEK 29: Keepin Busseee

Guys I think I've finally figured out the equally best and worst thing about London. Want in on the secret? Here it is... there's simply too much to do, too little time and for most of us too little funds to be able to do it all. I know shocking right?!

I've spent the last two weekends craving a quiet and lazy weekend, where I can catch up on washing, sleep in and maybe cook some nice food for myself. What I've come to learn over the past two weeks is unless you shut yourself off from all human contact people are inevitably going to invite you to some fun new London function that you simply can't say no to.

Possibly one of the most unusual events I've ever attended - I was lucky enough to be invited to a pop up 'Bubble Bath Bar'. What is that I hear you say? Well it is exactly what it sounds like, a bar that you attend to have a bath. The event being held in conjunction with national champagne/cocktail week we were welcomed into a romantically lit space with approximately 12 luxurious tubs evenly spaced throughout the room. We were asked to change into swimmers and given a plush robe to wait around in whilst we enjoyed a glass of champagne. Once our tub was ready we jumped into the steaming hot bath. Champagne glasses consistently being topped up by one of the friendly staff.

Thats Nikki's oh my god, it's actual Champagne not Prosecco face.

Complete with rubber ducky.

I've been inundated with people asking me how they can attend this event, sadly they were only doing it for two nights, so I feel very lucky that we got to go. Something for the memory bank thats for sure!

Friday night it was all about the pies, a pub just up the road from my new flat claims to serve award winning pies. Being Australian I had to check it out. They were pretty good, but nothing like the ones I've had at home. 

Pie 1, Pie 2

Despite being a dreary London day, on Saturday I went for a walk from Waterloo to London Bridge with Brooke and her friend. Thats when I met my new friend Jasper...

Couldn't even sit still for a photo - TOO EXCITED!!

My love for this furry guy was instant. He reminded me so much of my best bud Benny, it was a pleasure to spend even a brief moment with this friendly little guy. Of course it only made me miss Benny even more than usual (if thats even possible).

After a massive night crawling around the pubs of Camden I was pretty happy to have a cruisy Sunday, London even turned on the charm with some sunshine. Before I knew it the weekend was gone.

Let's bring on the next one! xo

WEEK 27-8: Oktoberfest and recovery

Oktoberfest yeahhhh!!! It's safe to say I was a little excited to head to Munich for Oktoberfest, an event I've wanted to attend for quite some time. Everyone I've ever spoken with that's been before has only said great things, so expectations were high.

With Friday off work, I got myself packed and met Nikki to catch our bus to the airport. Here we go!!!

The anticipation!

To save a bit of money as well as taking the opportunity to see a little more of Germany we chose to fly into the quaint town of Nuremberg, rather than direct to Munich. After we arrived and got Gianni kitted out with a last minute lederhosen, we stopped by the markets for a bit of German Sausage and made the mad dash to catch our coach to Munich.

Strolling through Nuremberg

We needn't have rushed, due to a football game playing in the area traffic was a nightmare and our coach arrived over an hour behind schedule. Nevertheless we made it to Munich by around 11pm.

Satisfied with our cute little airbnb we discussed shower schedules and timings for the morning - our first day at the festival. We were told to pick a tent and line up early as it can be difficult to get a table.

For some reason in a group of 4 girls I was the only one who knew how to braid hair so I was up from 5.30 doing my own and others hair, I offered to do something with Gianni's hair but he wasn't up for it. You can't go to Oktoberfest without your hair braided!!

Welcome to my salon....

Day one we spent at the Lowenbrau tent, theres not a lot to say about the day - the pictures pretty much cover it. Beers beers beers.

Day 1 crew!!

Gianni didn't like me pointing out the raindeer on his shirt, hence the giggles - it's festive!! 

Having a lol with cous!

Day two we allowed ourselves a little sleep in, hopeful that everyone would be a little dusty from the day before and also be arriving later. We were lucky and snagged a table quite easily, the biggest challenge of the day complete we were free to have fun.

Again here's our day in photo's - more beer, beer, beer.

The tourist shot!

Strudle for breakfast? Yes please!

The name of day two tent, well the first one we hit anyway.

Cheers!

Two hands required to carry this lot.

Day 2 Crew!

Having a sing-a-long!

It's safe to say the festival was a lot of fun, we met a lot of people, ate a lot of delicious pork, drank way too little water (did you know thats frowned upon at the festival?) and of course got a little merry.

Monday morning, surprisingly hangover free we walked to a nearby breakfast place for a way too heavy breakfast. The scenery on the way home made up for it though.

Pretty pathways

I think we all would've loved one more day at the festival but London and the real world was calling, so it was time to head home. A great weekend, great friends, great beer and great memories.

Where to next?? xo