WEEK 43-44: Easy come, Easy Go

Let me just start by saying this -

IT'S OFFICIALLY WINTER!! Some parts of London had snow, I unfortunately missed seeing it fall but saw the aftermath on my Sunday morning walk to the gym. I love seeing snow dusting the city!!

Silly me, ever the early bird arrived half an hour early for my Sunday morning gym class. I killed some time by grabbing a coffee and keeping warm.

A cruisy weekend topped off with afternoon drinks with Maria at one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants - York and Albany. Weekend complete :)

The following weekend it was time to celebrate the great nation we call AUSTRALIA. With Australia day falling on a Tuesday and us expats not getting the day off we chose to celebrate on the Saturday before.

It was all Bogans, Sheilas, Beer pong and Sausage sizzles over at Brooke, Louise & Gianni's place. A little different celebrating the day all rugged up - but celebrate we did!

Aussie Girl Band

Sunday morning following the Australia day celebrations, feeling surprisingly spritely I took off for a walk along the Regents Canal. While I've always been a bit of a whimp when it comes to swimming in the ocean and/or cold swimming pools I've always found it calming just being by the water. Without a beach near by this is the next best thing - Obviously I wont be swimming in it!!

I've posted about this canal before but it's only recently that I've explored it a little more, discovering the lock and it's proximity to the park. I'm definitely not the only one who knows about it - with the weather being somewhat mild on Sunday there were people everywhere all with the same idea as me.

WEEK 42: Broke in London Life

The new year has begun and I think we're all starting to feel the pinch of our festive spending. Getting paid a week earlier than usual last month meant pay day came just before Christmas (yay) but also meant five weeks instead of the usual four until the next pay day (naw). I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling this!

I've spent the last week budgeting to the extreme!!! I found this buzz feed article completely relatable, particularly the part about the bread, this was virtually me in a nutshell this week...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/not-made-of-money#.gd1RmYArQ

So with this in mind, my new favourite place to eat is Wetherspoons pubs - the friendliest pub to a poor mans pocket. Kate and myself went on curry night (Thursday) and got this great meal plus an alcoholic drink of choice for £6.40!!! What a steal.

Thankfully my wonderful parent's bought me tickets to Billy Elliot for Christmas, which also included dinner before the show. This certainly helped me forget about my financial woes for  a night.

I took Ashleigh along as my date, we had a great two course meal at an Italian place right by the theatre. My entree was so delicious, goats cheese bruschetta...

We were cutting it close on time following dinner to make it to the theatre, so we had to forgo the mandatory picture in front of the theatre. The show virtually began the moment we sat in our seats.

This shot's stolen from google, sadly there was a lot of construction taking place in front of the theatre obstructing the view.

WEEK 41: Two THOUSAND & 16

The days between Christmas and New Years are always slightly void aren't they? No body knows what day of the week it is, all you know is that New Years is in x amount of days and thats the next thing you have to look forward to. Well thats how I felt at least, despite the fact that I did have to go into the office during the break. Thankfully only for a brief amount of time.

I spent the rest of the break stressing over what to wear to the New Years ball I was attending - you know, as I do.  I braved the sales and eventually found something to wear.

I was super excited about this event, as it was sold to us not so much as a party but a night of entertainment. The event was New York themed and would cover drinks, a 3 course meal, dance entertainment and later a band.

We made it to the event (or should I say to New York?) on time and ready to let our hair down. Ashleigh, Kate and myself were in awe of the extravagance of venue. Facades on each of the walls to make us feel like we'd been transported to the city streets of NYC and even video footage of the town itself displayed on the walls around us.

Entry to "The Rockefella Plaza" 

We've arrived in New York, New York!!

Dancers performed on top of the main bar while guests arrived and mingled. At 8.30 the curtains dropped to let us through to the dining hall. Overhead were thousands of fairy lights - my favourite.

The table is set for some fun ahead!

All set for a feast 

Some festive performances 

Me and Ash entertaining ourselves!

The food didn't disappoint with an appetiser of Salmon, main of Beef and Desert a cheesecake.

Following dinner we were treated to a band that helped us ring in the new year. There was also Dogem cars happening in the side room however the line was so long we were worried we'd miss the count down stuck in a line. Unfortunately this meant we missed out on doing this as it shut shortly after midnight, never mind.

2016 is here!!!

Woo! lets celebrate and throw confetti 

After the countdown we spent the rest of the evening dancing the night away and made it to bed in the wee hours of the morning. A really great night and a New Years I'll never forget.

Happy new year everybody!! I hope 2016 brings you everything you wish for xo

WEEK 39-40: It's Christmas!!

I know I know I've been slack with posts over the Christmas period, blame it on being too busy eating, drinking and being merry! But lets face it you probably have been too!

This year I was well and truly prepared to experience a Christmas unlike any I'd ever had before. My first ever winter Christmas and also my first Christmas away from my nearest and dearest. My housemate and I had agreed that we would spend the day together (both being on our own this year) and unsure as to what we would be doing I thought we should brighten up the living room with a little festive cheer. Big thanks to my beautiful Grandmother for sending some decorations over to help with the festivities. 

I went down to the local flower markets to pick up a Christmas tree, my first ever real life tree!! 

Our baby ready to take home

Walah! Complete with Christmas presents, and internet modem? lol

Unfortunately being a receptionist I was obligated to work right up until Christmas Eve (inclusive) the office was a little quiet to say the least so I had to make my own fun...

Once the working day was over I went home to gather my things for Christmas before making our way to the Natural History Museum for some ice skating!!!

I actually can't remember the last time I went ice skating but I do have very vivid memories of the blood that oozed from my shin the last time I did it - OUCH. Needless to say I was a little nervous. The setting however was very picturesque. 

I'll admit my skills were not great...

But I'm proud to say I didn't fall over once and I tried to my best to refrain from laughing at the falling children (tried, but mostly failed). 

After a quick dinner it was off to Purley to get some rest before the big day!!

Both Kate and I awoke early the next morning to get in a quick chat with some family and friends back home. Shortly after breakfast it was time for the 2 hour drive to Malmesbury.

An uneventful drive, Kate and I took the opportunity to have a little nap in preparation for the big feast that would be our lunch.

Upon arrival I noticed that Santa came to visit the Shaw family overnight, he's not  huge fan of citrus apparently.

I set myself up by the fire, happy to be here!

The Shaw's Christmas tree in all its glory

And finally, lunch is served!!

Much like our Christmas lunches back home with the addition of Yorkshire puddings and a Turkey stuffing bake - DELICIOUS!!!

My stomach unfortunately didn't handle the overload of rich food and unfortunately could not stomach much of the of sweets that were served as dinner. 

Not long after dinner, I couldn't handle much at all...

It was a magical Christmas day - a huge thank you to our adopted Christmas Family for making us feel so welcome. Hope you all had a special day with loved ones.

Boxing day morning - What better way to start off another day of eating than with Trifle for breakfast? Well if you say so!!

Before lunch Kate and I were treated to a walking tour of the town of Malmesbury and a beautiful town it is. For those of you wondering this is it's location in relation to London -

The Abbey in particular was just beautiful still standing after all these years, part of it collapsed some time ago, but the building is still very much in use. 

Malmesbury also holds England's oldest pub - The Old Bell, built in 1220 and still looking as charming as ever.

Malmesbury provided the Christmas I was hoping for, traditional and English. 

Now on to New Years!!! Post up soon xo