Penpal update

So I must admit, I am yet to write to my penpal :( But I swear my handwritten letter is coming.


Joelle from A Charming Occasion and Megan from Freckled Italian have set up this great idea to get back to a life without high-technology taking over, and simply connect via a hnadwritten letter.


I remember when I was younger I used to write letters to my family and I would so carefully choose which paper I would use and how I would use it etc. I would be creative and eager to think of everything I wanted to say and everything I wanted to know in return - it was a true and proper conversation, with just the slight time delay of when the postman would turn up :) The excitememnt would build up to see if the letter had been received and then of course the eager awaiting of a reply to make its way to your own letterbox.


I love letters - especially hanwritten ones, so I'll keep you posted for when I finally get my time together (look out for future blogs on this thought) to write my penpal a letter.

Thought of the day...

So Spring has arrived into London. FINALLY! I finally got to sit in the park at lunchtime, and relax without worrying the rain would hit, or the wind would pick up etc. It was perfection in its finest. I will indeed be writing more on this later, but London in the sunshine, is one of the world's greatest cities, and today I was well and truly reminded of that fact. Utter bliss...for the lunch break at least :)


So my thought for the day was triggered last night during my homesick little melt down. Am well and truly over it now, but in the brief 'break-down' moment, I felt really a world apart from my 'people'. For any avid Grey's Anatomy fans (me being the biggest one), they have 'people' who utterly can understand what they're going through without words, or any mere form of communication. It's an understanding that resonates within the atmosphere of their existence, and I have that with many of my family and friends who are based in the absolute form of overseas lands you can get. They really couldn't get further if they tried....or more like I couldn't further from them considering I was the one who left my beautiful country to explore elsewhere.


Isolation can be a terrifying feeling to experience, and especially when vulnerability is already running wild on you as it is. So my thought for today, is to remember people - not just 'your people' but all people. I know that I'm often looked at as being highly responsible, well organised and structured and as a result a strong and independent woman, and whilst that can be an accurate description and view point, I still have moments and most importantly need to feel loved and remembered, as I try and do in my relationships also. It's important to just pick up the phone, write a quick text or send a brief email to say rather simply.
'I'm just thinking of you today, and I hope all is well wherever you are.' It will make someone’s day, so keep it in mind, and don't lose site of the fact that sometimes our assumptions can be apt and correct and sometimes they can be oh so wrong, and that person you view as being strong and independent, may just need you in their life...even if only for a virtual second.

I ♥ Florence

To begin with...

Fantabulous literature

...So this is my 6^th time I think to Italy (I always feel compelled to tell how many times I’ve been to a place, so you can understand the depth of my adoration) Filip has never been to Florence, and I’ve been dying to get back there, to explore more, and kind of go over the things I already know and love about this magical little city. We flew into Pisa and stayed for one night, to explore the Leaning Tower…(I think that’s the absolute on what you can explore in Pisa) and then caught the train to Florence for the second day and evening.

So Pisa in images.....

Stunningly beautiful streets

The iconic Leaning Tower

Market time on a Saturday morning

I love that in Italy passion exudes from the sidewalk literally – store owners, are hanging out and yelling sweet Italian phrases (even when aggressive it still sounds amazing), and carrying on with their daily business, which really just makes me smile. From the language to the style, to the AMAZING food – this place just lives and breathes passion. I know many can be annoyed and find the whole country overwhelming – I so never feel that. I just long for more time here. 

Bardeni and Boboli Gardens was perfect on the most amazing sunny day, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi were all on my ‘To do’ list and to share with Filip. The Duomo was the very first one I saw here, and seeing again for a second time, was no less stunning than the first time. I find this city very easy to stroll and explore – it’s just so nice being out and about here, and watching the world keep moving as you take a coffee break or get some amazing gelato, is always a must do. Just enjoy and lap up every minute. There’s never a need to worry here – it just feels relaxed and joyous the whole time. 

Just cos he's so darn cute! In Bardeni Garden :)

Boboli Garden

The Boboli Gardens (Italian: Giardini di Boboli) is a park in Florence, that is home to a collection of sculptures dating from the 16th through the 18th centuries, with some Roman antiquities.

The view from Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge") is a Medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River in Florence, noted for still having shops built along it, as was once common. 

The famous jewellery stores in Ponte Vecchio

Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.

The oh so amazing site to see Ponte Vecchio

Eating is just the best joy in this country – they get it so right – they fill the time with passion over family, food, vino, conversation and decadent coffee and dessert. They do it in true style, and I really didn’t want to leave…even though the entire weekend I felt completely full and stuffed! The fact they get it perfect with simple ingredients, will always amaze me – a simple bruschetta made with fresh and delicious tomatoes, onions, garlic and of course Olive Oil. Done so right by having the fresh and amazing Italian produce. We were fortunate enough to eat at two of the city’s best – both Dinner and Lunch were an event of food and generous discussions shared with waitresses/waiters and the guests next to us. We literally stumbled across them, and are so grateful we did.


Lunch:                                                                                                    
Il Latini

Dinner:

Il Francescano

And of course for dessert:

Gelato!

Some other amazing and beautiful pics purely for my own memory and pleasure.....

The beautiful night sky and sunset from Il Francescano
:)

The view from San Miniato al Monte

 
San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) is a basilica in Florence, standing atop one of the highest points in the city. It has been described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. There is an adjoining Olivetan monastery, seen to the right of the basilica when ascending the stairs.

The Duomo

Shoppers side note: – Literally the first thing I spotted upon our Pisa stroll on Saturday morning was Dixie – fell in love, and though superb for different little items at a low-ish (By Italian Standards) cost – affordable either way and oh so worth it!Shopping in this country is fab fab fab. The last time I was in Rome I purchased these great and handy and stylish welly’s – a fave, considering how popular Hunters are. I like that these are different and do the amazing trick they do. I managed to pick up a new pair of shoes on this visit and fell in love with this little chain all over again. Check out Primadonna on any visit.

Could they be any cuter!

Ciao for now!

The first of the spring...in Stockholm



Cherry blossom time in Kungsträdgården

    

My world

Fika time



The fabulous streets of Stockholm

National Library of Sweden in Humlegården

This city is amazing in style - and they keep it green too!

 So finally SPRING has arrived…in Stockholm at least (Still nothing in London). Filip and I flew in late Friday evening and out again late Sunday, and spent a full TWO days basking in the sunshine, meeting friends, taking FIKA (ah my favourite) and exploring some old spots and some new. What a fabulous time!
This is possibly my 8th time roughly in Sweden and possibly 5th in Stockholm…? What I love about this city is the fact that is completely tire-less. You never get sick of seeing its sights. From my first experience in the city as a singleton travelling with my girlfriends, to now travelling ‘home’ with my boyfriend,  this city never ceases to be old in its presence. It oozes being quaint and holding charm whilst being infused with modernity unlike many other European cities, and really steps up to the plate in design, culture and pure decadent style. This is most definitely the city to ‘people watch’. Sitting out in the sunshine having a coffee and cinnamon bun, watching the ‘indeedly-very-beautiful’ world pass you by.

On this weekend trip, we walked A LOT, as you do and discovered many great things to see and do. For lunch we went with friends to this fabulous outdoor/indoor café with all organic produce named Centralbadet.

Wayne’s Coffee brought us a bought of ‘Fika’, which translates into a social coffee break, and usually with something sweet to accompany your kaffe. And in the evening we were invited to a fab restaurant Restaurang AG almost similar in style to London’s Hawksmoor or Gaucho, where we shared a tenderly cooked meal of pork. Its style and ambience was authentic and designed accurately and prices were rather low in travelling with a group. I think in total including wine Filip and I spent 840SEK, which equates roughly to £76…so definitely not too bad for the two of us. Sunday we popped to the local supermarket for brunch and walked through Skansen where we stopped and enjoyed the fabulous spring sunshine and had classic Swedish hotdogs and ice-cream!

No shopping purchases for me this time.. but NK is always a favourite in our household, and if you’re looking for stylish and inexpensive prices check out Gina Tricot, similar to also the very famous Swedish Store Henny’s -  H&M.
The only real purchase (other than candy) we bought was a little jumpsuit from Lundmyr of Sweden for my new niece or nephew, that expands to allow more room as they grow – an awesome idea! NB: when you check out their website alskling = darling (uber cuteness).

The Swedes definitely understand great and inventive design, and they most definitely infuse it with perfect style. For a place where they truly get it, book your tickets to Stockholm soon!

Ideas on Style

I think in regards to finding your personal style, in whatever realm we’re discussing – travel, fashion, art etc., my advice would be to work with what you have.

We, especially us women, focus a little too much on the things we don’t have, or the things we dislike. Instead, I urge you to work with what you have. 
The way in which I’ve really understood my own style and taste, has been when I’ve has no other option, than being stuck with what I’ve got. Times when i’ve been frustrated with my hair attempting to grow out, or I’ve had no money back when I was a student and you become forced to make do with your wardrobe’s offerings as it stands. 

You become creative, and innovative, and although you may risk making a few errors here and there,  you soon discover your comfort levels, levels of risks you’re willing to take and you begin to have fun exploring new possibilities, even if they’re ‘old ‘clothes etc. It’s the same when you travel - be it to the same place, either to visit family or business etc. or new adventures awaiting you. 

Find new crevices of discovery – Dare to step on a different path – and discover new lengths to which you will go to be yourself, and to find your own flavour for your life and ideas.

"If we never found this love
If we never took that road
If we hadn't had the heart
We wouldn't have this home."
       Love will take you  by Angus & Julia Stone

I love how this parallels who we are - Home is wherever you are right now and to have an understanding of ourselves being where we are by our own choice and previous choices, is more than just empowering, it's reminding in its own self, and therefore enabling for all we are and more!

Eye Spy...ME

What is ME time?…Mary Engelbreit time of course.
I first stumbled across this amazing and distinctive illustrator when I was a child. My aunt lives in America, and used to send calendars and desk diaries to my grandmother and mother in NZ. Nana was soon labelled after one of Mary’s greatest characters ‘The Queen of Everything’, which then meant my Aunt and my Mum were the 'Princesses of Quite a Lot', and so on.

Nana LOVES Mary, and I soon began to not be able to get through a year, without Mary’s fabulous creations also.
Every year I buy myself and my family a new calendar and whatever other items I can get my hands on without being too over the top for my boyfriend’s liking (I now buy for his Mum too) and set myself up with a new and exciting year.
Mary’s affirmations, whether they be her own or from the great of the greats, have filled the lives of the women in my family with joy, laughter and unbreakable hope that life is a ok, and will continue to be so. Mary has turned simple products into a family tradition for me, and I hope will continue to be passed down and continued on. ME time will be centred around a quote of the day from Mary’s Day-to-Day calendar I bought for 2012. I hope you enjoy and get as much joy as I do from seeing what the next day will bring….