A is for afternoon tea

After a few weeks break for family birthdays, we got back on with our alphabet dating. When we pulled the letter A from the jar, afternoon tea was an easy choice. What better excuse to sit around and eat cake? We reserved a table at the gorgeous Weston Hall and shared a prosecco and a Gentlemen's afternoon tea whilst finalising our plans for our American adventure. It was all delicious and the staff happily boxed up the treats that we couldn't quite manage. They certainly brightened up lunch bag at work on Monday!

R is for Restaurant

Alphabet Dating. It's something I've heard of many times but never really given much thought to. But now- with a hectic term ahead and the cricket season approaching- time together is going to be precious and we've got years ahead of us to sit in front of the telly, so we've decided to give it a whirl!

So week one: R

Don't worry, I'm fully aware of the order of the alphabet; we decided to randomly pick a Scrabble letter from a jar to make it a little bit more interesting.

Keeping it fairly simple for our first week we went for restaurant and visited one of our favourite Steak restaurants (Miller & Carter) for a delicious meal and a glass of wine whilst we sat chatting about our plans for our trip to America. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon :)

London Love

We really enjoy spending our free time exploring cities around the world, discovering the culture, food and history of the places that we visit, taking photographs and and making memories. Yet, so often we forget just how much is on our door stop (ish..). I have been to London many times for various reasons, but it is SO long since I went as a fully fledged, landmark visiting, snap happy tourist in my own capital. So, during the February half term, we did exactly that!

Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard, Churchill's War Rooms, shopping on Oxford Steet, a show on the West End, Champagne at The Shard- we did it all! And coming across the cutest little cupcake shop in Covent Garden that sold delicious hot chocolate and pretty cupcakes made a very welcome afternoon treat. 

Next stop: LAS VEGAS ♥

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself- Andy Warhol

Wow. Three whole years since I last used this blog. A blog which had such an important influence on my life. In fact, this blog helped me through one of the darkest times imaginable in my life, when everything turned upside down and inside out. Through this blog, I focused on the positives and constants in my life and held onto hope for the future. Unbelievably, it is a whole three years since I last posted on this blog- January 2012. This was at a time when life seemed to gradually, at long last, be heading in the right direction and I was looking forwards and focusing on the positives, what the future may hold. Little did I know that just two months later I would meet a boy that would completely change everything for me. But this time, for the better.

Looking back through my previous posts, it is a little crazy to think just how much life has changed in that space of time; how far I have come and how far behind those heartaches and dramas have now been able to be left. Good crazy.

And so now I sit here three years on, blissfully happy in our second home, engagement ring on my left ring finger, in the second year of my teaching career and finally being able to say that I am, on the whole, happy and comfortable with myself. By far the best three years of my life so far ♥

So maybe it's time to come back and share some of the many positives in my life now.
And with that, I also wonder where my life shall be three years from now...

January is always a month of lost hope. Broken promise. Failed resolutions.

Such good intentions of fresh starts and new beginnings..
Yet after the excitement of Decembers festivities it simply doesn't measure up. Everything only seems to last so long.

So hello February. Please be kind :]

So tonight I finally began the tedious job of uploading some of my traveling photos. A few [five] months late maybe, but better late than never right?

Looking back definitely bought back all the memories. It some ways it seems a life time ago, yet on the other hand I cant believe five months have passed since we were there exploring, lives packed into our bags without a care in the world but where we were going next and what amazing food we were going to try. And so much has changed since then, it's a little crazy.

I miss the freedom. The independence. The fun and adventure. The food. The excitement of new things. The sunshine..
Someone take me back?

New year, new start

Yes, yes. We all say it every single year but that is the aim. A better year! 2011 and its collection of dramas are now behind me and its time for life to pick up a little! Time to grab what comes along in life and make the most of it. And remember the bad times I've been through have only made me stronger.

Its been a busy old month for me, what with all of my 21st celebrations, Christmas, New Year and just catching up with friends and family while I'm back home. But its been amazing ♥

And already its almost time to go back. Back to the reality of life in Nottingham and my placement. I'm half excited, to see the people I miss and be back in the freedom of my own house. But its going to be strange going back now I feel settled here. And there are a lot of people I am going to miss.

But here is to 2012!
A year of friendship, love, smiles and new adventures..

Birthday countdown...

The celebrations have already begun
In four days time I turn 21. 

Time to grow up? Scary!

I'm still waiting for Peter Pan to find me and
whisk me away to never never land ♥

Wave goodbye to those autumn blues

Following the extreme ups and downs of the last few months I woke up this morning almost instantly in a far better mood. Hello December! 

Be it the sun in the sky, the countdown to my 21^st birthday and the plans that come along with that.. eeek! The amazing few days I had back home in Stoke at the start of the week, excitement for seeing Kasabian this Saturday [thanks to a few special folks :)], the thought of the end of term being in sight, the thrill of my spontaneous new ear piercing, the recent closures I’ve finally found or just the obvious festive excitement in the Christmas run up.. I just don’t know. Most probably a combination of all...
But I don’t care for reasons right now, just smiles :)

First day jitters

It's fair to say that the first term of third year has totally flown by.. only 3 weeks till the Christmas break!
And tomorrow I start my third year placement, eek! Time to play teacher again!
The nerves are kicking in as I choose my first day outfit, determined to make the right impression on my new year 3 class. It's funny how intimidating a group of eight year olds can be!

And so with placement time here, on top of the existing mountain of university work and approaching deadlines, I wave goodbye to any social life and set my early morning alarm.

Dreaming of adventure..

I want to go travelling again!

That Autumn Feeling..

Firstly, apologies for the lack of blogging. Life has been a little hectic lately and its fair to say third year work load has massively stepped up. Eek!

Last week I went to the Peak District on a university residential for an exploration of a Plague town and a lovely bit of countryside air. Wrapped up in our coats, hats, gloves and scarves and surrounded by falling golden leaves it really did feel like Autumn had arrived :) Now I'm all excited for Bonfire night tomorrow, to be snuggled up under a twinkling sky. Magical..

Reconciliation of the Roses

Finally the long awaited news has been delivered; the Stone Roses are joining forces again and touring.

I couldn't actually put my excitement into words!

And so in honor of those lovely four Mancunian legends and to reflect again on my current headspace, here be a few words of wisdom from from the guys themselves..

"I can feel the earth begin to move

I hear my needle hit the groove

And spiral through another day

I hear my song begin to say

Kiss me where the sun don't shine

The past was yours

But the futures mine

You're all out of time."
[The Stone Roses, 1989]

Sometimes in life you just have to pause and say thank you..

Its been a little while since my last post. Firstly, because life has been a tad on the hectic side, but mostly because its not been all that rosy. I know people say to think positively, be optimistic, the glass is half full and all that. But just lately its felt more like the glass was emptied in my face and then smashed to smithereens by a steam roller..

However, what better time is there to look around and see who's true in life. Who counts. And who is there come rain or shine. At whatever hour of the day. And who's not... I've had a lot of those moments lately and some stars in my life really have shone through. So for all the late night talks, the cuddles, the nights out, the shopping trips, the cosy nights in, the words of support and just for listening, I thank you.

And so here is to family and friends ♥

Goodbye Kiss..

 "You go your way and I'll go my way

No words can save us, this lifestyle made us.

Run along like I'm supposed to, be the man I ought to
Rock and roll, sent us insane.

I hope someday that we will meet again."

                         [Kasabian, 2011]

Forty-eight hours in the land of Robin Hood..

That time of year came around again to load up my little Flora (my automobile) and head on back to Nottingham for the start of the new year. Third year. Wow, I feel so old! It never fails to surprise me just how many clothes and things I have! However due to a recent, somewhat unplanned weight loss I'm now finding that a large proportion of those do not fit! Not that I am complaining, it just makes a life a little expensive. I digress..

Goodbye summer, hello Autumn..

So the last time I wrote, I spoke of change..
But little did I know how much was about to change for me!

I shall not dwell on things, but I think it’s fair to say that life has been a little up, down and all over the show these past few weeks.
Yet through it all a few certain friends have, as ever, been absolute rocks!
Listening to the tales, rants, tears, confusions and dilemmas throughout..
They really are the best, so here's to them!

On a much brighter note, I've been enjoying my last few weeks of the summer break before returning to Nottingham for the new term.
I love the culture of my home town! Nowhere else is quite like it and I always miss it when I'm away. So there's been lots of catching up with friends and family, a few home football games and a handful of nights out with a few too many drinks consumed! And I still have a week to go!

And so as the cold, dark nights continue to draw in I'm starting to look to the future and what it may hold. Who knows?
But I am a little bit excited to see!

Nan and two generations grandkids at her
80th birthday celebrations

Time for change..

New month, new season, new university year...
This seemed the perfect opportunity for a new look too!

And so I have finally got round to adding a bit of a personal touch to my blog with the background I created using Photoshop. There are still a few tweaks here and there to come..
But, thoughts so far?