Things I like about living in Britain, pt 1

Alan Bennett. Wonderful writer, wonderful man. You just want to put him in your pocket or give him a big, big hug.

Tea. One of the first things you learn as a citizen in the UK, is that it's always time for a nice cuppa. The first thing they think about when they wake up, come home, get to work, have a break, go out, get together, watch tv.. etc etc

Afternoon tea. Does not only include tea, but also scones, cakes, champagne and sandwiches: egg, cucumber and ham and cheese. Yum.

English rose. I love the expression 'English Rose', and there are lots of them around, but the Brits do rose gardens pretty damn well. Little oases of calm, peace and lovely smells.

Brogues. A representative object for the perfect gentleman, I'd say, but who says we girls can't wear it too? Certainly an important part of the British way of dressing.

Tweed. Another important part in the British wardrobe, both for ladies and gentlemen.

Picnic. Usually involves Pimm's or champagne (preferably the latter in my case) in Britain, apart from the standard finger sandwiches and scones. These could, of course, be replaced by proper home made bread with brown cheese and cinnamon swirls if you are Norwegian.

Sunday project

When it is still raining outside, and you're feeling a little rough because of the cold that's brewing in your body, you can for instance sit down by the sewing machine and think of new things to make..

Finally Friday!

The weather is properly horrible today, and I secretly like it, possibly because I have the day off and have the option of not going out at all. On a day like this it might be nice to:

- sit inside, with Edith Piaf, a lovely cup coffee and some magazines

- look through cook books to figure out what to cook for our friends who are coming over tomorrow..

- watch an episode of Gilmore Girls
- put on a lovely spotty rain coat and go for a walk in the pouring rain.

- walk through all the lovely leaves on the ground
- look at the beautiful colours of the trees

Hope you all have lovely plans for the weekend!

Work hard, play hard

So this is where I work 3 days a week. A Jane Austen dream.. It's situated in the country side, in a very big park. These kids have no idea how lucky they are....
This is the view from the music room. Pretty cool, huh?

Pretty Purple

Pretty purple polkadots.

Pearly pears on pavement.

Pepper pot full of popping popcorn.

Autumn rain

The rain is pouring down outside, it is wet, windy and wonderful. I'm drinking a lovely cup of tea and lighting candles, enjoying the sound of the rain on my window. I hope it will be wellies- weather tomorrow as well!

Four wheeled dreams..

This car belongs to our neighbour upstairs and is parked just outside our house. I wish it was mine...

Famous blue raincoat..

Life is pretty busy these days. It is difficult to not be a full time student anymore, to be a 'proper' grown up and work for a living, whilst trying to figure out what I want to do next. Husband is working a lot too, and we don't see much of each other. Bills and nothing but bills is what's coming through the post. Sometimes it is very lonely to live in a big city like London, it's easy to feel very small and unimportant. You rarely see known faces in the street. But on days like these I try to make lists like this, so here we go:

Things that make me happy today:

- the trees are gradually becoming yellow and pretty

- the school I work in is pretty cool (I'll put on some photos soon)

- seeing girls in the street that are all dressed up, and look like they're going to do something nice

- tiny little children that hug your legs for no apparent reason

- eating Husband's fresh homemade bread

- kids jumping in big puddles

- watching the latest costume drama on ITV; Downton Abbey, whilst having a nice, hot cup of tea from a lovely spotty tea cup

- fantacizing about and planning weekend trips to Cambridge, Winchester and the Cotswolds

- counting the days until half term holiday when we are going to Scotland

I try, at least, to count my blessings whenever I feel like I don't want to get out of bed in the morning!

Sewing box

Husband found me this sewing box, and thought it was perfect for me. It is so pretty!

And it has two A's on it, the first letter of both Husband's and my name!
And it fits all my sewing things in it. Under this drawer there is a big room with lots of space. Just perfect. I finally feel a little more organised!

Hat inspiration

I wish women would still dress like this...

Wedding memories..

We've finally got some of our wedding photos, and here's a little sneak peak... It's almost two months ago, but somehow it feels so long ago! The photos were taken by a good friend of mine, a very talented hobby photographer.

Autumn is officially here..

Finally, the days are crisper, colder and the trees are starting to look more colourful. Finally, I will not be too warm in winter boots, woolen coats and long scarves. And this autumn I intend to look something like this:

Derbyshire

I have spent the last week in Derbyshire, Peak District, camping with the kids from school. And for a literature fan like me, it was like walking in Jane Austen- land, or in Wuthering Heights (although that was technically in Yorkshire, but that is right next to Derbyshire) just like I have always imagined it! I really love being in the country side, and dream of one day living there. Derbyshire is very, very beautiful, with lots of lovely little villages, country pubs and beautiful inns. And the landscape, of course. So amazingly beautiful.

Weekend love

This weekend I have:

- looked through this lovely book from the Hummingbird Bakery, and made some yummy chocolate muffins.

- had a friend over for home made lunch and fresh coffee

- had a couple of friends over for dinner, and we drank wine and laughed until late, late, late.

- been to a lovely market at Alexandra Palace, and I bought a mannequin, which I have wanted for a long time.
- also bought a bust of Beethoven to go on the piano.

Hope you've had nice weekends too!

Finally Friday!

So, it's Friday again! It's wonderful having Friday to myself, and today the sun is shining from a clear blue sky outside. Bliss. I'm having some of last night's home made bread for breakfast, with a cup of fresh coffee, whilst listening to Edith Piaf and reading Alan Bennett's autobiography.

Wishing you a very good weekend!

This is what I'm longing for..

British style..

I prefer buying things second hand. I like that my things have stories. We have a whole row of charity hand shops just around the corner from us, and I find most things I need there. There's a Red Cross book shop full of treasures, and we never leave the shop empty handed... I also like Ebay, and recently I got this lovely tweed coat from there. I feel very British today, with my tea dress, tweed coat and brogues. I feel like a mix between a male university professor and a housewife, neither of which I am..