TODAY.

I am a graduate!

After three years of University and starting the real world of work I got to celebrate with friends and my parents. It was such a fun day, I literally had the best time despite the rain and the cold.

There were a few times when I wasn't sure if I would get through all the assignments and it was a LOT of work but I did it. I'm so beyond thankful for the friends I have made, the support and love I have received from everyone close to me, and for the past three and a half years spent in Leeds. This feels like quite an achievement.

God has taught me so much through this and it's exciting (and scary) to see what's next...

Photos from my lovely friend Ellerie.

THANKFUL THURSDAY/ DECEMBER.

one my bed. I've been working nights this week and it is the BEST getting to snuggle up after a long shift

two making it to the cinema more regularly, I love it!

three Christmas lights, cooking, traditions, songs, buying gifts. Getting into the full swing of things well and truly 

four a week off work last week meaning  friends could visit that I haven't seen in a too long 

five a new coat with the warmest hood I've been wearing even when it's not raining or snowing
six finally getting the last pieces of furniture for the house, yes to no boxes on the floor
seven this advent series and the encouragement of a friend following it alongside me
eight living close enough for impromptue visits from friends
nine a housemate who walks half and hour with me each way to buy a real Christmas tree and hangs out my washing!

CHRISTKINDLEMARKT.

Every year a Christmas market comes to one of the squares in Leeds city centre just like many other cities all over England. 

It's become part of the build up to Christmas to spend an afternoon or evening there ever since I stater university. In all honesty it's pretty tiny and all you can do is buy small gifts and ornaments, expensive food and drink or go on a few funfair rides. The atmosphere is so happy and full of anticipation that this doesn't matter and the music, lights and Christmassy smells make up for it! 

This year after appreciating the magic (and the food) we headed home quite early to mull our own wine and watch Sleepless in Seattle which was fine by me.

LIFE THIS NOVEMBER.

The months seems to be flying, how is this year practically done? I have plans written into my diary all the way past Christmas which feels partly like everything has already happened! 

I wanted to try and take a photo everyday in November but that very quickly failed. Instead I tried to capture little things that have happened over the last month to share with you. These are not very exciting things but have just made up life recently.

Enjoy!

SIMPLE SHADES OF WHITE.

THE DAY SO MUCH POST ARRIVED, A LOT OF LOVE COMING THROUGH MY DOOR.

AUTUMN SKY.

AUTUMN LIGHT.

AN INVITATION I COULDN'T REFUSE.

SETTING UP HOUSE.

 MY ONLY GLIMPSE OF FIREWORKS THIS YEAR.

NEARLY TOO PRETTY TO DRINK.

A NEW VIEW.

BAKING AGAIN.

HOMEMADE.

ANOTHER COFFEE. ANOTHER CROISSANT.

LONDON STREETS.

SO MANY DRESSES.

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE...AGAIN. SISTER SISTER.

GOOD MORNING LEEDS.

POPCORN EXPERIEMENTS.

TODAY.

...consisted of rearranging furniture, washing a lot of clothes, getting up late-ish something I'm not very good at but I tried! and Smoky red lentil soup.

Thanks to the sprouted kitchen (and my parents for kindly buying me this recipe book).

Also today is only one month until Christmas!! 

LONDON.

Yep. Last weekend I was in London again!

This time I was able to visit a friend for her birthday AND go wedding dress shopping with my mum and sisters. Despite the fact that my sister did not find her perfect dress, the weekend was really fun as it always is when we manage to all get together. Family is the best.

I failed to get my camera out very often (oops, I'm working on that) but below are a few that I manage to capture.

BAKER STREET TUBE STATION.

I FOUND SHERLOCK HOLMES!

MARYLEBONE ROAD.

BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS.

SO MANY DRESSES.

AUTUMN IS STILL GOING STRONG.

WE GOT TO GO TO A VINTAGE WEDDING FAIR...WHERE I TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE FREEBIES.

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL BUILDING, OF WHICH I WILL ALWAYS TAKE TOO MANY PHOTOS.

THANKFUL THURSDAY/ NOVEMBER.

one new socks

two my new house. Not fully moved in but so happy to have found somewhere to make mine
three health! I've been a bit unwell these past few days and it's massively made me appreciate how infrequently this happens
four films (and having time to watch them!)

five trains
six new tv series
seven my big brother
eight my walk to work. I feel like I haven't had a chance to get out of the house apart from my walk to and from work so being able to be outside it has been greatly appreciated 
nine thoughtful loving friends (and my near constant stream of letters and parcels!)

x

A QUICK TRIP TO LONDON.

We popped down to London last week to see my younger sister perform in a contemporary dance piece. I'm so happy I finally made it to one of her shows, she is incredible and I was so proud! We managed to fit a lot into the 24 hours we were there for. I had already decided to make a film of the trip but most things we ended up doing, I wasn't able to film. This resulted in the following...a lot of shots of travelling and walking around London!

Music by Mateo Messina "Up the Spout"

I loved creating something fun from the day-to-day and pushing myself to be braver in getting my camera out in public.

APPLE CINNAMON CAKE.

1. Earlier this week I got up early to do some baking. We had some apples that needed using up and this recipe is something that I've never made before. I've eaten a similar cake made by a friend and it was delicious so I decided to give this a go. 
   
   
   It was pretty straightforward to make but ended up taking waaaayyy longer to bake than specified because I made a loaf rather than the round cake recommended. None the less it tasted good and was worth the wait. Such a nice alternative to crumble or pie when there are apples involved.
   
   
   
   

Recipe from BBC Food can be found here.

Have a lovely weekend! 
x

UPDATE.

I'm in the middle of moving house right now! It's so exciting but I don't have time for much else except organising and unpacking. I can't wait to unpack and find a place for everything. Also it's such a good opportunity to reassess all the things that have been in storage for the past few months and haven't been missed...clear out time I think.

In the meantime, here are a few things I've been loving recently
This playlist. I love that I would have picked most of these songs out myself but I didn't have to go to the effort.
This exhibition. Mainly for the giant floating silver clouds, I think this exhibit has finished now but those clouds were so cool!
This blog series. My sister has some serious skills in film photography and this is such a fun way of sharing them.
These boots. I've wanted some like these for awhile now and my current ones are breaking.
This cinema. I love this place and haven't been in way too long. Some great films are playing in the next few weeks so I need to prioritise a little trip out.

I'll be back soon!
x

TODAY.

Today I had the day off work.

Today I got to say in pjs til past lunchtime.

Today I was able to take time to make plans, to tick jobs off my to-do list, to enjoy little things.

Bagel + coffee.Writing letters.

Watching autumn through the window.

Disposables from Italy.

You've Got Mail.

So it's been a whole week since my last blogpost and I don't really have anything to write about. I was worrying about this a little and feeling the pressure to write something great but then I remembered that I set out to use this space as something fun and creative and I wanted to challenge myself. The blogs I enjoy the most are just real and normal and honest insights into others lives. This was my life today and it felt pretty great.

I haven't had my camera with me (it's packed away somewhere..) so these are some quick photos I snapped on my phone from this morning. 

Have a wonderful Thursday!
x