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

THANKFUL THURSDAY.

I've decided to start a regular post as a way of remembering the ways in which I am thankful. This is partly inspired by some friends of mine and by similar posts on other blogs. Lauren, I promise I'm not copying your posts - we obviously think too similarly, ha! 

It's easy to focus on the things haven't gone to plan and forget about all the good things that are happening to me everyday. This has been especially true these past few weeks but I hope that by making myself stop to acknowledging and appreciate things to be thankful for, I will be quicker to appreciate, more grateful and slower to complain. 

I don't intend this to be a fancy or exciting list but more of an exercise to help me to actively consider each week how blessed I am and something to look back on if I forget.

one the most welcoming and generous friends 

two my job

three fresh air

four slippers

five mobile phones, laptops, letters - so many ways to keep in touch

six freedom

seven books and having time to read them

eight new tv series starting again

nine unending grace and forgiveness

I hope you feel encouraged to appreciate the little (and big) things going on with you right now

x

AUTUMN.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love autumn and it has definitely arrived!

My very talented big sister blogged some gorgeous photos recently of the changing trees and it just reminded me of how every year I am blown away by how beautiful this season is. It never gets old. 

Seeing as I haven't had the chance so far to do or document any autumnal things yet this year I decided to have a look back at some of my old photos from the last few years...

Just a few things that I'm looking forward to,

Watching films whilst snuggled up inside. You've Got Mail and Dan in Real Life are my go to.
Cooking pies, soups, bread.
Wearing layers. Jumpers and boots. Weirdly there hasn't been that chill in the air yet and I miss it.
Going outside to enjoy the colours in the trees and the sky.
Listening to live music. It seems to happen about this time each year.Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit in a week! 
Traveling to visit friends around the country.
Celebrating bonfire night and the anticipation for Christmas!
x

SUNSET, BONUS VENICE.

Whilst in Venice we stayed on Guidecca, one of the islands just off the main island of Venice. At first this felt like a mistake because it meant having to get a vaporetto (water bus) every time we wanted to leave the hostel as we were completely detached from the main city. 

However, this meant we were able to get an incredible view of the city every morning ajnd evening. I grabbed my camera and documented the sun disappearing behind the city one evening as we sat by the water.

Have a lovely weekend

x

Ps. last Italy post I promise!

VENICE.

Last stop Venice!

Again I had visited before with my Mum quite a few years ago but only for two days. Venice is such a unique place with so much to see, I was more than happy to explore again.

SAN MARCO.

SAINT MARK'S BASILICA. UNFORTUNATELY THIS WAS MOSTLY COVERED IN SCAFFOLDING FOR RENOVATION BUT THIS CORNER WAS EXPOSED.

LOTS OF TOURISTS IN THE PIAZZA SAN MARCO.

RIALTO MARKETS, I DO LOVE A GOOD MARKET!

THE FAMOUS RIALTO BRIDGE.

THE GRAND CANAL.

SO INTRICATELY DECORATED.

SAN MARCO AGAIN.

VIEW FROM OUR HOSTEL!

MURANO.

PALAZZO DUCAL, DOGE'S PALACE. WE DID SUCH A FUN TOUR HERE OF ALL THE HIDDEN ROOMS AND PRISONS, INCLUDING THE STORY OF CASANOVA. 

SANTA MARIA DELLA SALUTE.

I'm so grateful that I had this chance to explore and travel but seeing so much of Northern Italy has made me want to explore more of the southern coast and countryside... plenty of time for that I'm sure.