December 2015 Bucket List

I had a lot of fun with this in November, and my list of things to do in December/Christmas season is quickly growing, so I thought it would be a great idea to do it again! This is heavily Christmas focused, but that’s what December is all about!

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1. Purchase all Christmas gifts before Christmas
2. Eat fondue (again)
3. Visit at least three of London’s Christmas markets
4. Plan a trip to visit friends in New York or Boston while in America in January
5. Attend a spin or barre class
6. Make homemade mulled wine
7. Decorate the house to feel (and smell) like Christmas
8. Celebrate Christmas with friends
9. Read (or watch, if feeling lazy) a Christmas classic
10. Two words: Christmas cookies

OK – 70% Christmas related – not too bad! December is my favorite month of the year (birthday, Christmas, snow) so I’m really looking forward to this one in London!

Things I’m Loving

After having everyone over for Friendsgiving last Sunday, I knew I was doomed to be tired the entire week. However, that did not keep major things from happening, so this post is a bit of a life update mixed with things I’m loving!

New Beginnings

I resigned from my first official job this past week, marking a major milestone in my professional life! My friend, Lucy, recently did as well and is planning on going traveling starting in the end of December. I’ve spoken to a lot of friends recently who are all making post first job plans. It’s an exciting time for us all and definitely calls for a celebration! Lucy and I celebrated this past week with some prosecco at Madisons.

I will be heading back to America to train for my new job in January and I am so excited to see my dogs and friends…and start a new adventure!

Christmas Shopping

Everybody knows that I love Christmas. I love picking out gifts even more! While I obviously love receiving gifts, the satisfaction of somebody liking a gift I give them is even better! Therefore, I start planning Christmas gifts well in advance (still in November). I’ve been perusing websites and shops trying to find the best gift for each person in my life. I’ve even been picking out wrapping paper and gift bags (another favorite). The festive season is here!!

The Guest Book

Sean and I were not 100% convinced in getting a guest book. It was more my idea than his, solely because I think they’re adorable and I want to be the best hostess in every situation. But we are absolutely loving it! Everybody who came over for the wine tasting and Friendsgiving signed it, plus a few extra entries here and there. And it is so fun going back to read everyone’s entries. We really do have some amazing friends! Can’t wait for my dad to sign at Christmas!

Finishing Touches

Two months in, we are finally at the point where things are coming together in the house. Pictures are getting framed and hung, the last of the furniture is getting ordered, and the decisions are more about throw pillows than key pieces.

Over the weekend, Sean and I hung two photos in the bathroom. They’re not needed by any means, but I came across the prints on Etsy and absolutely loved them.

  
I love the sketch look and how they incorporate a little bit of both of our homes. We settled on white frames and hung them one above the other right over the toilet. Even though the bathroom has essentially been done since the day we moved it, it was a nice finishing touch that really made all the difference in the world.

  
Now that the easiest room is done, we just have to get going with the others…

    
 

We Stand Together

I often have my own political thoughts, but I am not one to share them to my friends very often, much less on the Internet. However, after the events of last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the England vs. France international football friendly on Tuesday. I left with some thoughts, and they are thoughts I very much want to share with the world. They are thoughts about why we care so much about this.

There are modern day genocides that essentially go unnoticed aside from a  few small organisations and groups of activists. There is violence everyday in politically corrupt countries. There are children starving, women who cannot leave their homes without fear of getting kidnapped or raped, humans being sold to other humans. I care about all of these things. When I hear about them, my heart breaks, and I genuinely want to help. But it’s easy to become disconnected quickly. This isn’t because I do not care; it’s because I cannot relate. I suddenly get swept back into my own life and while I think about those things every once in awhile, they don’t consume my thoughts.

The events of Friday were different. I’ve traveled to Paris. I have friends who studied abroad in Paris, and friends who visited as recently as a month ago. I’ve nearly had to go on a business trip there. I’ve looked into quick weekends away thanks to the opportunity to just hop on the Eurostar and be there in two hours. I have dear friends who now live there.

So…why do we, the young adults of the Western world, care so much about the events that happened on Friday? Why do we choose to showcase our support more than we do for any other tragedy that occurs on a daily basis? Why do we come together in such beautiful solidarity to provide an additional pillar of support to a bruised country?

Because it could have been any of us.

It could have been my friends and I at a concert at the House of Blues in Boston. It could have been Sean and I out to date night at one of our favorite restaurants. It could have been any of the 71,000 people who attended the friendly at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday. It could have been me.

On Tuesday, we all stood at Wembley Stadium for the French national anthem. We all fell silent for a moment of reflection. Everybody was in good spirits, supporting their own team without cheering against the other. This was the England vs. France match, but there were individuals of all nationalities there doing the same exact thing – standing together, and proving that the power of millions of people throughout the world coming together in solidarity is stronger than any act of terror.

 

Last Week’s Failures

Last week was a funny week, actually quite hilarious, looking back on it. I don’t consider myself a pessimist (more a realist), but I think it’s important to acknowledge failures and bring them to light. I don’t think “fail” is a bad word; it’s a constructive word and it can be used in so many contexts. Sean and I had three major plans last week that all foiled tragically. We did not necessarily notice them at the time, but it’s funny to look back and realize how badly everything we planned last week actually went:

Cooking at Home

There was an £80 Sainsbury order placed, and four meals planned out of it. We were aiming to save money, try some new recipes, and spend quality time cooking at home. The only meal we actually made was the frozen pizza. We also went to Bodean’s for barbecue one night, and spent £18 each at Shake Shack. Not healthy and definitely not cheap.

We revisited the cook at home thing this weekend, only to find that pretty much everything we had bought had gone off…or at least the important things (the avocado). It looks like another grocery order is needed.

[The one meal we did end up getting around to making ended up being so spicy that I couldn’t bear to eat more than half of it!]

Mulled Wine Festival

Yelp was hosting a free mulled wine festival at Covent Garden on Thursday and it 100% tickled my fancy. Hope and I made a simple plan – meet at Shake Shack at 6:30, eat dinner, go to the festival, drink mulled wine. I got to Shake Shack late. Sean decided to join and got there even later. We finally left Shake Shack at 8:15 to arrive at the Mulled Wine Festival. It closed at 9:00 and we only wanted a drink or two, so we still had plenty of time. We loaded the entry ticket in our Yelp apps, and walked up to the entrance…they were at capacity. How, you ask? Probably because they allocated a tiny fenced in area to the festival. Poor planning on their part. Tragic result on ours.

[We at least got to see some nice Christmas lights/figurines while walking away from the Mulled Wine Festival]

Our backup plan was to pop into the pub around the corner for a drink. We weren’t even expecting mulled wine, but saw it on the chalkboard menu when we walked in and got excited. Sean put in the order, only to have the bartender turn around to us and say they just started a new pot so it was warming. It was not our day to get mulled wine!

The Bookcase

This is the one that makes me want to cry. Everyone knows about my desperation to get our bookcase set up and styled. We spent weeks looking for the perfect one and never appeared to get our way. The first one we picked would have been too narrow for the space we need to fill, the next one wouldn’t be delivered until Christmas. We finally settled on a basic bookcase from Ikea that fit the dimensions we needed perfectly and actually ended up coming together very nicely. It was gorgeous for an Ikea piece and really fit the room. But it didn’t fit. Seriously. I had measured repeatedly and was sure it would, but the chip in our wall proves otherwise.

[So close…but so far. And that’s a nice chip in the wall up at the top. We have quickly learned that our walls are more fragile than you’d think]

 

The Turn-Around

In an act of frustration and desperation, I immediately picked out a subpar bookcase from Argos that I really didn’t like. The next day, while shopping for other things at Habitat, Sean found a different one that we ended up going with, completely abandoning our Argos reservation. And it looks great! A post on that to follow.

We are slightly back on track to eating healthy, and our living room (soon to be converted to a dining room) will almost be done for our Friendsgiving on Sunday. Things are turning around!

Fall/Winter Traditions in London

I have always adored the late fall, probably not as much as I love the snow in the winter, but enough that it’s a season I look forward to over others. It’s probably because I can literally live in leggings, chunky knits, and boots (like actually never take them off), but I like to think it’s because of all the traditions that are associated with the fall/winter transition. They don’t feel forced since they are not all a result of holidays, but I feel like fall has some of the best traditions that I have picked up while growing up. Pumpkin picking and corn mazes, hot apple cider, Navy football, Thanksgiving parties with friends, etc.

Now that I am living in London, I am looking forward to picking up new traditions for each season. As lists come out of the top things to do in the fall and winter, I find myself clearing my calendar to spend time trying new things and starting my own traditions with London friends.

Here are a few of the fall traditions that I’ve already started, or look forward to starting, here in London:

1. Christmas Shops: All of the department stores in London open their Christmas shops at the end of August. I’ve already visited nearly all of them, ogling at the Christmas decorations and planning my own. It is fun to go out of season because it brings to life Christmas in an incredible way. My favourites are Liberty, Selfridges, and (of course) John Lewis. We’ll be buying our decorations from John Lewis and I couldn’t be more excited!
2. Bonfire Night: This is one that I just found out about this week, and I can’t wait! In the US, I used to have a bonfire every fall, and I miss it so much. Though it’s nice not to have to get the smell of smoke out of my hair, there is something so “fall-y” about a bonfire that brings the whole season an incredible feeling. Here in the UK, “Bonfire Night” is in remembrance of Guy Fawke’s day and there are huge bonfire and fireworks festivals. I’m just really excited to go watch the fireworks at Alexandra Palace, because who doesn’t love fireworks!
3. Friendsgiving: Sean experienced Thanksgiving for the first time last year and is a huge fan. It’s also one of my favorite holidays because of…well, food. Living in London has left me feeling disconnected with Thanksgiving, but we are hoping to bring it back by introducing a Friendsgiving. This not only gives me (and my American friends) the opportunity to enjoy a holiday I love so much, but gives Sean and I the opportunity to introduce it to our English friends. I’m already planning the recipes and decorations!
4. Ice Skating: London has some gorgeous outdoor skating rinks that open up for the winter season in November. I honestly want to try them all. I used to have an ice skating party for my birthday every year at Reston Town Center, and I miss it so much. There’s something about bundling up to go around the rink a couple of times and then unbundling in the closest restaurant to order some hot chocolate and pudding. Except, here it’s going to be mulled wine and pudding in the closest pub!

Five Favorites: What I Love About Traveling

I got this one from my sister-in-law, Sarah, who got it from another blogger. I suppose that’s how the chain works! I’m choosing to write my five favorite things about traveling. I know that I have written similar things before, but having just come off a trip, I love reflecting on the best parts that are in common with all trips I take.

1. Time with Loved Ones

There is something incredibly different about spending time with loved ones in your home environment versus in a new and different setting. I mentioned a lot of this when I wrote about why I love traveling with Sean, but it is worth mentioning because it is hands down my favorite part about traveling. Whether with family, friends, or your significant other, traveling gives you the opportunity to get closer, learn new things about each other, and make great memories (yes – even remembering awkward situations counts!).

  
  

2. Discovering the Beauty in New Places

Sometimes this one is really easy; other times it involves a bit of digging, but every place has its own form of beauty. From breathtaking panoramic views, to ancient crumbling churches; white sand beaches to hidden alley ways, discovering the most beautiful (or mysterious, or secret – you choose your personal adjective) part of each city you visit is an incredibly rewarding experience. I immediately think of Florence when I think of the most beautiful places on earth, and often discard the other cities I have visited; however, when I think of each city I’ve visited individually, I realize how truly fortunate I am to have experienced so much beauty in my 23 years (almost!) so far.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of what I consider beauty in a city:

  
  

3. Trying New Foods

I would definitely be a food blogger if I had enough time to cook (or blog for that matter)! I think Plan B for my career is as a food critic because I would literally be paid to go sit in restaurants and eat…hello, dream come true! However, I am not a good cook, and my version of critiquing food is usually as simple as “ooh, this is yummy” or “eh, not a fan.” So, instead, I use travel as my way of trying new foods. From local specialties to visiting top international restaurants to trying to discover which city has the best late night street kebabs, food is such an important part of traveling for me. I truly believe that it opens me up to the culture as much as meeting local people, and it’s also just really interesting and usually delicious!

  
  

4. Doing Unusual Activities

Sean and I just went horseback riding at some ranch in Punta Cana. In Florence, we went to a historical soccer match that only happens once a year and that very few tourists know about. In Marseille, Turkey & Florence, I had an incredible experience wine tasting. Though not all “unusual” activities, traveling always opens the door to do things you do not do on a day-to-day basis. Even when I was biking up and down the coast in Nice I took a moment to think about how long it had been since I was last on a bike. Whether the activity is particular to the city (Calcio Storico in Florence) or just something we had wanted to do but had not had the opportunity to (horseback riding on the beach), there is no better excuse than to say you finally got around to trying it while traveling!

5. Souvenirs

This is a cheesy one, but I love souvenirs. Every time I go someplace, I bring something back, whether it’s a shot glass (trashy), a Starbucks mug (a collectors piece), a little knick-knack (unique), or food/wine (temporary, but yummy). Sean and I are starting a collection of things we have picked up while traveling, soon to be displayed on our bookcase in the travel-themed living room. There’s plenty more about the travel bookcase in my living room inspiration post. I can’t wait to style the bookshelf to best display all of the places we have been & all of the places we hope to go through photos, books, and souvenirs! The wine rack will be a whole different souvenir display case (currently featuring wines from Florence & Turkey – more to come, I’m sure!).

Life Without Wi-Fi

Note: Before I begin this, I would like to warn any readers that it is a major rant about a first world problem that most will probably consider petty, but which is a bit too present in my life right now.

Additional Note: As a result of the title of this, I am currently writing this post thanks to a mix of editing offline using Microsoft Word and stealing Wi-Fi from Starbucks/work to upload and post.

Here it goes –

Sean and I purchased our Wi-Fi package before we moved in (back in September), and selected an activation date of 8 October (the earliest available). We went with BT because it seemed the most suitable for our area, offered the fastest speed, and all around was the best deal. It is now the end of October and we still do not have working Wi-Fi. Why? you ask – nobody knows.

We have spent hours on the phone with support. Each time, a ticket is raised. Each time, an engineer is consulted. Each time, we receive a message that the problem has been fixed and it should now be working. Each time, we eagerly await our test, just to find out that it is still NOT working. We proceed to call back and get scrutinized for calling without waiting the full 48 hours for any activation to occur. Believe me, nothing happens when we wait the full 48 hours!

At first, I kind of liked the idea of not having Wi-Fi. It forced us to get stuff done in the house, and it forced me to relax after work instead of continuing to check emails. That lasted for about 3 hours. We bought furniture to assemble, and assembled it all. We bought DVDs to watch, and watched them all. We bought books to read, and I absolutely love reading, but I’m just not in the mood right after a long day at work.

And then the weekend hit and it all got worse.

This past weekend, Sean had to go home to Berkhamsted in order to fulfill his weekend duty at work. No Wi-Fi meant he literally had to leave London in order to do his job. I was left alone and, while I had plans during the day, I found myself left with nothing to do while at home in the morning and evening. After all, you can only put on one load of laundry at once, meaning I can only unpack so many clothes and put them in the wash at once, meaning I can really only clean up so much. Even worse, we have one drying rack, which means I have to pace myself when doing laundry to ensure everything has a place to dry! Showering more than once in the day is excessive. The bed can only be made once (though it never really got made anyway). I’ve beaten my high score on 1010 twice today alone – and that’s after about 30 attempts! I’ve refreshed Facebook and Instagram each ten times in the past 20 minutes. I’ve realized now that I might be going insane.

I never thought that a couple of hours here and there without Wi-Fi would be so hard, but I’ve slowly realized how dependent I am on it when I am in my “at-home lazy state.” With no Netflix, or photo uploading, or online furniture shopping, I find that I have literally nothing to do. And here I am thinking about how the Wi-Fi won’t be fixed until at least Friday. I want to cry.

I’m going to go read a book now, but I think I’ll probably just go to sleep. #firstworldproblems

 

We’ve Moved!

 
It finally happened – we closed the deal, picked up our keys, and moved into the new house! It was literally down to the last minute in the sense that we had packed the van without confirmation that the deal was going to go through. The confirmation came through about three hours before we were planning to move in – talk about stress!

The house is a mess of boxes and backs and a million and one unpacked items, so pictures will follow in the coming weeks as we sort our lives out. In the meantime, we have already setup and made use of the Nespresso machine; I think I will become a fan of waking up earlier if it involves Sean bringing me coffee in bed (breakfast too, maybe?)!

  

Country Life: Berko Edition

Living in Berkhamsted (aka not London) this past week has had its challenges, but has also been a nice little break from the city. To start, it sucks not being able to run to the shop to grab something and be back home within ten minutes. And, of course, since I have a long and uphill walk home, it’s been raining non stop!

[Note: hill in picture is steeper than it appears]

However, the worst part so far has been the travel. It is not fun having to wake up an hour earlier to get into work about ten minutes earlier (and pay what feels like millions to do so). I’ve also already had instances of running for the train, missing the train, and the ever despised train delays. 
 [Berkhamsted station, 7am and raining]

But, there are some positives. Last weekend, I convinced Megan to come out and visit (to be honest, it didn’t take much convincing). We pretty much spent the entire afternoon at the pub (shocker) and made new friends in the process. A group of people asked to use the end of our table and instead of perching on the end and minding their own business, they jumped into our conversation….and it ended up being a truly hilarious night. We started at the Boat, which is right on the canal and the “best pub in Berkhamsted” according to Sean and ended at the Goat. It was nice because Sean was working but had a quiet moment so he was even able to join for a bit!

  

Sean and I have also been cooking more, which is great preparation for our new house! This weeks menu was steak, honey-teriyaki salmon, and egg fried rice. We had fantastic dinners and leftovers for lunch! But, now I’m in love with all of Sean’s moms cookware (and kitchen) so I might just get depressed when I move back to Clapham.

  
Lastly, it’s just prettier here! Greener. The air is fresher. I often take for granted city breaks and choos  to focus on the boredom/pollen count instead of the relaxation and fresh air. I’m off traveling from this evening, but look forward to my last few days of country life upon my return.