All images from my Instagram (ally__oop). From top: flowers for Christmas, homemade granola, Christmas lunch, lovely branding, homemade soft cinnamon buns (Nordic Bakery recipe), Pompidou Centre, breakfast for a birthday boy, Staircase-III by Do Ho Suh at Tate Modern.
Happy 2012! I've spent the last few weeks since my last post celebrating Christmas in London. I roasted a chicken for the first time which made me feel like a grown up. Other Christmas activities included a mid-morning run, watching Love Actually and getting drunk on champagne. Boxing Day I went to Paris for a wee break with my boyfriend and his little sister who is visiting. We ate far too many pastries, wandered the streets, visited tourist attractions, discovered new favourite places and revisited old haunts. Then I had food poisoning for five days, including New Years Eve, which was truly unpleasant and probably too much information but I am suspicious of blogs that present life as always perfect and happy and shiny.
Now I am recovered I feel like the year has finally begun and so I've been reflecting on the past year, a year in which I lived in Paris, Glasgow and London, with a quick trip back home to Australia in between, graduated triumphantly and then fell into a dark hole of self doubt after struggling to get work of any kind (let alone something vaguely related to my field), and eventually found a lovely job and settled into life in the capital. It was also the year I finally figured out what I want to do with my life.
For this year my resolutions are simple. I want to be extra thrifty and save, I want to eat well using mostly seasonal ingredients from the farmer's market, I want to make more things myself (from cards to cakes to coffee), I want to continue exploring London in my spare time, I want to read everyday (real books not on the internet), I want to take serious steps in my work life. I also want to stop thinking so much and listen to my instincts and impulses a little more.
sounds like you had a lovely christmas, the run on christmas day especially, can imagine it was glorious to chase down those empty streets and then veg the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteAlso totally with you on this.. "I am suspicious of blogs that present life as always perfect and happy and shiny" hope you're recovered from the poisoning.
And nice resolutions, I'm trying to stop overthinking too. The internal monologue has been in overdrive recently and it can be bloody knackering. I'm trying to take on some of The Dude's chilled philosophy (Big Lebowski) just, you know, minus the staying indoors and getting stoned bit.
Oh my god you poor thing, sick on NYE with food poisoning.. I'd be so sad :( :( :(
ReplyDeleteI want to be thrifty and save this year too... we have to for the wedding... I also want to read more because I don't read enough. Sigh.
xox
Lots of things... A) is the cinnamon bun recipe good? I can't imagine recreating the glory of the Nordic Bakery buns! B) congrats on the roast chicken - very satisfying. C) hope you've recovered and are feeling better. D) thank you for finding a lovely job, it makes me feel optimistic. E) excellent resolutions, I'm going to steal some of those. Phew! X
ReplyDeleteI love your style of writing, it really is effortless and easy to read. Speaking of reading I wish I still read everyday and from now on I am going to. I'm reading an amazing book called 1Q84 by my favourite author Haruki Murakami - its definately worth a read. In the interests of saving money join a local library, I've found so many gems browsing the shelves of my local library.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for 2012 :)
Really enjoy reading your blog. It's so comfortable and sweet. I do have the same resolutions as yours. Let's make it come true!~
ReplyDeleteSuch an optimistic and inspiring post! I have also been struggling to decide what I want to do while trying to get in to an area thats somewhat related to the degree I did. I read so many blogs where it seems so easy to get the job you want in the field you want which really adds to the already substantial amount of pressure of getting a job. Lovely resolutions too.
ReplyDeletex
your pictures are lovely! the muesli looks incredible, so tasty and comforting. I'm going to follow you on ig now!! and how good is the nordic bakery... seriously. a last minute when i was in london last year and I only wish I had been there more..
ReplyDeleteI think your resolutions are very inspired. I think eating well is something I need to focus on this year - especially taking time to eat breakfast. that's something I never do and I pay for it.
xxx