Our trip to the US and Canada was amazing fun. We travelled and saw sights and ate great food and hung with lovely people and drank delicious cocktails and spent far too much too relaxing, sleeping, and talking. It was a luxurious, replenishing, wonderful break and I can't wait to share all about it here over the next few months - rather than dumping a glut of travel posts all in one I'll be weaving them in with food, book, culture and London posts, plus getting excited (as ever) for Christmas when that season is on the horizon (I've started doing some loose planning and pinning up a storm, naturally, but for me the main Christmas excitement is a November/December thing).
It's Monday, it's the start of the week, and I'm joining up as ever with Katy and Jasmin for a lovely, positive start to the week. Let's go!
1. Home
It's so, so good to be home. I love travelling, but it's always such a treat to get home to such a happy space. I love the little home we've built together, even when it's full of post-holiday laundry and ironing to tackle. It's also been so gorgeous to get back to the katzen. I've missed those furballs!
2. Book post
I love post and mail of all descriptions, but book post is an especial fave. Imagine my delight, then, when I got not one but two packages from the adorable Steph at Ebury? A nice juicy looking piece of fiction (The Bear and the Nightingale) and a lovely paper cutting book also - perfect for chilly autumn evenings.
3. Catching up wth friends
Whether it's coffee with Charlie, wine and The Apprentice with Shona, lunch with Kaz or a cuppa with Beverley, I love catching up with everyone after being away for a while. Other catch ups are on the cards too, huzzah!
4. Cafe Rouge
Yesterday Matthew and I headed over to Cafe Rouge in St Paul's to try out the new autumn/winter menu. A full review to follow, but it was so lovely to enjoy a tasty meal and have an afternoon together. Love doing reviews!
5. Cosy times and hygge touches
The nights are drawing in, so my hibernation impulse is strong. I'm making lots of soups and stews with our slow cooker, unpacking all the blankets and jumpers, drinking tea while curled up on the couch and adding lamps and candles throughout the house. Love feeling warm and comfortable inside as it gets chilly.
6. Plans
The break from London, life and blogging has been great for thinking about things I want to achieve and ambitions for the coming weeks, months and years. Lots to look forward to, lots to learn.
7. Lumos
Shortly before I headed off to the States and Canada I was invited to become an ambassador for the charity Lumos for their #WeAreLumos initiative. I am such a huge admirer of their work with some of the most vulnerable children on the planet, so was naturally delighted when asked to join the team. I missed the first ambassador event (a fabulous event celebrating Lumos followed by a gala performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which you can read about on Katy, Ashleigh-Jayne, Charlie or Katie's blogs) but was delighted to receive my tee-shirt when I returned and hope I can be involved in some work with the charity in the months to come.
8. Pizza Club at Pizza Buzz
Pizza Club has our third meeting of '16 on Thursday, at Pizza Buzz in Shoreditch. I loved catching up with Connie, Vicky and Emma and chowing down on some yummy slices. Full review in the not too distant!
9. Lovely, healthy food
Apart from the two review meals, where I tend to embrace the food and drink and not get too hung up on calories and the like, the rest of the week's food has been very healthy - veggies and wholegrains and lean proteins, oh my! After the indulgences of holiday, it's so nice to be back to our simple, wholesome diet.
10. Holiday memories
Such a fantastic trip. I cannot wait to share.
Have a great week, all!
