To 2014 and its unexpected life turns!

Do you never feel like the first days of the year are full of promises? I love this time of year when the pace of life slows down, the parties are over, and I have some precious time in my hands to think about what I want for the future. This is this time of year where I pick up my list of goals from 2013 and check if I’ve accomplished any of them. 

It is amazing to read this list as it reminds me of who I was 12 months ago and I already feel so different. The list is quite long and full of ideas I must have had at the time. I’m proud to say I managed a few goals with brio: I’ve discovered Scotland a bit more, I’ve managed to survive long-distance relationship without asking myself too many questions, I’ve seen a beautiful musical, I’ve made time and space for my best friends, I’ve tried to work on my moods.

Some resolutions are in the process of being successful: For a month now, I’ve gone running once a week; I haven’t discovered my favourite author but I’ve discovered one that I want to know more.

Some I've not even tried yet: write a short-story or be able to read an article in German, read a geography book or watch a documentary at least once a month. But they're not impossible!

My goals for 2014 could be summed up like this:

#1 : Take the time

If works doesn’t leave me much time to even have a proper coffee-break, it doesn’t mean that my week-end coffee also needs to be rushed. I need to learn to change speed as soon as I’m out of the office. I want to take my time now and enjoy the small things in life at a normal pace. I want to make time to read, paint, write, make scrap-books, comment the blog-posts I like, cook, go to a museum, take a walk in the countryside, join a  book-club, blog. It could all feel like a race or it could just feel like a stroll in the park. I want to focus more on my day and worry less about my future.

#2 : Give more

I feel more and more the impact my friends and family have on my life. They make it beautiful, they help me through the tough times and make me forget the burden of some sad days. They keep me motivated, they give me great ideas, they show me a different sight on situations. They are milestones, they are pillars. I couldn’t thank them enough for being there. I’ve realized that this past year. I always wanted to prove I was an independent woman who doesn’t need anyone but it’s not true. I’ve never felt more loved than when I stopped fearing I was owing to people for their kindness. I’ve learnt to receive without feeling guilty of not giving back. This is the power of vulnerability. And I want my family and friends to feel like that with me too. I want to give my time to my people without expecting in return. Helping them find a job, clean their house, offer a coffee when one needs a chat, invite them at home when one feels lonely, listen to them when they need to talk, give them a window on the world when they need inspiration and motivation.

If I can manage that by the end of this year, I’ll have achieved a great deal!

On a more realistic note, Dave and I are planning to travel to Texas next autumn!!!! We have plenty of ideas about what we want to do when we’re here! This is so exciting! Our tickets are now booked and we are saving money for everything we want to see and explore. Any recommendations greatly appreciated of course!

I just can't wait to see what 2014 will be about. Life never stops surprising me and I'm sure so many unexpected events will happen. This is the beauty of it!

What about you? What are your dreams and goals for 2014?

2013, you were amazing!

Yesterday, I decided to go through my 2013 photo album to review all the good things that happened this year. And boy, did it make me feel happy and proud! It made me realize how keeping memories stored somewhere is precious. Pictures, diaries, postcards, tickets… they are all here to remind us of those everyday moments and big adventures life pushes us through. When everything seems grey, it sure is a fresh breeze to realize that life is not boring at all. Life is beautiful and we need to make sure we remember that every day!

So here is a summary of the memories I would like to never ever forget:

January

• Dave and I have been together for about 3 months, we go on little excursions and start to meet each other’s families. This is first terrifying then absolutely perfect. We went to Greenock to meet Dave’s family where we got to spot a submarine!
• We reached the very south cost of Loch Lomond and experience first-hand the joys of Scottish weather, though it did not affect our excitement.
• 12 of my friends surprise me on my birthday and invite themselves for dessert at mine!
• We climbed Arthur Seat by accident by taking the wrong road to Duddingston… on a very snowy day!
• We fly to France for Dave to meet my family and friends, but also to celebrate my 25^th birthday. Dave is disappointed by the size of beers. We build a snowman.

February

• We keep exploring Glasgow: St Mungo’s Cathedrale, the Necropolis, the Museum of Transport.
• We celebrate Dave’s birthday by spending a whole Sunday at the pub, something I did not think I could ever do. But it was really fun!
• Dave’s parents invite us both to York. This is the first time I meet them! Our hotel is splendid, we loved the huge bed and the swimming pool. Outside, the weather is horrendous but we manage our way to cute little pubs and restaurants, as well as the market and the Merchants’ House.

March

• Dave and I jump on a minibus for a day-tour to the Valley of Glencoe and the Loch Ness. I am amazed by the sceneries, the fog in the glens, the various colors of the landscape and the dramatic natural lights of the Scottish sun. We did not spot Nessie.
• I meet my friend Nelly at the airport of Milan to start our fantastic 8-day road-trip in Italy. We both have a huge crush on the Northern Lakes: Como and Garda being our very favourites. Not many tourists at this time of year make our stay absolutely enchanting! Onboard of our Fiat 500, we visit Verona, Florence (my favourite), San Gimignano, Lucca, Porto Venere (the hidden cave was a delightful surprise) and the 5 Terre. We eat a lot of pizza and pasta but can’t seem to ever have enough.

April

• I meet my friend Katy in St Andrews where we enjoy the delights of a friends night out, and eat the best hangover-cure Fish&Chips of St Andrews! The train journey is relaxing.
• Dave’s mom, his brother and his girlfriend come visit us in Glasgow. We discover the Mackintosh tower and the Hunterian Museum, the latter now being one of my most favourite buildings of Glasgow.
• This is time for our excursion to the Isle of Arran! We take the train then the ferry to reach Brodick. We stay in a lovely B&B with a view on the golfcourse and the sea. Those 2 days have seen us walk a lot: to waterfalls, to the Giants’ Footsteps, to Brodick Castle, to Arran Aromatics, to the King’s Caves which were spectacular, and to the nearest town because the next bus was 2 hours later.

May

• Eloise comes to visit in Edinburgh. Half awake, she tastes the real Scottish breakfast with Dave. We go to Glasgow to enjoy the sun, do some shopping, catch up on life with a glass of prosecco and listen to live music in an authentic pub.
• My parents also come to visit us! We bring them to Arthur Seat and to my favourite brunch place in Edinburgh. Then we are off to Glasgow for 2 days where they discover the joy of ceilidh dancing, Jamie’s Italian, St Mungo’s Cathedral, the Museum of Transport and the Ship, the craft fairs and the Oran Mor!

June

• While work is very busy, I find excitement in the numerous barbecues we improvise here and there. My favourite being on Dave’s doorstep!
• Glasgow’s West End festival brings me to meet Mairi Hedderwick during a conference about travel writing and illustration. Dave and I quite enjoy discovering new cafés and markets in Glasgow. I love spending the Saturday at the Botanics on my own, absorbing the Great Gatsby and a tone of magazines.
• This is time for a return home to visit friends and family. We celebrated Didou’s birthday, and Eloise was there too! It had been so long since the 3 of us were last together. We dance like cra-zy!
• Dave moves to Edinburgh! It is the start of our adventure together. Back then, he was still sleeping on a mattress on the floor of my room but this was temporary.

July

• Audrey invites us to her Roaring 20’s party. We sing and dance like nobody’s watching. We invite Lauriane too, the new French recruit from work and I get to know her a bit more.
• My grand-father leaves this earth. I go back home for his funeral and we all take some time to remember what a great man he was and how dearly he will be missed. Dave and my friends here are also a great support, I’m so grateful they were here for me.
• Our friend Marie moves back to France. We enjoy the last days with her by going for drinks all the time and discussing the Four Toltec Agreements.

August

• Dave and I move to Marie’s flat! This is our little nest and we immediately make it ours.
• The same day, I fall from exhaustion because of the pressure of my work in this busy time of year. I stay in bed for a whole day and slowly unpack our boxes.
• Dave’s parents come to visit again and this time they have their own room in our flat! We go to the Rich Hall show, which is really funny.
• We enjoy the Fringe Festival and dinner parties with Anna and Manuel. Life is great, the season slowly comes to an end and we start to appreciate the rest of summer. Anna and I go to the Best of Burlesque show which made us laugh and cheer! Audrey makes me discover Melvin Brown and his tribute to Ray Charles that made us jump from our seats to dance.

September

• Dave and I adopt Georgia, our baby cat! She’s a wee gem. We cheer to her every move, she’s our little princess!
• I go back home to France for a bit of family time. I go visit my Grandad’s wood with my Dad and our dog, do a bit of horse-riding with Didou followed by a well-deserved tea, bring my nan for a shopping spree. All these moments are the best.
• I go back to Edinburgh for a short while before work calls me back to France. I am attending a trade-show for work and take advantage to spend the week-end with a few of my Parisian friends. I meet Marine and Morgane for a splendid night out involving running in high heels Place de la Concorde and queuing for ages for a party we couldn’t go to. The day after, I join Eloise for a delicious brunch and a stroll in the streets of Paris, multiple coffees and pancakes, and of course a lot of chat and thoughts about life. Alexa makes some time for me in her busy schedule to introduce me to her favourite burger bar. Marine and I stroll the streets of the Turkish quarter, then stop for a chat at the Canal St Martin. After work, one evening, I get to meet Alice and Marie for a pizza and a lot of catching up.
• Back in Edinburgh, Dave’s friend Charlotte is there! I’m happy to finally meet her!
• This is Audrey’s turn to leave Edinburgh for her next destination: Australia with her boyfriend. We have a big goodbye party, and a lovely Spanish dinner before it’s time to say goodbye. I’ve sure missed her since!

October

• Nelly visits us in Edinburgh! It’s great to have her here and we make the most of her stay: a bit of Glasgow, a bit of Edinburgh, a great night out, an excursion to Rosslyn Chapel!
• Work sends me to Paris again. I’m staying at Marine’s this time which is much better than the hotel. We meet Alice and Marie for a crepe from Britanny in the Montparnasse quarter.
• Back to Edinburgh, I find my wee brother Benoit just arrived from Bordeaux. First night in Scotland rhymes with first pinte of lager! It’s been a lot of chilling and a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia.
• Halloween’s here! Dave and I carve our pumpkins and I do roasted pumpkin seeds. Yummy!
• Helene and I go to the Usher Hall to see Paloma Faith and the Guy Barker’s Orchestra. A real precious time on the top seats of the opera house. It was beautiful and Paloma’s voice is so unique.

November

• I finally go to see the Lion King at the Edinburgh Playhouse! I had been waiting for so long. I wasn’t disappointed a bit, it was all perfect!
• Time for us to leave Scotland to visit Dave’s parents down South. We are welcome as kings and it is good to be plunged in the family spirit again. I meet his nan and his second brother. We visit Cambridge and go punting! I find myself a lovely Jane Austen style hat in a craft fair. Autumn is perfect for Cambridge. It hits me: I can’t play pool! We enjoy a walk in the woods to find pine cones for Christmas decorations.
• Work sends me to Ireland to visit hotels. First Dublin, then Belfast. I get to enter the Titanic Experience, which is very detailed and full of interactive features!
• Work has decided I shouldn’t stay home for long! This time, I’m off to a lovely relaxed fam-trip to the Highlands. I discover some jewels of Scottish culture: Dunkeld Cathedral, the Hermitage and its waterfalls and the salmon leeps, Glenfiddich distillery, Aviemore.
• Back in Edinburgh, Anna, Lauriane and I run to a vintage fair where we all find a wee treasure or two to bring home.
• We got to see Scotland play rugby against Australia at Murrayfield Stadium, whooop!

December or a month of Christmas celebrations

• Dave and I host our first Christmas dinner at home. We built our Christmas tree and I try myself to home-made Christmas decorations. We were 10 in total and it seems everybody left merry and happy. Success!
• My work’s Christmas Party was really great. Santa had come in the office a few days before to leave us all some lovely presents. It was great to help organize everything and I got to speak to some of my colleagues in a more relaxed environment than usual, which was refreshing!
• The day after, my father calls me to say it is my cousin’s turn to leave this earth. It was a real chock but I could not financially afford to go back to France for the funeral. It left me in a weird state for a very long time.
• This was also the month our department lunch at work. Getting to talk to my managers about interfaith weddings and multicultural couples was the highlight of the day.
• A few colleagues and I got invited to the Christmas Party of the George Hotel. Lots of fun again, fountains of vino (so it seemed) and a strange combination of songs made it all a great experience! This definitely helped me keep going despite the unhappy events.
• And this was finally time to go home. First night in France and my parents, my brother and I got invited to the VIP stand of my hometown’s basket-ball team’s match against Dijon. They won! That was a very exciting game and I let all the pressure from the last couple of weeks escape when the timer marked the end of the game and the CSP’s victory!
• Christmas festivities at home were perfect, although shadows were hiding in everyone’s eyes. Much needed time with the family was greatly appreciated. It was good to hug everyone and get to spend a few days in their company. I got to visit Didou in her sweet new flat, to take a stroll through the hills of our beautiful region and enjoy some home-made doughnuts on our return from the chilly outdoors.
• Finally, last but not least, I got to spend a perfect New Year’s Eve with my friends Helene and Cameron and meet Dave just on time for the midnight fireworks!

I couldn’t be more grateful for the year that has just ended. So many things have happened. There has been down times, but life needs to go on and always finds a way to be beautiful again. I’m lucky I get to see my family quite often, and share good and bad times with Dave and my best friends on earth.

Here’s to 2014 and all the surprises it will bring! 

Glasgow

Last Sunday, Dave and I were supposed to spend the day in Glasgow just like we used to when he was still living there. We were planning to find our Christmas gifts for each other and get to enjoy the city together, like visiting an old friend.

But destiny decided otherwise, Dave got called for work and I went to Glasgow on my own. It was a lovely day and I could spend as much time as I wanted in the craft shops, I thought. 30 minutes later, I was on the train, full of this special energy I get when I'm on my way somewhere exciting but I still have time to myself before this actually happens. There is nothing like a good train journey to stimulate your creativity, I'm convinced of that!

On arrival, I immediately took the subway to the West End of the city, Byres Road, my favourite place to wander.

Here is  a list of the places I've been and why I love them so much:

- First stop: Vintage Guru! For their amazing collection of handbags and purses. The ladies there are always smily and ready to help you. Take a look at the fur coats too! And do not forget to sneak into the men's corner.

- Oliver Bonas and its amazing home decor. I always want to buy everything in that shop, it's as simple as that! The candles smell gorgeous, the hats are like nowhere else and they have a cute collection of greeting cards.

- Papyrus, this little shop is one of those funky and pretty places where you can find lovely crafty supplies, sarcastic mugs and funny books about the Scottish culture. I love their sense of humour and the fact that it is so eclectic!

- All the charity shops, especially the British Red Cross one that looks like a proper shop with clothes displayed by order of colours. I am always surprised by the unexpected beauties you can find in these shops.

- I also got to the Hillhead Book Club where the Granny Would Be Proud fair was on. I just love this little book-club bar, with its mezzanine and the creative stalls. I found a £3 skirt and I just love it! It is also a perfect place to have a drink or a bite with friends.

I then stopped in Crepes A Croissant for my usual favourite: the Lemon Lover! I waited to be served while checking the fabulous Le Monde Est A Nous website, then devoured my crepe with the French appetite I'm known for!

I then decided to walk until Kelvinbridge, the road we were walking 10 times a day with Dave as he used to live in this neighbourhood. The occasion to walk past 2 of my favourite vintage shops:

- Retro Clothes on Otago Street, who look a bit upper hand but have a tone of lovely jewels and hats for very reasonable prices.

- The Glasgow Vintage Co. with its £10 chashmere jumpers available in every colours! Dave also loves the basement dedicated to male vintage clothing, which I must say is also a delight for my female eye. The jumpers are really fun, and this is where I found one of my most handy purses.

This was trully a beautiful afternoon in Glasgow, even on my own, and I highly recommend a stroll in the West End when in need of a little inspiration.

The best to me is the spring time, when you can pick up something to eat at Waitrose, and a lot of magazines at the shop, then find a spot at the Botanics and spend the whole afternoon there.

What about you? Do you know Glasgow? What are you favourite places to go in the city? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

xx

Christmas reindeer in my lounge!

Today, I'm happy to present a real DIY post!
I got in the Christmas fever this week-end and bought a lot of supplies to start building the holiday atmosphere at home. We are hosting our first Christmas party at home next week-end so we need to get in the mood quickly!

When we were in England at the beginning of November, Dave's mom gave me a super handy magazine about Christmas crafts. I have fallen in love with the little reindeer  plushes they were displaying and decided that would be my number one project. Look how cute they are!

To make a little reindeer, you will need:

- felt, the colour you prefer. I loved the white reindeer with red stitches on the cover
- thread 
- a thread needle
- something to fill up the body of your reindeer
- a pen to make marks

Start by drawing the desired shape on a paper. I used a shape already displayed in the magazine, but you can very well create your own!

Cut the paper shape and place it on the felt to draw the contours. Careful! You need to use a discret pen. I first used a pink pencil but later realised that either the pink border would have to show, or I had to cut the felt a little bit more. Since the shape of the reindeer was already very thin, I decided to keep the pink pen border.

Turn the paper shape on its other side and draw the exact same shape. It needs to be very symetrical to the first one to ease the stitching.

You will then need to cut the "belly" of the reindeer, it should match the legs and length of the body you just drew.

Cute all the shapes and start stitching any details you might want on the sides of your reindeer. I have stitched a small wreath on each side and made some French knots for the eyes. You could add a square of a different fabric, a heart, why not some pearls?

Now start assembling. You will need to start stitching the legs of one side of the body to half of the belly part. Once you've stitched the 2 legs together and arrived to the middle of the belly part, start stitching the other body shape to the belly part still untouched.

Before you start stitching the top of the body and the head together, start filling the legs and the body with cotton, or any kind of filler you decide. It could be feathers, some more felt, some cotton, or maybe even sand?

Do not cut the thread yet, you can actually do the whole stitching without stopping at all.

Finish stitching the rest of the body together and close everything with a nice discret knot.

There you go, a nice reindeer decoration that will look festive on the table, or could even be used as a Christmas tree ornament if you add a little colourful string.

I hope you enjoyed this DIY post! I just can't wait to start making other little decorations like this one. I was thinking about a fox one but I'll need to draw a pretty good model on the paper first.

What about you? Any ideas for some DIY Christmas decorations? What have you done so far?

Glenfiddich Distillery

During our wee trip North with work, we got the chance to visit Glenfiddich distillery. I am not a big whisky fan, but every time I go to a distillery or a brewery, I love the smell of barley getting boiled. Slowly, as you enter the rooms one by one, the smell gets stronger and closer to the one of whisky. There is also this esthetic grace: the golden pipes and giant containers, the barrels made of American wood, the caves with the oldest whisky. 

I loved visiting Glenfiddich because the visit is really well thought. I particularly liked the movie at the beginning of the visit. It was all about the first days of the distillery, the people who made it and their pride of being Scottish. It also made me proud to live here, in such an amazing country, which has so much to offer!

We were lucky to be there in the evening and to witness the sunset and its wonders on the environment's colours. 

We then got to taste three whiskies: a 12-year old, a 15-year old and an 18-year old. Though I am nothing of a proper connaisseur, I must say this time I took it a bit more seriously and my taste-buds were cooperating. I loved the smell of the 18-year old whisky but I prefered the taste of the 15-year old one.

Here are a few pictures I took when we were there.

Snapshots from Ireland

Last week, work sent me and some of my colleagues to Dublin and Belfast to visit some hotels. It was super exciting because I had not been back to Ireland since I went there for a short-break with Dave one month after we met. That’s where we fell in love and I’ve got plenty of amazing memories there.

As you can imagine, it was definitely different to go for work purpose… Which did not keep me from snaping some lovely pictures of the hotels we visited and the places we have been. Here are a few of my favorites…

The beautiful bouquet in the lobby of The Green Isle Hotel in Dublin

From the O'Callaghan Stephen's Green in Dublin. Ideal to sip a cuppa and day-dream.

From the window of the Maldron Parnel Square. How sweet and peaceful!

Sandymount Hotel in Dublin. Love the lights. Perfect to share secrets with a friend.

The Trinity Hotel in Dublin. Warm, sophisticated, boudoir-inspired decoration. I love the extravagant disproportionate armchairs. Feels like Alice in Wonderland!

On the second day, we took the train from Dublin to Belfast. A 2-hour journey with various beautiful landscapes. Time for us to get a little rest before our next step.

This is the Titanic Experience in Belfast. How amazing! The building is very impressive and the exhbition itself is definitely worth it. Very moving and well documented of course. Whatever your interests, you will find something to suit your appetite!

Relaxing morning cosyness at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast

The cutest pub in front of our hotel: The Crown Salon.

The view from my room at the Europa Hotel. I love the view, this city has so much character! I need to go back soon.

Also I sent this image (on the right) to my bathrobe buddy, my second half that I was particularly missing that night, in reference to a picture we took for Valentine's Day in York this year (on the left)...

I can't wait to come back with him to build new memories together!

Edinburgh Vintage Fair

Last Sunday, Anna, Lauriane and I went to the Hub for the Vintage Fair. It was a good occasion to meet the girls, rummage through tones of lovely fabrics and get new ideas for further creations. The big hall in the Hub is beautiful and it was the perfect setting for the numerous colorful stands.

I left the Hub with a new pink dress and a cute Tshirt decorated of shiny stones. I love the idea of finding original pieces of clothes to make my basic outfits more fun!