battersea, music and an attempt at Kent

The weekend didn't start or end as planned but it was still one of the best to date. L2 and I were supposed to head up to Liverpool on the weekend but it didn't end up as well as planned due to very expensive train rides that I flat out refused to pay. However, I had still booked the afternoon off work. Best idea ever! L2 got some cheese and baguette and we headed down to Battersea Park to watch the ducks and read our books in glorious sunshine. That evening we had a scrumptious dinner at a local place with amazing backyard patio and saw Tropic Thunder. I wasn't as impressed or laughing as much as I thought I would.

Saturday was errand day and off we headed to Portobello market where Liam found a fantastic canvas and leather messenger bag from the sixties and I found a gorgeous reworked leather clutch with new hardware at the Oxfam boutique. Evening equalled some Chinese food and then headed off to see Drowning in Reverb's band - Reverb Syndicate, a great Canadian band that plays instrumental surfer music. The set was amazing and the venue worked really well for them. There was a very large Canadian contingent so it was nice to see the support and hear the accents!

Sunday was a bit more frustrating as L2 and I wanted to go for a hike in Kent. However, after getting on the train we found our transfer lines were closed due to engineering works and had to take two replacement buses. After one, I gave up and said I was staying put. A few hours in the 'lovely' town of Redhill and we headed back to the train again only to find out there was a nature reserve in Purley and we could have had a great day right there! (A few other things happened like a drunk belligerent man throwing up on the top floor just to really hit home that we should have stayed in Purley). Now it's back to work and getting ready for the parents to come next week. Image via

In my town?

Tis the season to film in London apparently. From Sherlock Holmes to The Nine - the city has become indudated with stars. No luck spotting any yet - but this isn't really a small town.... However, I will be on the look-out for Rachel McAdams (perhaps also Ryan Gosling) as she has just signed to play RDJ's leading lady in Sherlock Holmes. Image via (Lainey Gossip)

Note: I've never seen the Notebook. I actually like the actors.

The bad blogger report

I have no excuses. Work equalled some very long days. I was tired. I've been going to the gym again. and well - I was just frustrated so I stopped reading most blogs, made no comments and I feel better now. So back to blogging but besides today - only expect one a day.... Today my amusement - the handmade portrait. I want (in pinks) Shannon - always wants a berry smoothie. Image via

weekly shop oxfam boutique

living in london, you need a good steal once and a while. watching ladies everyday surrounded by chanel, gucci and well couture can drive any gal to want what she can't afford!

However, oxfam knows this and those ladies also get bored of their clothes and give them to charity. It's natural here to just donate to your local charity shop when you're done with some clothes. Never throw anything out....So oxfam set up a boutique this spring that only carries their designer or very high street wear along with a few organic fairtrade lines. Up in Westbourne Grove, the place is clean, well organized and had dior sandals right off the bat. While I couldn't find any footwear that fit, I did pick up a gorgeous sterling silver necklace for £5 and Liam picked up a french cuff textured purple Ralph Lauren (still looked like it had the tag on) for £15.

I'm hoping to make back this weekend to pick up the above dress from their fair trade line. Adorable!

small screen rage

In the world of television - England isn't just a few months behind on picking up new series or starting new seasons. They are years. We have soaps that play in the evening, monopolizing primetime... or shows that have been off the screen for years (Friends...)

Recent frustrations have raged in our household over minimal good 'new' shows on our freeview. We are just getting this new series 'Samantha Who'.. there's no Weeds, Mad Men, Big Love, Entourage and I pretty much pine everyday over the fact that the new J.J. Abrams show has no chance. I can't watch them on CTV either because it has noticed that I'm not in the country...

It doesn't matter if it's a hit or not ---- we get some of the worst shows possible from last season, but only 'it's all new in September' ie Gossip Girl. I miss good television. Image via

autumn line-up - Movie edition

as autumn creeps into my nights, I look to excellent tv shows and evening movies and the upcoming movies are not disappointing. Between comedy, action and more than a few dramas, I have enough until January to keep me occupied. If only the movies came out right away here....

top 10

1. burn after reading - cohen brothers, frances mcdormand and george clooney. ok!
2. milk - looks amazing. is james franco the new jude law?
3. the boy in the striped pajamas -
4. rachel getting married - despite her squirrel appearance apparently anne sweeps it away
5. new york I love you - still yet to see Paris J'taime so that's on my list first
6. happy go lucky - english and supporting. and on dvd here.
7. righteous kill - the last time deniro and pacino got together was heat. i loved that...
8. w. - because i'm curious and really I've seen almost all of Oliver Stone (good and bad!).
9. brothers bloom - again mark ruffalo, adrian brody and rachel weisz. ok!
10. quantam of solace - because spy movies not rom-com are my guilty pleasures

big bang

i've never been a science fiend. Or understood all that much about science. When high school rolled around, I chose as many arts courses as possible including the not popular but amazing Comparative Civilizations. However, I found a book for the literary lover. The History of Nearly Everything has been my book to tackle the best month (yes I know a month but it took me a while to get through it)....

With the recent start up of the large Hadron Collidor in Switzerland to see if we can re-create the big-bang, I've never felt more informed or knowledgable about what they were trying to do. And it wasn't even like I was trying to learn - the best learning of all! Image via

transient population

as cliched as it sounds - London is the city of change. With the working visa available to Canadians, Kiwis and Aussies and the more open work policies of the EU, you get a lot of people coming in - and a lot of people leaving. Recently, one of my friends was unable to extend her holiday visa and is picking up to go home at Christmas (she is going kicking and screaming) and several others are in the same boat. It's a fine line of enjoying as much of Europe as you can while still making enough to live and secure work sponsorship or the more elusive highly skilled visa.

It makes me happy to have my passport and that I can come and go as I please. I do get sad when other Canadians leave though - it really is hard to find perma friends. But as one leaves, I'm introduced to about eight new Canadians in the city. We seem to be a tight bunch.

Image via

a proper brit - vacationing in south Spain

my parents have decided to spend a bit more time in London and instead of Morocco are headed to Andalusia area of Spain for the month of October. I've taken full advantage of this and am headed to Seville in the middle of their trip and over my dad's 60th.

If you ask a Brit where they have been in Europe - you'll immediately get Spain and Portugal on the confirmed list. I've met numerous peeps that have never been to Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany or even Italy. But the south of Spain - it's been their favourite spot for 10 years.

Even if I stay here half that time, I hope I change it up a bit more than that. Image via (it also explains what the image is!)

raising mecury levels

Slightly delayed but the Mecury Prize was announced on Tuesday night. Honouring English independent music, the Mecury awards have been around since 1992 and not named after Freddie Mecury. The judges (critics and informed studios) often make 'interesting' choices and definitely always a range of nominations. They are not all about singer-songwriters or independent alternative rock.

This year's winner was Elbow.

Not saying the Elbow shouldn't be recognised but personally, I wanted the Last Shadow Puppets (above photo - image via) to steal away with the prize. I know everyone was cheering for Radiohead, but those boys and their english version of surfer music and exceptional harmony make my day.

fall has settled

any chance for a summer comeback has long gone. It's sweaters, raincoats and tights season. I miss the colours of Ontario - but the excellent warmth that most England homes aspire to excel in the fall and winter makes up for it. Personally, my fall colours are definitely inspired by the front page of Habitat - I want that yellow cashmere throw. I'm looking forward to pubs with chandliers, dark wood and a few extra glasses of a Bordeaux wine.

Image via (great house tips too to create your own warmth this winter)

weekly shop - orla

Orla Kiely, an irish designer that really has a nice kitcsch to her bags. The store is to die for despite the two entrances and the fact you can't walk throughout the top floor without going back outside or underground.... However I love the black lamp shade in this picture!

I'm addicted to the leaf print - I want it desperately in an olive fleece blanket and pillow combo. Finally though - this is my wonderful bag I bought (very reduced) at her flagship store (see above). It fits an entire mini-wardrobe. Or the best handbag for a plane ride. Big enough for several mags, books, blanket and some chocolate. (and an extra sweater, slippers and toiletry case!)

hunting for rain

September is all about staying in england despite the disgusting conditions outside. And on the list - Liverpool. L2 and I are looking into venturing into our little country a bit farther and visiting the 2008 City of Culture with its lamb bananas and 'beatles experience'. A four hour train ride away, it's like a trip to Toronto, but as if Toronto-ians went to Sudbury... Image via

family weekend

so the weekend round-up is not as exciting and rather delayed since I saw the rain and headed straight back to bed most mornings.....

Instead of headed up to Bath (due to horrible weather conditions - there's rain and then there's excessive flooding), Al, Chanda, L2 and I headed over to the Imperial War Museum to finally see the James Bond exhibit. It's amazing. I want more old school James Bond book covers in my house. Maybe I can just deal with some sweet James Bond stamps. After spending a few hours in the museum we headed out to this great veggie restaurant in Covent Garden and then explored the best map store. The rest of the weekend was a few errands, meeting some friends, a lot of movies to wait out the rain (including 3.10 to Yuma - why can't someone win?) and getting my roots to disappear.

a year later

Well it's been a year since I moved. One year since I left Ottawa, Canada; friends, my boyfriend (who has since joined me), family; and well to be honest a whole lot more. But what I've got in return has been worth it! Travels, job, a much healthier lifestyle - all welcome changes to previous.

As I am a fan of lists I figure I'll say what I've completed in travels over the last year!

England: London. Salisbury. Blenheim. Aymesbury. Oxford and the county Oxfordshire, Brighton, Bath, Richmond. Scotland: Inverness, Highlands, Elgin. Ireland: Dublin Belgium: Brussels France: Paris Germany: Berlin Netherlands: Amsterdam. Spain: Barcelona. Romania: Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Curtea de Arges, Lac Balea, Focasni, Piatra Neamt, Brailia, Tulcea, Constanta (and the countryside!). Switzerland: Bern, Interlaken, Grindelwald, and the alps! and don’t forget a week back in Ottawa...

And trips and everything else have been VERY tentatively decided until Christmas which means.....England: Bath again, Liverpool Morocco: Marrackech or the south of Spain - dependent on the fam? Northern Ireland: Belfast Denmark: Copenhagen. Scotland: Edinburgh? Canada: Vancouver. Victoria. U.S: Seattle.

anniversary revamp

on my london anniversary - I’ve enlisted the help of my trusted L2 to help me redesign my blog page. While it was delightful, I really didn’t think it represented the sense of adventure. (Even when I don’t have any) So a few cues from Indiana Jones later... we’ve got the start of a new design. Still needs some revamp though and expect some changes in the next weeks. I'm trying to work my way through altering html. But in the meantime as Lainey would say - you likey?

back to bath

my brother is in town for a few days and as he’s already ‘done London’ - I’ve decided to make him travel a bit more and we’re headed up to Bath for a relaxing dip in a rooftop pool. Needless to say, after all his hiking in Switzerland, I don’t think he’ll complain too much about Bath’s very slow pace and downpour.

weekly shop topshop

a new feature of the blog: the weekly shop. Instead of going so crazy (like last week) on recent trends I am going to highlight a shop around town each week. This should minimize my excessively long posts and let me keep blogging on my love for fashion.

like any good inaugural london shopping post- I start with Topshop. Despite the craziness of Oxford Street - the flagship store is the place to go. Three floors for women, and Topman on the fourth - you can find any trend in this building. Currently they are just eating up the floral english afternoon tea or the punk agyness deyn looks. While they're probably best known for the kate moss collection over in North America, I love the vintage collection of handbags and the coveted restored vintage pieces you can find on the very bottom floor. They also have the largest selection of knits I've ever seen.

Currently coveting this. - simple but purple....definitely wearable with jeans or suit pants (Their website is near impossible to steal pictures from - a big negative)

Note: the new kate moss collection comes out September 9.

battersea power station

a blessing and a curse - due to the large amount always going on in London you sometimes miss something that you thought would be amazing. That happened to L2 and I this weekend as we found out on Saturday night that the last night to see the Battersea Power Station was that day. Hungry punches ensued. It was the first time it opened to the public in over 20 years and they don't know if they'll do it again.

The Battersea power station is an iconic building in London (best known for pink floyd cover- also used in the recent Dark Knight film) and you can see the top of it from my street.