expat thanksgiving

Despite being exhausted on Friday night that I literally collapsed on the couch or Saturday being incredibly ill – Sunday was a fantastic day because it was Canadian Thanksgiving!

A huge array of Canadians and 1 Aussie turned up for a feast and a half. With many bottles of wine and our very large turkey breast with stuffing by Whole Foods (I judged and was completely wrong at how good and big it was) it was great to catch up with numerous Canucks and for some of them – find out what led them to the UK (we had a few Oxford master/phd students and a LSE masters student). I find everyone has similar threads to their story – including it was an opportunity and I couldn't say no. Or I've always wanted to move to Europe so I said why not? When having dinner conversation – it's nice when you already agree on one very major point.

The best part of the night though. L2's turkey chocolate cake. Gobble Gobble.

From London to Peru

Paddington celebrated his 50th birthday today. An icon of London – Paddington can be found at any toy store (despite if they ask you who he is…………..) or in the iconic station that bears his name. He was one of my favourite bears as a child – (bigger than Winnie the Pooh) and I got my nephew his first one last Christmas. I hope they read him all the stories so he grows up to travel too.

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Weekly shop Reiss

ah the standard work apparel. When shopping on the 'high street' you've got numerous options on what to wear from BR to Cos to Topshop to the standard suit companys (of which there are many) but my first choice is always Reiss. Similar to BR in looks, Reiss adds just a bit more flair and a bit more colour to their stuff. It's always a standard shop with sometimes snotty service but the clothes make up for it. A little ruffle here, a little bow there and you always have a classic updated. They are everywhere too, which means standards are adhered to - Recently coveted are these amazing flats.......I promise to wear them every chance that I can get. I bought a gorgeous charcoal skirt and its definitly become a weekly wearable item.

Not Gwynnie's London

My london is not Gwenyth Paltrow's London.

Thanks to Kaili for pointing this out to me via Lainey Gossip. Besides a few of those pubs, the average Londoner will never see inside most of those places. It actually makes me laugh to think that Londoners can afford a £££ meal and then stay at the Berkeley (often over £400 to £600 a night for the 'cheap' room) even without 'the crunch'.

1. What a horrible time to come out with a decadent living newsletter
2. Don't appeal to Americans with a London article
3. Honestly, everyone has their own special pub. Most of the atmosphere is from the people you come with and the attitude of the village. Not the food (though it should be decent)
4. I think that Gwen has lived in London for years but never really known what makes London such a great city. (Most of the time - that doesn't come with having money)
   
5. I am interested in that restaurant in Spitafields market though. It could be a good splurge. I'm normally cheap (like most) and head to M&S, Boots, for dimsum or sausage and mash.

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