the reality of life post-christmas

We have been back in dubai little over a week and I think it's safe to say I have the obligatory post London blues. It's not about the place it's all about the people. Although London at Christmas does have an amazing magical quality.

When we booked our flights it sounded like such a long time but of course it flew by all too quickly.

We landed on Christmas Eve and since our arrival was somewhat of a surprise, we kept a low profile until Christmas Day. My family knew we were coming but the boyfriends mother didn't and lets just say that her reaction to have her her son and his girlfriend on her doorstep on Christmas afternoon, all the way from the Middle East, was pretty priceless. 

Christmas was the usual amazing combination of warm, satisfying English food perfect for the -2 temperatures we were dealt and a plethora of sweet treats. We spent days catching up with friends and family and lazy evenings in cosy Christmas themed pubs and watching our fair share of Londons best Christmas TV.

And of course a trip to London for me, must always include a few things; a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum, a trip to H&M, dinner in China Town and a visit to Selfridges. All of which I managed to tick off this time.

Until next year London. 

Life Lately: A few final weeks in London

I have settled into my temporary tourist life quite well and I am even beginning to feel in love with London again. This is mainly due to the sunshine that has crept out during the last few days of May and the beginning of June. I have rekindled relationships with friends, cooked yummy veggie food and visited the amazing wedding dresses exhibition at the V&A an taken a trip to the British Museum (more on that another time). 

I endured and survived a day at the UAE embassy in South Kensington, have started packing and have made a long list of essentials to take with me. I have even been organised enough to plan some blog posts to tide this little space over while I transition for a few days between London and Dubai. All of that and I am writing a little series of articles for the Expats Blog guys; my guide to moving to Dubai with loads of useful info and tips for expats embarking on a new adventure to the Middle East, most of which I have learnt the hard way so fingers crossed it can help some of you out there. 

To say I am excited is an understatement, but I will have a heavy heart as I take off from Heathrow. It has been a wonderful few months and I have spent time with amazing friends who continue to put up with me despite my comings and goings. 

Onto the next chapter though. 5 days and counting. 

turning 26

Birthdays are not my strong point. I think because I am never very high maintenance about celebrating them, they come and go before my eyes and just like any other day, end. 

Turning 26 is not a big deal for me. I have the philosophy that age is just a number and have never really had a life plan and as such, birthdays do not fill me with fear about the things I haven't done. I think this attitude is refreshing; so many people get hung up on their age and what they, or other people say, they should have achieved by a certain age. 

Sure I think it is good to have life goals, but getting preoccupied with ticking off things from you bucket list as your age increases rapidly, is a waste of time in my opinion. I never classed myself as an adventurous person; I am introvert, like a small and reliable group of friends and feel activities should be planned and organised. But, and this is mainly thanks to my partner in crime for the past 9 years, I am starting to see the benefits of a spontaneous life. 

If 10 years ago, you had said to me that at the age of 26 I would have lived in another country, let alone be planning my second international move, dog and all, I would have said you were crazy. But that is the nice part about expat life. The opportunities that open up to if you break out from the comfort zone of London are well worth it in the long run. 

Since I have been away from London for the past three birthdays I decided to make this one a  weekend long affair, starting with mexican and mojitos, an Italian lunch and family filled day and ending with a weekend in the countryside with walks, wine and fresh air which you will undoubtedly hear more about next week. 

My 26th year is set to be a good one and I am so thankful for the support of family and the amazing friends that still bother with me despite my unpredictable schedule. 

Club to Catwalk exhibition; London's V&A Museum

I am making it my mission to get back to London before February 2014, for the sole reason that there is a great fashion exhibition, just launched at the V&A in South Kensington. 

Just because I don't live there permanently doesn't mean I don't know what's going on! Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980's showcases the fashions of the time from designers including Betty Jackson, Katharine Hamnett and John Galliano. 

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The exhibition traces the emerging theatricality in British fashion as the capital’s vibrant and eclectic club scene influenced a new generation of designers. Also celebrating iconic styles such as New Romantic and High Camp, and featuring outfits worn by Adam Ant and Leigh Bowery, the exhibition explores how the creative relationship between catwalk and club wear helped reinvent fashion, as reflected in magazines such as i-D and Blitz and venues including Heaven and Taboo.

With more than 85 outfits on display it is a must see for anyone in London. 

And for those of you who havent been to the V&A, (check out pictures 3-5 in this post from my last London trip. Yep that is the V&A. Yep your in love already right!) it is so worth a visit. 

Firstly it is free. They have hundreds of exhibits to see, spread across a beautiful building and covering everything from fashion and photography, to painting, sculpture and jewelry. 

London oh London

If you look really closely, you can see my house in this picture....

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Ok not really, Im further to the left (I think).

So I am somewhere in London, running around between friends and family, seeing all the sights London has to offer me and eating all the food I can in the space of 7 days! I will return to Cyprus 10 kilos heavier, a lot poorer and with a lot of H&M in my suitcase! Although someone is going to have to force me through security at Heathrow terminal 5. Just saying.