its beginning to feel a lot like christmas

As you read this I am in London. Officially I was in London since last night but landing late at heathrow doesnt count. I mean anyone who has been to heathrow knows it's not exactly the hottest place to be.

Obviously this is pre-written from my cosy little bed in Cyprus, but right about now I should have taken in an adequate amount of festiveness that London has to offer. Oh and I probably got my hair chopped off. We'll see how brave I was...

While it may be a little presumptuous, I am sure I will feel incredibly christmas-y by now.

And so here is a little something I saw on pinterest to add a visual dimension to my ramblings.

There is no way the pooch would let us do this to her.

Londons Calling

Ever since I saw this advert, all those many months ago, I've used it as my pick me up. You know, when its been one of those weeks. When I feel really far from home and a little lonely. 

The BBC have absolutely captured everything I miss about London, the culture, the architecture, the food..... need I say more. 

But finally the time has come. London is calling and I get to hop on a plane in a few hours headed for heathrow and 8 days of London time. And more importantly, christmas London time. Christmas is probably the best time to live in London. Its crisp and cold. Its magical. Its beautifully decorated. It has a buzz about it like no other time of year. 

I wont be blogging while i'm gone because frankly I will be out and about enjoying everything London has to offer me and catching up with those faces I usually only get to see through Skype.

So consider this christmas holidays for the blog (although there may be a few sneaky scheduled posts thanks to blogger). 

I won!!!!

No it wasn't the lottery, but the fact that I have never won anything in my life makes this moment all the bit sweeter. 

I mentionned before, a great little online community called Expats Blog - which every year run the Expats Blog Awards, honouring some great blogs worldwide with gold, silver and bronze prizes. The guys over at Expats Blog not only found my little online diary but nominated me for an award and I won. 

OK so it wasn't the big gold (but that went to a very deserving lady), but I did grab a silver!!! 

I'm very proud of my little silver badge keeping my side bar company.

If your looking for some great travel blogs or blogs about life around the world - find your new reading here.

a haze of packing

Packing is probably the hardest thing about going to London on vacation. The dilemma is this; how much and what do I pack for freezing cold England and how much room should I leave for shopping?

I mean, obviously there will be shopping, unless it's one of those times when the time limit of a week is too much pressure and I dont find anything I want to buy (this is worst case scenario, but I guess my bank balance would be happier).

Anyway, on a cold and rainy Monday night in Cyprus, I am trying to work out how to get an adequate amount of this.....

...........into my suitcase. HELP!

sunday sound

I heard this song on the radio today and knew it had that Sunday sound about it. Perfect listening for a cold day, all tucked up at home, in sweat pants, doing laundry and trying in vain to pack a whole wardrobe into one suitcase (but more about that another time). 

And I love that this doesnt sound like a typical Rhianna song. The video is pretty beautiful too.