joyandeva

Things I love: Love & Rainbows

June 16, 2013 in Living, London

There have been so many things I’ve loved this past week, it’s hard to squeeze them all into one post – so it’s going to be a bit of a long one. This week has really shown me that there are so many things to be grateful for.

It was a rare treat to have a sunny afternoon off work mid-week, with the boyfriend. We took a few hours to ourselves to just catch up on what’s going on, before heading to the Magical Mystery Tour. We sat by the canal at Kings Cross and ate BBQ’d pork and corn – at Shrimpy’s (which I’ll have to tell you all about some time!)…

…. and then cake at my favourite “celebrity” hangout, Caravan.

For all you One Tree Hill fans out there (don’t pretend you’re not!) Dan Scott was having a leisurely lunch – he didn’t seem half as mean as he is on the show!

I mentioned last week that I was off to our gorgeous friend’s wedding! It was truly a really special day. I’ve been gushing about it ever since. Their creative genius shone through in every detail, and I’m so grateful to have been involved.

Congratulations Kirsty and Steve!

I also managed an excursion to Highgate cemetery. A cemetery isn’t usually high on my sightseeing lists (hence why after 10 years I still hadn’t visited), however everyone who has been always recommends it. It’s a strangely beautiful, serene place, full of so much history. One of the most famous graves is that of Karl Marx - which is hugely popular, there was a queue for pictures.

I was also super lucky to get some tickets to the new play at The Old Vic. It’s such a beautiful theatre.

Kim Cattrall was the star of the Tennessee Williams play Sweet Bird of Youth. It was a surprisingly gripping tale, dramatic and funny – and although it was slightly on the long side, I really enjoyed it.

(… did I mention Seth Numrich? He was brilliant too!)

The rest of this week was mainly spent watching this! Whilst burning these…

Such a bargain from Muji!

It then ended with a special friend’s birthday (Happy 29th Mr Pink!). Where we made candy floss – you can never be too old for that.

And discovered what rainbows are made of….

…sugar!

Then to get rid of our hangovers we took a long, windy walk on the south downs.

You have to love the English summer time!

What an awesome week – thanks to everyone involved.

Happy new week everyone!

Joy xx

Tags: caravan kings cross, Kim Cattrall, muji, One Tree Hill, shrimpy's, Sweet Bird of Youth, Tennessee Williams, the old vic
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Game of Thrones

June 13, 2013 in Things We Love

Everyone is talking about it!! Are you sick of it already??

I’m not.

Finally I’ve started Series 3, I know, I’m slow to the party, but I made a conscious decision that I couldn’t handle the suspense of watching it week to week and needed it in one large “hit”. (Plus I don’t have Sky….!!)

Isn’t it just brilliant!? I could talk about it all day, yes literally. all. day. long.**

I grew up with Xena Warrior Princess and Hercules (Hercules! Hercules!) – GoT is just that next level of awesomeness.

So, do you love it or hate it?

Who’s your favourite character? (Tyrion Lannister obvs!!)

Who would you want to befriend? (Daenereys)

Who have you got a crush on?

Joy xx

**With the exception of people who have already seen / read ahead of me, then I don’t want to talk to you at all.

Tags: game of thrones, jon snow, tyrionn, Xena Warrior Princess
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Daily inspiration: change your thinking

June 10, 2013 in Body & Mind, Inspiration, Mind, Thought

Nothing is ever perfect. But sometimes the way that we look at things can change the way that we think about the situation we are in or how we feel.

changethewayyoulook

Here are some examples from my week this week….

Was the work conference that I ran this week just one big pain in the butt or was it a great opportunity to show off some of my skills and meet some wonderful people?
Was the fact that I only made the gym twice this week mean that I’m slack and a disappointment, or was it actually good for my body to get some more rest and relaxation (that it really, really needed)?
And has this week of getting no housework, limited blogging and definitely no study done, mean that I’m a failure, or has the quality time with friends and family, dinners out, people that I’ve met made up for it?

Reading over these, it seems silly that I would ever think the former but I did. How much better is it to give yourself a break and feel happy by just looking at things differently (or reframing as Joy would say).

Eva x

Tags: change, Daily inspiration
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Things I love: Holidays & Visitors

June 8, 2013 in Australia, City Guides, Inspiration, Things We Love, Travel

This week was a busy week. We had our first sleep-over guest at our new house. Which meant a lot of this:

BBQing! Yes, Brisbane is the perfect place for a BBQ even in winter. These are my favourite burgers – Thai Style Chicken burgers from Goop. Here’s the recipe.

And I know this isn’t for everyone but it’s one of our family favourites. Cheese, onions and gherkins. Yum.

And it’s come around so quickly but this week I’m off on holidays!!! Our first stop is Sydney and we are lucky enough to be catching the final days of the Vivid Festival - amazing light installations and projections onto some of the most famous landmarks in Sydney.

Vivid 2

Vivid

And then we are heading to outback Australia where we are road tripping from the big rock (Uluru) to Alice Springs. Watch here for more pics.

This week I loved:

Featuring on The Google Year!!! If you missed my post on Keeping in touch here’s the link.

Breakfasting and blogging in bed on Saturday morning – ohh yeah! Definitely a good way to start the weekend.

This interview with Bec Ronald because I love Lorna Jane! Doesn’t this pic want to make you do more yoga.

Starting a new inspiration board – it’s still pretty empty but I find it so refreshing starting from scratch.

Visiting the new Bungalow Bar and Restaurant at Rosalie for tapas.

Decorating inspiration from Emma and Elsie. Check out these lovely pics.

And my favourite. Saturday night girl’s night in.

Eva x

Tags: Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Bec Ronald, Bungalow Bar and Restaurant, holidays, Keeping in Touch, Lorna Jane, Sydney, The Google Year, uluru, visitors, vivid festival
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Snapshots: Magical Mystery Tour

June 7, 2013 in Explore, Inspiration, London, Snapshots

Our gorgeous friends Kirsty and Steve are getting married today! I’m so excited I could literally burst. As a treat for all their friends who had travelled far and wide for their wedding, they hosted a magical, mystery tour of London in a big yellow bus. Even though I’ve lived here for nearly 10 years, the city sites still stir that same excitement I felt when I first got off the plane all those years ago.

The blue skies in these pics have not been photoshopped – it literally was the most perfect day!!

Party bags for the journey!

St Paul’s

Tower Bridge

London Eye

Big Ben

Happy Wedding Day Kirsty & Steve!!

Now to find that waterproof mascara…

Joy xx

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Keeping in touch

June 6, 2013 in How To, Inspiration, Travel

Last weekend, Bea from The Google Year, set off to on an adventure to meet up with Mr Bea after many long months of waiting…

Bea 2

But as she was sipping her G&T at the airport ready to board the plane she asked me to give her some tips on how to keep in touch with her friends and family back home. There’s so many things that make it easier being on the opposite side of the world.

Check them out at The Google Year…..

Eva x

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