I'm not going to lie, this month has felt about 800 weeks long. Have you all felt the same way? Thankfully, when I stopped to think about it, there were lots of good things to look back on that made January stop feeling quite so very 'January'.
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♥ Barbican adventures... We visited the Barbican twice at the beginning of the month. I bought my mister membership for Christmas so we used the card to go to the cinema there because it's like going to the cinema in an old theatre, it just makes it that little bit more special. It's so lovely to get the opportunity to travel to a favourite part of London and spend some time together - regular adventures with my favourite person. We also discovered the members' room, a quiet place to people-watch (it's right over the gift shop) while sipping a cocktail. Methinks we'll be using the membership a lot this year!
♥ Dinner with an old student... After university, I moved to Japan where I taught English and foreign culture in a senior school. It's one of my life highlights and I have so many wonderful memories, not least all the incredible students I was lucky enough to teach while I was there. I received a message from one of my old students before Christmas, saying that she would be in London for a few days in the new year if I'd be free for dinner one night. You know how strange it is seeing people completely out of context? That. But incredible too considering how so much time has passed! She was 15 when I interviewed her for part of the English test to enter the senior school and I was 22 - my goodness, how time has flown!
♥ Homemade ragu...the perfect dish for a cold evening. Nuff said really. I raved on Instagram on Sunday about the new episode released of Dolly Alderton's series Love Stories. If you haven't listed to it before, I huuugely recommend the series in which she talks to famous people about the relationships that define them. This new series starts with Stanley Tucci who I could honestly listen to for hours, particularly when he's talking about Italian food. There's something so special about listening to people talk about something they clearly love and this episode had so many moments like that. I listened to it at about 8am on Saturday, curled up in bed with a cup of tea and by the end of it I was craving pasta like nobody's business. I managed to get through the whole day before falling on a plate of homemade ragu later on that evening. Carby bliss.
♥ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child... It was absolutely magical. When can I go again?! It brought back all the joy, anticipation and excitement of the news that films were being made of the earliest novels and a new book being released. I can't say anything at all because they really encourage you not to share any spoilers (hashtag keep the secrets) and honestly, I went into it with absolutely no idea what to expect and it was incredible.
♥ A mid-week treat... I follow a variety of artists and designers on Instagram, it's such a fantastic place to discover wonderful creative folk and an array of thoughtful gifts that are just that little bit different. One of my favourites is Kate Rowland, who I was really sad to miss at a craft fair in London before Christmas but I took the opportunity to treat myself to some items from her shop in the earliest weeks of January.
It was delivered in the middle of what felt like an interminably long week. The postman had left the parcel behind our pots and even having to shake off some rather large spiders didn't lessen the excitement. I'd ordered a hand-made brooch and a zine about her time looking after three shiba inu in a farmhouse in the mountains in Nagano - gorgeous photos and paintings. It's inspiring me to do something similar...perhaps during our holidays this year. It's really one step up from a scrapbook diary, which I love to do for special holidays already.
♥ Snow... I've realised something. I only really like snow when it first falls, I'm wrapped up warm and walking on an entirely flat surface or I'm cosily indoors looking at it falling through the window. It is very very pretty though but if this realisation is what being an adult is all about, I'll take it.
♥ Easter chocolate... Yes, you heard me correctly. The Christmas trees are only just down but the Easter bunny is alive and well in the supermarket. I am ever so slightly outraged but only slightly, as I adore Cadbury caramel eggs and I'm making the most of this early bounty! I draw the line at anything else though. Maybe.
♥ Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - Sally, Michelle, Helen, Kate, Jo, Laura, Sarah, Peta, El, Mimmi, Lynsey, Katie and Em (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! ♥
Ooh membership to the Barbican was such a thoughtful gift! People talk about buying/gifting experiences instead of things, and this would definitely fall into that category. // It's so amazing for you to be in touch with your student after all that time! I recently reached out to an old professor I hadn't seen for a year, and it was so heartwarming to reconnect and know that I still have his mentorship after all this time. I was so grateful that he made time to catch up with me out of the blue! // I watched Harry Potter and the Cursed Child this past summer! I had read the playscript a few months earlier, but it couldn't compare. The production of the show was, well, MAGICAL!!!!! I also loved the soundtrack hehe. Imogen Heap <3 // The painting you photographed from the zine is so lovely! Creating your own zine to recap your holidays sounds like a wonderful idea. // There was a flash snow storm in my city today! I enjoyed it indoors chatting with a friend over lunch :3 This evening my roomie and I warmed up with hot chocolate and lots and lots of whipped cream! // Wishing you the best for the rest of the week ahead! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, gifting an experience is a particularly lovely gift, especially something like this that you can continue to use and appreciate all year. London has so many incredible museums and galleries - if money was no object, I'd have memberships for lots of them!
DeleteSo pleased you enjoyed the Cursed Child too - I saw you went to that but avoided your post for fear of spoilers :) I also have the playscript but again, didn't want to read it until I'd seen the play itself. My goodness the soundtrack was wonderful, I absolutely adore Imogen Heap and had no idea she was involved until I was flicking through my programme at the theatre itself! I bought the soundtrack as soon as I got home that very evening!
Glad to hear you're keeping warm and cosy! We've had heaps of snow overnight and I'm actually off sick from work today so it's nice to be able to stay in bed and not have to brave the ice. Enjoy the rest of your week, Audrey, and have a fantastic weekend x
YOU TAUGHT IN JAPAN?! How freaaking awesome is that! Mine and David's dream is to visit Japan - I bet you have so many amazing memories from there.
ReplyDeleteI too have scoffeed some Easter chocolate, not that long until the new year I hasten to add. I just can't resist mini-eggs!
I'm *potentially* seeing the Cursed Child in March! So very excited if that happens. (A friend has offered her spare ticket to me after a break up with a boyfriend - I'm not holding my breath as they may get back together - but otherwise that ticket is mine!) << bit of a weird thing to hope for! ha.
Have a lovely February darling xx
Hehe I did indeed and it was incredible. I loved it so much. Let me know when you start planning your dream trip so that I can bore on about must-see places :)
DeleteMy goodness, I completely understand...I'd be hoping that they stay broken up too, at least until after the showings! Can't wait to hear what you think if you do go. I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is.
Hope you have a fantastic February too, sweets xx
I went to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the start of this month and absolutely LOVED it too! I was so pleased it lived up to expectations! I completely get what you mean about snow, we're definitely adults now :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased it's not just me - I can definitely still appreciate the beauty, as long as I'm suitably cosy!
DeleteAnd YES, it more than lived up to expectations! I want to go again! x
Eeeee Yay to Easter chocolate!! I must say I bloody loved Stanley Tucci on Love Stories, I too could listen to him all day! I adore that you taught in Japan, that must have been such an amazing experience and to see your former student again must have been so lovely!
ReplyDeleteSending lots of love your way Cat,
Peta x
It was really special, I just can't believe how long ago it all was already - time really does fly! x
DeleteI'm so with you on the snow thing. Luckily, it missed us here in Leicestershire. I always think I'd like it for one day if, as you say, I didn't need to go out anywhere and then it can bugger off completely. Ugly slush and treacherous ice is not at all fun x
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to be surrounded by like-minded folk who agree that snow is all good to look out at when you're cosy and warm inside, as long as it can disappear completely after that! x
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