hello world!

It's been sometime since I've been here. What can I say, but that I'm slack??

And I'm going to blame it a little on getting my bearings in a new country, and a new stressful job... is that fair enough?

London is good, life is good.

I've just been for a quick shop down Oxford and Regent streets - I try to keep away, but there were some art shops close by that I needed to get some supplies from. And of course, sorry simon, I couldn't stay away from the clothes shops!



Christmas lights on Oxford Street, originally uploaded by Mister-E

Christmas lights are out down central London. I'll have to go back to have a better look at night - there's some real pretty ones down Regent street, that our strewn above the street like big cobwebs!

In the meantime, thanks to Fran's reminder about yummy macarons (not to be confused with macaroons which I learnt in Paris!) and having admired them so much in Paris - I finally have purchased some from Yauatcha in Soho. On Fran's blog she has a good link to making macarons - which Simon and I will have to do soon.



Waiting for Simon to get home so we can devour them together! He's been working today...on a Sunday!

I'm trying to get back into some kind of craft - just a touch. I wanted to buy a packet of pencils (so I can scribble), and found these at Muji, along with some other Christmas presents.



And also, am very inspired by this scrabble board idea, that I bought some fimo. I haven't used fimo since I was 10! So many things my mum got me into, thanks Mum! So now to tackle my own scrabble board :)



Next weekend consists of a Herbie Hancock concert at the Royal Festival Hall, and finishing our Christmas shopping and making!

It's never too early to start those Christmas carols.

Travels

So three months later here I am! Drafting this post in flight to London via Zurich. And I'm very excited to say that my second ever international flight, we were upgraded to business class - how cool is that?
Although feeling a bit awkward, not knowing what's what, is there some kind of business-class etiquette?

Tokyo was amazing - overall hospitality is superb, everyone is so friendly. And I'm sure they thought we were just clueless westerners! We had a few words worked out - by a few I mean probably around 4.

Highights:

Arazni Aronzo shop

My first ride on a ferris wheel (apparently the world's biggest, big web)

Shibuya crossing

Shopping in Ginza

Itoya - 9 floors of stationery!

Ordering our first Japanese meal and struggling to read Japanese!

Sky line of buildings and lights - great view from Roppongi Hills




(photo taken by Simon)

Being able to navigate our way daily through the subway and train networks (well mostly Simon)

all the yummy, delicious food

Tempura!

Our first awkward experience of ordering at the sushi bar

The little streets, the shops and the people


ooh, maybe not so much a highlight - but pretty much ripping off my big toe nail - ouch! And my gosh, next time I need to pack much more comfortable shoes - we walked pretty much all day every day. Although what's comfortable to wear in hot hot weather?

Next stop - London. And then Paris in 3 weeks!

Can you tell I'm excited??

The Bag...

I have found THE bag to take away with me on my overseas trip with my husband in July. We're heading to the UK to work (and of course see the sights in Europe) for a year or so.

I noticed in The Age A2 guide today, an event advertised at the NGV, "meet the designer: nancybird". Have been keeping my eyes peeled for beautiful australian designed bags, and Nancybird has an amazing range. May also go along to the event at NGV on the 2nd April, take a look at the events listing on the NGV site.

I particularly admire the "jones bag"





but also admire the clyde bag


 


and the overnight bag!





Now the problem is trying to save the $$$ to afford such an amazing bag!!