Tower Bridge Exhibition

Sadly, the past weekend we couldn't do much of the activities we had planned. Rob had a bad cold and it was rather cold and windy outside. So we thought it was wiser to stay warm at home the whole day on Saturday. We had some indoor activities, baked some cornbread and watched the very first cartoon together, Frozen! All in all, it was a cosy Saturday in. Sunday, however, we opted to go out for a local stroll and I suggested visiting the Tower Bridge. We have been living in the area for over ten years, we cross the bridge on a daily basis, however, we had never been interested in visiting it inside. At least, until a few months ago when they revealed the new glass walkways. So, on Sunday morning, despite the low temperatures and wind, we walked to the entrance of the Tower Bridge Exhibition and finally went up to the very top of the towers. And boy did we love it! Now, look at the pictures and tell me it is not super cool! Emilia liked it so much that she asked if we could go again today! 

Turning 33

On July 17th I celebrated my 33rd birthday! 

I have been celebrating every single birthday of my life since year 1. When I was little my parents used to organise afternoon parties at their house with friends and family. When I grew up I took the lead and organised my own parties, with their help, of course. Before I moved to England, I usually organised evening parties at my parents' garden. Then, even if I wasn't living in Pescara anymore, I still tried to go home for a couple of weeks in Summer around the time of my birthday and I celebrated a couple of times at the beach or at other venues. The last few years, instead, I have celebrated in London with a barbecue, a pic-nic at the park and lavish dinners. This one has definitely been the mellowest birthday celebration, but fairly so given my level of energy.
The day started with a lovely breakfast prepared by Rob: cappuccino and English muffins with Nutella. Rob had decorated the kitchen with Union Jacks bunting and bought coordinated napkins. It was lovely. Then he went to work and I spent the day at home relaxing. I was still off work so I went from the bed to the rocking chair to the couch to the chair outside on the balcony. I get tired so easily these days that I can hardly stand up. The real celebration happened in the evening when Rob took me out for dinner. It's not easy to dress up with this big bump, but I did my best.

Rob chose a very nice restaurant just two minutes away from our flat, Chop House. The table they reserved for us was perfect and with a stunning view of the Tower Bridge. Dinner was simply delicious and we were even lucky enough to be entertained by the opening of the Tower Bridge. We spent more than two hours in the restaurant and then back home where Rob asked me to lock myself in the bedroom as he needed to do something in the kitchen for me. Surprise surprise, a birthday cake with candles was waiting for me on the kitchen table! You are never too old to blow birthday candles!

Next to the cake was also a little blue Tiffany bag. I got so excited! That was my gift, a lovely pearl bracelet.

I already have the silver version of it, a present from mum and grandmum from a couple of years ago. Now I hope to increase the collection! I like all these three, for example. I think they would look very nice all together.

Anyway, another year has gone and next year there will be a little someone next to me who I am sure will enjoy blowing the candles for me and opening my gifts!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, cards and presents. Love you.

My New Commute

Now that we are settled (well, kinda!) at the new place, I am experimenting with my new commute options. Until now I have been walking to the office, which is great, and it normally took me about 45 minutes. It's a bit long but doable and also that was my daily dose of excercise since I don't do anything else!

From Shad Thames to my office I now have the following options:

1. Walk: it takes me 50 minutes. I did it yesterday and this morning and loved it.

{me this morning, walking and wearing my funky Lanvin sneakers}

2. Tube: Tower Hill - Temple. I tried it last Friday and it took me 30 minutes door to door. Not bad.

3. Boat, Thames Clippers. I haven't tried this yet but I reckon it would take me about 30 minutes. Wouldn't it be super cool to commute by boat!?!

4. Bike. There is a Boris Johnson's bike docking station right outside our new building and one right outside the office. Perfect! I have never cycled in London before but, what do you think, 30 minutes should be enough, right?

In any case, it's nice to have options and whatever I decide to do, these are just some of the lovely things I will be admiring on my way to, and from work:

{All pictures are mine. I took them this morning while walking to the office.}

I {heart} you, Shad Thames

After weeks (months!) of moaning and whining about our failure in finding a nice flat in London, finally, Rob and I have spotted a lovely place that we are both happy to call home. In the last couple of months we have been searching for a new place to live in every bit and corner of the city; we explored new areas which we really like (see Parsons Green) and were open to move anywhere as long as it was a nice spot. Little we knew that our home was just around the corner from where we live now, waiting for us to notice it...

Shad Thames is an area in London we both absolutely adore. The cobble stone, the narrow streets, the Tower Bridge, the Tower Bridge Piazza, the cafes, the little restaurants and boutique shops and all those warehouse conversions are only some of the things we love about it. We looked in the area for a bit but then we gave up when we realised it was really a *wealthy city types* nest. Until, we saw this cute flat in the Vanilla & Sesame warehouse conversion (isn't the name lovely?), in the very heart of Shad Thames., that we could afford. Our new home is less than a minute walk to the Tower Bridge (where Rob proposed, remember?) and just behind the restaurant where we ate the night of the proposal. We like to think that this is our area. Panta Rei, said the Greeks...

All the pictures below are taken from this site. But soon, I'll be taking my own pictures and will document the move and all the new discoveries we make in the area. I can't wait!