Stationery Haul

I absolutely love buying new stationery. If it was up to me, I'd pick up every notebook and pen that's for sale in Paperchase, and keep it all organized in sleek Muji storage. I had some time to waste last weekend (what is even happening to me, time to waste?), so I used it as an excuse to have a little peruse at Homesense/TK Maxx.

Did I mention these stores are within a 5-minute walk from my flat?

Dangerous.

Our Day

I don't want to write much about our day, mainly because I think I'll spend it crying at my desk. It was beautiful, nothing like I'd imagined, and the people I wanted there the most made it (short of a miracle!).

We got married on November 21st, at Cardiff City Hall, surrounded by our parents two friends. My parents made it all the way from Canada for the weekend (what jet-setters), I forgot my bouquet in the hotel, and we celebrated back in Johnston until midnight.

All of our photos were taken by the amazing Elaine Williams, who did an amazing job at capturing the day. I would recommend her for any event you have to photograph!

Instead of drowning on, I'll leave you with a quote from one of my favourite books:

"I didn't plan on falling in love with you, and I doubt if you planned on falling in love with me. But once we met, it was clear that neither of us could control what was happening to us. We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created."

Pembrokeshire Highlights

We were probably most excited about showing my parents the countryside that is Pembrokeshire, because that is where the husband is from. They have heard countless stories about the castles, seaside towns, and welsh pubs, so it's safe to say we were really excited to show them a different part of the UK.

What No One Tells You About Moving Abroad

1. You'll miss home more than you could ever imagine.
2. Not all the time. It'll hit you at the strangest of times, when you're at home on a Sunday, at the movies, or on your way home from work.
3. It'll especially be hard around the holidays - but stay positive! bring in your own traditions to your new home, and create new home.
4. You'll suddenly gain a huge sense of patriotism. Those Buzzfeed articles about Canada are a little ray of sunshine in your day.
5. Every one will think you're American (if you're Canadian!)
6. Figuring out your size in a new country is mind-boggling. Three words: UK bra sizes.
7. Truly no one does Halloween/Christmas like North Americans. You'll almost find it insulting how little anyone else cares.
8. The first few weeks or months will be so exciting! New restaurants, new cities, new shops... Then you'll find a routine and the excitement dies down a little. It's Home, Work, Home Cook, Clean, Repeat. Don't lose the excitement when you can and take advantage of your new surroundings. 
9. The constant struggle whether to spend your holiday allowance on trips back home or trips to somewhere new.
10. Invest in a good data plan! 10-minute Facetime chats can make such a difference.
11. On another note, timezone. I hate them.
12. While a lot of your favourite food will be available, they will not be the same. I'm looking at you tomatoes, cheese, and salted popcorn.
13. People will point out the way you say things. It gets annoying, but just smile it off.
14. You will cry about home more than you'd like. Stay strong. Remind yourself why you're on this adventure in the first place. Call mom and dad.
15. Sometimes you'll end up moving back home, sometimes you'll realize you're already home.

Are any of you living in a foreign country?
Any Canadians out there? :)

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48 Hours in Dublin

During our holiday with my parents, we managed to squeeze in one little overnight trip to Dublin - but we should have stayed for longer! I think we managed to see the main sights of Dublin, but I would recommend going for at least 2 nights to get the most of it.

After a very early flight with Ryanair, we arrived around noon, grabbed some much needed lunch, dropped our bags of at the Airbnb we rented, and headed off. As we had very little time, we got tickets to the Hop On Hop Off Bus. In my opinion, it's the best way to discover a new city when you're pressed for time, as there is little to no chance of you getting lost!

Valentine's Day Edit

1. iPhone Case 2. Love Charger 3. PJ Set 4. ASOS Jumper In Rib With High Neck 5. 'Big Spoon Little Spoon' Pillow Cases 6. Meri Meri Valentines Love Heart Stickers 7. 'Netflix And Chill' Valentines Card 8. Matte Revolution Lipstick in Amazing Grace 9. Longchamp Le Pliage St Valentin

If you know me personally, you know that I love Valentine's Day. Always have and always will. Eeven when I didn't have someone to share it with, it always made me happy. Perhaps i was just really hopeful that I'd have someone to spend it with one day. I love the cute little cards, I love the cheesy hearts, and I love presents.

We all need a little treat on Valentine's Day, so I've put together a small edit of items that I think would be a great #treatyoself item or a page you can leave lying around for your significant other to find. Either way - happy shopping!

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Paris with the Parents

Last September, I was lucky enough to have my parents visit from Canada - so we set out give them their own Eurotrip by visiting not only the UK, but Paris, and Dublin in two weeks! I only just got around sorting the photos from our holiday, and it was actually really nice to look through these on a rainy February afternoon. I thought I would share a few of the photos I took during those lovely days, and what better way to start than Paris?

Currently Coveting

1. iPhone Marble Case 2. Accessorize Ruby Tote Bag 3. UGG Chaney Boots 

4. Faux Fur Pom Pom Keyring 5. Kate Spade Wallet 6. Frends Headphones

Since Christmas has passed, and Valentine's Day/the Husband's birthday are coming, I have been on a bit of a spending ban. I haven't bought a single items other than a pair of black jeans from AE because my old ones have a rip in the inner thighs (damn you, tuna thighs). Guys, it's been hard. I miss shopping! I think I have such a high of shopping while I was in Canada, because I'm a firm believer of living it up when you're on holiday. Now I have to deal with the sadness that is budgeting, bank account balancing, and penny pinching.

This doesn't mean that I can't dream a little, and on the "dream" list are the following:

A new iPhone case! This would go great with a new iPhone 6S, which I am still planning on getting once my contract ends in May. For the time being I'm stuck with my shitty little Nokia of a replacement phone. Sadness. But the day will come when I can get a new iPhone and I will house it in this beautiful instagram-worthy case fro Casetify - on another note, who else is obsessed with this website?

I am dying for a new work bag. I've had my current one for over two years and it is starting to look the part unfortunately. I love it because it's so roomy that I can fit my iPad, lunch, and makeup bag without having to carry around multiple bags, but it's seen better days. Plus, part of me thinks I should really stop carrying food in my purse because wow odour. This shopper bag from Accessorize is budget-friendly and cute!

Aw, these boots. You guys. These are the boots. You know when you find a pair of boots and they're on sale and they have your size and they're comfortable and cute? These are the boots. I saw them in Schuh over three weeks ago and I'm still dreaming of them. I wanted to get them after payday but I don't really need them or have the money for them in spite of them being on sale. I think these will be forever on my list of the "one that got away".

Furry pom poms! I love them on hats and keyrings. There really isn't much to say about this other than it would love oh so adorable on my new purse.

I'm following with the theme of the new purse, I also really need a new wallet. I've had my current MK wallet for over... four years. Yikes. It still looks in great condition, except for the little plaque that has been scratched to death, but at this point I'm just tired of it. It doesn't look very nice on the inside either, and I could really do with an upgrade. I love this wallet from Kate Spade.

Yes, I have been lusting for these Frends headphones for years now. Years! I saw them in Canada and they're actually cheaper for me to buy them over there, so I am thinking maybe for a birthday treat to myself I'll ask my parents to ship them over? They're just so pretty ! I had the chance to try them in a shop in Canada and they were quite good - definitely will be buying these one day.

I'd love to hear what's been on your coveted list? New clothes? New makeup?

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Life Update: January

found on weheartit.com

Goodbye, January, you will not be missed.

January has been a bit of an odd month for me, and I've found the start of 2016 to be filled with a lot of doubt, excitement, and reality.

Coming back "home"
On the 7th, the boyfriend husband and I flew flew back from Canada, and that was the end of our 3-week holiday. I won't sugarcoat it - it was awful. I came back with a new-found homesickness and we both agreed that the UK simply isn't for us in the long-term. I think I always had doubts about where I wanted to settle down, but these doubts are gone. I want to go back home, and I want to go soon. It was very strange to come back home, as I've realized the UK will never quite feel like home. I think it was the first time in my life where I was coming back to something that simply didn't make as happy anymore - no home comforts to look forward to, especially as I had left all of those behind.

Planning ahead
So it's decided, we want to eventually move back to Canada! It's an exciting thought, but the process of it all is quite... exhausting. My visa to stay in the UK expires in a few months, so I'll be applying for a FLR visa as a spouse, meaning I'll be able to live and work in the UK for two more years. At the same time, we are now looking at a similar visa for the husband, but we can't simply apply for both. My visa comes with a hefty fee, and it would feel like a waste if I were to leave after only a couple of months. I think we'll be here for another year, at least, and eventually we'll have to apply for his visa... and hopefully things will work out from there?

I don't know if any of my readers have any experiences trying to apply for visas, but they are scary, complicated things, and I always feel like it puts us a step behind everyone else in the long ladder of life. Where some people my age are saving up for their first home, we have to save up for paperwork, and put the dream of a home slightly further back.

Wandering Europe
With the extra time we will spend in the UK, I would love to tick off a few more trips off my list. At the moment, we're thinking Germany in 2016. A 10-day trip around the country, something like that. I've been wanting to visit Germany for a long time, so I really hope we can do this.

I'd love to go to Rome for a couple of days! I have a friend who lives there and I imagine we can do the city quite quickly in 3-4 days.

I'm also considering some UK trips - Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Brighton.

Mini projects to keep me busy
There are a few things I sort of cast aside before/after the holidays. This blog being the main culprit. But also my scrapbook! I'm constantly re-envisioning new ideas for the blog, a new direction I want to take it in. I quite enjoy posting about my every day life, where we've been, where we're going. I think I want things to feel natural and personal, especially so I can look back on these posts and see how far things have come. A few upcoming posts: our wedding (yes, I will finally divulge some of our photos to the internet), our trip to Canada, and snaps of Geneva (I was there for a few days two weeks ago!). Beauty-wise, I think I'm taking a bit of a break. I still absorb a lot of beauty-related information, but I feel like I never got to the knack for it. Who knows? The occasional haul might pop up, I still like a good haul.

Here comes February
You know what? I'm quite excited for February! It's Valentine's day and the husband's birthday and it's generally a less depressing month than January. On the cards this month, maybe a quick day trip to Manchester? We're talking about it. I'm also looking forward to eating out twice this month because nobody enjoys cooking.

And that's it for now, I guess there isn't much to add for today.

B.

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