Keeping it REAL

I attended another session organized by Inner Space, this time it was all about people skills. It was just an hour in the evening and while the Sunday talk had been surprisingly well attended, only four other people were in attendance this time.

Isn't it weird how I am terrible at summarizing anything? Whether that's films, books or events like this. When writing minutes used to be a big part of my job. And I like to think that I was rather good at it, too!

Anyhow, I won't even attempt to summarize the evening, but instead I'll just note a few ideas (not necessarily new) that I took with me:
We are not our behaviour or our thoughts.We create them.
Challenges come along to test us. If we are resolving to work on our people skills, we will encounter difficult people. And we can show whether we really want to change our behaviour.
R-espect: try to look for at one good thing in the other person
E-mpathy: empathize without getting emotionally involved. Detach with love. When you get into a disagreement, put yourself into the other person's shoes. And then try to find a solution rather than falling out.
A-ccept: Letting other people be themselves. Recall a time when you felt accepted and a time when you didn't. When dealing with difficult people, pretend you are meeting them for the first time.
L-isten: Really listen and be in the moment. We spend most of the time in the past or the future, but not in the present moment.

Our negativity is learned behaviour which we can un-learn again. We all have a peaceful, loving and happy being. And if we can see it in ourselves, we will start to see it in others, too.
We usually can only see 10% of the other person and base our judgement on these 10% - when 90% isn't visible to us.

Not weird - just German

Last week A and I were finally able to synchronize our diaries, and met up for some German chats at Brumus - the bar & restaurant of the Haymarket hotel. Check out the cool candle decoration! And after moany Wednesday, I definitely deserved my cocktail, too! Took me a while to make a decision - given their long (and unfortunately not cheap) cocktail menu. I eventually settled for the Blackberry and Pear Bramble:
Blackberry Liqueur, fresh blackberries and pear purée is strengthened with Bombay Sapphire gin, and given a zesty kick with fresh lemon juice - which was yummy!

It was really nice to get to know A better. And nearly bordering on spooky on how alike we are in certain respects. Not sure yet whether it's our German-ness or whether maybe we are just weird ;-) I love as well, how we always communicate in English in writing but then chat in German. With just a little English thrown in. It's just easier! I've tried to explain this to several people before (i.e. I usually 'refuse' to write any business correspondence in German as it takes me much longer to word than it does in English) who could never really understand. And now I have found somebody who feels just the same!

More words of wisdom from Tiny Buddha

I love my daily newsletter from Tiny Buddha. Rarely is there an entry that I cannot relate to.

The other day, an article entitled 'Addicted to approval: Reclaim your self-esteem' started with this quote

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. 

You need to accept yourself.” Thích Nhất Hạnh

I have to admit that I had never heard of Thích Nhất Hạnh. Wikipedia revealed that he is a "Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist". Google also came up with some more of his quotes which I really liked:

“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.”

“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. 

Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.”

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. 

If, in our heart, we still cling to anything - anger, anxiety, or possessions - we cannot be free.”  

“For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.”

Happy Sunday to you all!

Peaceful East London

Last night somebody's car alarm went off just after midnight. And it didn't stop for hours. Literally.
Fortunately, my earplugs blocked out the noise. While this is/was of course rather annoying, it does make me wonder why this doesn't happen more regularly in a city like London. Or maybe I should say, it makes me appreciate that it otherwise is actually really peaceful where I live. And I usually take that for granted.

HELLO???????

I was watching Britain's funniest comedy characters. And Dom Jolly made me laugh out loud. I seem to recall that I found him quite annoying at the time - but I wonder whether I didn't get it....
Lots of stuff on that list that I find rather un-funny - but then I am of course German! ;-)

I have sleeves!!! And a zip!

And it wasn't as difficult as I had anticipated. Having said that, I didn't really follow the instructions. But it looks all right. My problem is also that I can never find the notches in the fabric...

I also put in the zip - but I won't show a photo, as it doesn't look great. But it works! I used this tutorial as the pattern instructions of course made no sense at all to me... Taking out the center seam only took forever! Why sew it to then undo it again? There surely must be another way. Not least as unzipping the seam made the fabric all curled up.

The other problem is that the top is too big. I've already taken in the darts in the back a bit more, but it's still a bit too baggy. 

Eddie

Derek is back

And the first episode of the second series made me laugh and cry. Just as expected.

The internship

I love Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. And I love their friendship (in films).
Last weekend, I watched The Internship - and loved it, too.

Cherries and cherry pie

I don't like fresh cherries but I love cherry jam and cherry pie and really anything with cooked/baked/somehow prepared cherries. With strawberries it's the inverse. I love strawberries (with cream) but I don't like strawberry jam. Is that weird?

All this to introduce this new music video by a friend of mine :-)

happiness inducing stress

I'm excited. About work.

That hasn't happened for a little while. And it feels really good.
It reminds me of the time when I first started in events, nearly three years ago. I was working my ass off - overtime nearly every day and weekends, too. But I loved it. I had such a sense of achievement. I had never thought that any job could do this for me. It's still early days for this particular project but I do hope that the excitement will stay with me for at least a little while.
I guess contrary to how I often see myself, I like a challenge after all!

moany Wednesday

Had to get up at 6:30 for a conference call at 8:00. Then straight to the next meeting. From 10:00-14:30. Without a break, let alone lunch. And I have a runny nose and sore throat and with an event coming up in a few days, I really can't afford to be off sick...
Have just sent some more work emails and now it's definitely time for bed.

Despite it all though, it feels like positive stress - so it's all good really. Even if I do feel a bit moany... ;-)

Easter discount

I think I recommended before NEVER to buy anything at full price at the Body Shop. I can't quite work out what their strategy is and maybe it's just that their profit margins are gigantic which is why they basically offer discounts all the time.

So, with another 40% off-Easter-discount on everything including sales items, I placed another order:

Yes, I love the smell of almond products :-)

Basting, layering and clipping

I honestly have no idea what half the words in the pattern instructions mean. So, I constantly have to google in order to understand what the hell I'm meant to do...

I do think that instructions could be just a tiny bit more detailed to help the process along. I got rather confused about the collar and nearly sewed it on the wrong way round... As I also don't understand WHY I'm doing what I'm doing, I didn't pay enough attention, and sewed the little hole closed where the bow is meant to go as well as forgetting to transfer various lines from the pattern to the fabric. Ah well, I think it will look just as nice without the bow, or I'll manage to get it on in another way.

Despite my struggles and a distinct lack of pressing skills, I am actually proud of how far I got this weekend (even if it doesn't look like much...):

terrible picture... but the collar is on!
I'm just a little terrified about tackling the sleeves next

My local in Time Out

London is a big city.
I bet you knew that already.
It of course means that there are LOADS of restaurants and bars and pubs.So, every time a place that I have actually been to is featured in the Time Out hard copy, it somehow makes me happy.

A couple of weeks the Island Queen was featured which is kind of our local pub at work:

Ginham style

Being my lazy self, I went to John Lewis on Oxford Street to buy some fabric for my next projects. Yes, much more expensive, but I couldn't be asked to travel all the way to Walthamstow or Shepherds Bush... And I have to say, John Lewis has a cool selection! I spent quite a long time just looking around. And in the end, I settled for this black and white Ginham style for the top and the floral print for a pencil skirt.  I don't actually have a pattern for the skirt but have found some free instructions on the internet and will try to copy one of the skirts I bought.

I spent most of the day cutting the fabric (I had already cut the pattern a while ago), putting in the tailor tacks and sewing the darts in the front piece. I was a little disheartened that all of this work was only step 1 in the instructions.... (and I haven't even done the darts in the back yet!) I also have no idea how to assess whether my darts are in correct....

And that is just one of two pages....

cotton and the floral has a tiny bit of stretch

Oxford Street delights

Did lent finish yesterday? Ah well, I lifted my shopping ban a while ago, I suppose.
I try to avoid Oxford Street as best as I can but made an exception yesterday. I was looking for dresses which I had seen online at &other stories. And I also found one that fitted and looked lovely. But it was dry clean only and I know myself well enough: I wouldn't really wear it. Having to get it dry cleaned is just too much of a hassle in my books.

Instead though I made this little bargain: real leather and reduced to just £26 from £50 at aldo:

I was already frustrated when size 5 was too tight and size 6 too big - when the lovely shop assistant informed me that they had them in a size 5.5. AND they even had them in store.
They are a tiny bit like my coral coloured flats. Well, in as much as they are flat a bit pointy.
I even read the other day that flats are en vogue this season. Lucky me! As I can't walk in heels...

beautiful

Second chances

I am very glad I gave Wahanda another chance! I had a massage booked with MSH Wellbeing in Islington and Arturo was just wonderful! The perfect balance between relaxing and working through my knotty upper back. Not to forget an amazing foot massage.... Their salon actually focuses on treatments for men but seems that ladies are just as welcome.

And thanks to another £10 voucher, I only paid £15 for a 60 minute aromatherapy full body massage. What a bargain! They also have a loyalty scheme and after booking five massages, you get the sixth free plus they have a happy hour every day, where all of their treatments are half price. Not least as it's only a short walk from the office, I will definitely be back!

Last but not least, I got this as a little giveaway -
perfect timing as well, as my Hello Kitty Oyster card holder is falling apart:

Us Londoners

I can't remember the exact day I moved to London but I do know that it was some time at the end of April  - so soon it'll be seven years that I've lived here! The other day I came across this list of 62 things you'll never hear a Londoner say. And what can I say: very true indeed!

Don't get mad

A friend sent me a link to the Inner Space: 
"Inner Space is a meditation and personal development centre in Covent Garden, often referred to as ‘London’s oasis of calm and insight.' We run regular courses, seminars and meditations in Covent Garden and in the City. ... All activities are free! Although voluntary donations are welcome, they are not required.
Inner Space is the Information Centre for the Brahma Kumaris."

To be honest, I'd never heard of the Brahma Kumaris... Check out the wiki link, if you haven't either. 
I attended my first Sunday talk last week all about how to handle anger. I really enjoyed it. I won't be able to repeat it all, but just a few things I took away for myself:
- anger isn't caused by external things, but by our reaction to these things happening around us
- there is no need to get approval or even understanding from others - is it not sufficient that we know why we did what we did?
- don't dwell on anger - nothing good will come from it
- anger is an expression of other emotions: e.g. sadness and fear

I also bought this book - haven't started it yet

Ribs on King's Road

Chelsea is not an area I get to very often. Primarily as it's right across town for me. Maybe I should make more of an effort to explore other parts of London that aren't on my doorstep (of my home and/or work).

After jetting around the world for work and just before jetting off on another holiday, S was back in town and we met for lobster and ribs at the Big Easy. This American BBQ place isn't exactly what you'd expect on posh King's Road. It's a quirky place and I loved the decor but it was a little loud for my liking which made having a conversation with anyone not sitting right next to you, a bit tricky. Not helped either by the live music.

While famous for its lobsters, I opted for the ribs as I'm not that keen on seafood. So glad, that I decided to share the starter (chicken strips and nachos) and the main (ribs with coleslaw, beans and fries and onion rings) with T. The starter alone would have filled me up! Service wasn't very attentive not particularly friendly and kept reminding us that we only had our table for two hours. With a number of free tables around, there wasn't any need for that...

Anyhow, the chicken starter was nice, but I prefer my ribs not quite so smothered in sauce. The food wasn't piping hot when it arrived, so it went cold quite quickly.

not sure what happened - but the photo of the ribs wasn't saved on my phone...

April Birchbox

TheBalm cosmetics - How 'bout them apples? Cheek and lip cream in 'pie' colour
Lord & Berry - Couture Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in black
Colour Club - Gala's Gems nail polish in aquamarine azulino
Yes to cucumbers - facial wipes
Campos de Ibiza - Almendra body milk
Lifestyle extra: Propercorn - Sweet coconut & vanilla

I'm surprised myself that I haven't yet savored the popcorn!

The Gate

I like meat. But I don't 'need' meat. I do usually order it when in a restaurant, because I don't cook it myself very often. Given how often I eat out, it of course means that I eat meat quite often... And the other day I was thinking that I should eat meat more consciously. As well as eat less meat.

So, last Sunday, I tried the vegetarian restaurant The Gate in Islington. And it was delicious! I had the tortillas filled with sweet potatoes, goats cheese with sour cream and guacamole. And for dessert the bitter chocolate tart with poached pear.

and on the right: wild mushroom polenta and fruit trifle

gone...

One of my Mum's friends passed away yesterday.
When I was a kid, whenever we came to London for holidays, we would stay with her and her family. She leaves her husband, three kids and seven grandchildren.

She was a tiny woman, but I always felt that she was very capable of standing up for herself. She somehow always struck me as 'streetwise'. That probably sounds weird... I guess living in a city like London, she wasn't fooled easily. And she was also warm and kind. I always got the impression that she really lived her life. My favourite stories were of her working as an extra on film sets. She loved going out to the theatre and to musicals and they went travelling a lot.

I knew she was ill, but her health seemed to deteriorate much quicker than expected. I can't imagine what life will be like for her husband without her. My thoughts are with her family.

Tired, so very tired

It's only Monday and I could do with another weekend already... At least it's a short four day week!
Didn't get home until 8pm, just had dinner (the first time I cooked myself a steak - and now that I know how easy it is, I'll definitely do this more often!) and now still need to prepare for my meeting first thing tomorrow morning. Yes, I am feeling a bit sorry for myself.

And as a treat (??!), I'll watch Made in Chelsea at 10pm.

9 dresses?!

The other day I read that on average women own nine dresses. Nine???! I didn't count mine, but I know it's probably more than double that... When I was looking through my blog over the last three years, I realized that a lot of the ones I still think of as 'new', aren't actually that new anymore. And one of my favourite dresses was less than £20 in the sale! Which is my favourite justification for having a well stocked wardrobe.

Anyhow, lured in by the mid-season sales I decided to go for a little shop in Canary Wharf on Saturday. I am always surprised how empty the shops (generally) are! It's so much more convenient to go there and treck all the way to central London and super busy Oxford Street.

While I tried on lots of dresses, I didn't buy any in the end... Ted Baker, Banana Republic and Karen Millen have a great selection though! The ones on sale unfortunately didn't fit and as I don't 'need' anymore, I wasn't ready to invest in any full price items either. Instead I got some shower gels from Rituals. And at £8.50 that was a pretty luxurious shop for me.

The sales assistant was lovely and let me try them all - which made making a decision just more difficult... How very handy to have a sink in the shop, too! The T'ai Chi shower foam (White Lotus and Green Tea) has quite a fresh and subtle scent, while the Shanti shower oil (Indian rose and sweet almond oil) has quite a strong, sweet smell.

Matching red

My Sony headphones are still in very good working condition (thanks to my blog I know that I bought them two years ago! I still think of them as my new headphones...) but due to their size they are not always very handy to carry around with me. For those instances, I also have a pair of earphones. As I usually buy the really cheap ones, they never last very long. And you might remember how the last pink fluffy pair I bought, were a disaster to start with...

So, this time round, I actually did some research. Well, I did a quick google search and following the good reviews ordered a pair of Soundmagic E10 earphones through ebay for just £25. They arrived very quickly and match my red ipod! Now I'm in no way or form an expert but they do the job. Better than any earphones I previously had. So, I'm happy :-)

complete with a little case and exchangeable earpieces!

The House of Fairy Tales

I'm so used to being out and about during the week, that I felt a little lost the other day when I had nothing on after work. I absolutely love and enjoy just lazing around on my sofa at home but those evenings seem to be gone in the blink of an eye and I sometimes feel a little like I've wasted my time.

As the weather was nice, I therefore decided to walk through Shoreditch on my way home. By the time I arrived at Old Street though, my back was hurting from carrying my handbag... so, I jumped on the tube instead. I did then get off a stop early, at Canning Town, and walked the rest home. And I came past the Polish (?) supermarket and stocked up on sweets, smoked cheese and sausages. To my delight they also sell the German cups of quick meals (add boiling water, stir, done) that I sometimes import from my trips home. By no means is it 'great' food, but I do like them and they are a reminder of my childhood :-)


Just between Canning Town and Royal Victoria, I then spotted The House of Fairy Tales on Hoy Street:

Back home, I googled it and on their website it says:

"Established by the artists Deborah Curtis and Gavin Turk, the House of Fairy Tales is a child-centred, artist-led project which draws on an extensive team of artists, performers, writers, educationalists, designers, musicians, film makers, dreamers and philosophers to create magical parallel worlds where learning is play and play is directed learning. Operating across a number of formats from workshops, publishing, advocacy and education packs, the House of Fairy Tales is about making education inclusive, inventive and fun."

Sounds intriguing! 

Nice. Just nice.

A new colleague joined us last week. I know, it's early days, but so far he has been so very nice! I'm smitten (and no: not in that way!). He hasn't really done anything extraordinary other than being polite, friendly, and very helpful. And I've been thinking to myself that it really doesn't cost anything to be just like that. And somehow, it sometimes seems to be the hardest thing.

I also had another interesting encounter last week. I like to be right. And I like everyone to know that I'm right. I found myself in the unusual situation where I decided that insisting on being right (even though I definitely WAS right) wouldn't get me anywhere and it just wasn't important. I let it go and resisted the urge to explain myself and the situation at length and in detail. A tiny bit of my brain is telling me that this is against my principles of speaking up. And it does feel like injustice. But the rest of my brain is telling me not to listen (to that voice).

Other individuals have meanwhile proven once again that nice, common courtesy as well as common sense are just not part of who they are or even want to be. Quite sad really. Mainly for them.

Proud and/or pleased

I recently had a conversation with my sister about the meaning of the word 'pride'. I haven't gotten to a final conclusion for myself yet. So, I am not sure whether I'm proud. But I am certainly pleased and a bit excited, too. No matter how this will eventually turn out, it's been wonderful to get some great feedback and to know that people have confidence in my abilities.

the moon over East India and a plane after take off from City Airport
- no particular reason -

ARGH....

I do still love my sewing machine. On most days anyway. But last week, it was having an off day... I was planning to make another skirt out of the pretty stretch fabric I bought ages ago. While I had no problem sewing the first one, the machine just didn't like the fabric this time. I experimented with tension and stitch length - and it made no difference. After unpicking the seam three times - and poking myself with the seam ripper in the process - I gave up...

1,001

My tastecard is expiring in May and I was already set to cancel my subscription as I don't use it very often. But then I went to Miz en Bouche for lunch with my colleague today. A French bistro just a short walk from the office with a delicious menu! Due to shortage of time (of course somebody called, just the minute we were about to leave....), we gave starters a miss. I want to come back just to try the scallops to be honest!

I had the confit duck leg with dauphinois potatoes and confit shallots which was really nice and I finished the whole plate. Which doesn't happen often. And my colleague's bavettes and fries were just as good, too. And with a 50% discount on the food, a real bargain, too!
I think I might keep my subscription for another year after all!

in case you wonder: this is my 1,001st post!

A good day

You know it's a good day, when even having to deal with annoying people doesn't bother you. And wearing your favourite dress is enough to put you in a good and 'I don't give a f*ck' mood. (I am wondering though why some people just don't realize how annoying they are...)

not to forget my bright pink bag, of course, which regularly brightens up my day!

Best cat video ever

My colleague sent me a link to this video which cheered me up immensely - and the best there are more available on youtube!

Sparkly post

Nice surprise in the post last week: new moroccan my shine shampoo and conditioner from Herbal Essences, delivered in a sparkly jiffy bag.

Semi-finals!

With a second goal in the 86th minute, Chelsea goes through to the Champions League Semi finals (after a terrible 3:1 loss in Paris). Good times :-)
(I of course didn't watch the game - would have been way too nerve-wracking!)

fail

I just wanted to quickly drop into Westfield for a some grocery shopping. And despite masses of people who all (yes, ALL of them!!!) decided to walk incredibly slowly right in front of me, I still ended up inside the shops and inside the changing rooms. All these mid-season sales signs were too tempting to resist.

These three tops came home with me. And no, I don't need any of them. But it was fun buying them. And I bet that they will contribute to my overall happiness when I will eventually wear them. And that's surely good enough a reason to break my self-imposed shopping ban, is it not?

I should also mention though that I did NOT buy that dress that was just £12 in the sale or that skirt that was reduced to £10. Little victories...

the cool changing room at Fat Face - and I am sure you can see why I had to get that top: pink birds??!
And buttons down the back and super comfy.

love the collar! from The Sting

When no change is good change

I can't remember whether I mentioned this, but in January my landlord contacted me to discuss an increase in rent. I've been very lucky that since I moved in more than 4 years ago, he hasn't increased the rent. In fact, after the first contract run out after 12 months, we/I never officially signed another contract.

He explained that their costs had increased (service charge for the building and what have you) but that of course they didn't want to lose me as I really was a very good tenant. He asked me to have a think and I said that he really needed to tell me what he had in mind, as my budget was quite tight as it is and that I might consider moving instead.

And then nothing happened. Until I got another text on Saturday evening - asking me to discuss the rent over dinner (his treat). I'm always up for dinner but I really wasn't keen to spoil a nice dinner with the dreaded talk about rent. So, I gave him a call to ask him what he had in mind. Oh, I shouldn't worry, they were thinking about just £100 (!) a month. Not sure what he thinks I earn a month - but that is quite a lot of money for me! Moreover, after he had contacted me in January, I did a quick google search and it seemed that places around here actually haven't gone up in rent very much. For a bit more, I could move into a 2 bed flat or alternatively move into a studio in central London and save ~£145 on public transport! Which is basically what I told him.*

He said he'd discuss it with his wife but that I really shouldn't worry. And then a couple of minutes later I got another text saying that they wouldn't increase the rent for now.
What a relief!

* I suppose one might argue that he should really DECREASE my rent... 

Sunday chats

Perfect start to my Sunday: a LONG phone call with my best friend in Germany.
We don't speak often and that's ok and doesn't change anything about our friendship whatsoever.
I am very lucky to have her in my life.
And it was so nice to share all the happiness and her being happy for and with me.
I definitely need to plan a trip to Germany for later this year!

Back on track and feeling the benefits

I was stuck on week three (out of eight) of my mindfulness book. Having to do three meditations in one evening seemed just too much and I kept putting it off. But last week I made another attempt and am back on track. It actually helped me go to sleep, too! Strange how I can find excuses not to take just 15 minutes out of my day for something I know will make me feel better...

Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts show

Time had finally come to use the voucher I got from my colleagues for my birthday. For once it came in handy that I live so far outside - and right next to the Excel Centre. It was my first time at one of these crafts shows and I think if there is a next, I'd go better prepared! They had a few fabric stands and I should have checked my patterns to know what kind of fabric I need for them.

Overall, it was busier than I had expected and it was bigger (in a good way) than expected. Seeing all this creativity in one place, really made me want to create stuff! Besides sewing, I am really intrigued by the cross-stitching and I am hoping to attend a course at some point. It looks like just the right amount of creativity for my limited talents. (I might be very wrong about this, as I don't actually know how it's done...)

More importantly, it was a great opportunity to catch up with T :-)
After the show we went for Dim Sum at Yi-Ban (so cheap, and so yummy!), a round trip on the cable car and more chats and coffee at my place. A lovely Saturday all round!

DONE*

The top is completed! It's not something I'd wear (or buy) but it is certainly more wearable than the skirt I did last term. And I have learned so much, too. I think it will still be challenge to do any sewing projects by myself now. I am determined though not to let my sewing machine just gather dust. So hopefully there will be more sewing posts in the future. And I might go for further classes at some point, too.
But for now, I'm free again on Monday evenings! :-)

The photos of me wearing it were all terrible...

*that's what one of my colleagues always emails when she's completed something she was asked for...

Sebright Arms

Pub and live music venue in Bethnal Green. Really nice pub, too, with plushy chairs and sofas. But a food menu restricted to burgers (not that I mind burgers!). Not an area I know very well*, and you kind of need to know it's there to find it. Went to see Lydia Baylis and -Z- perform there last Wednesday. And it reminded me how much I enjoy going to gigs. Not every day of the week, but once in a while.

I really liked Lydia's voice (I also felt a bit sorry for her, as she started her gig with no audience at all...). Whereas with -Z- I really liked the energy they brought to the stage. And the cute French singer ;-)

* which also meant that I foolishly led us back to Old Street rather than Bethnal Green station. But I was of course convinced I knew where I was going...

The devil in drag

I saw an advert for The Winter's Tale coming to the Royal Opera House and went to check out tickets. To be honest, I hadn't realized how expensive tickets are! While on their website, I also saw that they are showing Faust. And I was able to get one of the last tickets for just a tenner for the first showing on Friday night. It did say that views would be restricted. And they were: I wasn't able to see about a quarter of the stage, but nothing much happened there, so I really didn't mind. The opera is in French and I could read the English surtitles without a problem. There were also no people in front of us, and while we had to lean on the balustrade to see the stage, that really wasn't a problem. So, I can definitely recommend the cheap seats in the Amphitheatre!

With 3h30, it went on for quite a while, but I really enjoyed it (and I tend to get bored or at least fidgety quickly...). I enjoyed the singing, the drama, the dancing and there were even some witty bits (including the devil in a dress). And it was another reminder how much cool stuff there is to experience in London - and it doesn't have to be expensive! It also made me want to read Goethe's Faust again.

and some terrible photos that don't do the opera any justice...

The chocolate tree

The Society for Antiquaries is based in Burlington House near Piccadilly Circus. Burlington House is home to five Learned Societies and (for me) it's one of these stunning buildings in London, that you just don't know exists. For those who don't know (and I didn't), the Society of Antiquaries of London is charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with ‘the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries’.

Until recently, they've used their events space for their Society's meetings only. Create have recently taken on the catering and the plan is to hire out the event space for external events. Especially the Council room is a lovely space for small dinners.

Canapes were heavenly and included scallops and miniature chicken kievs and by the time the bowl food came out, I was kind of already full. Which was a real shame, as when it was time for dessert from the chocolate tree, I really could only fit in one macaroon.

Jump!

Months ago I bought a Time Out voucher for trampolining classes at Jumping Nation. My enthusiasm quickly disappeared though, so it took me until this week to finally attend a class. Which was further proof of just how unfit I am. But even though I cursed myself throughout approximately the first 30 minutes, I did actually enjoy it and by the end of the 60 minute class with Diana, I was considering making this a regular thing!

The class takes place in some kind of Church assembly room near Old Street - complete with a cross at the wall. My arm-leg coordination is terrible; the jumping to the pumping music was exhausting but also lots of fun!

Confetti

I haven't posted any nail polish photos for a while. I've become quite lazy and thanks to my new essie base coat (in combination with my tried and tested essie top coat), the nail polish often lasts for more than a week without chipping!

Here's what I wore last week: OPI Lucky Lucky Lavendar with the L'Oreal Confetti top coat. Removing it reminded me why I don't wear it very often even though I really like the look: it's a pain to get off the nails  and involved a lot of scrubbing...