Monday miles - london

I love taking photos (using a humble Canon digital Ixus 80IS or my phone cam). Especially when travelling. Trying to capture stunning nature, a pretty building or just an atmosphere. Through this blog feature I would like to take you on a little travel. As I go through my (very long and always growing) list of places to-go and the (much shorter list) of the places I've been. This week I look back on a weekend break I had in London.

Shopping, good food, sightseeing and expiencing musical, West End style (which means good!). The London trip (almost a month ago!) gave me good memories.

For the record:

That vague blob in the top left corner of the panorama pic is my finger indeed. I discovered it later. Reminded me of the time that my parents gave me a disposable camera for summer vacation. You can imagine how my shots looked back then...

The cupcake is from the Cupcake Bakehouse at Covent Garden (great place to go!). The theater pictured here is the Victoria Palace Theatre. We went there to watch the Billy Elliot Musical. I think I've been saying I want to go to that musical for about six years (don't ask how many times I watched the movie). The bag and heart necklace are both from Forever 21. The bling-hair pins and the belts are both from Primark. I got lost in both shops. I'm not so good at navigating through huge stores (my talent is on navigating streets).

Sunday Sounds - Nicole Croteau

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music. 

This blog post serie helps, inspires and motivates me to go and discover more and more of the Christian music scene, If I may put it that way. I mean it's not like I can find those records in my regular cd store (which is a shame sometimes). But hey, that's why there's internet. Youtube, itunes, spotify and all those internet-radio stations get me in the loop.

Spotify brought me to the music of Nicole Croteau.
The music has written folky all over. And it's beautiful. Good for the quiet moments. Good for the feel like dancing moments too. All songs are little stories, so I share with you a fitting song Storyteller from her latest release Anchors&silhouettes.

Have a happy sunny blessed sunday.

Thankful Thursday

Time flies when life is happening. Let's press hold for a moment and be thankful.

• Being able to travel is a luxury I'm thankful for. It opens my eyes and at the same time reminds me of all the things and people, possibilities I have at home.
• I'm thankful for the moments that I can laugh at moments that could be bad (like being splashed in the rain by a passing car when you're on your bicycle...). Just because you're feeling good. Must be in a very good mood.
• Being able to vote. I'm very thankful for that! Even when it's a little struggle to make your choice. Having a choice in the first place is a gift.
• Being able to run in the open air and breath in fresh air and cathcing sunlight early morning.
• Meeting new people is fun and always something to be thankful for.

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely.

Wisdom on Wednesday - writings from London

One of the things I find inspiration in for life, whether it's the good  or the bad; are quotes by people who, generally speaking, have a little more experience in life than me. Or just in proverbs, lyrics or books. Writings and wisdom I found on my little lovely London trip. All are photos are taken by me unless otherwise stated and of course quotes/lyrics used belong to the people quoted.

Poems about the thames inside the Tower Bridge. Wonderful experience by the way (the sunny weather providing splendid views did help though). The left poem is from Upon the Thames one evening by William Wordsworth in 1790. The right one is from Impressions du Martin by Oscar Wilde fro 1881) 

So, this was not London actually. It was at the train station of Brussels Midi, waiting for the train to Lonon. 

Nice food, and yes, they did feed a good conversation between me and my mother.

This was a chalk board I spotted at a café at the docks near the Tower Bridge. I think it rocks.

Wisdom on Wednesday - the british edition

One of the things I find inspiration in for life, whether it's the good  or the bad; are quotes by people who, generally speaking, have a little more experience in life than me. Or just in proverbs, lyrics or books. Three quotes from british people, just because there's a little London trip ahead. All are photos are taken by me unless otherwise stated and of course quotes/lyrics used belong to the people quoted.

Poet and playwright William Shakespeare. Went to the piece: Much ado about nothing last week. Loved it. 

British musician Jamie Cullum rocks live. I assure you. 

J.K. Rowling writer of the Harry Potter series. I confess I did NOT read them all. Shame on me. 

Monday-Miles - London, any tips?

I'll be off to London for a short weekend break. Just a few days, breaking the habit. I know the city rocks, I've been there before (twice, actually). But of course, it's never the same.

You can expect a bunch of London related posts next week (no surprise, right?!)

Random street in London , I think it was somewhere in Soho (November 2010)