MOVING OUT

I am moving out soon and I am so excited! It will probably be around end of March so it ends up being in the school holidays where we will have two weeks off for Easter. 

People usually have their first experience of living away from home at uni where they go to a University that is far from home and move out to live with friends and have the student life. I went to a Uni in London as I didn't want to move out. At that time I thought that was the right thing for me to do... I mean I still think I chose the right option but I do wonder if I would be more independent if I moved out and not rely on my parents so much.

When I thought of moving out, I was like yes I want to live with Alex, and all that stood in my way was the financial aspect of moving out as it usually is... so now I am finally ready.  I have the funds (just about) and I just have to wait for the end of March and the perfect flat... BUT... there was one thing I didn't think of and that was the emotional side of it.

Oh how I didn't expect that at all.. don't get me wrong I want to move out and Alex waited until I was ready and I am probably more impatient at the whole situation compared to him but I just didn't think I would be too emotional over it.  The other week I was doing something and called my sisters to see what I had done... and after that I realised when I move out and I do something I won't be able my sisters to call and show. I will really miss that the most I think to have the freedom of seeing my sisters whenever I wanted and to do anything we wanted anytime. I will have to get used to always messaging my sisters or making sure we meet up and take time to catch up.

I know I will get used to it after a few months but I think initially I might be a tad homesick. Really though who knows how I will react until I actually move out and it happens.  All I know that is there is a lot of preparing and decisions to make and that some won't be easy. 

Right now I am trying to organise my room and chuck any unwanted bits and bobs I don't need/want. This is seeming to be a harder task that first imagined as I am a hoarder and I like to keep everything and anything. I cannot seem to throw anything away it all has some sort of meaning. I am trying to start of small and gradually get rid of bigger things but it is not working. All I have got rid of is the food magazines I have never used... I cut out the recipes I wanted... thrown away the rest!

I want to start packing soon because I have so much stuff but I don't know where to start... cardboard boxes are too expensive to buy so will need to find another option for this...good luck to me.
Pinterest is another app I keep going on to have house inspiration of how I can decorate it even though I won't be allowed to change much in the house in the decor section as we are only renting.. one day I can let my creativeness out aha.

Afternoon tea like a queen

Being British I do love a tea.. not that I am being stereotypical  saying  Brits only like teas I am not.. but I know many that do.

Afternoon tea is a posh occasion to dress up in your best attire and basically have a cup of tea..... not any old tea though, so many  different  flavour tea some you would never have hears off!  It also comes with little sandwiches, scones and a few small desserts. 

Over the past few years I have been too 5 afternoon teas  (mostly last year). Each for different  occasions, pre wedding, birthday, Christmas  and casual. Each special, different and yummy.  

I thought I would do reviews of each of my experiences.

WEST LODGE HOTEL

My sister and I  went to this hotel  in North London for a pre wedding get together just for the girls. It was in a very  big room  with loads of tables set up and decorated  in white with  ribbons and balloons put up everywhere.
The tea itself was just normal tea (Earl grey I think), the sandwiches  were shaped as a finger and they were really yummy and kept getting  refilled when they were eaten. There were scones, macaroons and other little cakes to eat. Overall it was nice for a big group party.


MILLENNIUM  HOTEL KNIGHTSBRIDGE

January 2016, I took Alex here  for afternoon tea  as part of his Christmas  present. This was a very posh hotel, and we were seated in this lovely  room all done up! We each had  a glass of bubbly each; there was a wide range of tea selection with different  fruit infusions  but I just went for a normal English tea as I am not one for fruity teas.  The sandwiches were very delicate, with salmon, chicken, egg and cucumber; they were yummy and just enough.  The scones, jam and clotted cream were delicious!  They are quite filling though because of how they are made. I did eat both though... greedy me!  For the little desserts, there were a carrot cake, a chocolate cake and a fruit cake.  I couldn't have the carrot cake as I am allergic but had everything else.

VALERIE PATISSERIE

My mum and I went here mid last year for a treat together as we always talked about having one but then it never happened!!  I was interested to see what it would entail as  I have had it in a hotel. We were seated straight  away and ordered our tea. When the tray  of goodies  came out there looked really  yummy! We had the normal kinds of sandwiches  and scones  but  when it came to the little dessert treats there were a different  range which  were yummy! I don't know if I would  go again as  I could go there and get a normal dessert!

SOMEWHERE IN EUSTON

I can't remember the name of this hotel/ restaurant that Milly took me too for my birthday in July.  She took me too this very chic place where we sat upstairs, the decor was minimal which suited the white interior perfectly.  Again there were a lot of different teas to choose from and I had a breakfast tea because I don't like changing aha.  I can't remember what Milly had!  The sandwiches that came with it was very cute and tasty just enough to fill us up! The scones were so yummy and crumbly with strawberry jam and clotted cream, just the way I like it! The desserts were different because of my nut allergy so I had one specially made for me which was a really nice chocolate mousse.  I appreciated that they did this as they had late notice.  The other desserts were just as good and we spent a good while chatting, eating and enjoying ourselves on such a lovely sunny day.

MILLENNIUM HOTEL MAYFAIR

I took Milly here for Christmas not realising it was a different branch to the one I had been at previously.  I was intrigued to see what laid ahead in the hotel and I must say I was amazed.  It was better than the one in Knightsbridge in the sense it was far more posh and fancy.  From stepping into the hotel, there was an air or efficiency and helpfulness.  The area where the afternoon tea is held was breathtaking, all the cutlery and plates were matching, the decor was lovely and it had such a good atmosphere.  There were so many teas too choose from which I knew Milly would love as she loves her teas and trying different ones.  In the end, she chose white rose and fig tea and I had my normal English breakfast tea!  When they came, it also came with a tea timer where you had to wait for the specific timer for your tea to end before pouring into your cup!  As I am allergic to nuts, I had informed them beforehand, when the selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts came, they were on two different stands and I was explained what was there and which ones were different.  This was my first experience where they had remembered my allergy and that they had gone to great lengths to make sure I was safe.  The sandwiches were so nice, I did have two cucumber sandwiches as the chicken one had nuts, I wish they had asked me before what I would have preferred as I love salmon and cream cheese one! The scones were delish as usual but could only have cream cheese as they had a mixed berry jam which included cherries and I have a slight allergy to that and the other option was something I didn't know but was like a mango.  The desserts were all nice, apart from the creme brulee it didn't really hit the spot I think especially as I was so full by then.

Sunny Wales....or more like Windy Wales.

Over Easter 2016 I went to Wales  with Alex and his family! I have never been to Wales or explored much of the UK before  really so was  really excited.


We visited Pembroke Castle which was a good find. I learnt some more about that era and who was who and the history behind it being there.   Alex and I ate at the pub  that evening and it was lovely.

We went to explore another town that was near us and spent most of the day there! We went to the beach, had yummy fish and chips  and had a walk around the small shops there.

Before leaving to go to Bournemouth  we went to a zoo that was near by and that  was an amazing  experience! I got to feed a wallaby!! There were so many different  kinds of animals and was nice to relax and have a calm walk instead of rushing around which we had been doing.

The next 3 days Alex and I spent in Bournemouth  and that was nice and relaxing. We went shopping, to the aquarium  and to a buffet  restaurant called Day's  which was  so good  on one day. We went to a water park the other  and that was a great experience! The last day we went for a stroll before going home.

2016

Hi everyone I keep going out of my phases of blogging and really want to get back into it!!

2016 highlights:

-  Went to Wales with Alex and his famo and had a blast! So much to explore and see, it also gave me a chance to get to know Alex's family better.

-  Went on my first break away with my sisters!! <3 We went to Brighton for Michaela's 21st birthday for 1 night! Turned out it was really fun and we can survive each other without our parents!

- Back to Cyprus for the holiday- disaster struck though, will tell you about it another time.

-  Done a photo shoot with milly

-Went to Prague with milly! (Will do a more thorough one).

-  Blackpool and Manchester with Alex!!

This is probably the majority that I did this year! It was a really fun year and I can't for what the next year  brings!  Here is to 2017.