{quotable thursdays-moving day}

{change}

While growing up, we'd pack up our things every three years, and sail around the world for a year. It was a fantastic childhood but it meant that my life was never sedentary, but rather nomadic. When I graduated from high school & went on to an undergraduate degree, I would spend the academic term in Vancouver and then pack up my apartment and move back to Victoria to work for the summer and live with my parents. After undergrad, I moved to London for a year for my MA. Following that I was in Montreal for 1.5 years where I began my PhD, I then moved to Italy for 9 months, then Vancouver for 3 years to write up & finish my dissertation & start my first teaching job (where I lived in two apartments & two houses). I then moved to upstate New York for a year, then to Vermont for just under two years, and then ended up in this flat in London for just over two years. All in all I can count 13 flats in my life!

But now? I'm moving again. The difference is I've bought a property! I have a feeling that I won't be in the house for the rest of my life, but I have a feeling it'll probably be longer than three years. Wow! to live somewhere longer than three years. I can't imagine it!

{unfortunately I don't look so glamorous. But Simla does!}

So today is moving day... & off I go on a new adventure. I always get a bit emotional when I move. You reflect on the life that you've lived in that place.You become aware that your daily activities will now become memories of that place--the corner store you buy your milk, your walk home from the tube, bus, or what-have-you...your local grocery store. The strangers you often see regularly in the 'hood.
Farewell North London, I'm excited about building a new life in Leighton Buzzard!
xx
L

{an english welcome}

Hello from merry ol'! It has been a very busy week, but I'm so happy to say that I found a lovely flat!
I saw some AWFUL terrible horrible places...& was in a state of despair, when I walked into my new home, & just knew it was *home.* It'll be a few weeks until I move in, so pictures to follow. Before I moved, I was reading tips from apartment therapy on apartment-finding...when I read them, I was excited & the (mis)interpretation of the details of a flat (things like stickered-looking-wood vs real hardwood floors; a tiny room with an oven & some floor space vs. an open plan kitchen & lounge etc...) seemed funny at the time. But when you're in the middle of it, and you call flats that just got advertised that morning but now aren't available any more really can be depressing. One letting agent told me that the landlord only wanted a married couple (!) another said not to worry, the guy next store was being put in jail (!!)... I felt a bit like I was in the middle of a Bridget Jones film.

But I persevered and now have a wonderful 1 bedroom Victorian conversion flat with original wood floors & tiles & a lovely private garden. Can't wait to decorate & post photos!
...Here are some great pictures from my first week in the UK:

{flying over England's pastures' green}

{welcome sign by my cousin Choo}

{choo welcoming me with Union Jacks!}

{right off a red eye... Rule Britannia!}

{lovely gardens at Groombridge Place}

{spring flowers}

{a swing}

{walking amidst the blue bells}

{in a field of rape}

{I just love these sorts of details on English cottages--the way they decorate with the plaster}

This weekend I'm off to a fancy dress dinner at Cambridge...pics & more to follow...
xo
L

{quotable thursdays/change...}

{CHANGE}

{packing...}

change is a funny thing. We spend days, months, years sometimes preparing for something, but then one day we wake up and things have changed. I've been planning to move to London for months. I've been hoping to move for years. Even so, when I get on that plane on Saturday, I'll wake up on Sunday in England to start a completely new life. Yes, I'll get to my cousins' and be in my familiar room, but all the people here in Vermont, my lovely Florida Ave. neighbours, my colleagues, my students will belong to another life. I'm happy and excited, don't get me wrong. But we can't help feel a bit of nostalgia when we say goodbye to a chapter in our lives. but change is important for everybody, & I'm excited to see what the next step holds for me.

{suitcases}

{packing...}

{2 more sleeps}

{cheerio!}

{flying away}

{destination: London. All aboard!}

London: I'm ready!
see you all on the other side of the pond! I'll be sure to post on the flat-finding conundrum & the joys of living in the big city: the shops, food, drinks, etc...
xo
L

{cheerio London, hello Vermont}

{via pinterest}

{via frankie.com.au}

{via one charming party}

Sadly, my bags are packed & I'm leaving this lovely city.

{from Ruche}

{via pinterest}

However, I'm headed to a new life in Vermont. I hear great things about Burlington--I've been reading d*s's travel tips on Burlington & it sounds like it's got loads of great shopping, restaurants, etc...

{via design*sponge}

I have a three bedroom house included in my contract, so stay tuned for before & after photos...and of course much more to come on Italy & English adventures!

But for now, goodbye London--I love you!

{just love this design--I bought a lunchbox at the V&A with this on it--from  dotcomgiftshop}

A special thanks to Carla & Bill for asking me to cat-sit for the month in London. It's been a whirlwind 6 weeks in Italy & England, but I've enjoyed every minute of it.  My mantra for the hours of travel ahead?

{keep-calm-and.tumblr.com}

xo

L