July 15, 2012

london 2012.


every time it was mentioned that i'd be globe trotting over to the UK for a few weeks in june/july, the subject of the olympics always semed to present itself. thankfully, this trip had nothing whatsover to do with a sporting extravaganza. it was about reuniting with my most beloved, it had been almost 7 years since i was last in their presence. i was an emotional mess before i left, i was unsure of my nanny's health situation and so mountains were made out of mole hills and as the leaving day approached, i was left feeling deflated and nervous. the excitement had been supressed and i wasn't sure what feelings would be greeting me on the other side. a 24 hour flight is never appealing, no matter the opportunities that lay in waiting at the end. i was blessed with a seat on the 7 hour jaunt with copious amounts of leg room, next to a cute faced and well behaved 4 year old. the 13 hour flight post 3 hour standby at singapore was nothing less than horrible. stuck inbetween two serious faced germans who proceeded to fall asleep as soon as we boarded. i swear one of them used me as a pillow for at least 3 hours of that flight. this is when thoughts of family and friends and my english childhood was good enough to stop by and save me from this awkward plane sandwich. this was inbetween filling my eyes with horror films and copious amounts of the walking dead. it had me utterly engaged and probably too frightened to sleep. helped pass the time perfectly so i am offically converted. an hour on the tube once hitting heathrow, lugging my vintage blue suitcase minus rollers, a headache that could have been granted it's own life and soon enough i was greeted by my beautiful bestie's face at her local station. it instantly made the whole experience worth it. to avoid napping i made my way out into the city as soon as i'd refreshed and unpacked a little. within minutes i was walking the streets like a local. the familiarity of the tube and weekends spent trawling oxford circus made me feel immediately at home. it wasn't long before h&m, anthropologie, m&s and topshop were in my sights. the next day read very similar, with vintage shopping, orla kiely loving and cupcake consuming in covent garden. i was home and i was in love. spending saturday wandering markets, visiting vintage heaven (literally), afternoon tea taking and dancing till 2am all whilst having my bestie by my side was pure bliss. i was in the state of mind that i'd only hoped i would be settling into, and i was really loving it there. sunday was my family reunion. first stop was meeting my gorgeous sister at liverpool street, and then onto columbia road markets for fresh flowers and a vintage poke around in brick lane. being caught in the biggest downpour ever experienced made us laugh beyond crying as we made our way to the reunion. a beautiful morning i will never forget. arriving at my aunty's house would be the first time i'd seen my parents in a few months and my english family, who i'd spent ten years with growing up and it soon became the day that i settled a piece of my heart in london permanently. it was tears-a-plenty central when my parents arrived with my nan. it was a day filled with love, conversations, kisses & cuddles, cups of tea, cupcakes, my aunty's famous sausage tart, scotch eggs, a late bbq, behaving like a 5 year old with my little cousins, photographs, champagne and trifle. i have never felt so blessed to be part of my family. today, i still sit here beyond belief that i was able to share in such a special day. i left that day knowing i'd return, and that this time it wouldn't take me 7 years to do so.



my beautiful nanny kit soaking in her birthday celebrations.

we feasted on incredible cakes...

and drank copious amounts of tea.

the birthday spread.

peonies at columbia road.

london knows flowers, i was besotted.

i wanted them all.

reunited and loving it.

some of the delights that confronted me in brick lane.

bethnal green beauty.


15 comments:

Unknown said...

I've so enjoyed following your photos from the trip on Instagram - and I love reading about it here too! :)

Tanya Murray said...

Loved the photos of Nan's spread and so many florals. Please don't take this as a criticism but my personal feedback and experience...I love your blog but I do find it difficult to read without capital letters in the right places. You see I am getting older and the eyes are not great, something you won't quite understand till you get there. When it is a sentence or two it's not so bad, but I am very visually challenged when reading a lovely newsy block like this post was. The capitals help me to find the pause and the full stops so I can really appreciate your story telling.

Katie Mitchell Photography said...

Oh I love you so! That Sunday was one of the best, ever. XO

Anonymous said...

Welcome home sweets.
You know I've been following you through instagram, and your sweet adventures have had me filled with excitement and let's face it a little bit of envy at our the vintage floral loveliness.

What a beautiful recap of your trip and the time spent with your nan and bestie, there really is nothing more precious is there. I can't wait to hear more.

Meg O said...

Hello
I stumbled across you in Instagram and I am besotted by your blog. You have a new fan.
This is a great post. Thank you for sharing.
Kind Regards
Meg

Lea said...

What a beautiful story. I love the first photo especially and whoa all that delicious fabric.

Zara said...

Oh my, all that lovliness.
x

Bungalowgirl said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday with your gorgeous family. Welcome back and can't wait to see all your gorgeous pics and finds. melx

Linda said...

You brought a tear to my eye!There's nothing better than a big get together with your nearest and dearest, Happy birthday your nan! xx

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa said...

It looks like a wonderful trip, all your instagram pictures had me so jealous! Even though I'm in the same country, you've definitely explored London more than me! I've not been in a few years now so a trip to explore all the vintage places is definitely needed! XO.

Trudy Florence said...

You made me teary lovely, you are so lucky that you got to spend quality, lucid time with your Nan. Love that last one in Bethnal Green! So cute. These are beautiful memories to have. Love you lady. xx

Jessica May said...

Hello I follow you on IG and have just looked up your blog. I didn't realise you were reunited with your sister! Or that you hadn't seen your family for so long! What a lovely story. :)

rachel @ idlepines said...

I'll take 'em all! (the fabrics that is!!)

naughty shorts! said...

hello my girl. I have missed you so much here!! you have just sky-rocketed London to the top of my travel list. Glad to have you back safe and happy. Mwah!

Anonymous said...

Oh is it so hard not to get caught up in your story and get all teary eyed..you see this will be me next month heading home to reunion with friends and family most of whom I haven't seen in six years including nieces and nephews I am yet to meet in person.
x