T'was the week before Christmas

Well nothing quite kills the Christmas mood like essays, but now that they are out of the way there is nothing for me to do but to party! I had the most wonderful time last week catching up with old friends, meeting new ones and really enjoying having time to catch up with my nearest and dearest. It makes me wonder why it is often only Christmas that we make this special time for people, why are we not better at finding time for people all year round? 

My week started with an action-packed trip to London with AN and included a wander around the Tate gallery. I have not been to the Tate for years and I loved seeing all the weird and eccentric pieces of art.  The cafe in the Tate is definitely worth a visit because of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow for an excellent view of the river, St Paul's and the London city-scape, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos!

After a spot of culture what better but afternoon tea? Dalston Junction may seem like a small expedition to get to but let me tell you, the Other Cafe is worth every minute stuck on the tube. Walking into the Other Cafe is a little like falling down the rabbit hole and being transported to a crazy-mixed up world where nothing is as it seems and yet everything fits together perfectly. AN an I opted for afternoon tea and we were served a large plate of sandwiches, huge freshly-made scones and three-tiers of cake! Yes, three tiers! I was a very, very happy girl! 

 (Photo taken from the Other Cafe website) 

After walking off all the cake I had consumed I met up with the ever-wonderful JJ to go to the ballet. There is nothing quite like seeing the Nutcracker to get you into the festive mood, the music is so perfect and wonderful and the dancing literally transports you to a magical, exotic world. From the moment the orchestra stuck up their first note I had goosebumps which lasted the whole ballet, I might even have teared up at several parts. Thank you JJ for organising the trip, it really was magical! 

A couple of days later I was back in London again, this time with JT to attend the Albert Hall Christmas Carol Sing-along. It has been almost ten years since I was last at the Albert Hall and in fact the last time I was there I was dancing, so it made a lovely change to just be able to sit back and enjoy the show. From start to finish we sang our little hearts out and it was just incredible to be part of thousands of people singing Christmas carols and filling the hall with noise! A wonderful way to kick Christmas off in style. 

I cannot believe it is Christmas eve already, where has the time gone? I have butterflies of excitement for tomorrow but I am going to try and enjoy the day, filled with preparations, family and festivities!

Mood- well and truly Christmassy! 

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Une, deux, trois

 There is something about ballet that makes it almost synonymous with Paris, buying ones first pair of ballet shoes is a right of passage here and every little girl is this city skips to their ballet class after école. Although buying my first pair of shoes is now a distant memory, it seems that it will be an equally important step in my Parisian journey. So I stepped out to buy my (almost) first pair of shoes, to where else but Repetto. Repetto is a Parisian brand that was founded in the same shop that it still can be found today, on Rue de la Paix and is infamous for its elegant and elaborate window displays. Row upon row of rose pink point shoes and tutus hanging from the ceiling are enough to make anybody's heart flutter, but the theatre-style velvet curtains and golden ballet bar transform this ballet shop into a little piece of dancers heaven. A far cry from the cupboard sized space, crammed full of leotards and smelling of feet that I have become accustomed to in England. Repetto is famed for its artisanship, not just of ballet shoes but also of beautiful leather pumps and boots, which make this boutique a haven for fashionistas as well as ballerinas. Impeccable customer service by poised, young professional dancers turn this shop into an experience and an adventure. I carefully selected my pair of ballet shoes that were then wrapped in pink tissue paper and put into a special little box with a ribbon; pure satisfaction. Shoes here are not cheap but are exquisitely made and possessing a pair is a bit like being given magic powers that suddenly make you dance beautifully, or so I hope. What is clear, however, is that each customer, however old or young, leaves this shop feeling slightly enchanted by the beauty of ballet and motivated by the love that goes into crafting each individual shoe. Needless to say, I cannot wait to start dancing. 

Mood- On my tippy-toes excited

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