My Kind of Place

There is a sweet little coffee store and gallery, K'Doooor, just by my University. It is the perfect little place to meet for group study sessions, read, or meet friends. The coffee is AMAzing and I happen to think their fresh orange juice is the best in town. My only complaint suggestion (please please please).....your Italian coffee is great but the portions are tiny....in my opinion...but SO good!

This week according to Instagram

Going into this past week I thought that it was going to be pretty chill - I had three cancelled classes and not much prospect of homework. Oh boy was I wrong! It all suddenly got a little but to much and I almost reached breaking point as a result of a research project. I told my teacher, "You know those students that apply for summer research project for fun?" He nodded. I replied, "That won't ever be me".
I really miss the mountains and family and being outside at the moment. On Saturday the sun came out and it was SO beautiful - the kinda beautiful that just makes you know that God is an artist. Although it made me so happy it also made me feel kinda sad because I wanted to be outside all day. I wanted to be with my friends and family who don't live in this country. I wanted it to be summer and have a big garden party and lounge around the fire pit into the night just talking and making S'mors......all in good time. Three more months of University and then it is SUMMER TIME!!

Around my beautiful town

Yummy mango and beer for the Rugby!

Sweet mail from a friend. Tulips on the market.

My study companions. My all time favorite shirts.

My friend's dog came to visit! More fresh flowers on the market.

The sun came out

The sunshine came out today! It was still super chilly but the sunshine was glorious. So, after studying for a few hours at a coffee shop (a very nice and student friendly one this time!) I took a little bicycle ride around the cobbled streets and took some photos. Then I had to watch England play rugby...and unfortunately lose (although I think that final try was a try and we should have won).

Happy weekend!

My University

My University

I am....

Good coffee / View over my laptop / Good Old English Breakfast Tea

Not a rebel. I was always a good kid (I think?) I never really push the boundaries of rules and I always feel really bad if I let people down or break the rules. Today I decided to go to the coffee shop inside a local book shop to study. Now, I have been there a few times to study and been told to "take up less space" or "move", but today I got told to "leave". This is apparently NOT America where Starbucks Batista's are really nice and friendly and  tend to think it is pretty awesome for you to hang out in their store all day long, buy one cup of coffee with free re-fills and chat to them in between your studies. No, this is not America. Apparently spending 6euros on coffee in the space of 3 hours is not enough and you have to leave. And since I am not a rebel, I apologised and left.
But some things have made me smile today! I went to the market and bought fresh fruit a veg. Check this out. For just 5euros (£4 / $6) I got: 6 fresh farm yard eggs, 1 kilo of bananas, 1 kilo of kiwi, 1 kilo of grapes and some green beans. I think that is pretty good going. And my sweet Granny in England went to all the trouble of sending me heat rub for my bad back, "just in case they don't sell it on the Continent" ...... she is so sweet and kinda crazy.

Blog LOVIN

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Lately

Love those TOMS

Layering Plaid and Denim

Trying on new Plaid.....I can never resist

A Story About Taylor

I love Taylor. No, not Taylor Swift. Not Taylor Lautner. My Taylor. My beautiful Taylor guitar. I don't know what has been up with me this past week but I have had such trouble concentrating in class and sitting still long enough to do homework! It is really hard  IMPOSSIBLE for me to sit still for long periods of time - it is just not who I am! It is tough not being able to run right now or do yoga since my back is still healing. So my latest distraction form studying.....Taylor.
Taylor has quite a story. Taylor was a miracle, a blessing from Jesus.
It all began in November 2009. I returned to Boise, Idaho to work at a missions school for the next eight months. I also returned to intern in worship at the church there. I had been saving to buy a guitar and upon arrival I began to talk with my mentor about buying. Then, well one thing after another came up - phone bills and a conference in Colorado - and before long my little fund was gone. I did have a guitar that had been given to be a few years before that was doing it's job. It wouldn't be the type of guitar I would choose if had a choice, but I was grateful! For the next few months my mentor, the worship pastor, would take me to guitar stores and tell me to play guitars and choose the "sound" I liked the most - he told me to choose sound over a name or a look. He would keep putting beautiful guitars in my hands and I would be like, "I can only dream of this!".
In May 2010 my parents and sister came to visit from England to scout out houses for their move to Boise (a whole other crazy miracle adventure story!) and to visit me. One morning I arrive at the church to spend the day in the worship department and I barely walked through the front doors before the worship pastor appeared, "Going on a field trip", he said. I shrugged and headed out to his car with him - I assumed we were headed to the studio. When we were sat in the car he told me to close my eyes, "Seriously?", I asked, "ok". And I did. Stranger things had happened when hanging out with his guy! He began to drive and we talked about something that distracted me from trying to figure out where we were driving. We stopped. I was told to keep my eyes closed. My door was opened and I was helped out - eyes still shut - and led somewhere. I head a shop door open and close behind me. "Open", he said. I opened my eyes to see my wonderful parents and sister stood inside Old Boise Guitar Store holding my Taylor in their hands....."For you", my Dad said.

Really? I mean really? Really? Really?

I remember at the moment thinking, "I really need to cry so that they can see how much this means to me!". But I was too shocked to even cry.

I love. I love love love this guitar. It was the exact one I had picked out with my mentor weeks beforehand when he has asked, "Pick the sound you want, pick any - don't let cost, look or name hold you back - just pick a sound".

Jesus is so good - he provides for our GOOD PLEASURE! Sometimes that is physical stuff and sometimes it is a peace that surpasses all understanding and sometimes it is a sunset that warms our souls. He gives so generously. He is worth trusting, for His love never fails.

My beautiful Taylor

Love me some Grey!

Spring was here again today! I even managed to pop out for errands in my beloved TOMS - no need for warm boots today. Grey is an old faithful colour for me and it is perfect for seasonal transitions also. Grey knits can be easily thrown over pretty summer dresses to keep you cosy until the sun fully appears, grey accessories go with everything, it can be formal and fun. Here are some of my favourite grey picks of late. Happy Monday!

Skirt / Bag / Scarf / Boots / Jacket / Watch / T-Shirt / Quilted iPad Case / Earrings / Book

A Week of Instagram

The fourth week of the semester flew by with coffee dates, studying textbooks instead of reading Instyle, an Art History field trip, drinking wine with friends, and sleeping until noon at the weekends. Check out the beautiful scooter I spotted...wish I could trade my little old bicycle in for that!

Best Coffee in town

My current favorites and trying to reach the yogurt at the store

Around University

We bought it for it's name (obviously) but is was pretty good!

A beautiful church and a beautiful ride!

I Finally Jumped on the Band Wagon!

So I finally did it.....I joined Pinterest! And I can tell you now that the rumours are true : it is addictive!!!!
It is such a great place to share things and be inspired by others. So, if you fancy a peek at what inspires me then drop by my boards - join if you haven't already??!! Happy Sunday y'all.

All Change

If you are a regular visitor here you may have noticed the changes in graphics - hope you like them! Spring is was in the air and I was so glad! But...it seems that we have taken a few steps back into winter again - back to strong winds, bitter coldness, and rain.
Sometimes it is good to take a moment and look back at how much has changed. This past year has been pretty insane for me. I have learnt a lot, been challenged a lot, moved to a whole other country, started University after three gaps years, missed Christmas with my family, taken up running and then had to give it up. My parents and sister have moved to another country this year - my Dad has started a new job and they have a new house to make a home.....life is an adventure! Trusting God is always an adventure. Where were you this time last year?

 I have a plan for you
I have a plan for you
It's gonna be wild
It's gonna be great
It's gonna be full of Me

(Come Away with Me - Jesus Culture)

PS - I just got my Pinterest account.....let you know the details soon!!

Market Day

Isle of Wight

Over the Christmas break from University I spent time in England with friends and family. It was the first time I had gone back to England and my parents and sister were no longer living there - it was odd. But I was spoilt and taken very good care of over Christmas by friends. I spent my last week with my brother on the Isle of Wight which is a beautiful little island just off the south coast of England. The town of Cowes is really pretty and quaint - the port is full of sail boats and the cobbled streets are home to some cute shops. Here are a few snaps - sorry it is so late coming! Can you believe it is February already?!!

Love Love. Love Well.

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"

Song of Solomon 6v3

 

VIA

 

A Weekend on Instagram

This weekend was pretty mellow...still kinda resting because of my back. My Physio was sick so my appointment on Friday was cancelled - I sure hope he is better for Tuesday because I just want to be fixed RIGHT. NOW. It was so cold when I did venture out. I think the worst is behind us now though. I spent my Sunday being lazy, in my PJ's, doing all my reading for school with a constant flow of coffee. How on earth did I manage to choose four classes that require a lot of reading??!! I really struggle sitting around for hours on end, which is why it has been super frustrating to be sick for so long! I just want to go out running! Hope y'all had a good weekend.

Dear coffee maker....you save my life

Taylor you are always sweet. PJ's - thanks for hanging with me all day!

Typical Dutch scenes

I have had plenty of time to do my nails since I was couch bound!

Saturday on the Sofa

I have been having a lot of trouble with my back this past week. Turns out that when yoga goes wrong it can go very wrong. At the moment my spine is rather crooked and.....it hurts to say the least! I managed to skip a class at University and spend a good 48hrs on the sofa. Doc gave me some pretty crazy painkillers and I can not decide what it better - back pain or feeling out of it on pain relief. I have to wait until next week to see what the Physiotherapists thinks. I ventured out today with a friend for a nice cup of coffee at my favorite book store and my goodness the Dutchies were really out on the ice today! As for me, I am on the sofa again watching the rugby - once a Brit always a Brit.

Constantly in use

Me - NOT on the ice

The Dutchies and their beloved ice

Style Inspiration

For years Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have been fashion inspirations. In my opinion, they both know how to dress - whether it be for a red carpet event or just popping to Starbucks to grab an ice coffee. These girls know how to put classic pieces together to look effortlessly chic but they also know how to mix it up to surprise you. It goes without saying that I would love to raid their closet.