Feeling Autumnal

Hello, you beautiful people!

Do you not just LOVE this time of year? It's becoming darker in the evenings, as well as chillier and the leaves have fallen and look so so pretty on the ground! Literally autumn is my favourite time of the year. Where slouching around all day on a Sunday in the clothes you woke up in, with a hot chocolate or home made latte in your hands and being snuggled in a big blanket or duvet is totally acceptable! (Even though I do this all year round)

I'm a sucker for a raindrop macro image, ,especially when there is crisp green leaves in the background. Don't you think they look super cool? I sure do. I also love the rain - driving in the rain also makes me feel very autumnal, not that I drive but being in the car with pouring rain is something I enjoy for some reason. But nothing beats a classic movie on the sofa feeling all toasty and warm with the rain hitting against the windows. Love it.

Another thing I adore about autumn is the gorgeous, natural colours. The mixtures of mustard yellows, dark greens, various shades of browns and my most favourite of all.. BURGUNDY! I literally lived in burgundy coloured clothes last autumn, from jeans to t-shirts, jumpers, scarves - the lot! I think it is such a warm colour and when you're out in the chilly weather with flushed cheeks, the burgundy brings out the natural colours of your skin. Even all year round I think it's just a beautiful colour!

Plus, the use of cute lanterns like these are adorable. I actually snapped this picture a a wedding I recently went to, and I have never actually been to an autumn wedding before but I can tell you now it is the prettiest thing ever. All of my favourite things mixed into one beautiful day (although lucky for the bride and groom, it didn't rain). I know lanterns and bits like these can be used all year round, for some odd reason I feel like they are extra cute and vintage looking in this somewhat groggy weather. 

One last thing I love about this time of year is Guy Fawkes Night/firework night. I know many people who do not live in the UK probably won't know what it is but basically some guy tried blowing up the Tower of London many years ago but since his plan did not go to plan, we celebrate it by lighting fireworks and SPARKLERS! 

I feel that Guy Fawkes Night makes autumn official - wrapping up warm at night in your big coats with hats, gloves, scarves and the warmest boots really makes autumn feel real and I love it. Plus the fact that it is my youngest brother's birthday makes it all the more special. The forthcoming few months are the best, especially Christmas which is my number one favourite holiday (I'm sure to do a Christmassy blog post soon) with all of your close family and friends. It's just all too exciting! I cannot wait.

This is it from me for now, I'll speak to you again soon!

Lots of love,

toesontoast

x x 

P.S. Do things with passion, or not at all

London

Hello, you beautiful people!

Recently I have travelled to London and I thought it would be nice to share this experience with you, as well as having something to look back on to remember this day. Last weekend my boyfriend had a drum show at the Olympia Conference Centre in London, so his mother and I figured that why not take this opportunity to explore London! So we did.

Although I was born in England, London I have only ever been into central London once when I was much younger, is that weird? I don't know. However since moving South it was rare that I went back to London and I haven't ever been a 'tourist' in the country I was born in. 

It was an early wake up call in order to get into London at 9:00 (even though we didn't get there until roughly 10:00) after of course stopping at the services for a McDonald's breakfast! We parked at Kew Gardens where we got a day pass on the train which was relatively cheap compared to what I assumed it to be.

We went from Kew Gardens to Kensington (Olympia) to drop the guys off - my boyfriend, his dad, brother and friends (we went with them to know where to meet them later that evening). Then his mum and I went exploring! We got the train to where we thought was the Harrods stop, not until we reached ground level did we realise we got off at the wrong stop. We asked a local florist stall the directions which were an apparent 'short' walk 'that way'..

On our short 45 minute walk past Hyde Park we saw a few monuments that we didn't plan to, meaning we didn't mind having to walk for so long. 

The Royal Albert Hall was the first, which as you can slightly see was blocked off on one side of the road ready for the Queen the following Sunday due to it being remembrance day. 

The second was this, although I'm not too sure as to what it is (if you know then please comment) but we did find it quite interesting! 

Our journey continued down the same long-ass road, we eventually got to Harrods, and it was AMAZING! Literally, if I could buy everything in the store, I would. It really is incredible, especially the Christmas section - I especially loved the ball balls, they were so delicate and most were glittery and I love glittery things like that.

When leaving Harrods, we were met by a beautiful winter scene with of course they had some reindeer! Along with elves, fake snow (tiny tiny bubbles flying around the air) and much more. 

After Harrods it had past lunchtime so we got back on the train to I think was Leicester Square where we went to Planet Hollywood to eat. I'd never been there before so didn't know what to expect, I was pretty anxious considering how much of a 'picky' water I am. Thankfully the food was delicious and very filling so I had unfortunately no room for dessert. Plus we didn't have to wait very long to be seated or be served our meal so that's a bonus! 

I had flame-grilled chicken breast on a bed of penne pasta with mushrooms, peppers and a creamy sauce - delicious! Along with blackcurrant and lemonade.

After lunch we walked into Trafalgar Square which we discovered was surprisingly close, after asking a policeman the directions "30 seconds that way ladies" WHOOPS. Here we found some floating creatures that we found very entertaining. 

Myself and a floating golden man

Boyfriends mum with a floating Yoda (Star Wars)

In addition to finding these floating men which also included a dementor from the Harry Potter movies, a witch and a few more golden people, we saw a memorial box for the fallen men and women that was really interesting. Every so often air would be pushed from the bottom of the box which made little poppies fly all over the man inside. 

This was in the centre of Trafalgar Square

Whilst in Trafalgar Square we didn't realise how close Buckingham Palace was. Well, I say close - it looks a lot, lot closer than it was to walk! But I guess for someone so important as the Queen, you're going to need a super long red carpet (red road)! 

Imagine living here though - incredible! Plus she was home! 

After spending a while at Buckingham Palace we thought it was time to make out way back to the guys in Kensington, we walked through the courtyard (I think it was called that) and happened to be just on time to see the changing of guards - isn't that just fate? Ha!

I'm sure this guard wanted smile for the camera, at least he looked my way.. Aha. 

On out way back we passed Downing Street as well as spotting a couple of Paddington Bears that had been designed by celebrities in order to raise both awareness and money for the RSPCA. These two were 2 out of 48 because we didn't find anymore.. 

This one was outside Harrods and was designed by Emma Watson 

This one was next to Downing Street and was designed by Stephen Fry 

After getting ridiculously soaked from the torrential rain we reached the Olympia Conference Centre where the drum show was. However they were running late so we waited in a cute little cafe not far from the centre. Once we met up with the guys we got the train back to Kew Gardens where the car was parked and made our way back home, of course stopping at the services for a coffee! 

This is it from me for now, I'll speak to you again soon!

Lots of love,

toesontoast

x x

P.S. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail..