Christmas at Home - part 2

Hello again everyone!  This morning I shared with you a few snapshots from our holiday décor.  (If you missed it you can take a peek here!)  Now I get to show you some more snippets of our home all dressed up for Christmas. 

Welcome!

//Hello! Dalgħodu qsamt magħkom xi ritratti ta’ ftit mid-dekorazzjonijiet tal-Milied fid-dar tagħna. (Jekk forsi ma rajtuhomx tistgħu tagħtu titwila hawn!) Issa se nurikom ftit aktar ritratti tal-kumplament tad-dekorazzjonijiet.

Merħba għal darb’oħra!

Christmas at Home - part 1

Hi everyone!  Lately I've been living outside my blog.  I meant to get this post up earlier, but just haven't gotten around to do it until now.  My main excuse is that I have been busy with Christmas preparations and travel.  So expect some travel posts soon!

Well, I hope you all had an amazing Christmas.  I'm so excited to share a peek into our holiday decorations with you today.  So get cozy with a cup of hot cocoa, tea, coffee or whatever you'd like and 'come on in'.    

//Merħba!  Dan l-aħħar traskurajt ftit il-blog tiegħi.   Kelli f’moħħi li ntella din il-post aktar kmieni, iżda issa sibt iċ-ċans biex nagħmel dan.  Skuża ewlenija li għandi hija li kont ftit imħabbta bit-tħejjijiet għall-Milied u xi vjaġġar.  Għaldaqstant stennew xi posts fuq vaganzi u vjaġġi fil-ġranet li ġejjin!

Insomma, nispera li kollha kellkom Milied hieni.  Illum nixtieq naqsam magħkom titwila fid-dar tagħhna mżejna bid-dekorazzjonijiet tal-Milied, permezz ta' ftit ritratti.  Għalhekk intefgħu komdi b’xi kikkra kokkodina sħuna, tè, kafè jew kwalunkwe xarba li togħġobkom u 'għaddu sa ġewwa’. 

Friday Favourites

Hello there, it's now the beginning of my favourite month!  Time to bring you my Friday Favourites - your weekly dose of miscellaneous links that I have gathered from throughout the week. 

So sit back, grab a cuppa and enjoy this week's favourites.

1.  A once-in-a-lifetime movie that was filmed over twelve years with the same cast, about a boy who literally grows up on screen before our eyes.

2.  Habitually late?  Probably it's one or more of these bad habits that are making you late.

3.  Read Ashley's amazing account of being inside a tornado.

4.  Meet the 'undress'.  A new invention that means us women can change outfits in public without flashing skin.

5.  8 fall outfits anyone can wear

Quote of the week

Song of the week

Happy weekend!

Friday Favourites

Hello girls, it's the last Friday of the month already!  Time to bring you my Friday Favourites - your weekly dose of miscellaneous links that I have gathered from throughout the week. 

25 random things you may not know about me

This is the 25 Random Things meme which was going around on Facebook a while back when I first joined. The point of this was to write down 25 random things about yourself that might surprise those who think they know you. I am well aware that there are very few people who might find 25 random things about me interesting enough, but I think it's still fun to do and so I thought I'd share it again here.

Halloween Movies

With Halloween just around the corner I have compiled a list of movies to watch in the run up to or on Hallow's eve.  Horror movies are my favourite genre so naturally watching spooky movies and getting scared is one of the most fun parts about Halloween.

 

Practical Magic

Friday Favourites

Every Friday I bring to you some favourite links from the past week.

Friday Favourites

Every Friday I bring to you some favourite links from the past week.

Friday Favourites

Every Friday I bring to you some favourite links from the past week.

Friday Favourites

Every Friday I bring to you some favourite links from the past week.

Friday Favourites

Here are some links for your weekend reading.  These are posts that have caught my attention and thought maybe you'd find them of interest too.

The day I met Prince William

Prince William in Malta on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Independence

The Duke of Cambridge is representing the Queen at official celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Malta's independence from the UK.  The Prince's visit was only confirmed two days ago since this was expected to be Kate’s first solo trip abroad, but she had to cancel following the announcement that she is pregnant with their second child and is suffering from severe morning sickness.  

Friday Favourites

Here are some links for your weekend reading.  These are posts that have caught my attention and thought maybe you'd find them of interest too.

Friday Favourites

"There is a time of year in New York when, even before the first leaf falls, you can feel the seasons click. The air is crisp, the summer is gone. And for the first night in a long time, you need a blanket on your bed." - Carrie, Sex & The City

Friday Favourites

I'm so ready to say goodbye to this heat and hello to the fall, open windows, cooler

Dublin in Photos - five

We continued our train journey further north of Dublin and stopped at Drogheda.  Maybe some of you can recall the name in the novel/mini series The Thorn Birds.  It is thought that this fictional sheep station in the Australian outback is named Drogheda after this Irish town.  Well I have loved this fictional saga since I was a little girl (even though I may have not been allowed to watch it!) so when I realised that Drogheda was just a train ride away, I couldn't miss this opportunity to visit!

Dublin in Photos - four

We began day two, Sunday, with a visit to the magnificent, 12th century Malahide Castle located along the beautiful north Dublin coast and close to the picturesque seaside village of Malahide.  Again with the Dublin pass, entrance was free instead of 12 euros. Malahide Castle is one of the oldest castles in Ireland and has been home to the Talbot family for over 800 years. 

Dublin in Photos - three

Next stop was at St. Patrick's Cathedral. We didn't have to use public transport at all as all main attractions are within easy walking distance  Then it was whiskey time at The Old Jameson Distillery and of course we ended our 'tour' that day with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse where we spent most of the afternoon till it got dark.  

Dublin in Photos - two

After a good night's sleep there was lots to do!

After the home-made typical English breakfast we started the day with a visit to the Wax Museum followed by Christchurch Cathedral and Dublinia - a very interesting heritage centre focusing on the Viking and Medieval history of the city.

Dublin in Photos - one

This post is long overdue.  Our trip to Dublin was a last minute decision, just after the Christmas holidays, that we blame on Ryanair. They were offering flights that were too good to pass up. 

Birthday in Oslo, part four

That afternoon we went on a two-hour Fjord Sightseeing tour.  This is the classic Oslo boat tour passing the Fortress, the Opera House and many idyllic islands with their colourful, little summer houses.

Birthday in Oslo, part three

Birthday in Oslo, part two

Our second stop on our second day in Oslo touring Bygdøy was at the Viking Ship museum which displays the world's two best preserved wooden Viking ships built in the 9th century.  There's also an exhibit of small boats, sledges, traditional tools and clothing and other great finds from Viking tombs.

Birthday in Oslo, part one

This year, for my birthday, I organized a little trip for both of us (A and myself) to Oslo.  Ok I didn't quite plan it.  A few weeks before, I had been browsing the Ryanair website, when I actually found these June flights to Oslo, which were rather cheap compared to the usual prices one expects to pay for a vacation in Norway.  So after excitedly informing A about this bargain, we immediately booked our holiday!

Wisdom Wednesday

Cupcakes

Postcards from Turin [part 2]

More postcards from the city of Turin, Italy. 

Postcards from Turin [part 1]

Sending a few postcards from the city of Turin.  Turin is Italy's industrial capital and the heart of Italy's FIAT automobile industry.  Here, chocolate lovers will be in heaven, as one can find chocolate everywhere in Turin, from markets to chocolatiers with many varied chocolate specialities, since this city is renowned for chocolate production.  Italy's principal river, the Po, runs right through it, and a late afternoon stroll along its bank is simply breathtaking.  On a clear day, you can even see the snow-capped Alpine peaks in the near distance.

Wisdom Wednesday

Intelligence

Inspirational Thoughts

In honour of Nelson Mandela's birthday today I'm posting a few of his most inspirational quotes.

Wisdom Wednesday

Shoes

1814 - 2014 [a drama pageant] part II

1814-2014

Qormi freed from the plague: in remembrance of two hundred years ago

Two hundred years of history to remind us of the beginning of St. Sebastian’s cult by villagers in Qormi after having been spared from the plague.

On the occasion of St. Sebastian’s feast, as part of this year’s feast activities, the St. Sebastian Drama Pageant Group, Qormi, chose to remember this particular time, in 1813, when the plague hit many Maltese towns and cities.

1814 - 2014 [a drama pageant] part I

1814-2014

Qormi freed from the plague: in remembrance of two hundred years ago

Two hundred years of history to remind us of the beginning of St. Sebastian’s cult by villagers in Qormi after having been spared from the plague.

On the occasion of St. Sebastian’s feast, as part of this year’s feast activities, the St. Sebastian Drama Pageant Group, Qormi, chose to remember this particular time, in 1813, when the plague hit many Maltese towns and cities.

Wisdom Wednesday

Books

Lily Pebbles vlogging in Malta

Lily Pebbles has been to Malta last week for the Isle of MTV festival and I just had to share her vlog here.  

Lily Pebbles is a well known British beauty blogger and my favourite one at that.  Apparently she has quite a following in Malta as well :)  I missed the meet-up but will hopefully be able to meet her next time she's here.

Well, here are some beautiful shots of the picturesque bay in St. Julians and the atmosphere at Isle of MTV.  

Wisdom Wednesday

Fitness Motivation

Luglio | July

I can't believe we're already more than half-way through the year!  Though summer is my least favourite season, I still look forward to July for various reasons. 

 

This photo collage sums it up :)  so stay tuned for some exciting summery posts this month!

 

  

Wisdom Wednesday

Pinterest

Royal Ascot Hats - day four and five - 2014

Following Ladies Day, as the Royal Ascot came to an end, most of the female race-goers opted for the more glamorous and subtle hats.  Here's our favourite lot from the fourth and fifth days.

Royal Ascot Hats - Ladies Day - 2014

It was ‘Ladies Day’ at the Royal Ascot yesterday. In other words, it’s a parade of millinery creations. 

 

From the elegant, to the stylish, to the boldest and flamboyant…hats are what make Ladies Day at Royal Ascot entertaining.

 

Let’s have a look at this year’s highlights…

 

Barcroft

Royal Ascot Hats - day one and two - 2014

It’s Royal Ascot week in England.  Apart from the obvious 30 horse races it’s the hats that take centre-stage at this yearly 5-day event.

I’m sure most of you have heard about the Royal Ascot, but for those who haven’t, it’s a 300 year old British tradition founded by Queen Anne.  It’s one of Europe’s most famous race meetings attended daily by various members of the Royal Family.  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has attended the event every year bar one since 1945. 

 

Ascot is a great chance to dress up and wear a fabulous hat as extraordinary as one dares to.  As a lover of hats, this event fills me with anticipation to see what the female race-goers have come up with each year.  Grab some biscuits and put on a pot of tea 'cause this is quite a lengthy visual fest of some marvellous and other not-so-marvellous hats from day one and two of this year’s Royal Ascot.

reuters

Inspirational Thoughts

What a wonderful world - Louis Armstrong

 

 

Some of you young folks been saying to me, "Hey Pops, what you mean 'What a wonderful world'?  How about all them wars all over the place? You call them wonderful? And how about hunger and pollution? That ain't so wonderful either." Well how about listening to old Pops for a minute. Seems to me, it ain't the world that's so bad but what we're doin' to it. And all I'm saying is, see, what a wonderful world it would be if only we'd give it a chance.  Love baby, love. That's the secret, yeah. If lots more of us loved each other, we'd solve lots more problems. And then this world would be better. That's wha' ol' Pops keeps saying.

~ Louis Armstrong

 

 

 

Wisdom Wednesday

Dogs

 

Milan Photo Journal - part 3 - Milan vs Napoli match

Milan vs Napoli match & dinner at Giannino's

After a short rest at the hotel, we headed to San Siro for the football match against Naples.  Later we had dinner at Ristorante Giannino.  It's a high-class restaurant with a traditional menu and the finest Italian cuisine, very popular with VIPs.  

Milan Photo Journal - part 2 - Pavia

Cascata Varone & Pavia

Soon after we left Limone, we stopped at Cascata Varone - a natural park and botanical garden, to see the spectacular waterfalls within the caves. We then had about a two and a half hour drive back to Milan and checked in at Hotel Ibis - a comfortable, modern-minimalist hotel.  My only 'disappointment' was the breakfast which is continental, while I always prefer the full English breakfasts with sausages, bacon, eggs, baked beans and toast.  The following morning we spent an afternoon in  the quiet town of Pavia, a 50 minute drive from Milan, reading Italian newspapers and sipping cappuccino, before we headed back to the hotel to freshen up.

Milan Photo Journal - part 1 - Limone sul Garda

Limone sul Garda

On an early Saturday morning, last September we boarded the plane to Milan again, to watch the Milan-Napoli football match the following day.  This time we rented a car and A drove all the way to the picturesque village of Limone on Lake Garda.  We spent the whole day there, having lunch, a couple of glasses of wine and simply taking in the wonderful scenery around us.  This is a photo diary of our first day. 

Weekend Musings #1

24 hours in Milan

Here’s a little glimpse of a few photos from our 24hrs in Milan last September. 

We had just bought a new camera the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and this was my first opportunity to try it out.  And I truly did!  Believe me, these are only just a few of the 500 or so photos we took in less than a day!

We arrived in sunny and nice Milan around 10 and boarded the Trenitalia - Malpensa Express to Cadorna.   We stopped for cappuccino and beer at the station café and continued on our way to the Grand Hotel Puccini on Corso Buenos Aires.

Had lunch at the self service restaurant, Ciao, at the Galleria, where most locals stop for a quick bite during their lunch break and tourists go for refuelling.

At Piazza Duomo we encountered lots of Celtic supporters drinking and singing, and just being loud and merry.  We then went for a stroll through the public garden Castello Sforzesco.  So beautiful – a touch of greenery and fresh air in the midst of a bustling city.

Back at the hotel we took a nap, refreshed and then took a taxi to San Siro stadium.   It was my second time at San Siro (the first being Robbie Williams’ concert) but my first experience watching a football match.  I’m not that into football, but coming from a family where all the men are avid Milan supporters, I have a soft spot for them too.  

So yes, I was happy that ‘we’ won 2 - 0. 

All in all it was a very short but exciting trip and we couldn't wait to be back the following weekend, for the Milan - Napoli match.

So stay tuned for the next travel post!  

Robbie Williams: Take the Crown ~ Milano

I really can’t believe how it took me so long to write this particular travel post.  For my 35^th birthday, Alan surprised me with concert tickets for Robbie Williams’ Take the Crown tour.  It was Robbie’s first solo tour since 2006 and I was eagerly awaiting this one.  So you can imagine my excitement when I got to know that on the 31^st July I was finally going to see the greatest entertainer and singer on earth, at San Siro stadium.

Sarah Jessica Parker aka Carrie Bradshaw

Just came across this and thought it was interesting lovely to share.

SJP ~ A quick personal interview and a little peek inside her NYC house.  I guess we (diehard fans of SATC) all know the obvious answer to that one question "Heels or Flats?"

Enjoy!

And while we're at it, I couldn't help but wonder share a few of my favourite Carrie Bradshaw looks...