Author: La valise de louise

Back in the Tundra

I have been back at University for a couple of days now… still not really unpacked! Most of my clothes and bits are still in suitcases/underbed storage… the only things I took out were my bedding, books that I need for my essays and my prized and oversized Cheshire cat (to sit on my desk and alleviate the essay tension)

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I had two flights on sunday and was really tired when I landed at Newcastle airport. I was a diva. I coerced some unsuspecting guys into helping me with stiff luggage trolleys and my million* suitcases (Hey, if I can have 40kg for free for being a student from the Channel Islands, I will pack enough books to fill a library.. and will also pack several accessories. It is winter after all, the season of endless possibilities for coat/hat/scarf combinations)

I had booked a taxi for one from the airport, however the taxi firm I had booked tried to fit me into a tiny car with three other people and all their suitcases – the boot wouldn’t actually shut – so I ditched and caught a ride with some guys from Jersey (same guys I forced to help me with my stuff, shameless) which actually worked out cheaper than the other driver had quoted. Twenty pounds vs Eleven pounds…

So, anyway, I had a pleasant drive in a spacious car with leather seats, admired the Angel of the North and chatted until we arrived and I was dropped off back at college to be greeted with….
PRESENTS.

A golden flamingo from my friend Ina and some dessert rubbers from Ellie – suitably random. For now they will decorate this clinical room bare of all my posters and sparkle until I am done with my assignments.

The macaron necklace I mentioned has been unpacked… behind you can see my pitifully empty noticeboard.

I woke up this morning to snow ^^ My room looks out over the Botanical Gardens of the University – currently blanketed in snow – and it really makes for a beautiful winter woodland scene. I will post some photos… for now just imagine me in a snowy Narnia or forest scene from Bambi 😉

*three. I had three suitcases. And a satchel. I snuck two pieces of hand luggage onto my flight. Stealthy old me

Fierce Little Fish

With a new year comes a new addition to the household…

GARGAMEL, THE SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH. FEEL HIS WRATH!

Holidays and Macarons

Some snapshots from a belated French Christmas ! New Years Eve was celebrated with copious amounts of seafood and sweets…I partially overcame my phobia of eating fish, a phobia that has made me awkward to cater for around French christmas time in the past, (ie. the past 20 years where my family have had to grit their teeth and come up with alternatives for me every mealtime…) and had some salmon. I wasn’t brave enough to tackle the oysters or shellfish, though.

We spent two days in Paris with my aunt, uncle and cousin, as well as spending time with my Grandparents in Rouen. In Paris we visited Montmartre and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées – it has become a tradition that we walk in all the arcades along the avenue each time we visit Paris. I was thrilled that the queue for the Ladurée Boutique was virtually non-existent (from the outside, at least)… I finally had the opportunity to channel my inner Blair Waldorf and buy a box of the pastel treats to share with my family… (ok, Blair would NOT share her macarons, but I don’t think I would ever be able to eat a box by myself) My favourites were salted caramel and bubblegum – bubblegum sounds like a bizarre flavour but it worked! The cakes also looked exquisite but they will have to wait for another visit.

I bought a very girly (as in the target market was probably for five year olds) macaron necklace from a street seller in Rouen. I had been after one of those necklaces for ages – once I get an idea in my head, I refuse to let it go! It’s nice to have a memento – along with the macaron box – of this wonderful wintertime spent in France with my family.

Over the sea in a Trislander…

This morning I left the Island in a tiny plane. The wind was howling, my beret almost ended up on the other side of the airfield/in the parish of Torteval, and whilst I wouldn’t exactly say I was in fear of my life, there was definitely some doubt on whether the journey to France would be smooth.

Whilst the first five minutes of turbulence were reminiscent of my foray earlier this year into the world of rollercoasters, the journey was great. The sea looked like a thick blue oil painting with aggressive waves of white smeared through it.

There were not very many fishing boats out today, although I did catch a glimpse of one! After 25 minutes or so, the plane arrived at Dinard airport – the most exciting airport in Europe…. it is so small it does not have anything in it apart from a hire car stand and a bar which is seemingly always closed… (and also, as we discovered today, the airport also pays host to one lone aggressive fireman) but, hey, we love it anyway!

P.S. The beret is safe. Thank goodness – it’s Granny Jo Couture (my gran is an expert with knitting needles)

Boxing Day

Festive Chino wishes for peace on Earth and for more household furniture to nibble affectionately

Having a great festive holiday in the Channel Islands. After a whirlwind of a term at university, it feels great to be home with my family, basking in holiday films, fairy lights and all things glittery. Yesterday, we celebrated Christmas Day at my Aunt and Uncle’s house, where there was a feast, including the traditional turkey, but also comprising of apple and cinnamon spiced red cabbage, parsnips, apricot, pistachio and cranberry stuffing amongst other things! This was topped off with a panoply of desserts including mango tiramisu, Daquoise chocolate and mint meringue pie, trifle, blancmange, strawberries….. all made by my very talented aunt and cousin!
I am currently packing for another trip, and watching “The Lady and the Tramp” on BBC Iplayer – one of my favourite disney classics! I always wanted a cocker spaniel like Lady when I was younger… well I have no dog, but I do have an adorable rabbit, who already has an extensive modelling portfolio (as you can see above).
I’m currently cocooned in various baroque print cushions and blankets, listening to Peggy Lee sing and playing with bottles of nail varnish (I have a weakness for OPI) There were a few bottles from the James Bond collection under my christmas tree!

“The Living Daylights” (chunky teal, silver and orange glitter) and “On her Majesty’s Secret Service” (shimmery gun metal)

I also have “The World is Not Enough” and “Goldeneye” from the collection. I heard great reviews of “Goldeneye”online and bought it on a whim.

“Goldeneye” (OPI) on top of a freebie golden polish (Model’s Own) and “Snowflake” (Model’s Own) and my little christmas tree ❤

I should maybe stop with all the wannabe hipster photos of nail polish now… although it is the season for glitz and with all the great nail collections, I just can’t resist buying new ones… must…..keep……away…..from…… Sephora! 😀