Online Shopping Therapy: River Island

Ok... don't panic. DON'T PANIC. Calm down. It's only a few words? How scary can words be, right? I mean, I literally type type and type on my laptop everyday already...

My supervisor keeps comforting me, "Just think of it as just another homework, another assignment." Yes, he's true. Although dissertation is somewhat like another assignment, but 15,000 words just seems like the Himalayan Mountain to me who has no experience whatsoever with researching.

So, I took a few hours off from reading journals after journals (that my eyes now hurt badly) and did some online shopping. Well, because River Island e-mailed me saying there's a 70% discount online, who can refuse to that, right?

Ordered it only two days ago and now my River Island package is safe and sound in my room. Hoorey!!

“I love new clothes. 

If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, 

I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore.” 
― Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic

Now back to dissertation.... (T____T) 

Same possessions as Key (SHINee)

I never was a fan of this now-very-totally-famous Korean boyband SHINee.

Not until recently... it all began last month I think when I finished all my masters course. I had a few weeks off before beginning my dissertation. With absolutely nothing to do, I browsed Youtube for interesting videos then I came upon  SHINee One Fine Day tv show.

The show is about the five members being allowed to go on a 3 night and 4 day trip to wherever they want, they had to plan the whole trip themselves. Being Korean idol, they never went abroad without their staffs and manager before. So this was their first time ever to arrange everything from buying tickets, money exchange to planning their day. It seemed fun and the nice Youtube uploader subbed the video in English so I began watching it. Thank you to the subbers : airyarielle0718 & PlumDropSubs.

I was completely hooked and mesmerized by their individual characteristics and charm. I never would have imagined them to have these personalities. It was very fun to watch and I slept about 4 a.m. everyday because I couldn't tell myself to stop and go to bed.

Surprisingly, I found that I own two similar items with Key, one of the members.

1. Mary Lou's fox ring.
This surprised me because its a Thai brand and it's handmade. Key must have got it when he went to Thailand to promote their albums or maybe some Thai fan sent it to him.

2. Cheap Monday Black Oxford Shoe/Spring2013 Collection.
Key bought this while he was in London shooting this One Fine Day program.

What a nice coincidence. I guess we have the same tastes!! =D

After watching every episodes of the show, I think I turned into a SHINee fan completely. And I start searching for more videos of them to watch. Now I'm completely hooked with Taemin on We Got Married. It's a reality show where they bring two celebrities (singer/actor/MC whatever) together and have them portray a married life. I am so in love with this guy, seriously Taemin is so charming.

Slow life in Bath

Have you ever heard of the Slow Food Movement?
It's an international movement started by an Italian guy called Carlo Petrini in 1986.
They aim to support better way to eat...

"In the fast modern junk food environment, 

Slow Food is the voice of calm, reason and quality. 

We work to promote the greater enjoyment of food 

through a better understanding of its taste, quality and production."

- Slow Food

Anyway, today is not about that but quite similar. Having lived in Bath (UK) for several months already, and sometimes going back and forth to London, makes me realize just how much relaxing Bath really is. 

Upon arriving in London, I always feel I have to walk as fast as I can or else the person behind me will get mad. Always have to walk up and down the stairs from one tube station to another. Life is always rushing and passing by quickly when in London...

When time comes to catch a train from Paddington Station back to Bath, I feel as if I'm going on a getaway, to a calm, relaxing and beautiful city. "Home sweet home". Everything is on its own pace, you can walk as slow as you like and no one will look at you angrily. Everyone takes their time. 

Life in Bath is simple and quite down to earth. Old people walk hand-in-hand, teenagers have picnic at the park, families get together in city center, people walking their dogs, people jogging, tourists taking photos, couples walk along the canal... Everywhere in Bath is picturesque. 

I never thought I would love it here this much. 

No wonder it is the World Heritage City, clearly deserves the title!

This kind of love...

"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old."
- George Burns

One very hot afternoon I was walking in the city center.

I found myself walking after a lovely couple - probably in their 70s+.

Seeing them made me smile. 

The truth is, our future remains unknown.

No one knows for sure when they will find love,
get their heart broken,
and find another love.

No one knows for sure how much time they have left in this world.

But I really dream..
of having a love where I can grow old together with that person.

A love that never fades.

That even though my hands become
smaller
weak
wrinkled
...his hands will still hold mine firmly.

A perfect picture.

A complete life. 

Same-Same But Different

Back in Thailand, the idiom "same same but different" is sometimes used when someone tries to sell something that wasn't what the customer originally wanted. Or, depending on the situation, when they just want to end an annoying conversion...?

But today isn't about that.

A nice red local cafe in Bath (United Kingdom) attracted me. It seems pretty small from the outside, but it's actually quite spacious, smart use of large glass windows and mirrors inside the cafe.

Click photos for slideshow of larger size

Same-Same But Different

7a Prince's Buildings, Barlett Street,

Bath, BA1 2ED UK. 

(+44) 01225 466856

... is an independent cafe with character. Proven by being the winner of ‘BEST UP-AND-COMING CHEF’ by BATH GOOD FOOD AWARDS 2012. I've heard from many friends of mine that this place serves one of the best brunch in Bath. 

On a hungry morning I decided to try this little eatery. For the first time I saw a different eggs benedict menu to the usual (Eggs Florentine, Eggs Royale, Eggs Benedict), I ordered Eggs Picante. 

Eggs Picante : Poached Egg, Bacon, Chorizo, Melted Cheese, Tabasco

It was incredibly nice and flavorful. Salty, tangy and Spicy. Great if you want something to wake you up for the day. 

I don't know why this sentence reminds me of friends... they might give me same feeling of happiness, trust and warmth, but they're all very unique and different. Come to think of it, they have different ways of treating me as well. : ) 

Petersham Nurseries Cafe & Teahouse

Petersham Nurseries Cafe & Teahouse
Church Lane, Off Petersham Road
Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AG, United Kingdom

The Teahouse:
Tuesday to Friday, 10.00am – 4.30pm
Saturday, 10.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday, 11.00am – 4.30pm

Petersham Nurseries Cafe is open for lunch:
Tuesday to Sunday
Bookings available from 12.00pm - 3.00pm

For general information & restaurant bookings:
Tel: (+44) 020 8940 5230
Email: info@petershamnurseries.com

One fine day my friends and I went to this lovely Petersham Nurseries Cafe. You might be wondering why eat at a nursery? Won't there be many kids? Well, Petersham is a nice green nursery for flowers and plants.

Being part of the Slow Food movement, Petersham Nurseries Cafe serves organic locally produced meals. Food here are fresh and you can really taste each elements on the plate.

It was an afternoon I will never forget...
Like Alice in Wonderland.
It was surreal...

As they say, "Pictures are worth a thousand words", so let the photos do the talking, shall we?

Click photos for slideshow of larger size

Welcoming sign at the entrance gate

 

Menu changes daily : )

Petersham's Special: Strawberry and Lemon Prosecco

Lamb

 

Teahouse Afternoon Cakes and Tea