The English Mademoiselle Diaries: winter

Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts

I am dreaming of the coast at winter, cold harsh and salty. The sea in winter is to me the power of nature.
Source

Dear Winter,

You let December creep up so silently, quickly, I an unsure as to where I should my place my thoughts anymore. Being in between places is strange, halfway to insanity and halfway to success, every decision in the next three weeks will decide which half will take all of me. And lately I have been wondering if the escape I found in my new city and home that I love so dearly is worth it. Because on paper it seemed to like the perfect plan but things are never quite a simple as they appear to be, and hardly ever is reality the dream you imagined for weeks on end.

It isn't about how many time you fall apart but how many you put yourself back together.

Or at least that is what they say.

Winter you get to me physically as well as mentally I guess they agree in that way at least. My hands and feet are rarely warm, and almost every slight bit of exposed skin loses all feeling. Kinda like the way I stop feeling deeply during the grey months despite my love of that haunting colour between the sea and the sky. And yet you bring a cosy and loved up atmosphere rarely paralleled by other seasons to our small lives.

I honestly believe that your intentions are good but I wish it was easier than you make it seem.

XO, Miriam

Dear Winter,

I have been busy I guess. But I found time to start writing a journal again the other day, I don't know what it is but I have started to write down all the random little things that make me happy or sad throughout the day. If you look at the all of the words on the page they seem so insignificant but is there any other way of recording how you feel at that moment? I have begun to draw again, if you can call it that making up little stories in my head about love and wanderlust.

Do they like me? How can you tell when to stop trying? How do you admit that you need help? He said I love you. Maybe we should go and see that film you were on about... Fast forward. "I love you too." I heard myself say back. Could it be true? This isn't the escape she thought it would be, she thought a new city would help. But you cannot run from the problems that live in your head.
- A collection of sentences that I wrote down together the other day, questions, memories and escape.

Hopefully next week will be better.

XO, Miriam

Source

Dear Winter,

November you took Autumn faster than I wanted you to. You have made my breath turns a hazy white, breathless from my evening run and the cold closing around my lungs. Winter you make it hard to live sometimes, wrapped in layer upon layer of knitwear and fumbling to unlock the front door with shivering hands. But it is as the moments when I have made no attempt to wear thermal sports wear when I feel the cold hit my bones that I feel most alive. One thing I regret about past winters is talking myself into disliking you Winter, but really I relish staying indoors with a cup of chai and a book (or magazine) escaping from the world and clinging hot red Starbucks mugs for dear life. I hope to enjoy the best of you this year Winter.

XO, Miriam


Not my normal kind of post, but I on the way home from my Nana's house we encountered some amazing cloud formations. Mum even said they look like something out of Harry Potter, Voldermort esque if you will. They captured my imagination and drew me into a wistful dream for the rest of the journey home.

xoxo Miriam

I got tagged by the wonderful Lauren over at The Emerald Dove, and as this is my first TAG post I thought a Christmas themed one couldn't go to wrong.

(Source: http://www.ukchristmasworld.com/Blog/Post/203-the-story-behind-the-christmas-cracker.htm)

One: What’s on your Christmas list?

I did a Christmas Wishlist a week or so ago here. But I have developed a longer list outside of my official list list (ready to give ideas to the clueless relative), first and foremost IT by Alexa Chung, because I have a teeny obsession with her wardrobe, I don't have a series based on this lined up at all ;)

Two: What’s on your Christmas Day agenda?

Eat. Sleep. Rave. Repeat. I joke, we normally get up really early (ewww mornings) open up some presents, ring family members in other countries before lunchon. Following eating too much we walk our dog, mainly because he gets annoying if we don't and it makes us feel better. Finally we open remaining presents and watch all the Christmas Specials, *cough* Doctor Who *Cough* Cough*

Three: How much Christmas shopping have you done?

All of it.

Four: What’s been your biggest ever surprise gift?

I wish I could say I remember but I really can't... the last surprise gift I recieved was for my 16th birthday in June to go on holiday with my friend to Portugal, not Christmasy I know but it's all I got...
(that was awful English I am ever so sorry)

Five: When do you usually put up your Christmas tree?

The first weekend the whole family is around, and this normally coincides with the yearly Christmas showing of The Mummy Returns, it didn't this year. BOO!

Six: Do you have a special outfit planned for Christmas Day?

Not really, I don't really dress up for Christmas, I allow food baby room so to speak... hehe. It means I can have that extra mince pie and my clothes won't dig in. But maybe I will this year who knows!

Seven: Do you have any plans for Boxing Day?

Sleep. Eat all the Christmas chocolate I can find, then sleep some more...

Eight: When did you stop believing in Father Christmas?

At the age of 11, when my mum broke the awful news that the tooth fairy didn't exist just after having had 4 of my teeth taken out, so naturally I asked about Father Christmas and surprise surprise he turned out to be make believe :( I still got to pretend for a few years until my sister was older!

Nine: What’s your favourite Christmas scent? (Candle/Perfume)

Anything with gingerbread, or cinnamon in it, so lets just say I like the smell of Christmas baking above all else, that and my mother's signature sent Chanel N0.5. *sings These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things loudly*

Ten: What do you love most about Christmas?

Hmmm this is difficult, but I would have to say the way that everyone comes together even people of different religions seem happier at this time of year, or my perceptions of people is more forgiving. I also love seeing most of my family and seeing all the friend I don't have time to see during term time!

I TAG:

Lily Doughball

and

Water Painted Dreams

xoxo Miriam

P.S. Comment down below your favourite things about the Christmas season, or winter if you don't celebrate the Christian Festival.

In the midst of a November, the cold days, of staying in and drinking chai lattes while reading enough books to fill a library. But before all this today I braved the cold and stumbled on some almost iced roses in my back garden.

I am pretty sure this is growing in what looks like an old kitchen sink, it couldn't be more strange if my family tried.

In between the berry bushes and the herb garden, where green is the only colour left.

Oh so pure and wonderful.

- Jacket: Singapore Airlines -

- White Shirt: M&S -

- Top: H&M -

- Faux Fur Scarf - Unknown -

- Skirt: New Look -

- Thigh Socks: Tesco -

- Boots: My Mums -

Now I am off to watch Masterchef Australia, and drink green tea.

xoxo Miriam

This gorgeous googy lemon drizzle cake, was baked for my sisters birthday party, and as there was too much mix I have eaten it everyday since, whoops!
I suggest you bake soon before it become inappropriate to eat due to the onset of the winter season, so I bet you are wishing I would stop waffling and give you the recipe to this delightful cake:

Ingredients:
- 110g butter softened
- 110g caster sugar
- 140g self-raising flour
- 1tsp baking powder
- zest and juice of 2 lemons
- 2 medium eggs beaten
- 2 tbsp milk
- 175g granulated sugar

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160°C, and grease a 20cm x 10cm loaf tin with a smidge of butter.
Cream the butter and the caster sugar together.
The beat in the eggs and the milk, don't panic if it splits just add a spoon of the flour,
Sift and stir in the flour, baking power and lemon zest, until the mixture it smooth and creamy.
Pour in to the grease tin, and bake for 30-40minutes
Oh no the dreaded washing up that need to be done in the waiting time!
Once the cake is done place it upside down on the cooling rack on a tray and pour over the syrup (heat the granulated sugar and lemon juice together until the sugar has dissovled)
Do this gradually, and re use the syrup that falls on to the tray below the cakes.
Now EAT, with cream or anything else you wish. (oh and a cup of tea never goes a miss)

xoxo Miriam

After a snowy weekend I am rather hoping the weather will improve. Don't get me wrong I love snow but only for a short time for two reasons: one I get cold quickly and two I live in the country and I can't leave my village after heavy snow.

Just me being me.

I made the mistake of walking the dog in the woods behind my house. I have never been so pleased about my choice of footwear, the mud was much worse than I had anticipated!

Posing in the Garden... My hoodie and grey top is from New Look, the shirt is from M&S, the jeans are from River island, my wellies are Hunters and the gloves my friends mum knitted them as a christmas present.

These earings are a recent find within the mess that was my bedroom...

On that mistake of a dog walk my sister happened to be wearing a rather lovely outfit so I thought I would share that with you.

I was trying out a few filters on these pics I quite like the polaroid effect but may just be my love of the polaroid camera... Anyway her cardi is from Urban Outfitters, the jeans and studded shirt are from New Look and the floral tee is from H&M.

xoxo Miriam

I have a weakness for snow, it softens the worlds rough edges there is no harsh urban jungle and rolling hills of the country they roll in to one never ending landscape that is endlessly appealing to both adults and children alike.

Something I scribbled down in my notepad earlier this week:

The world glides past, each landscape contrasting to the next. As always in this world they call home there is a pattern, from rural to urban and back to rural again, a seemingly endless pattern. There is a grey area between the two opposing areas, known to the people as the middleground, it is neither harsh like the concrete city nor is it the soft freshness of grass and the countryside. The middleground is where people who are lost go to begin again.

All things considered it is very difficult so dress warmly and still look nice. I find a silk scarf tends to soften any rough edges of the classic winter coats and jackets. On another note I am in love gradient coloured jumpers like the one I'm wearing.

Even though I couldn't make it into college I did manage to complete the majority of this weekends homework including ToK and Geography essays.

Jacket - Topshop, Jumper - Soul Cal @Republic, Jeans - New Look, Wellies - Hunter

xoxo Miriam

Well the Met Office weren't lying when they said it was going to be cold. These are my favourite things of the last couple of days.

Aahh the macro setting on my fathers camera is a dream snowy flowers!

Thorntons Raspberry Hot Chocolate this stuff is an absolutely perfect creation.

My dog so cute!

More hot chocolate I think I have a new addiction...

The back of my garden and the woods behind that.

A whats in the fridge/cupboard stew that I totally threw together

xoxo Miriam

The Writing Bit...
Christmas eves eve, and you wanted to leave without any emotion like nothing had happened. It had for me we had been everywhere and nowhere in a flash, I can't begin to put into word what it felt like that afternoon. Sat by cathedrel in the misty haze of winter, you spoke as though this was the end like you wanted to get everything in before you left. It took me till now to see that was your goodbye.

The Fashion Bit...
I was busy yesterday but it didn't feel like I got anywhere with anything.
Shirt: M&S, Jumper: Urban Outfitters, Jeans: River Island, Shoes: Primark

The dizzying height of the buildings roof was under rated, adrenaline pours in to every vein in your body as you look down at the busy city below. You feel infinite as people go about their business and forget who they are in the rush to please others. There it is again the thought of setting them free, oh but how, some people pray for the worlds population you turn up the radio loud enough to block the world out and feel free for that moment.

Blouse - Red Herring, Vest and Skirt H&M

The gloves were made my friend mum.

My procrastination of my homework was actually productive in a way apart from the pile of homework I still have to do...

Many thing made me wear what I wore today, but first and foremost was a youtube video with Thanksgiving outfit ideas on it. And the song in the background was just perfect for this time of year and weather. (Winter Moon by Mindy Gledhill)
Jumper - BHS
Shirt - Ralph Lauren Denim
Jeans - New Look