Last weekend I left the big smoke and the crazy hours at work behind and headed up north to Derbyshire. People there (cough cough) think I have a posh Londoner accent. I disagree. My accent is cute and lovely and completely neutral – like Switzerland.

But then, while walking the dogs with Kirsty, I constantly exclaimed how beautiful the countryside was.

Help!

Anyway, I digress.

So I got to stay at Kirsty and Laraine’s lovely home and we had a fabulous time. First we went to yoga on Sat morning, had lunch at a cute café, walked the dogs for a few hours, educated ourselves with The Only Way Is Essex (smart!) and had a massive dinner at an Indian Restaurant. Sunday was how Sundays are supposed to be.. With a cozy lunch and drink and some chilling out. (I hate using any word that has something to do with “chill” but “relaxation” or “resting” sounds moronic as well).

Awww I love autumn!

Now are you prepared for a food extravaganza?

No, that’s not all the food we shared among us.. It’s what I had alone. The waitress wanted to take the plate away while I was still eating my naan bread.. I almost chopped her head off. (Kidding!)

I went home pregnant. So. Much. Food. (So good food!)

Thanks for everything Kirsty and Laraine! (ps shut uuuuuup!)

xx

I am a country girl.

I might have been more of a bookish indoor person as a child (half of me still is that kid) but nothing feels better than walking barefeet through grass and breathing fresh air.

So last weekend my flatmates (Mel and Rach) and I went for a walk in the countryside. Somewhere in Hertfordshire.

(for some reasons I always end up on golf courses)..

Being stereotypical girls we got lost besides having those fancy instructions on a smartphone. I think we started to get lost when we couldn’t identify what a “ha-ha” was. (That’s what it said!). If you happen to be able to enlighten us – please do so!

But then again if you’re lost in the woods with girls who think that this thing (see below) marks the entry to the path it doesn’t seem that surprising that we lost our way after a few meters.

We somehow did manage to get back on the correct route though. What a fab afternoon.

Mel and I. We had to wear sun glasses because it was so sunny can you believe it?? In freaking England!!

It got dark terribly early we headed to a local pub and had some mulled wine by the open fire. How cliché!

Ok and now.. don’t think the worst of me but I sometimes have a very simple humour. And that simple humour is often shared by people around me.

And that’s the reason why we laughed out loud when we drove by this pub.

Yes my name is Karin and I am 13 years old.

Last weekend was amazing! (I am referring to the weekend of the 22nd.. remember.. internet problems…)

My besties flew in from Switzerland on Friday (took them long enough – I’ve been living here since March! haha) and stayed for a super quickie weekend.

So basically we only had one whole Saturday. It was utterly hilarious.

Since Karin (the other Karin that is) has never set foot on this island before we did a tour de best of London…

Starting in Camden since I live in the north.

We then dashed on to Covent Garden, popped by Picadilly Circus and moved on to Waterloo.

From there we walked along the Thames to London Bridge as it was such a beautiful day (very very British – the weather that is.) We had lunch at the always crowded Borough Market – so busy but I love that place.

I spy with my little eyes…

Afterwards we headed to Shoreditch, had coffee at one of my favourite cafés, Franzé & Evans and then we went to the Porterhouse.

Let’s just say we stayed there for a while.

If you only have one day in London I would highly recommend that “tour”.

Gosh I really miss my friends! I would import them in a heartbeat!!

I have  something super exciting to share with you all but that’s for an other post. I am watching Jamie Oliver’s new “Great Britain” show and I am so ecstatic as he’s in east London in that episode and walking through the market where I usually get my fantastic Friday falafel. (Friday is falafel day).

Oh if you happen to be in East London on a weekday – go to the Whitecross market and get some fantastic street food to go! Definitely a London highlight.

Love you all.

Kx

How are things going in your neck of the woods? I am sore. Especially in my shoulders. Yes, apparently I run with my shoulders.

Anyway..

There was so much going on last weekend it’s hard to wrap my head around it all because usually exciting stuff only happens about once a month (fun Frame classes excluded).

Friday evening kicked off with dinner and drinks with Val and BF who were in town for an extended weekend. It’s so lovely to speak Bernese German once in a while. I had such a good time.. having people around from back home is just fab. Unfortunately I had to leave early(-ish) to catch the last tube home.. because on Saturday I had to get up super early to get a million and one chores done in the morning.

At noon I met up with my chin twin Tamzin! (She pointed the chin twin thing out but it’s kind of true, isn’t it? Everyone needs a chin twin!! )

After reading her amazing blog for about a million years it was so lovely to meet her in person! We discussed that blogger-meet-ups have something so blind-date-ish about them… You DO know the person but then again it’s always different when you meet one another in real life.

But I kind of knew we’d get along well – after all we’re both massive foodies, enthusiastic about fitness (but not in a crazy obsessive way) and have a fabulous taste in music. If I dare say so.

She even brought me a present! She made it herself, can you believe it???

SO pretty! Thank you chin twin!!

Being the foodies that we are we headed straight to Neal’s Yard Salad Bar for some much needed lunch.

I’ve been dying to go there for ages but always saved it for a special occasion. I’m glad I did, lunch was delish!

Afterwards we continued our foodie tour de London.

Heavens.. Whole Foods in High Street Kensington will KILL me. I am so glad I don’t live in West London otherwise I’d be constantly tempted. It’s a place where dreams come true. (Who wants to go to Disney Land when there’s Whole Foods?? ).

Afterwards we had some cake and coffee and then it was already time to say goodbye. Another time my friend!!

I kind of rushed home because my flatmate had lost her keys (well.. she found them at work today..) and then I frantically searched Blandine’s mobile number as we had plans for dinner.

All turned out well and we went to Manna in Primrose Hill for dinner. It’s a vegan restaurant.

Now… I know, some people run away screaming when they hear the word vegan because “what do these people eat anyway?” but it’s simply unfair.. Saturday’s dinner was absolutely amazing. We shared quesadilla (but menos el queso haha) for starters and I had ravioli and Blandine had bangers and mash. Very British.

Unfortunately my photos turned out crap but that just means that I have to go back again and make some new ones .

We ended the evening with a cuppa and Gary Barlow and his X-Factor crew. When did Mr Take That get so hot? He’s like good wine – getting better with age!

Sunday started REALLY early.. I got up at an ungodly hour to get ready for race day. Blandine, who stayed over at my place, kindly came to support me.

It was busy, it was fun and it was one of the best races I’ve ever run. There was never a moment that felt terrible.. When I felt my legs getting tired I changed my stride.
(General comment: changing strides was one of the best things I could have done. It made things so much easier!)

Unfortunately I still had some breathing problems since I have a weird cold/sore throat.. I need to get that checked if it doesn’t get better. At times I had some chest pain but then I took it a bit easier and ran slower.

After all I love running but I love living even more so I didn’t want to push myself too much even though it meant that sub-2h got out of my reach. I didn’t care, health is more important.

I just realised that this all sounds more dramatic than it actually was.. I really felt fine otherwise I would have dropped out for sure. (Mum, no need to get worried!!)

It was such a privilege to run with Right To Play. I am truly proud to support such an amazing charity. Thanks again to all of you.. donators and non-donators. Your support has been great.

My official chip time was 2:00:51. It’s the first time I’ve run with my garmin but it was quite helpful and it helped me to keep my pace and not go too fast or too slow. The garmin was only there for support though.. I just ran it the way I felt was good for me. I felt like walking twice so I walked. And once or twice I felt like running 8 minute miles so I ran faster.

I suppose the reason why I felt this race was relatively “easy” was because my mind and body were completely in synch. My brain has tried to be smarter than my body for ages but nah, this girl’s not taking that anymore.

If I feel like running 10 miles I run 10 miles.

If I feel like eating a massive slice of cake I eat a massive slice of cake.

Life is too short to be miserable.

(On the other hand this shouldn’t be a free-pass for all things unhealthy. Balance, sweethearts! Balance!)

Christine and Selina showed me their best “sad faces” at Heathrow yesterday. And all was well until my little sister started crying when we said goodbye. I can’t see my sister crying without following her suit (sorry Christine, I know we were being rather pathetic!).

I somehow stumbled my way back to the tube and basically spent the entire rest of the day being absolutely miserable and lonely.

But today’s a new day. I love living in London and learning new things every day and growing as a person. It’s not always easy but I’m the first to say that life shouldn’t necessarily be easy either. It makes us grow (or at least I hope so) and keeps us on our toes. I will never live a comfy life.

The bonus of not taking the easy route is that you’re absolutely ecstatic about things that are very normal.. Like spending a day in Brick Lane and making potato gratin for dinner with two of your best friends.

BBC said on Friday that there would be “thunderous rain”on Sunday.  Well we didn’t see much of that.

I already miss them terribly and have been eating my weight in chocolate. But that’s fine. It’s all part of living life.

Now I’m excited for the “next” uncomfortable thing in my life – the upcoming Half Marathon! Many thanks to the people who’ve already donated – we’re well on our way to improve the lives of so many unprivileged kids!
If you haven’t donated yet you can do so here. We need all the help we can get!!

So here’s what we learned in today’s lesson: Life shouldn’t be too easy even if that might be a bit strange to understand. If you disagree with me that’s fair enough – as long as you live your life. Existing alone doesn’t count.

Kx.

After weeks and weeks of waiting it was finally the day Christine and Selina arrived!! I was incredibly impatient at work on Thursday but then it was finally 5:30 and I went and met them at Heathrow airport.

Yesterday we spent the day shopping, eating and laughing – it flew by!

I booked a table at Fifteen as soon as I knew they would arrive – I’ve always wanted to go there because I love Jamie Oliver and think his apprentice programme is absolutely brilliant.

The entire evening was even better than expected. I’ve never had such a great time at a restaurant in my life. That wasn’t only due to the company but also the waiters and the brilliant food. The waiters took their time to talk to us and of course we grilled them about the programme and meeting Jamie. It was so lovely! Apparently it was the first day of work for some apprentices!

The olives were so buttery and delish I could have eaten an entire bowl for dinner.

To. Die. For.

We also stalked the chef.. haha

I can’t wait to go back! My mum (massive Jamie fan) would love this place so much. She’s been wanting to go there for years. (An other reason for visiting, mum!!)

Today we head to Camden for a veggie fry’-up (visitors’ requests), will do some other shenanigans and then go and see “We Will Rock You”. Hooray!!

I don’t want them to leave. Ever!

Perfect weather for heading to the posh parts of London and meeting a friend!

Blandine left France for England (because of the ginger lads and Henry XIII of course) and had a quickie “layover” in London before heading to the countryside. I kept her company.

It was so good to see her again after many many years! We actually started off as pen pals. (Yay for pen palling! It taught me English and I’ve made lots of great friends).

We both thought we look awful on this pic but hey, I’ve got to post some evidence.

Anyway, we headed to daylesford (or better: we accidentally stumbled upon it) and did some catching up while having lunch. It was so good discussing everything from former schoolmates with babies to French politics and good music.

I wouldn’t be me if I wouldn’t write about food.

I had eggs florentine – I can’t help it, I love brunch!

The interior of the place was so typically “hip”. The rustic/modern/farm style is very very popular with restaurants/cafés these days.

That’s fine by me though because the food was delish.

We then headed to Starbucks and then it was already time to say goodbye. I can’t wait for Blandine to move to London next year! (Visit soon my friend!)

I then headed back to the Victoria station and as I was changing tubes in Euston I had an encounter that wasn’t unfamiliar.

Dude: “Why do you look so sad?”

Karin: “Sorry, that’s just my normal face!”

Well sorry, I don’t look like Angelina Jolie but you know, I’m fine with the way I look (so effff off you idiot!!!!!).

sigh… You have NO idea how often that happens to me.

I don’t want to be rude to people but I’m really annoyed whenever that happens. And you know what? It’s always random guys who ask me that.

Oh and in case this is some super strange pick-up line (which I really hope it isn’t) – what if I really was sad? I don’t think I –or anyone else for that matter- would talk to a complete stranger about the cause.

</end of frustrated rant>

Wait a second. It isn’t over yet.
When I got off at my station I saw a guy wearing a turban standing by the exit. Not unusual. People walked past him and right when I walked by him he asked:

“Have you ever thought about doing yoga?”

A bit perplexed I answered: “I already practice yoga”.

Maybe my sad face needs some positive energy.

I should consider Botox.

(KIDDING!!!!)

Love you all,

Happy sad-face Karin

I’ve never been the kind of person who went crazy when they saw a cute animal. I just didn’t think it was necessary for me to go “ooooooooh!!!” and give them millions of kisses.

Still, I love animals. I love how unique they all are. Just look at our cat.. He happily ignores us until he wants food. But we love him dearly.

Today I received an email from my dear friend Kirsty saying that their dog Benji died last week. It broke my heart.

You see, there are tons of pets who are silly and lovely but that’s about it (without meaning to sound rude or disrespectful). Benji on the other hand was special.

I visited Kirsty in 2005 which was the only time I saw Benji. He was a rescue dog and was treated horribly as a puppy which made him need love desperately. I’ve never seen such an loving dog and couldn’t believe how this lovely soul could ever have been treated so terribly. He was just so kind and affectionate (even towards complete strangers like me!). It amazed me that he wasn’t aggressive at all.. after all, he had all the reason to hate people.

 I’m just so glad that Kirsty and Laraine rescued him and gave him the loving home he so deserved. They are the best pet-parents any dog/cat/fish/hamster/snake/goat.. could get.

I know I sometimes rarely post and bam! there are two in one day.. but I just needed to write something about this amazing dog. He will have a very special place in dog-heaven, I’m sure of it.

I want to get my own rescue dog/cat/goldfish.. No animal should be mistreated and left to live a terrible life.