Weekend Musings | Beating Jet Lag

It's been almost a month since I arrived back into London from a brief time in Toronto. I was so paranoid about jet lag coming back, and knowing that I was starting a new job on the Wednesday. I got to my flat from Gatwick around 2pm (1400), and had a really productive few hours of cleaning, laundry, unpacking, showering off the airport grime, etc. Then 6pm (1800 :D) hit and I didn't think I could make it much longer. So, I went out for some fresh air. Re-acquaint myself with my beloved neighbourhood, and also wake myself up STAT!

So, there I was, strolling down Northcote Road, the opposite way I usually go when I head out for a walk. And I stumbled upon a little gallery, closed for the day, but featuring some beautiful pieces in their window. I stood for at least 5 minutes, taking in these works and maybe being a bit of a sleep deprived zombie...

I didn't catch the artist's name, nor the names of their works, but I did snap some photos. I love how well articulated the birds are, and the way such unexpected media was used. Old journal pages - this is such a good idea!!

My favourite part is the little glimpse into the artist's life that these works facilitate. I'm a very curious person, even about peoples' mundane happenings. After all, isn't it the mundane on which a well lived life is truly built? There is magic everywhere. My thought for the day...

Photography | Mosaic in Tottenham Court Road

I've started commuting via tube twice a day, minimum, and am feeling more and more British as a result. When I think back to all the space we Torontonians took for granted, 8:30am at Bloor/Yonge ain't got nothing on the tube lines here! Despite the sheer vastness of lines, stations and trains running through London, any tube you ride between 8am - 10am, or 5pm - 7pm (or, as they would say here, 17:00 to 19:00) is positively massacred. Armpits in my face, Head curved into whatever corner will fit it, jostling with strangers who are all trying their best to ignore each other and immerse themselves in books, music, papers, or Candy Crush (in my case).

Though I don't go through Tottenham Court Road on my commute, I happened to be in that station last week after some Soho adventures. And I was struck by the beauty and aesthetic of the station. Mind you, when most stations are 3 - 5 stories submerged under ground, consisting solely of soulless concrete tunnels jam packed with humans, it doesn't take much to switch up the pattern.

Here are some photos of the beautiful mosaic featured at TCR station.

Weekend Musings | Selfridge's

Oxford Circus is a mess of mayhem. The combination of tourists, shoppers, noise, lights, action, and oddities can be a little overwhelming. Fun, though, and many exciting, world renowned attractions. Selfridge's flagship store is one such attraction that's earned worldwide notoriety.

I was breezing through this are a little while ago and, despite being in a hurry and feeling anxious to get away from the throngs of people, I was struck still by the window displays in Selfridge's. So. Beautiful. Inspired by Shakespeare, windows were emblazoned with quotes from his greatest works, and the fashion featured was decidedly sumptuous, regal and luxurious.

Truthfully, it reminded me of Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street in Toronto, and the incredible displays they strike up - particularly around Christmas. Which led me to do a little research and discover that, lo and behold, the Weston family owns Selfridge's flagship store. And they own Holt Renfrew. And they own Loblaws. They are retail royalty.

If you're interested in learning more, here's a link to a really interesting interview with Galen and his daughter, Alannah, who lead the Selfridge's team.

In the meantime, here are some shots (albeit blurry) that I managed to snap inbetween the groups of people walking back and forth.