Crispy leaves and tea.

It's the most beautiful season of all; autumn. 

The mornings are brisk and the evenings dark meaning snuggling up in bed is all the more wonderful. The leaves are at that beautiful stage when they are a mixture of gold, red and orange dotted with the odd great on clinging on to summer. Then in a gust of wind that bites at your skin they fall to the ground. Even at seventeen we still believe there is not much that is more satisfying that jumping in a pile of leaves and hearing that 'crunch'. Having said that, when the leaves are all soggy and stuck to the ground they are just as beautiful. A confetti carpet. 

(Abby) The other day I had my break at work in the morning. Leaving the kitchen, I pulled on my sweatshirt and raincoat, grabbed my bagel, tea and blueberry muffin and went to sit outside. I work near a main road, but it was still beautiful. For me, there is something about escaping into a brisk autumn morning and just taking it all in. Whilst hugging my tea to keep me warm.
(Shanice) For me, this is the first year I am truly appreciating Autumn. I am a summer baby and usually hate it when the warmth of summer leaves, but this year I am embracing it with everything I have. I have no idea how I've missed out on the outstanding beauty of Autumn for so long. 

We love everything about autumn. From soup and crusty bread in front of the fire, to the first frost and tea. Ginger sponge on bonfire night, watching the fireworks from your bedroom window when you're meant to be asleep, everything Halloween related and children in need. But for us, there are a few essentials that you need to get you through autumn. So, here are what we think you need...

Firstly, you need coats, wooly jumpers, scarves and leggings, and I am being deadly serious. With ankle boots, black boots, brown boots, leather or suede - basically this is your survival. Especially when bonfire night comes around and it is freezing cold as you're stood in the garden looking up at the sky. 

We love scarves and if anyone out there is wondering what to get Abby for Christmas? Scarves! Chunky cardigans are just as brilliant, and if you want a lovely one then our advice is - as with anything clothes related - get yourself to H&M. 

Vaseline. It's literally Abby's saving grace at the moment. Working in a boiling hot environment then stepping out into the cold is playing havoc with my lips, and this stuff is the only thing stopping the, bleeding. Up until this year I never really used lip balm or anything. Instead I just used lipstick - which is you use a decent brand will work just as well, I always opted for Avon. However, my mum let me have a brand new pot of hers and it has transformed me. I love the way it makes my lips look super glossy and glamorous but doesn't feel greasy or anything. 

Good food. There is nothing better at this time of year than coming home to a good hearty hot meal. In the colder months our bodies burn more calories, which for us is great because we can have that second helping of soup or maybe even cake!

In autumn and winter the weather changes can also cause bad skin in people, as well as make them feel down in themselves. The right food and right care of yourself can help sort this right out!

This time of year for me (Shanice) causes me to reflect on the previous few months since the year began. I, as Carrie Fletcher put it in her 'Letters to Autumn' videos, use this time to reflect on who I have lost in this period of time and who I have gained, how I have changed and how I have stayed the same.

In my reflection I always become far more aware of myself and others around me. How I am feeling and wondering how others are feeling too. I always feel people mellow during this time of the year, right before the stress of christmas hits and I want to appreciate that.

I am a far different person this year than I was last, and I'm glad that with the changes I have come to love and appreciate Autumn because it is incredibly beautiful. 

Do you love Autumn as much as we both do? 

Shabs x

Wandering Warsaw.

Hey you beautiful people!

The third and final city in Poland that Shabs (accompanied by Zac) will be visiting is Warsaw. This is probably one of the more well known Polish cities. However, we all have such bad geography that we had never heard of it. That probably is a scary thought when you consider we are to be going all over Europe - alone! 

Warsaw is the capital city of Poland, and is -in the clichéd travel blog words - an up and coming city. It's dealt with it's fair share of pain and fire, it has risen from the flames, and more recently dusted off the ashes to reveal the bright colours beneath. 

Once more, Warsaw is a place that we are more than a little excited about visiting. In actually fact we are probably most excited about visiting Poland as a whole country because it is so unknown to us. So what are we going to do when we visit this city? 

Well, as you can tell there is going to be a lot of sight seeing on this trip. All that walking will hopefully allow us to burn off enough calories to go and bury ourselves in the local cuisine without putting too much weight on! 

Lazienki park is the largest park in the city, and when I say it is large, I mean it. It is massive. Set in the beautifully landscaped and designed park is Lazienki palace, also known as 'the palace on the isle' in reference to the fact at it overlooks the lake. What absolutely made us fall in love with this place is the fact that the building is only accessible via footbridges - how cute!

Warsaw has seen so much pain, and that is something that would be so easy to forget. But it is that pain which has helped to make it the city it is today, and Shabs are firm believers in embracing that. So we are also looking at heading to the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial. This is built exactly where the Warsaw Ghetto used to be, a place that was destroyed in the 1940's. Those who lived their were either killed, or sent to a concentration camp. So this memorial was built, to re bed the lives that were lost, but also, to remember those who fought against the Nazi's.

It seems as though it would be a humbling place. 

There are so many places in Warsaw we would love to visit, and even more museums. I have a feeling that we will leave this city wanting more! 

When in Warsaw, there will be plenty of wandering, especially around the Old Town. There will also be tonnes of Instagram moments! 

Have you been to Warsaw?

-Shabs

A little thought.

I (Shanice) was babysitting a neighbors little girl recently and I asked what the little girl what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied with a huge grin on her face saying a fairy princess.
She then proceeded to ask me what I wanted to be, but told me I was too old to be a fairy princess too.

It got me thinking about the future, about what I really wanted. Now this is something I've never really known; until she asked me. It was the weirdest feeling, like a brick wall of clarity (I know that doesn't make any sense but lets just pretend it does.)
I made all of my life decisions in about 3 seconds, but then realised that even though thats what I want to do, this wasn't the most important thing to me.

When I'm old all I want is to be able to say I have some incredible memories and that the people I have those memories with still in my life. It inspired me. I'm now trying to be far more spontaneous, a better friend and create memories that I will never forget.

I hope everyone gets a little burst of clarity like I did, it feels great!
I love having a blog, there's no other way I can get little things like this off of my chest.

Shabs x

(Bucket list update, Shanice got a job! (Same place as Abby, so Shabs have an actual possibility of seeing each other in person!)

Gorgeous Gdansk.

Gdansk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast. It is another city that we will be visiting that is seaped in history, and yet another city that we had never heard of prior to this trip. The incredible thing about this city is the fact that during the Second World War the whole core of the city was practically destroyed. What you see today is actually one of the most amazing pieces of architecture restoration to date. 

Gdansk is said to be one of Poland's principal seaports and we are so excited to explore this beautiful city! Of course, it being a port, means that it is by the sea, meaning there is a beach, and seafood and that amazing salty sea air! Abby is from a seaside town, so for her it is a reminder of her childhood. For Shanice, well, it is what she wanted at least once on this holiday. 

We would love to do real tourist-y things here. Going on the Gdansk City Tour and visiting St Mary's church. There is something important about knowing even just a little about the city that you are staying in. Learning about the history, and the events that made it what it is today. A tour is one of the best ways to do this. You are not relying on sketching internet data, or simply suspicions. You are hearing pure facts from the people who know the place the best. 

St Mary's is a Roman Catholic church in gdansk. St Mary's is currently one of the largest European Brick Gothic churches, and is currently the largest brick church in the world. Its construction began in 1379.I (shanice) am fascinated by the architecture of this building. Both the interior and the exterior. It is a must see on my list and will be very disappointed if I don't get to visit this beautiful place.

 When it comes to architecture, Golden House is probably the richest facade that the city has to offer. It is decorated with busts of famous historical figures, including two of Polands Kings. The four figures that you can see waving from the top of the building are Cleopatra, Oedipus, Achilles, and Antigone.

When it comes to this city, however, one of the things we are most looking forward to is walking around it at dusk, walking around the port and the little streets at dusk. Seeing the sunset, the sky turn a spectrum of colours all behind the ancient skyline. 

It really does look stunning. 

Have you ever been to Poland? What food should we try?

-Shabs

Picture Perfect Poznan

Now for the second stop of our European city adventure...

Poznan. We're going to guess that ninety percent of you don't know where it is, and to be honest until we started planning this trip neither did we. It is a city that was recommended to us by a friend of Abby, who is Polish.

Truth be told out attraction to this city is purely based on it's looks. Tiny winding streets where you can go walking and find hidden coffee shops and little boutiques. Of course, we won't be rich, so we most likely won't buy much. But I don't think we will mind too much. 

When it comes to Poznan, however, our excitement is mainly centred around the stunning hostel we will be staying it. Honestly, it is by far the nicest accommodation we will have on this whole trip, and when the majority of our stays will be in plain dingy rooms you have to understand that this is incredibly exciting! It's a converted old building, and all the rooms are painted in white, pink and purple, the beds are white... 

Can you feel our excitement yet?!

The whole point of this trip is discovering places that we would never think to visit at any other point in our lives. So none of us want a rigid timetable of places we will go but we do want to sit and plan the places we would like the chance to visit, but at this moment in time, none of us mind. Even if we end up just wandering around and taking photos, it will be perfect. 

When it comes to Poznan, I think we will be mostly enjoying taking in all of the beautiful sights and culture that Poznan has to offer. 

Beckoned to Berlin

Hello!

We are aware it has been a while since we last posted, between work, family and planning for Europe time seems to have walked away from us. College is around the corner and with that in mind we thought we'd begin a series of posts talking about just what we plan on doing when we visit these inspiring cities next year. 

So, as a little escapism from college it is about time we wrapped ourselves up in the history of these places and got on with some serious planning. Now the hostels are reserved and the ferry is booked, so just where are we going to visit?

First up is Berlin. 

This is a city which has seen an awful lot of pain, and destruction over the years. but it is also a city which plays host to some of the most stunning architecture. With large domes, old buildings, and pavements which could transport you into another time, it really does look stunning. 

When most of us think of Berlin, however, we think of the Berlin wall. It is iconic. So, we have decided that we cannot visit the city without taking a walk to go and see it. In particular a walk along the East Side Gallery. It is the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin wall and it sits along the Spree River. After the wall was declassified well over 100 artists from everywhere around the world made their mark on it. It is now an open air gallery which features declarations of peace, politically minded murals and graffiti. 

We are staying in Berlin for two nights, and so want to make sure we walk around the city. One piece of architecture we definitely want to see it Museum Island. It is at the top of Spree Island and is home to five museums. Whether we get to go in or not, it would be a fantastic place to see!

Other than that? Well, as long as we visit a few coffee shops, eat some local food and get to walk around the winding city streets I think we will be happy. Then we will be heading on a train to Poznan I think!

Where do you recommend in Berlin?

Shabs x

Dedicated friends.

Now this post is a little out of our ordinary (and a wordy one at that, I do apologise.), but I (Shanice) feel that it needs to be said, and read, to remind us that friends are incredibly important and can make our lives so much happier.

I recently went through a breakup of a relationship, I was and still am totally in love with the boy but I accept we're young and I'm not what he wants anymore. That being said it doesn't make it any less painful or upsetting.

Abby, the other half of Shabs, has made it her mission to keep me smiling and make me feel better. She is talking to me constantly, offering me support and her wise words and sending me little pictures or quotes to make me feel better about myself and smile. I can not thank her enough as I can't imagine how I would be feeling right now without her.

I love the quote 'Friends are the family we choose for ourselves'.  I believe wholeheartedly in this as my family aren't the best but my friends are incredible. 

People often take their friends for granted as they see them as easily 'replaceable'. If one of your friends treats you badly constantly for a long period of time and there is nothing you can do to salvage any sort of friendship then cut that person loose without a second thought!
but, and it's a big but if your friend is just having a bad day, or week allow them that. We are all only human and we need compassion and patience from each other.

The basis of any friendship is understanding, and thats not something that always comes easy. A friendship also takes dedication and effort and I feel that a lot of people forget this sometimes. Myself included!

So really the point of all that was make sure you appreciate the people in your life. Abby's kindness has reminded me that I should be doing more to remind the people around me how much I love and care for them and it's something I intend to do!

Shanice x