colourliving

trooping the colour – colonel’s review

Last friday afternoon i got a rather lovely phone call from my neighbours john and elaine offering me a pair of tickets for trooping the colour for the following morning. After a moments reflection, followed by a prompt acceptance, the excitement started to kick in. This was my second visit (read about my first one here) and on both occasions tickets were gifted to me at the last moment!

It’s probably not a bad idea to write a more comprehensive post on this most wonderful event, with all the information i never knew:-) Instead of showing you tons of photos, isn’t it more fun to make this post into little animated gifs to try and recapture the sheer beauty and magic?

Trooping the colour is a ceremony performed by regiments of the british and commonwealth armies since the 17th century, and since 1748 also marks the official birthday of the british sovereign. It is also known as the queens birthday parade.

Every year there are three parades, all held on consequent saturdays in june. The first one is the major general’s review, the second one is the rehearsal, also known as the colonel’s review (the one i attended last saturday) and finally the week after it’s her majesty the queen’s birthday parade.

Tickets for seated stands around horse guards parade are allocated by ballot in march. Applications should be made in January or February only. 

In case of an animation not working, simply click on it. That will activate it. Then click the back button to return to the post!

Regimental flags of the british army were historically described as ‘colours’ because they displayed the uniform colours and insignia worn by the soldiers of different units. The name ‘colour’ continues to be used to this day. The principle role of a regiment’s colours was to provide a rallying point on the battlefield.

Since the guards taking part in the parade have always been the sovereign’s own household troops, it became a tradition for the soldiers of these regiments to troop their colours in turn. Today, this colourful spectacle remains a celebration of the sovereign’s official birthday. Although the queen’s actual birthday is the 21st april, her ‘official birthday’ is marked by the trooping the colour ceremony.

Since only one colour can be trooped down the ranks at a time, each year a single battalion of the five foot guards regiments is selected to troop its colours. These are irish guards, welsh guards, coldstream guards, scots guards and grenadier guards.

This year, as well as back in 2006 when i last attended, it was the welsh guard’s turn.

Apparently, most years, at least one guard will faint. That’s due to wearing the heavy bearskins and standing for long periods in the heat. This year it happened literally infront of us. Within seconds, the guard is carried away on a stretcher. Rumour has it the shamed guard get’s a real talking to because he hasn’t fulfilled his duty and has been negligent. Furthermore, to our surprise, they never filled the gap and that remains like this for the rest of the ceremony! A thought crossed my mind. Would they also be told off for not falling down to attention? The jury is out and any inside information would be much appreciated.

The parade includes the following phases:

1. march on
2. arrival of sovereign
3. inspection of the line
4. massed bands troop
5. collection of the colour to be trooped by the escort (no.1 guard)
6. trooping the colour through the ranks in slow time
7. march past by foot guards in slow and quick time
8. ride past by the king’s troop royal horse artillery and the household cavalry
9. march off

The guards here are marching in slow time around horse guards parade. Straight lines and precision drill are the order of the day. They practice endlessly to ensure that the correct column distance is maintained. As the ‘colour’ passes to your front, you are requested to stand and sit down once it has passed.

Ah, the horses, my favourite part of the ceremony!

The king’s troop royal horse artillery, the life guards and the blues and royals, accompanied by the household cavalry mounted bands, now ride past.

Here are the life guards on horses riding past.

These below are the blues and royals.

The king’s troop royal horse artillery, here below, leads the divisions because the guns of the royal horse artillery take precedence over all other units when on parade.

And finally, prince charles attended the colonel’s review, the final rehearsal for trooping the colour to be held this saturday with the queen present. Many thought he wouldn’t be on a horse, but hey, those people of little faith, there he was in full glory, wearing full attire with the mandatory blue sash and mounted on a horse! On saturday ‘mummy’ will be sitting in the carriage!

This year the queen will attend without the duke of edinburgh, as prince philip is recovering in hospital after exploratory surgery.

It was a warm and sunny day (luckily) and we loved every minute. It remains for me to say a big thank you to john and elaine for their generosity.

28 Comments

meettheblogger – london design tour

Over this weekend a whole bunch of european and some international bloggers descended on london to attend the meet the blogger event. After a day filled with talks and workshops, it was my turn to design and lead this sophisticated lot around a walking tour of design shops and businesses around portobello and notting hill.

We met at our first destination, the tom dixon shop, where we were each given one of their fluoro bags. This turned out to be a life saver as it was dead easy for me to shepherd them around and quickly spot the whole group.

Next on the list was the eclectic goldborne road, where we visited phoenix on goldborne and les couilles du chien. I want to give a big shout out to ben, who works at les couilles du chien for especially coming in to open up on a sunday (as a favour). I owe you chocolates:-)

Walking down the very long portobello road.

Despite the cold, the bloggers were cheerful, excitable and ready for the next adventures. One of them brought their mum. Now, that’s lateral thinking on mother’s day!

Pedlars welcomed us with open arms. We were given coffee & tea, goodie bags and sophie kindly gave us a talk on the brilliant concept. Thank you so much guys, we had a blast and everyone loved it.

Naughty but nice!

Ceramica blue was another highlight of the tour. Not known to most, the bloggers flocked in and devoured all the beautiful displays. Lindy, thank you for the generous discount and for making us feel welcomed!

SCP was next on the list. A huge thank you to duncan for coming in especially to give us a talk on how it all started. It was fascinating. Thank you also for the goodie bags and nibbles. I think no one wanted to leave. Your shop/showroom is beautiful and cosy.

Our last stop was at made.com Their beautiful showroom on the 9th floor is definitely worth visiting. Thank you james for taking the initiative and amy for the talk. I think everyone was so comfortable and greatful for the drinks and nibbles at the end of a rather eventful weekend. It was the perfect ending!

I would like to thank everyone who attended the design tour for your dedication, high spirits, support and for hanging in there despite the cold. I certainly had a blast and hope you had fun, came away with lots of inspiration and some goodies. A big shout out to all the mummies who somehow managed to free themselves, it’s very much appreciated. I do hope everyone got home safely and that you enjoyed the whole weekend.

Thank you mary-ellen and kelly for your support throughout the weekend and for my lovely flowers.

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my first blogging anniversary – books giveaway

Happy new year everyone! Wow! Here we are. 2012, an epic year for the uk, is firmly behind us and it’s time for a new start.

There will no doubts be more posts on beginnings and new year resolutions, but for today i simply wanted to check in, say hello and let you know that today is officially my 1st blogging anniversary. It was exactly 1 year ago that i sat down and decided to commit to this thing we call blogging. Most of you know i blog twice a week, every monday and thursday. This will continue throughout 2013.

I thought long and hard about what to do for my blogging anniversary. I wanted to thank everyone for all your encouragement, all the comments you left and the massive support i have felt throughout 2012.

Christmas is over and i’m sure many of you have received wonderful presents. For me, one of the best presents I buy for myself are books. In the spirit of new beginnings and life-long learning i thought it would be fun to give away books to one lucky reader. Here below you’ll find a selection of the books i bought in 2012. I made this the reading list!

These are the rules: One winner will receive 3 books of their choice. Please leave a comment and tell me which 3 books you would like. Don’t worry, i’m not going to send the winner my own copies. New books will be dispatched:) If you wish you can also say why you’ve chosen those 3 titles. The giveaway will stay open until sunday 13th 2013 at 6pm GMT. The winner will be chosen by random.org

Books from the top:

1.   how to think more about sex – alain de botton (not shown in photograph)
2.   how to find fulfilling work – roman krznaric
3.   how to stay sane – philippa perry
4.   how to thrive in the digital age – tom chatfield
5.   how to change the world – john-paul flintoff
6.   how to worry less about money – john amstrong
7.   tout sweet – karen wheeler
8.   the $100 startup – chris guillebeau
9.   the start-up of you – reid hoffman and ben casnocha
10. the wonderbox – roman krznaric
11. imagine – jonah lehrer (will try to obtain paperback in early feb)
12. the burning house – foster huntington
13. one drawing a day – veronica lawlor
14. webs of influence - nathalie nahai
15. the fire starter sessions – danielle laporte
16. farm anatomy - julia rothman
17. the idea hunter - andy boynton, bill fischer
18. le road trip – vivian swift
19. junk genius - juliette goggin and stacy sirk
20. made by yourself - peter fehrentz (note, this is in german)
21. one – living as one and loving it - victoria alexander
22. mark hearld’s workbook

Right, i made you work a little for this as you’ve had to look up titles of the ones you don’t know:) anyway, i hope it was fun. All that remains is to wish you the very best of luck and a happy new year. May this year be filled with everything your hearts desire! Oh yes, and here’s to blogging!!!

Since this is a short week and many of us are easying ourselves back into work, I’ll keep this post up till monday!

We have a winner. Yay!

Congratulations to geraldine of littlebigbell. The books will be with you in a couple of weeks!

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merry christmas – festive wreaths

It’s nearly upon us. Christmas is just round the corner. Only one more weekend:) Kids are getting very excited but it’s also us adults who are waiting in anticipation. Has everyone sent their cards? Bought and wrapped all presents? It’s thursday and the clock is ticking! Tick tock, tick tock!

This here is my last post for 2012. I’ll be off on holidays first thing monday morning, so will clock off today. I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you, every single one, who has taken time out to read my posts or simply looked at my photos. I know there was a confusion over my 100th post, but today is ACTUALLY my 100th post:) No, I did not plan this, but it’s rather fitting!

For those of us who blog, we know what a labour of love it really is. I certainly wouldn’t have enjoyed this ride without you guys! All i ever set out to do is inspire you and demonstrate that life can be full of colour and that we can all practice ‘colourliving’.

A big gratitude and a huge thank you to my blogging family. You mean the world to me!

Ok, so as a parting post for 2012 i decided to ride around london and find different and interesting wreaths. Most of you might have already got yours. For those, who are still in need for some guidance or inspiration, here are a few of my favourites.

What i learned is that big is not necessarily better, less is definitely more, home-made will nearly always beat bought and that considering your door colour is a really good move. I hope that some of these will tickle your fancy and maybe give you ideas for next year.

So, what do you think? Any favourites? I hope there is something for everyone! To be honest, this is the first time i’ve actually seen so many diverse wreaths.

It wouldn’t be proper to sign off without wishing you all the absolute best festivities, whichever way you might celebrate them! I hope you all have a wonderful break, a restful holiday and i will see you back here on tuesday 1st january 2013.

I can’t wait! Much love x

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it’s my birthday

Hello lovely people. Today i’m checking in from germany.  I’ll be brief because it’s my birthday. Yay!!

Now, i have a rule. Never work on your birthday and today is no exception. I’m celebrating with friends and loved ones.

This year is different to all other years because i also have my blogging family and friends. You have no idea how much you contribute to my enjoyment of life. I look forward to writing every blog post. You challenge me to be a better photographer, writer and story teller and i love you for it. In return, i hope to inspire you with some of my content. Every time i get a comment it lights up my day.

So, I’d like to thank every single person who takes the trouble of reading, tweeting, commenting or simply takes an interest in what i have to say. My world would no longer be the same without you. I feel really blessed and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I hope you all have a great week and i will see you back on thursday! xx

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six months blogging birthday

Today is a special day.

Today is 1st june.

Let me tell you a little story. Back in september 2011 i was sitting at home feeling the need to make some changes. I had just started my journey with colourliving and was feeling restless and in need of inspiration. That very same moment a tweet appeared on tweetdeck by decor8 announcing last entries for blogging your way commencing 1st october. i had just met holly becker at her book signing of decorate at anthropologie here in london so had a vague idea of who she was. But blogging? How do you do this? I’d never really read many blogs before.

Good at knowing how to help myself when in a rut, i blindly signed up and remember thinking i’ll figure out what it’s all about in a few days when the course actually starts.

It started. I listened. I learned. I participated. I took risks. I stayed open hearted. I was humbled. I was inspired. I was fulfilled. I made friends. I now have a new found family and to top it all, i started serious blogging on 1st january 2012, yes, exactly 6 months ago today.

I’ve loved every minute (including the late nights) and my little blog would be nothing without all of you, my readers, and new found friends.

Thanks to holly, i feel creatively inspired, i’ve made new friends, i host the london bloggers group where we’ve already had 5 meet ups since byw and I’ve been to my first bloggers conference, the hive in berlin, where i met even more fantastic bloggers.

I am truly humbled and greatful. Holly, you started off just blogging but who knew you would literally change people’s lives? You changed mine.

How to celebrate? Have you heard of a virtual party? Of course you have! Yes, people, i will celebrate online with the start of byw2.0. What better way i ask you? So, here is to many more blogging birthdays, many more courses, conferences, friendships and humbling moments! See a lot of you in class!

Ooops, it has been pointed out to me that it’s actually only 5 months since 1st january. Oh well, who’s counting when you’re having fun. I will leave this post in the sentiment it was written:)

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something about ‘me’

Today i’m participating in a blogger’s cocktail party, organised by my friend theresa. There is a whole bunch of us who will blog about the same topic just for today. The choice was between something we feared or to share something about us. Both topics serve to allow the reader to go ‘behind the scenes’ and get to know the person behind the blog a little better. I chose the latter and if you want to see the rest of the participating blogs, hop over here.

I’ve chosen to talk about the fear of failure vs the fear of success.

For the past 20 years i’ve believed in the notion of having a vocation versus just having a job. I’ve strived to find work that i love, that i’m aligned with and that supports my value system. It didn’t start out like this. In the beginning it was all about making money, fitting in with the social fabric and feeding my ego. Slowly, i started questioning my motifs and realised that i have the power to say no to jobs i didn’t think fitted the bill. It has been an uphill struggle and i can assure you it will continue to be a challenge.

I’ve always believed that i have a fear of failure. Full stop! In the past few years it has transpired that i actually also have a fear of success. Do you know this poem by Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles?

‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

That’s right, we are powerful beyond measure and i’m starting to really get it!

You didn’t think it would stop here, did you? Well, then we have the meaning of success. What does success mean to you? I can only share here what it means to me. It means waking up every day and liking what i see in the mirror (metaphorically speaking:) to be true to who i want to be, to live in authenticity and to serve humankind. Yes, you read correctly, i see my working life as serving humankind. I believe that we can all create our own life. As the saying goes: Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. In my very small way i try to help people create their own life. For me, quality of life starts at home, hence why i’m passionate about home finding for my clients. I want to give them the best chance of waking up in a home that will facilitate them having the best day they can have.

I’ve also learned that i cannot grow if i don’t fail. I used to be paralysed with fear when it came to trying out new work things but am happy to report that these days i take it much more in my stride and will test, discard or change things as and when required without getting that feeling of being a failure.

I hope my learning never stops and that i’ll carry on the journey that has so far given me tremendous pleasure and enriched my life. Hey, let’s face it, getting to the destination is so last season. It’s all in the journey, a bit like, err, life itself.

Have a great weekend people and please share your thoughts on this. Does it make sense to you? How do you feel about your work?

Here’s to all my fellow cocktail party bloggers. You rock!

38 Comments

my very first guest post!

Once upon a time there was a sweet girl named erin. She lived in philadelphia and one day decided to go on holiday to europe.

Fast forward to 2012. Yep, erin is a blogger and she’s got the right idea. Why not enrol the help of her readers while she swoons around the city of ‘amour’ eating macarons? A few emails later all decisions have been made and 8 guest posts lined up. Title: my favourite vacation! Job done! She’s clever and crafty that erin. I’ve changed things around a little but hey, isn’t that called: creative licence?

Oh, i’ve just noticed that i’m last up. I really enjoyed reading my fellow bloggers guest posts over the past week. If truth be told, i believe erin is back but still needs a day to recover before enchanting us with her anecdotes of her european adventure. You owe us girl!!! No, in all seriousness, thank you erin for inviting me to your virtual home. It’s rather cosy there.

Without any further ado, jump over to read my very first guest post @ the one and only ilikewantneed.

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colourliving in heart home magazine

 

Today my flat is featured in the spring 2012 edition of heart home magazine. I’m very excited about it and you can see it on pages 94 -103.

Thank you arianna and carole for your brilliant styling and james  (click on james for post about photographing my home) for your inspired photography. It was a pleasure to have you here. You made my little dream come true x

Congratulations on another fantastic issue. You guys rock.

47 Comments

liebster blog award

 

I am chuffed and humbled in equal measures. I have been awarded the ‘Liebster Blog’ award. Holly from the blog hvhinteriors kindly included me in this list of her five chosen blogs. 

I was completely unaware of this award so here is the ‘science’ bit: the award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers. The chosen blog awarded, that’s me (hurray), is to thank the award giver (done) and in turn choose five more blogs (about to announce). Of course, let your chosen blogs know that you’ve bestowed them this prestige award (catch a plane if you must), sit back, bath in your glory and hope that they will pay forward and continue spreading the love…..by repeating this procedure.  The award is to appreciate and support smaller blogs. Liebster, you might wonder, means favourite or beloved in german so it is fitting to now announce my ‘liebste blog list’.

I have chosen these for their outstanding blogs, full of interesting subjects, great photography and generally very high quality content. I, hereby, also would like to thank them for their ongoing camaraderie and support, for allowing me to express my passions and various foibles. I didn’t want this blog to be about finding homes and estate agents or just about interiors. I want to be able to write about what rocks my world and boy are there many subjects that do. So thank you, dear pia posse, for listening, reading, commenting and holding me accountable to keep providing you and all my readers with quality (I hope) posts. My blog is just over a month old and you are all far more seasoned bloggers so thank you for taking me in and showing me the way. I am humbled and greatfull to you all. Just in case you were wondering, no, you can’t nominate each other:) ha!

Without further ado, here they are:

1. insideology

2. inspirationcooperative

3. ilikewantneed

4. still+life

5. carousel

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