Un-Merry Funkmas, & A Happy New Outlook!

I don't know about you, but for me, Christmas isn't always candy canes & Secret Santas. Christmas is a very delicate time of year, for so many reasons. There's the juggling of social commitments, wrapping up work for the year, avoiding world war three with your relatives, making time to get all your holiday jobs done, and the ever-ominous New Year's Resolution List Writing Task (ergh!). The last two weeks of December are a race against the clock, and you lose all of your precious time into a festive-themed black hole, that mysteriously disappears on January 2nd.

The part that takes up the most part of my skull-located squishy human hard drive, is the New Year's Resolution List Writing Task. I've been trying to work out why we all dread it, and why we view the process as less of a personal to-do list, and more as a pressure-filled list of unattainable goals, that we know deep down we'll never quite achieve (just like regularly cleaning out the garage, or attempting to not refresh BuzzFeed every five minutes). And I'm pretty sure I've found an explanation.

At the end of every year, we're all too quick to remember the things we didn't achieve, the hard times, and the stuff we'd rather forget. We then hurriedly write the current year off, and start wishing for the the next few weeks to fly by, so we have a date (January 1st) from which to start afresh. That's a lot of pressure on poor ol' January 1st.

Why the hell don't we all make a massive list of the things we DID achieve this year? Why are our achievements and successes so readily forgotten, and replaced at light-speed by our new list of demands on our minds, bodies, and emotions? That kind of thinking just sullies our festive season, and plunges us into a very un-merry Funkmas.

So, with one more week before Saint Nick's trip, here's your homework. Before you even THINK about what your New Year's Resolutions are going to be, make a list of The Year That's Happening Right Now's achievements, successes, and good times. Having that list staring you in the face will impact your resolutions-to-be, and will hopefully help you be less hard on yourself, and more proud of your hard work over the last twelve months. If you write your resolutions with your successes in mind, rather that your short-comings, those lofty goals of yours will be easier to achieve than you think!

Well, go on then! It'll only take a few minutes. For best results, complete while chomping on a candy cane!

xxxx

Home Sweet Home

Ah New York, yesterday, today, and forever. I'm back. Gosh darn, you're pretty. After what was a stinking hot summer (which, if you've ever experienced the subway in the middle of a New York summer, you know exactly what I'm talking about), fall is on its way.

My first call of duty was to head out to Long Island, to see one of my best friends Linnea in her regional show Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. She was beyond fantastic, as was the whole cast. After the show, we all went out to the local bar, and then WATCHED NASA LAUNCH A ROCKET INTO SPACE??! In the ACTUAL sky. That was amazing - to be there at that moment, all of us staring into the night. Pretty cool.

I got more of my theatre fix, when Ruth and Andrew came to town. We saw the very first preview of BIg Fish, with Norbert Leo Butz (who is BEYOND amazing), and also Peter And The Starcatcher, which was absolutely spectacular. I'd heard about the show for years, but had never made the effort to see it. DO IT. Before it's too late!!! Incredible!

Here are some pics from the last two weeks. It's good to be home. 

Soapy, bubbly happiness in Midtown

My absolutely favourite tea store, Harney & Sons, in Soho. Delicious, and so affordable. The lovely lady in there even took my photo, and put it on the store instagram!

 

Just some bedding in the sheet. I mean, street.
                             Waaamp.            

I stole some time in the rehearsal studio, to have a play on this beauty, and to write some of the songs that have been swimming 'round my head!

 View from the back of the C train.

 Where my love affair with New York began, with the inimitable Jenna. <3

 Got a chance to visit my beloved Hoboken, to see Cindy. All that was missing was Joe, and some late night boogying!

 FINALLY made it to the Chelsea Market. WOW. So fantastic. I lived in Chelsea, and never went, so I'm glad I finally did. Delicious cheese, fresh caramels, and super friendly staff.

 Well, this is just perfection.

 As is this. 

I'm not much of a fashion focused person (shock!), but I there are a couple of designers I love (read: can NEVER afford). Simply browsing their gorgeous collections is a delight.

 More Sex & The City filming at Carrie's old pad, on Perry St? You heard it here first!

Spotted this, with my friend Renata. Love doesn't even begin to cover it! 

And at one of my favourite West Village coffee shops. That says it all, really. 

Feeling Thankful Fridays - Late Edition!

Feeling Thankful Fridays - Travel Edition!

So I feel like I have a lot of things to be super grateful for this week! It’s a little late, but that’s definitely due to all the lovely things I’m grateful for!

❤ Spending Saturday night in with two glorious friends, watching Armageddon (which I had never seen!) ❤ Speculating over the Royal Birth, and then having the country erupt with joy when it happened – I’m definitely a Royalist! ❤ Being lucky enough to have a week off from touring, where I visited Paris, Venice (for the first time – wow!), and Rome ❤ Making new friends – Joelle from Montreal is a HOOT! ❤ Making mischief and travel plans with Joelle! ❤ Meeting up with my divine friend Ioana, whom I met in Rome THREE years ago! It was such a joy to see her again, and that we could pick up right where we left off! ❤ Having time to myself. I truly treasure just a little time where I can be alone – but not for too long! ❤ The most delicious coffee I have EVER had – Rome, you’re amazing! ❤ Writing lists – of any kind. So fulfilling to check each completed item off!

What are you grateful for this week?

Adventures of the Wandering Kind!

This past week has been truly joyous!! I've had a week off from touring, and took the opportunity to hop on a plane for a little (and on a shoestring budget) holiday!

But before I went, I said goodbye to the beautiful humans who I spent the bulk of July with. Thank you to Kate, Scot, Emily, and Gemma, for being the absolute BEST!

I also said goodbye to to Brixton, which was an adventure in itself! I had my last lunch in Brixton Village, accompanied by some fantastic art! I also said see you soon to my beautiful friend Danielle.

She took this pic, as we were eating sushi at Southbank, London. A perfect afternoon!

On Monday morning, I packed my teeeeeny carry on bag ( what a DREAM to travel with next to no luggage!) and hopped on a flight to Paris! I checked in, and then went for an explore around the city.

Paris was full of gorgeous graffiti, but I think I liked this one the best!

The carousel at the bottom of the Sacre Coeur. So beautiful, so quiet - after the gates had closed for the evening.

The next day will forever be known as "The Day With All The Food", or "The Day Courtney Pink Ate Paris". I'm looking distraught holding that croissant, but only because it was so delicious, it made me cry. Makes no sense. Neither does how AMAZING it tasted!




After spending a few hours wandering the city streets, and visiting the Musee de L'Orangerie, I found myself a baguette, some brie, and fresh raspberries, and had a picnic in Le Tuleries, in the sunshine. Pretty much the highlight of my trip.

For when I have my Parisian apartment, of course. 

After my all-too-short trip jaunt in Paris, I made my way to Venice. Absolutely stunning. The sheer amount of canals, boats, people, oars, gondoliers in striped shirts and red neckties was not cliched in the slightest - it was perfect.

Piazza San Marco, Venice

A wedding! 

Some of the stunning sights I got to lay my peepers on!

Join me next time, won't you? :) 

 

And then on Sunday, I made my way to Rome. Such a beautiful city. The history is phenomenal, and each sight is brimming with stories. Breathtaking. Also, stinking hot - 37 degrees!

BUT, my highlight was definitely meeting up with Ioana - one of the smartest, most inspirational women I know. We met in a hostel, when I was backpacking in 2010, and it was SUCH a joy to see her again. And, y'know, chow down on some gelato!!

2010, meet 2013! Can you spot the coins?

I also revisited the Trevi Fountain. They say that if you toss in a coin, you are destined to return to Rome. Well, they were right! And I'm so glad I did!

And to top it all off, the best coffee I've ever had. In Rome airport, of all places!

So, a great big cheers to a wonderful week off! Next stop: THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL!

Feeling Thankful Fridays

Feeling Thankful Fridays. The start of a new trend. 

In the midst of a glorious Friday afternoon, strolling around Green Park and Southbank, with my equally, if not more, glorious friend Danielle, we had a very serious chat. About being grateful. I made the comment that out of ten things that are going on in your life right now, if there are two things that are making you sad/unhappy, you are probably going to let those things dictate your mood. BUT, there are eight other things that are probably going really well in your life that you could be super grateful for, but they don't even get a look-in. 

This discussion prompted my mentioning of a blogger I follow, Gala Darling. Each week, she has a post entitled Things I Love Thursday, detailing things she's loving, grateful, and glad for. After saying it aloud, I realised that it is so important to chronicle the things that you are thankful/grateful for. No matter how trivial, no matter how self-indulgent, things that have made your spirit soar should be penned down for posterity!

So I'm doing just that. And here they are! 

❤ Friends who delivery nothing but honesty (which in turn builds you up) ❤ Parks flooded with sunlight ❤ Best friends who send you the most hilarious Snapchats, right when you need them most ❤ Daring to ask for my crepe in French (albeit clunky and probably incorrectly), and then the French server being so happy that I had tried, he gave me the crepe for free! What a great guy! ❤ My Grandad singing to me on the phone ❤ Planning travel adventures for my week off, before Edinburgh ❤ My beautiful friend Danielle, and all her wisdom 
❤ Describing in detail one of my favourite Simpsons scenes of all time, to friends that didn't know it (l'horreur!) ❤ Pinkberry dates with Ev - the best! ❤ Sharing dreams with strangers. ❤ Giant swings in adult-sized playgrounds!


I'm going to write a new list every Friday - what better day to start!

What are you thankful for? :) 

Sunny London (Nope, Not a Joke)!

Nat and I picnicking in Clapham Common. What a glorious day!

Righto London, now you're just showing off! After a couple of weeks of rainy weather (which, truth be told, I love!), London is showing us a the sun (are we still in London?). It's been a busy few weeks, with so much going on.

The wonderfully talented Danielle Arden and I performed her brand new show Stand On The Mark, Please! at Shaker & Company a little while back. We had a great audience, in such a beautiful space. It was so lovely performing a brand new show, for the first time!

Shaker & Company is a gorgeous venue, set underground, near Euston Station. It was the perfect place to premiere Dan's show, and a whole lot of fun!

I'm loving the opportunity to do some serious pavement pounding while I'm here. These aren't really sights in London - more just cool things I've come across! There seem to be playing cards everywhere I go - I'm having Carrie/Burger moments all the time!

Brixton Starbucks, the most fab car ever!, a delicious nut roast dinner, and the magical garden backyard at my place!

I've been staying in South London, with the most amazing collection of people. Being on tour doesn't have to mean stuffy hotel rooms, and take-out every night! It's been a blast hanging out with old friends, and meeting some really wonderful new people! Above is a car that is parked on the street where I've been staying - definitely meant to be! And of course, my well publicized Starbucks obsession. Even Brixton makes it a little bit hip! Ha!

Being summer here, that means Wimbledon, friends, and Eton Messes. Mmmmmmm! Meringue, strawberries, and fresh cream. If you need me, I'll be in a sugar coma.

I've also had some wonderful friends pass through while I've been here. Nat and I have been having a grand old time, picnicking, and enjoying the sun - and seeing musicals of course!

We had dinner before our show at Jamie's Italian in Covent Garden. Yuuuum. Jamie Oliver seriously knows what's what, when it comes to fresh, affordable, and unbelievably tasty food. I had the truffle and parmesan risotto, and then died. SO GOOD!

I met up with the most wonderful, divine, Evelyn, and we had a Pinkberry date at Selfridges food hall. I nearly fell over when Ev told me Pinkberry was here in London - I'd only ever seen it in NYC! So delicious - the salted caramel flavour was ridiculous, and there were these peanut butter crispy things that we were both obsessed with. There was some fruit, so it's ok, right?

We then went hopped on a ferry to Greenwich, with Ev's husband Uri, and two of their friends. It was a gorgeous day - perfect for spending on the water. We explored the beautiful town (it felt like we were hours away from central London!), climbed to the top of the observatory hill, visited an Aliens exhibit (standard!), and then stood at zero degrees longitude - Greenwich Mean Time! We then tumbled back down the hill, and had a much needed break in the beer garden. What a gorgeous day!

Later that evening, I went to Borough Markets, to visit my friend Oli and his lovely lady Becca. We had a few deliciously cold drinks, and a great catch up. Theatre friends are amazing. :)

And then this photo was taken. I'll close on this. :)

This time next week, I'll be in Paris - cafes, hold on to your criossants - I'm coming!!

Hello London!!

Well hello there, London!I've made it across the Atlantic, and hit your shores! My wonderful friend Kyle met me at the airport, and took me for a much needed coffee! So lovely to see him, and so grateful for the showering opportunity!

This is at Kyle's place. I like to call this "Just-Got-Off-The-Plane-Chic".

After just two short nights, Brydie and I hit the ground running, for our Sugar & Vice tour. We headed down to Brighton for our first two tour dates, and we had such a wonderful time. We performed in a gorgeous venue called The Marlborough, and were so warmly welcomed. Thanks, Brighton!

The gorgeous Brighton Pier, our tour poster, and Brydie and I doing our sound check at The Marlborough!

After our first show, we met up with a couple of the boys from The Noise Next Door, who are a crazily talented impro group. Matt and I made boats and birds, out of paper, at 2am. Totally standard.

After our Brighton jaunt, it was back to London. Spring is still clutching on, which I'm totally thankful for (!!), so the gorgeous flowers, vines, and plants are in bloom. So stunning!

Brydie and I headed off again, for the next tour stop: Oxford! We had a gorgeous time there, with more wonderful audiences. A highlight was eating at Jamie's Italian - Jamie Oliver's restaurant. It was delicious!!

Brydie, Me, and Brydie's Mum!

I've been doing by best to try and explore more of London. I haven't really ventured east, so to Shoreditch I went! There is so much amazing street art, creative corners, and wonderfully interesting pockets to explore. This wall art was just stunning, and I can't stop thinking about it!

I caught up with my friend Kate, who is not only exceptionally stunning, but a model extraordinaire! I was in the presence of a celebrity!!, in Camden. We wandered the canals, had delicious market food, too much fudge, and lots of laughs over coffee. We picked a good time to go - weekdays seem less busy, and there's definitely more room to move!

This was in the Starbucks - definitely helped haha:

During a jaunt with Brydie, I caught up with another wonderful friend Oli, during which I finally got to meet his girlfriend, Becca. WOW. Instant girl crush! We clicked instantly, and had such a wonderful night! We bonded over our mutual love for the Spice Girls, and decided we had to see Viva Forever!, a West End musical that uses the music from the Spice Girls. Ok, so the show was not what we were hoping (especially the middle-aged parents' make-out scene, to the tune of 2 Become 1. Yup. It happened!), but we had such a great time, it didn't matter! We then went to the pub next door, and Oli and I sang In The Heights. It was pretty much the most perfect evening ever. :)

So, London, you're being pretty great! Enjoying it so far - looking forward to the next couple of months!