Snow Laughing Matter.

On this pretty (cold) day, my dad and I decided to partake in a particularly enjoyable Alaskan pastime: snowshoeing.

The snow was out and the trails were ours for the taking, as no one dared brave the chilly temps.

But to us, we saw beauty, especially the cold's effect on our surrounding nature.

You see, there's something pristine about a recent snowfall that's stayed frozen to the trees. It provides a very picturesque scene and while sunny clear days also double as stay-inside-it's-freezing days, they're still worth enjoying.

So bundled up in various layers of SmartWool, Dad and I chose to brave this chilly weather and enjoy nature's beauty on this fine Sunday afternoon.

Like with anything, it takes patience and an open mind to sometimes see the beauty in certain situations. In this particular instance, once we got past the frozen boogers and leaky nose, we could actually start to appreciate the scenery around us, deduce which animal's footprints were in the snow beside us, and enjoy the company of each other.

There was racing and photo taking, but most of all, there was glee in the fact that we were the only ones out there courageous enough to not be daunted by Mother Nature's chilly breath.

Let the festivities begin!

Heated gloves on and temperatures at two degrees, Dad and I began our walk..

Being so cold that your hair freezes and turns white is snow laughing matter... But it really is.

Before: so innocent.

After: so cold.

Breath of Fresh Hair.

I woke up this morning to the sound of.... silence. Real blissful silence.

Not sirens, nor construction. Silence. 

Stepping outside, I breathed in the chilly winter air. Not hookah, not cigarettes, but clean air at its most pure form. 

And when I went to town today, dressed in my holiday best, I ran into someone I knew at every place I visited. How wonderful it is to run into someone I know everywhere I go.

The joys of living in a small town, I must say. 

Granted, to take outfit pics, we had to race home against the dying of the light at an early 3:30pm, as the sun was making its final descent downward. 

Winter "daylight" hours come with the territory of Alaska! 

This past week has been spent revisiting all the places I've left behind the past few months. All those familiar spots that I've grown up with.

There's the restaurants: Nikko Garden, Fine Thyme, and Charlotte's (of which every owner asked how my adventure abroad was). Then you have the coffee shops: Coffee Roasters and Kaladi Brothers (in which my signature coffee beverage was remembered), amongst other places, like spin class at Muscles in Motion, and the crossing in Soldotna where you drive over the Kenai River.

Ironic how the "familiar spots" happen to include a lot of restaurants and coffee shops, eh? Guess it goes to show where I like to spend my time...

Anyhow, with the cold winter air reminding me of the Alaskan childhood I grew up with, I couldn't help but once again fall in love with this beautiful state that I've been blessed to call my home. Every time I leave, the love grows stronger, and it makes it that much more special when I return home to its familiarity and beauty.

It's such a stark contrast from the hustle and bustle life I've been living in London and while I can't say one was better over the other, I can agree that both places are beautiful in their own way. When living in such varied cities, you learn to appreciate the little things that make both places so very different. It puts things in perspective, and I've enjoyed being able to live in such eclectic and different places the past couple of years.

Since being home though, I can't deny that being back in Alaska has been a breath of fresh hair...

What I wore: vintage polka dotted scarf (consignment), vintage rhinestone necklace, white silk CAbi blouse (consignment), white fuzzy jacket (consignment), vintage red and black polka dotted skirt (consignment), and black Dansko boots.

White Christmas.

My morning began as all mornings should, with a cup of coffee.

White fluffy plumes of foam set against a colored Christmas tree really had me feeling the holiday spirit.

Adding in to the holiday spirit, I looked outside and was astounded to see snow falling from the sky. It was light, but nonetheless falling.

You might be curious as to why I would mention such a trivial happening, as it always snows in Alaska, right?

Wrong. The past few years have been heavily affected by global warming and snow has been hard to come by. As it was the first snowfall since arriving home, I felt it very pertinent to mention!

With the silent snowflakes lithely falling outside, I stayed tucked in the majority of the day and caught up on some scrapbooking, some reading, and spending time with Mom.

It's nice to have days of freedom in which to catch up on the little things I've missed so much. I haven't really had a time to settle down and just be, as I've been moving round and not staying still the past few years.

Which is all fine and dandy! It's just pleasant to have a little break.

If the snow keeps on falling, it just as well could be a white Christmas. Either way, it's good to be home.

What I wore: vintage floral choker, vintage black velvet cape (consignment), white Elizabeth & James dress with pleated sheer bottom, and Kelly green Boden boots (consignment).

A Cold Welcome.

I know I've made it home to Alaska when I go out to run errands and I end up running into someone I know. I also know I've successfully made it home when I park at the local grocery store and see an unfortunate dead caribou (reindeer) on the top of someone's truck. Home for the holidays and I have to see that.

Oh Alaska how I've missed you and your wild ways.

After travelling an exhausting twenty-four hours across oceans and countries, I finally arrived, weary-eyed and with all amounts of bags. I am the bag lady, after all.

It took me a few days to become acclimatized, but it was the most pleasant acclimation I could've asked for. Laying down in my own bed to the complete silence and darkness that I have missed dearly (city traffic doesn't do it for me), waking up to homemade lattes and Dad's famous breakfasts, my much missed wardrobe (now bursting at the seams... pun intended), FUDGE, and the quaintness of my small-town.

One thing I have not missed? The cold.

Arriving home to a bitter -12 was not something I had missed and although I have plenty of coats and accessories to bundle myself up in, it does nothing to stop the crunchy cold snow and the crisp air that attacks any portion of open skin. And if your poor nose isn't covered up tight, say goodbye to all your boogers. They'll freeze.

There's something magical about coming home for the holidays. It never ceases to excite me, and I still get childhood reminiscent when decorating the tree and reading Christmas books aloud, to my cat.

Oh boy, and I can't wait until my brother and sister arrive! That's the greatest gift to me: family. As we're all spread out, it's infinitely more precious come this time of year, as it is a guaranteed time when we can all come together at home.

It may have been a cold welcome on the outside, but on the inside, I'm as warm and glowing as could be.

Home sweet home.

Look, it warmed up to -9...

Just looking at this gives me goose pimples all over...

Outfit pics may be difficult, as the majority of my clothing will consist of coats. Who says you can't accessorize those?

It's good to be back.

Cheers to You.

I'm thinking this sudden cold snap here in London has come to help me acclimatize for my imminent departure home. Thirty degrees? Definitely reminding me of Alaska's weather.

Which reminds me of looking down at my countdown till my plane leaves, reading a very soon:

I don't think I could've asked for a better send-off. This whole week has been filled with memorable outings, delightful meals, and genuine time spent with the friends I've made here.

And did I mention my outing to Tedquarters?

Persistence and lots of encouragement from my family help paid off because I was finally able to step inside the lobster doors of my beacon of light company: Ted Baker.

Like something out of a movie, I was accidentally mistaken for a model and led down to the studio room for a photoshoot before my contact came to rescue me. Although I wouldn't have needed rescuing! Modeling for Ted? Um, yes please.

Anyhow, it all went well and I left feeling encouraged about my future and in dire need of an eggnog latte to treat myself.

Speaking of treats to oneself, my last day here was spent exploring one of my dearest spots: Hyde Park to Harrods. I know I've mentioned this once or twice before, but you have to know that it truly is one of my favorite places in London, one that will forever make a smile crack from the corners of my mouth.

Bundled up quite tightly against the cold, my roommate Siobhan and I prepared ourselves for the symbolic walk through.

Instead of saying goodbye to you London (sounds so formal and final), I think I'll sign off with see you later. You just never know...

Someone's exciTED!

Hyde Park.. I'll miss you so.

Oh Serpentine, you have been a most excellent host, providing us with the best of coffees and treats.

And our beacon of light at the end of the darkness: Harrods. This time, we were enticed by Ted's windows and spent our end-of-walk monies there instead.

Two happy shoppers right there! I think I successfully converTED Siobhan...

One mustn't forget about the best pub. The Bunch of Grapes was first introduced to me as a meeting place for one of my dates. I guess a good thing came out of this relationship of sorts: I found my new favorite pub!

Mulled wine, anyone?

Cheesin' so hard. I'll miss you, partner in wine.

If you ever do have the chance to go, please try their pork mac 'n cheese! It'll warm you right up.

Cheers London xx