Look I Got A Phone

That's right folks I finally joined the 21st century and got an iPhone and now I'm addicted to Instagram. During my first 2 1/2 months of being back in Canada I was without any phone whatsoever. It was kinda fun at first, very freeing and almost unnecessary when you're in rehearsal for most of your week. But after a while Facebook and emails weren't quite cutting it and I decided it was time to suck it up and just get a plan. It's hard to go from paying £10/month to almost $80/month, but that's what ya get when your country is massive I suppose. 

 I think I'm going to do a little weekly or biweekly Instagram post. So to catch you guys up here are some of my favourite shots from my phone so far! 

 

[ This is my character, Tammy from Hairspray.]

[ Two show days require lots of tea. ]

[ My new happy water bottle. ]

[ I finally bought real headphones. Game changer. ]

 [ My favourite Lavender Fog from Block 1912. So yummy.]

[ The view from my friend's 18th floor apartment. ]

[ In my natural habitat at The Next Act. Photo by Charmaine. ]

[ Indiana Jones and white wine. ]

[ Understudy run. I loved being Penny.]

[ I saw my parents for the first time in almost a year! ]

[ Duchess treats. Drool. ]

[ Island flowers in my hair. ]

[ Lavender dark chocolate from the Duchess Provisions. I'm obsessed.] 

[ Picnic for one at the park. ] 

That's it for now! If you'd like to follow me on Instagram just click here!

Have a great weekend! 

Love, 

CP

Last Day In London

Hey Gang,
Happy Thursday to you all! It super rainy and dark over here in Edmonton. It's the perfect napping condition, really and I'm very tempted! I started rehearsing for a Fringe show that I'm doing this summer about 3 weeks ago, so I've been really busy! It's the first time I've rehearsed and performed at the same time and it sure is a lot of work, but a lot of fun.

Anywho this is officially my last UK post. *Tears* No, I'm only joking I'm glad that I'm finally, well slowly getting caught up on pictures!

My last day in London was amazing! It's featured one of my great pals, Georgie. Isn't she just the cutest thing. I adore her. My last day was action packed! I definitely saved some of the best for last. We started off our day by heading over to Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross. Both Georgie and I are huge Harry Potter fans, so we couldn't believe that we both hadn't gone yet. We giggled like school girls while queuing up for our photo. Needless to say, I got a little carried away.

[ They told me to jump, so I jumped. ]

After that we made our way over to the Wallace Collection, getting off at Baker Street (one of my favourite tube stations). My lovely jazz teacher and friend, Maria, told me to check this place out before I left London. Man, I couldn't have asked for a better send off. We headed straight to the Wallace Restaurant for High Tea. The treats and tea were lovely, but I think the best part about it was the beautiful pink courtyard. It made us feel as if it were a warm summers day.

After we wandered around, we headed to TopShop for a last minute shop. Then we said our 'goodbye for now's'. Another tough one. I made my way back to the flat and finished packing my things. I think what made my last night so enjoyable was my dear friend Ana, who came with me to the Gatwick Airport. We stayed up all night talking and drinking Cafe Nero!

[ Ana and I watching Bells Are Ringing on my computer. ] 

I can't say how thankful I am for all of the amazing friends that I made during my two years in London! Lots and lots of love to all of ya!

And now it's time for some Canada posts, huzzah!

Thanks for reading!

CP

Saying 'Goodbye'

[ My Canadian pal,  Marc ]

I have always found goodbyes particularly difficult, even from an early age. I remember when two of my best friends Rory and Ryan would have to head back home from a weekend at our house up island, how incredibly sad I would get. Even though I knew that I'd see them in a month or so. Well, leaving London was no walk in the park.

I have made so many great friends over my 2 years in London. Friends from all around the world; England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand, and Slovenia, just to name a few. I feel so lucky to have gotten to know so many amazing people from all over this crazy planet.

Back to the goodbyes.

My last week in town was a good one. I made sure to leave work a week early, so that I would have lots of time to see all of my pals before I went back to Canada. There were many 'goodbye for now's' that week.

[ Farewell cake with Marc ]

[ Liverpool Street ]

This gorgeous girl is my fight partner, Tracey. Let me explain...

Tracey and I were paired up during our weeklong Stage Combat course. We were instant buddies. Tracey hails from California, but has been living in London for a few years now. I sure do miss this girl. For our last little hurrah, we headed over to the very popular Natural Kitchen on Marylebone High Street.

[ It's always time for breakfast, right?]

[ I was lucky enough to watch my friend Tom in Warhorse.  He was fabulous.]

[ I finally saw Matilda, a show I'd been dying to see since I got there. ]

[ Fancy drinks at the London Cocktail Club.]

Saying goodbye to my dear friends Nic, Paddy and Adam was tough. Those guys are some of the first and best friends I made during my time overseas! We worked, lived and partied together during my first month in the UK, up at the Edinburgh Fringe. If you guys are reading this...I sure do miss you!

[ I also managed to send a few postcards in all of the craziness of my last week! ] 

Although I really miss London, I'm fully embracing my future in Canada and all that it has to offer me. I look forward to living in different cities in this massive country!

Do you have a favourite Canadian city?

Love,
CP

A New Name

[London Fashion Week]

Hey gang,
I hope this finds you well. I've been thinking a lot lately about my blog, even though my online presence has been a bit quiet. First of all, this blog will no longer be called, Mixed Mediums Theatre. It is now the new and improved, Girl In The Houndstooth Coat. I know it's a bit of an essay as far as blog titles go, but it's me. I was never wild about my old name and I've been wanting to make the change for almost a year now, so I finally went ahead and did it!

I know I'm not always posting on this blog, but I am constantly reading other blogs. One of them posted an interesting podcast about blogging. One thing that really stuck with me from it was that they mentioned that a lot of bloggers keep promising to blog more, be more consistent, or commit to weekly posts. They made it sound that if you can not do this, then you are not a blogger. I have realized over this contract of Hairspray, that those are things that I myself can't commit to and I'm ok with that! I hope you are too!!! I think blogging should be about sharing memories or inspiration, it should not be a chore. It should be an impulse, or something you look forward to. An outlet of creativity.

 [ Paris ]

The inspiration for my new title came from one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe. If you're a pal of mine you've probably seen me in this coat a thousand times. It's the love of my life. My dream coat which is from the 70s and made in Switzerland. Handed down to me by my Mother, this sucker has been my main coat since the age of 16 and it's been all over the world with me.

So here's to a new name! Thanks to all of you that have been reading from the very beginning and most of all to my sister, Nicola. Who inspired me to start this blog in the first place! Also, I'm gonna be trying out a few different headers for the blog, please let me know which one is your favourite!


Thanks for tuning in!

Love,
CP

One Night in Dublin

Oh man, I can't even tell you how much fun I had in Ireland. It was such an amazing experience. After my three days in Galway I headed to Dublin for my last two days. I met up with my friend, Leah. We used to work together at the Palace Theatre in London. She took me around town and showed me a few different areas. We also went to Trinity College to take a look at the Library, which was so beautiful! 

If you find yourself in Dublin, you have to go to Avoca! It's the cutest! From stationary to kitchenware, they have everything! They even have a lovely restaurant/cafe upstairs. I would highly recommend the Lamb Tzatziki, man was it ever good. They also gave us like 6 scones because they were about to close. Score! 

 Can we just talk about how cute these socks are for a moment. I seriously wanted to buy a pair of each, but I just couldn't justify spending £20 on a pair of socks. One day I shall have all of the fancy socks.

Ryan's roommate gave me some amazing recommendations for food in Dublin! I stopped at Crackbird for a solo dinner. She specifically told me to get the Soy Garlic Chicken. Holy cow, that was some tasty chicken! It's not too spicy, not too sweet and the potion sizes are huge. I only had the half order and I had to take about half of it home.

Afterwords I headed over to the Stag's Head, a pub that Ryan recommended. The one thing that I can't get over about Ireland is how god dang friendly everyone is. People aren't afraid of eye contact or conversation with strangers, in fact it's encouraged! I just found it so refreshing and really enjoyed asking people questions and getting to know new people. I made 4 new friends that night! Garvin, Paul, Jessica, and Andrew. Long story short, the Irish people I met were so lovely! After the Stag's Head  two of my new friend's Jessica, Andrew and I headed to two other pubs. Normally I am not one for partying, but hey, when in Rome!

We went to one of Jessica's old stomping grounds to listen to live music! Then we headed over to Jess's work place, this really hip little speak easy called, The Liquor Rooms. We had so much fun trying fancy cocktails. I decided on the Belt & Braces, probably one of my favourite drinks I've ever had. I know that seems like a grand statement to make, but seriously it was insane. Port, tequila, marmalade, topped with a dehydrated orange and date syrup that is made in house. Oh my goodness, I would like one right now please!!!

Andrew wasn't drinking so this is the fun beverage that he received, it came with the umbrella in it! This is probably my favourite picture from the whole evening!

The next day I woke up, grabbed some fresh juice and a scone from Avoca and made my way to see a few more sights! I sat and finished my breakfast and wrote in my travel journal at the St. Patricks Cathedral, which was built in 1192. Afterwards I made my way to the Guinness Storehouse for the grand tour!

I had a great time doing the Guinness Tour! I learned lots, drank lots of yummy drinks and had fun picking out presents for Remi!

I absolutely loved my time in Ireland! I can not wait to go back and visit!

Thanks for reading!

Love,
CP