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What Kirsty did next
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Category: Spain

Dessert at Albora
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Europe Restaurants Spain

Culinary delights in Madrid

by Kirsty Marrins on April 4, 2016
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We love Easter as it gives us a chance to go away for a long weekend without having to use up any of our annual leave – what’s not to love? This year we decided to go to Madrid after hearing good things about it – particularly the food. We…

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A long weekend in Barcelona
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Culture Europe Spain Travel

How to spend a long weekend in Barcelona

by Kirsty Marrins on September 16, 2015
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I love travelling and I loved Barcelona. Great people, food, architecture, weather…what’s not to love? We visited over an Easter weekend and the weather was lovely. Well , mostly lovely – it did rain one day!  With around a two hour flight from London and numerous airlines flying direct, there’s…

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Hello, There!

Hello, There! Hello, There!

Hi, I'm Kirsty. I grew up in South Africa but now live in London with my Italian husband. I love nothing better than exploring new places - whether in London or around the world. I try to make every day an adventure!

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Nine books to add to…

Nine books to add to…

on March 22, 2021
Ten Happy Things – February…

Ten Happy Things – February…

on March 9, 2021
17 cool things to do…

17 cool things to do…

on February 28, 2021

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londonkirsty

A sprinkle of London life
Writer| Reader| Runner| Travel lover
Usually found with an Aperol Spritz🍹in hand
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Oh HELLO churros! Weren’t you a welcome treat on Oh HELLO churros! Weren’t you a welcome treat on a Saturday lockdown walk! 

#portobelloroad
It’s #wonderfulwednesday! I ❤️ this time of It’s #wonderfulwednesday! I ❤️ this time of the week. Why? Because I reflect on what’s brought me #joy. 

This week what’s made me happy is:
- reading in bed or on the couch under a blanket. Taking time to immerse myself in a book and have a rest from screens.
- blossoms! The blossoms are out in full force and I am here for it.
- I went running! Finally... and I felt so good afterwards. 
- I won a Tropic pebble from the lovely @laurettatropic 
- my guest episode of the CharityComms podcast is out! I chat to three guests about #wellbeing at their organisation 

What’s made you happy this week?

Thanks as ever to @sallytangle for Wonderful Wednesday and reminding me to pause and reflect.
I ADORE reading. I will admit that I’ve had to m I ADORE reading. I will admit that I’ve had to make time for reading over the last year but honestly, is there anything better than getting lost in a good book?

If you need some #readinginspiration my latest blog post shares 9 books I’ve read recently and loved (link in bio). 

What have you read recently that you loved? 📚
Happy #wonderfulwednesday! I won’t lie. It’s Happy #wonderfulwednesday! 

I won’t lie. It’s been a heavy week and I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed at times. But today the sun is shining and the wind has finally died down and I’m feeling a bit happier and more optimistic. 

Thanks to @sallytangle, as ever, for this time of the week when I stop and reflect on what brought me #joy. 

This week I’m grateful for: 

- blossoms! London is beginning to bloom and that makes me instantly happier. 
- winning a new work contract with a charity in the homelessness sector 
- ordered the #hamebyah Easter meal box. Can’t wait! 
- had a lovely chat with my aunt 
- my birthday present from my sister finally arrived! She posted it on the 7th January... 

So that’s what’s made me happy this week. How about you? 

Check out everyone I’ve tagged for some more Wonderful Wednesday reflections.
I don’t know about you but last week just felt h I don’t know about you but last week just felt heavy... 

Sometimes I just don’t have the energy for Instagram and last week was one of those weeks. 

The murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer has hit me hard. She could have been any of us. She should have been safe. 

Here’s hoping this week is less heavy.
It’s #asundaycarpic! What a beauty 😍 How has It’s #asundaycarpic! What a beauty 😍

How has your weekend been? Mine has been pretty good. My husband got off work early on Friday so we walked up to Belsize Park and Hampstead. I also got a free bottle of Prosecco from @hampsteadbutcher for my birthday 🥂

This morning I went for a run and at 8mins was determined to stop at 10! Instead I carried on and ran for 17 mins - with a pretty good pace of just under 6 mins a kilometre. Now I’m going to eat pasta and watch the Sopranos! 

What have you been up to?
Happy #wonderfulwednesday! It’s that time of t Happy #wonderfulwednesday! 

It’s that time of the week to pause and reflect on what’s brought me #joy.

- the sunshine! Sure, it’s gone now but it was positively Spring-like on Friday and Saturday, which was lovely.
- a delivery of our favourite Prosecco (bring on the weekend!)
- I’ve lost more weight. I’ve now lost over half a stone since the beginning of the year
- I’m guest hosting a podcast this month and recording on Friday 

So that’s what’s made me happy this week. What’s brought you joy?

As always, thanks to @sallytangle for Wonderful Wednesday! Check out all the others I’ve tagged to see what’s made them happy this week.
Didn’t we have such glorious weather on Friday a Didn’t we have such glorious weather on Friday and Saturday? It was positively Spring-like! 

On Friday I went for a long walk and met up with @pastabites and her dog Amber for a walk and takeout coffee. We ended up in Bermondsey, which is one of my absolute favourite areas of London. 

What’s your favourite area of London?
TGIF! Honestly, I’m living for the weekends ri TGIF! 

Honestly, I’m living for the weekends right now. 

Here’s to the sunshine and two days of no work! 🥂
Happy #wonderfulwednesday lovely peeps! Been scr Happy #wonderfulwednesday lovely peeps! 

Been scrolling through old photos and found this from a trip to Japan. It’s not the best photo but there’s something about it that makes me feel happy. 

Speaking of happy... here’s what’s brought me #joy this week:

- there is light at the end of the tunnel! I am so excited for bars and restaurants to re-open, even if I have to sit outside 
- the weather is getting better and Friday looks beautiful 🌞 I’ve got the day off so ... woooo, long walk here I come! 
- my birthday flowers are still going strong, two weeks later
- gorgeous new bedding. Feels like I’m sleeping in a hotel bed! 

So that’s what’s made me happy this week. What has brought you joy?

As always, check out the other lovely Wonderful Wednesday ladies that I’ve tagged. And thanks to @sallytangle for creating this!
Orange you glad it’s Monday? 😜 Anyone excite Orange you glad it’s Monday? 😜

Anyone excited for Boris’s announcement later? Even though it’s basically been leaked already. I’m just delighted that every adult should be vaccinated by July! Woooooo 🎉
Happy hump day! And it’s #wonderfulwednesday 🎉 

It’s that time of the week to stop, pause and reflect on what’s brought me #joy this week. 

- Shakshuka. Only recently discovered this but boy is it delicious! Fuels me for the afternoon too. No snacking needed.
- Warmer days. Last week was freezing so this week’s warmer weather is very welcome! Now if only we can get the rain to stop...
- Belated birthday presents! I got a gorgeous plant from @jlowthrop over the weekend 🪴 I’ve named her Beyoncé.
- A lovely @drakeandmorgan meal on Saturday night to celebrate my bday. Was delicious! 

So that’s what’s made me happy and brought me joy. What are you grateful for? 

As always, please check out the lovely ladies I’ve tagged to see what’s made them happy and thanks to @sallytangle for starting this delightful tradition!

Ps: how sexy are my socks?
Anyone else wishing it were Friday already? Usual Anyone else wishing it were Friday already?

Usually I kinda love Mondays but everything is so boring and monotonous right now that I just want it to be the weekend so I can sleep in and drink Prosecco. 

Who’s with me? 
#redphonebox #mondaymood
Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone who is celebrating Chin Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone who is celebrating Chinese New Year! I’m sorry it can’t be the celebration you were hoping for but I hope you have a good one regardless!
Happy birthday to me on #wonderfulwednesday! 

It’s that time of the week where I pause and reflect on what made me happy and brought me joy. 

- birthday presents! I’ve had lots arrive through the post which I can’t wait to open later!
- my husband is coming home early, because it’s my birthday 🎉
- the sun is out ☀️
- a walk with @pastabites and her dog Amber last Friday and a walk this morning with @deana_selby and Daniel the Spaniel 🐶❤️
- a special birthday dinner planned for Saturday night! 

So that’s what’s made me happy this week.  How about you? 

As ever, thanks to @sallytangle for Wonderful Wednesday. Check out all the other lovely ladies I’ve tagged who take part.
Goooood morning! Just woke up to see it snowed las Goooood morning! Just woke up to see it snowed last night ❄️ Not enough for a snowman ☃️ but still!

I didn’t sleep that well so I’m going to have to keep caffeinated today...

Wishing you all a happy Monday!

#coffeeshop #marylebone
Yesterday was a great day and so good for the soul Yesterday was a great day and so good for the soul! 

Can’t remember the last time I was by the Southbank. I realised how much I’d missed it. 

It was so wonderful to walk along the river and see the London Eye, the National Theatre, the BFI and the Houses of Parliament. And the weather was fabulous too. I feel energised! 

What part of London do you miss?
Oh hi there. Don’t mind me whilst I transport my Oh hi there. Don’t mind me whilst I transport myself back to Florence. Anywhere other than my own neighbourhood now - sick of it! 

Anyway, it’s #wonderfulwednesday and time to stop, pause and reflect on what’s made me happy this week. Here you go! 

- lighter mornings AND evenings. Spring is on its way, people! 
- Bridgerton! Thanks to @wheres_the_rooftop’s persistence in getting me to watch it, I am now hooked. Also, if there are any camps, I’m firmly in Eloise’s.
- I lost 2.3 kgs! I’m not one to normally talk about weight but I needed to lose some (and still do) and I’m delighted with my results so far.
- I recorded a podcast last night as a guest and it was really fun. 
- yellow roses. I love having flowers in the house and yellow is my favourite colour. 

So that’s what brought me #joy this week! How about you?

As ever, check out all the others I’ve tagged and thanks to @sallytangle for creating Wonderful Wednesday!
Sailing into Monday like... I literally have no n Sailing into Monday like...

I literally have no new content so here’s another post from #chicago.

How was your weekend? Same old, same old, right? Still... doesn’t stop me wishing it were Friday already! 

I’ve just published my Ten Happy Things for January blog post (link in bio). I honestly thought I’d struggle to find ten things but actually I had lots to be happy about.

Share something that made you happy in January!
Happy #wonderfulwednesday lovelies! It’s that Happy #wonderfulwednesday lovelies! 

It’s that time of the week, thanks to @sallytangle, that I reflect and think about what made me happy and brought me #joy.
 
- Snow! We had some snow on Sunday, which was lovely to watch coming down in flurries from my window. By the time I headed out it had already turned to slush... hence a photo of me in Chicago a couple of years ago as I didn’t get a snow photo...
- New artwork. I bought this amazing print of Nelson Mandela and framed it. I love it! 
- The mornings are getting lighter earlier 
- I bought a Lumie body clock, which wakes me up with a gentle sunrise instead of a mobile phone alarm going off. It’s lovely! 

So those are a few things that have made me happy this week. How about you?
Happy Monday! Do you know what’s helping to ge Happy Monday! 

Do you know what’s helping to get me through lockdown? 

The fact you can get takeout coffee. Really good coffee ...not like the first lockdown! I always pick one up on my walk around the block before starting work. 

What’s helping you get through this never-ending lockdown? 

#coffeelover☕️ #shoplocaluk
Happy #wonderfulwednesday! It’s that time of the Happy #wonderfulwednesday! It’s that time of the week where I reflect on the small things that have brought me joy. This last week that’s been:
- going for my first run in almost a month 
- having a delicious meal box last Friday 
- we have Prosecco arriving from Italy tomorrow 
- two gorgeous dresses I bought online (now I just need it to be Spring) 
- it’s getting darker later in the evenings 
- it’s Trump’s last day! 

What has made you happy this week and brought you #joy? As always, check out the lovely ladies I’ve tagged to see what’s brought them joy.
Hello friends! My first read of the year was The Hello friends!
 
My first read of the year was The Truants by Kate Weinberg. 

It tells the story of Jess who meets the vivacious but vulnerable Georgie at university. They become firm friends fast. Jess only applied to this university to study under Dr Lorna Clay, who became renowned after writing The Truants, and who studied Agatha Christie and her novels meticulously and now teaches a Christie course. Enter Alec, the intelligent, sexy South African who isn’t afraid to challenge and speak his mind. Jess falls for him hard, even though she’s dating the sweet, kind Nick. But Alec is with Georgie. And one of them is about to die. It’s a very clever whodunnit that will have you hooked from the very beginning. 

What book have read lately that’s had you gripped? Let me know! 

#bookstagrammer #ilovereading
Happy #wonderfulwednesday! It’s that time of the Happy #wonderfulwednesday! It’s that time of the week again to reflect on what’s brought me joy and happiness. 

- last week I was feeling quite down. This week I’m in a much better place.
- I’m reading such a good book! But I’m almost finished... it’s one of those books where I don’t want it to end.
- my morning routine. Read in bed, get up, get dressed, go out, get a coffee and walk around the block. It sets me up for the day.
- got a @madeinoldstead food box arriving on Friday! Sooo excited 

So that’s what’s brought a smile to my face this week. What has brought you #joy? 

As always, I’ve tagged all the other lovely ladies who take part in Wonderful Wednesday so check them out.
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