Well rested

{photovia:Molly Brynn}

Hello dear friends.

Can I just tell you, how much I needed to unplug, last week and over the long weekend that we just had here in the States? I was totally overwhelmed. I wanted so badly to sit down and write great posts for you all, but every time I did, instead of feeling excited and happy, I had this overwhelming since of dread.  I was working so much and trying to maintain a social life and I was successfully burning the candle at both ends.

But this weekend? Oh, this weekend was perfection. I was off for three full days and was at the beach every single one of them. The sun felt so good against my tired skin and the water, though cold, was completely refreshing. I felt weightless as I dove under waves and felt the tide gently toss me.  I was a fish.

I was a tourist in my own hometown too. My friend and I rode bikes up and down the boardwalk all day and at night we would get dressed up and ride again, stopping to have a drink, hear a band, have a dance, and enjoy each and every moment.

And, now I'm back. Refocused, rested and re-energized. Oh, how sweet it is.

Wanted: T+shirts

I realized when I went camping with my Girl Scout Troop a few weeks back was that I don't own t-shirts. I had to raid my close just to find two shirts that would be suitable for my trip.

Now, I'm always one to be overdressed rather than under-dressed but I think I need to add some graphic tee's like this to my wardrobe. Just a few basic tees that can worn to casual weekend brunches, trips to get frozen yogurt, or by the campfire.

Casual never looked so good.
Wanted: T+shirts by Lisa Vanterpool featuring a black tank

Can + Will

Good day dear friends.

I'm much better than yesterday and to be quite honest, after my rant I felt much better. Sometimes you just have to let it out.

{photo via:honeyandlace}

Either way, today I'm focused, sipping on my English Breakfast tea and ready to wrap up a few of the things that had me stressing yesterday and sending out positive vibes all day. Thanks for being a part of my journey.

Crappy Faith

 {photo via:Pedlars}

Dear friends,

I am not going to lie to you right now. I am stressed. Super s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d. 
I blame London.

I know, I know. I'm the one who wanted to move there, but my emotions are just as messed up as my stomach is after swinging on swings. {I get motion sickness very easily} I have zero appetite and feel that I may need to excuse myself from a meeting at any moment to go vomit in the bathroom. Disgusting but true.

And this, I suppose, is where trusting God comes into play. Yesterday I was on cloud nine with God. We were BFF's I was singing and praising and thankful for all that He had done.

But today, I have no faith. A mustard seed seems like meteor and I would be ashamed but, I'm too stressed to care. I have crappy faith. Financial aid, apartments flat reservations, and tension filled conversations with my mom have me feeling, moody and pre-maturely sadden at the thought that I would have to look my friends and family in the eye and tell them that, 'No, I am not moving to London anymore.'

And sure, that would be the biggest blow to my ego that I would ever have to sustain, to date, but more than that my heart would break. I would be ripped apart in a lengthy divorce between where I thought I was going and where I am. The full direction of my life would come to a screeching halt as I would be left standing here knowing nothing.  I would get over it eventually, but I don't think I would ever be the same.

I want so desperately to be calm, to have unwavering faith, to praise God no matter what happens. I just don't know if I'm there yet.


Published 05/17/2011 By: Lisa M. Vanterpool

Simple Joys + Letter Writing

{photo via:That Kind of Woman}

When I was in England last Thanksgiving, I ventured to Bath, by train specifically to visit the Jane Austen Center. I was captivated by the history as soon as I walked up the creaky stairs and into the room which housed the exhibition of all things Austen. Although the Center was quite small, I could have spent hours upon hours reading every snippet of life in Bath for Jane and her family.

On my way out, I stopped by the gift shop to browse around and find at least one small treasure. I came across an initial seal and wax set and imagined myself writing lengthy letters and sipping tea on leisurely Saturday afternoons.

That didn't exactly happen, but I did use my sealer from time to time. Every time I used it to seal a hand written note, my friends would notice and rave over how special and classic it was. It was that added touch that really made something as a simple letter seem like a true gift. 

I have plans of sending letters to my mother from England and quite honestly I want to start practicing the, 'Art of Letter Writing' now. Want to join? Send me an email at londonlisablog {at} gmail.com with your address {P.O. Boxes are fine} and first name with a topic you would like to discuss, no later than Monday, May 23rd. I will put you on my list and respond to you via post.

I can't wait to stock up on my stationary and elegant pens and writing letters to each of you.


"I have now attained the true art of letter-writing, which we are always told, is to express on paper exactly what one would say to the same person by word of mouth." - Jane Austen, from a letter to her sister Cassandra
Published 05/12/2011 By Lisa M. Vanterpool

Oh sweet Jane

{Photo via: Oh, Hello Friend}

xo,

London Lisa

Published 05/10/2011 By Lisa M. Vanterpool 

Writers+Pilo

I'm a QWERTY lover. I think all writers are.
So, imagine my delight when I was announced as the winner of a giveaway from lark + linen.

This lovely came from Pilo a fantastic etsy shop which calls Vancouver home. I'm just now noticing some of the little details from this vintage typewriter. My favorite thus far is the British Pound Sterling symbol above the 5.
Notice anything else?

Published 05/9/2011 By Lisa M. Vanterpool 

XO, 

London Lisa

Have a rockin Mon+day

I'm ready for a good day! Who's with me?!

My Aunt's memorial was this pass weekend. Oh friends it was tough. I was able to participate in the service by reading four pieces that had been written for her. It was tough, but I was praying the entire time asking God to strengthen me and not lose it while up there. It was such a joy to hear people laughing during some of the lighthearted parts where we described her vibrant personality. And it hit me, and I was filled with joy at  how alike we really are. And I was also moved to tears to read the poem that her students had written in her honor. The time I was able to spend with my family was lovely and so many pictures were taken to reserve the sweet moments.

And today friends, after the emotional weekend, I am just ready to freakin' rock this day's face off! Perhaps cocktails with friends after work, a little mani-pedi, and definitely some Starbucks in the very near future. Oh yes, I'm ready for an awesome day! 

{photo via:monk3y.tumblr.com}

XO, 

London Lisa

Certainity

"What do I want to be when I grow up?"
"When will it be my turn?"

I've been tossing both of these questions back and forth in my mind for the past few days, hence the silence here. To be honest, I don't think I have absolute answers to either of these questions and I'm not sure if there ever are absolute answers to menacing questions like these. 

And, it's so easy to get caught up in other people's lives through blogs. When peeking into anyone's life everything is bound to look like perfection. {Such lovely lives they must be living!} And no doubt, I am sure that many of them do, but I often find myself trapped in all of their loveliness and becoming stagnant in my own projects, continuously comparing myself and wondering why it is that I am not yet 'accomplished.' And so quickly I forget all of my life's loveliness. The impending move to London, the faithful friends, the freelance work, my adventures with my girl scout troop, the laughs with my roommate and the simple yet complex joy of awaking each morning.

My life will look like my life. It will not be the twin of any.

I must remain certain that I am on my way.

{Photo via: flickr}

Xo,

London Lisa