hollyberries

Living abroad has brought many an unexpected challenge along with it. However, one I did not see coming (nor did I even know existed) was reverse culture shock. What is reverse culture shock, I hear you say? Why, I'm glad you asked.  " Reverse culture shock  is the emotional and psychological distress suffered by some people when they return home after a number of years overseas." Well, alrighty then. Sounds like a barrel of laughs.  Disclaimer, these types of things are, of course, suffered in degrees and by no means do I think I've experienced the worst of it. Two weeks ago I returned to evergreen (*read: always raining*) England from sun-drenched Spain. I was feeling mixed emotions when I first arrived...conflicted by already missing Madrid...but being happy to be home...but also knowing it would be tough to leave when I go back...and at the same time panicking about who I am here now. Yes, some may call me melodramatic. I HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS. Ho...

Hello friends! All the hardcore  superfans  of this blog (#himom) may remember a while back I started a "Where to Eat in Madrid" series (see posts 1 and 2 ), and with another year in this beautiful city, comes another year of discovering new favourite food and drink and spots !  So whether you're a fellow madrileño or you're planning your next city break , here are a few more recommendations in the much anticipated part 3... If you want... CAKE Name : Celicioso Where? : Calle Hortaleza, Calle Barquillo, Callao My favourite : banana bread/banoffee cake This café/bakery is full to the brim with delicious (and gluten free !) treats. Not only do they offer a large variety of cakes, cookies, and other baked goodies , they also have an extensive brunch and lunch menu. A great spot to meet friends for a catch up over a coffee and a cupcake! If you want... COCKTAILS Name : Macera Taller Bar Where? : Calle San Mateo My favourite : Ginger Fi...

Unbelievably, friends, it's almost November. And although some of you have been embracing sweater weather for a while now, Summer has only just ended over here... And somewhat controversially I'm so happy Autumn has finally started to arrive in Madrid. A girl can only take so much 30 degree heat (#sorrynotsorry). The mornings are getting chillier, the days are getting shorter, and the lattes are getting pumpkin spicier.  Here are my top reasons for fall ing* in love with this time of year:  (*I mean the pun was right there you guys) 1. Cosy jumpers Gone are the worries of whether or not you shaved your legs, and trying to suck in your food baby from lunch - hello chunky, over-sized sweaters, wooly tights and cute ankle boots. Plus an excuse for a whole new wardrobe, obv.  Keeping it cosy in Retiro Park Cute dog: essential Autumnal accessory Chunky scarves that double as blankets are where it's at 2. The colours Brb just jumping through piles...

Queridos amigos, Well hi there, it's been a while.  But seeing as I'M BACK IN MADRID(!!!) I thought it was time to re-enter the blog-o-sphere (is that a thing?) - basically my life is no longer a boring blur of lectures and the library so I might have something interesting to share with you lovely people every now and then! Back in February it started to hit me that I was about to finish my degree and I had absolutely zero plans for after graduation.  With the whole world as my oyster it wasn't difficult to come up with ideas: PGCE, ski season in Canada, job hunting in London, travelling in South America...  But anyone who knows me knows making decisions is not my forte and so the simplest thing I could do was ask myself, what do I really want? And my immediate reply? I want to go back to Madrid.  And honestly I can't quite believe how quickly it all happened, and that I'm actually here again, sitting on my balcony on a sunny September Friday in the hea...

I somehow only have just over two months left in Madrid , it's really snuck up on me, I tell ya. And the thing I'm most worried about? Leaving before I've eaten at every place on my 'Where To Eat in Madrid' bucket list. Yes that is an actual thing I have made, #priorities. I mean, it's difficult, you want to go back to the good places AND try all the new places. This year abroad stuff is really tough.   So here is Part 2 of the highly acclaimed series, I know you've all been waiting with bated breath. If you want... PIZZA Name : Ôven Where? : Calle de Fuencarral, Calle Gran Vía,  My favourite : Pizza De La Huerta Pizza Pizza Pizza. The tagline of this place is 'Mozzarella Bar'. Need I say more? But for reals, this is definitely the best pizza I've had while being in Madrid, maybe even EVER - serious allegations being made here you guys.  They also have an amazing selection of Mozzarella and Burrata dishes, their speciality, whi...

I've decided I can't live in a big city when I'm older.  I need to be surrounded by nothing but fields of sheep .  How am I supposed to resist the 7 million different eateries right outside my front door?! Everything from pizza and burgers to ice cream and churros is less than a 5 minute walk from my piso in Madrid and it's pretty stressful, I tell ya. This sort of thing just can't be helped It's safe to say I've sampled a fair few restaurants/cafés/bars (did you know Madrid has more bars per square metre than anywhere else in Europe(!)) since arriving in Madrid 5 months ago - and there's so many more to discover! So I thought I'd start a little series of my favourite places (I couldn't possibly condense them all into one post, or we'd be here for hours.) Sorry in advance for making you really hungry. Trust . If you want... BRUNCH Name:   Federal Café Where?: Plaza de las Comendadores, Plaza del Conde de Barajas  My fav...