Happy Holidays!

Hello!

I'm just writing this to wish everyone, wherever you are, a very merry Christmas/Hanukkah! Take this time of the year to relax and meet up with family and friends, and be grateful for everything that you have - I know I definitely take a lot of things for granted!

Have some good food over the holidays (then hide it under a baggy jumper) and above all, enjoy yourself!

Lots of love,

Jasmin

xxx

Richmond Park Adventure

I've got some beautiful photos here (it was a beautiful place - rather than any sort of skill in photography) from my little trip to Richmond Park last week. My dad was the one who suggested we go there, for the 'autumn trees', in December. As you can imagine, I was a bit sceptical about how autumnal it would be, but surprisingly there were still some stubborn coloured leaves clinging on. We walked around the gardens and stalked the famous deer, before warming up in a little cafe with a much-needed mug of hot chocolate.

Luckily, we caught the gorgeous golden hour, when the sun's position in the sky makes everything so much more magical. You'll be able to see it through my photos, especially when the deer appear (unintentional rhyme there!), as that's when I was truly shooting during the golden hour.

♥

I love you

xxx

Bonfire Night Fireworks

Bonfire night. What a magical time of the year - children with sparklers, a Guy lit in the park, and fireworks all around. Every year, it's a tradition for my family to go to the local firework show with some close friends, and when the sky is clear, it's one of my favourite nights.

The thing I love the most about fireworks are the colours as they burst across the sky, so of course, I've taken some photos. I hope I've done them justice, as I definitely think I've improved from last year!

It's a shame this is out of focus, but the more I look at it the more I like the effect it gives :)

♥

I love you

xxx

Mole Valley Heritage 2016

On a bright, sunny Sunday, the 11th September, I woke up early to spend the entire day exploring historical buildings as part of the Mole Valley Heritage Open Days 2016. I had a great time visiting a range of sites, from concert halls to churches, and even a house belonging to solicitors!

The first location: the Yehudi Menuhin School. As a school for the musically talented, its Hall was designed to 'caress the sound of strings', and was built for the best acoustic experience. Though not the most beautiful or grand, it holds a special place in my heart - many (very many!) years ago, I myself played a piano piece in that hall. It was nostalgic, to say the least. Little me hardly knew what was going on those years back and everything was much more intimidating, so this was a wonderful way to appreciate the architecture without the nerves and butterflies.

I then visited the lovely town of Dorking, heading straight for St. Martin's Church, an absolutely gorgeous church where I was met by an equally as wonderful old man who showed me around. After this, I had a brief tour of Downs Solicitors, a townhouse located on the High Street with a considerable history.

The final location was the most exciting: St. Barnabas Church in Ranmore. They had a choir singing when I arrived and an elderly man with a knitted jumper and wispy white hair playing the organ. I was then allowed to go up the terrifyingly narrow spiral staircase to the top of the steeple, and watch a man ring one of the eight bells they had. It was so impressive, he demonstrated different techniques which really opened my eyes as to how complicated bell-ringing is - it's not just pulling on ropes a couple of times!

They also sold donated books there for very cheap prices, and after a quick browse, I found Life of Pi (a book I've wanted to read for a long time but never had the time or chance), a hardback of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and a 1915 first edition of Some Musicians of Former Days. I've been obsessed with old books lately, especially their homely smell, so I was extremely pleased with my find.

♥

I love you

xxx