It's the final countdown...

It really is the final countdown. Two weeks until term starts and then I'm a 'proper' teacher. I'm actually responsible for educating young people. I've been trying desperately not to freak out or get stressed unnecessarily but as term approaches, I'm starting to feel like a big wall of work is going to hit me in the face and I will be really unprepared for it.

I went into school today to see a few of my colleagues, talk about the start of term and have a look at my classroom. It's still a bit of a mess from the last teacher but I'm hoping once I've jazzed it up a bit it will look really welcoming and fun. The English area was built in the 1930's so the heating and windows are not fantastically reliable... I think I'll be stocking up on jumpers and I may even have to become an official tea drinker to keep me warm.

I've always been a big fan of green tea and end up buying tons of it from Whittards just incase I might run out. Normal tea never really appealed to me and I'm not one of those people who needs a tea or coffee before they can get on with their day but recently I have joined the normal tea bunch and even had tea this morning with breakfast.

Milk, one sugar please.

HOME SWEET HOME #1

Day Two in the new house and I'm on the internet and blogging already. After settling all my stuff in and having some of the girls round for takeaway, wine and films, I'm starting to feel more like this is my home. The thing about a new house is, you always want to make your own mark on it. It's decorated in neutral tones (beiges, browns and light blue) with John Lewis furnishings. My housemate works there, hence the good taste in decoration. It looks a bit like a show home and I'm scared to eat or drink anything that may stain the carpet when I inevitably fall over or smash something.

My own decorating taste is probably a bit more eclectic and kitsch than most people as I like having lots of trinkets and cute retro bits around the house. I'm sure when I have my own place I will be able to fill it full of exciting little things but for now I am satisfying myself with prowling homeware stores. Today's choice was TK Maxx. I know it's not really thought of as a homeware store but a short trip down the escalator proved otherwise. I must have spent two hours in there looking at all the beautiful bits and pieces on display. I was half filled with wonder, half confusion as I tried to figure out what most of the kitchen gadgets were for.

One of my 'big' plans is to learn how to bake this year and I'm pretty sure I'll be stocking up on cookie cutters from TK Maxx. There were so many different types, I think I will have to buy them all! Animal shapes, numbers, stars, flowers, hearts. Oh the possibilities in the baking world!

Anyway, I thought I would show you a few of the stunners I stumbled across:

These images definitely don't do the shop justice and I would really advise that you go into a TK Maxx yourself to have a look around because there are so many more interesting and different items in the shop!

I'll be saving up for a spree while I dream about having one of these places...