And if that's not enough to send you into a euphoric frenzy (what? But it's Saturday tomorrow! SATURDAY!), then why not take a cue from the lovely visual aid on the right over there and close your eyes, smile, and reflect upon your most juicy and delicious moments of the week? (Psst! I'll even go first.)

x Researching Airline Services - When you're spending a lengthy amount of time in the sky, you kind of want to make sure that it's as comfortable as possible, right?! Oh, most definitely! (Because if there's one thing that will instantly turn the beginning of a holiday into a HELLiday, it's a shoddy plane trip, complete with real ''well, if it weren't for the buzzing stewardesses and occasional service announcements, I could've SWORN that we were in a flying sardine can''  sensations!) So! Armed with that knowledge, I've been doing my homework over the past few evenings in preparation for my Europe adventure in October/November, researching airline services, and it's been a surprisingly enlightening experience! The verdict? American and Virgin Atlantic Airlines - not so good. Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines - hello, wonderful! It's a completely recommended activity for anyone planning a long-haul flight! 

x Browsing Through Contiki Tours - Whenever I mention the word 'Contiki', one of my friends inevitably guffaws and splutters before sternly reminding me that no, there's no need for Contiki tours, because why pay $2000 for two WEEKS when you can live out of your backpack for the very same price for two MONTHS, but honestly? I am 100% a Contiki fan. I travelled on one of their tours in December 2008/January 2009, and in addition to it being one of the most fun, eye-opening and amazing things that I have ever done, it was such an incredible way to meet a large variety of people! It was also a wonderful feeling knowing that instead of worrying about finding my hotel each night, language barriers or transportation, that I could instead spend all of my precious time sightseeing and partying like a lunatic! So, once again, I'm turning to Contiki, and I'm already feeling enchanted by the sound of the European Inspiration (Winter) tour - London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne and Paris? Yes, yes, yes!

x Francesca Lia Block - I'd heard amazing things about her novels before, and wowee, were those recommendations spot on. I've been reading The Rose & The Beast (Fairtytales Retold) all week and I love it!

x Other Little Things - Watching the sun rise; huge bowls of homemade soup; bacon-flavoured soy chips (seriously, they're scrum-diddily-umptious! Ned Flanders would totally approve); bus drivers who let you on the bus for free (!); turning my music up; chilled glasses of water with lemon; gin and tonic; falling asleep to the soft purr of my fan; the scent of freesias; shaking my collection of snow globes; lying on the couch next to my boyfriend, talking endlessly and crying with laughter at everything and nothing; piles of crystals; and feeling as though that all the time, things are working out exactly as they should be...

♥

xoxo

(Image thanks to Allister Ann.)