Have a sweet weekend...

Happy Friday dear friends!

How was your week? Mine has had many ups, a few downs and some magical moments. The first week of my internship is over-whew that flew by. Overall I feel like the week went well. Sure I made a few mistakes, opened the wrong mail and called the wrong person the wrong name twice. (ugh!) But, I also was given a project of my own, asked to sit in on an author meeting, told that I was doing better than most, and had some laughs over a few pints with some colleagues.  And then on the way home is started snowing. It was cold but snowflakes falling on my eyelashes put a sweet smile on my face.

This weekend my plans include sleeping in and making valentines for friends. I feel like lounging around in pj's and cutting out hearts in paper lace doilies. I love Valentine's Day whether I'm single or attached. And this year, my valentine is London.

Enjoy your weekend!
{photo:source} 

Working girls & Coffee

So, let's talk about my internship. For the past three days I have been waking up at 6:45 a.m., commuting into Central London with thousands of others and working within the publishing field. And, it has definitely been a work experience. Little did I know how green I was to the publishing industry. There are so many intricacies to the business, so many contacts to be made, contracts to be signed, manuscripts to be read, things to be filed, calls to answered and yes the occasional cup of tea or coffee to be made. 

I've enjoyed it, but it's also raised questions many questions. And the one that excites and worries me the most is: Do I really picture myself working for someone else for the rest of my life? The answer is a resounding NO, and while I know that I can't start and run a successful business overnight, I know that I can aim for it, plan for it, and make it a reality in the future. And of course I have doubts and apprehensions, I have loads of them, but I also know that if I didn't at least try, go for it and give it all that I got then I would forever wonder, which for me would be heartbreaking. 

So I'm learning everything that I can while at this work placement. Soaking it all in because I just know one day I will need every skill that I've learned. 

By the way, this picture was taken at the cute pub around the corner from my office. Everyday I walk by they have a snappy sayings on their chalkboard outside. Today, it said something to the effect of... 'Hey it's -4 degrees outside. That's still warmer than Zurich, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Russia.....' Their signs make me laugh out loud on a regular basis so the the other day I popped in for a cup of coffee, sat by the fireplace and enjoyed my book. It was the perfect coffee break. 

One and two

{photo:A midnight view of St. Paul's Cathedral taken and edited by moi}

Two things have occurred to me:

1. I haven't taken nearly enough pictures of London since I've moved here
2. I haven't talked nearly enough about my London experiences since I've moved here

Silly, silly me.

I will do my best to take more pictures but I have to warn you that I am such a delinquent when it comes to uploading photos. Just ask any of my friends and they will absolutely cosign on this. So, I won't promise pictures everyday, because I would just be lying, but I will try and do at least one picture a week. I have put the bar a bit low on this one but trust me that it will get done.

Happy Three Kings Day and Enjoy your weekend lovelies!

A London Adventure...{part two}

How so very rude of me to keep you all waiting....
Now, where was I?

Right, I had just ditched my friend and was now riding the train solo into London with £1.45 to my name. I was sitting across from a family of four who were besides themselves, giggling over the silly American who had just 'lost her friend.' I looked up at them, shrugged my shoulders and tossed them a smile. What else was there to do?!

I got off the train at Vauxhall and waited on a bench at the train station for my friend. As soon as the next train approached, I flagged her down and, after seven minutes of apologizing I then broke the news to her that I had left my wallet and only had a couple of pounds to my name. We hoped on another train and brainstormed things to do.

Fifteen minutes later we found ourselves in front of the Natural History Museum and I found myself in heaven. There was so much to see, experience, touch, and watch and all for FREE. After a few hours of wandering around I finally laid eyes on my favorite animal....

I loved her. She was a full scale replica of an adult Blue Whale. I was quiet as I walked around her and took in every detail. It was by far one of the best things that I had ever seen in a museum.

After whalie (that's what I named her...how original) we were starving and walked into a small Italian cafe and my friend treated me to a diet coke and a pizza. We slowly ate are meal and chatted about the amazing museum and the beauty of it being free.

It was  lovely day and proved that much can be done on a tiny budget.

A London Adventure...{part one}

Yesterday a friend and I made the decision to journey into central London. Tired of exploring Kingston and being disappointed that we couldn't make it to Germany for the Frankfurt International Book Fair, which is the biggest book fair in the WORLD, we set out for Central London.

We had just started climbing the steps to the train station when our train pulled in.  "Fantastic," I thought. "Let's make a run for it." And so I did.

I managed to swipe my card and jump on the train only to hear my name called out in the saddest and sweetest way I've ever heard it said in my life. Almost as if a puppy was calling my name.
"Leeesa!"

I turned around just as the doors were closing with my friend and I standing on different sides of the door.  I tried to reach my hand out to her but the red doors were closing so quickly I yanked it back. They closed with a thud as I heard the conductor blow his whistle and the train lurched into motion.

"OH NO! I'M SO SORRY! I'LL TEXT YOU! MEET ME AT VAUXHALL STATION-I'LL WAIT FOR YOU THERE!"  I shouted through the closed doors.

I dragged myself to seat as a few people were tossing me quizzical glances no doubt wondering why this loud American girl was shouting on their train. I reached into my bag for my mobile when I realized that my purse was feeling a bit 'light.' After looking around in it for five minutes, it's a big bag, it hit me.

I forgot my wallet.

I laughed in spite of myself, found £1.45 and realized I was about to find out just how much I could do in London. With nothing....

Routine...

It's half past 11 and the fact that I am:

1. Up
2. Showered
3. Dressed
4. Eating Breakfast
5. And blogging

is a bit of an accomplishment. For the past weeks I've gotten into a horrible routine of sleeping till noon, only to struggle up and watch episodes of Outnumbered on BBC iplayer for another hour, before dragging my lazy butt out of bed to make breakfast, at 1300 mind you, and finally deciding to 'get serious' about my day at 1600. (That was 1pm and 3pm for you Americans. Believe me, adjusting to "Military Time" was difficult.)

The last time I had this much free time was when I was in the womb.

So, I made a deal with myself. I'm allowed one day a week to lounge but the rest of the week, I should be up, showered, dressed and ready for the day by 10:30 a.m. There is way too much to do, see and experience for me to be lounging around in my PJ's all day. I live in London folks. L-O-N-D-O-N.

So this morning, as my alarm clock went off at 10a.m. and I awoke to the sounds of the children across the street in Catholic school playing, I showered, made my bed opened my windows and enjoyed it. This is my life now and I plan to fit in as much as possible.

The sweetness of this life...

I'm currently lying in my bed  at 2 in the afternoon, with a scarf wrapped around my neck and 'loo roll' next to me snuggled up in my down comforter listening to Miles Davis. I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Obviously.

It's almost been a month since I've moved to London and I still can't believe that  I Live here.  I have the pleasure of calling this lovely city home.

I've tried to journal, to get my feelings down on paper, to remember the little moments that make me  smile, and capture my thoughts, but I'm almost always writing the same sentences:
"I can't believe I am here."
"I am so blessed."
"I live in London!!"
...and since none of that is particularly profound, I try my best to Live in each moment, to savour conversations, laugh easily, and see everything.

I've made some friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I indulge a little more in wine. I ride on red double decker buses everyday.  I'm constantly surrounded by people from all over the world who can speak at least three languages. And, my vocabulary is slightly changing as well. I mean I just called toilet paper, 'loo roll.' I walk everywhere now, and even though the cold is starting to come, I don't care.

I've had moments of homesickness and boredom but I can't imagine living any other way right now. I have this overall sense of freedom, something that I don't think I've ever felt before.  Each day I stretch and smile to realize that this is not a dream. This is my life. And I'm more blessed than I know.

Chic + Warm

{photo via:perricatherine}

I want to look this chic and warm when it's cold and snowy in London.
That is all.

Plane Ticket Tuesday

 {photo via:instagram}

Guess, what I'm doing today friends? I'm buying the plane ticket. Yes, THE ticket to London. I don't know why I'm so nervous but I'm kinda sweating. {Yes, actual sweat is forming on my brow.} It could be the amount of cash that I'll be putting down but it seems bigger than money at this point.

Buying this ticket is the next step of so many steps I've already taken, but somehow seems more  monumental. There's  no turning back now. And really when it boils down to it, I don't want to turn back anyway....

Wanted: Lo & Sons + O.G. Bag

This bag will change my life. On a busy day, I normally leave my house with my purse, a laptop bag, my lunch bag and my Starbucks travel mug. Any outfit that I have on suddenly doesn't look so cute when it's weighed down by three large bags and me wobbling on my heels trying to get out of the door as quickly as possible. But, this bag will change everything.  It's the O.G. Bag from San Francisco family based company Lo & Sons.

Durable yet light weight, this bag has a separate pocket for a laptop, and under carry section for a pair of shoes, perfect for commuters, and two easy access zippered front pockets to carry all your essentials.
I am totally coveting this bag.

Oh. Yes. I can see myself in London jetting off to class, stopping by the library to get some work done and then hitting up the gym all with this beautiful bag in hand. Talk about the perfect carry-all. To see a super cute video of the bags functionality, click here.
{All images via: Lo & Sons}

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

How the Royal Wedding Improved my Posture

Somehow today, I find myself sitting up a little straighter, walking a little more gracefully and easing into the general elusive and intriguing manner that comes with being a lady. And, the reasoning is rather simple.

The pomp and circumstance of this morning’s Royal Wedding is to be honored, whether British or not. Highlighting the sacred tradition of the bringing together of a male and female, the two most unique creatures on Earth, and witnessing revered vows is a benevolent ritual that renews hope, encourages optimism and causes self-reflection.  It is to be cherished and honored whether a couple is royal or otherwise.

And as a single woman of twenty-six, I can most certainly maintain my hopes of a joyful marriage to the One who orchestrates each sunset, sunrise and moment of time in the Universe. 

Why yes, dear friends I am standing taller today in honor of weddings and more importantly marriages all around the world. 

 {photo via: here}

Xo,

London Lisa

Reasons to move to London {Post 006}

No matter how many celebrities get married here in the states, we will never have a Royal Family.

{Photo via:NYDailyNews}

XO,

London Lisa

Reasons to move to London {Post 005}

 {photo via:CitizenMichelle}

Because everyone loves a Royal Family.....

XO, 

London Lisa

Reasons to Move to London {Post 003}

{Special thank you to Courtney for sending me a few photos of London. Thanks lady!}

I remember the first time I went to London and visited Buckingham Palace. {The Queen was in, as I'm sure she was awaiting our date for high tea.}

Standing outside in the cold air with my face pressed against the steel fence, I tried to catch a glimpse of the soldiers in their royal uniforms as they participated in the Changing of the Guards ceremony. This was a highlight of my first time in UK and my heart swelled with pride as for a moment I felt as if they were personally protecting me and that I was in fact a true Brit.

Four years later, I am looking forward to going back to The Palace and witnessing this beauty of a tradition.  I'll be sure to give The Queen, Wills and Kate my love.

Cheers!

{p.s. If you would like to submit photos of London and/or The UK, please feel free to email them to me. I would love to hear from you and would be happy to link back to your blog.}

XO,

London Lisa

Reasons to move to London {Post 002}

How could I not find this appealing?! I wish I could participate in this Tweed Run but alas it's in April. I love the idea of getting dressed up and going for a ride. I imagine dapper looking men and classy ladies enjoying taking a turn around the city. How lovely!

{photo:via}

XO, 

London Lisa

Reasons to move to London {Post 001}

Just look at this lovely city.

{photo via:here}

Welcome to a new series on London Lisa. I've collected so many beautiful images of London that I wanted to share them all with you in my: Reasons to move to London series. Hope you enjoy - I will be posting pictures every Thursday so, if you come across any gorgeous pictures of London, something that reminds you of the UK, or is particularity British, feel free to email  me at LondonLisaBlog{@}gmail.com. I would be happy to share your findings here and credit your discoveries!

Enjoy your day friends. 

XO, 

London Lisa