It felt good...

I realize that if this blog turns into a space where I talk about how nervous and anxious I am all the time, then no one, including myself, will find it helpful.

But, today I cried in my bosses' off.

It felt good.

See you tomorrow.

London Style

I've heard many things about the weather in London - mostly that it's crap. And as much as I love London, that makes me a bit nervous.
I grew up with the beach being ten minutes away and on occasion it's been 90 degrees in...May. So, you know, wet and cold will be quite an adjustment.

The rain will suck, and I'm sure I will have to find a hair dresser the moment I get there. {When the natural state of your hair is an afro and you chemically straighten it, finding someone you trust to do your hair is imperative.} Besides the hair issue, I just hate being cold. Right now, I'm sitting at my desk, freezing and the thermostat is on...75. {le sigh}

I've been scoring my Pinterest account for inspiration on looking stylish is freezing temperatures. 

{Photo via:pinterest} 

Looks lovely, no? And, perhaps more importantly, she looks warm. With my budget being tight, I have to first shop my closet.
That big chunky scarf? Have it in navy. 
White shirt? Check.
Black pants? Of course.
The jacket and sweater? Hmm, may need to add something similiar to my list.

{Just a note. You would think I would consumed with other important details of moving such as packing, my visa, financial aid, culture shock et al, but no. Not today at least. Strictly style business this Thursday and, I'm ok with that.}

There weren't balloons, but...

 

{photo via: weheartit}

So it happened today. I gave my official letter of resignation to my office. {Deep Breath}

Not quite sure what I was expecting would happen. Balloons? Flowers?  Someone would crack open a bottle of bubbly and then everyone would crowd around me and lift me on their shoulders singing, "For he's a jolly good fellow!" {But you know, the feminine version}

Didn't happen. My boss actually has known for a while that I was accepted into graduate school and really she was waiting for the official 'Go' from me to announce it. I was hesitant in letting everyone know. What if plans fell through, my financial aid never came in or my Visa was rejected? But after much contemplating, and mini panic attacks, I said, "Go for it," and an email was sent out to the office.

Some people sent messages right away congratuatling me. One in particular said,
"You didn't have to go all the way to London to find a man!"
and another,
"Congratulations to a future filled with hot guys with accents!" 
Are you noticing a theme? Forget my academic endeavors, this is apparently all about the men.

Overall the office was quiet and I sat at my desk sipping my coffee, conjuring up details of my life in London.

Applying for a Visa: Part 1

So, where was I?
Right. London.
I have about 2 months left and then I'll be off.  From traveling around Europe over Thanksgiving holiday, to getting my acceptance letter a few days after Christmas, to applying for my flat and financial aid, time has accelerated quite a bit. I'm actually convinced I've been in some kind of time travel machine that makes a week seem like six months.

The biggest 'obstacle' left is applying for my actual Visa. I've heard enough horror stories about people missing flights due to not getting their Visa on time, or getting their Visa THE DAY their flight leaves, that I'm proficiently nervous about the whole bit.

So, I will be traveling to New York in August to get it all taken care of, in person. I will literally have to bring every important document that has ever belonged to me in a secure fireproof box, lock and key included, to prove to United States that I am a natural born citizen and in-turn  prove to UK that I will return to my home country. 

And if I'm missing one piece of information? Well, then rejection will be starring me in the face and I'll be forced to trek the eight hours back home, find my report card from the second grade that they just have to have, travel the eight hours back to New York and re-apply. {Well six hours if I decide to take the Chinatown bus, but their driving skills are scary.}

{Deep Breath} 'It's part of the process,' I keep telling myself. It's a bit uncomfortable for me, makes me nervous and a little sweaty. But believe me, when I walk out of that office with my Visa in hand this, all of this will be real.

Reasons to move to London {Post 007}

I want this look. Lucy Laucht, I'm loving it. {And she's from England!}

{p.s. loving her red nails! RNM}

XO, 

London Lisa

Hand over the keys...

So, I officially have an apartment flat reserved for London! {Yay!}

Here are the details:
I will be staying in a Graduate only "dorm," and I use that term loosely, about 10 minutes from my campus. I will have my own bedroom {with a full sized bed, yes} and bathroom {praises!} and will share the common areas, kitchen and living room.
You guys, I cannot tell you how excited I am. With all of the waiting that is going on with Visa's and financial aid, I feel this is finally a step in the right direction and a step forward.

So, now onto important things...how to decorate.

{photo via:pinterest}

The space will be small and I really want to do make sure that it's my space, comfortable, warm and lovely. I want it to be a place where I can see myself, studying, working, lounging around listening to jazz and watching movies on my laptop.  I'm loving the headboard in this room as it makes such a statement in the room and yet the black and white rug balances and grounds the whole room. {I also really love the wall of curtains.} I'm really going to have to be cognizant about the rules of hanging things so I think the biggest statement will come from my bedding and area rug. So tell me loves, what do you think?

XO,

London Lisa

Reasons to move to London {Post 004}

 {photo via:Flickr}

"There is no finer county in England than Derbyshire." - Jane Austen

Derbyshire - can it get any more beautiful and lush then this?  I must admit that while I do consider myself more of a 'city girl', I would love to go out to the country, hole myself up in a tiny cottage and get some serious R&R by reading book after book and drinking tea by a warm and cozy fire. I am truly looking forward to exploring not only London but all of the UK; especially it's breathtaking countryside. Cheers!

XO,
London Lisa

London Looks

 {photo via:that kind of woman}

I aspire to look a little something like this whilst in London. I think it's quite fitting, no? {That hat is Amazing...}

XO, 

London Lisa

cheeky luggage tag

{photo via: pinterest}

I think I need this cutie when transporting my bags to London. Love it.

Trend spotting...blue and gold {London}

According to the Sartorialist this blue and gold combo is hitting all over London. This is totally exciting for me since I already posess a wide array of blues. The gold's I'll have to work on.

Who knows if this trend will still be 'in' by the time I get there but a girl can be prepared, no?

Living the Language

I love this video by EF Language schools on London. Sure, all of the text is in English, which just so happens to be my first language, but I think that makes the video so fun, for me, to watch.

{image via: here}

They also have other videos on Paris, Madrid, and Toyko. Click here to watch the video because apparently I don't know how to embed a video on blogger... {sigh}
Enjoy!

because it's Friday....

I'm allowed to gush about Olivia Palermo. Weird? Maybe a little but have you seen her in the new Tibi Ads?  {Swoon} She's gorgeous and the clothes are amazing. I think I need all of these looks for my London wardrobe, no?

 {photos via: Tibi}

Stunning. Let's take the weekend to conjure up some looks with some amazing style. Work with what you have and make it YOU. With all of these lovely looks in mind, here's to a most fun and fashionable weekend. Cheers!

XO,

London Lisa

Exploring Essentials

I'm sure there will be many days in London, where I won't be bogged down with my studies, or working. I can't wait to get lost in the city...finding my perfect spots by happenstance, and stumbling across quaint bookstores, cafes and antique shops. Here are a few essentials, I'm sure that I will need while exploring.

{p.s. This is the first inspiration board I have ever done...so don't judge too harshly!} 

A day spent exploring by LondonLisa featuring hunter boots

XO, 

London Lisa

Will I?

{photo via:here}

I'm in an a bit of a melancholy mood today. Not sad, per say, nor overjoyed. I'm consumed with thoughts of what my life will be like come September, when I'm all packed and living thousands of miles away from my friends and family. This is such a tremendous opportunity, one that I am so excited and grateful for, nevertheless I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little scared.

I can't help but wonder if things will be as enchanting as I imagine...

Will I make new friends from all over and will we stay out late soaking in each others similarities and differences? Will I enjoy my classes? Will they awaken within me a renewed sense of passion? Will I feel inadequate as an American in Europe? Will I travel as much as I hope to, and walk the streets of Paris, Barcelona, and Rome? Will I meet cute boys who say that I'm 'lovely' and give me proper kisses? Will I fall in love? Will I stay longer than an year? Will I stay forever?

I have no answers to these questions. And for right now... that's ok.

XO, 

London Lisa

London details

Ok - ready for some London updates?

First things first, I will be attending Kingston University which is about a twenty minute train ride from Central London. It's right on the River Thames so it should be lovely come spring and summer. {I love how I use the word 'lovely' all the time now.} I really loved the area while I was visiting this past Thanksgiving. Despite the fact that it was cold and a bit dreary, the streets were still lined with warm quaint homes, children bundled in coats and cute coffee shops and cafes. I'm hoping to fit right in.

On second thought, I think it would be more fun to stand out as the 'Exotic American'... {Is that an oxymoron?}

I'll be getting my Master's in Publishing which is something that I've always wanted to do. I've been a writer since birth...ok, since the age of eight, and ultimately, I would like to be the editor of a lifestyle magazine for Christian women.  I have been thinking of this idea since I was literally sixteen and now more than ever, may passion and vision is growing and being realized a little bit more each day. And, it's not that I don't like Glamour, or Elle or Cosmo, but I don't want to be constantly bombarded with sex tips and 'Ways to Make Him Moan,' articles. I want something a little deeper and I think a lot of other twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings would agree. {Well, while we're in our single years at least. Believe me when I get married I plan on making up for LOTS of lost time.}

But, back to London.

I have a lot of paperwork to sort through and make sense of but thankfully, I have found a most trusted resource in Across the Pond, which connects students from around the globe to Universities in the U.K. This organization is totally free and reputable, which I made sure of, and will assist a student along every step of the way from submitting your application, Visa paperwork, program selections, etc, until the day you arrive on campus. I have the best agent, and we have created a great working relationship.

I can't wait to give you all more details and updates about my big move. This is such an exciting albeit kinda scary, thing for me.  Pray for me, wish me luck and stay tuned!

Xo,

                                                                 London Lisa

Happy Monday

Hello dahlings...

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend. I spent the weekend dancing, twirling, baking, praising God at church and casually watching the SuperBowl on Sunday night with friends.

Excited for the week ahead! Lots to update you all on regarding London. I still cant believe I'm moving in SEVEN Months!! So much to do but it's so exciting. I'm so grateful for how everything has come together and I'm praying that it will continue to do so.

So, with all of that said, stay tuned lovies...lots of good things coming soon.

{photo via: trip to Paris over Thanksgiving 2010}

do you 30 for 30?

So before moving, I want to look like my most fabulous self. {You can't blame a lady for wanting to look lovely} So, I've set some very specific goals that include, getting to be my fittest self, learning how to accessorize an outfit like nobodies business and saving some serious dough.

So, while I have been running and doing yoga about 3 or 4 times I day, I still needed something to improve my sartorial eye.

Enter Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 Winter Edition Challenge. The concept is easy. Take 30 pieces of clothing, shoes included! and remix them for 30 days. Accessories don't count so you can switch the earrings, necklaces, scarves, tights etc, all day long.

I'm kinda nervous about the challenge but it will definitely help me to save and work with what I have, so I'm all in. I'll be starting February 1, so stay tuned for pictures and updates. If you would like to join the challenge you have until January 28th to add your name to Kendi's list.

Happy remixing!

cover me

So, when I went to Haiti last July, my passport went through some stuff- it got wet, bent, torn and pretty close to being destroyed. So, now that I'm moving and will be toting my passport around with me from place to place, I want it to look pretty.

{photo:via}

I've had my eye on this Kate Spade Knightsbridge Passport Holder for a while and now it's even on sale... but I'm still having a hard time parting with $59 for the holder. But, I mean it's Kate Spade! So, what do you think? Splurge for the Kate Spade, or doing something a little more budget friendly?