Merry Christmas Dear Friends

In all of my travels this year the song couldn't be more true,

'There's no place like home for the holidays."
From family dinners, to ice skating and coffee dates with friends, to friends getting engaged, and the annual Messiah Sing-Along, the past week and a half in Virginia has flown by. I'll be in New York for two days and then fly back to London on the 29th to enjoy New Year's Eve in my new home.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happily Ever After.

Luke 2:11
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

{Photo via: Mamauk}

tres chic...no?

If I could only dress in one color it would be black - easy. As a matter of fact, most of my wardrobe is black. I tried to venture out and bought a hot pink jumper but I just feel like a highlighter whenever I wear it. 

Loving this chic inspiration board. Especially that lacy bra, absolutely lovely. This look could be worn on a date,  to lunch with friends, out shopping - the possibilities are endless. 

That watch is pretty great too. xx

{Photo via:paris2london}

London, Paris, New York

It just occurred to me, whilst looking at this image, that I have visited, photographed, experienced and breathed in all of these places. And now I am so fortunate to even live in one of these amazing cities. This makes me joyful beyond measure. My life is a massive blessing.

{photo via:idadonner}

I'm wearing this tomorrow.... 

Classic. Simple. Perfect.

{photo via:fromParistoLondon}

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.