Hyde Park

Street Style


When people ask about my favorite part of my trip, it's too hard to narrow down. But I was the happiest was in London. Each day I took at least 30-60 minutes to just be out in the park. Sit and people watch. Lay down and stare up at the sky through trees. Each time was a completely different experience. On this day in April, it was the onset of warm sunny weather... one of those first days of spring where everyone flocks outside, showing skin, and lapping up sun rays in the hope of a blissful summer.

Do you remember how you spent your first days of spring?

In case you missed Water Walking in Hyde Park, check it out!

Have a good week!

London Fashion

Piccadilly Circus, London

Fashion Friday

While in London I stumbled upon Dahlia, one of my favorite flowers, and now one of my favorite stores. I think I could have purchased every dress in this beautifully decorated store...

& nothing compliments fashion more than cupcakes, 

especially if they have skulls at neighboring Johnny Cupcakes.

 Other miscellaneous fashions around the neighborhood...

This post is  in participation with Blonde Episodes Fashion Fridays.

Happy Sweet & Fashionable Friday!

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Welford-on-Avon

England
Travel Thursday


Steps away from the heavy tourist area of Stratford-upon-Avon is a village called Welford-upon-Avon which is very picturesque with it's thatched roof cottages, an old church, lush riverside, and old Royal mail boxes from the days of Queen Victoria. I left my heart in the village of Binton though between Welford & Statford... so charming, no photos as we drove straight through it.

 

Happy Traveling!!

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

 & Symphony Hall in Birmingham


While in London, if you follow on Facebook, you may have seen my post that I had a front ticket to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. On a Tuesday amidst the week of the Royal Wedding, I was able to score front row smack in the center for ₤25. In my opinion a great bargain, the theatre was beautiful and got me prepped for my next leg of trip in France.  

While in Birmingham, I went to the Symphony Hall to see The Organ Symphony, which was also a great bargain to experience the acoustics of this hall for ₤9.50 for the 4th floor.

Also, I've mentioned before that my friend Kori at Blonde Episodes has her book released today on Amazon.com! I'm so honored that she mentioned me in her dedication!!! Murder on the Boulevard is available HERE.


Tomorrow, I leave for Paris and am very sad to leave my friend Sheila. This time with her as a last minute surprise has been very special. Today we saw Water for Elephants, a book I read last year for book club, and was so excited to see, and to share it with her was the icing the cake.

So now, I'm pulling out my French dictionary for the next month! Until we meet in Paris...

Au revoir!

Fish & Chips

Good Eats Wednesday


While in London, I got my fish & chips! Just once... but it satisfied my need. Planning for once more in Birmingham!

Fried cod = heaven

Bon appetit!

Birmingham, UK

 A Quick Update

Leaving my flat in London.

Had a quick scare yesterday... thought my blogging was over for the rest of the trip, and my lifeline as well. I did the dumbest American tourist thing EVER yesterday. But at least I'm admitting it to you. You would think after being a savvy traveler for years that I would be a little smarter. But I guess mistakes happen. I hadn't eaten all day and therefore had low blood sugar. I took the bus with all my belongings from London to Birmingham and left my laptop case overhead with my passport!!!!!!!!! I had a feeling against leaving it overhead too, but didn't want it sliding on the floor and damaging my leather case. Didn't realize until 20 minutes after the bus was well on it's way, that I was missing my sweater and (gasp) my laptop/ passport. No matter how cautious I try to be by keeping the passport separate from my purse in case anything happened to that. Ugh- you can't win sometimes.

We had arrived at a field of bluebells which I tried hard to appreciate, but was desperate to get my passport (and laptop). So we called the mainline, got ahold of the station, who tracked the driver and I was able to await his return route an hour later. I was sooo lucky! What an amateur move.

 
If anything a memory with a good ending. It's been so surreal to see my friend Sheila. We went to celebrate at a French cafe -- was lovely and fortunately we could relax and enjoy.

Poor thing, the two of us with her cane waiting at the bus stop.. oh my!

I do love this town though. I took a canal tour yesterday. 

 

Today we are taking a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birth place!

 Cheers!

Walking on Water

Children in Hyde Park...

Water walking in Hyde Park... Isn't this the coolest thing ever? I think I would get claustrophobic though!

Have a good day!

Royal Wedding Transportation

Immediately after watching the the vows in the Pub, I stepped out to continue on to Hyde Park, but not before stopping in a deli for a Prawn Baguette. When I came back out, the carriage and horse were going by to pick up William & Kate at Westminster to take them to Buckingham Palace...

Then I turned down a side road which happened to lead to a private entrance to Buckingham Palace... where I hoped would be an entourage of guests... turned out it was only the drivers to diplomats or other various VIPs. Nice rides... that remained parked in the street unable to move for close to a half hour.

Trying to maintain his best British composure as everyone flocked to take their picture in front of the car, though I could imagaine what he was thinking.

Le Driver...

Embracing the attention...

Cheers!