A Day at the Bay

Friday a group of us from "uni" took of for the day for this so called town of "Brighton" we had kept hearing of. We weren't really sure what to expect but I had heard that it had a similar feel to Coney Island in New York and they was even in fact a beach! I forgot how much I miss seeing the water, living in Seattle has spoiled me :)

Brighton is only a hour out of London and is a completely different environment. All of us were a bit stressed with finals and getting ready to leave next weekend so it was the perfect escape from our busy lives to simply relax and soak up the rare UK sunshine. It was a perfect kickoff to our last weekend in London. I enjoyed just sitting on the beach, day dreaming, chatting, wandering the pier and even braved it up to ride some amusement rides! I ended up riding the rickety roller coaster on the pier as well as the hammer ride which literally flips you upside down 200 feet over the pier--I really did almost see my life flash in front of me for a moment.

All in all this weekend was a 5 star weekend, with 5 star friends and 5 star weather. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend to roam Portobello, eat gelato in Regent's Park and go to an 80's dance club and finally have tea at the Soho Hotel (next post). Absolutely Flawless...

Spring is in the Air!

Waking up everyday to sunshine in London has never felt so good! I am so happy to see the sun for the first time in a couple of months, just makes life so much better! Whats better then finally being able to trade in your rainboots for a pair of flats and lightweight jacket? Okay I admit I may jump the gun a bit on the spring clothes but I can't help it when every store is showing off all their new items in fabulous window displays! Most of which are somewhat dainty and floral...

The last couple of weeks have a been a bit hectic finishing up my internship and preparing myself for finals next week before I take off on my spring break adventure around Europe! I can not believe I am already HALF way done being here, ahh!! I have been so busy but I am really starting to feel like London is my home.

Good news! I think I finally found my niche in Notting Hill, which never seems to let me down. I always end up heading to Portobello Market lately on Saturdays because it is truly a little slice of vintage heaven!

This Saturday I stumbled across Cafe 202 which is everything I could ask for and more in a Cafe. Superb location. It is actually part of the Nicole Farhi Boutique which I have always admired her clothes from a distance but never been in one of here stores.

The Cafe is on the ground floor and was flooded with sunshine through huge windows coved with loose orange sketches of London. PERFECT. All the tables her vintage garden bistro tables with mix matched Parisian chairs and the food was to do die for!

Not to mention this was the perfect place for people watching. Everyone there was "proper", British and dressed to impressed! Even the dogs there were well behaved. "How Brilliant".

I peeped Nicole Farhi's spring line downstairs and have to say I didn't hate it one bit. Bright colors, fun prints and classic styles--what's not to love?

Oh Notting Hill, you never cease to amaze. Westbourne Grove was a similar feel to Rodeo Drive with beautiful and high end boutiques down the streets with roof top garden above. This just may be my new weekend spot!

Hope you all enjoying the start of spring, all my love from across the sea!

A Short List of Things I am Loving Right Now

While being in the U.K. for over a month now, there are so many wonderful little things that I have a fond appreciation for--

Here are the ones I am adoring at the moment...

*Walking to work during the "Rush Hour" of pedestrians--I play a game with myself to see how many people I can pass or squeeze by before I get stuck behind someone or a light.

(I tell ya it real gets the heart rate going especially since its my only form of exercise currently since it is too cold to run outside slash I am not willing to fork over 70lbs a month for a gym pass)

*The new Corrine Bailey Rae and Norah Jones CD--such a great new addition to my ipod.

images by google.com

*The slightly frizzy hair & pale skin combo--saves money and time not having to hit up a tanning bed or the extra 10 minutes it takes to straighten my hair.

*Paperchase-It is a 3 story floor right down the street from my work that is full of beautiful cards, wrapping paper, books, journals, a majority covered in dainty and floral prints! Incredibly dangerous, because mostly every item in there is nothing I need but EVERYTHING I WANT!

papershopink.com

*Oxford shoes preferably with tights and a great floral dress or even jean shorts--so fabulous right now...a definite spring time must :)

( One of my favorite posts from the Sartorialist.com)

*Being able to buy a bottle of wine legally after a hard day at the office, I am really becoming quite the conseviur--on the cheapest four pound wine I can get haha.

*My Internship--I have been really lucky to be placed with such a great firm that is letting me do a lot of hands on tasks. They may be small but I am happy to do anything they give me. I mostly have been working on photoshop, designing textiles and organizing the materials library. All fine by me :)

*My upcoming spring break to Florence, possibly Rome and Barcelona to visit some special KD sissys. Needless to say we will be doing what we do best, sorry for partying in advance (plus shopping and sightseeing naturally)

*The rare glimpses of sun, usually between snowfall that makes me realize how happy sunshine makes me...I can not wait for spring, however it may be a while.

*Knowing that a majority of my friends have crossed the pond safely and now are on the same time zone as me! So convenient!

I could go on and on but I will update as I continue on my journey. One month down, four more to come :)

LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL, CHEERS FROM LONDONTOWN!!