A peek inside one girl's love for Britain (and some random bits and bobs I come across that I love)- from a British girl at heart, living in Chicago with a nationality identity crisis. I started this blog to share my obsession with all things British - and I do mean ALL things - fashion, food, culture, history, literature, the Royal Family, stately homes - but I can also get totally off topic, so don't be alarmed if you see the occasional post that has nothing to do at all with the UK!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Back to London - Notting Hill and Kensington
After much deliberation about our plans for the day, we decided to head over to Notting Hill and Portabello Road. We both had never been and were dying to do some shopping and check out the markets. Everything was so colourful and lovely, it was so nice to take the morning checking out the different market stands ands shops! Afterwards, we decided to head over the Harrods for some Lauderee time and retail therapy. Macaroons are an obsession - and it was the perfect afternoon pick-me up!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Chester and Dunham Massey
Another gorgeous day in Blighty! We took a Virgin Train from London's Euston Station, and headed up to visit some family in Cheshire. I hadn't seen them for a bit, so it was good to reconnect. I miss them terribly, and always wish they weren't so far away. But it's always a good excuse to head over to the UK! We spent the day shopping in Chester, always one of my favorite places. The black and white buildings are too quant, and the town is steeped in history. The evening brought a delicious meal of leg of lamb, and some much needed catching up time.
After a bit of a lie in (relatively, I mean, the past few morning we had been up around 5 am!), we headed our for visit to Dunham Massey, a stately home in the area. I hadn't been since I was 11 or 12, so I had vague memories, and it was good to see it again. As we know, I'm a sucker for a stately home. I'm pretty sure if I lived in the UK, I'd be visiting them all the time. The house history goes back to the 1400's, and it's incredibly interesting to see. You get to see a lot of the house, and the grounds. The gardens were just fabulous. My favourite part was seeing the amazing kitchens - with their massive ceilings. Just breathtaking.
After a bit of a lie in (relatively, I mean, the past few morning we had been up around 5 am!), we headed our for visit to Dunham Massey, a stately home in the area. I hadn't been since I was 11 or 12, so I had vague memories, and it was good to see it again. As we know, I'm a sucker for a stately home. I'm pretty sure if I lived in the UK, I'd be visiting them all the time. The house history goes back to the 1400's, and it's incredibly interesting to see. You get to see a lot of the house, and the grounds. The gardens were just fabulous. My favourite part was seeing the amazing kitchens - with their massive ceilings. Just breathtaking.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Downton Abbey and Oxford
Monday brought an early day, and two crazed girls trying to find Victoria Coach station. (note to self, just because it has coach stops for tours outside, doesn't make it the coach station) After much running around (pre-caffienne) - and several Skype calls from our mobiles, we finally found Dave, our tour guide for the day, at gate 6 of the Victoria Coach station. We made the ride out of London to Oxford, our first stop of the day. I wasn't sure what to expect - and boy was it FREEZING! Oxford was so lovely, even if I couldn't feel my toes. We walked through Christ Church College, and got the see the bits where Harry Potter was filmed. As well as the Bridge of Sighs, the skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane. During our free time to explore, we made tracks to the covered market to a lovely restaurant called Georgina's for some tea, coffee, and breakfast/lunch, not to mention a thaw out.
Back to the coach to head to the best part of the day, Highclere Castle! Otherwise known to all as Downton Abbey! What a beautiful ride we had on the way up, watching to castle appear over the hill. It was absolutely the highlight of my day. Apparently, we weren't the only ones with that thought, and had to wait in lines to see many of the rooms, but it was worth it. Peaking into Lady Cora's bedroom or the Lord's study, I have to admit was surreal. Walking the same stairs, seeing the same entrance. Granted it does look much grander on television, but don't get me wrong, it was pretty awe inspiring. The kitchen scenes are filmed at a studio, so you won't see them. But you will see a good portion of the bedrooms, and common areas, which showcase many photos of the current Earl and Countess in residence.
Seems like someone may have been spending the night in Lady Edith's room, we totally spotted the hair dryer on the vanity table. And I KNOW Lady Edith didn't leave it there. Strolling the grounds was just lovely, and it was lambing season, so the babies were out in full force. Just a word to the wise, if you are planning on making this a stop on your next trip, book early! They sell out MONTHS in advance!
Back to the coach to head to the best part of the day, Highclere Castle! Otherwise known to all as Downton Abbey! What a beautiful ride we had on the way up, watching to castle appear over the hill. It was absolutely the highlight of my day. Apparently, we weren't the only ones with that thought, and had to wait in lines to see many of the rooms, but it was worth it. Peaking into Lady Cora's bedroom or the Lord's study, I have to admit was surreal. Walking the same stairs, seeing the same entrance. Granted it does look much grander on television, but don't get me wrong, it was pretty awe inspiring. The kitchen scenes are filmed at a studio, so you won't see them. But you will see a good portion of the bedrooms, and common areas, which showcase many photos of the current Earl and Countess in residence.
Seems like someone may have been spending the night in Lady Edith's room, we totally spotted the hair dryer on the vanity table. And I KNOW Lady Edith didn't leave it there. Strolling the grounds was just lovely, and it was lambing season, so the babies were out in full force. Just a word to the wise, if you are planning on making this a stop on your next trip, book early! They sell out MONTHS in advance!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Tea and Shopping at Fortnum & Mason
Our first day in London, so, we decided to ease into it with some tea and shopping at Fortnum & Mason. What a beautiful day it was! London, you did good on the weather! Just gorgeous! The Fulham Broadway tube stop was super close to our flat, so we used it, A LOT. (Kind of crazy when you didn't know there was going to be a Chelsea game, and you are trying to walk against a sea of 3,000 crazy fans, but whatever, when in Rome)
Coming up from the tube into Piccadilly Circus, my heart skipped a beat - we were really here! We meandered along to Fortnum's, were we had a 12:30 reservation for tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Room. After much distraction looking at the yummy food and getting into the wrong lift, we made our way to the correct lift and up we went. And stepped into a gorgeous, calm oasis in the heart of the City. It was a sea of blue and white, with subtle hints of gold and silver. It's really hard not to become completely relaxed, and totally into the experience. The choice of teas was overwhelming - as are the choices for food, but we settled on afternoon tea, and it was the perfect amount. With our waistbands near their bursting points, we made our way down, floor by floor, taking in all the trinkets that this truly unique store has to offer. My favourite floor, aside from the macaroons located on the first floor (I brake for macaroons), was the perfumery. Gorgeous glass bottles were on display everywhere, it was like stepping back in time. I can see why this store holds a Royal Warrant!
It took us the better part of the day - so many things to see! This has become a must stop for when I visit, and I can't wait to go back!
Coming up from the tube into Piccadilly Circus, my heart skipped a beat - we were really here! We meandered along to Fortnum's, were we had a 12:30 reservation for tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Room. After much distraction looking at the yummy food and getting into the wrong lift, we made our way to the correct lift and up we went. And stepped into a gorgeous, calm oasis in the heart of the City. It was a sea of blue and white, with subtle hints of gold and silver. It's really hard not to become completely relaxed, and totally into the experience. The choice of teas was overwhelming - as are the choices for food, but we settled on afternoon tea, and it was the perfect amount. With our waistbands near their bursting points, we made our way down, floor by floor, taking in all the trinkets that this truly unique store has to offer. My favourite floor, aside from the macaroons located on the first floor (I brake for macaroons), was the perfumery. Gorgeous glass bottles were on display everywhere, it was like stepping back in time. I can see why this store holds a Royal Warrant!
It took us the better part of the day - so many things to see! This has become a must stop for when I visit, and I can't wait to go back!
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| The spiral stairs went on forever! |
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| Delicious Macaroons! |
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| The Perfumery! |
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| Loose leaf tea |
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| Those biscuits the Duchess of Cambridge made famous. |
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| The Royal Warrant |
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| Shopped too much? Feet hurt? Have a cocktail! |
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