Fun in the Warm California Sun

I love the fact that when faced with the question, "what do you want to do this weekend?",  the hubs and I no longer stare at each other and respond, "whatever you want to do?" There are so many things to do in the Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, it's more a question of what to do first! The hubs had been to Paramount Studios on business and noticed they do tours! I love theme parks, but unlike Universal Studios, this was a real, working studio. Our guide mentioned he regularly runs into stars! I was in!

After meeting up with our tour guide, Michael (who was fabulous, by the way), we were directed to the building where all the producers had their offices and got to see some real Oscars for Best Picture! We also got to hold one! (not the real one's of course) Those things are HEAVY!

I loved that the tours were small and intimate. All eight of us piled in a golf cart and were whisked around from spot to spot.

I loved seeing the theater were the producers do their editing and were studio premiers take place. And I would be remissed if I didn't show this photo of the incomparable British actress, Audrey Hepburn.

This is one of the benches used in the movie Forrest Gump. Apparently, Tom Hanks came across it one day and laughed because he had no idea one was there. (there's one in the Smithsonian, too) He came back the next day dressed as Forrest Gump and was handing out chocolates to tourists! He then proceeded to drive off with one group of tourists in a golf cart!

Filming on location in ocean's is tough, and we were told directors are allowed to use every square inch of the studio for taping. That means parking lots too! This one is flooded for water scenes. It takes a day to fill and a day to drain. This particular lot was used for the Ten Commandments, in particular the scene were Moses parts the Red Sea!

Filming on location in cities is also very costly. To close down a whole street and pay merchants for a day's wages lost, costs a lot! So instead, you can pay $15,000 per day and rent out the New York / Chicago back lot and do you filming there. We were told someone just had a Bar Mitzvah there for his kid! Remember the Friends episode where Chandler and Joey loose Ross' baby? It was filmed here!

I love this shot because it's from a favourite movie of mine, Bridesmaids. This is the famous Cake Baby! And our lovely tour guide, Michael.

The subway to nowhere.....

I loved every second of this tour. From the history, including Lucille Ball, who owned part of the studio at one point, the where the Godfather was filmed. We did get to visit a sound stage and I so wanted to get a photo of Scott Baio's chair, but alas, photos were not allowed. :-( I couldn't even sneak one. 

Nights Like These...

It's nights like these that make it all worth it. Seeing the sun set over LA, all the other stuff just doesn't matter.


Q&C xoxo

Putting the Wheels in Motion

Image Credit: Pinterest

I've been thinking about this blog for a few days, and I decided I can't really have it be true to me and what I love, if i'm not really true to whats going on in my life at any particular moment. The past few weeks have been intense, and I've only been able to focus on recovery and getting our new place in order. So, I hope you don't mind if I go off on a bit of a tangent and talk about things that aren't necessarily UK related, but feel important none the less. 

This isn't to say I haven't already scoped out all the UK goodness Los Angeles has to offer. And they do have a lot to offer. I'm going to be dragging the hubby kicking and screaming to see the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach. And I've already mapped out the local Uk goods stores, as well as tea at the Huntington Library - all to be reported on in due course, I promise! 

Disaster Strikes....

I've been MIA for a while, and I'm finally resurfacing, now that we have completed our move to LA! This week has been an emotional roller coaster ride to say the least! We finally got everything packed up, including the pups and the kitty, and made it to LA. I am in love. LA is so fabulous, and there is something going on every second. It's so inspiring. Not to mention the weather and all the amazing places to eat! But wednesday of last week, we got the call that would change us. Our moving truck had set out, but never made it. Instead, it had engine trouble, causing a fire that destroyed everything. I really, truly thought I was on a radio station being pranked when the moving company called. Everything except us, the clothes in our duffels, our animals and a few precious items were on that truck. And all of a sudden, everything was gone, in an instant. I remember feeling deflated, sad, angry, relieved, all at the same time. It was like grieving. I still had everything important, I had to remember that. 

I spent the new few nights falling asleep while thinking of another thing or two that was lost forever. And then this past weekend - I attended Blog Shop. To say it was life changing would be an understatement. I was debating whether or not to even attend. I mean, I didn't want to be a total downer, and I still felt fragile. But as soon as I walked in, I knew it was a good idea. The energy in the room was amazing, and the people were creative, inspiring, and fun. And I learned some amazing new things to incorporate into my blog. 

I'm taking this time to view the move to LA as a true fresh start. New beginnings. New friendships. New opportunities. After all I could dwell in past, spending everyday thinking about things I'll never see again, or I could focus on the future and making new memories. I think the former is too draining, and isn't the way I want to spend my days. My perspective has certainly changed this past week. So looking forward to sharing this new journey with you!

It's been a LONNNNG time!

So, I know I've been gone forever, but life's been kinda hectic! I'm currently in the full throws of a move down to SoCal. I could not be more excited, but I hate moving. I repeat, I hate it. I'm a bit of a collector, and my hubby is not. So it's been a lot of him donating and throwing out and me getting sentimental over stuff from my childhood. Yes, I still have the program from my high school graduation.

I'm also debating whether or not to expand the focus of my blog. I've been finding I have so many different interests, but I don't want to totally alienate people who don't want to hear about it. Ah, dilemmas.

What are your thoughts? Would you all be open to more topics other than UK? With the focus remaining the United Kingdom? I need your help!

Queen & Crumpet xoxox

Praying for England Tonight

Keeping those affected by today's tragedy and the citizens of the UK in our prayers tonight.