Monthly Archives: May 2015

Fresh Eats!

31 Sunday May 2015

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I’m an organic person. Call me crazy but I can tell the difference (and my stomach most certainly can) when I eat something organic vs non organic. I spent a week at the Mayo Clinic for my fibromyalgia and attended their organic diet classes and learned so much, so I don’t have much tolerance when people tell me there is not a difference. Today we went to the food market on the street. All local grown. I was in heaven. We started the day out “fresh” and for the items that were freshly baked, I didn’t say I don’t eat fresh baked pastries!!!! I love fresh baked pastries. I ate fresh!!!!

                              

Doors 

31 Sunday May 2015

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I have an obsession with doors. I always have had this obsession, especially when I’m in England. I can remember as a little girl having the huge wooden door with large glass on it and having my mom repaint it when it began to be dull. I remember when in the 70’s “antiquing” furniture became popular and my mom did a green antique finish on our door! Once I was grown I’ve always had black glossy traditional doors.  Go outside to your door. Shut it. Then ring your doorbell. Stand and wait. Look around. Wait. This is what people see and study when they come to your door! Are you happy with what you see? People notice things you don’t because you see things everyday!!   Slap some fresh paint on your front door. Sit a planter out there and put something green in that planter. Make the area welcoming. Make it inviting. Love your door. And you’ll love what happens once you open your door! Below is a pic of my front door (with my sweet boy Norman). The rest of the photos are photos of doors I’ve seen while on this trip. You never know what goes on “behind closed doors!”

                                  

Notting Hill…  And I’m Not Talking About The Movie!

30 Saturday May 2015

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Okay so here’s the deal. When someone says to me “oh, you’re named after the movie” I know right away they aren’t familiar with London, or even England for that matter! Notting Hill is an area in London that’s very famous for its Portobello Market.  In fact they’re celebrating 150 years of the market! It’s a long walk from the tube but worth the sore feet you’ll have afterwards. It starts with a street that’s soooooo long.  It goes on for blocks.

The first area is antiques. I buy from several of the dealers. Their prices are “pricey”. Then there is a good area, a junkie tourist area ( I admit I’m a sucker for this area at times) then a good area and then the good junk area. (Lots of different areas!!)

 I bought a real vintage Chanel scarf today for 95.00!! (It’s a $500.00 scarf.) But you have to know how to tell the difference between authentic and fake. Luckily God gave me that talent! Tomorrow I will share more photos of the day. I’m just worn out from walking and need a nightcap. It was a busy day at Notting Hill… The place not the movie!!

Smelling The Roses

29 Friday May 2015

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I keep fresh flowers in my home weekly. It’s because living close to a Whole Foods Market makes it affordable to grab a dozen tulips or hydrangeas a week for $9.99. I mean that’s a lunch somewhere (really less!) and I figure I deserve it too. Our house deserves it as well. I’ve come to the conclusion that the English treat themselves to things more than we do. And the reason?? Easy access. The English walk everywhere.  We don’t. It takes effort to pull into a florist or a chocolate store, find a parking place and then go in and fight traffic to get home. The English (lots of them) take the tube, bus, or walk home from work. They walk to restaurants. And on every corner there’s fresh flower markets and chocolate shops. So why not grab something along the way. We need to take time as Americans to “smell the roses!”

                    

Selfridges—It’s Not Like What You See On TV!

29 Friday May 2015

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I’m a fan of the BBC America show The Selfridges just because I love the history of the store. I love it more than Harrods and avoid Harrods due to it being such a tourist place. Remember, I hate crowds! I love shopping in the “handbag” area. This time as I entered I just kept visualizing how this place use to be during the years when it was just making a name for itself. For those of you that don’t watch the show you have no idea what im talking about. To think one entire area was dedicated to selling tea, hats, hankies etc. I love those days!      

It’s truly been renovated with all modern aspects but I really wish I could have ridden the elevator with the guy in the hat and suit like on TV and told him “ladies apparel please”. The fine liquor and wine area is one of the finest around. And the watch department. Their watch area makes my rolexes look like they are just awful. I’m posting a few pictures. Please make note the prices are in british pounds and not american dollars. So almost double the price to see what our cost would be. Didn’t purchase a watch. Not this “time.”

               Amazing isn’t it?? And yes people were buying tons!!! Here’s a pic of the “tasting area.” Pay your fee and try the scotches and wines. Had to drag my husband away from this area!

  

Rules Rules!

29 Friday May 2015

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if you’re ever in London, a place one must visit/dine is Rules, the oldest restaurant in London with so much authentic English decor even I get overwhelmed. A lot looks like my own home. Be prepared to eat “game.” It’s their specialty. (It’s not mine!) Their dress code has changed and it’s no longer jackets required but after seeing some of the people dining they should go back to their policy. But no shorts are allowed so at least they still have a few “rules” to follow. Visit Rules website HERE. You’ll learn more history! Oh and it’s refreshing to sit in a restaurant and they know the proper way of having salt at the table .

                

London

28 Thursday May 2015

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We never stay long in London. We head out to the countryside but I’ve been craving London for a while so we decided to stay here for a while. I met up with my sweet friend Caroline who’s the talent behind all the English handmade jewelry at my store.  Dinner in Covent Garden, Hyde Park run the next morning, St James Park nap, lunch at Clarence House by Parliament Square and a stroll by Buckingham Palace. Something was in the works at the palace; a huge party by the looks of it. Everyone was rolling out of their “rolls” and in their best attire. I guess the Queen forgot to mail my invitation!

                                              

Regent’s Park Run 

27 Wednesday May 2015

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We were soooooo jet lagged if that’s even a word so we slept in… we then awoke with no agenda which is soooo rare and headed out for a run. I wanted to experience the Regent’s Park area so after a soft drink in Primrose Hill we were off. They were replanting all of regents park so I talked to many of the crew about their choices of plants. Learned a lot. Wearing a Tulsa shirt. ( where I went to college) got me much attention. Two people said, “hey you’re from oklahoma!!!). Well yes I am!!!

                 I love chocolate pastries.  I have them every day!!!

Arrived!  Feel like I’m home!

26 Tuesday May 2015

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We arrived after a long trip which is a long story due to delays in the weather. Which of course due to me already terrified of flying and hearing the words “bad weather” then hearing on CNN at the airport of many threats of aircrafts I was a mess. Let’s just say not enough pills nor drinks to fix my nerves. Anyway we arrived and seeing the fresh flower markets in Kensington and Chelsea always make me smile.

  

Plane Attire 

25 Monday May 2015

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The world seems to have become lazier and lazier when traveling. Wearing pajama bottoms on the plane isn’t something I enjoy seeing. I sometimes wish I had lived in years past when everyone took pride in their attire for hopping on a plane. While I like to be comfortable I also don’t want to look like I rolled out of bed. Today I am

  hopping on the plane with a sweatshirt. Yes I said sweatshirt. But i paired it with a long black jersey skirt and cork wedges along with my signature pearls. I call this comfy classic! Wrinkle free, loads of bracelets and a pony tail holder for later.  Ready set go!