Busy busy in London

So on Easter morning, Frankie woke us up to a delicious fruit drink and a table decked out in the Union Jack which would be my dream table any day. After a light breakfast we sat outside in the sun in 70 degree weather chatting and waiting for guests to arrive for Easter lunch and dinner.

We had delicious lasagna and then rack of lamb, potatoes, and vegetables. Then for dessert, because it was Alex's birthday too we had chocolate cake. After dinner Alex and I ventured out in London towards Speaker's Corner, an event that happens every Sunday and I have missed every time I have visited.

Speaker's Corner was crowded but what was brilliant was that besides the main speakers on stools making their point, people were having side debates and discussions. Many of the speaker's talks were based around religion and were dressed up in some outfit to stand out. My favorite was a man dressed in a Union Jack flag and had a horn on his head. Then another funny bit was someone holding a sign that asked Prince William to marry a blond princess to represent the English population and that all future queens should be blond.

After Speaker's Corner, we walked around til we came across St James Park. I was very impressed with myself to know where we were because Alex knows her way around everything and I'm the one following her. So we walked through st St. James Park and came across the huge media section blocked off for the big day. It is insane how much media is blocked off and the windows set up around the palace is mental.

I made Alex go into the gift shop with me to get my official plate and tea towel plus postcard of their official wedding photo. After the gift shop we walked by Clarence House where the Royal Family actually chooses to live, where the princes apartments are, and where Kate and Will will live until they decide what castle or estate they want to live in.

After Clarence House. we came upon Piccadilly Circus where we took the bus home back to Frankie's.

The next morning we woke up and hit the ground running to shop. We started at Oxford St and went to Primark which had really cheap things but was more mad than Forever 21. Went to shops New Look and Uniqlo where I didn't get anything. Then I got things at H&M and Topshop which is coming to Chicago and is a big deal over here except that people have broken the store glass twice due to protests by students about the raise in price for college and raise in taxes. The store owner was part of the decision and voted for then against the bills. This Topshop is the main one and has 4 levels with a restaurant, nail and wax salon, and candy store combined. Although it is huge it is very well organized. After all the shopping we ended at Regent Street which is decked out in Union Jacks for the wedding. One of the things that was cute while shopping were windows congratulating Kate and Will on their wedding.

Around Regent Street though there is an area called Carnaby which has little shops through little streets. We had delicious pizza there and plan to return for more shopping. But seriously my goat cheese spinach and caramelized onion pizza was nothing like I ever had before. I will probably be dreaming about it forever as I do Nandos which I will be getting soon and can't wait. After a long day on our feet we arrived at Frankie's where we crashed and planned to get up at 7:45 to go to Brighton.....

Which is where we went today. One of the reasons we went to Brighton was because Alex's twin Julie - hello- studied abroad in Brighton 2 years ago. Brighton is an hour outside London and is a beach town with a pier and arcade something like they have in LA, granted I've never been but have seen pictures. Anyhow Brighton doesn't compare to LA. First the beach is all rock not sand and second Brighton let's you sit in chairs for free. The pier itself has an arcade with many carnival rides. Brighton itself as a whole likes to have fun and laugh so on the pier they have cutouts where you put your face in. All the cutouts were based on the royal wedding so I took a picture where my face was Kate and Will was my prince.

After the pier we went to really cute areas for shopping down small quaint streets. Words don't describe how cute Brighton is. When you see pictures you will see. While in Brighton we went to the Royal Pavilion which has a beautiful building and grounds to sit down. While we were at the Royal Pavilion we had shakes from Shakeaway which has a line outside all the time. They have a whole wall of candy bars to put in your shake. I had a Rochee shake which was to die for but it was hard to finish because we had just come from a wonderful Japanese restaurant. Overall Brighton is a place I would highly recommend visiting if ever coming to England.

Well I can't believe my trip's half way over. It feels like I have been here longer than I really have. Toodles

Location:London

Back in London a Year Later

So I have just arrived in London and am currently waiting for my travel buddy Alex to arrive!! At this moment you could say I am experiencing some jet lag since I pretty much slept by just resting my eyes but the flight was pretty good. No one was in the middle seat so I got to spread my legs a little more. However in flight entertainment was the Reese Withersoon chick flick "how do you know" and Conviction. Usually I wouldn't mention the inflight movie but the week I rented "How do you know", I also rented Conviction so I guess I have good pairing ideas since those were both our movies.

Once I arrived in London I heard the most precious words spoken by the flight attendant. "Welcome to London!!" Although these aren't that special of words to most people, to me it's heaven. I'm what you would say a little obsessed with the country. Love football, pop culture, artists, and the royal family which is one of the main reasons I am here. To be witness to the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William!!!! To be honest I can't believe I am here. About a year ago I went backpacking here and showed my friend Katie what an amazing place London is and now I'm here to witness an historic wedding.

Another thing that's great about London/ Europe is the arrival gate. Now in the states, the arrival gate is combined with the baggage claim however, in Europe the baggage claim is behind doors and the arrival gate has bars on both sides with people waiting for you.

One of the best ways to describe it/ give a picture is to quote one of my favorite movies Love Actually. In the beginning Huge Grant dubs over people hugging in an airport. He says along the lines of "Anytime I think of love I think of the arrival gates at Heathrow" ( well what do you know I'm there right now haha) and then he mentions 9/11 and how there were messages of love not hate. Well while he's speaking there are actual video of people arriving at Heathrow hugging and this was not taped just for the movie. No matter if you have seen the movie or not it is a great way to be treated.

People waiting behind the gate with signs and cheer and are happy. Although I didn't have anyone waiting for me it makes you feel welcomed and somewhat like a Rock Star. ( Come on when are you ever going to have people cheer for you for just arriving)

So I have to say this trip is off to a great start but then again I feel like London is a magical place. It's about the same excitement level I get for the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park. Anyway, while I wait for Alex I'm in a coffee shop drinking Earl Grey tea which is a little thing we do when we see each other. One thing they ask here when drinking coffee if it's for here or take away. Obviously I had it for here but a different way of ordering considering most of Starbucks in the states is take away.

Anyways I'll keep ya posted the best I can. It's 70s here all week which is insane since back home were in 40s/50s. We spent the day picnicking by the London eye and walking around the Thames but left just in time when we saw lightening. It overall was a perfect way to start the day. Frankie, the person were staying with is Amazing!! She's an amazing cook and I keep baffling her on my Brit culture like hosts on tv and music artists plus she's making me feel right at home.

Cheerio and Happy Easter and birthday to Julie and Alex who without you two there would be no JAM

Location:London

My Latest Obsession & The Worlds Fascination: The Royal Wedding

So it is officially April and that means at the end of the month the biggest event will be happening. THE ROYAL WEDDING between Prince William and Kate (Catherine) Middleton just in case you have been living under a rock and didn't know that was happening. They will be getting married at Westminster Abbey and Kate will be taking a car to the procession before the procession back to Buckingham Palace in the carriage. For the exact procession route check the official website (http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/tag/procession/page/1)

Things we know so far

Pipppa Middleton and Price Harry will be Maid of Honor and Best Man. Both already had stag and hen parties (equivalent to Bachelor and Bachelorette party) which were quiet.

Will will wear his military uniform and will not wear a wedding ring while Kate's dress will be revealed on the day of the wedding on the official website and her engagement ring which was Diana's will be replaces with a new ring which will be most likely have some Welsh gold incorporated into it to follow Royal tradition.

The reception will be at Buckingham Palace where on the balcony they will do the tradition kiss and be out there for 10 minutes and at the reception Paul McCartney will sing.

At the reception there will be two cakes one will be a McVittes Chocolate Biscuit Cake which is a very special royal recipe while the main cake will be an all white fruit cake with different layers incorporating Kate and Wills initials along and with flowers from each home nation Shamrock (Ireland), Thistle (Scotland), (Daffodil) Wales, and English Rose (England) in each layer.

There are designated charities the couple are asking people to contribute to instead of gifts

Announced today that after the wedding Prince William and Kate will share a suite at Clarence House with Harry because they have not decided where they will live yet. Wales is a possibility since William spends most of his time training there but Kensington Palace, St James Palace, and Buckingham Palace are all possible options. Personally I wouldn't want to have a suite shared with my husbands brother, Harry is usually off doing training but gets on splendidly with Kate. So we will have to see where they end up living

Things we don't know

Who made Kate Middleton's dress. Most will assume a British designer which Kate has been supporting lately with her latest items of clothing like her trench coat and engagement dress. No matter what it looks like it will be classy and dress many future brides will want to emulate especially since people love her style.

We do not know what title Kate or Catherine as she will be know as or Prince William will take. There is speculation William might take something associated with Scotland since that's where he met Kate or he might just keep his normal title HRH William of Wales. Kate however cannot take Diana's title of Princess of Wales because she is a commoner. So it will be interesting to see what names both will take.

Everyone who is invited. The Beckhams, Elton John, Chelsy Davy (Harry's ex) and both William and Kate will have ex's from previous relationships there too an interesting concept but everyone will have eyes on who will be entering Westminster.

Things happening around London

There will be festivals all around London and on the day of the Wedding David Cameron has made it an official holiday.

There will be a festival along the Thames and in Piccadilly and since they are expecting large crowds on the day of the event pubs will be open till the wee hours of the night. Granted most people will retire to their hotels or homes but there will be a select hundred who yes will be camping in the parks. There is even a contest for the best decked out tent.

I however will not be camping out but will have a bed to sleep in before I have to leave in the morning to come back to the states. I still do not know where I will watch the procession but most likely will be in a park watching the event on the public screens but would love to get a personal glimpse of the carriage returning to the Palace.

If your name is Kate and Will you get a free ride on the London Eye for a limited time.

Now the best thing.... THE GIFTS/ Souvenirs

Brits are known for unique take on events and the Souvenirs. Yes you can pay money to get a replica of the engagement ring or a Kate doll in her blue engagement dress or wedding dress. Then there is the tacky ones when I heard about them getting married I heard about Royal condoms but who knew about some of these