England ~ Part 2

  I love days like yesterday, days where the weather gives me the best of both worlds.  The morning had gorgeous blue skies, perfectly (& unusually) warm.  A  windows down, music up kind of day.  Then this afternoon took me back to England with sudden storms.  The smell of the air after the rain falls evokes childhood memories of running for shelter as we played outside or the miserable times I forgot my umbrella & had to walk home from school soaking wet.

England often gets a bad wrap for its weather, however it gives the little country character & in Spring it gives us this:

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Beautiful Green Grass & bright yellow daffodils are always a sign Spring is here. 

Then in late April come's the stunning periwinkle forests filed with Bluebell's.

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I was lucky enough to live near a small wooded area filed with these beauty's. I remember running through them with no cares in the world!  Ah to be a kid again.  

Hope you all enjoyed your first day of Spring!  I am so glad it time for cute shoes & dresses!  

England ~ Part One

That's me age eight stuffing my face on holiday.  How amazing was my shell suit?? & that headband? Fabulous!  Clearly I have always been fashionable!!

When I saw this picture today I realized I haven't really talked about my life in England much.  Which is a shame because England has a huge part of my heart & makes me feel complete.  From now on I am dedicating Wednesdays posts to England.  Whether it is about my life there, favorite places, foods or tips for travelers, I want to give you a glimpse in something I love so much.

To catch you up I was born in England & moved to America at 17 when my Step Dad got a job over here.  At first I thought brilliant, it will be just like the movies. NYC, LA, Florida.  Ummm then we moved to Roanoke VA, the middle of nowhere.  Ok, the middle of nowhere is dramatic but it really felt like that for the first few years.  Yes, I came from a small village but I was only a short train ride away from towns & major cities.  Here it is a four hours drive to D.C & back then, four hours was a lifetime in the car.

So the move was not so much the American Dream that this girl wanted. I mean who didn't want live Cher's life after watching Clueless??  The closest was genius for 1994!!  

* holiday = vacation

* Shell suit = leisure suit

* chocolate all over your face is acceptable right?

I pledge allegiance

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This Wednesday I head to D.C. to complete my citizenship test, it is such a long time coming.  13 1/2r yrs to be exact.  I had a hard time leaving my life, friends & comfort zone to move here where honestly I have never 100 % felt complete.  However, I have had a great life here & look back on those years & can't help but be thankful for the opportunities that this country has given me.  I do wish sometimes I was not insecure in my twenties had taken full advantage of those options.  I am excited to know I that in the near future I can truly call both England & America home.

I hope you all had a great Presidents Day yesterday, perfect day to study American Civics for the test.  Now if only I could remember how many states there are?  Oh god now I'm nervous!!

P.S You can take the Citizenship test here.  Let me know if you would pass :)

Snail Mail

As outdated as snail mail is it's so lovely to receive a hand written letter or package, luckily I have some amazing people in my life who pop little treats in the post for me. I however am the worst at responding. I have the best intentions & ideas but with my jobs I never get around to it.

Recently, I found an old box full of letters from friends in England sent after I moved to America.  Reading those letters flooded my mind of memories & emotions. Then I discovered letters that had never been opened. They had been stored while in College & never seen until now!! Ridiculous I tell you ridiculous!  Only would this happen in my life!

Reading them was so bitter sweet. I was extremely thankful for the sweet notes from people I love & miss yet I am upset that I never read or responded to them.  For many reasons; work, money, greencards & visa processing, I have not been able to spend a lot of time in England over the years & it has broken down my friendships. I can’t help but think that if I had spent more time communicating through letters in the pre-facebook world that we would still be close friends today.

The letters made it more apparent to me that I have placed importance on the wrong things in life like work, which lets be honest that hasn't got me where I want to be in life.  My choices clearly have held be back.  As I continue to create a life of intention friendship has to be at the top of the list.  I need to spend more time reaching out even if it’s been years since I have seen someone & actively following through. I may have the best intentions to send a note/text/call/visit but how does that person know I care if I never follow through?  I know part of the distance is insecurity that the friendship will not be the same & that I am not happy with where I am in life, but the longer I wait the more awkward it becomes. 

ok moving on! I'll stop the "im feeling sorry for myself" part & onto something superficial, cause superficial is more fun.  Writing letters means I definitely need new stationary! Which one do you like best?

You all know I love some glitter so the Jess LC ones are perfect & I love the elegance & humor in the "holla back yo" lol

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Im Pinning again

This week I haven't had much time to spend on Pinterest, which is probably a good thing.  I have beeen crazy busy at both jobs & have been on the hunt for gifts in between.  All while missing England like crazy, as I always do during the holidays.  However I did manage to find some NYE dress & make up inspirations, a cute nail idea & a fab idea for all those vacation memories.

I can't wait to Get Crafty & empty the some of my boxes full of travel memories.  I think the frames would look great mixed in with photographs on a gallery wall.  I also am dying over the dress, I doubt I will find anything like this in Roanoke but I might find time to glam up a LBD I have at home with some rhinestones.   

What fab things have you found on Pinterest lately?

Bangles

I have a million bracelets & rarely go a day without one, recently I have been looking for a few statement pieces for the winter to pair with some thinner pieces I have. 

When browsing Beso I found this adorable City Lights Bracelet & fell in Love again with the London calling bracelet.

I am always missing home at this time of year.  There is nothing like getting in the holiday spirit shopping in Manchester & London with the cool air, markets & Christmas lights everywhere.  These bracelets embody those memories & would be a perfect pop of color for layering.

A present for myself??

Busy busy bee

Ever since the blogger issues a few weeks ago I haven't been motivated to write any blogs.  Its not because I haven't had plenty to say, I've just been so busy I haven't taken the time to put my thoughts onto paper online.

So whats keeping me so busy you ask? Well a number of things, of course work which we won't talk about because its extra boring. Ill bullet otherwise this could be a really long post :)

* Weddings ~ In 2011 about 8 of my friends are getting married and three of them were in the last Month.  So with weddings comes shopping for dresses, gifts, cards, shoes. Congrats Jamie & Caleb, Jess & Chris and Kayla & Fredy!

*England ~ I have been spending a lot of my time online looking for flights, hotels, contacting friends so I can finalize the details of my big trip home.  I am excited to say things are coming together.  Ill be home on August 28th for 3 weeds YAY.  The first week I will spend in my hometown with family, visiting friends and some of my favorite places from childhood.  Oh and of course my childhood best friend, Andrea's Wedding.  Then on Sept 8th, my best friend Kristin is flying over to do a bit of sight seeing. We are going to visit York and London then off to Guernsey to see Lucy get married.

*Stella ~ I am in a rut with the jewelry business.  I have had some great feedback, advice and opportunities recently but feel like I'm stopping short and can't figure out what I need to get to the next step.  Sometimes I know what needs to be done but my execution falls short.  Frustrating BUT I do have some good updates.  Stella Jewelry is now being carried in Rocky Mount, Va at the Rocky Mount Center for the Arts & The Grainery, they have great art and glass blowing on site.  I recommend anyone stopping by if they are in the area.  Also we are going to be part of the Bella Womens Luncheon & Evening Social ~ Roanoke ladies get your tickets its going be a great event.

I just made these and think I need to keep them :)

*Memorial Day ~  In addition to working a lot over the holiday weekend at my fun job.  I spent a few hours baking, decorating and delivering cupcakes, brownies, candy and thank you notes to the Veterans at the VA Hospital.  It was great to get together with my co-workers and hopefully brighten a soldiers day.

*In addition to everything else I have also have birthdays, helping with my Mums store, extra hours at the PT Fun job, everyday errands and just trying to take some time for me, which doesn't really ever work out well. 

So I'm back to blogging and have some posts in mind already hopefully you will enjoy them.

*Friendships ~ broad topic I know :)

*Travel ~ I have a couple of posts about places Ive been and dream of going.

*Understanding ~ I really think understanding is the key to all aspects of life.

*Meet my friends ~ I have some really talented friends to talk about.

*My Birch Box ~ Beauty related posts from my Birch Box samples.

Travel Thursday

Plans for the big trip to the motherland are coming together very nicely.  So in 4 months you will find me being an obnoxious tourist doing this.....

and knowing me I will have to take a number of re-takes cause I'm never happy with my hair in pictures lol!!

tis' the season: Royal Addition

I'm back to blog about the wedding again.  In my last post at around 6am Catherine was just entering her car. 

I have to say I am rather proud for calling the style of her dress before seeing it.  Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen did an amazing job on not one but two stunning gowns for the future Queen of England.

A departure from Burton's normal aesthetic for McQueen, I love how she captured the new Duchess of Cambridge's personal style.  From the lace to the impeccable fitting, the cinched waist and v neck you cannot deny the gown exudes Catherine's style. The handmade gorgeous and delicate lace was not only appropriate for a Royal Wedding dress but so feminine and a nod to the timeless style of Grace Kelly's dress.

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This has to be my favorite part of the wedding.  They left in a Vintage Aston Martin which Prince Charles converted to use green fuel.  Covered in balloons and the classic British Learning red L on the front.  I love how the Prince driving, they seem so normal or as normal as Royalty can be. 

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and at the end of the day I think I found my wedding dress.  All I can sat is this is perfection.  The perfect neckline, the perfect fabric, perfect crystals.

 I would not be shocked if more girls copy this gown that her actual wedding dress. Its a more easily accessible style to recreate and is sure to be readily available soon.

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I am NOT smarter than a 5th grader!

In England Pub Quizzes are a staple in most local drinking establishments.  My Mum and Dad used to go every Monday when I was little.  Since I moved here when I was 17 I never had the opportunity to join in on the quizzes but LOVE trivia, I might suck but I love it.

Well my friends told me about Quiz night at a local Irish bar here in Roanoke and invited me to join them yesterday.  I knew I wouldn’t be much of an asset to the team but thought it would be fun anyway.  I think I’m a person of average intelligence but didn’t know a lot of the answers ugh.  I know a lot of random facts but few things relevant to this quiz!

Here are some of the questions:

Name all Seven Men’s and Women’s Olympic Gymnastics competitions. Um what? I have no clue, I get bored watching the Olympics and I’m obviously not into sports unless its soccer and then it has to involve either David Beckham, Manchester United or England! lol.

Name all the main characters on the Addams Family. Not so bad, I did dress up as Wednesday for Halloween once.

How many steps are in Big Ben? Ah a question about England, I should know it right? Of course not! I don’t think anyone is even allowed up there! I guessed 235 but it’s really 334! So remember to place that little fact in your random knowledge folder incase someone asks you lol

However I did get this question right!!

Whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta? LADY GAGA of course J Paws up little Monsters lol

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Anyway, it was a fun night and hopefully ill go again and study before hand J

Off to Atlanta this weekend to shop for Stella Jewelry and enjoy some Southern Hospitality!  Hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather.  I can’t wait for Spring!

Spread some love

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Happy Valentines Day!!

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around" ~ Prime Minster (Hugh Grant, Love Actually")

I hope everyone has had a great day filled with Love!! 

I know many people place a big emphasis on Vday and other despise the day, I personally don't have much opinion on the day regardless of my relationship status.

I do however think we shouldn't wait until February 14th to spread the love around.  We should always make sure people know we care no matter what.

My favorite "romantic" movie is Love Actually, one its British and I love British humor :) and two it has lots of great stories about different types of love and that if you look around you can find love all over.

The Motherland

I haven't been back to England since 2006.  I can't believe its been that long, working 9-5 in the corporate world kind of messed me up when it comes to gallivanting all over the country/world.  Not because I don't get time off but its a lot harder to take a few weeks together with my job now as it was when I was younger.   Anyway I digress, this summer I am going home for 3 weeks and I cannot wait!! I feel complete when I am home! I love living in America most of the time but there is just a sense of belonging when I go home that I don't have here.

A few reasons I am counting the days until I'm home:

1.  I get to see my childhood best friend get married!

2.  Catching up with long lost friends.

3.  Real Fish and Chips!

4.  I get to see my family!

5.  Going to a Pub, there is something about a Pub that no bar here has.

6.  Shopping in Manchester ~ I miss shopping there, the mall in Roanoke just doesn't cut it.

7.  Childhood memories ~ visiting places that I loved when I was little is always a good feeling.

8.  London ~ some friends from here are meeting up with me to visit London.  I can't wait to show them why I love my motherland :)  The museums, palaces, stores, restaurants, clubs.  I can't wait.

9.  English Chocolate and candy!

10.  Having my accent back for a few weeks lol.

 * 10 over the last 12 yrs my accent has almost disappeared. Unless I'm with my family, upset or maybe a little tipsy.   Some of this is on purpose, my job requires me to talk a lot and its really annoying when people say you talk to fast, I don't understand you or make fun of the way you say can't.  So I try to slow it down, use American words like soda instead of pop.  Unfortunately, I can't change the way I say CAN'T and many people think I'm saying "c*nt* lol 

            *yourlocalweb.co.uk

The manor above is Astley Hall, it is now a museum on the edge of my old Village.  I have visited the Hall probably hundred's of time.  When I was eight I had my Ballet pictures taken there, my mum used to hold events their and my friends I walked past it everyday walking to and from school.  This place is not the most exciting place in the world but I have great memories and it is full of history from hundreds of years ago.  They have a shoe that Oliver Cromwell left there when he was travelling and they filmed Moll Flanders their when I was in High School. 

Keep Calm and Carry on

I love the Keep Calm and Carry On posters from England during WW2, what a great rule to live by.  I have seen these posters all over recently in different colors and with different plays on words.  I want one, but don't really want to spend $40 price tag I've seen at local stores.  So after becoming a little addicted to craft blogs I was inspired to create one of my own. 

Simply enough right? Well no because I can't find a silloette of the right crown to use.  So I became inspired by blogs again to play with the words a little and came up with this one: Keep Calm and Shop On.  Cute huh? I think so, who doesn't love some retail therapy when they are stressed. 

Let me know what you guys think?  I love the almost Tiffany Blue color!

30 before 30

So I wrote my 30 before 30 quite sometime ago so now I have a blog I found it fitting to post it.  I thought it would be easy to find 30 things I want to do but I was wrong, creating a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30 was tough. 


I can’t believe how fast my 20’s have flown by, for the most part they were pretty amazing but I have realized that I left work control my life and that’s not how I ever pictured things to be. Starting today I will still work hard but I will play harder and enjoy everything. I have been given a great life with amazing people and that is more important that my work life ever will be.


I may change some of these in the next week but for now this is my list.


1. I want to start my blog! So done :) lol I’m not crossing this one off until I have been consistently updating the blog throughout the year.


2. Visit my friends all over England ~ Going in August for my childhood best friends wedding!


3. Visit my old friends.

4. Take a Photography class.


5. Update by blog with my photography fails and successes.


6. Take French again and remember it this time.

7. To fully Launch Stella Jewelry. They say find something you love and you will never feel like its work. I truly love making jewelry and hope this can be my career sooner than later.


8. To stick it out with college classes, college isn't for me but I now know its something I want to complete.


9. Actually read and enjoy a fiction novel. I am not a huge reader unless it’s some juicy celeb gossip online so I would love to actually make my way though a book and enjoy it.


10. I danced from the time I was 2-17 and then I moved to America and never danced again. I am not sure why I decided not to start again but it’s something I regret so before I am 30 I vow to at least take one dance class. Probably hip hop, those routines are always by favorite on SYTYCD. ~ thinking about taking Zumba now.

11. Take my Mum to a SYTYCD show, she’s obsessed with the show and I know to see them in person would bring her such joy ~ Took my mum for her birthday it was soo fun!


12. To send a celebrity my Jewelry :) hopefully they I will spot it on one of my gossip sites :)


13. To visit Salem, MA in the fall.


14. To actually rest and relax on a vacation.


15. Make cupcakes from scratch and learn to decorate them like a professional.


16. Send all my out of town friends a letter through snail mail. Who doesn’t love something in the mail that’s not a bill or junk mail :)


17. Clear out my closets and donate anything I do not need.


18. To organize all photographs and scrap books.


19. Go to a tech game.


20. Take a ghost/historic tour in Va.

21. To not eat fast food for a week, actually a month!


22. Run my mums shop for a week so her and my Dad can have a relaxing vacation together.


23. Take a trip where I don’t have to plan a thing. I am always the planner or in charge of things and it can become stressful when more than two people are involved. So I would love to just take a trip someone else has organized.


24. Take a silver smith class.


25. Stop procrastinating things.


26. This is getting tougher :) ok this one is simple enough wake up early on the weekends and take a stroll through the farmers market or downtown. Photograph this experience as I am not a morning person.


27. Workout more than once a week.

28. To find another store (other than my Mums amazing shop) to carry our jewelry.


29. To enjoy every minute of my last 10 months of my 20’s and not stress the 30s.


30. Have an amazing 30th birthday party :)
 
I hope my friends and family will enjoy this trip with me and be a part of my 30 before 30!
 

a spot of tea...

I am not sure how to start out my blog,  I have so many ideas of things I would love to write about, from fashion to travelling to memories. I have a feeling my blog is going to be quite random.  I will start of with a little about me.

First off you should know that I actually don't like tea at all but thought the name was cute for a blog.  I know weird, I'm British and don't like tea. 

So you already know I am British, what else?  Well I have lived in America since I was 17.  I am a 90's Pop Child who will always have love for the Spice Girls.  I am a fashionista wannabe, who can't bring herself to be daring with clothes!  I am an amateur make up artist, which means I buy lots of make up and sometimes practice on friends :).  I work in the corporate world and dream of my handmade jewelry making me millions, positive thinking works right? I am a part time traveller, wannabe jet setter.  A Bravo reality TV show junkie, candy lover, coca-cola addict.  I have champagne taste with a beer budget.  I am random thinker and self proclaimed detective.  I am possibly a social media addict, and cannot be without my phone, isn't that sad? I am shy and insecure at time and other outgoing and confident.  I know who I am or should say who I want to be and am ready to work on myself and my life to be the best friend, sister and daughter I can be.

YAY I've actually started my blog! 

Roxy xoxox