the cold days
leave dew amongst
London's spiderwebs
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Showgirls & Slayers of Harrods Swarovski Christmas Windows
This weekend while shopping for holiday gifts at Harrods, I got good look at their window display sponsored by Swarovski.
Though the name "Crystal Christmas" might bring shining bright icicles to mind, what Swarovski presents is a much darker interpretation- where the shine might just be coming from the edge of a knife.
From glittering gothic showgirls exhibited in a Ziegfeld Follies-esque tiered cake of mirrors,
to beautifully haunting scenes out of a murder-mystery.
Bejeweled birdcage songbirds appear from behind a sheer white veil,
as a python dominatrix rules the wintry forest floor.
These beautiful windows certainly stand out on the Knightsbridge storefront, seem to be themed more "The Nightmare Before..." than Holly-Jolly Christmas. In fact every child passing in front of the windows exclaimed "That woman is dead!" and "Is she killing him?! Why is she killing him!"
So fashion slaves should flock to Swarovski's wintry windows, but those looking for more of a traditional Christmas with a jolly man dressed in all white should stick to the holiday decorations of Harrods' interior.
Monday 28 November 2011
Present & Settled
There has been a blog-sized hole in my life the past two weeks, but now I have returned to fill it.
My absence has not been for some glamourous beach holiday, or some soul searching meditations.
Instead it was carefully counting up all the facts, figures and hopes of the past two years and slipping them into carefully color-coordinated and labeled plastic sleeves.
I am finally a permanent resident of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and one more step closer to my dreams.
My absence has not been for some glamourous beach holiday, or some soul searching meditations.
Instead it was carefully counting up all the facts, figures and hopes of the past two years and slipping them into carefully color-coordinated and labeled plastic sleeves.
I bundled them all up and carried them sleepy-eyed across a London sunrise to sit in a grey waiting room as an immigration officer and a computer took the story of my life and stripped it down to ticks off a checklist and a few easy sums.
An email, phone call and four cuticle-biting hours went by before "Application Number Thirty-Five please come to Window Twenty-Two" crackled over the loudspeaker, as my blue passport slipped through the extra-thick bulletproof safety drawer, complete with a shiny new crown-adorned sticker.
I am finally a permanent resident of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and one more step closer to my dreams.
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Wordless Wednesday: Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Oxford Street was full
of twinkling holiday
cheer this past weekend
Tuesday 15 November 2011
New Street Art at Portobello Market
This weekend was spent exploring Holland Park and Notting Hill. A craving for some delicious tacos at El Camino turned into a chance to see a live art show.
A collective of street artists were collaborating on a large wall.
It was amazing to see these works of art come to life in front of us...
and to witness the techniques of the artists first hand.
Though there must have been 30 people watching them work, they didn't seem to break a sweat or make a mistake. Not something I think I could do!
I am excited to go back and see the final result!
To see the art for yourself- they sit at the entrance to Ladbroke Grove Station entrance to Portobello Market (right next to the A40).
It was amazing to see these works of art come to life in front of us...
and to witness the techniques of the artists first hand.
Though there must have been 30 people watching them work, they didn't seem to break a sweat or make a mistake. Not something I think I could do!
I am excited to go back and see the final result!
To see the art for yourself- they sit at the entrance to Ladbroke Grove Station entrance to Portobello Market (right next to the A40).
Thursday 10 November 2011
Secrets of All Saints Church in Fulham
Shooting film photographs with my vintage Halina Paulette camera can be a fun way to explore the city. I put the results on my flickr.
Though I took these photos a few months ago, their creepy atmosphere goes perfectly with the facts I recently unearthed about All Saints Church in Fulham.
All Saints was used in the classic horror movie The Omen. The tower is where *spoiler alert* Father Brennan gets impaled by a lightning rod.
Yes, this is the church which filled childhood nightmares that were not about Jaws.
The cemetery is also a mix of beautiful and creepy. The foundation dates back 900 years, though the tower is from 1440 and a majority of the church was rebuilt in the 1880s.
It sits on the River Thames adjacent to Bishops Park and more than a few Bishops of London have been buried here.
Though not on the usual circuit of London churches to visit, if you love film or hauntingly beautiful places, Fulham's All Saints Church is the perfect place to visit.
Though I took these photos a few months ago, their creepy atmosphere goes perfectly with the facts I recently unearthed about All Saints Church in Fulham.
All Saints was used in the classic horror movie The Omen. The tower is where *spoiler alert* Father Brennan gets impaled by a lightning rod.
Yes, this is the church which filled childhood nightmares that were not about Jaws.
The cemetery is also a mix of beautiful and creepy. The foundation dates back 900 years, though the tower is from 1440 and a majority of the church was rebuilt in the 1880s.
It sits on the River Thames adjacent to Bishops Park and more than a few Bishops of London have been buried here.
Though not on the usual circuit of London churches to visit, if you love film or hauntingly beautiful places, Fulham's All Saints Church is the perfect place to visit.
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Wordless Wednesday: Ghost Signs of London
 |
| across from Ladbroke Grove Underground |
 |
| on Camden High St |
hidden signs like ghosts
a city's past life on top
the bricks of London
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Scenes of Cambridge in Autumn
If I had to pick anywhere else in the UK to live, it would be Cambridge. When I visited a couple weeks ago, I mentioned there was punting, but the day was also spent soaking in the town's atmosphere.
Living here, I sometimes feel desensitized to cutesy, old, famous things. Cambridge, however, always manages to impress.
With the historic stone and brick houses...
Yes, Cambridge, I really like you.
Living here, I sometimes feel desensitized to cutesy, old, famous things. Cambridge, however, always manages to impress.
With the historic stone and brick houses...
The collegiate autumnal feel of campuses covered in fallen leaves...
The cute shopfronts with hand painted signs...
The winding twisting roads...
The ubiquitous push bikes with wicker baskets blocking every path...
The road signs from 1857...
Yes, Cambridge, I really like you.
Monday 7 November 2011
Harrods Crystal Christmas Decorations
This weekend's chilly grey weather got me thinking it was the Christmas season.
With only 7 weeks left until the day and 5 more weeks until our holiday vacation, it nearly is!
Yesterday we took a tour around London to see the best Christmas displays. Normally Fortnum & Mason is our favorite, but Harrods really impressed this year.
Don't worry, there are plenty of traditional decorations peppered throughout the Christmas shop.
With no Thanksgiving to look forward to here, I find myself getting excited about Christmas extra early. Are you excited for the holiday season yet?
With only 7 weeks left until the day and 5 more weeks until our holiday vacation, it nearly is!
Yesterday we took a tour around London to see the best Christmas displays. Normally Fortnum & Mason is our favorite, but Harrods really impressed this year.
Every year the store picks a different theme for the decorations and window displays. This year was Crystal Christmas as the windows, which deserve a post of their own, were presented by Swarovski.
Don't worry, there are plenty of traditional decorations peppered throughout the Christmas shop.
With no Thanksgiving to look forward to here, I find myself getting excited about Christmas extra early. Are you excited for the holiday season yet?
Friday 4 November 2011
Beetle Juice! Models Own's Newest Nail Range
It was my husbands birthday yesterday but today felt like my birthday when a deliveryman brought me a package containing the item I have been coveting for a month: the all-new Beetle Juice Golden Green nail polish (or varnish, in British English).
About 30 seconds after I ripped open the ASOS box (did you know they
have free shipping?) I started painting my nails, which had been
stripped of color the day before in anticipation.
It took two coats to get the opaque color. On the nail it appears a refective yellow-green, which when hits with sunlight, shimmers with gold. Also depending on the light, the Golden Green can seem like a dark blue-green, which would be a nice color all on its own.
The verdict? While I do like this color, and will re-wear it, I was hoping for it to be a darker deeper green gold like the Butter London's Wallis.
(Aside: Why do they add London to their name if it is so gosh darn hard to get their products here?! )
With their facebook and media coverage, plus the countdown clock for theTuesday morning web release, Models Own had a definite smash hit opening for this range, having all the British fashonistas screaming "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle Juice!".
Pinky Brown and their Box Set of the range have already sold out (in one day!) but you can order the other BeetleJuice colors on the Models Own website.
What do you think of this range?
Thursday 3 November 2011
Fall punting in Cambridge
Though I travel to Cambridge once a month for business, I never get the chance to be a tourist. Having a friend in town is the perfect excuse to try out all the fun things I sometimes put off.
Two weeks ago I went punting in Cambridge for the very first time!
I have always thought of punting as a summer pastime, but a crisp autumn day is the perfect weather for sitting underneath a cozy blanket for a peaceful ride along the river Cam.
The river is especially nice this time of year, since there are virtually no tourists and you have the river to yourself. As a bonus the slow days can mean the punting companies will offer generous discounts on tickets.
Cam sits in between a few of the historical colleges of Cambridge, so punting offers you a unique view of St Johns, Trinity, Kings and Queens Colleges.
The bridges:
I am dissapointed that I have waited 2 years to go punting in Cambridge and after this fun experience I can not wait to do it again.
The only thing I would change? Next time, I will definitely be bringing some mulled wine for a fall punting session. Or maybe champagne in the summer!
Two weeks ago I went punting in Cambridge for the very first time!
Some of you might be wondering what exactly is punting?
It is a lot like a gondola ride, where you sit in low, flat boats and a "punter" stands and uses a long stick to push you along the river.
 |
| with our tour guide Frank |
I have always thought of punting as a summer pastime, but a crisp autumn day is the perfect weather for sitting underneath a cozy blanket for a peaceful ride along the river Cam.
The river is especially nice this time of year, since there are virtually no tourists and you have the river to yourself. As a bonus the slow days can mean the punting companies will offer generous discounts on tickets.
Cam sits in between a few of the historical colleges of Cambridge, so punting offers you a unique view of St Johns, Trinity, Kings and Queens Colleges.
The bridges:
 |
| oldest bridge on the Cam |
 |
| The Bridge of Sighs |
The wildlife:
The scenery:
The only thing I would change? Next time, I will definitely be bringing some mulled wine for a fall punting session. Or maybe champagne in the summer!
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