A ROYAL WEDDING

Today is the big day. Kate Middleton is about to marry Prince William. My mom found this adorable print of the processional map of the Royal Wedding and I just had to share it! What a great memento from this historical day.

{image via House That Lars Built}

WEDDING WEDNESDAY: BRITISH HATS

With the Royal Wedding only weeks away, I couldn't help but be inspired by one of the most iconic fashion items at a British wedding: the hat. Although hats may not be a requirement on the Royal Wedding invite, we know Kate Middleton is a huge fan. It's a time honored way of simply having a bit of fun. After doing some research, I can understand how much can be read by looking at a hat. Some of them are literally breathtaking works of art.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N.

{images via Rachel Trevor Morgan, Vivian Sheriff, Jane Taylor Millinery, BBC News}

A ROYAL WEDDING

In case you've been living under a rock, The Royal Wedding is on April 29th. I friend of mine had a great idea to throw a party and get dressed up in wedding dresses to watch the big event. I'll actually be out of London that weekend, but will for sure be catching all of the action on TV. What are all of you planning to do on the big day?

{British Cupcake Kit, Kate and Will Tea Bags, It Should Have Been Me Plate, Kate and Wills Gloves, Union Jack Pop Champagne, Crown Cookie Cutter, Royal Corgi Kate and William Tea Towel}

LONDON GUIDE: MARYLEBONE FOR FOODIES

Although London might not have the best reputation for food, I can promise you that things are changing.  There are a lot of great neighborhoods in London, but after having spent the past year exploring Marylebone High Street, I can tell you that this is where the foodies are hanging out. From great restaurants, speciality food shops, cooking schools and a Sunday farmers' market, Marylebone has it going on. 

Speciality Shops: 

•Chocolate- Rococo Chocolates is an adorable little shop with some of most delicious handmade chocolates in London.

•Fishmonger- The fishmonger Fish Works also has a restaurant and cookery school.

•Cheese- With a great cafe, shop and hundreds of types of cheese, La Fromagerie is definitely worth a stop!

•Butcher- The Ginger Pig sells some of the highest quality meat around, and if you're interested, they have butchery classes as well.

Cafe/Restaurants:

•Tapas- The Providores is hands down one of the best restaurants around!

•Fish + Chips- The Golden Hind is an institution in and of itself. Started in 1914, this restaurant has some of the best fish n'chips in the area.

•Steak- Le Relais de Venise doesn't take reservations and doesn't even have a menu. You simply tell your waiter how you'd like your steak cooked and you are presented with a delicious steak and frites.

•Organic/Artisan Cafe- The Natural Kitchen offers fresh seasonal food to eat in their restaurant or to take-away. 

•Italian Cafe- Cocorino is a delicious hole in the wall Italian cafe + gelatoria.

Pubs/Bars:

•Coco Momo Cafe Bar is a charming little corner place to stop and have a glass of wine or cocktail.

•Marylebone Tup, a cute place to grab a drink.

•Purl is a personal favorite. This underground speak-easy requires reservations and has some of the most interesting cocktails around.

Cooking Schools:

•Le Cordon Bleu, one of the most reputable culinary institutions in the world, offers 3-9 month long courses.

•Divertimenti has daily and evening classes along with a great kitchenware shop.

• La Cucina Caldesi is a charming little Italian cooking school.

Farmers' Market

•Marylebone hosts a Farmers' Market every Sunday from 10am-2pm at the Crammer Street Car Park. With over 40 stalls of locally grown produce, your tummy will be singing its praises all week.

{photos by Julia Ferguson of Room for Dessert}

GET YOUR PLAID ON

Tonight I'm headed out for a night of traditional Scottish dancing, which I'm sure I'll love, and traditional Scottish food, which I'm sure I'll hate. As much as I love food, haggis, neeps and tatties are not on my list of favorites. The reason for this outing? Burns Night, an evening of celebration for the poet, Robert Burns. Although I'd never heard of it before, it is apparently a big thing here. Every year on his birthday, Scots and ex-pats honor Burns' memory by eating, drinking and dancing. Should be fun.

{images via Pendleton, Billykirk, Pendleton}

BELLOCQ TEA

In a nation obsessed with tea, it's no wonder England is home to some of the best in the world. I've always been a tea person, but it wasn't until I got to London that tea became a near obsession. My new favorite: Bellocq Tea Atelier. This absolutely beautiful tea shop on Kings Road offers the finest hand-crafted signature tea blends including white peony, Afghani chai (organic Indian black tea with poppy flowers and spices), Siam basil lemongrass, and charleston (organic black tea, organic red poppy petals, chamolile, lavender and blue cornflower petals). If you're in the area, you have to stop by this shop and pick up some for yourself. If you're not in London, you must order some online.

{photos via Bellocq}

CHEERIO

Goodbye USA. It's been great! I'm going to miss you for sure, but I'm heading back to London for my final term at Le Cordon Bleu. I've made a little list of things I will miss most about you (in no particular order)...

20. Not having to use words like...
-'loo roll' (translation: toilet paper)
-'cocktail stick' (translation: toothpicks)
-'rubbish bin' (translation: trash can)
-'snogging' (translation: making out)
-'bangers and mash' (translation: pork sausage and mashed potatoes)
-'pickled cucumbers' or 'gherkins' (translation: pickles... try asking for a pickle and they'll ask you "pickled what?")
-'trousers' (translation: pants, and 'pants' means 'under where' which can get you in a lot of trouble when you forget to translate)
-'rubber' (translation: eraser, also a dangerous one if used incorrectly)

19. Good customer service

18. Brunch-ing

17. Chocolate chips

16. Dryers (as is washer + dryer)

15. Driving on the right side of the road (actually I miss driving in general)

14. A good burger

13. Wearing flip-flops all year round

12. Bagels

11. Online banking

10. Toilet seat covers

9. Good affordable food

8. Pretty wrapping paper and ribbon that are easy to find

7. 24-hour supermarkets

6. Hulu

5. Sunshine + clear skies

4. Being outdoors

3. Good Mexican food

2. The beach (and I mean with warmth and sand)

1. My Friends + Family

{image via Happiness Is...}

DAUNT BOOKS

My favorite new place in London is Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street. The shop is absolutely gorgeous with beautiful high ceilings and natural light. Books are arranged by country so if you are traveling to Spain, for example, you can pick up not only Spanish dictionaries and guidebooks, but books that take place in Spain, history books and anything relevant to that particular place. You could spend hours getting lost in the floors of books here, which is exactly what I plan to do this afternoon.

{photos via unknown}

RAINY DAY

This fall has been relatively dry but this morning I woke to torrential rain. I am not looking forward to being outside today! I've been eyeing these beautiful James Smith & Sons umbrellas. This family run business has a shop not far from our flat. They make each umbrella by hand and have been doing so since 1830.

{photo via urban 75}

SOMERSET HOUSE

One of my favorite spots in London is Somerset House. Not only is it beautiful, it is also home to galleries, outdoor music and film series in the summer, good food, and an ice rink in the winter.  It's one of those places that you feel luck to be in. You step off the busy street and find yourself transported back in time. It's like your presence there is simply a moment in history and that this impressive building has seen a lot in its time. It is definitely a special place to check out, especially in the winter for ice skating. 

{photos: Julia Ferguson at Room for Dessert. Summer and Winter shots of Somerset House}

LONDON'S BIKE SHARE PROGRAM

A few weeks ago, London started the new bike share program Barclays Cycle Hire.  You can use a bike once (free for 30 minutes or pay by the hour) or become a member for only £45 a year.  Over 400 docking stations are all over the city.  You take a ride, go where you like, and then return it at any docking station throughout the city.  Thank you London for being such a cool city!

{photo via Transport for London}

PIERRE HERMÉ

The Macaroon.  It has become quite an obsession.  One, I have to admit, that I didn't understand.  That was until I tried a Pierre Hermé macaroon yesterday afternoon.  Oh my god.  It is like heaven melting in your mouth.  The light fluffy texture accompanied with a soft explosion of flavor is euphoric; there is simply no other way to describe it.  With dozens of flavors such as Jasmine, Apricot and Pistachio, Milk Chocolate and Coconut, Coffee, Caramel and Fleur de Sel, and my personal favorite Rose, your taste buds will be dancing with delight.  Although he only has shops in France, Tokyo and London (there's a counter at Selfridges on Bond Street), his famous macaroons are also available online, so do not fret!

{photos via The Selby and Robyn Lee}

POLO IN SURREY

I recently attended a polo match in Surrey, West Sussex to be exact, which is about an hour and a half south west of London.  Polo, I learned, is one of the oldest recorded games in the world, dating back to about 600 B.C.  I was surprised by how exciting the game was, especially in the final chukka (round).  After the game and a long day in the sun, we headed to an adorable pub that was out of a fairy tale called Duke of Cumberland.  It was absolutely ideal on a beautiful summer afternoon in England.

{photos: Julia Ferguson}

THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL

Last night I had the privilege of attending a performance by the students of The Royal Ballet School with my boyfriend's mom (thank you, Jane!).  The performance was held at the breathtakingly beautiful former Royal Hunting Lodge, The White Lodge, which has been home to The Royal Ballet School since 1955.  The setting is stunning and takes you back in time.  Set in the 2,5000 acre Richmond Park, The Royal Ballet School is surrounded by lush trees, deer, meadows and the river.  The performance was enchanting.  Students from ages 11-16 danced in a variety of exerts from classics such as Coppelia and La Sylphide to more modern pieces that were choreographed for the students.  After the performance, we had the pleasure of mingling and speaking with the students about their experience living and training at the school.  It was a truly special evening, and one I will never forget.

{photos: unknown and Julia Ferguson}

LABOUR AND WAIT

Labour and Wait is a great London shop that carries all sorts of simple timeless household products.  They honor classic design with a great selection of new and vintage finds.  Be sure to also check out their online store if you aren't in London.

{photos: Labour and Wait}