Eye see London...

Note the sunburn... And the sweat. We were being steamed alive in a glass tube a million feet in the air.


Drinks at the Red Lion


Westminster Abbey


Natalie Portman


The arch separating the Mall and Trafalger Square


Countdown to Olympics!


My favorite pic so far. And another tourist took it. :)


Last night in London. It's been fun!


Setting out early tomorrow morning to catch the train to Paris and meeting up with Brian and Ashley there!

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Royally tired!

We set out to do so many things today... And we did them all!

Not all inclusive:

Open top tour bus.


Buckingham palace


Which we got fantastic spots for the changing of the guard. Against the fence and right in the middle!


They were right in front of us!


But in all honesty, it wasn't what we thought it would be. I mean the crowds were insane, we ended up being there 1.5 hours early... Personal space seriously violated by at least 4 people and by the time it was done, we were over it. I am glad we got to see it, but honestly don't think I would want to do it again. Not worth the wait time and space invasion.

Big Ben...


Column in remembrance of great fire of London


Designed by Christopher Wren... I think. Can't remember.


Tower bridge


Tower of London


Kensington Palace


King Albert? Can't remember either... Brain is fried. Completely beautiful and ornate monument though.


Harrod's. This place was insanity. Tres posh and so packed of people it was madness.


Not planned and just a bonus? Wicked sunburns... Patrick is basically a tomato. We iz not smarts.


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We're here!

13ish hours after leaving home we arrived in London! As per usual, there was a screeching toddler the row in front of us on the first leg of the trip, and then a drunken chatty Kathy next to us on the second leg. He claimed he never sleeps on planes and yet he passed out roughly an hour later.

Comfort! PINK by Victoria's Secret outfit. I think I still look okay after plane yuck all over me.


Getting to the hotel was tricky. We took a train from Heathrow to an Express to Paddington, to an underground to Embankment Pier. It was fun lugging around 5 ginormous bags let me tell you!


We arrived and checked in. Our hotel is oddly spacious. We didn't find it small at all! Set off immediately for Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus and some lunch. After walking around for roughly 2 hours we went back to the hotel and crashed! 1 hour nap turned into 2.5 but it was much needed!

Washed the plane off of us and regrouped and set out around 8 for dinner and more walking around.

Hey kids look! Big Ben!


(parliament)


And the London Eye are all a short walk from our spot.


We did well! Walking around for a while and taking in the street performers and random nut jobs around the city was fun. Plus the river area is really pretty.



It wasn't until we realized it was after 930 that we needed food. Enjoyed drinks at the Silver Cross and went to order food but the kitchen was closed! We were really looking forward to the roast and the steak and ale pie. We will try to go back for sure!

Tomorrow will be a busy day! We are starting out early and taking a tour. Hope to get in TONS! Including Westminster, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge and much more!

Hope everyone is staying cool back home- enjoyed 65* weather here and looks to be about 72* and sunny tomorrow!

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Catch you across the pond!

Hubs and I are off for a European adventure! Daily blogging resumes tomorrow with 100% more outfit updates! :)

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Puff!

Last night was dinner with the girls at The Grand Finale in Glendale. The infamous Puff didn't stand a chance!

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Up before the Sun

I swear the bags under my eyes will never go away after the last couple of weeks. 5am conference calls on Monday mornings aren't really the best way to start the week. But I suppose that since Mondays are usually pretty awful on the whole anyway... What is it to extend by a few hours and get up early. Plus, it keeps my body wacked out so hopefully I don't suffer as bad from the horrible jet lag I had last time.

This morning was exceptionally brutal hearing my alarm go off at 3:30am so that I could get my brain to wake up for my back to back calls that started at 4. 6 more calls later and I will be able to call it quits for the day... At least till 6 when I am sure to pick my blackberry back up and get back to work.

You know something? I would be in big trouble if I didn't actually enjoy talking to the people I work with.

P.s Chloe says hi... She was NOT up with me at 3:30. Lazy feline.


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What day is it?

My goodness. I feel like I have gone through a time tunnel and I don't know what year it is. After getting back to normal last week just to interrupt it with a trip to NYC for a work meeting, of course got no rest we hosted the 5th annual Pagefest this weekend. Per usual it was 95*+ and hotter than Hades.

Good times as always. Then started my Monday off in the best way possible... 5am conference call! So much fun. Good though because once you peel the sleep from your eyes and stretch, you can actually be quite productive really really early.

Almost have our logistics for Europe taken care of. Nothing like waiting until the last minute! Paris and Eurostar booked. Only thing left is London! Can't wait for our trip!

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I Made It

Have no fear ya'll. I made it home Friday. Just barely. I ended up missiing my connection and heading to LGA to catch another flight... that was delayed... and then we sat on the runway for 45 minutes.

By the time I made it to CVG I was completely spent but I walked up to Baggage Claim and the husband was there waiting for me! Such a wonderful sight. Made up for the fact that I had to file a claim for my missing bag. I didn't care though because he was there with me.

I've spent the weekend recovering. It's odd, I figured I would just be tired early and then wake up early. I was wrong. In this case I am just tired all the time. Seriously, I've had to take naps at like 10:00 because I just can't take it. Waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6am is not my cup of tea.

Of course I started today in the best way possible- with a conference call at 5AM. Lovely. Again, needed a mini power nap shortly after but then I was all set.

All packed and ready to go because tomorrow morning I am heading off to NYC for a meeting.

(and I get to see How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying on Wednesday... I am super pumped!)

Home sweet home... maybe

I should have arrived home 45 minutes ago, however:

17 hours since I locked up my flat in Oxford...
3 security check ins
45 minute nap
1 set of customs
1 missed connection
3 airports so far
My luggage is probably already in Cincinnati... and the claims will probably be closed when I get there.

And I am still roughly 4 hours from being home.

I'm totally spent. My eyes are burning, my body aches, and I am fully on Oxford time where it is currently after 1am. I need a shower, a nap, and a hug from my husband.

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The time has come

My last day in the office. Bittersweet, but okay because I will see a few colleagues next week in New York and the rest in 4 weeks. Oxford sure did me a favor and waited till my last day to be really gloomy and rainy and chilly... I had to wear my coat today. Not sure I am looking forward to the blistering heat and humidity at home though.


Because I missed the bus coming home yesterday by roughy 5 ft. I made sure to be early today. (seriously, I was 5 ft. From the door and the driver left... They don't wait for anyone!) but this bus was not my normal bus, this one was neon green and yellow. And drove like the wheels were falling off and the brakes were too tight.


Since I did most of my packing last night, I decided to go for a nice dinner out. I have heard great things about the Chiang Mai Thai Restaurant. It is tucked away off the High Street. Pretty easy to miss actually.


I ordered a Thai iced tea. It was... Different. It was creamy. Sort of tasted like melted sweet cream ice cream with a little tea flavor too. It was almost dessert like.


I had Gai Prik Pao and Khoa Suay. It was a spicy chili chicken with cashews and onion and Thai herbs with jasmine rice. Really tasty and pretty spicy. Just what I wanted! And of course I had to end my trip with Thai. What else would I have had?!


Then I walked back home, taking in the city centre that has been my home for the last 3.5 weeks.








I am going to miss this place.


But I will be back soon!

And seriously- I am super excited to get home! This time tomorrow I will be on my second flight and about an hour away from Cincinnati!


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Stratford Upon Avon... In Pictures

Warning- lots of pictures. Like tons.

Felt a little Mad Men-y today.


Alright time for Stratford. Got your exploring shoes on? Okay good! Here we go!
RollRight Stones. Kind of like a mini Stonehenge. Not sure how or why they are there but they say if you walk around counting the stones you will never get the same number twice.


The Lych Gate of St. Peter & St. Paul


Narrow boats along the river in Stratford. There was a festival so lots of activity and people and music and sights.


Dale and I actually went in one of the narrow boats. Bigger than they look, but I could never live in one! Like a really long and skinny RV... On water.


The swans were so pretty!


Watched the locks too... The water aides and lowers to transport boats through the channels.


The water filled up and one boat went in.


Followed by another. And then the water was let out... The boats slowly lowered.


Till they were level with the rest of the channel. Gates were open and off they go. Actually a pretty slow process but interesting to watch.


The house where Churchill died.


Hall's Croft. House where Shakespeare's daughter lived with her husband Dr. John Hall


Anne Hathaway's House


The tour bus took a turn towards the country and It was spectacularly green and beautiful.


Haha though I was almost blown out of the bus... Riding on the top of an open top bus isn't a good idea when you are going 40+ km/h through the rolling countryside.



Shakespeare's birthplace and the garden behind it.





Inside the Guild Chapel.


The Globe Theater... I walked around and found an open door


And it was the inside of the theater! They were setting up for a show. It was just like I remember seeing in English books with the balconies and the shape. With modern enhancements of course. I snapped one photo secretly and then exited only to hear someone behind me ask "how did you get in there? No one is supposed to be in there..." oops!


Rounded out the trip in Stratford with a pitcher of Pimms... And no I did not drink that entire thing myself. Though it was delicious and I have bought a bottle to bring home.


On the way back we stopped at a pub for a late lunch.


Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, and cabbage and carrots.


I learned how to play "Aunt Sally" (basically corn hole or horseshoes but with stick and a "doll" you try to knock off a pole)


And finally we returned home and away they went! Dale and Penny were so awesome for taking me out and I had the best time with them.


Of course, after a little nap I threw in some wash and couldn't just sit at home so back to the pub I went for a pint. Lager this time.



Mostly packed up tonight. 2 more sleeps till I am home!

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