we were only freshmen

Who would have thought? Just yesterday (4 years ago) I was balling like a baby watching my parents drive out of Wofford's campus leaving me in a gorgeously foreign "new home" with suitcases at my feet and here I am graduating and leaving four absolutely incredible years of memories behind. Everyone says it flies and they're all wrong...it goes quicker than that. Having been home from London only four weeks or so by now I have managed to not only land a job but find an apartment.
I wanted so badly to be in the Charleston area so I applied to 68 companies and did everything in my power but for marketing/communications positions the opportunity just isn't there. So I hit the Charlotte area, had 5 interviews in a week, had options, and took what I knew would make me happiest. You're looking at the new program coordinator for a marketing firm downtown Charlotte and I couldn't be happier.

It's incredible how far I've come and I've cried one to many tears of joy with my parents by my side and I couldn't have done it without them much less be who I am today. So, here's to the next chapter!

p.s. I hope to be pushing 90 (literally) and acting 30 one day. Meet my father's parents...also known as my second set of parents = 2 incredible people.







And what would college have been without Barb? :)

leaving London

One of our last nights in London a couple friends and I went to a 17th century English pub called The Dove to just hang out and reminisce about the last 4 months - of course it was a blast. Our last day in London the program held a high tea at the famous Fortnam and Mason St. James's restaurant and it was the best way to end such a program. Best and hardest 4 months of my life! SO unbeliveably happy I had the opportunity to have this experience! 

uncle tim round 2

Uncle Tim came to visit yet again and it was such a treat! Considering that we all only get to see him around Christmas if we're lucky it has been absolutely wonderful getting to see him twice in a matter of 4 months! Plus, there's is nothing like a taste of home when thousands of miles of ocean is separating you from the ones you love.
We first met at a fancy pub called PJ's on Fulham Road in downtown Chelsea/Kensington area for a lovely pint of London Pride brew. After plenty of non-stop conversation we then went to a little Italian place for dinner and got a range of smoked fish and bread for dinner. As cheesy as it may sound the conversation and time together was the best therapy I could have ever asked for! Being away from home in a foreign place, taking classes, and traveling all the time with people you barely know has been no easy task. Therefore, dinner with a family member is like a breath of fresh air. So happy I got to spend some time with him!

< The Crown: one of our favorite little pubs

when the sun comes out the people comes out

St. James's Park...you can never go wrong with a beautiful royal park. Having done the "touristy" things early on in my London experience and traveled to 8 countries in between I figured it was about time I enjoyed the gorgeous city I currently, but not for long, live in. The parks really are gorgeous and without a doubt my FAVORITE part of this city. St. James's Park is about 60 acres and Hyde Park which is the largest in London is almost 300 acres. These breathtaking public gardens are complete with rolling grassy knolls, fountains, ponds filled with ducks and are lined with full patches of tulips and daisies of every color of the rainbow. When it's in the 60s/70s with blue skies and sunshine what better place to take your two best friends and a couple cupcakes on a Friday afternoon?

last minute london

An interesting day to say the least...Melanie, my friend from DC, started out the gorgeous 65 and sunny London day by getting last minute souvenirs for friends and family. Therefore, what better place to go than tourist central also known as Piccadilly Circus in downtown London? We were greeted by the welcoming life size teddy bear dressed head to toe in the Union Jack...perfect location. We picked up some lovely Londontown gifts and headed for a famous toy museum. It's called Pollocks Toy Museum and actually turned out to be more of a fun house than a toy museum. All of the 100+ year old dolls, planes, and bears were in glass cases, many of the ceiling heights varied and were complimented by small, creeky staircases and barely there lighting. To make matters worse we were the only people in the whole 4-story building...old, creepy, old toys, low ceilings - you do the math. It really wasn't that bad, just not at all what we were expecting but we definitely made the best of it.












First floor jitters

A mock 1900 nursery



















So by this point we were a little bit freaked out and decided to trade the 18th/19th century toy museum for some 21st century toys. We headed straight to the biggest toy store in London - every kids dream. Way too many stories of fun can be found at Hamleys and contains everything from shelves of teddy bears to games, a candy shop, and fun gizmos and gadgets...such an enjoyable experience and definitely more lively than the fun house museum.


It's always nice to feel like a kid again.

FABRIC

Fabric's Saturday nights showcase underground DJ talent, internationally-renowned electronic music legends, and accomplished live acts. Its playlists are dedicated to cutting-edge house, techno, electro, disco, dub-techno…and anything else that fits within the confines of the night’s future-forward and ever-evolving programming.
It is not near as crazy as it looks, but everyone goes for the music. Famous DJ after famous DJ have played at this venue which was rated as the #2 club in the world - another London must do and see. The best thing about this venue is that because it is such a famous venue based off of its reputation of the talented artists that have played there it doesn't have the same vibe as a "club." Everyone who was there, for the most part, was there for the music and didn't have finding a 'mate' or getting intoxicated on the top of their list - you go, you dance, you go home...it was a blast.

Stonehenge & Salisbury

Stonehenge truly is amazing and quite surreal to be in the presence of. We learned about its significance and mainly about the millions of theories that have come about regarding its creation, purpose, and existence. We only had about 45 minutes there which was enough to walk around it and get some pictures, but  an incredible 45 minutes that's for sure. We then had a 30ish minute drive through the English countryside (gorgeous!) to the town so Salisbury.

Welcome to the town of Salisbury - one of my favorites in England. It's a very quaint, busy town with canals flowing through it and with a gorgeous 12th century cathedral right in the middle. The cathedral is on very very shallow ground as far as being close to the water level and because of that has slowly moved through the years. There are tons of areas inside the cathedral where you can see how post, stone, etc have slightly moved through the years. Inside this cathedral is housed the oldest clock in England made of a wheel and pulley system, the Magna Carta (which we got see and read - so neat!), and cloisters in the center of the cathedral. It really was gorgeous! After a tour we walked the town and in and out of shops followed by a picnic in one of the gorgeous grassy areas of the town along with some sunshine. A wonderful, wonderful Saturday. I'm so happy I've gotten the chance to see areas of England outside of London - truly a beautiful country.

Duke Spirit & some UNKLE

Brixton Academy is a must see and famous music venue in London located in the area of Brixton.We went to a concert there on Friday night and it was unbelievable! We were without a doubt the only non-British people there, which I loved, because I think the best way to get to know any place no matter where you are is to be with the locals. Anywho, the band was called UNKLE and the opener for them The Duke Spirit. They are both of the indie rock genre which is hugely popular in the UK. I loved The Duke Spirit - even more so than UNKLE, the main gig. However, being there was quite an experience. As always, people watching is entertaining and here you saw everything from people awkwardly dancing to doing the head bob. Indie rock is a genre in which, for me at least, I go to watch and enjoy the music. It really was a great rock concert - a first for me, but a really really fun one!

welcome to BRIGHTON

Brighton is a coastal city in England directly south of London and on a clear day you can see France across the ocean. Brighton really is a pretty place; however, it felt more like a bad version of Atlantic city but with pebble beaches and really good fish and chips. The pier is very famous and the beaches are known for their summer concerts -Fat Boy Slim even resides in Brighton and holds annual summer concerts. Brighton is also a very liberal, hippie place notorious for its tatoo and piercing parlors. Furthermore in 1750 Dr. Richard Russell wrote a book about how the seawater in Brighton was good for your health (load of crap, it's the Atlantic), so of course, the rich and oh so famous flocked and Brighton became a very fashionable place to live.

Today Brighton is still regarded as a trendy place to live considering it has one of the largest youth populations in England and real estate prices close to London's.
In the midst of this fashionable "Atlantic City" is the Royal Pavilion (above). Built in 1787 for the Prince Regent as an ego trip and to spend money he didn't have (in millions of gambling debt), later King George IV, the Royal Pavilion is remarkable for its exotic oriental appearance. The outside is extravagant and gorgeous, but I thought it was hideous on the inside - let's just say I would have decorated differently than King George. Most rooms were a mixture of floral, oriental, and royal patterns. I found it to be distastefully busy. Anywho, another interesting and educational day in England.I could have stayed on the beach all day!

springtime in swinging london

the glamourai: { the object is } to look as chic as you can

the glamourai: { the object is } to look as chic as you can: "'you're gonna be an old woman some day.... don't worry about it!' so much to love in this video. by advanced style for nowness."

the irresistible allure of paris

J'aime Paris

I wanted to visit Paris, because well, it's Paris. I was hoping to be utterly disappointed in every aspect because of the constant buzz about the famous city; however, I was even more fascinated than I would have ever expected and am officially the biggest fan of the gorgeous city. I took more pictures in my two days in Paris than I have in any trip I've been on, and I think what I loved so much about Paris is simply the feeling of being there. Every place I went I wanted to stay and enjoy for hours. I could have laid in the gardens at Versailles for days and stared at the glistening Eiffel tower all night til I went silly in the head. It really is an amazing city - surprisingly relaxing and homey compared to the cosmopolitan London.
I took the Eurostar Thursday morning and was in Paris by 11, got metro tickets, and headed straight to Notre Dame. It's one of those venues you have to see in person, unbelievable. Of course the line to get in was streets down the road, but I was perfectly content taking 30+ pictures at its grandeur.



















Next stop, the Lourve and how gorgeous!!! When I finally went into the Lourve after walking around a little the worst part of my day began. I didn't get there until around 1 and I find myself to be a very patient person, even more so with all of the traveling I've done, but there was so many people I couldn't even enjoy the art. It took me 34 minutes to get into the room where the Mona Lisa is...enough said. Anywho I did see some incredible works and once again could have easily spent about a week in there and not seen it all - incredible place though.



















I then walked down the widest street in Paris, Avenue de Champs Elysees, which is basically a very very large "lovers lane" lined with cafes and people enjoying the 65 and sunny Thursday. I could have strolled for hours - so enjoyable. At the end of this spectacular walk you'll find the Arc de Triomphe = HUGE!

And of course, you can't leave Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. I learned that it was built in 1889 (same year Clemson was founded and 100 years til I came into the world) in honor of the French Revolution and has been repainted 18 times each of which takes 15 months. It really is a beautiful and unique sight. Our last night in Paris we got crepes off the street with nutella inside and ice cream on top and sat under the Eiffel tower - perfect ending to a perfect weekend. Of course it's tourist central and everyone says you have to go to the top, but I couldn't have been happier sitting on the grass with my crepe, talking with friends, and just taking it all in. Plus, who wants to stand in line for 4 hours and spend more of your parents money if you don't have to? However, we did come up with an alternative.

We went to one of my now favorite areas of Paris called Montmartre where the Sacre Coeur is. Sacre Coeur means "Sacred Heart" and is a famous white church in Paris and lies on the highest, largest hill in Paris, which outside of the Eiffel Tower is the highest point in Paris. Once we got to the top you could see the city for miles. Plus it was covered with locals selling paintings and performing which I always enjoy.













 VERSAILLES....need I say more? Some of the greatest monarchs of the time lived here including Marie Antoinette. At the time of her stay at Versailles when poverty and famine was at its highest and the people had no bread to eat, Marie famously responded, "Well let them eat cake." I now can see how her head got soooo big, the place is immaculate. In this picture, the palace at Versailles is to my back and facing ahead is the Grand Canal. We dangled our feet in the water, fed the suns, and soaked up some rays and walked for hours along the estate. It couldn't have been a more enjoyable day.
On top of all of these incredible sights and views I took in lets not forget the cheese, wine, and many many crepes consumed as well - such a wonderful place and yes, J'aime Paris.