Georgie Girl

Countdown to London: Preparations

Well, in 48 hours I will be on an American Airlines flight to London - my often blogged about vacation. I am sitting in my chair and a half with the dogs, drinking coffee and trying to rest, chill....

Have to pack tomorrow and finish up work. I will be blogging about my trip but will probably post on a new Typepad account so I can share that one with some other friends and family. More later!!!!

Right now, pre-preparation!  AKA sleep.

Peaceful sleep.

Yay! Krispy Kreme Friday

L'il strange

Interesting food item found in convenience store on way home from bristol

Countdown to London: Tea

I'm all about an afternoon snack. Reading up on tea, there are so many variations of what you can eat, the types of teas, etc. I plan on taking tea at The Orangery at Kensington Palace but I also want to grab a bite at Liberty of London where I plan to buy a scarf or other tidbit.

“I believe that it is customary in good society to take some light refreshment at five o’clock.”
- Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Countdown to London: Blade Rubber Stamps

Right near the British Museum is Blade Rubber Stamps. Coincidence? I think not. 

Countdown to London: The Queen's Gallery

Since the Royal Family is in residence during my trip, I can't see the state rooms at Buckingham Palace. I am looking forward to visiting the Queen's Gallery where the treasures of family are on display. 

Tying together my trip to Amsterdam last year, one of the exhibitions right now is the Masters of Flemish Painting. I saw many Flemish artists during my time at The Rjksmuseum (Van Dyck, Rubens, etc.) I just love the coincidence of it all.

Also, there is a exhibition of treasures from royal residences that include "world-famous paintings by Rembrandt, Canaletto and Winterhalter, spectacular jewels, dazzling works by Fabergé, as well as furniture, sculpture, arms and armour, and historic pieces of porcelain that are still used for ceremonial occasions today."  Super dilly-licious.

I am also looking forward to seeing The Eve of St Agnes (1863) by Sir John Everett Millais.   Imagine, this picture was painted at the same time as the U.S. Civil War... so lovely.

Countdown to London: power baby!

No longer purchasing...

crack.  2 cartons of Cadbury Creme Eggs per Easter season is my limit.

Preppy pulitzer

Today's trip to the mall was fun- bought an iPhone and saw pretty spring Pulitzer display. This is actually a London purchase. Took picture a iPhone! Now I can take pics and blog on the fly.

Friday night peace

Countdown to London: Kensington Palace, The Orangery, Hyde Park

I can't wait to see Kensington Palace, a royal residence since the 1600s.  Built to provide William III a respite from asthma far from the polluted city air of London at the time, he built the first artificially lit highway in Britain with a safe road built from St. James Palace through Kensington through Hyde Park. It was lit by 300 oil lamps and is referred to as "Rotten Row".

Kensington Palace was extensively renovated by Sir Christopher Wrenn and features a beautiful orangery and 30 acre parterre originally built for Queen Anne.

In 1981 apartments were renovated inside Kensington Palace for Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Princess Diana lived there till 1997. Queen Mary died of smallpox at Kensington in 1694, William III suffered a fall from a horse at Hampton Court and died at Kensington. King George II lived at Kensington along with many other royals included Queen Victoria when she found out about her ascension to the throne. And most cool - Queen Mary, grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II was born at Kensington.

It will be cool to see Princess Diana's dresses, Queen Victoria's bedroom, the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, and afternoon tea at the Orangery. Just look at this tea menu! 

Since we will be staying right at Hyde Park, I plan on hopefully taking morning coffee and a biscuit and sitting with my Merry MacBook to capture my thoughts and delight in the sounds of London in the early morning. I can't wait.