It's the Little Things: Kusmi Tea

I might have been born with a cheerful disposition, it's true.

My mom says that I was born sunny side-up...

though I think she's alluding more to the fact that I was, indeed, face up.

{Sorry, mom.}

I'm not sure that things don't bother me

like they seem to bother everyone else.

In fact, I can get really worked up 

over some really simple things.

{My good friends are nodding their heads and saying "Amen" right now.}

But maybe my reputation for always being cheerful 

comes from somewhere else....

I really enjoy small things!

Little aspects of a day can really captivate me.

It makes me feel great to stop and enjoy one small thing.

So today, I'm enjoying a little tea break while working from home.

All it takes is a few simple things 

to make my moment seem perfect.

My favorite glass, the Bodum Pavina.

A pretty tea strainer to do the magic.

Gorgeously fragrant kusmi tea that I brought back from Paris

The Prince Wladimir is orangey and floraly... 

and, well, I just love it.

It makes me feel like a lady.

I let it sit for a few minutes 

while I rummage through the cabinet for cookies wait.

Voila!

It's ready.

I can perch in my favorite new chair

and enjoy the sunshine.

{Editor's note: Yes, it is 3pm and I'm still in a robe. Busted.}

What's a small way that you enjoy the day?

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Been {to} Dover?

Ah... 

nothing like a 7th grade style joke

to kick off another travel post.

In fact, I think it's the best way.

One of the day trips I never get tired of taking

is to the coast of England to visit Dover.

You may know it for it's famous white cliffs...

but if you are looking for a good day out of London

you'll find that this little town has SO much more to offer 

than just gorgeous white cliffs.

When you come,

you can come via train from London.

It's about an hour and some change out there 

on the high speed train from St. Pancras

and about 2 if you leave from Victoria.

When you get to the station ("Dover Priory"),

I'd call for a taxi.

I mean, you can walk,

and I know some people do...

but the taxis are cheap.

{Editor's Note: I use Dover Taxi,  No. 898 222}

Last time it was around £6 for a car to take 4 of us

across town and up the cliff to the castle entrance. 

IMO, totally worth it.

So you get to Dover Castle,

you buy your tickets at the gate

and then you cruise on in.

The castle itself is VERY cool.

It's got a bunch of facilities 

and has been restored to feel like 

a working castle of the medieval era.

But beyond just the castle,

there is one of my favorite sites:

the war time tunnels.

As you may know, 

Dover is the closest part of England to France.

In fact, on a clear day you can see the coast...

which in England is super often.

{Editor's Note: I've probably been 5 times and seen it 1.5 times.}

So throughout France/England's history,

it's been a strategic point for the two countries.

During the Napoleonic war, 

they carved tunnels into the cliffs

to spy on France and observe the channel.

During WWI, they dug another layer and added more.

Than in WWII they added a third tunnel level

and it became a full working hospital & military office.

Today, they have restored the tunnels to replicate the hospital of WWII

and to show how the workings of Operation Dynamo 

rescuing 300,000 stranded troops from the Germans.

It's super cool.

Then go into the adorable town below,

grab lunch somewhere cozy... and probably some tea & cakes, too.

You should also probably head 

to the beach to stick your toes in the English Channel.

And then, hop the train back to London.

It's that easy!

Have you been to Dover?

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Tips, Please.

One time in high school,

my friends and I were bored on a Friday night.

We didn't really have anything better to do,

so I, the ever-ready opportunist, suggested an activity:

We could stand on the street corner with signs

and ask people for money.

Not that we really needed money, 

as our 16 year-old suburban needs were met

quite well by our parents.

But it was more of an experiment to see if we could get people to give us money.

So we held up signs and asked people 

to pay for our prom dresses.

Our friends came and sat on the grassy hill by the intersection

and watched the spectacle. 

It was a party.

We made over $100 in 45 minutes

until the police made us leave

because they didn't think it was safe.

{Editor's Note: My 28 year-old self would scoff at them and keep hustling.}

My friends' parents were appalled and made them donate their money to charity.

My parents had never been so proud of me.

Eh, to each their own.

Anyway, getting stuff for free is great.

I like getting it when I can.

I like giving it to others when I can.

This summer, I have been replying to travel emails

like it was my job.

Manhattan, NY

{The street corner gig paid better, btw.}

I really do love getting to help people plan their vacations

and maximize their special trip.

Civita Di Bagnoregio, Italy

But after everyone has come back home

and is reveling in the post-vacation glow,

I'm left to wonder:

Did you like any of my advice?

If you don't mind, I'd love to hear any travel tips

that you have used from my site

and hear what you thought.

Amsterdam

Was it as awesome as I promised?

What did you love that you wouldn't have tried otherwise?

London, UK

Or was there a problem that I should know?

Vernazza, Cinque Terre

I don't want to recommend bum advice,

so help a sister out!

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Di-Namic Duo: Naomi & Diana

So you remember my friend, Holly, that tried on jeans

next to Kate Middleton the other day?

Well, in my excitement over her GAP encounter,

I didn't even mention the fact that 

the night before she posted a picture

of the new Naomi Watts movie

being filmed outside her house.

Typically this would be top priority...

but the Duchess trumps film crews.

It's a fact.

Anyway, they were literally outside her window

shooting a scene for the new movie.

You know, the one where Naomi Watts 

is attempting to relive the tragic last two years

of Princess Diana's life.

Those are some dyed-satin pumps I would not want to try to fill.

But have you seen the pictures of Watts in character?

It's pretty amazing.

Hopefully, the directors and writers are paying as much attention to detail

as wardrobe is at accurately recreating Lady Di's last few years.

I can't wait.

And in the meantime,

since the movie won't be released until 2013 ,

I'll be stalking my friend Holly 

just in case she bumps into anymore amazing situations.

*images via

Flat Land

You might have seen from my instagrams 

that we moved into a new hood.

We are now living in Notting Hill...

but not only that,

we are living in, pretty much, the cutest place ever.

We have stumbled upon our own 900 square feet of heaven.

It's just what you'd expect a London flat to look like.

It's filled with light from big windows,

has pretty tan hardwoods,

little sprinklings of character like built-in bookshelves,

and the best part is:

it has a second bedroom.

Everything just feels so cozy, which I love.

In fact, as a kid

I used to try and convince my parents

that they should sell our house

and move all six of us into an apartment.

The idea of us all being smashed in there together

seemed really appealing...

plus, I was pretty sure that all apartments would give me

walking distance to 7-11 for unlimited after-school Slurpees.

I'm finally getting to live out those dreams...

except I have Ottolenghi at the end of our block

that I can walk to for snacks.

We feel so fortunate 

to have this little chunk of space

as our new permanent home.

{Especially after living out of suitcases & temporary housing for a year!}

I'll have some "real" pictures to show you of our house once it feels finished,

but until that time

here are some Pinterest finds that are keeping me moving...

apparently in the direction of crowded bookshelves & pops of yellow

and away from any chance of being called a minimalist.

Sue me.

What feels like home to you?

PS. I get internet installed Monday, 

so that means: I can get back to blogging like a real person!

*instagram name: aspiringkennedy
*images via

One Day, Two Knights: Chicago

First, thank you for all of the amazing hair advice.

Honestly, I have my work cut out for me 

in choosing a good salon

with all the options you sent my way. 

It's nice to know I'm not the only "head case" out there.

Secondly, my friend Holly just tried on jeans next to Kate Middleton at the GAP.

They shared the mirror together while checking themselves out and everything.

I mean... I'm dying of jealousy.

I'd tell you more if I knew it...

but that's all I know for now.

You'll have to settle for Chicago until I can get more D.O.C. information.

On our way home Friday,

we had one of those travel days

that kinda makes you wish

you never left the house.

Besides the fact that we woke up at 3:00am,

it was a comedy of errors from that point out.

Including but not limited to:

starting to take off and stopping to have a part repaired,

missing our connecting flight,

being rebooked on a later flight

and getting separated into the only two remaining {middle} seats.

Oh well.

It happens.

When we got stranded in Chicago for eight hours,

we could have lazied around the airport...

but for $2.25 we took the train into the city

and made a day of it.

I might not be Ferris Bueller

{though I did meet Matthew Broderick once in NYC},

but I sure did live up my one free day playing in the Second City

and I wore leopard as a nod to his classic leopard vest.

Chicago, you are a good time.

Thanks for showing us sunshine & cheap food.

It's a combination that makes our hearts happy.

If you could get stuck in a city for one day,

where would you go?

In The Hot Seat

Can I ask you a question?

Am I the only person who doesn't have "someone"

that always does their hair?

I just can't rely on ANYONE to consistently do a good job with my hair

and it leaves me waiting upwards of a year each time 

I need to cut my hair.

And I'm at this point again.

My last hair cut was May 2011.

I'm starting to look like Stevie Nicks.

I don't need anything fancy...

I just want someone that can consistently control my fro.

So if you are one of "those people"

who have long-term relationships with a hairdresser,

where/how/what did you do to find them?

{Londoners- any help?}

Does anyone else suffer from reoccurring trauma caused by the styling seat?

*image via

Postcards from Paris

Apparently, I have a thing for Paris this week.

I guess sitting traveling between Oklahoma, Arkansas & Texas 

can leave a girl dreaming of more exotic locals.

Go figure.

As fun as Paris was this spring,

my trip there in the July weather

reminded that the beloved city of lights

is best enjoyed in actual sunlight.

C'est magnifique!

{Editor's Notes: Find my travel guide to Paris here.}

taking my souvenir drivers for a spin around the tuileries.

first course at the amazingly cosy Le Coupe Chou. 

I'm packing up my bags

and saying my goodbye

before returning back to the UK

from our trip to the States.

It's always a bittersweet time

as you say goodbye to so many people you love

and head back to your new normal.

The pro's & con's of life as an expat!

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy