A Day with The Queen... & A Smile from Charles

I admit that some of the things 

I get to do are completely ridiculous.

Life in England has given me the chance

to partake in some amazing moments & celebrations...

and I haven't lost the hunger to try & find them.

One of the more memorable of these came today,

the day the Queen & I crossed paths.


(And for real this time... not across the street like at the Royal Wedding.)

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the translation

of the King James Bible.

Today in Westminster Abbey,

the Queen, Prince Phillip, & Prince Charles

came to celebrate this event

that was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

And, gosh darn it, I did, too.

My friend, Grace, inherited some tickets

that an old friend won in the lottery 
held by the King James Trust.

When Grace's husband couldn't leave work,

I got to play second fiddle...

and was the happiest fiddle in the world.

Grace, being responsible & prompt,

got there early when the doors opened 

and scored seats on the front row.

I, being late & a maniac,

was happy to see her prime location upon arrival.

After about an hour,

the crowd grew silent...

the scene from outside the door illuminated in camera flashes...

and the party started.

The Queen walked past & nodded hello.

Prince Phillip walked past and nodded hello...

but when Charles walked by and saw two euphoric, grinning Americans,

 broke his composed face and smiled at us.

I pretty much blacked out after that.

The End.

Actually, I do remember the service.

It was gorgeous

and a great tribute the huge impact

that this translation has had on the world.

The choir was, in the most cliche terms, angelic 

and we listened to the thoughts & prayers 
of some faithful leaders of the Anglican church.

Afterwards, the Royals all processed out

and, so kindly, nodded at us once more...

We made our exits from the Abbey with the crowd...

and glowed all the way home.

I'm not sure if this would be your cup of tea...

but it sure was for my taste!

The BBC news clip is here... 

*Around the 1:32 minute mark, you'll see my big white flower in the bottom right. :)

*crappy iPhone pics by me

*gorgeous real photos by Grace Glendinning

Wedded Bliss: Poolside Party

As you probably recall,

I just returned from my sister's wedding

over Memorial Day in Dallas.

It was an amazing week

full of fun & seeing good friends...

but I have to say,

the actual wedding festivities took the cake.

They were gorgeous,

and to the credit of my family alone-

no planners enlisted!

Just my mom working her face off on this fabulous fete.

While the professional pictures are yet to arrive,

I thought I would start by sharing some of the pre-wedding fun...

{thanks for the nudge, Helena!}

First up,

the bridal luncheon.

Held at my parents home,

hosted by my lovely aunts,

and reveled in by ME...

I was loving all the fanciness.

Poolside pedicures,

dainty drinks,

and low 80's temperature.

Perfection!

One of my aunts who threw the gorgeous party

also owns a wedding chapel in Oklahoma City, Rose Briar Place.

While I have yet to attend any of her weddings,

I'm now assured that they would be quite the good time.

Especially after dessert was over-

it was her own lemon sorbet... mmm.

Most Important Meal of the Day.

I wonder what Ms. Middleton will be eating for breakfast tomorrow.

I'm guessing the only thing that she will have on her stomach 

as she leaves in her carriage for Westminster Abbey is a pile of nerves.

Lucky for us-

we only have to watch the big event.

I love how many of my American friends

 are making a breakfast party of the early morning spectacle.

It's actually a great meal to do in Brit fashion,

because honestly- breakfast is done really well here.

If you've never been to England before,

you might  be staring in disgust at the plate before you.

Yeah, some of it could go away in my opinion...

(Ciao for now, mr. blood sausage & british bacon!)

But the genius behind two fried eggs 

and some Heinz baked beans 

(a different style than the southern dish),

sopped up with some crispy toast is amazingly good.

Not quite a believer? 

Just come over to England,

and I'll make you a breakfast that will change your little mind.

If you aren't looking for a sodium-drenched wedding watch

here are some other great breakfasts that will leave you feeling like a princess.

Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls have become a legends for a reason.

This walnut shortbread recipe makes me feel like a lady.

England has turned me into a huge fan of "yoghurt" parfaits like this one. 

Do you remember those funfetti pancakes I showed you? Yum.

Happy Wedding Watching!

*image via

The Big Day.

It's here.

(Well, THE big day is actually tomorrow.)

But today I leave for London

to kick off this Royal Wedding.

I wish I were actually going to the ceremony,

but staying in a flat literally 50 yards from the Abbey doors

isn't such a bad set up either.

(I really love this website for finding GREAT places to stay.)

The media coverage has been crazy 

and it seems like now everyone wants talking about

how tired they are hearing about the royal wedding...

but honestly-

I don't buy it.

How could anyone be sick of Royal Wedding anything?

We all secretly love it.

The Royal Family was the first reality family for the world.

We are all curious to watch them partake in milestone events,

and the fact that William is marrying a "regular" girl, just like any of us,  

makes it all the more intriguing.

My friend, Julie, sent me this article from NY Mag

that explains the inner rankings of the English upper crust

and Kate's cold welcome into Britain's higher tier.

Come on, admit it.

The Royal Wedding isn't "over" yet...

the fun is just beginning!

While you are at it...

go ahead and admit that these Will & Kate items are pretty funny.

fridge | crown jewel condoms | pez | tea bags | eleni's cookies

I'll be tweeting from the streets of Westminster for the next day.

Follow along for my pics, shots, and all the other hilarity that is sure to abound.

How are you celebrating tomorrow?

Or are you "over it?"

Monday Moods: I feel... tired.

Seriously, I'm whipped.

We had an amazing weekend,

but I almost can't explain it

because so much happened!

Thank goodness for pictures to help clear the fog.

From a gala on Friday,

birthday on Saturday morning,

heading to London for the race,

 a midnight train home,

and stuffing my face at each stop...

I feel like a zombie.

I might still be in bed when you read this.

And yes, England is six hours ahead.

Women's Day For Beginners

Today is 

International Womens's Day!

{In fact, it is the 100th anniversary of the holiday.}

I've really only seen this holiday celebrated in Europe,

but I think it's time the US got in on the celebration.

So if you are new to the holiday,

let me give you a few easy hints 

for getting in the spirit

of this fine day.

I'll be flexing my right to vote by picking a movie for tonight

Meet up with friend and chat up way to get involved with women's voting rights

Eat some girl food, like Ina Garten's curried pasta.

Flex the skills that your mama gave ya. Mine isn't baking, but I'm trying hard to master it.

Today is a celebration of the women who fought for women's voting rights.

This isn't a right for all women in the world...

"The victims of injustice in our world

do not need our spasm of passion;

they need our long obedience in the same direction.

They need our legs and lungs of endurance."

-Gary Haugen

Our generation can be the generation

that changes future of so many.

So enjoy the day, 

and join the fight!

*images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Fit For a Queen: The Royal Giveaway

The Royal Wedding is coming...

and I am getting ready.

I'm planning where we will camp out.

deciding what I will wear, 

& plotting how I will sneak in the ceremony.

You know... all the basics.

If I weren't living in the UK for this event, 

I would be dying.

How could I not be here for such a huge event?!

And so I figured some of you might feel the same pain.

That's why I've put together a giveaway 

full of Royal Wedding goods!

A tote bag,

a mug with the happy couple,

&  my favorite detox tea-

because, hello, it's time to start slimming down for the big day!

Just think how awesome these suckers are gonna be in a few years.

Classic items, ladies & gents.

To Win The Royal Giveaway:

1. Be a follower of Aspiring Kennedy

leave a comment

2. Tweet about this giveaway {please include @aspiringkennedy}

leave second comment

3. "Like" Aspiring Kennedy on facebook

leave third comment

4. Blog about this giveaway

leave fourth comment

5. Pick your Prince: William or Harry

leave fifth comment

*winner will be selected Feburary 21st by random.org

Monday Mood: I feel... fancy

Londoners Do it Better...

London Blog Parties 

are the Best Parties in the World!

I didn't get to go to POST the other week, 

so I can't speak definitively...

{though from what I hear, it was pretty rockin'}

but I can tell you:

we had an amazing soiree here in London!

I finally got to met

 Helena 

of

A Diary of Lovely

& 

Will 

of

Bright.Bazaar

{These two are even better in real life... if you can imagine!}

The three of us met up first

for a little 

rendez-vous...

then it was onward to the party at

Drink, Shop, & Do

{or as Will coined it, London's Anthropologie.... with drinks!}

This Texan-a la-London

loved meeting 

 new faces in the blog world!

Here are some of my new bloggers I got to meet:

Heather * Arianna * Ellie * Lynne * Carole * Katie

Diwali- Do the Wali.

Have you ever gone to a Diwali party?

Because earlier today, I would have had to say no.

However, after the past 5 hours-

I can confidently say;

I'm a professional Diwali-er.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. 

While I am not Hindu {and am Christian}

I loved getting to celebrate the "New Year" with our friends.

We were dressed by our friends from Mumbai

{Rishi & Ams}

in the prettiest Indian clothes.

In fact, so pretty-

Tyler was selected for the

Best Dressed Award.

The food was fabulous.

The dancing was hilarious

{on account of my ridiculous un-coolness}...

... and the company was superb.

So hey, Diwali-

next time you come around,

I'll be there, too.

Have you ever Diwali-ed? :)

If not, make an Indian friend, and get invited for next year.

It's so much fun!