Make Your Life Better- Volume 3

It's me again,

Bossy Pants McGee.

I've got a few items 

on my mind that I need to discuss with you.

After a few weeks on the road

and combing through London & Paris,

I've got a few gems

that I want to pass out from my mental treasury.

Sometimes one of the happy burdens you bear

when living in an awesome city and having people visit you

is revisiting sites over & over {& over} again.

{a.k.a. I've been to the Tower of London five times in three weeks.}

This week, I was taking a group through the Tower

and our Yeoman {"Beefeater"} invited us to Sunday service in the Tower's Chapel Royal.

Um... yes, please.

So we went this weekend, 

and it was one of the most amazing things I have done in London.

Here's the run-down:

You bypass all the long lines of tourists, walk through the gates {free!}

and get to attend the intimate matins service in one of the Queen's royal chapels.

{There are only six of her chapels, afterall.}

Our Beefeater, Peter, & the Vicar were so pleased to see us

that they took us on a private tour through the chapel

to see the burial spot of Anne Boleyn & the off-limits site of Thomas Moore's memorial.

Amazing. 

I highly, highly recommend 

seeing the Tower of London in this special way.

When girls get flowers from a guy,

it makes them feel like a million bucks.

Unfortunately for most of us,

 that jackpot may only hit every 2 or 3 years.

The other night when I was walking through Liberty,

I discovered the wonderfulness of their florist, Wild at Heart.

I'd always thought it would be way out of my price range,

but they had some make-me-feel-like-a-lady potted orchids for £10.

The boost it gives to my kitchen is fabulous,

and wish you the same amount of brightness added to your day.

Remember my sparkly orange shoes that I wore in Paris?

Well, you liked them...

so I went out and bought four pairs for four readers.

What can I say... I'm a bit of a people pleaser.

They need to be shot & packaged first, but be on the look out!

{FYI- They are £15 + shipping.}

I keep seeing Facebook statuses about Pumpkin Spice Lattes....

but can I persuade you to ditch the suburbs for a taste of the East?

Head to World Market or any nearby specialty grocer

and buy yourself some masala chai.

I feel in love with it when we were in India,

and the spicy brew feels perfect here in the chilly weather.

Follow the directions, heat it on the stove...

and swap your drive-thru caloric splurge

for a healthier cup of Christmas cheer.

Your taste-buds won't regret it,

and your holiday cocktail dress won't either.

Blogging is pretty awesome.

I could get poetic & gushy on the topic, but there's really no need,

I know you all feel the same way.

We all love blogging because we can connect with cool people

and talk about awesome stuff on a revolving basis.

So what could be better than that?

Actually discussing this stuff in real life with those bloggers.

Going on your first "blate" {blogger-date} is mostly an awkward experience.

The good news is for you:

blogger dates always end up to be way fun 

and it makes blogging even better.

Think about it:

Most bloggers that can put together great posts every day 

are pretty smart, organized, & creative people.

How could they not be cooler in 3D?

Last night I got to meet up with one of my favorite bloggers, Helena,

at one of our favorite spots, Pizza East in London's Shoreditch.

Monday Moods: I feel... full.

I woke up this morning to Tyler sneaking in the door to our flat,

 and walked in to find this on the table.

Sweet, sweet boy.

He made a recreation of our favorite breakfast at Paul Bakery,

 propped up with flowers, & a hilarious card...

that magically dropped out two tickets to Ray LaMontagne when I opened it.

I was left in the afterglow of feeling like

 the luckiest girl in the world

when my buzzer rang.

Up to my door came a giant box

with a dozen roses from my dad.

My consistent Valentine...

{who even adored me as a chubby, awkward adolescent.}

What did I do next?

I boo-hoo'd like a baby alone in my flat.

I just felt a little overwhelmed by the two great men in my life.

I know people are cynical of Valentine's Day,

but I'll never resent a holiday that reminds me to spoil my loved ones.

Whether it's your love, your dad, your friend, or someone who just needs to feel special-

use today as an excuse to show someone else they are loved.

Or maybe even make them cry, like me.

Monday Mood: I feel... spoiled.

Same Story. New Setting.

Today is the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

As I'm sure you know

from my shameless bragging for months,

the hubs and I are moving to England.

...but did you know it was happening today?

Hop over to Hello Splendor
to see how I am getting paid back remembered for leaving.

"The most beautiful discovery
 true friends make 

is that they can grow separately 

without growing apart."

-Elisabeth Foley

*image source 1 & 2

In my opinion...

Wednesdays are typically lacking 

their fair share of pink.

Therefore, I'm doing my best to change this...

There.

That's much better.

*image source 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5

Spoiled. Absolutely. Rotten... and loving it!

Somedays you just get spoiled,

and other days,

you get spoiled rotten.

Today, I experienced the latter.

Yes, I got absolutely spoiled rotten

when this

STUNNING arrangement

of sunken orchids

arrived this morning.

How does a lady accept such a gift?

I bragged to all my friends.

I texted a picture to my mother.

I called Mr. Wonderful,

and reminded him of the art form of sending flowers.

Then I just sat at my desk and smiled

like an idiot

for an hour or so.

This is the beautiful work of

my favorite florist-

CYMBIDIUM.

These ladies can do to roses,

what Michaelangelo did to paint.

Call them, and let them create something wonderful for you!

How can I adequately express my thanks?

THANK YOU. MERCI. GRAZIE. DANKE. GRACIAS.

*these photos were taken by Aspiring Kennedy herself, thank you.

I adore Cymbidium Orchids.

Recently for a dinner party, I asked my friend Robyn to help.

Robyn is the owner of Cymbidium Flowers (ironic?).

She is also very pretty.

Can you believe how stunning the table was after she worked her magic?

And guess what the party favors were?

Gorgeous potted cymbidium orchids for each guest!

Isn't she brilliant?

Check out Robyn & Rachael Wise at Cymbidium.

They are an incredibly talented duo.

photography by: Ms. Rachael Wise

I stopped by my parents house today, and took a walk in their garden,

and the flowers smelled. oh. so. divine.

My sister shipped home these tulip bulbs from the Keukenhof Gardens 3 years ago, and we are still graced with their extravagant bloom every year. Those Dutch can really do tulips right!

It is completely and officially sandal weather, and I could not be happier!

(BCBGMaxazria Gladiator Sandals- Originally $210, I bought for $55.00. Thank you Saks 5th Avenue.)