Monday Moods: I feel... like a bear.

Maybe it's the colder weather...

this wolfgang puck potato soup was delicious. the recipe is here. 

Maybe it's the naps & sleeping in...

(or "lie-ins" as they like to call them in England)

Maybe it's the obscene amount of fur-trimmed items

I've been wearing lately...

Or maybe it's the obnoxious bear hat that I have

that never fails to shame my husband & friends...

Oh sorry... did I not tell you? I'm ridiculous.

I'm not sure.

Either way, I am coming out of the cave tonight

for the London Blogger Party!

I may even shed my winter coat

{aka shave my legs}

for the special occasion...

which, if you saw my shower,

 is a feat of Olympic grade flexibility.

See you there!

What else can I say?

Today is just one of those days

where it seems absurdity is going to rule the day.

It starting when I had an allergic reaction to... the cold.

My thighs literally got so cold walking

that they are covered in hives & swollen.

 I'm warming up with fresh Pippin's donuts from today's organic market

{oxymoron?}

and waiting for the first batch of coffee to brew

 in my new coffee maker that arrived this morning...

{After 8 months of a french press, I'm ready to outsource the effort to a machine.}

And of course, laughing about how ridiculous this all is.

Here's to hoping your day 

gets off on the right {unswollen} foot....

*image via

Tea Time.

It's the week after Christmas.

After a month of parties

with endless binging of all things... bad,

I. Am. Feeling. It. 

In hopes of redeeming my innards 

before the damage is compounded

with New Year's festivities around the corner,

I'm swapping pie for tea 

These days I'm sipping...

Marks & Spencer Tea

This trio is a staple in our cupboards,

but I'm really loving the Detox this week

in my efforts to ... purge.

Description: A cleansing green tea with a rich peppermint undertones.

Price: £2.29 per box

Mighty Leaf Green Tea Tropical

The first tea that I loved...

and I promise you will, too! 

Description: A crisp green tea that trades typical muskiness for light, fruity notes.

Price: $7.96 per box

Tazo Orange Tea & Passion Tea

Both of these teas are fantastic hot- but I also love them on ice.

Each of them have such unique flavors.

It's a great way to switch out for something new.

Description: Fruity flavors set the tones for these, and their bright colors will liven your breakfast table.

Price: $9.90 per box

Snow Way!

Have you been hearing me 

yack all over twitter 

about our travel woes from the snow storm this week?

In case you think I'm just crazy

{which I could be...},

here are some pics from our week.

OXFORD

The morning it all started...

later that night...

My sister arrived... and the scene was oh-so-Cameron Diaz in The Holiday. Right?

LONDON:

Sitting around London waiting for flights out...

and doing our best to pass the time with places like:

Notting Hill, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, & Knightsbridge...

... and, the amazing Christmas festival 

that I talked about on Monday.

We stayed on Jermyn Street across from 

Fortnum & Mason.

Not only is the inside of their store perfect-

but the window displays were, too.

When we couldn't take the cold any longer-

we would retreat...

to eat.

PizzaEast 

is a killer restaurant

that Helena took me to earlier in the week.

Too much, too soon?

Never.

{If you go, may I recommend the chocolate salted-caramel tart?... or the donuts?}

 So I guess you needn't feel too sorry for us

considering the location, fine fare, and covered expenses...

In fact... I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

But I will tell you this:

I'm waking up in 5 hours 

to catch a flight home.

Because there really is no place like home for the holidays!

Monday Moods: I feel... glücklich!

We went to Hyde Park's

German Christmas Market

this weekend...

The combination of: 

London, Christmas,

snow, carnival rides, &

hot German food like

goulash, pretzels, & egg nog...

left me oh-so-glücklich!

{Oh, didn't you know... that means "happy" in German!}

Friday Funday: Blogger GPS

It's Friday...

And next week is Christmas!

In my book, that means 

we're officially in the holidays!

My little sister flew in yesterday.

{yippee- our first visitor!}

We had our end of term gala last night at Hogwarts Oxford...

...and this morning, 

we're headed to London for the weekend.

Handel's Messiah at Royal Albert Hall,

Portobello Road tomorrow morning in the freezing cold, 

Christmas shopping at all the big department stores....

{Perfect, right?!}

Since I am "blogging" from London today, 

it got me wondering what setting your world is taking place in today...

My Friday Funday question is this:

Where are you blogging from today?

Faux Real?

I've always been a fan of fur!

{Luckily, I can actually be in style now when I wear it now.}

Its such a hot trend this winter here in England!

Topshop, H&M, Harrod's... 

it's as noticeable as our first snow!

Here are some of the pieces I have bought...

and others that are on my wish list.

{ahem... £500 Balenciaga mittens.}

Primark fur vest £21 / Top Shop Trapper Hat $44.00 / 

Balenciaga Mittens $615 / Miss Grant Grey Headband £35.00

I'm Scheming Tonight...

via

It's December 1.

The thinking cap is on.

The french press is brewing.

The pen & spiral are open.

It's go time.

I have 38 people to buy presents for this year.

{Our families are like rabbits, I tell ya.}

So this morning, I sit...

And I browse.

Thinking of the perfect gift...

- for him.

- for her.

- for them.

Undoubtedly,

I'll be facing the English store fronts

in the snow with endless coffee in my hand.

...but I'd love some help from you to keep me in the cozy indoors.

Where is your go-to online resource for the perfect gift???


I'll share my favorite with you:
Nest Dallas
It's quirky, fun, & the website always has great gift ideas!