Aspiring Scotland- Edinburgh

We've just returned from a really fun week

exploring Scotland with my in-laws.

Before I forget all the details,

I'm going to show you some of the fun we had 

so you'll have a head start for a fun time

when the time comes for you make it this way.

{Which I recommend doing in April: low season prices & sunshine!}

This hilly city is oozing with character.

Similar to Prague & Oxford for an obscenely romantic skyline,

Edinburgh {pronounced: ed-in-bur-uh} 

has everything you would hope for in a Scottish vacation.

Including a hilltop castle

surrounded by millions of daffodils.

Hang close to the Royal Mile.

At one end of this famous street 

sits the historic Edinburgh Castle.

{Eat in the castle's Red Coat Cafe which offers beautiful views of the city}

From there, stroll down the hilly street

and make a visit to the Queen

at her Scottish palace, Holyroodhouse.

Then take the path out her back yard,

meander through the royal garden,

and head on up to Arthur's Seat,

but please be prepared for a small hike...

as ballet flats and a dress can cause unparalleled marital strain.

The Elephant House

is where JK Rowling first scrawled the story of 

Harry Potter.

The food is good and inexpensive,

the waitstaff is friendly,

desserts are delicious, 

and don't forget to check out the Harry Potty.

The restaurant closes at 8 pm, so be ready for an early dinner.

Did I miss anything?

I mean, obviously, these are just the highlights-

but please add in with your favorites things to do/see/eat in Edinburgh!

(... my favorites from stirling & st. andrews are soon to follow....)

Alluring Kennedy Paris

Bonjour! It's Laura from Something Legit. 

Ah, don't you just love Paris? 

Okay I absolutely love Paris. 

I love the atmosphere, the culture, the personality, and of course the dudes. Just look at these dudes...

street style

[image source: Khaki| Hat | Blazer | Trench | Tee]

I don't even know what to call it. 

Refined and Relaxed?

Whatever it is its working. 

From fitted jeans, blazers, plain shirts,and effortless coiffures...

I'm smitten..

Have you met these gentlemen?

gaspard and cyril
[image source: gaspard  1.2.3.cyril 1.2]

Meet Gaspard and Cyril.
I first met them in Paris Je T'aime.
I didn't forget them.

how to wear it
[image source: shirt | jeans| bomber| green bomber| brown blazer| grey blazer| pants| grey blazer 2 ]

Check out these pieces. 
Great staples that could be paired with a $5 basic anything.

You can't go wrong with denim+bomber+white tee
pants+white tee+blazer
Shirt+jeans+bomber
=
simple equation of awesome
nbd....
{no big deal}

A Pretty, Pretty Plea

We all know the legendary glory

of April in Paris....

And who wouldn't want to see 

the Alps adorned in springtime flowers...

but I'd like to bring forth

the unsung hero, England.

Gray, dark, and dismal England

has shed her winter coat,

and is revealing herself to be quite a stunner.

Seriously...

isn't this place a dream?

I'm even smitten with the cheerful moss on my building.

Why I Love: Roald Dahl

As you may have noticed,

I like funny books.

Serious writing definitely has it's place,

but quirky books have always had my heart.

The first author to really write in a way 

that captured my mind was

Roald Dahl.

My fifth grade teacher his stories to us

every day after lunch.

We would lounge on the carpet floor

as he read the pages of 

Danny Champion of the World

and 

The BFG...

Each character had an appropriate voice,

the plots left our eleven year old minds begging for more,

and after a few weeks of having these read to me...

 I started checking out these books from the library to take home with me.

From there, I was unstoppable.

Luckily, I'm not the only one who loves his work.

Hollywood does, too.

His books live on in movies and plays that are still being made today...

And those movies have "cool" hollywood stars... 

like Danny DeVito, George Clooney, & Johnny Depp}

And the sweetest legacy Roald Dahl may have left is

all the Willy Wonka Candy...

because honestly,

who can argue that the world isn't a better place

with gobstoppers & nerds?

While we're on the subject...

After seeing lips all over Paris

{see my post from earlier today}...

I've been thinking about it.

I'm not a lipstick stain kinda gal

because I don't ever wear lipstick.

I'm pretty loyal to lipgloss,

but it seems that some people stick to the stick.

What's the appeal?

I love lipstick packaging,

and could be sold on swapping out...

but I'm just curious how you 

don't prefer the coverage of 

 good, shiny, lipgloss!

Monday Moods: I feel... lippy

I'm not sure what all the lips I saw around Paris meant...

Are kisses are stepping out as a new "thing?"

{If so, this make-out mama is gonna be on trend!}

Or is the city of love just...

that full of love?

locks of love

la duree

la bouche de "Bouge"

magnets sold along the river

even my room key was sending out the vibe

Weekend: London Edition

My in-laws are in town,

and we've been in London for the weekend.

And thought it hasn't exactly been relaxing,

it's been pretty darn fun!

Back to Oxford tomorrow after a morning at Westminster Abbey.

How's your weekend ending up?

*all images are original to Aspiring Kennedy

Oxford English Dictionary- Volume 4

Going grocery shopping in England anytime soon?

Ordering a pizza in London a potential?

Well, even if not-

learn some simple ingredients

that can change your eating experience when you do visit.

{pretty please- come soon?}

I had sadly accepted the absence of cilantro in my life,

until I discovered it was all over the UK...

just was hiding under another name!

So there you have it.

Three simple things that can enhance

your cooking and dining in the happiest of ways...

as long as you know to look out for them!