Monday Moods: I feel... Lochy.

Touring Scotland can sometimes leave you feeling a bit

... soggy, bloated, & cold...

But after a few days in the Highlands,

I'm only feeling glorious!

Our weekend on the Isle of Skye shocked me.

Literally, I never expected such sites here in the United Kingdom...

(and you know how much I love the United Kingdom.)

Dramatic hills, lush mountains sprinkled with Highland Coo's & sheep,

dreamy castles sitting cozily in the middle of a lake, 

small fishing towns that seemed pleasantly situated in times past,

& so much Cullen Skink (local Haddock chowder),  

even the most opposed eater-of-fish could become a convert.

But the most impressive sites were the lakes.

Err, excuse me...

the lochs.

Our weekend was full of random pit-stops

that found us standing in silence 

with our mouthes open & our cameras clicking

at the mirrored expanse sprawling before us.

As if one version of the scenery wasn't pretty enough-

the stillness of the water in the sunshine

gave us a bit of double vision.

How lucky!

trying to imitate this picture that i love

cruising loch ness looking for nessie... no luck here.

there she is! (at the visitor's centre) 

sunset at 10:30 pm at night on the isle of skye. crazy, right?

the prettiest sunset i've seen in a while. isle of skye.

lochs of love

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Kiss Me Kate.

via

Seriously.

This makes me have a crush on Kate Middleton. 

Err, I mean...

the Duchess of Cambridge.

Our royal couple is looking so svelte & gorgeous...

they might put Brangelina on the run.

But what would we call them?

Wate?

Kill?

Yeah, err...

Maybe just Duke & Duchess will do for now.

One Fish, Two Fish...

Yesterday I posted about poolside pedicures.

Today, I'll continue that thread

by introducing you to the newest "thing" here in the UK:

fish pedicures.

Have you seen these?

These "pedicures" claim to be from Asia

(though as I've never been, I can't speak with authority),

and instead of soaking your toes in bubbles and sea salt-

your feet go into a clear tank 

(also known as "aquariums")

where a hundred or so tiny little fish 

are waiting to meet... and eat them.

Yes, these baby fish EAT the dead skin off your feet.

After 10 or 20 minutes 

(depending on how long you purchased),

you're feet are "done" and have been rid of callouses and are baby soft.

No further treatments given...

no nail trimming or polishing,

no ten-minute massage. 

Nada.

I asked one girl, who was getting her feet feasted on, how it felt:

"It kinda tickles. Not too bad after a while, but it just kind of feels weird."

I would imagine.

These "shops" are in every mall atrium,

popping up in ever vacant retail store available,

unabashedly littering my Groupon emails,

and even getting floor space in prime stores like Top Shop on Oxford Street.

(I did buy one off Groupon. I'll let you know how it goes when I go!)

The whole phenomenon is a bit remniscent of the

frozen yogurt trend that happened in the states in 2009.

Sadly, the "Yogurt Splash," "Ling's Yogurt Lounge," & "Yogilicous" are now gone...

but honestly, how much frozen yogurt did anyone expect us to consume to support so many shops?

So call me a prophet, if you'd like,

but I would like to predict that two years from now,

these feet feasting fishies will be gone...

and we will all have returned to our normal routine

of spa chairs, calf massages, & polish.

(As one friend noted: I hope the sushi industry doesn't start soaring...)

Have you ever had one of these pedicures? 

Tell me about it!

If not, would you give it a try?

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.

Why, Yellow.

During rush hour in London,

free news papers are handed out to commuters

as you walk into the Tube.

In the morning, you get the Metro.

In the evening, you get the Evening Standard.

(The latter being my favorite of the two.)

Last night, somewhere along the Bakerloo line,

I saw an article in which the writer credited 

Keira Knightley wearing a yellow skirt 

because she had been inspired by...

The Queen?

Ha!

 I giggled to myself through the whole piece.

While I'm not sure the Queen was aiming to become a fashion muse 

when she chose her cheery wedding wear earlier this spring...

... or that she can claim all the credit for this shade's inevitable moment in the spotlight....

it is hard to deny:

this summer is yellow's turn under the sun.

ASOS shift dress | ilahandbag dandelion clutch | anthropologie skirt
suede bootie | essie nail lacquer | the great gatsby | kate spade tipsy flats

Start out in small strides with this dangerously fun color.

Try a bag, sandals, or nail polish to figure out which shade works best with your skin tone.

Some beginner's basics for wearing yellow:

 fairer skins, stick to butter & canary yellows.

olive & darker skins, try a brighter shade like neon yellow.

Monday Moods: I feel... stuffed.

After looking over my pictures from the last month's trips,

it's obvious I'm a oratory learner.

As in, I experience/learn through shoving food into my pie hole.

How can you understand Greek gods

until you feast on divine street food?

When in Rome, eat as the Romans do.

Paris, the city of bites.

Let's review shall we?

For only €2.50, get a chicken souvlaki pita. Or two. What the heck. You'll only regret it if you don't.
Seriously, these were my favorite part of our Greek cruise. Seriously.

Imagine an ice cream shop, but with greek yoghurt instead.
Now imagine me crying with love.
This place is Fresko, right below the Acropolis. Fantastic service & yoghurt.

Obviously, growing up in Texas I am quite familiar with Tex-Mex.
However, it's always nice to take a refresher course at Mi Cocina. 

Pastries are to Paris what Kate Middleton is to the monarchy.
(a.k.a. the sweetest & most approachable part)
I typically stick to everything chocolate, but have you tried the apricot tarts?
Oh my. Think peaches. Or don't think. Just eat one.

In Paris, there is an entire street in Le Marais named "Falafel Alley."
Which didn't mean anything to me until I put one in my mouth.
For €5, I had a meal that left me stuffed and delirious. They are seriously that good.

But like it always goes...

all good things must come to an end.

One month later,

my jeans feel tight,

and I'm honestly quite uncomfortable

feeling my stomach push into my waistband.

But it was so worth it.

What's something amazing that you've eaten

somewhere special that's left you drooling?

{...and happily chubbier!}

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Matchbook Strikes My Fancy.

After years of trying to get editors 

to put my clients in the spotlight...

I have, somehow, ended up in it myself.

Look for me in the newest & grooviest issue yet

of  Matchbook Magazine.

I feel pretty darn special.

So special that I'm eating clearance easter candy 

and listening to Billy Joel 

to celebrate my coolness.

{That is cool, isn't it?}

I just love Matchbook...

and I'm so flattered they liked me back!

P.S. 

Guess who is also featured

in this month's issue?

That's right, 

Miss GP herself.

So even though Gwynnie & I may be twelve pages away,

we're actually one step closer 

to being the best of friends. 

... well, assuming she likes caramel bunnies & Uptown Girl, too.

A la Carte.

I really like being bored.

While I might ping-pong myself across the globe

neglecting my jet-lagged body,

I actually relish in the moments of doing nothing.

Tyler often finds me sitting in front of the oven

as I watch dinner cook inside.

I would happily sit on a delayed train

and rest my head against the window.

And on my way across the ocean today,

I be opting to watch the flight map

instead of a movie on my flight.

I love looking at all the cities in my path

and letting my imagination crawl 

over the curiosity of the people

sitting 30,000 feet below my own.

And as one who finds maps as entertainment,

I also find them as the perfect home accessory.

 I love these subtle places for maps in your home ...

... and these are such clever DIY's...

... and each of these prints begs me to pack my bags for a new adventure...

world  | us | england | new york

image set no. 1: door,  cabinet, &  drawer

image set no. 2:  frame,  boxes,  & hearts