London calling

While Carrie was here visiting, we took advantage of some sister time and spent a full day in London. It was all-too-short but really nice to get into the city for a bit of time. I have not spent any amount of time in London since Crosby has been arrived and I miss going into the city to shop and sight see. Scott was traveling again for work so Crosby had a day at home with our nanny and Carrie & I took to London. Although it was rainy (a constant theme here this April and spring), we had a great day eating and shopping.

On the train into the city....sisters not to be missed in bright orange!

At the train Marylebone train station there was a movie being filmed. There was a sign posted that anyone walking around the area could be in the future movie. I am still unsure what movie it was but I will keep my eyes peeled for our big screen debut.

For lunch, we headed to the Notting Hill neighborhood to a pizza place called Otto. Since Carrie is celiac, she had read in advance that Otto has a gluten free cornmeal crust pizza. Celiac or gluten consuming, this restaurant is not to be missed! We had a bbq pulled pork pizza with cheese, coleslaw and onions - a bit different but it was utterly delicious and tasty. 

It even felt like we were close to home with the beverage selection available from Goose Island Brewery in Chicago!

After lunch we wandered around Portobello Road in Notting Hill and made a stop at the Hummingbird Bakery. They even had a gluten free cupcake selection which was great.

London was decked out for the Jubilee and the Olympics. Oxford Street was flying the Union Jack all over - and the taxis were festive too.

To continue on the theme of eating, after a bit of shopping around the city, we headed for a full proper afternoon tea at Claridge's Hotel. When we arrived there was a crowd of papparazzi and also a crowd of teenage chidren standing out front. While we did not spot any celeberties, I think my online research was correct to hint that Johnie Depp was staying there that day.

The hotel offered a full afternoon tea for celiacs too so it was perfect so we could both enjoy nearly the same things. 

Tea sandwiches, scones, desserts and of course lots of tea! 

It was definitely one of the best splurges for a wonderful day out for these sisters who don't get together as often as we would like!

A Garden Tea Party

This afternoon I attended a proper English Tea/Garden Party with a group of expat ladies for a fundraiser for a local charity. It was great fun and reminded me of some of the great perks of being an expat wife. Hats or fascinators were required since it was a proper tea and it also coincided with Ladies Day at Ascot today, which is another place where hats are part of the attire for women. I opted for a fairly small fascinator by English standards but still felt a bit like a fish out of water since I am not used to having such large things in my hair!

An attempted self portrait to capture a picture of my fascinator before leaving for the tea.

The tea was full of sweets, cakes and tea sandwiches to enjoy.

I had volunteered to bake a cake for the tea. I baked this strawberry cake (not a proper English tea time cake, but yummy all the same!).

With Anne & Michele in our hats and fascinators at the tea.

There was traditional victoria sponge cake (one of my favorite British cakes).

And plenty of delicious finger sandwiches! Salmon, cucumber, egg salad, and ham & cheese.

And of course scones with real clotted cream and jam. Talk about leaving on a sugar high!

When I returned home, I arrived to find my little Crosby fast asleep after being a good little baby for the sitter. It was a lovely afternoon for a good cause!

English Tea

I have added two more English bone china tea cup trios to my collection....I love each one more than the next!!! I cannot wait to host a tea party some day to use them all. 

My Growing Tea Cup Collection

My English tea cup collection is growing....here are a few additions I have recently acquired at local antique shops....

I can't wait for tea time! 

English Tea

I have decided to start a china tea cup collection while we are living in England. The number of antique shops and markets are plentiful and there are SO many pretty antique patterns to be found! 

I found my first tea cup for my collection this past week at the Portobello Market in Notting Hill while Carrie & I were in London. And I cannot wait to find the next addition to this soon-to-be growing collection....

My first tea cup purchase. A pretty pattern in circa 1920's English china.