Rob & Stacey's Cinderella Wedding Location

Next summer, Hottie Rob is tying the knot with his beautiful girlfriend, Stacey...at this real, live castle. I love how you have that option in England...to get married in a freaking castle.

The Random Things You Crave...

...when you’re in a foreign country.

It's kinda like being preggers.
The only difference is…I can’t just persuade my man to drive to the store and bring me back whatever it is that I may be craving. Why? Because he simply won’t find it over here and, well, I don’t have a man.
It’s a darn shame really - on both accounts.

Here They Are...The Random Craving Culprits:

squirt
cream of wheat
cornbread
ritz crackers
cheez whiz
dill pickles!
margarita mix
cool whip
chips and salsa (the real kind...)
black beans (really, any and everything related to Mexican food)
good coffee
animal crackers

One thing in England that we DO have...(thank you, Mother Mary)



McDonald's ice cream.
When I studied abroad in Florence, I'd choose this business over gelato...it's pretty much cool whip on a cone.

More Pics from Zoe & Dave's Wedding...

We Lost a Family Member Today...

My dog Sammy (the one to the left of Shiner) passed away this morning.
Her big, beautiful brown eyes and calm nature warmed our hearts for years, She will be so missed.

Holy Ionithermie

The girls gave me a gift certificate to The Beauty Mill for my birthday. What a treat!
Now, typically, I'd go for a sports massage or a facial...they do amazing facials...however, this time, I decided to go wild and try ionithermie.

Established for over 25 years and used in over 70 countries across the world, ionithermie is the leading anti- cellulite treatment used in the United Kingdom. This treatment has the additional benefits of firming, toning, inch loss and detoxification.

Ladies and Gentleman, I'm thrilled to report that when I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror...my thighs weren't touching! And no, I wasn't sticking out my bum and leaning forward.

The Best Part of Living Overseas...

...the commercials. Hands down.

and...this one's for Elizabeth.
Strange.

All the Stories You've Heard are True...

...Hottie Rob has a Mini Me.

He's on the loose in West Yorkshire and looks stunning in navy.
If you see him, please don't step on him.

Zoe & Dave's Wedding

I photographed my very first wedding this weekend...and my heart is still racing.
Zoe used to work for Hallmark and saw some of my photographs through a friend. This gutsy, gorgeous girl had enough faith in me to capture the most important day of her life.

A few things that I've learned...

One: Always carry a spare battery with you. Drr. Charging in between speeches is a lil' nerve wracking.

Two: Start the day with the larger memory card and carry your camera bag with you at all times and/or wear a fanny pack. English people love the fanny packs...

and Three: High heels. They're cute, but it dawned on me (about halfway through the day) that I was kind of walking like a drunken crack whore (sorry Mom) . I've got rhythm...just not when it comes to walking slash running in heels.

Congratulations Zoe and Dave! What a perfect day...

This Sensible Girl...

...had a lil' too much wine last night and was unable to concentrate on writing her Friday post.

If I had to Look at One Thing All Day Long...

...it would be one of two things:
a tall, handsome man in khaki shorts, white long sleeved button up (arms slightly rolled), and brown flip flops
OR...these precious Handmade Macaroons from Betty's Tea Room.

A girl from work brought them into the office the other day...had to photograph the sweetness to share with you all!

On Being a Sensible Girl

This is a real picture from high school graduation…I kid you not.

For some strange reason, English people like to tell me that I’m a sensible girl.
The first time I heard this, I smiled coyly and thought, ha, that’s such a British thing to say…but after about the fifth or sixth time, I had to start questioning whether or not this was a good thing.

Like, is this British code for something I’m totally ignorant of?

Are they trying to tell me that I’m a prude?

Boring?

Lackluster?

All of which would totally make sense because English people love their codes…seriously.
If ever in doubt, check the Official British Code Book.
Yeah, I just made that up…but really, my fellow Americans, if you ever find yourself on the Queen's turf...follow the bloody rules.

i.e. When an English person asks you to bring them back a tea (or a cuppa or a brew), please ensure that you take the tea bag OUT of the mug before you hand it over. Trust me on this one…don’t screw with their morning brew!

As for me edging up my sensible persona...
I think I’m gonna start snorting pixie sticks and walking around in public braless.

Strange...

...it always accepts my rubbish.

Best Email of the Day Award Goes to...

...Justine.

(please read the following in an English accent)
"Just nipping to card shop then when I pop back we can nip out for lunch - woo hooo!"

I told her, I'm sure all the gentlemen in the card shop will appreciate the nippage.

We Live on an Island...

...and sometimes...we like to pretend we're lizards.

Meatloaf.

Meatloaf.
It’s one of those offensive items that would disappointingly appear on Mom’s dinner table from time to time.

Reasons why we HATE it:
1. Well, the name itself is unpleasant (meat + loaf = dirty dirty)
2. There’s just something wrong about kneading the crap out of raw ground meat.
3. You know those white deposits that bubble onto the surface of your loaf while it’s cooking? Yarf.

Reasons why we TOLERATE it:
1. It’s kinda fun to play with. I made Mr. Meathead, but...holy cow, the options are endless!
Next time, I’m molding a bunny.
2. Ketchup…it’s really the only thing that makes it taste halfway decent. You know it's true.
3. You'd get the evil eye from big daddy Mike (aka.Dad) if you voiced your disgust at the dinner table in front of Mom.

So...why did I cook a bloody meatloaf, you ask?
I had to go to a dinner party, bring something American...and was out of ideas.

Dear Marlene,
I froze the other half to pull out when you and dad come. Get excited!

Weekend Trip No.10: White Water Rafting

7:45am, forty degrees and pouring down rain...sounds like a lovely day to go white water rafting, eh?

Before the reservoir was opened...

After...

How pretty is this?

and...the four foot drop

expression after seeing the four foot drop...

International Bonanza Dance off

It's kinda like Eurovision...but not.

for a larger version click here.

International Bonanza Party

The girls threw an International Bonanza Birthday Party for me...totally my kind of party.

So...here are the rules:

(1) Choose a country

(2) Come in Dress

(3) Bring a Drink, a Dish, and a Dance

(Video of the dance-off coming soon)
Thanks girls! I had a blast.

Is it a Lil' Eye Rolling...if I Say it's My Birthday?

I've hit the big, bad 27...and it feels gooood.