Friday, August 27, 2010

You Don't Bring me Flowers

Today was a big day for me.  I find that when someone wrongs me or makes me really angry...it lights a fire under my bum to shoot for insane goals and achieve them.  It is how I deal with challenges, disappointments, heartbreak and is my "I'll show you..." strategy.  It's better than heroin or booze and I feel great when I get what I want.  I am starting work on a new project.  It will go under my "cut first/measure later" life approach.  This endeavour seems huge and unrealistic right now but I'm going to bypass the thinking and just start doing.........more details to follow.



Anyway...that isn't why we are here today.  I have found a GEM in my neighborhood that I wanted to share.  "You Don't Bring me Flowers" is a tiny adorable coffee shop just steps from my flat in London.  It is brilliantly British with little floral cups, tea towels, beautiful flowers for sale and local artists work on the walls.   I took my book and enjoyed a break from the job search and brainstorming I was doing at home.

Black Cherry Cupcakes at YDBMFlowers
The staff are lovely and can sometimes be caught singing and tapping behind the counter.  Paul Simon and Jewel's music can be heard quietly as you enjoy your cup of tea or, in my case,  Cafe Americano (image above).  I wish my neighborhood had more cute spots like this as it reminds me of my block in New York and even downtown Wilmington from my days in NC.  The boys can have their pubs,  I'll clam "You don't Bring me Flowers" as my new 'Local'.



Check them out here:
http://www.youdontbringmeflowers.co.uk/

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Kaffeine


I have thought and thought about how to keep this blog going and interesting. I could get on here and talk about how stressful it is being unemployed. I could tell you that I hate commuting in London (if we're being honest) and that, even though I like a lot about it here, I do miss my friends in New York VERY much.
Instead of whining, however, I thought...why not explore something that makes me happy and that I love. Why not start reviewing places I go in London. How much more fun is that!?!?!? Let's do it! Today found me trying to find a dress to wear to a wedding I'm attending in Wales this weekend. While walking around, I stumbled onto Kaffeine, a lovely little coffee shop on Titchfield Street in London whose card quotes:

"Given enough coffee, I could rule the world" - Author Unknown

I always get a little intimidated when I go into a "quick order" spot as I don't know right off the bat what I
want and I don't want to be rushed or hold up the line. Of course, the barista (who I think might have been a manager) came right over...

Him: "You alright? What can I get you?"

Me: "It's my first time here...I just need a minute."

From there, he was a dream...he walked me through all of their food choices (all fresh and beautiful) from Caprese Salad on a Baguette (my choice) to a range of fresh salads. The coffee shop
was bustling so I took a seat at a table with a guy who was reading a book which was my intention also as I sta
rted eating (I'm reading "Deluxe: How Luxury Lost it's Luster" which is about how luxury brands became capitalist mass companies and how the product suffers...very interesting...sep. Blog).

They heated up the sandwich which was made up of melting fresh mozzarella sliced cheese, beautiful red tomatoes and fresh Basil. The Baguette was perfect...I was in heaven.

The service was amazing which I think is something not always
easy to find in my new home...I would highly recommend it to
anyone in the Soho neighborhood. I will be going back soon!


You can check out their blog here!!!
http://kaffeineblog.blogspot.com/



Wednesday, August 4, 2010

LONDON 1st 10 Days!



I have arrived and am here in London! I flew in last Sunday, July 25th at 8:00pm and was surprised by my UK Fam! They gave me an amazing "Welcome to UK" giftbag filled w/British swag (from traditional Brit Candy to Trashy UK Magazines) along w/a beautiful formal tea cup and saucer!

For the first 10 days...let's do "Top 5 Lists"...5 loves and 5 "will eventually get used to's"

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT LONDON:

1) The FOOD is so FRESH at the supermarket. I LOVE that!
2) The architecture. This city is beautiful
3) My apartment/flat. We have so much space and I love that
4) The people I have met so far. Everyone is very cool and helpful.
5) The Tube (metro transport) maps...they are so easy to read and navigate

THINGS I WILL EVENTUALLY GET USED TO:

1) COMMUTING! It takes forever to get from A to B and the transfers take forever as each station is HUGE.
2) COMMUTERS!!! People bump into you w/out even a remote "Excuse Me" or "Sorry bout that". I'm here to change this culture.
3) No Dryers...most people line dry ALL of their laundry
4) NO BRAVO TV!!!!! For anyone who knows me...this station is my FAVORITE and I have gone 10 days w/out it. I'm stuck with E!
5) The cost of Cabs. In NY, it is easy to just "hop in a cab and be there in 10 minutes"...here that attitude will cost you a lot of money. Once I have a job, it might be an expense that contributes to my "mental well being"

Overall though, I know I'm going to love it here. The fact that I have finally gotten a phone after a week and a half of trying to get approved for one is a HUGE energy boost. Once I have my job, I'm anxious to start my new life in this new FABULOUS city!!!!!