Had a few guests in town, so we spent a significant time wandering around the city.

Photos are through Regents Park, South Kensington, St. John's Wood,

and embarrassingly my first time ever in Hyde Park..

Enjoy!

1. Number one and most important and greatest thing in the entire world and OKAY I'LL TELL YOU PAUL MCCARTNEY IS TOURING EUROPE!!!

Don't mind if every post from now until May has "oh and I'm seeing Paul in x-months"

because I really won't be able to stop talking about it.

If you happen to be a new reader and are wondering 'hm so this girl comes off as kind of crazy crazy'

I promise I'm not. I just really love Paul.

2. Speaking of Paul McCartney - I'm going to possibly the greatest event Official Theatre could have invited me to.

Let It Be is playing at The Garrick Theatre here in the West End, and this Wednesday is a nice little pre-show event in a newly decorated Beatle-themed suite at the Hilton Waldorf

that will feature a nice little acoustic set from the band.

The Beatles .... AND theatre?

Is there a more perfect combination of things?

3. Speaking of theatre - I've got a lot of reviews coming up which is great because I've finally managed to see some new shows rather than what I normally do which is just go to my favorites all the time.

I've got Scottsboro Boys and Beautiful coming up.

And it'll obviously be mentioned on the review but I really just can't contain the excitement even though it was over a week ago.

CAROLE KING WAS THERE.

And she came on stage, and she sang, and we sang with her, and I cried.

4. Speaking of reviews - Heather and I took our lovely trip to the English National Opera on Thursday!

We saw La Traviata and it was wonderfully intense.

Elizabeth Zharoff gave an incredible performance as the lead, Violetta.

She was on stage for just about the entire show, and

I also want to comment on the design of the show - they use an effect of 'unlayering' the stage as the show moves on which coincides with the story in an amazing way.

And how insanely beautiful is the London Coliseum?

Speaking of Sunday Lovin' - Did I mention I'm seeing Paul in less than three months?

1. I was placed at #16 for the IX15 Top 100 International Blogs - pretty exciting to get a little recognition for this thing.

Thank you to everyone who sent a vote my way!

2. I am seeing the Carole King musical, Beautiful, on Tuesday.

This is ABSOLUTELY important enough to be on this list because I really cannot even explain my excitement.

Carole King AND musical theatre - in one night?

Say a prayer for me. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle this.

3. Sticking to musical theatre, I saw Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory (again) this past week.

This was a bit different from the past time I've seen it,
because the household favorite, Aaron Tveit, has departed.

A big part of this show's audience were superfans -
so you can imagine the negativity when he announced he was leaving early.

Michael Xavier stepped into the role for the remaining month, and if you don't know him, you should.

This guy's been nominated for TWO Olivier Awards.

(Basically the British Tony Awards)

He was born in Liverpool - and you know my feelings towards Liverpool.

And if that's not enough. Just Google the man. You'll see what I mean.

He's about 12 feet taller than Aaron, but plays the role just as beautifully...if not better.
Yea. I said it.
But that's just one reason why you should see the show.

I'm not kidding when I explain how phenomenal this cast is.
I've seen great actors connect together so well to create an amaizng show,
but acting-wise, I have never seen such a talented.
There is not a single person who outshines the other.
Literally - I can't even explain one that I was so impressed by,
because I'd just go on until I had talked about the entire cast.
Everyone is so god-damn incredible I really just can't get over it.

Anyways - the show is sold out, but they've got a returns-queue that basically always gets you tickets.
And people are throwing theirs on social media when they can't make it.
So if you want to see it,
and believe me - you want to see it -
you will be able to.


4. We're still sticking to musical theatre.
I saw The Scottsboro Boys this afternoon, which was also their final day before closing.
I'll have a review up here, but I figured I should add it in here because I am absolutely loving it.


5. Spent yesterday wandering all over London again
and just want to say again how in love I am with this place.
It's pretty much the greatest city in the world. That's about it, really.

 
1. I was nominated for the Top 100 International Blogs at Lexiophiles.

I've seen this award pop up on a few other bloggers, and wasn't sure what it was,

but I got the email last week that someone threw my name out there, and now I get to be in a fun little contest!
Pretty cool, hm? It's nice when you get little reminders like this that people do pay attention to the things you do.
So if you do happen to read this little blog, and you do happen to enjoy it,

why not throw a vote my way?

2. I've booked a flight home this week...

TO VISIT - get real.

I'm still disgustingly in love with life here. I'm not leaving anytime soon!

...well, I don't plan to.

I'm over-excited for a quick visit home to Florida to see my family though.

AND I will be popping up to my hometown in Kentucky for an old friends wedding!

I haven't been to see friends in two years, so I'm pretty much off the walls about it.

3. This is basically the greatest video to hit the Internet this week - maybe all time.

Jimmy Fallon reunited the Saved By The Bell cast on his show.

I spent my mornings growing up catching the show 7AM every morning with breakfast before school,

so just like my trip home - I was off the walllllllls when I saw this.

4. MY PARENTS GOT US A RECORD PLAYER.

I'm not even kidding - this is top 10 greatest days of my life.

We have about 15 records here that have just been sitting so sadly on our shelves until we could afford to buy one,

and my sneaky little parents decided to mail me the greatest 'miss you' gift in the entire world.

I'm spoiled with the greatest duo that could ever raise me - I am seriously so lucky.

We spent last night celebrating.
I'm serious - we went out record shopping and bought a bottle of champagne.
It's THAT big of a deal to us..

And I'm also never leaving this place.

Happy Sunday!

February already?

Wasn't I just writing about Christmas creeping up on us?

1. I'm diving into the new year head first with some new internships and things.

While I'm still going crazy, and my anxiety is over the roof,

it feels better to know I am making moves that will hep towards staying here.
Because I've been here for six months and I'm still hopelessly in love with this city...
which means leaving is simply not an option.

2. Heather's birthday is TOMORROW!

We're doing a celebratory dinner at our favorite restaurant, Richoux.

I was thinking of getting her Paul McCartney,

but all she's said is 'I just want to blow out a candle'

.. whatever.

Check out Heather's post from a few weeks back and give her a Happy Birthday shout!

3. I got the cutest little valentine in the mail last week from Cupid at Hotel Choclat ..

Turns out, my secret valentine is the lovely Anna at Anna in Wonderland!

I came home from a run to a massive box of chocolate,

and let me tell you,

there's nothing better than coming home feeling like death and sweat to a box of sweets.

There are all types of treats with all types of fillings - champagne, caramel, cream, gin, lemon.

I'm both proud and very surprised that I didn't eat them all that night.

Happy Sunday!

1. The last Sunday of 2014. What??

It's hard to reflect back on this year, because everything in my being was going towards moving to London.

To finally be here is pretty ridiculous, if you ask me.
A lot of hard work paid off, and still paying off.

From the time I went to study abroad, I never thought the next year could top it,

but that was 3 years ago, and every year since has been even better? Now that's what's actually ridiculous.

But I'm not complaining - bring on 2015 - I'm ready for ya!

2. This article on life - Why My Life Isn't Falling Into Place.

Very fitting for this time in my life,

and probably yours as well.

One of my biggest downfalls is I'm big on 'the comparies.'

I know what my life is and I am over the moon about it,

but there are times I see others adventures, successes, etc. and get a little down that I don't have that too.

But everyone has a story - most of us only choose to talk/show/post about the good things.

And that's totally fine. Why would I bask in my struggles?

It just makes you realize that we'll never have it all.

And we'll most likely never have it all figured out either.

But hey - that's life, right?

3. Ever wonder what London would look like without all the people?

Check it out - it's kind of creepy. And cool.

5. I reached 30K views last week! For just 6 months with this little space, I feel pretty good about that.

To celebrate, I am being that typical blogger and created this little feedback survey for you all.

Just a few questions about you, and me, and this here blog thang.

HELP A SISTA OUT HERE

Happy 2015!!

1. Can you believe it'll be 2015 next week?

TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN???

I swear it was 2012 yesterday...

The years have flown by faster than I can imagine,

and I can't decide if I like it or not.

I'm so excited to see what the future brings,

but I want to live this amazing life right now!

I guess it's more of a good problem to have than a bad one, right?

2. I'm starting to try and eat healthier, and Heather's got me real interested in this quinoa craze.

Have you seen all the quinoa recipes on Pinterest?

Who knew how good food can still be, even when you make a few better changes..

2. I saw Donmar Warehouse's production of City of Angels last night,

and I was absolutely blown away.

It's possibly the best show I've ever seen.
The cast was ridiculous, the set was stunning - I can't say enough good things about it.

Absolutely going back if I manage to get tickets.

3.Taylor at Due East Blog

because she is doing all the traveling.

She was just in Iceland, now in America,

and about to embark for the next two weeks throughout Europe, starting in Prague.

And she's not bringing her camera. WHAT?

No, it makes sense. Just check her out.

4. CHRISTMAS IS IN FOUR DAYS.

While Heather and I won't be back with our families in the states,

we've got the day set - 

Baking, pizza, wine, onesies, presents, more wine.

I mean.... can Christmas get better than that??

Speaking of Christmas...and alcohol...

Heather and I have been delving into some Christmas cocktail to spice up the holiday,

and lucky for us, 

we found some extra spicey holiday drinks at Bar Soho in Covent Garden or Core in Bank.

They feature the limited edition Jagermeister Spice which is obviously delicious,

and a bunch of other goodies.

If you're trying to spice up your Christmas week without going out to the bars, though,

why not make these treats at home?

A few of my favorites (which, of course, include wine and chocolate):

P.S. I Love J (Jagermeister, duh)

- 25 ML Jagermeister Spice

- 25ML Baileys

- 12.5ML Amaretto

- 12.5ML Kahlua

- 50ML half milk/half cream

Shake this baby over ice, and you're set.

Spicey Stag Punch

- 50ML Jagermeister Spice

- 12.5ML Amaretto

- 12.5ML Chambord

-  25ML Red Wine

- 12.5ML Lemon Juice

- A dash of Grenadine

Top it off with Lemonade, and start drinking.

And if these are a bit complex for you, why not just make some boozey hot chocolate?

Literally, just add Jagermeister Spice and Bailey's to hot chocolate.

It's THAT EASY.

These will definitely make us feel a littttttle more mature,
if that's possible while wearing a onesie...

Enjoy!

Life lately...