ASPLEY GUISE, ENGLAND

Like I mentioned yesterday, I didn't take many photos at the beginning of our stop in England. A shame, considering how pretty this place is.

When we were getting ready for the wedding, the hairdressers doing our hair (I was one of the bridesmaids) were so funny and asked me to do my very best impersonation of an English accent. "What do you want me to say?" I asked.

Here was my instruction: "Hello, let's have a cup of tea!" >> which was butchered by my American accent speckled with Texas pronunciations.

Everyone was shrieking with joy at the differences, and I asked if my hairdresser would say, "Hey y'all, let's go ride horses!!" The end result was the cutest thing that I can't even remember.

Anyway, we stayed at one of the comfiest Best Western hotels in Aspley Guise before the big day, which I adored. Minus the man that joked with me and asked if I would like a left-handed cup or a right-handed cup (yes, I got confused and fell for it). Just kidding, he was so funny, and he really did bring us tea, sugar cubes, and biscuits. And continued to joke with the confused American every day.

Ahhh, it was a pretty place:

This was our view while sipping tea.

And these pretties were hanging around outside. :)

More to come!

LONG TIME NO SEE!

WELL.

My plan of posting every now and then during the trip completely backfired, apparently, but after sore legs every day, sweating profusely on non-airconditioned trains, desperately wishing to scoop up the tiniest three-year-olds speaking French to take back home, stuffing our faces with pizza and gelato, jumping off of piers 40 feet above water, and surviving the shakiest ride back in the plane through a thunderstorm, I would like to point out that I'm back in the United States of America.

Only in our house for two days, I've found myself wistfully thinking about Europe. Except Rome, which nearly killed me. Just kidding...it's just such an intense city, with the cumulation of smells (not great), sounds (okay), and sights (monumental).

I was scoffed at by my fellow expedition partners (aka my older sister and my husband) for my insatiable urge to stare through the camera lens and maniacally bask in the glory of the sound of the shutter that was constantly galloping like horses' hooves, but I would like to point out (again), that some beeeaautiful photos that ALMOST serve these places justice became the byproducts of my annoying habits.

Care to look at a few sneak peeks?

Oh, and can you guess what my favorite city was?

The wedding (INSANE, by the way>>horse carriages, a venue that resembles Downton Abbey, Rolls Royces) was outside of a beautiful town called Aspley Guise, which I sadly only have a handful of photos of. I'll still share them, so no worries! London, though...I have countless visuals of you. :)

I basically died of excitement in Paris. Overused phrase of mine during those two days: "Merci!"

Ahh, Zurich. The home of gorgeous waters, beautiful temperatures, and insanely expensive food. I can see why, though, based on your tree-lined drives speckled with violinists, pianists, and lovely bands, coupled with the sparkling waters.

And Rome. You scared me sometimes with your intensity, but you honestly made some of the best memories for us.

And who would have known that one of the most crazy-beautiful beach towns is within an hour's reach of Rome by train? This, my friends, was the perfect way to relax before coming back home. Spoiled? Check.

Somehow I'll have to find the power within me to sift thorough my thousands of photos, but I'll definitely share more!

Have you guys ever been to any of these places?? What did you think?

And by the way, I've missed you all!

AND WE'RE OFF!

As I'm typing this, it's about 1:20 AM, we're  an hour outside London, and I'm cozied up amidst a mountain of white fluffy sheets and pillows. We spent the day up in the air in the planes getting to Europe, and our first stop is in the countryside for my cousin's wedding that will take place in the gorgeous Woburn.

The people here in England are SO sweet and chatty. We've already learned to adore tea time, English accents (and constant jokes--I fell for saying yes to a right-handed cup of tea as opposed to a left-handed one, ha!), and stormy skies.

My plan is to not drop off the face of the earth as far as blogging, so hopefully I'll have the chance to check in every now and then.

Thank you guys so much for your recommendations again! Can't tell you how excited I am to explore this amazing part of the world!

And with that...goodnight. Zzzzz.

HAPPY 4TH!

Man, I am up LATE. Do you ever just get excited working on stuff, then look up at the clock and realize it's 2 AM?? Time to go to bed, ha!

Happy Fourth of July to you! I'll be back home spending the holiday with family and going to a wedding, so I'll see ya next week. :) And then...Europe!

THE SECRET PROJECT

Here's the secret project I was working on so far.

LOV, otherwise known as Lily of the Valley, is mineral cosmetics company that in its infancy. Throughout brainstorming and gathering inspiration, I've been happily designing and redesigning away, and we're nearly to the point of completion in the midst of editing. Out of the above logos that the owners chose from, we still made some changes...but...which one do you think they went for? :)

Next up in the process...adding color!