Old Fabulous London Town

I'm home now. Have been for a while now, which is why I've sort of neglected A2A in order to spend some much-needed time with the fam. Listening to Dad's old records while eating Mom's delicious home cooking always reminds me of when I was little. Tonight it was chicken marsala and Tony Bennett. Tony's My Love Went to London took me back to a couple of weeks ago, made me miss London, & jogged my memory of these photos in particular...

an abundance of hanging baskets makes a corner

British pub absolutely beautiful

going to church @ St. Paul's: my response to the

"What was your favorite moment in London?" question

I found what appeared to be Fifi & a bunch of her friends

hanging out near Spittalfield's Mkt in LondonTown

Paris is beautiful in July!

...had to get at least one touristy picture

back to my City tomorrow ...more BigAppleBlogging to come;)

xoxo

Emily

life is short & the world is small

Did you know that approximately 12 million tons (aka a lot) of textile waste is generated each year in North America?

Thanks to the inspiring girls at Goodone, the London-based sustainable fashion company I worked for while abroad, I have caught the go-green bug. I worked with New York's Green Shows during Fall Fashion Week 2010 back in February, but something about Goodone (or maybe it was London in general) really opened my eyes to the idea that, yes, responsibility, ethics, and personal gratification actually do exist in this crazy industry we call fashion.

After visiting a massive British garment recycling center to salvage the best-of-the-tossed, working hands-on to help produce the company's Fall 2010 collection, and attending a party for the opening of 123, a fashion forward sustainable clothing boutique in London's East End, I have officially been inspired to conserve and reuse. I know what you're thinking ...easier-said-than-done, right? Well then why don't you start (if you haven't already) by at least taking your old clothes to a Goodwill, Bargain Box (Raleigh people), or Salvation Army, instead of tossing them into the landfill?

I'm not saying that we can't all lust after fall's new chic booties, tailored tops, wool capes, & classic-with-an-edge jewelry, but let's also revisit some oldies while we're at it ...after all, that old pair of flared jeans that you pushed to the back of your closet a few years ago would look perfect with that tailored top and your new booties...

LEATHER AND SUEDE “TILDEN” BOOTIES $198, DOLCEVITA.COM

100% WOOL “CADET CAPE” $385, LAURENMOFFATTNYC.COM

FENTON/FALLON™ for J.Crew JAWS EARRINGS $85, JCREW.COM

*another thing I learned across the pond?

"Life is short and the world is small. Enjoy every minute."

-old man I met on the train from London to Paris last week

lovelovelove,

em

food & places

My time in London has come and gone way too fast. 5 weeks, 2 suitcases, and 4 pounds later, I am headed home. Yes, despite walking all over London & Paris, the camembert, scones, & chocolate teacakes took their toll. Last night I packed for my return with Julie & Julia playing on my laptop, a glass (make that bottle) of French red, a bowl of olives and, of course, a couple of chocolate teacakes. Watch the movie if you haven’t already (it's sweet & has beautiful takes of Pari & YUMMY food in it ...basically, the chickest flick ever) and, besides the food and the French architecture, pay attention to what’s hanging above the bed in Julie’s apartment. They are framed antique handkerchiefs of different states & I am longing for them to be framed in my apartment …the North Carolina & New York ones, that is. One question: why is it that the Iowa hanky is only $30 and North Carolina has to be $80?

cheers to London!

& see you tonight, America!

xo, em

Au revoir, London!

after one final bash in London last night (complete with 4 new best friends we found: 2 Canadian dudes en route to see the world + a sweet British couple) I'm off to Paris in 2.5 ...will share blog worthy travel stories when I'm back, but for now I thought I'd leave you with a couple of snap shots of you-know-who traveling in London & Paris.

c'est la vie!
xo em

images from here

i see London i see France

Bonsoir!

...nothing like a last minute trip to Paris...

this will be me in two days (minus the tap dancing & singing)

...on 2nd thought, oui maybe i will!

One thing is for sure though, this girl is on an intense search

for the world's best croque monsieur, s'il vous plaít!

Au revoir for now!

In the meantime, does anyone have a favorite thing to do in Paris that I must try?

be the one

let's rebuild the Gulf Coast! take just 1 minute & sign the petition

start your month out feeling good about doing something good;)

xo, em

ps: how is it August already?!

happy birthday, Mom!

Thank you for amazing me everyday with your wonderfulness!

I love you!

...and yes, she still looks that cute!

daily dose of loveliness

courtesy of my green tea addiction:

ireallyneedtoworkonthe1stpartofthatstatement

& courtesy of the twitterverse:

always so relevant (gotta be a God thing!)

...thank you, YogiTea & FashionweekNYC

***

Also, since yesterday's post on the Wallpaper*City Guide, I have now discovered Wallpaper* online ...why did I not know about this colorful, inspiring design haven before now?!

travellightlivelightspreadthelightbethelight

xo em

i bought a book

and today I finally read it. It's just a travel book, no in depth novel or anything, but if you're in need of a guide to any major city you could possibly want to travel to, then I've found what you need! It's called the Wallpaper*City Guide.

I have a sentimental connection with windows (yeah, I'm hokey) so as I read my travel book on this drizzly British afternoon while sitting at Album, a cafe in London's upscale-but-low-key Chelsea area (a far cry from my artsy Chelsea back in NYC), I can't help but take a mental picture of my view from this window. The raindrops on the window pane, the cobblestone street, the old bridal shop across the way housed in an even older building, the green window baskets cascading down ...oh & I have a plate of hummus, pita & olives and a glass of pinot grigio... okay, you get the vibe?! It's just all so, well, European.

Oh yeah, back to my little book... published by Phaidon, these tiny travelers may be small in size, but they pack in a lot of good stuff, including beautiful color photographs. The tabs of the book include:

Landmarks -the shape of the city skyline

Hotels -where to stay & which rooms to book

24 Hours -see the best of the city in just one day

Urban Life -cafes, restaurants, bars, & nightlife

Architour -a guide to the city's iconic buildings

Shopping -the best retail therapy & what to buy

Sports -work out, chill out, or just watch

Escapes -where to go if you want to leave town

You can get um for a "fiver" here in London, but back in the States they are still well worth the $10 price tag. Apparently there is also now a Wallpaper*City Guide iPhone app for all you tech-savvy people. Bonus: they come in a rainbow of cute colors *see top picture* & will even fit inside a clutch (speaking from experience, obviously:)

happy travels (or @least travel reading!)

xo em

london fundon & fifi

For those of you checking A2A daily, I promise I have blog content coming soon;) Just busy trying to take full advantage of all the fundon in London before I leave. For those of y'all who love Fifi Lapin & aren't tired just yet of hearing me obsess over her, read on...

I have good news and bad news. Good news first?! Okay. Fifi has finally re-opened the doors of her online shop! And the bad, there's no original artwork available on there. There are tons of cute prints, post cards, & photos on there, but I am waiting to hear back from Fifi as to whether she still sells the actual paintings (yes, that's right, I emailed* a fictitious bunny). If you're in the market for a print, or just interested in browsing, visit the shop. thisrabbitshouldreallystartpayingmeforPR

*Dear Fifi, How are you? I bought one of your original watercolors about 6 years ago and am dying to get my hands on another. Do you still sell them? I live in New York but am in London for the next couple of weeks and would love to stop by. Let me know! bunny kisses, Emily

To all you wet rabbits here in London, don't forget your wellies!

And to all you hot bunnies back home, don't forget your shades!

xoxo, em

Just a few of my bffs...

these girls make it look like blondes really do have more fun (or atleast more fun clothes). Each look is so simple, yet so spot-on! I'm loving these out-fits ...and wishing I had their closests...

Only Kate Moss could make simple black leather ankle boots and jacket

look soo good! @ dinner @ The Wolseley in London.

Jennifer Aniston looking chic (& working those crazy legs) in Valentino

...she was in town to launch her fragrance at Harrods.

Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney (one of my top 5 favorite designers)

at the London premiere of her new movie Knight and Day.

And, my vote for this week's best dressed, Gwyneth Paltrow

paired a Chanel jacket and Ray-Bans with a simple t-shirt & shorts

while on holiday in the Hamptons. i.want.that.jacket.

try for the lottery or rob a bank ...what's your vote?

xoxo, em

for photo credits & to see the rest of this week's best, check out Vogue UK

summergoesTOOfast

I was just @ a concert on Governor's Island in NYC

before I left for London, but this was definitely

not the dress code the night I was there:

...wish it had been though!

& so bummed i missed out on the Jazz-Age Dance Party

photos from our old friend Scott

***

Today marks the half way mark of my time in London (hardtobelieve)

but I am determined to do as much of this as possible:

loving the colorful/artsy promotional music calendars here in London!

***

in the spirit of summer music, I posted 7

new song links @ the top of my 'WHAT I'M LISTENING TO'

column ...a few songs from new favorite bands

& a couple of old ones that I've been meaning

to post for a while. Have a listen!

***

now go enjoy some outdoor live music!

love, emily

Necklush, yes please

natural w/ magenta blue and purple - $42

Brought to you by two creatives in Brooklyn, Necklush is another result of the American Dream in action. The one-of-a-kind accessories are made of cotton fabrics sewn into tubular loops to create a more fun, easy, freeing version of your standard everyday scarf. LA Times Magazine calls Necklush "the ultimate hybrid accessory, one that will end your "scarf or necklace?" debate once and for all." TimeOut NY, Refinery29, Daily Candy, & even my girl Fifi Lapin (below) have also featured the scarves. Available in various colors, lengths, & thicknesses, the creations retail from $21-$155.

(kitty on the right is Fi's BFF Ruby)

Bonus: they come in these sweet little packages:

be proud of who you are*

xo em

*on the end of my Yogi tea bag this morning

one more thing!

I can't go to bed without sharing these insane Chanel shoes with you that I tried on at a Vintage store in Notting Hill. The attention to detail was incredible & unfortunately this picture doesn't quite do these beauties justice ...what is it with the vintage Chanel in this town?! Most amazing of all, they fit like perfection!

And ofcourse, in A2A fashion, I found Jessie Western, a booth at Portabello Road (market I went to while in Notting Hill) with wonderfully crafted leather goods, cowboy (girl) boots, jewelry, and all things utterly & completely American...

...as much as I am falling head-over-heels for London, there was something so satisfying about finding this little piece of home right there in the middle of London's most famous neighborhood.

new week, new places ...new house?

Another busy weekend has come & gone here in Londontown (timeflieswhenyourhavinfun) and I have still failed to blog about Goodone, my internship that just wrapped up last Friday. Stay tuned for more on that and on my class on London Fashion (starting tomorrow a.m. so I must get to bed) For tonight though, I will leave you with a few photos from my jaunt in Notting Hill yesterday...

oh, you know, just a few amazing houses I'm looking into for myself ...which is your favourite? (I'm kind of in love with the way British people spell the word favourite, so I thought I'd try it on for size;)

with love from real estate heaven,

em

"I thought Fendi was a food"

Today's cover of Women's Wear Daily features Catherine Malandrino's "Min" Dress

...YAY home run, CM!

In other fashion news, check out this cute kid from Georgia all over the runways & now in the New York Times ...South-meets-North once again thanks to Nolé Marin & this new Sean O'Pry. iamnotacradlerobberiamnotacradlerobberiamnotacradlerobber

more on London Fundon next time!

xoxo

shoestoregalore

Discovery at Harrod's (besides Harrod's itself) ...Kurt Geiger shoes! They are so fun and I didn't try on a one that wasn't comfortable (as heels go). Harrod's was amazingly huge & a bit overwhelming ...if you've been, you already knew that. It was the last day of their major sale & I may or may not have HAD to buy a pair of these glorious shoes for myself.

that last funky red shoe: yes, those are bunnies on them;)

I think a tribute to fifi lapin would be the perfect excuse to buy that pair!

speaking of fifi...

...girl (err bunny) after my own heart!

in relevant celebrity news:

Beyonce and Jay-Z were at Harrod's last week as well! Terrible situation though, have you heard?

"The songstress was travelling with hubby Jay-Z in a blacked-out silver Mercedeswhen the incident occurred, the Sun has revealed.

The pair were on their way for a romantic dinner at swanky London eatery, Zuma, in Knightsbridge, when they decided to make an impromptu shopping stop at the famous London store.

But as Beyonce opened the car door to get out, a black taxi ploughed straight into it, ripping it straight from its hinges, and missing the US star 'by inches’.

Bea was said to be ‘shaken’ by the incident, but luckily remained unharmed.

And it seems Beyonce and her famous hubby were in no mood for shopping after the dramatic incident.

A replacement car was quickly sent to collect the pair, and they continued on to their dinner."

-taken from Marie Claire UK

HOLY DRAMA in Londontown! Glad they're okay!

today we have learned inorderofimportance:

*buy yourself some cute shoes*

*drink more expensive wine*

*look before opening your doors*

xo em

every little old thing.

my commute or journey as the Brits call it to Goodone

(new internship, more on that to come!) starts out like this:

when I get off the double decker red ohmygoshthey'rereal bus, I stroll along this canal...

notice the fun boats ;)

...and into this alleyway...

...up the stairs I turn around and realize that the view from the studio looks like this:

I'm enjoying every little old thing here in London (literally, everything is little. and old.) The buildings are shorter and, unlike the New York subway, the London Tube may have of been built for friends of Snow White. Though the Tube & the buildings seem to have made me taller, it's quite refreshing to be in a big city where you can see the sky. Some things not so refreshing include people who enjoy making comments about how 'fat' America is or how "Americans are so behind in phone technology" What is that about?! Any-woo...

Today after work I squeezed in a trip to Oxford Circus (things here seem to have the most enchanting names; names like circus instead of 'circle', a tube stop called Elephant and Castle, & their hospital is literally called Royal Hospital) My reason for heading to Oxford Circus was to find one landmark in particular, the renowned luxury department store Liberty of London. Liberty far exceeded my expectations, partly due to the fact that I went just an hour short of closing time so it seemed the whole store was all mine, but mainly because it was full of beautiful clothes made of the most beautiful fabrics. Some of the clothes were by luxe European designers, some by good 'ol American designers, and some by names I hadn't heard before, like Michael Van Der Ham, whose idea of fashion as art is so exciting that putting a picture here wouldn't do it justice (you must see his designs!). ***we interrupt this post to bring you Chanel ...VINTAGE Chanel*** That's right, there's an entire department in Liberty devoted to vintage designer pieces and I found a turn of the century Chanel dress so elegant it would make even a tom-boy want to wear a dress! (still searching for picture of it to share with you ..I couldn't bring myself to attempt a photo session while sales people and security were standing 3 feet away)

Oh, and I'm not quite sure what it means to be a vintage candle, but if heaven were a scent, I assume a Le Labo candle is what it would smell like

...if you're looking to spend $70 on a candle, that is.

Aside from the small subway cars and a couple of small-minded people, I think I really may be inside a fairytale. Many more chapters of this storybook summer to come so stay tuned...

xo emily