Week Thirty-One | TEAM KING TAKES LONDON PART 1

WE HAD OUR FIRST GUESTS THIS PAST WEEKEND! The Kings arrived Saturday and from the moment they got here it was a sightseeing, drinking, eating, laughing and catching-up marathon. Yes, it was just what the doctor ordered! 

James worked hard and long hours all week to ensure that he would be free to entertain over the weekend, and me, I had my first two kickboxing lessons, walked Oliver a few times and got the flat in order for Ryan and Nina. The beginning of the week was uneventful aside from the fact that I almost knocked out my kickboxing instructor with my rendition of a "spinning roundhouse kick" when he simply asked for a left roundhouse kick... (Obviously, sans spin.) Oops! I never said I wasn't a little rusty...

The Kings arrived in Islington Saturday morning around 9:30 AM. We introduced them to our flat, let them freshen up a bit and then we were off to explore London. The Kings are our "foodie friends," so we started off our adventure at Borough Market. We walked around, got some street food and then settled into a local pub to enjoy our first London pint of the day. 

From Borough Market, we leisurely walked up the River Thames, popping in and out of pubs we passed by. I love walking the river, it never gets old. All the buskers and street performers really get me in the London spirit.

After a couple of hours, we eventually ended up at Westminster. It was pretty crowded around Big Ben given that the weather was gorgeous and it was a weekend, but it was so worth it for Ryan and Nina to see some of London's most famous architecture with a backdrop of Carolina blue sky!

At that point, everyone was ready to take it easy for the rest of the night. The Kings didn't sleep on the flight over, so we expected them to crash any minute. We headed back to Islington and stopped into the Pig and Butcher for dinner and drinks.

Once we got back to the flat, it was over. Everyone got into their pajamas and before we knew it, we were saying our goodnights. I was so impressed with the Kings ability to stay awake and *alert* after being awake for over 40 hours... I could never do that! 

Overall, it was a great first day in London for the Kings. As you can see, drinking is an underlying theme of the weekend! We've missed these folks very much and the weekend went by wayyy too fast... Check back later this week for Team King Takes London Part 2!

SEE: Portobello Road

Portobello Road is a prominent street in Notting Hill that runs almost the entire distance of the district. Lining the street you will find shops, restaurants and adorable, colorful Victorian terrace houses. Every Saturday, Portobello Road turns into the infamous Portobello Market, which is well known for antiques and second-hand clothes. Thousands of shoppers and tourists flock to the market on Saturday which is why... you will never find me there!

If markets are your thing, I would suggest checking it out, but I found the road and the scenery to be super charming by itself during the week... and obviously more peaceful.

Assembling A Spring Wardrobe: 16 London Essentials

My favorite task is always at the changing of the seasons where I go through my closet with a fine tooth comb and take inventory of what I have and what I don't have for the upcoming season. I personally find this to be very therapeutic and I always get super excited when I'm able to bring an old item back into rotation or find a straggler in the back of the closet that I had forgotten. This is how I get a good visual of what I currently own.

I am a firm believer in a uniform. I rarely deviate from my comfort zone regardless of the season, that's why I am able to re-wear so many pieces year after year. You won't find me going crazy with the bright spring colors or any off-the-wall trends, I like to incorporate "spice" into my wardrobe in the form of accessories.

We are almost halfway through Spring here in London, but the weather has yet to catch up. (That's why I am just now getting around to doing this task.) The above sixteen items are pieces that I currently own. With these staples in my closet, I really only need a few extra pieces to round out my Spring wardrobe. Maybeeee a tea length skirt, a new chambray button-down, a lively scarf, a silk t-shirt? I think that might need to be another post... 

What are your 2014 Spring essentials?

AT A GLANCE: APRIL 2014

Thanks for the memories, April! xx