Ready, set, HELP!

 One thing I've never been good at is asking for help.  Way back in my wee days when I was home-schooled (only for a hot sec, THANK GOD) I rebelliously developed this aversion to asking for help because I didn't want to ask my 'teachers' (uh, parents) to help me because my parents were my parents and I didn't want their help [insert foot stomping and door slamming here].  After my poor mumsy and faja lost all faith in teaching me themselves, they flung me into the corruptive public school system and, though I was only in the second grade, the habit was stuck and I still saw asking for help as a terrible weakness.  (Did I mention that my brain wasn't fully formed at this point and most of my childhood decisions were completely irrational?)   As you know, old habits die hard and I still have to remind myself that asking for help is not a sign of weakness- on the contrary, asking for help allows people to be open with each other and often draws people closer.  Asking for help allows us to learn from one another and feel value in the goodness of humanity.  Asking for help is awesome!

I've had to ask for help a lot a lot a lot since moving here.  From train schedules to ear piercing, I've sought out guidance from strangers and have been so touched by how generously people offer their advice, knowledge, and assistance.  I hope I'll be able to return the favor often.

Here's a shortlist of some things I need help finding right now.  If you have a solution* for me, by all means... 

• I want to find a cool salon/boutique in London to get my left ear double pierced.  I do not want a chain shop and I also do not want to contract hepatitis C, so please keep your recommendations to places that will offer a great experience, a good service, and a clean environment. 
• To harken back to my aforementioned rebellious streak... I'm going to Ascot on the 23rd of June and have just read the dress code for the Royal Enclosure.  While I'm super excited to be going to such an amazing event, something about all the rules makes me want to push some boundaries, and instead of wearing a bridesmaidy dress and giant hat, I want to find a menswear inspired vintage suit and I want to adorn my own hat, probably with quail feathers.  Ergo, I am looking for the best of the best** vintage shopping in London.  And perhaps a good milliner, too.
• What are these flowers on this shrubby tree thing in the above photo called? (Mom, you've gotta be all over this one...)  I saw them along the canal in London yesterday and was struck by how blue they are.
• Cute London-based home goods boutiques?  I need some solid, well-made kitchen and bath things to make my English Gentleman's old bachelor pad a more welcoming place to live.  Besides, who doesn't love a great boutique full of homey things**? 
• Once my yoga mat arrives  later this week (along with all my heels & books, YAY!!!), I will once again be in the market for a good yoga studio.  I prefer to practice Forrest yoga, but I don't mind Vinyasa or some of the hybrid classes that keep you flexible and moving.  I prefer not to attend a studio that asks me to chant things or try to sell me on some kind of spirituality... unless it promises me a Diane Kruger bod after just one class, in which case I might reconsider. 

*Advising me to 'just Google it' is not a solution.  I'm looking for legit word-of-mouth recommendations here, folks!
**In my book, 'best of the best vintage' = ohmygosh!-worthy deals & truly quality pieces. 
*** If you're in Boston and are looking for a wonderful home goods boutique, I cannot recommend Pod in Brookline Village enough!  From petite Spanish tumblers (which I am at this moment using as mini wine glasses) to eco-friendly shower curtains, linen scarves and glorious bath salts, Pod will have you covered!