My Favorite Things

On Saturday, our 15 boxes of stuff arrived from America.  Having our things here allows me to finally feel as if I actually live here at Cox Quarters, and I'm not just a strange visitor.  I've had a fun (and frustrating) time arranging everything in the new space and slowly our flat is becoming our home.  Obviously I have my favorites amongst my processions, and I wanted to share some of My Favourite  Favorite Things with you.  I'm so so happy to have them back in my life!

1. The only things I actually collect (barring shoes) are Blanton's Bourbon bottle stoppers.  Did you know that each bottle of Blanton's comes with a horse and jokey bottle stopper and on each stopper is a letter which, when you have a complete set, will spell out Blanton's?  David and I have been collecting the stoppers for a little over a year, and it wasn't until a week before our move that we completed our set (thanks for the bourbon, Lauren!).  I've seen Blanton's at a couple bars in London, but have yet to find a place that serves it in my little Hobbit Town, though my local liquor store said they'd special order some for me, which I must remember to do soon!  
2. It is so comforting to have my books back!  Books are like old friends and even if I neglect them from time to time, it's always nice to look over at my book shelf and fondly remember their stories.  I love the tangibility of books and have always found the written word to be enormously inspiring. 
3. I was very worried that my vintage champagne glasses, and ice bucket would arrive in hundreds of little pieces after being jostled around during the move.  Luckily, they all arrived in pristine condition and are ready for use!  Not only do I love them because they're pretty, but they're especially dear to me because they were wedding gifts from my parents.  I'm excited to share more pictures of them with you when I shoot some at-home mixology posts... Oh, they are so so glamorous!
4. My vintage mink stole still takes my breath away.  As you can see in the second picture, the lining is frayed and in need of repair, but I can hardly bring myself to get rid of the sweet original monogramming.  Sentiment aside, I think it's almost time to make the fur mine and get it re-lined and re-monogrammed, this time with my own initials!  (If anyone has a recommendation for a great fur restorer in London, I'd be glad to hear it!)
5. I have gone the last month without wearing heels!  Well, that's not entirely true- I've had one pair with me, but I've been missing my collection of wonderful sky-high footwear!  I've especially been missing these Isola pony hair leopard booties.  When the weather cools down, I'll definitely be wearing them with white denim and black tank tops.
6. These Proenza Schouler sandals are slightly more practical for summer and I'm so pleased to have them back in my closet (and on my feet).  I was absolutely enamored with these sandals last summer and I'm excited to see what adventures they take me on this year, too. 
7. And finally, my kimono, which my dad bought for me ages ago on a trip to Japan.  In my world, I wear this kimono as a house coat and can be found most mornings with it wrapped tightly around me as I sip coffee and fiddle around on my laptop.  I LOVE my kimono.  My mornings were definitely not the same without it. 

p.s. Happy Memorial Day to everyone in the States!  Between sips of your margarita, I urge you to take a moment to honor those who have served and protected our amazing homeland.  THANK YOU, GUYS!  xoxo

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!