Good news!

The past two days have been filled with great news from across the pond! Yesterday, after a lot of stress and anxiety, I finally got my housing situation settled and I'll be living in South Kensington which is where I've wanted to be all along! Today, I received an email from the curator I'm working for stating she had already setup three interviews for me and asking if I'd like to go to Paris for the day on June 24th to see the Madame Gres exhibit at the Musee Bourdelle - um, OF COURSE! I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to take a day-trip to Paris with two curators from the V&A...I can't think of a better experience for my first week abroad!

I'm very lucky to be working with Sonnet - I worked with her two summers ago as well and had an amazing experience. I know the art world can be tough and some curators can be brutal to work for but this is not the case with Sonnet. She truly cares about teaching her interns and helping them get the best experience while they're under her direction. I can't express how thankful I am to have her as a mentor!
Now I'm just working on maknig sure I've got everything I need to pack and finalizing some details.

If only I could find a way to see Kate Middleton's dress before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace since I'll be leaving London 10 days too soon...

Packing List: Books

 Photo from Harper Collins

Photos from Barnes & Noble

As I've mentioned earlier, books are a big part of travel for me. I always take along a few books to read while I'm abroad, and I always have travel guides with me as well. I've been thinking for awhile about which books I'll take with me this summer and I think I've finally settled on a few. One of my requirements is that the books I take are paperback. This just makes traveling much easier and lighter.

For my trip, I've chosen the following books, "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay, "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford, and "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. I also plan on buying "Love Always" by Harriet Evans (have to throw in a chick lit book!) while I'm in London if I need another book to read - which I probably will because the ones I've listed are pretty short.

What are your requirements for books for traveling? Any suggestions on good books for the summer would be appreciated! Thanks!

Waiting Game

My (hopeful) tube stop!

I don't have much of an update today. Unfortunately I'm still waiting for confirmation on my flat in South Kensington. Last week I got stressed out over it but I think it'll all work out in the end. I just hope it works out the way I want it to! The flat in South Kensington is so conveinent for work and play, and there are a few friends located nearby. I'm working on getting my interviews setup so fingers crossed that it all comes together!

I guess right now I'm really just playing the waiting game - waiting for confirmation on the flat, dates to setup for interviews, and to get over there in general.

Soon enough I'll be there and quicker than I want I'll be back and planning my next trip! Maybe a job will be involved next time...one can dream!

Bachelorette Weekend

Last weekend was one of my best friend's bachelorette weekend at Lake Norman. McKinsey and I have been good friends since high school but we've known each other almost our entire lives. It was a great weekend to celebrate her upcoming wedding and to spend with the girls! I love trips with friends and this weekend getaway was perfect. The weather while we laid on the dock was perfect and we all had a great time together. I'm so thankful I was able to go! I can't wait for her wedding in a mere 2 weeks - it'll be a blast!

Grocery Stores

I know this seems like a random post, but I love going grocery shopping and it's a different experience in London than in the US! I'm headed to Trader Joes later today, and it got me thinking of the transitions I'll have to make in a month while I'm in London. Where I'm (hopefully) staying in London, I'll have easy access to a Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's. All three of these grocery stores are within a five minute walk from my flat. In the past, I've spent most of my time and money at Waitrose and Tesco. Waitrose is rather nice and carries a good variety of food. Tesco is a cheaper, quicker grocery store - something I would equate to Wal-Mart but on a MUCH smaller scale and only selling food. In the past I've gone to Tesco for things like cereal, snacks, and sodas. I also like Sainbury's but I'll be honest - two summers ago I had a problem finding the store that was supposedly located near by flat! I guess I'll try again this summer as I've shopped at Sainbury's before and liked their selection.

A bit further out, I've got access to a Whole Foods and Marks & Spencer. I LOVE both of these grocery stores. Whole Foods, as many of you know, is pretty amazing. (And I'm thrilled that we're getting one next year in Charlotte). While amazing, it's also pretty pricey so I try not to go there too often. However, they carry fuji apples, my favorite apple, and they're virtually nonexistent elsewhere in London!

One thing I've had to get used to in the past is the increased frequency of grocery store visits. In the US, we're so used to going to the grocery store and making huge trips. Filling up an entire cart (and sometimes more) with food that will last weeks. In the UK, and in Italy when I lived there, we would go to the grocery store almost daily. This is mostly because refrigerator's are often smaller overseas - I usually have one the size of a mini-fridge. Oddly enough, going to the grocery store so often doesn't bother me. Within a 5 minute walk, I'm at the store. Living in a big city with fantastic transportation and things within walking distance is a great experience.

I must admit - I love going to the grocery store in the US as well. I think I just like food!

25 days!

View from St. James Park

In 25 days I will be boarding my flight to London. I know these next few weeks will pass by incredibly quickly; I've got my best friends wedding to be in, a trip to Atlanta/Athens with my friend Kristin to see Mumford & Sons LIVE, and time to spend with family/friends. I know I'll only be in London for 4 weeks (a little less) but it's still feeling like a big chunk of my summer; this is actually the shortest trip I've taken overseas! I'm still working on getting my housing arrangements together which is starting to raise my stress levels a bit. I thought I had it all worked out but have been waiting on confirmation for awhile so I'm starting to look at alternative options. I hope it works out that I can live where I had originally planned because I found out a little while ago that a friend of Kristin's will be living on the exact same street I'm supposed to live on - what are the odds?? So fingers crossed that it all goes according to the (original) plan.

I think I'll head to the mall this weekend to get a few things for work/interviews. I may also have an iPad to borrow for my trip which would be amazing for the plane rides/days at work.

So far things are moving along and I'm getting excited about my trip. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that this housing gets taken care of - and soon!!

Ultimate Wish List: Carry On

I've never had a really good piece of carry on luggage. Usually I'll use my backpack and a handbag but I think it's time to find a better solution. The problem is, I can't. I want my carry on to be practical, efficient, but in style also. So far all I can find that semi fits these requirements is the Longchamp Le Pilage large tote ($145). In the past I've used a Longchamp Le Pilage tote (small) when I was traveling abroad because it zipped all the way closed, which helped against pick-pocketing. I was happy with the bag, despite the wear and tear it received. I think this time around I'd go for a darker color to combat any markings appearing (which happened on my old bag). Now that my computer is more light-weight than the one I took overseas previously, I think the Longchamp would do it's job. I'd also be able to use it around the city while I'm there.

Does anyone know of a better bag that would be good as a carry on? I'm always looking for suggestions!