Fairytale

St. Llanthony Priory in Wales is like  fairytale dream; the most breathtaking  scene

I wore a hand-me-down plaid, wool maxi skirt by AT, and a wool sweater vest I found in the basement and my new oxford flats

Emmaline D’Urbervilles

Running low on wardrobe choices; especially for a perfectly temperate day, I borrowed this Ann Taylor Loft silk chiffon aquamarine paisley halter dress from mom

I had to pear down the size 6 top with a wide navy belt and a few coral pink accessories to pop; like the ballet flats by Dorothy Perkins (found in the charity shop for 3 pounds 50) and the bow bracelet found at Debenham’s marked down to 3.99(~$7.50 USD)

I imagined for a while that I was  Thomas Hardy’s female pagan protagonist with the windblowing through my hair at this sacred site, but without the tragic ending.

When I got home later that evening; I saw what I thought was an adorable knit beanie; but was sorely disappointed to realize it was only a teacozy…silly me.

London’s calling

Can you find me? It’s like where’s Waldo in Trafalgar Square. Hint: I am wearing a white shirt and big sunglasses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the postcard shot of BigBen in front of Parliament. The white button down pintuck blouse is by Dorothy Perkins, but I got it at the Oxfam (originally founded at Oxford as a famine relief agency -hence Ox +Fam ) charity shop for 3.99pounds about $6.26 and it was finally warm enough to button up the sleeves; not a drop of rain all day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do I look as a Bobby? I wish my job required a cool hat

I may not have had tickets to any event, but what a fun time to be in London; even saw a few athletes from different countries touring the city. I love the bag that I bought; its been perfect for all these day trips and I’ve discovered that no one in this country wears heels or carries clutches; you need a rucksack to hold all your treasures from when you go to the market and flats to walk or bike you there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this case my rucksack was carrying my extra shoes; I made it 5 fashionable miles before giving into comfort. Navy and Tan Paisly Jersey knit dress by Ann Tayor Loft

 

 

 

In a city full of strangers, I found some old friends at Hamley’s

Overall it was a lovely day in London

Cobalt cardigans and charity shop charms

After raking every charity shop in town twice since I’ve been here, I picked up a few things I love!

These oxford flats by a brand called atmosphere were 4 pounds($6.26)  and perect for strolling down cobblestone streets of historic Bicester. Also UK shoe sizes are very confusing; I’m a US 7/7.5  which is about a 5 in the UK, this pair is a little snug so I think they are a 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mustard scarf (3.49 =$5.46) is striking against the cobalt blue vintage wool Pendleton cardigan (again borrowed from Mumsies closet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is St.Edbergs, an old Saxon Church built in the 11th century and the small window above the door is the oldest piece of stained glass in Britain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French Connection Ruffle sleeve top 3.75 pounds and the bag was only 2 pounds 50!

Gold, brown and cream flower cluster earringswere marked down from 6pounds 50 to  only 1 pound atDebenhems Department store and tortoiseshell bracelets from Banana Republic

Blenheim palace

Another rainy day in Oxfordshire, so with my wellies on we wandered through the estate’s gorgeous grounds  and were even magically trasported into a medieval joust!

This summery silk floral skirt by Ann Taylor is warmed up by layering a cream color long-sleeved cotton tee tucked in with a powder blue cardigan by Banana Republic and my garden Galoshes from Target, I’m holding my Kate Spade Clutch and on my pinky you can make out the replica gold seal ring of William Shakespeare I picked up in Stratford yesterday

I even brought a blue brolly to match! But I think the sword ad shield make better accessories

A bit of an anachronism, I like this retro advert of the Chippers girl

A lovely day for visiting the family home of Winston Churchill and learning the lineage of the Dukes of Marlborough

To thine ownself be true

The quote that inspires my fashionsense and so I needed to channel my inner Ophelia for today’s literary journey to Stratford upon Avon. Here I am sitting outside the very cottage where the bard himself was born and raised on Henley St.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I layered a floral blouse from H&M ($7) over this beautifully patterned Plenty by Tracy Reese dress (donated by Mum)  and added a wide belt ($1.90 @ thrift) Navy was the only color I packed, but it wasn’t too garrish over the deep purple top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I look like I’m ready to spontaneously spout a sonnet; although the dress not covering my ankles would’ve been scandalous in those days; sorry didn’t have room to pack a petticoat.

 

 

 

Now these guys are the real deal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the hilights of the day was eating in the oldest pub in town; it was definitely here when William was around

Oxford

Walking around the streets of Oxford among all the colleges and academics made me long to be a student again. So much literary genious resounds in the town and my favorite part of the day was getting to eat in the Eagle and the Child; better known endearingly to C.S. Lewis an Tolkien as “the bird and the baby”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first fish and chips since I arrived and a Nicholson ale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another literary experience……inside the Divinity School Chapel, standing where Harry Potter’s hospital bed was placed during scenes filmed for the movies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleeveless silk Blue Rose tea dress by Ann Taylor; covered by a teal knit open cardigan and the ballet flats I bought at Dorothy Perkins in Bicester for 7 pounds = $11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In front of another one of the colleges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right before the walking tour with Mr. Darcy

Hello?

One lastpint for the road

lack the knack to pack

Even though I poured through my wardrobe for days and thought I had several sensible yet fabulous ensembles, I felt like a fish out of water  when I got here, nothing I packed was working and I knew I had to shop immediately.

On the way back from the airport we popped into one charity shop and I grabbed this French Connection ruffle sleeved blouse (3.75 pounds = about $6) and this Forever 21 black sundress cvered in yellow roses, with front button detailing (also 3.75 pounds) and a pair of aviators for 95 pence (aboout $1.50)

The combination gave me a fun look that I preferred to anythingI had in my valise to explore the tiny town of Bicester

I wish I’d packed my nice boots and leggings, but these Nine West buckle shoes I had packed as my “dress pair” were satisfactory though not ideal. And to keep me warm while I eat my icelolly, I wear a loose black cardi (borrowed from Mum