Brits

The Brit*Music*Awards were so much fun. We attended last year and had a blast and this year did not disappoint. It was different in a lot of ways - new venue, new host, and lots of new music. Rather than sitting at a table on the floor (like last year) we were in a box. It was different though I prefer to be on the floor - much better for people watching and celeb spotting. Other differences were it was less rock and roll and well, Bi*ber was there. Unfortunately we do not have great photos because the camera battery wasn't fully charged (somebody thought that the green light meant that it was charged. derrr) and I had to use my phone, which as you can tell is not great.

take*that

adele

rihan*a

cee*lo

this is getting late into the night and my eyes are looking very tired

tan hands. yes i got a spray tan!

Brian's work peeps

Ok, I know it seems that we have a somewhat glamorous lifestyle - but let me reassure you that we do not. Honestly! It just so happens that we were invited to two very cool events that happen to fall within a week of one another. What are the chances? Slim - and I promise you that we are back to our regularly scheduled day-to-day, at least for the next 11 months :) It was a super fun week and I'm so thankful that we were invited. Brian works in banking for a US firm. I don't think I'll say much more than that because this is a public blog and I like to keep it that way. That said, Master*Card was the sponsor for the Brits and so that's how he was invited. Ok, so back to these crazy nights for us - as fun as they were I have to say that it was exhausting! I'm really not comfortable in situations where I am making small talk with people I don't know well. I'm not very, how shall I say, polished. I wish I were more skilled in that area but I'm just a girl from a small town living in a big city. Hee. Love it and wouldn't trade these experiences for anything. Ok, gotta run. I have been on my own for FIVE days. The kids have been great but this mama is wiped. Thankfully we're in the home stretch but I do have to prepare dinner ...

the night at the palace

Here is my post about our dinner at Buckingham*Palace. I still cannot believe we were there. It was insane! Ok, the deets ...

ruby is in her hanbok - it was lunar new year after all!

Background - I borrowed a dress from a friend who was recently in a wedding. What are the chances of re-wearing a Bridesmaid dress -- and to Buckingham*Palace nonetheless? I got my hair done and though I didn't love the 70s look I ended up with it did seem to work with the dress. After my hair I had an appointment up the street to have makeup done though b/c I was late the makeup artist left. The store offered for me to do my own makeup there with their products. I was girl in a candy store! So fun. Thankfully the staff took pity on me and helped me out. I'm not so great with doing eyes.

in the foyer

We arrived by taxi and walked through the gates in front. There were no metal detectors or really any security measures taken, which surprised us. We did have to show ID and our invitation to the guard. We walked across the inner courtyard where the guests who were arriving by chauffeur were entering. We were welcomed into a very grand foyer. After leaving our coats at the coat check we were guided up a very long staircase where I was praying that I would not fall - can you imagine? At the top of the staircase were waiters holding silver trays full of champagne flutes. Yes thank you very much! We were then guided into the blue drawing room, which was incredibly beautiful and unlike anything I've ever seen. After trying to remain calm, cool and collected we just could not stop staring at the paintings, the ceiling, the intricate and beautiful details of the room. We did not know anyone there so we were just chatting with ourselves for a while and then our guests introduced themselves and we made small talk for what seemed like donkeys years. That is when we learned that we would meet Their Royal Highnesses (TRH). I'm not gonna lie - I started getting a little bit nervous! About 20 min later they arrived and the room fell quiet. Then the introductions began. We were all lined up against the wall so that they could easily walk through the room, meet and greet, and then exit. We greeted them with "good evening your royal highness". We are not expected to curtsy b/c we are not English. Thank God for G**gle!! It happened fast and we did chat more with Prince C. He asked if we had attended last year and if we were having a nice time, who Brian worked for, etc. We also met a famous Ballet dancer here in London - Rupert*Pennefeather - who was very charming and graciously offered to give me a tour of the Royal Opera House. I seriously felt like I was in a movie!! It was so surreal. We had a super fun night but making small talk chit chat is exhausting. Prince C was very charming (heehee) and shorter than I expected.The next to last photo with Prince C laughing was because of something said. I wish I could remember exactly what it was that I had said but apparently it was funny. Unfortunately the lady standing next to me is blocking me. We also met Camilla but there weren't any photos taken when we shook hands. When we were ushered into the dining hall everybody stood behind their chairs until TRH arrived, which was about 15 minutes after we entered the room. When they walked in the entire room went quiet until they sat. It went like that as they left as well. Can you imagine?! We were seated at the table next to Camilla during dinner and I had direct sight to her the entire evening. Prince C was seated across the room. I think there were about 300 ppl there. Michael Flatley (Riverdance) was the entertainer. Incredible night!! Lastnight we attended the Brit Music Awards, which I'll post on tomorrow. This London gig is not too shabby!

Official Photos

love

What a week it's been! Our BFFs came for a little visit - will do a separate post on that, but we had to say goodbye last Tues, which was sad. Then Kaneu's cold that wouldn't go away got worse and he stayed home from school all week. I loved having him home with me. We did some crafts and had a lot of snuggling time ... but then I got it, which I didn't love so much. Now we are both on antibiotics and feeling better. On a positive note Brian turned 41! Ok, gotta run - just heard a bottle of bubbles being opened. That's my cue. xo

funny face by ruby

gotta love martha!

watching star*wars

a super fun and easy project. kaneu adored doing this and came up with different themes we can use this craft for in the future

homemade choccy chip cookies

birthday boy

Wishing you a love-filled day!

iUpdate

safari dec 2010

Happy 2011!! We had the most amazing time in South Africa. It was incredible and I will do a proper post soon once I upload all of my photos. For now I will iUpdate you on what we've been up to since we've been home. Btw, iUpdate is an iPhone photo update. Yes. I'm dorky.

1. Reminisce about our trip and play with souvenirs.

the postcards we sent ourselves arrived! that was a good day

2. Watched and LOVED Mary Poppins

3. Rode the double decker bus and got the entire first row upstairs! This never happens. Ever.

4. Kaneu started swimming lessons

5.Ruby started gymnastics and ballet

6. The kids have gotten reacquainted with their toys

7. I have rekindled my love for Wagamama

8. Ruby has become infatuated with her dress-up clothes. As in she changes into them all.day.long. We can use them as leverage to get her to do just about anything AND she has had taken them away from her for a full day, which was very traumatic (for everyone involved!).

chatting with grammy sue

9. We have resumed our daily routines. Wednesday is the day that Ruby and I go to Pilates in Primrose Hill. Afterwards we go to the same cafe (a great little veg spot) and have lunch. When the weather is nice we go to the park afterwards. These days we come home and snuggle on the couch under a blanket until Kaneu comes home from school. Spring, hurry up!!

10. Haircuts. We've all had them. Except Ruby because she wants "long hair like Mommy's".

Haircut + Hot Chocolate = Happy Boy

11. Loving on this little cutie. Oh My Goodness. We missed her. Poor thing got sick before we left. I took her for her annual check-up and she caught kennel cough. Seriously!! Poor baby. Thankfully she is all better now.

12. Getting ready to attend a charity dinner at Buckingh*m Palace Thursday evening. Seriously. WTF?? I'm still actually wondering if this is a mistake and they sent the invite to the wrong people. But our names are on the invitation!!