Missed Summer....now it's cold again!

Summer went way too fast.  Just realizing how much updating I have to do.  Hopefully everyone is well.  Let me get to what I have been up to.

So the biggest thing that happened this summer was the huge trip I took with my parents to the UK and Ireland.  We spent 7 days and nights on the Queen Mary 2, leaving on the 7th July from Brooklyn, NYC arriving in Southampton UK on the 14th.  It was so much fun we wished we were taking the boat back!  We made amazing people, had high tea everyday, tried to win at Pub Quiz, danced, ate, learned things and even sat by the pool.  So much fun and nostalgia.  Totally recommend it.

Mom & Dad at the Pub for Lunch

 As we are leaving NYC

 From the balcony...

One of the many high teas we had

Dad volunteering to be on stage (of course!)

 The Twenties night

When we arrived in Southampton, we rented a car and drove straight to Barry in Wales, the home of the TV show Gavin and Stacey.  If you haven't seen Gavin & Stacey, James Corden wrote and starred in it.  We are big fans so we wanted to go see that town.  As it happens, they were filming when we were there (a 10+ year reunion Christmas episode!!!) and you will see what happened!

Mom & Dad's Sunday Roast at the pub 

 We're on the Island!

Barry Island Le

ME AND JAMES!!!!

After a night in Barry, we drove up a small port town in Wales to wait a night to take the ferry across to Ireland.  Once we arrived there, we drove straight to Dingle, where Mom thinks we have some family heritage.  This night was Mom's big birthday.  So we made sure we were prepared.  Dingle was stunning. 

Happy Birthday Mom!

We went from Dingle to Galway and then Galway to Derry.  We got to see a family friend Kathleen in Derry.  She made sure we saw all the sights.  

Mom & Dad at an Abbey along the way

 The Derry Girls Mural!

Kathleen and I at dinner

From Derry, we drove to Belfast.  We got to stop along the way and see some amazing things including Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.  So unreal.

I actually went across it.  M&D did not.

We were in Belfast for a couple of days which was great.  The Titanic Museum is amazing.  We had high tea (again!) at the Titanic Hotel.  We went on a black taxi tour to see all the murals and sites of the troubles.  We hung out with Mark Henry and Roni Horner.  Lovely time!

At the Titanic Hotel

 Murals on the Black Taxi Tour

Roni, Mark and I

We closed out our trip with a couple of nights in Dublin.  We hit the Guinness Factory, which we all really enjoyed.  We went to see the Book of Kells and the Trinity College Old Library.  We saw a few museums including Dublin Castle and the Emigration Museum.  We drank a lot of Guinness.  And of course we saw the Temple Bar!

Dad at the Guinness Factory

 We all learned to pour the perfect pint!

The Old Library at Trinity College

 Temple Bar

Once I got back from Ireland, it wasn't too long until my 40th.  I spent it in Savannah, Georgia with my best friend Sara who lives in Memphis.  It was really hot, but I loved it.  Lots of cocktails, good food and mansions.  We went to a quite famous piano bar, saw the house & cemetery from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and had high tea at a cute place on the Savannah College of Art and Design.  We even had dinner at the Grey, which was featured on Chef's Table on Netflix.  SO GOOD!  I will definitely be back to this amazing town.  

Rooftop cocktails

 High Tea

 Jim Williams' House

We were so full at dinner that all I could eat was berries and cream!

 The Grey!

Lovely Savannah

A great day at the spa

After Savannah, I managed to fit in a quick trip to NYC to Moulin Rouge with my friend Greg from work.  We had a great time in the city.  Always good to see it in all different times of year.  The show was amazing.  Totally recommend it.  We also had a lovely night on a friend of his private roof terrace.  Love that city!

Moulin Rouge!

 Rooftop Views

 

I had a bit of a party for my 40th later in September as well.  A lot of people came.  I had a great time.  My friends organized the cakes inspired by the one's Beyonce had at her birthday party in Philly (and from the same Bakery Cake Life!) not that long before mine.  Check them out!

Queen B's Cake

Me and My Cakes 

My lovely friend Karla came all the way from Mexico

My parents and Aunt Rusanne and Uncle Jack were the hit of the party

I also worked on a quick little fundraiser for my local democrats.  It was a big hit!  This Tuesday is voting day in the US and every single race matters!  Get out there US friends & family!  

The cake

 The great set up

 All the guests

Managed to fit in a Witches and Wizards 5k with Stoney.  It was such a trip at the Chestnut Hill Festival! 3 1/10 Miles Managed!

I have also been working on a podcast with my friend Mary.  We review and rewrite Hallmark Christmas Movies.  It's called Hallmarked Up.  It is available on a lot of platforms including Anchor, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.  Search for us, subscribe, listen and review.  Thanks to my bro Jonny for his help with the logo design.  My audio editing is getting better, but I know it's not professional, so no judging audiophiles.  Check us out on www.hallmarkedup.com, FB and IG. 

I will probably get back to the NYC in December as I always like to.  Going to Seattle for Thanksgiving.  Doing a Turkey Trot out there so I need to keep training.  Just bought a light for running with as it is definitely getting darker and colder here.  Still haven't locked in Christmas plans yet, but I think I will be away somewhere.  Watch this space.  

Hope everyone is happy & healthy.  Come visit! 

Sxo