taking grace for a ride

At the ripening age of 24, I've experienced the beauty, and of course the unattractive the world has to offer. But, I refuse to stop here... Come along as I gallivant along the unpredictable, the unkept, the uncharted route I seek-- with grace.

[gonegirl2012-blog]

[kembabuchanan]

Having a sweet tooth at the moment. Sharing my candies with you all --- 

... don't mention it

[tylerknott]

Typewriter Series #970 by Tyler Knott Gregson

*It’s official, my book, Chasers of the Light, is out! You can order it through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound , Books-A-Million , Paper Source or Anthropologie *

[kembabuchanan]

I had just discovered this incredible poet/ photographer/author/creative being of all things artistic. To put it simply-- I've become an immediate admirer of his work.

[kembabuchanan]

So hip, so cool

At Top Shop on Oxford Street, I was sitting next to the DJ booth waiting for friends and spied this colorful lady. Yes, I mean she was literally colorful. Covered in tattoos of the most vibrant inks, from head to toe. I was so intrigued by her look, I felt I should pay her a compliment. We had a lovely chat and she was more than willing to crack a smile for my camera. I can tell Becky was a beautiful person inside and out.

Bless her.

[kembabuchanan]

Sipped until I couldn't sip anymore, but that isn't possible is it

London Cocktail Week

I enjoy sipping a well made dirty martini (with four olives), specifically made by Ms. Erin Birmingham. Since being miles away from her though, I have to either make it myself, which I still can't quite get it the way she does, or I can go out and buy one, but then I'm usually disappointed, so I tend to skip the latter.

When I read that London was hosting their 5th anniversary cocktail week event: 4£ cocktails for a whopping seven days; I said... Hell yes! Please! There were over 250 venues participating and every location had their own specialty cocktail. What made it even more fantastic, was that only those with red wrist bands could purchase this cocktail, talk about exclusivity. That week I tried... let's just say many many lovely cocktails. I also discovered some of London's trendiest, dive-ist, liveliest, bar and club scene. 

Here I'm at Roadtrip and the Workshop, a divey, punk- rock, grudge vibe. Jammed out to a little Jimi Hendrix while I sipped on their Velvet Hipster, a bourbon cocktail with grapefruit and a splash of ginger syrup. Mr. Bartender really shook up a doozy with this one, as I had to ask him for a bit more syrup! 

Same spot, a poster with "Nancys" greeted us to at the co-ed restroom. 

It wouldn't be a proper co-ed restroom without photos half naked men slapped on the walls. Sizzling hot.

Bluebird Cafe's Cointreau Fizz. A summery and limey mixture, went down like lemonade.  

The Dj ever so slick calling my name through his mixing of island, reggae-ish tunes at Forge and Co. The atmosphere was very lively, but still chill enough to have a chat amongst your friends without having to yell over the noise. 

Maisie wasn't a fan of the Johnny Appleseed, Forge and Co whipped up. I would call it a fall cocktail: Johnny Walker, apple juice, cinnamon, and a spicy (in a chili pepper way) finish. It was interesting, something I'd never order, but glad it was tried.

   At Angostura Butterfly House Mr. Tous conjured up a delicious sugar cane, lime, lemon, and ginger concoction. Will definitely purchase a bottle and bring it back to NYC before I leave the UK. Thank you @BlueMountJam

Dancing with the butterflies at Angostura Butterfly House. These two were inseparable.

Butterfly whisperer 

Fruit, cocktails and dancing butterflies. Up close and personal with about 50 ish butterflies as they fluttered about, fantastic cocktail experience. 

These were my favorite out of the many I've tried. Archer Street's Do You Pink I'm Sexy, drove my taste buds mad. A vermouth, elderflower, lemon juice, splash of tonic, garnished with a grapefruit wedge--fantastic the first and second time around. 

At The Cadogan Arms the most talkative bartender, forget his name, shook up this gorgeous pink- rose cocktail, served up in a martini glass. They named it Chasing Summer, like summer's end it left a fresh, light, and velvety after taste. Creme De Mure with chamomile tea, rose syrup, and lemon juice. Pretty girly it was. 

[kembabuchanan]

Where is Hugh Grant?

I fell in love with the houses in Notting Hill, more specifically the bright, clean, off- white houses that so vibrantly stood, in Ladbroke Grove area. They were absolutely stunning, classic like a white button down blouse. Once I left that area and made my way to Portobello Road, the houses, still very beautiful, were all painted in pastel colors of the rainbow: greens, blues, pinks, yellows, I couldn't imagine being sad walking down that street. I fell the colors gave off such positive energies, where even if you tried to be upset you'd fail at it.

Well, of course I had to visit the house where Hugh Grant lived when he played William in Notting Hill, and to my surprise there were no crazy crowds at the blue

door! I imagined there'd be many women wanting to take a photo or two standing at his door step, hoping he'd magically appear in his boxers, like in the movie. I mean, I certainly wished for it. 

Saw this and wanted to pull out the monopoly board i carry with me in my back pocket. I figured there wouldn't be enough time to finish a game, considering I hadn't even made it to the famous blue door. 

Portobello Road's colorful and adorable homes. They sorta remind me of doll houses-- cutest street ever!  

This shot of my flat mate Elena shows more of the colorful homes. Great photo on my part.  

Putting my apostrophe cup to use! haha I asked Elena to pose with it in front of this door because the pinks match so well. I thought the colors in this photo were so cutesy and girly.

Went into this movie theatre asking to use their restrooms and they weren't exactly the most helpful receptionists. But I would still come back to watch a film here, won't hold it against them. 

Now this is a Classic. The chrome on this Rolls Royce was glistening. It hurt to look at it! 

In America, and other parts of the world, we say: "1.. 2.. 3.. say cheese!", but in other parts of the world they say something different. For example, in Castilian you say:"1..2..3..say patata!" 

Yes, I knocked. No, he didn't answer. 

[kembabuchanan]

Markets Galore–– Camden Town

Once home to Charles Dickens and Amy Winehouse, it was only fair to make a day out of Camden. I mean two exceptional minds like those are enough reason to visit the area, wouldn't you agree?

Between the plethora of food vendors and the hundreds of retail stables, there wasn't very much time to see all I wanted in one day. Regardless of time slipping away ever so quickly, I had a fantastical time. I can't wait until my second visit!  

[kembabuchanan]

#CamdenTown #marketbuys 

[kembabuchanan]

"5ive" Performing Live !

[kembabuchanan]

Freshers' Week at Roehampton University

Being a "Fresher" (what the British call freshman/first year students) yet again, considering this is my final year in university, was entertaining and better yet almost too energetic for me. But, not for nothing, I enjoyed every day and evening spent at the events planned by the RSU (Roehampton Student Union).

This campus is fantastic because their mission, so speak, for students is to “get involved”-- making friends, meeting people, taking advantage of what is offered. This week in particular is important because it allows those, new to the campus, get a small dose of what goes on and how to be part of it all.

Throughout this entire week, RSU planned an event every evening for freshers: from a UV party, to comedy shows, to headlining the Ol' school band “5ive” just to name a few.

Although I've been around this block a few times I can't say the British don't know how to have fun. Boy do they!  

My flat mates are each wonderful young ladies--

UV Party madness

  The rear of my BOP T-shirt. The girls thought the "F" word was appropriate.

Traveling with this girl has been a gift sent from above. Bria Forbes, my partner in crime/shrink/best friend in London. Love this girl. Check out her blog: msbri93.tumblr.com

School Girl themed

These lads had the most adorable outfits. I mean come on, those shorts... and those suspenders... lets not forget the bow ties!

Did Lucy's hair in French plats with these fantastic bow hair bands

They took us back to the 40's. Oh minus the iPhone...

[kembabuchanan]

"Comerse el mundo"

"comerse el mundo", if translated, means eat the world. My flat mate from Spain said this to me one day while we found ourselves getting into a thought provoking conversation.

I was telling her about my wanting to travel our world, and my desire to learn spanish, along with a few other languages... french, italian, mandarin... -- She told me that her love for language came from wanting to learn the world--"eat the world"

Ever since then the phrase stuck with me.

[kembabuchanan]

Cooking has always been a hobby of mine ever since I can remember. When I was a young girl, I willingly became my mom’s sous chef in the kitchen. Of course, chopping onions and shredding cheese were my least favorite tasks, they still are, but the end result of a succulent, tasty, mouthwatering meal always kept me wanting more. 

[kembabuchanan]

"the endless roller coaster of learning, studying, and mastering-- Life"

[kembabuchanan]

Adventures through Richmond park...

I've always felt fresh air, greenery, water can do so much to a person's spirit. For me, although I'm generally free and light, I get a sort of cleansing sensation. Quite like getting rid of the bad and accepting the purity of nature. Taking deep breathes of this stuff is like exfoliating your body, but from the inside. 

[kembabuchanan]

Just Take it

I dedicate this first post to 'Supa Woman' aka my mom. She is the one I hold accountable for my devout and go- getter personality. Now, if I had to be confident about two things they would be that nothing in life, worth having, is given to you. You have to work for it. Also, great opportunities don't come along often, but when they do you have to be ready. So, here's to a new adventure and this time around we're going across the pond, to London.