Something Blue - Not A Model Photo Diary

My cousin Diane is getting married in June and we celebrated her bridal shower last month. It was a departure from the usual Sunday brunch fare with a cocktail party on a Friday night instead. As a bridesmaid, I was on camera duty for the night. I didn't mind, as I find staying behind the lens is the best way to capture the little details and sneak some cookies when no one is looking.

The gifts - umbrellas at a shower? How fitting. I'm obsessed with my new clear dome umbrella, and with all the rain this month, I don't know how I managed without it for so long.

The Shoes - something blue, something Lou.

The bride-to-be - beautiful is an understatement. Imagine on her wedding day? 

The treats - It is a tradition at Italian bridal showers that close friends and families make cookies and treats for the event. Check out the spread below. Everyone got a hefty box to take home and I was a cookie monster for days.

The sis - I think we look more alike when my hair is straight. Well, I sure as heck would love to hope so.

My dress - I will forever be in love with this dress. It reminds me of my day at the Portobello Market in London where I bought it. Oh, and the 'one-size-fits-all' tag means I'll probably be sporting it when I'm 85. 

The Portobello Market - Not A Model Travel Diaries

After leaving lovely Paris, I was hit with the realization that I was on the last leg of my trip.

Naturally, I got a bit down. I mean who wants to say goodbye to Europe and hello again to their cubicle? When we got back to London, Nisha told me that we should check out the famous Portobello market.

The Portobello market stretches for 2 miles right in the heart of Notting Hill. Yes, I went back to Notting Hill. We only intended to spend an hour or so there and continue sightseeing, but we ended up spending 4 hours walking and shopping.

There were stands upon stands of everything you could imagine: hand crafted antiques, old fashioned cameras, vintage fur coats, pearls and baubles and beads, boatloads of scarves and hats and trinkets and treasures. We even saw a stunning bride who was taking photos smack in the middle of the madness.

The best part was no one shouted at you to buy their things. There was no bartering or pushiness that I've experienced at other outdoor markets.  People young and old perused slowly, ate and politely walked through the crowds.

There were frying pans of giant fist sized prawns and tables of stuffed chorizo and pepper sandwiches. The food options were endless. I chose to eat a piece of spanakopita for under £3 while Nisha munched on a mushroom and cheese crepe. The smell of thick Belgian waffles lingered everywhere but we opted for straight from the oven red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing for dessert. I swooned over bunches of fresh daffodils and organic vegetables that held the colours of a box of Crayola markers.

I went picture crazy. I took photos of EVERYTHING. Literally, I snapped up every fried fish, every pin box, every ratty scarf, nothing skipped my lens.

My favourite purchases of the trip were from the market. I bought postcards, a new horse printed scarf, a tote bag, pens, a souvenir bear for Little and this beautiful vintage ivory dress that I can't wait to wear.

I want to thank Nisha for putting up with me and being patient. She did not complain when I tried on 17 different dresses or stopped to take my millionth photo of silver spoons. It was near impossible to choose which photos to include in this post as I had so many favourites. I felt like a grandmother who was asked to pick her favourite grandchildren.

Okay, well at least a bad grandmother who finally admits *gasp* that she does have favourites...

Not A Model Travel Diaries - Notting Hill

I am obsessed with Notting Hill.

After a long flight (screaming baby, weird co-passenger) from Toronto to London, my journey left me lugging my overpacked suitcase, with a busted wheel at 4 a.m. (Canadian time) to meet my dear friend Nisha. By the time we arrived in Notting Hill where our hotel was located, I was feeling all the emotions of arriving in a new place. I was excited, sleepy, apprehensive and buzzing with energy of being halfway around the world on my own.

As I walked through the neighbourhood, I was overcome with the thought, "Hey, I wanna live here."

Perhaps it was the homes painted in the colours of Lucky Charms or the vintage boutique shops on every corner, but it grabbed my heart and didn't let go. Sure, the area is known to be quite pricey with its white stucco stately Victorian townhouses and famous outdoor market (more about that later) but it's also welcoming and cozy. It doesn't throw its money in your face but instead the glamour just casually hangs there, like a classy aunt who has millions of dollars but still wears the same old knitted sweater at every occasion.

The most I knew about N.Hill before visiting was the 1999 namesake movie starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, where Roberts gives the worst speech in rom-com history. However, just like Grant fell for Roberts, I think I may stand in the street and recite the same speech, but instead changing it up a bit to:

"I'm just a girl standing in front of a house asking it to love her."

Julia Roberts: 0     Not A Model: 1

 

Sorry for the delay in posting, I've been jet lagged and trying to get back into my regular routine. Expect a new post from each of my favourite stops.

Next entry: Let's Be Tourists & Paris Rendezvous

xo