Between writing three four-thousand word essays and going to work, it’s a wonder I have time to go out for a leisurely stroll and enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having here in London. Last week temperatures rose to 25° which called for slinky shorts and sheer fabrics to keep me cool.
I hope the weather stays this nice so I can dress like this every day.
alice
xo
This is one of those songs that I love listening to because it sounds soothing, gives me goosebumps and makes me drift off to a faraway land with my thoughts. It’s one of those ‘beautiful in a haunting yet cool sort of way’ song and it’s really easy to just listen and vibe along to. This is the perfect song to relax and chill out to while enjoying the company of friends.
Happy Sunday.
alice
xo
You’ll definitely be hearing more from Miranda Lambert’s latest album Platinum (which dropped last Tuesday), on here, so you have been warned. But for today, I thought I’d share one of my favourites (I say one of my favourites, when in actuality all sixteen songs are my favourite). This is the last song on the album, and as it has Sunday in the title, and today just so happens to be a Sunday (and because I have a weird OCD thing about patterns and symmetry); I thought I’d share this with you. This song is pretty perfect, and really matches a lazy Sunday afternoon, making you want to spend the afternoon sat enjoying a picnic with friends and loved ones.
If you haven’t already, you should definitely give Platinum a listen. Miranda gave me such June Carter vibes all throughout the sixteen track album, and I’m sure she will go down in history as one of this generations greatest country stars! The album soo good and I’ve had it on repeat for the past couple of days. Hope you’re all going to be enjoying the sun and heat today! Happy Sunday!
alice
xo
Yesterday Lauran and Beth made the journey from Winchester to Wandsworth for my 21st birthday! And they made sure to come with presents.
After a tour of the house, it was time to get down to business: getting ready, drinking, but most importantly… PHOTOS.
Before we knew it, it was time to jump in the taxi and head out for Central.
We arrived at Loop Bar and made our way to the bar for tequila shots, before settling down with a few drinks then heading downstairs for a bit of dancing. I’m not going to lie – we were by far the best dressed there!
Naturally the only way to get around London is by rickshaw and we naturally dubbed ourselves the ‘Rickshaw Rude-gals’ as we were chauffeured to Leicester Square.
The whole evening was a gaggle of laughs with some of my most favourite people in the whole entire world, filled with so much love and happiness.
The night ended with sore feet and sister bonding time.
I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
alice
xo
Today is my mum’s birthday and boy oh boy did she have a great day – Joan and I made sure of that!
We started the day quite naturally with chocolate cake and candles that refused to stayed lit for long enough for a picture to be taken.
That didn’t stop us though, and we happily chomped away at a few slices… (Don’t tell my mum I told you, but she had a whopping FOUR slices…)
Then it was present time. Joan and I left nothing to chance with a goody bag filled with an assortment of goodies. From a cute leopard print blouse, a brocade inspired monochrome skirt, chocolates, flowers, a MASSIVE card and much much more, I think we had everything covered.
Having stuffed our faces with chocolate cake and filled our bellies with such excitement, we’d worked up quite an appetite and it was time for lunch. Lunch in my mind only means one thing: WAGAMAMA, and I was more than happy to introduce my favourite eatery to mum.
Taking shelter from the rain outside, we ordered our food and indulged in a bit of chit chat and photo taking before our shared starter came.
It was VERY hot and yes I did burn my tongue.
Then the meals started rolling out and I was in heaven.
Joan had stir-fried rice with miso soup and Japanese style pickles.
Obviously I had to have a chicken katsu curry – I mean when have I ever had anything else?
And mum satisfied herself with chilli chicken ramen noodles.
It soon became clear to us that we were so full and that taking another bite of food would mean our bellies popping, so we took our leftovers to go in a doggie bag. Not before mum got a cheeky hug from the hot waiter, Vlad, who I recognised (albeit too late) from another Wagamama. I think that if I go back on Sunday then I’ll be able to get a hug of my own, what do you think?
We then ended our excursion with one last surprise… a new dress for mama (which she LOVE LOVE LOVED).
The day was filled with so much fun, laughter, love and happiness and I would most definitely do it all over again!
Happy birthday mummy!
alice
xo
Waking up after our last night in Vegas was bittersweet. At same time as finding all of the previous night’s happenings hilarious, we were faced with the end of this American adventure, two daunting flights and a return to reality and work commitments. It felt ACTUALLY saying goodbye to a land and lifestyle we had grown so accustomed to living over the last two weeks. As soon as we were all packed up and ready, we drove back to the Vegas sign for one last group picture.
Then it was back to the rental service to return the vans. I wasn’t too keen on saying goodbye to the Fun Van that had served as not only our means of transportation, but as the root of many of our jokes.
As our flight was at 1.20pm, we loitered around the airport for a bit and grabbed a bite to eat before boarding.
Only in Vegas…
Once we had boarded, it was time to make the long journey home.
I’m sure it goes without saying that I had such an amazing time in America and that I’ve loved the opportunity of being able to relive it all again by sharing my adventure with you. It was nothing like I had expected it to be, and if I could, I would do it all over again (only I’d bring several pairs of shorts). Something tells me that this isn’t the last I’ll see of American land and I can’t wait! You can go back to the beginning of my American adventure here and see what I got up to over the two weeks.
alice
xo
It seems strange to be saying goodbye to Marble Canyon, after two fun days spent in such an isolated area. At the same time as saying goodbye to Marble Canyon we’re also preparing to say goodbye to America and to this amazing experience. But anyway, before I dwell on that and get all depressed, I’ll move on. So, we started our long drive back to Vegas by stopping off at some really cool rock houses that ACTUAL people used to live in. now obviously because I’m (kind of) short I could live in there no problem, but what about the odd person that might have been (god forbid) 5”5?!
Then it was back on the road again for a couple of hours before we made a stop at Jacob Lake.
I can’t remember where, but we stopped for a quick group picture, and I have to say it had one of the best views that I’d seen all trip. Which says a lot because there were some amazing views!
By the time we stopped for food, I was gagging for some wifi and a burger of some kind, so it was pretty awesome there was a Burger King with BOTH! One thing that I’ll never be able to get over from my travels is the way Americans size their food. Is this actually a small?
We drove through a Mormon town, which I wasn’t able to get any pictures of, but believe me when I say that it felt like being thrown back in time. If you’ve ever seen The Village, it felt exactly like that! I’m also starting to think that in America, ‘towns’ are simply long roads with buildings coming off at the sides. One thing I was able to get many pictures of, was the scenery, which even though I’d seen a lot of over the past two weeks, it still felt like seeing it for the first time.
By the time we got back to Vegas, it was late afternoon, and after several hours of driving, it’s fair to say that we were all pretty tired. In some weird way, returning to the Travelodge felt like returning home, after all, we had spent our first few days here. And what better way to celebrate returning home? By going out and getting drunk hahahaha.
Georgia, Natalie and I hit up a bar called La Salsa Cantina, who had the yummiest cocktails and an even nicer waiter.
As you can see, we had a great time!
Tomorrow it’s off to the airport and back home to England. It’s going to be quite an emotional farewell.
alice
xo
Yesterday I told you how Marble Canyon was pretty remote (it has a population of about twenty-two), so you’re probably wondering about the title and about how much exploring one can actually do in such a small remote place. Well my answer to that is: you’d be VERY surprised. Georgia, Natalie and I started the day with a breakfast for champions (I swear I was still full from it the next morning – NO JOKE), which Rhiannon caught a few more z’s in bed.
When breakfast was done, it was off to the Navajo Bridge, where we went to a little shop, before doing what we always do: pose. I really wish I’d brought my purse with me because I would have loved to have bought a few things from the shop.
Then it was off to an old (relatively newly) abandoned ranch, where it got obscenely hot.
PULL!!!!
Looks like I won’t be needing that Range Rover…
After an extended look around we drove round the corner for a little cool off in the Colorado River. Rhiannon and I attempted to skim rocks, but gave up pretty quickly, opting instead for a competition to see who could throw rocks furthest.
It was soon time to return back to the motel where we were advised to go easy on the lunch because it wouldn’t help on our walk later in the afternoon.
Lunch time!
Then before we knew it, it was time to embark on our last hike of the field trip, in Cathedral Wash. It was very challenging, but in a different way to Canyon De Chelly. We were literally climbing up and down rocks, looking down upon dizzying heights, whilst trudging along in the sand.
But it was most definitely worth it! We rested along another stretch of the Colorado River and it felt as though we were on holiday by the beach.
Then it was time to make the dreaded journey back to the motel. I think the main thing that made the journey back so dreaded was having to do everything in reserve, which meant climbing up the steep rocks, with the looming fear of death in case we fell.
At dinner we all hungrily indulged in a well-deserved meal whilst discussing our favourite films. I had a tasty grilled sandwich with fries, even though I was still feeling kind of full from breakfast, would you believe.
Surprisingly enough though, the day didn’t end there. It ended with us star-gazing as Fran explained and went into detail about the stars and physics, while having a few cheeky cigarettes. We then wandered off a little, away from the street lights, surrounded by complete and utter darkness and watched as the sky filled with stars. It was truly spectacular.
Tomorrow is our last FULL day in America as we head back to Vegas!
alice
xo
Today was definitely the posiest day on trip. Personally, I blame our surroundings… I mean when you’re in such an incredible environment, you can’t help but get a little silly and enjoy yourself. Anyway, aside from all the posing, today was the day we left barren Bluff and made our way towards Marble Canyon. It was also the day that drove from Arizona to Utah and back again. Did I also mention that there’s an hour times difference between the two states? Hahaa, so yes that was a bit of a mind fuck too!
Check out my cool hat
I do feel like most of our driving was done on this day. But it was totally worth it because we got to see some truly spectacular stuff! It’s so hard to believe that Monument Valley is one hundred per cent natural. It honestly blows my mind how nature can be so freaking AMAZING! Speechless…
Let the posing begin…
After a tiring photo session, it felt good to be on the road again.
Our motel in Marble Canyon was by far the most remote place we stayed. This was because the television in our room didn’t work (I know, I know, first world problems), and the wi-fi (like in every place we stayed aside from Vegas and Safeway) was temperamental at best; so that didn’t really leave a lot of options. Just like Bluff, Marble (as I’ll affectionately call it), was basically one road with motels, a restaurant and a gas station coming off it.
Our only room key that was ACTUALLY a key
We went out to dinner in a big group, and considering there was only one restaurant, we didn’t exactly have much of a choice of where we dined.
The food was good and I indulged myself with a Thor burger. It had bacon, avocado and some other lovely bits, and just thinking about it, I could definitely eat one now.
After dinner, and an incredibly long days drive, it was straight to bed, to rest up for an even busier next day.
Tomorrow temperatures rise to an absolute ridiculous degree and we go on yet another challenging hike.
alice
xo
The next morning we started our day in Safeway, so that we could all get our wifi fix, and then we whizzed around the store for some lunch.
Never one to miss a photo op, we stopped for a mini photo-shoot.
Dress – Jack Wills; Sneakers – Superga; Sunglasses – TOMSeyewear
We then walked through town and had a nosey in a few of the shops, and bought a few bits (you’ll be able to see what we bought in a few days… but if you’re following me on instagram then you’ll probably already know).
After a fun morning to ourselves in Williams, we got into our vans and drove off in the direction of Sedona. Sedona is a new-wave little township with some quirky stores and FAB wifi hotspots in one of their restaurants, with awesome views of the Grand Canyon.
It didn’t really feel so much like a long day until we had to walk to a sinkhole and back. But it was so magical watching as the sun slowly retreated and night fell.
Tomorrow, more fun happens at the Grand Canyon, so you’d better check back!!
alice
xo
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