The F-Word

No, not the one you're thinking of.  F is for feminism!

I really love the approach that English take with women's rights.  They are open minded and quite real in all the discussions I've seen, whether its newspaper articles, blog posts, or just conversations I've had with other Brits.  Feminism is an all encompassing term, and has a different meaning for every individual, which seems to be embraced here, much more so in the States.  In my experience, the term 'feminism' still has the connotation of radical, hairy legged, bra burning women, which of course is so far from the truth.


In keeping with the progressive spirit of the British, I've been reading an amazing blog discussion UK feminism, called The F-Word.  Women from the UK post their views on feminism and current events in relation to women from every angle imaginable.  I love the diversity of the stories and the writers, as it presents a wide range of opinions and ideas that better reflect the views of actual women across the UK.

Check out their blog here or their Facebook page here.

Image from The F-Word.

New Cross

I went back to my old stomping grounds in Southeast London the other day, and thought I should properly document New Cross and Goldsmiths University, something I didn't think to do when I was living there.


My tube station.


The street I lived off of.


Had a few classes in this building.


My favorite cafe in New Cross.


Some street art my friend put up about a year and a half ago... still there!

New Cross will always have a little piece of my heart.  

In Love With: Cath Kidston

Cath Kidston embodies everything I can imagine to be British. Most of their products are beautiful arrays of rose print and everything looks as if it were hand made by British fairies in an English country cottage. I recently bought a passport wallet and I love it so much. It's taking all my willpower not to spend every penny I have on everything in their store.



I Love Life

Back in London, and I couldn't be happier.


Beautiful.


My favorite cafe in New Cross.


Happy as a clam!

Bath

"They arrived in Bath. Catherine was all eager delight; Her eyes were here, there, everywhere, as they approached its fine and striking environs, and afterwards drove through those streets which conducted them to the hotel. She was come to be happy, and she felt happy already." 
- Northanger Abbey 

 I really think Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Jane Austen set Northanger Abbey and Persuasion here, and lived here herself for awhile. So naturally, Julia and I had to go to the Jane Austen Center, where we had tea and visited the museum, followed up by some shopping in the gift store. We also spent some time at the Holburne Museum, and visited all the iconic sights of Bath, like the Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent. It's been wonderful.








British Purchases

I budgeted some extra spending money for my trip in order to pick up some British pieces for my wardrobe this summer, and so far I have not been disappointed! The Barbour outlet is in Newcastle, so I got a classic British style rain jacket, and picked up some oxfords from Office. Unfortunately, neither are secondhand, but I'll cut myself a little slack this trip!



Durham

A few days ago Julia Alex and I went to Durham to visit the Durham Cathedral - where Harry Potter was filmed!


Look familiar? (Hint - only the first two movies were filmed here.)


There was a giant graveyard at the entrance of the cathedral.


Stained glass on the inside.


View from the train station - it's a really beautiful town.


Everyone is in post-Jubilee/pre-Olypics spirit!



Newcastle

Julia and I went up north of London to Newcastle to visit Julia's roommate from Uni (as the Brits would say). It's a really beautiful little city with some beautiful Georgian architecture. We took the train up from London just in time to see Bear Grylls zip line between two bridges holding the Olympic torch! 


Just a random building.



Newcastle's concert hall.


Bear Grylls!


It was quite a long zip line... he flailed around a lot.


The Barbour outlet!  It's been raining on and off the whole trip so far, and I found myself in need of a raincoat.  With the outlet so close, I figured I'd get a nice coat for a good deal, and I'm in love with it.



Some shots I've snapped just around town - the first at a bar, the second at a Catholic Church by Alex's university.



Hats Galore!

So it's a few days later, but I have to post about the insane array of hats at the royal wedding.  While I still think dresses are nicer for weddings, a few people had fantastic outfits.

Joss Stone looking absolutely killer in her outfit from High Street store Hobbs.  This is how you do morning coat.

Princess Letizia of Spain in Felipe Varela had a refreshing take on the dress code, there are only so many suit and hat combos that can be done before it gets boring.  She, on the other hand, certainly looks like a princess while channeling her inner 1920's.

I've no idea who these girls are or who they're wearing but they look stunning.  I love the black, beige, and light pink, it offsets their gorgeous blonde hair.  I've been wanting to get my hair this shade for so long but am terrified of looking like a Playboy bunny, but these girls just prove that bleach blonde can look classy too.

  Princess Marie Chantal of Greece in a fantastic steel blue-grey colored outfit, and I love the giant roses on her hat.

Finally, Carole Middleton in a Jane Corbett hat.  She looked flawless.  The light blue makes her look tan, her outfit was very fashionable and age appropriate, and I actually loved her hat.  She was dressed perfectly as the mother of the bride.

In conclusion, I'm bringing hats to America.  I've got a wedding to go to this summer, and am absolutely coordinating a fabulous hat with my outfit.  Can't wait.

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