keeping it real // blogging

Over the last (almost) two years, I've had many people ask me why I started this blog and why I continue to do it. I am always fascinated at the interest people have in this part of my life, because to me it's like keeping a photo album or a journal of my experience here in London.

When I first started the blog, I didn't have Facebook. I knew I was about to move to a new country and not really have a way to share what was happening in my life, share my pictures, etc. To me, the blog was like sending out one of those monthly mass emails to my family and friends and saying 'hey check out what I've been doing!' For the first year or so, I was pretty shit at keeping up with the blog. I blame it mostly on the fact that I was in a full time Masters program, working, and trying to have a life and make new friends. Once I got settled into a new job and completed my dissertation, I had a lot more time to take pictures and to write; making it a lot easier for me to commit more time to the blog.

I get emails from friends and family a lot saying that they are reading it, that they love the way I write (thank you!!!), and that they really enjoy it. The truth is, I love writing. I love taking pictures. I love going back and reading about the things I've done and the places I've been over the last two years. I keep doing it because I hope that in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years I will be able to look back and relive all the wonderful memories I made.

I'll definitely be staying in London for at least another year and it's a bittersweet feeling. I am really excited to stay and continue on with this adventure. I am definitely not ready to be done with traveling and I am hoping to make a lot of trips over the next year.

So for now, I will keep blogging. If there's anything you want to know about me, questions you want to ask about London or places I've been, leave a comment on my blog or email me at kristen.dobbins@gmail.com

xx
K

this is a first in a series of posts i am going to go called 'keeping it real'. i don't often rant about the way i feel about certain topics and issues on this space, but i have an opinion about some pretty important things and i'd like to share those thoughts with you guys, my readers. i hope you'll enjoy it. x

exploring islington, two faces of january & zara's 30th

It's Sunday. I've just come in after spending a few hours laying in the sunshine. I feel like I got more vitamin D today than I have in the last 6 months. The weather has been really incredible the last week and I only hope that it stays like this for the whole summer.

Last Saturday was another story though…the weather was completely bipolar. One minute sunny, the next pouring rain. I ventured out to meet Mel in Pimlico for a glass of wine and a girly catch up mid-afternoon. She tagged along to meet Andrea & James (I've known Andrea since I was 12 and she's lived here in London for several years). They were in Shoreditch at one of my favorites - Pizza East. We had a few drinks with them, a plate of cured meats and cheese, and then Mel and I said goodbye.            
                

Mel went back to her place and I was off to meet up with Ali and Paul at their place in Islington. She texted me that evening and asked if I was interested in going to see a puppet show at a local theatre/pub. You read that correctly…I did say puppet show. There's a pub in Islington which has a theatre upstairs. They were hosting two guys (and their puppets) who last year won a festival in Bristol. It was actually really good and funny (think low-budget Avenue Q).

american girls

audience participation encouraged (poor mark!)

On Sunday I was feeling pretty run down and the weather was, once again, bipolar. So I stayed in and did my laundry and started watching House of Cards. I've heard so much about this Netflix series and now I am completely addicted. 

The week was pretty normal…I went to work, did my exercise, and saw friends. Monday night was special though as Ali invited me along to the viewing of the new film 'The Two Faces of January' at the Covent Garden hotel. It was a really good movie and after the viewing, the costume designer for the movie had a little Q&A session. The movie was set in the 60s so the clothes were gorgeous. 

the walk up to the covent garden hotel

                   

Like I said, the rest of the week was standard - work, work outs, and cooking dinners at the new flat. I've been really enjoying exploring my new neighborhood. I live right across from a small park and community garden. It's noisier here than in West Hampstead but it's also closer to central London. I'm within walking distance to several friend's flats! I'm becoming very spoiled. 

Yesterday was Saturday and I've recently become addicted to manicures and pedicures. When I first moved here, there was no way I would shell out money for this luxury. But now that I am working a normal, full time job, it's a special treat that I insist on having once a month. Anyways, I got my mani and pedi and went to Stratford Mall in East London to do a bit of shopping (another luxury I rarely partake in!) I found some great things and was throughly satisfied with all my new spring-y purchases. 

chess in the sunshine at stratford

I got myself together and the 4 of us (me, Adam, Alex, and James) went to Slug & Lettuce in Islington to watch the FA Final game. It was Arsenal vs. Hull and here's what you need to know…Arsenal's stadium is in Islington so there were TONS of fans out yesterday in our neighborhood. Here's the other thing you need to know…Arsenal fans take two things very seriously - their team, and drinking. Alex and I managed to watch the first half of the game and then I had to get out of there. Everyone around us was getting reeeeaaaalllll drunk and it was getting more and more crowded by the minute.                            

Alex and I decided to go to Tinto right around the corner for some wine and girl time. Ali ended up coming along too and we were loving sitting in the sun, drinking rose, and chatting (much better than standing in a crowded pub!)

Adam and I left Islington and made our way to Pimlico for my co-worker and friend Zara's 30th birthday party! She did an amazing job planning and organizing everything. She wanted to do a 'Tashes and Tiaras' theme - where the girls wear mustaches and the guys all wear tiaras. It was hilarious and we all had such a great time celebrating! 

It was another great week in London. I am so lucky to have such incredible friends in this big city! 

xx

K

april into may: v&a exhibit // the spaniard // my last days in west hampstead

I actually can't believe it's May already. This year is flying by but I can't complain…there is nothing I love more than British summer. And I've heard this year is going to be even better (and hotter) than last!

Last week marked the end of April and beginning of May, and to be honest it was all rather uneventful. Last Sunday, I met my friend Maya at Muriel's Kitchen in South Ken for brunch. I've walked past this place a hundred times (it's literally next to/attached to South Ken station). It was great food - we had the breakfast sandwich and blueberry pancakes - and so nice to see Maya and catch up! Afterwards, we went for a little stroll past the museums. We parted ways, and I walked up to Old Brompton Road to run a couple errands. Then I went to the V&A Museum with Allison to see the 'Glamour of Italian Fashion' exhibit. Pictures weren't allowed inside, but I'm actually glad. I would definitely encourage any girl who is remotely interested in fashion to go. The clothes were absolutely breathtaking and pictures wouldn't (and couldn't) do them justice.

The work week flew by, mostly thanks to the tube strike. This affair easily adds an extra hour to your commute. By Friday, I was ready for a glass of wine (or 3) and a good dinner in West Hampstead. The girls and I went to Big Easy for our 2-for-1 drinks and then I made my way back for dinner at Mill Lane Bistro. I was feeling brave, so I ordered the frog legs! I had never had them before, and always heard 'they taste like chicken'. It's true, if you think chicken tastes a bit fishy. Anyways, I was only able to eat one before deciding that they just looked too much like a frog to keep eating. I know…I'm weird.

On Saturday, I woke up bright and early to get some much needed packing done. I also had the brilliant idea of trying to eat at all my favorite local spots before my big move on Monday. I walked past Kitchen Table but they were rammed, so it was off to Wet Fish Cafe for brunch. After brunch, Adam and I made our way to Hampstead to meet Ali, Paul and Emily. We all strolled down to the park, past Kenwood House, and eventually ended up at The Spaniard.

a few snapshots from west hamp

kenwood house

baby with a beer!

the city skyline peeking through

Saturday ended with a trip to the Everyman cinema in Hampstead to see 'Bad Neighbours'. The movie was alright but I love the theater and it's atmosphere.

It was a gorgeous week, and I'm hoping the weather only gets better from here!
xx
K

a love letter // west hampstead

For a little over a year, I've called West Hampstead (NW6) my home. I'm moving to Angel and I'm not gonna lie…I'm feeling pretty sentimental about the whole thing. I am so excited about moving somewhere different and experiencing a new part of London; but it's never easy to finish a chapter. So in order to help me cope, I decided I had to write a little letter to West Hamp…here's all the things that I personally love about you.

To the man who sells books outside the train station:
A lot of times you were the first human interaction I had in the mornings. It usually goes something like this…
me - Good morning!
you - Good morning ____ (the blank is usually filled in with 'babes' or 'beautiful'). Have a lovely day!
Your sweet Scottish accent and kind spirit made me so happy. I bet some people look at you and think 'he's homeless', or 'he's begging for money', or even worse, 'he's just a drunk'. I've seen a lot of people look at you with that look. I've actually thought about punching these people in the face on more than one occasion. I just want to say thank you for making me feel good about myself at 7.15 am. I'm going to miss you.

To Hana (my favorite West Hampstead restaurant):
Oh man, who knew Persian food could be so damn good? You are not only delicious, but incredibly cheap, and every time we went here it got better and better. Don't you worry Hana…I'll be back for you.

To Fortune Green:
Ah I spent many days last summer laying out, reading for my dissertation, dog/people watching. You gave me hours of serenity when I felt like life was eating me alive.

To the baristas at Caffe Nero:
All the people who work at this Caffe Nero are lovely, but it is home to seriously the NICEST barista who has ever graced this earth. I will miss my Saturday and Sunday morning strolls up to Nero to grab my latte…sometimes I would sit outside and people watch; sometimes I would sit inside and work on my laptop with the other geeks; sometimes I would take my coffee home and just enjoy my own couch.

I loved my walks up to Hampstead Heath, Golders Hill park, the pilates studio in Hampstead. It's such a gorgeous area and it will always hold a very special place in my heart.

I'll miss you WH. xx