NOLA Part 2

If you want to read a real recap of the weekend check out Shanna’s blog here and here.

Amazing Beignets from Cafe Du Monde.

NOLA

Well we survived our first Bachelorette party in New Orleans…..barely.

24 hour bars, restaurants handing out to-go cups, flavored daiquiris, beads and balconies.

That’s all I can say. 

Punjab Restaurant

Being a student with a lot of other Expats has its advantages.  Some classmates and I went to an amazing Indian lunch last week at Punjab Restaurant in Covent Garden.

Prachi took control of the ordering (since she is from India) and ordered pretty much the whole menu so we could try everything!  We were beyond full and so happy with the choices.

I can’t remember what we ordered but I know there was lots of lamb, chicken, veggies, rice, naan and dessert.  Prachi said this is the closest you will get to a homemade Indian meal here in London so I’ll take her word for it.  It was delicious and I even got a doggie bag which I’m really excited about.  Can’t wait to go back to Punjab Restaurant!!

Engagement Gifts

Jamie and Brett got us these cute mugs for our engagement!

Close Up:

Great gift if you know someone that just got engaged or married!

Engagement Trumps Birthdays

The first 24 hours in NYC were epic. It started out at dinner with Jon to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary and ended with a Saturday brunch with the besties celebrating our engagement.

From this:

to this:

to this:

Rewind to the beginning…we got into NY around 4pm.  We were staying at a hotel because Jon’s parents were “painting” the apt (which turns out wasn’t true).  We got to the hotel and I immediately ran off to get a mani/pedi because I was in desperate need of one (anyone that lives in London understands). I knew I had to be ready early but  I thought I had enough time to get both a manicure and pedicure but I was wrong.  I wound up getting a pedicure and half a manicure (no polish).  I headed back to the hotel to shower and get for the dinner.

We met Jon’s sister, Erika, at the restaurant for some drinks before dinner.  We caught up, laughed and everything seemed totally normal.  Jon and I went upstairs for dinner to enjoy delicious sushi.  He decided he wanted to give me my birthday present after dinner and I wasn’t going to say no so we went back to the hotel.

I walked into the room and there were rose petals, flowers, presents, candy, champagne, and some other things all over the room!  I was in shock! I turned around and Jon was down on one knee.

After spending time together we headed down to the lobby where I was surprised to see my family and his family. We celebrated with toasts and drinks and then headed to a bar where I was surprised again by all my friends.

After a crazy night out which ended with dancing to a cover band we woke up to meet the girls for bunch at barmarche which I highly suggest you visit if you are in NY.

I still can’t stop smiling and can’t believe I’m engaged!

I keep forgetting that my birthday was on Saturday too.  I don’t really care though because the engagement definitely trumps the birthday.

Let the wedding planning begin!

Home Is Where The Heart Is

You hear that phrase over and over but no matter how many times you hear it it’s still true.

I’m heading home for a month and I couldn’t be more excited to see my family and friends.  My 27th (wow) birthday is on Saturday so I can celebrate it at home which makes me ecstatic to say the least.  We have lots planned including a wedding, holidays, family time, friend time and I’m even working in the NY office of my internship.

This will be the last long break to visit NY & NJ so we are going to make this one the best.  Hopefully the weather gets better because I want to just wander with my dunkin donuts coffee in hand. I can’t wait to eat sushi more than 3 times in a week, have a chopped salad for lunch, have a bagel with cream cheese and lox, dry my clothes in 30 minutes and so many other things.

I also have to study for 3 exams, write a paper and write my thesis proposal but I don’t want to be a downer right now so let’s ignore those little details of my fabulous month at home.

So cheerio London and HELLO NEW YORK!!

Paris On Purpose – Hitting All The Tourist Spots

First Post: Eiffel Tower at night

Second Post: Palace of Versailles

Third Post: Being a Tourist

This is the route we took on Saturday to make sure Jen saw all of the spots before she left Paris.  We started at the Sacre Coeur where there were performers, singers and picnics everywhere.  Oh and the church is just beautiful and you can see all of Paris from it so it’s just so beautiful.

The view would have been better on a less hazy day but you get the idea from this photo.

Because I love my Flip here are videos of the performers that everyone was watching.

Then we walked  around the church and stumbled upon this cute little square filled with artists painting and selling their work.

Lindsey bought a beautiful piece of art from an artist named Bahman Borojeni (that is not him in the photo above). I’m regretting that I didn’t buy one!

We followed the winding street down a little more and stopped to see Moulin Rouge.

 

We hopped on the bus and went to the Latin Quarter to have some yummy falafel.

Paris was so much fun and it got me even more excited to have Jamie, Lindsey & Jen in London the following weekend!

Paris On Purpose – Being A Tourist

First Post: Eiffel Tower at night

Second Post: Palace of Versailles

I came up with the perfect walking route through Paris to see most of the major sites and I want to share it with you incase you are heading there soon!

Start at the Eiffel Tower.

Climb to the top.

Cross the river. Climb up a lot of steps where the Palais de Tokyo is on your right. Walk up Avenue d’lena until you come to the Arc de Triomphe.

Walk down the Champs Elysees.

Walk through the Jardin des Tuileries and hope there are actual tulips there.

Go to the Louvre.

After the Louvre walk along the river to see Notre Dame.

Then loop around to visit the Pompidou Museum.

That’s only the first day.  I’ve got another great route for the second day.

Total miles walked: 4.36 miles.  Way to go!!

NY Takes Over London

Last weekend I had these lovely visitors

And these ladies are flying in today!!

So excited!!!!

Happy St. Patty’s Day! 

Bowling: The Universal Sport

One of my classmates put together a bowling night at a local bowling alley and we  had a great time.  We went to Palace Superbowl in Elephant & Castle. Since we made reservation beforehand and were a big group they gave us a special rate of £7.50 for 3 games.

It was half casino half bowling alley.  I’ve never seen that before but I guess they kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

The group!

Anne (follow American) has a blog too!

I didn’t take that many photos from the night because I was having more fun with my new-ish Flip Cam!