Royal Ascot

With a Dad who loves his horse racing, an Uncle who works at the race track, and as a previous race horse owner myself, I am no stranger to race day. The hat, the dress, the shoes, the sunglasses, and the every important race form guide - I have it sussed.

I missed out on Royal Ascot last year (due to sheer lack of organisation) and vowed I would get there before I headed home to Oz. And as it happened, I picked a great year to attend, as Australian dream horse Black Caviar was racing in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. 

To watch her cross the finish line in first place, making it her 22nd straight win, was definitely a memory to keep.

So we pulled on our favorite frocks, donned ridiculously large head pieces (well in my case anyway), drunk champagne and shared many laughs with favorite friends.

Ladies & I... look at that glorious English weather rolling in...

It's not the races without matching outfits...

V Road crew, dressed to impressed.

What is Royal Ascot without the one and the only, and her one and only...

Even the rain couldn't keep us away...

Black Caviar fan club...

The 'she' who drew more of a crowd than the Queen...

As Black Caviar was the ring in favorite... bookies thought they would make it interesting...

Doing Australia proud...

On our way to Ascot in the morning my Mum text to say 'You are going to 'royal' ascot - so act like a lady'.... dancing on tables is what you meant, right Mum?

Celebrating the win....

I don't know if it was the ridiculously large head piece or bright yellow dress that got their attention, but I also got interviewed for Australian newspapers....

http://www.news.com.au/world/black-caviar-draws-a-record-aussie-crowd-to-ascot/story-e6frfkyi-1226406458138

http://www.racingnetwork.com.au/black-caviar-draws-aussie-crowd/tabid/83/newsid/8786/default.aspx

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/racing/news/article/-/14022828/black-caviar-draws-aussie-crowd/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-23/aussies-converge-on-ascot/4088552

letters...

So over the past couple of months or so I have developed a quiet addiction for letters and ampersands.

I see... I buy.

Picked up these 3 ( X Y Z ) at a charity shop for a measly￡2 each - winning.

and tonight I'll fall asleep....

When I moved into my own room a few months ago, I took the time to turn it into something that represented me, a little sanctuary, a home away from home ("your home is your canvas").

My most favorite thing was an entire wall painted in blackboard paint.

My only dilemma - what to do with it.

I read so many quotes (thanks pinterest) everyday that I absolutely love, it just becomes too confusing.

And as I am not the best drawer in the world - I was limited with my 'mural' options.

So for the past 4 months the wall has sat bare. Staring at me. Willing me to do something....

Today - I did something.

sketch...

On Saturday the girls and I headed out for a champagne breakfast. 

Sketch is located in an 18th century building in Conduit Street, Mayfair, and is a restaurant that exquisitely combines food and art.

It consists of 5 rooms: the Gallery, the Lecture room, the Parlour, the Glade, and the East bar - each with an individual theme and design.

My favorite part of the whole place is that nothing matches! In every room you explore there is mismatching chairs, tables, cutlery and glassware - yet it works. So well. Think, Alice when she enters Wonderland.

We made ourselves comfortable in the Parlour and enjoyed a morning of delicious food, luscious champagne and lots of giggles. 

With champagne starting at￡55 a bottle - it is not your cheapest breakfast out - but definitely worth the treat.

 

laughter & tears...

Received this on my phone a few days ago...


Why I love my family.....

Miss you all so much!! xx

( I posted the original music video a few months ago - here )

a diamond jubilee...

My expat friends and I say it all the time - we definitely picked the best years to be in London!

We were here for the Royal Wedding, last May.

This weekend, we celebrated the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

And in august, we have the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Lucky.

This weekend, was definitely a site to behold. Bunting and English flags hung for anywhere possible... streets, houses, cars, shops... the whole city united in patriotism to a Queen who has dedicated her whole life to her country.

As I didn't get back from Italy until Sunday night, I was 2 days behind in the drinking, eating and general English debauchery.
(Although L. & I had spent a few pre-italy days making crowns, coloring flags & such).

Monday night was the BBC concert @ Buckingham Palace - so rather than face the ridiculous crowds, unfavorable weather and congested tube ride home - a group of friends and I headed to a pub in Putney for a 'royal quiz night', roast dinner & the perfect view of the concert.... on a flat screen TV. 
Tuesday was the carriage procession from Westminster Hall to Buckingham Palace. D. and I had planned to spend the day being 'tourists' ie. run around central London, clicking away at our cameras, and finally seeing the things we never do in our day-to-day London lives. We had planned all this - with the strong intention of staying away from anywhere remotely close to where the Queen would be. After running down the Tames (from London Bridge to Blackfriars) we made a rash decision to get off at 'Westminster'. The moment we stepped out of the tube we were swept with the crowds. (N.B. When out and about, D. & I have a tendency to act ridiculous and be completely blasé about the people around us and where we are going) Before we knew it, we were on 'Horse Guards Parade', hanging from a fence in an ideal position to see the Queen. Meh - what the heck. And then just to make the 1.5 hour wait (climbed up a fence) a little more bearable, the Queen's marching band decided to park up right next to our location and play away at their music until the Queen came by. Winning.
And that we were, when those carriages pulled on past us and our cameras clicked away...