Duck & Waffle

One of the days I was in London, we did a complete and total food/drink day. It was fabulous. The first stop was Duck & Waffle. I saw a blogger that I follow on Instagram post about this place and it seemed very unique. If you are planning on traveling to the area, I highly suggest doing brunch there. But make sure to get a reservation!

40 floors up had great views!! Thats the Gherkin and London Bridge.

Pineapple mimosas. These hit the spot.

Jacci and I enjoying our foodie experience.

The maple glazed cornbread... Amazing.

'Nduja seared octopus.

The grand finale: Duck & Waffle. Crispy leg confit, fried duck egg, and mustard maple syrup over a waffle.

The experience that is sketch - London on its way...

Back to London

Ever since June, London has held a unique spot in my being. It reminds me of a couple cities in the United States, but better. It offers so much history, fantactic scones, lovely accents; superb tea and lively markets. I love the fast pace and even the tube. London is a place where I could see myself calling it home. 

I was greeted with this welcome sign by my lovely hosts in Beckenham, Jacci and Karl. Jacci and I went to college together and every time we see each other or talk, its like we never skipped a beat. We have the same views on the world and life, so its wonderful getting to talk to someone who just "gets it" and me. 

We stopped at Jacci's gorgeous place of employment in Paddington, We Work. She works for a premier tutoring and educational services company in the building. The space has modern and contemporary design and character throughout. I would kill to work in an environment like that.

We then ventured to Greenwich for afternoon tea. I'm ALL about afternoon tea and at just eight pounds, inexpensive too. 

What a beautiful place and a great way to start off London.

I loved having an actual, proper scone. They just don't make them in the states like they do in the UK.  Believe me, I smothered that thing in clotted (Devonshire) cream and jam. THE LIFE.

 Then we took a stroll in the park and hiked up to the Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian line of the world. Every place in the earth is measured in terms of its angle east or west from the line.

Me at the meridian line.

View of the National Maritime Museum, including the Queen's House.

Awesome views of London. Shard to the left.

I really wanted to see the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, but unfortunately it was closed for renovations. I guess I'll just have to go back... ;)

Breakfast one day before our flight to Paris. Pancakes with berries and greek yogurt, which I never thought to use before.

Views from the Shard. London Bridge and the river.

We had some super tasty bellinis, minus the one they accidentally gave us with thyme. 

We took the tube to Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market.

That sky though!

Walking downtown London at night is gorgeous. London will always have a special place in my heart and passport.

My experience at Duck & Waffle (London) coming soon...

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life

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All the caffeinated, book-reading and junk-food-eating souls rejoiced on November 25th when Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life was released to Netflix for our streaming pleasure. As I sat through Winter, Spring, Summer, and finally Fall, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic and wanted to go give my Mom a hug. The relationship between Lorelei and Rory is something most of us can only dream about. It makes me wish my Mom could stay awake long enough to share their story with me. While watching the original series, I always wanted to be like Rory and even saw parts of myself in her. She seemed to have it all though. I mean, who wouldn't want to go to Yale and be a renowned writer when they grow up?   PSA: Spoilers lie ahead.
Back in October, I went to a Luke's Diner pop-up coffee shop in Raleigh and it was so cool to see all the fans that loved the show just as much as me. #CoffeeCoffeeCoffee. What's even more special is that shows like Gilmore Girls aren't just television shows, they mean something to people. As I viewed the revival, I was taken back to moments in my life where I related or transported to places I want to go. Art is about perspective and being the admirer I am, the goodbye between Logan and Rory moved me. The final four words sent emotional disbelief through my body. And the continued corkiness of Stars Hallow made me laugh with warm-fuzzies. That is what its all about, getting the audience to feel something. Writers, Amy and Dan Palladino did a beautiful job once again of creating a script that made me have to catch my own breath after a dialogue with the Girls.

First I was Team Dean, quite frankly because there weren't any other contenders. And then I was Team Jess... and then I was most definitely NOT Team Jess. Along came The Life and Death Brigade and I've been Team Logan ever since. Their secret club is straight up magical. I was super happy to see Logan still in the picture for the revival and was shortly deflated after discovering he was engaged to another woman and playing nice with the family business. Even so, there is something about Logan that I think makes everyone swoon. Not just his looks, but the way he pushes Rory to be her best self and gives her the resources to do it, despite everything they have been through. That has to be some magic-type of love to experience with someone. "If you jump, I jump, Jack."
Some might criticize Rory for where she is in her life at 32, but isn't that reality? Even an Ivy league graduate can find themselves not knowing what comes next. However, I was not expecting Rory to not have a job with child on the way. But, who am I to judge? I found it surprising that Jess randomly came up with the idea for Rory to write a book about the story of her relationship with her mom. It was clear from his last scene that he will also always love Rory. He left me feeling like he had more to say to her.
Was anyone completely and utterly bored during the play? I'm still really confused as to why that was such a long part. I didn't think it was funny, more weird than anything. I suppose that is the definition of Stars Hallow. A little different, sometimes annoying, but always heart-warming. And Kirk never seems to disappoint... Oooober.
The amount of original actors and actresses in the revival was incredible. Even characters with the smallest parts made an appearance and I was quite pleased to see all of the Parenthood people too! ALL THE FEELS. Lauren Graham (Lorelei) was probably giving that whole-hearted smile (you know the one: where you can physically feel her love) of hers just as I was. 
If you haven't already, go back and binge the first seven seasons of Gilmore Girls and then sip your way through the revival. All are on Netflix. For those of you who have already seen both, what did you think? Will we see more of Lorelei and Rory in the future? I selfishly and respectively vote "YES!" "Where you lead, I will follow..."