LONDON 2012 | Camden - Changing My Definition Of Weird

Camden Town ... Camden honestly deserves its own book; just a little post will not do it justice.

I didn't know what to expect when we were sent to do a travel feature on Camden. I didn't even have a chance to look it up because it was very last minute ... just got the tube stop and went. Well the second I got off the tube, my camera experienced what it must be like to be on acid. EVERYTHING was weird. The first thing we saw was a giant alien sculpture protruding from a building. Every wall was covered in art and graffiti and every single person made the circus look fit for tea. Amy Winehouse suddenly made sense. They were all covered in tattoos and piercings. Their clothes didn't match, and forget not matching, I don't even know where people find clothes like that? It was EDC meets Coachella meets a circus except none of it was dress-up ... it was real life. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying ... I felt like a wide-eyed Dorothy straight out of Kansas. And we could not have fit in less - sporting blazers and business attire. Ironically - we were the ones getting stares.

Camden itself is really cool though. The people may of scared off some but when you actually spoke with them they were all very nice. The food was GREAT. There are lots of street market vendors and the food was better than any we've had in London to date. 

Camden really won my heart when I found a vendor selling Dr. Pepper ... every meal here has been dead without my beloved Dr. Pepper. England just doesn't do Dr. Pepper. Camden, however, does :) After dinner we went to a comedy show with some local street musicians we had just met and that too was interesting and funny in its own way. 

Everything in the town is just full of flavor (and not just Dr. Pepper)  - the music, the people, the buildings, even the chairs were made from old motorcycles. I will definitely be returning, not just for a drink but also to hopefully check out the Stables Market.

LONDON 2012 | Southampton and Hyde Park

So I had all these great intentions to blog my highlights from each day ... then I got here and realized I am working 20 plus hour work days ... so about that. Today I'm catching up. I promise I'll try to do better in sharing! Just bear with me!! 

On the 27th, my day started at 4am on a train to Southampton for England's "Ringing of the Bells" ... it was so strange and awesome haha. We met the mayor and town crier of Southampton and got to share this experience with them. It was fun just to see everyone so excited about the Olympics beginning that evening! I have never met a classical English town crier, and now I can say I have ... thank goodness a reporter did a video package because this was one instance where the audio was necessary. 

As soon as I got back from Southampton, I went to Hyde Park where lots of pre-opening-ceremony celebration was occurring. The hand you see to the right is that of 'Dundu' a large figure promoting coexistence and peace. Dundu' realized I was taking photos and decided it would be a good idea to stalk me and touch me a lot, Everyone was laughing and it was all in good fun. I'm used to being behind the lens, not the subject here; it was a funny change in pace. 

The park was a neat experience - to be in a place filled with people from all over the world all celebrating one thing. It was awesome.

Opening ceremonies was a crazy day. I worked a total 22 hours without break and produced more content in one day than I ever have. Let the games begin :)

LONDON 2012 | Fish-n-Chips & Big Ben

Today was crazy but I found a way to get in some serious London stereotypes before I really don't have time. After I picked up my press credentials and got a briefing and tour of the London Media Centre I snapped some typical tourist shots of the one and only - Big Ben. Afterward I headed to Olympic Park and Stadium for some more tours and briefings. The buzz of the Olympics is definitely in the air. 

For dinner I decided to keep with my theme of the day and try out the traditional fish-n-chips. To be honest it was totally plain and gross but hey, I had to. Since when are soggy fries worthy of being so famous??

Press credentials - company bought. Lunch - 7 pounds. Dinner - 11 pounds 

Being asked what time it was while staring at the most famous clock in the world - priceless.   

LONDON 2012 | Calm Before the Storm

Today was my last day to explore London before the work sets in. It was a lovely day. I started my morning bitter around 6am (jet lag), but it turned out to be the perfect time to hunt down a little cafe and enjoy some breakfast. With no place to be, I distracted myself however I wanted stopping at many random gardens I discovered near UCL. 

I explored for a few hours keeping my eyes open for a grocery store or any sort of store that sold hangers, some soap and maybe a loaf of bread. Of course, I ended up in the chocolate store before any of those. I love walking around London. I am so distracted by the architecture of even the most insignificant buildings, but not only that ... it is the little details I love - the fences and the gates and the huge slab serif fonts carved into the buildings.

I explored all day until dinner, where I ate at this yummy little restaurant called Zizzis close by. It was good and the ambiance was great. They had this quote plastered everywhere (on the walls, napkins, boxes) and it was really adorable so I think I will close with that.  

"One can not think well. Love well. Sleep well. If one has not dined well."

LONDON 2012 | And So It Begins ...

I have only been in London for one day and already I have learned the most dreadful phrase in the English language - NO LIFT.

I arrived at the John Tovell House today and let me just say there is nothing "flat" about this place. When I was given my key, I was told I would be residing on the third floor. The coordinator failed to mention that the third floor was actually about the ninth floor and that England just thinks its really "cheeky" to number the rooms in no apparent order. Oh, they also think it's really funny to enclose every room, hallway, staircase and every little turn with "fire doors". After shuffling through the house and running through rooms like a failing game of clue, I discovered my room ... and no defibrillator. But that wasn't the fun part, no. The fun part was dragging a 65-pound suitcase larger than myself along with two 30-pound camera bags up 10 flights of narrow stairs ... myself. Once again - they may want to re-think the defibrillator.      

I am settled in and once my broken back heals tomorrow, I will definitely explore.

Note to self: no apartment is ever nice enough to make up for "no lift"

Etsy Find: Lettergirl

I know my last post was an Etsy store,

but when I saw this one I couldn't resist!

LETTERGIRL

this shop sells handwritten-style stamps

mainly for return addresses and mailing-type needs,

but they are SO adorable. I will definitely be ordering one soon.

these are my honest opinions, this post is not sponsored

Cary LaCouture Photography - SHOP

I'm a huge Etsy fan, a huge photography fan and a huge fan of Cary LaCouture ... naturally I would be extremely excited to announce that Cary LaCouture Photography now has a shop on Etsy :)

Yes, I do work for Cary LaCouture Photography,

but look at some of these shots, and tell me who wouldn't be a fan?

check out the shop: Cary LaCouture Photography Shop 

happy Wednesday everyone!! :)

My Playlist: Texas Country

my brother lives in Texas, and let me tell you, it comes with benefits.

UT football game benefits.

bbq benefits. 

tall boot-walkin, cowboy-hat-wearin friend benefits.

music benefits.

LOTS of benefits.

listen and you'll understand :)

Fuchsia Favorite

It was time for a good color board,

and when I stumbled upon this shot by Cary LaCouture Photography,

I couldn't resist. 

I'm not a fan of pink usually, but nature just has a way with color!

On Top Of The World - Mount Evans

Last week I hiked Mount Evans in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

It is a GREAT hike and I recommend it to anyone.

Even if you aren't a big hiker, there are options where you can drive pretty close to the summit,
so it's really an awesome outing for a lot of people. 

Well, on my hike I came across a herd of friends who were so unafraid, I got to sit in amongst them for a good twenty minutes. It was honestly one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. 

The pictures speak for themselves :)

you can see more photos from my Mount Evans hike HERE

Hope everyone had a great weekend :)