We’re going to let our
guest blogger introduce herself (since we love her way with words!):
Hi! I’m Kira, a recovering perfectionist with a penchant for
pasta and strong (black) coffee. Not together, obviously. I adore food,
interior design, and red lipstick. I dream about moving to Florence on the
regular. You’ll probably catch me drooling over Carrera marble or swooning over
correct grammar. I’m a native Chicagoan and now reside in Lincoln Park with my
husband Thomas. I strive to live a life of authenticity and love (not always
successfully). Join me (on the imperfectionist
blog site) as I try to quell my obsession with perfection and embrace life as
it is, rather than as I think it should be.
So here's the skinny: in the soon-to-be-released Foreign Relations, No. 6 in The Val
& Kit Mystery Series, the
lifelong friends are headed to foggy London-town to hit up some super-tourist-y
attractions before making their way to Little Dipping, the village where Val's
daughter Emily lives. If you haven't read the books (which you should - they
are so good!) fret not, as I think you can grasp a pretty accurate picture of
their personalities based solely on their packing lists (above). So let's jump
right in to their fun-filled four days of sightseeing, pastry-eating, and
champagne-drinking, shall we?
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
As you can imagine, Kit likes to travel in style. High
style. She actually sometimes mistakes herself for Princess Kate, and thinks
the world should treat her accordingly. Needless to say, an 8-hour plane ride
across the big blue ocean isn't going to keep her from sporting something
fabulous (hence, the Valentino studded flats), while also managing to make a
sleep mask look chic (not pictured: ear plugs to drown out the annoying
children and talkative neighbors). After downing her complimentary glass of
champagne (what, you thought she was traveling coach?!) she cozies up in her
cashmere sweater and falls fast asleep.
Val, on the other hand, is a no-nonsense traveler. Comfort is the
name of her game, as I'm sure you've gathered from the chic
gym-shoe-plus-yoga-pants look she's sporting for the long flight. Other
necessities include a shot of Nyquil and some highly educational and
thought-provoking reading material. Grateful for her dear friend's generous
offer to bump them both up to first class, she tucks her polyester airplane
blanket under her chin and is soon softly snoring.
Our girls have got their priorities straight: after landing at
Heathrow Airport, they cab it to their hotel, order room service, and lie in
bed watching The Great British Bake Off while
scarfing down creme brulee. Gotta eat up, we've got a big day tomorrow!
DAY TWO: BUCKINGHAM PALACE
After a luxurious breakfast of fresh-baked croissants (Val may
have had two, but who's counting) and the best damn cafe au lait either woman
has ever tried, the pair made their way to Buckingham Palace, where Kit
mistakenly felt a little too at home (no, Kit, you can't touch the suits
of armor just because they're shiny and pretty). Clearly a women of comfort,
Kit's attire included 4-inch leopard stilettos and leather pants, obvious
choices for perusing the streets of London (what cobblestones?).
Val's still rocking her Nike sneakers, seeing as her ankles are
swollen from the plane ride (or was it the second croissant?). Boyfriend jeans
and a cozy sweater are her uniform for the day - along with her $24 cross-body
purse from Target, which Kit insists has got to go ("But it's the perfect
size for traveling!!" says Val). Highlights of the day include watching
Kit getting kicked out of the Queen's bedroom for trying to lie on the bed and
that second glass of delicious bordeaux at lunch.
DAY THREE: KENSINGTON GARDENS
Ok, so by now our girls are finally getting over the jet-lag and
are ready to do some serious sightseeing. Or in Kit's case, shopping (you mean
Chanel doesn't count as a monument?!). So their morning started off with
another one of those deliciously addictive cafe au laits and a thick slice of
brioche (with clotted cream for Val). Then it was off to the races! First stop
was Kensington Gardens, where the girls lucked out weather-wise. They toured
the gardens and picked up a second cafe au lait (calories don't count, it's
vacation!!). Val was enamored by the beauty but Kit admittedly found it a
little dull. So dull, in fact, she may have wandered off to the shops down the
street. Which meant the girls missed their scheduled red tour bus ride!! (Val
had been so looking forward to sitting down for a bit.) Kit promised to make it
up to Val, so she did the only thing she knew how: steered them straight to
Harrod's (where she may have done some serious damage with her credit card).
They wrapped up their evening with dinner in a classic English pub, stuffing
their faces with fish and chips. Like I said, calories don't count when you're
on vacation!
DAY FOUR: BIG BEN
With a hearty meal and a good night's rest, the gals are up and
at 'em early today. No one is missing any scheduled tours on Val's watch!
Unfortunately, the weather has taken a turn for the worse, and it's raining
cats and dogs. But that doesn't stop our girl Kit from donning her Louboutin's,
now does it? Practical-minded Val opts instead for a pair of duck boots and a
waterproof parka, just like any sane person would do. They make their way to
Big Ben for their scheduled tour and somehow Kit manages to still look chic as
ever, even after their trek in the rain. Val, on the other hand, is sporting a
sort of drowned-rat look, since the wind broke her umbrella on the way there.
After their very long, very dry tour of good old Benny Boy, the girls opt for
another meal in a warm and cozy pub. On a whim, they decide to take a tour of
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (Kit's always sworn she was an actress in another
life). A stage rehearsal of Twelfth Night
was taking place, and our girls couldn't help eyeing the strapping young lads
on stage. Hey, there's no harm in looking! Back to the hotel after for a hot
shower. It's room service tonight, as both gals have to pack up for tomorrow's
big trip to Little Dipping.
Back home during the planning phase, in a moment of pure panic,
Val decided Kit should be the one to rent the car and she would navigate. Need
I remind you, in England they drive on the other side of the car. On the other
side of the road. I don't even want to imagine how that ride is going to go.
Hey, at least she'll look good going in the ditch. Heck, maybe they'll even be
rescued by a handsome English countryman enjoying his estate for the weekend.
Our girls can dream.
