US meets UK

For several reasons:

1. I think everyone should build a fire .  There is something pretty satisfying about building your own fire. Bonus point for cooking on it.

2. Snuggle time is crucial for fall camping because it can be very cold. Especially if you only bring a single person sleeping bag (not recommended).

3. You can purchase a $1.00 “camping knife”.  While useless it can make your husband happy to have a “man-tool”.

4. Smores.

5. You can meet great people!

On Columbus day weekend we headed down to the Shenendoah National Park to go camping. Nick had never been camping before whereas I am a seasoned girl scout. So I was excited ot get him out in the woods and show him the ropes. For his first camping trip I decided to break him in with car camping… I thought backpacking it might be a bit much for his first foray.

Shenandoah reserved spots but if you’re going last minute during a federal holiday near the DC area - there won’t be any left.  We tried our luck with first come/first serve and here is a tip - it’s first come first serve to the camp site, NOT the ranger station.  After waiting for an hour for someone to deposit a tag at the station I realized that it was first to the campsite, so I asked Nick to wait in the station I jumped in the car and started harassing asking people if they were leaving that day or staying for another night. I luckily found a site and threw a few belongings on it to mark my territory till the woman who had it previously left.

We set up camp and realized there weren’t any stakes in our tent bag, trip to the camp store #1. We started to realized we hadn’t gotten enough firewood so Nick made trips 2 and 3 to the camp store. I noticed some rocks at another campsite and stole them to make a “fireplace”.  The rocks heated up all toasty and warm - it was divine.  I then set up our tent and unrolled our brand new “king size” sleeping bag.  When we purchased it we thought it was a 2 person sleeping bag.  When we opened it on a chilly afternoon in preparation for a chilly night we realized that we had actually just purchased a really nice single sleeping bag. crap. Let me tell you, it’s a tight squeeze.

Our camping neighbors came over and introduced themselves, everyone lived/worked in the DC area and they were all nice and friendly. We agreed to meet up again after dinner so Nick and I made a few hot dogs. Real hot dogs for him and veggie hot dogs for me.

The camp store had amazing berry wine that our camp neighbors had brought over and we joined the party a campsite over. We also enjoyed meeting Barrett, a super sweet bichon.

Skyline Drive is gorgeous, and I highly recommend driving it sometime. My family has even taken Skyline Drive home just for funsies after vacations.  It has beautiful vistas and during the fall? Well… it just can’t be beat!

We really enjoyed our camping trip, and next year, we’ll be sure to go for longer.  And you know, get the right sleeping bag.

Did you go camping this year?

It’s true, I’m back on US soil!  It’s taken a bit of time for me to adjust to not on the time, but simply being back in America.  It’s easy to forget after while just how different the US and the UK can be.  For example, since being home I spent almost 2 hours grocery shopping just to fill a tiny basket (the store was so big!) and the other day I turned down the left side of a median in to a shopping plaza….way to go.

I also have some fantastic news to share with you (I mean, aside from the fact I can go to Bee Meetups now).

1. Mr.D had his interview at the London Embassy and currently has a K! visa in his passport! Woo Hooo!!!  He’ll be flying over on July 4th and we can legally stay together. Legally stay together for 90 days that is, because that’s how long Fiance Visas are good for, then we apply for the next step of immigration.  I’m having Mr.D write up his experience to share with you all since I flew home 2 days before his interview.

2. I LOST 30 pounds! Yes, 30 pounds. I searched the internet to give you a visual representation of 30 pounds, this fish? 30 pounds.  I LOST THAT FISH.

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How did this happen? I read this book, and pretty much follow what it says.  I’ve also been spending time with Jillian, and I just asked Amazon to introduce me to her new friends. I basically eat way, way, WAY healthier than I used to.  Previously, you could have classified me as a cheese and breadatarian.  When I say “cheese and breadatarian” I mean, a block of cheese and a loaf of bread.  Now, I avoid cheese and eat a (once) daily serving of a whole grain.  I’ve learned that starchy foods really puff me up, not to mention that once I get the taste for bread I just want more (as in…the whole loaf).

Remember my motivations for losing weight? The wedding was an important factor, but what really got me off my tush was the thought of an audition upon my return to the US.  I flew in Monday evening, auditioned Wednesday and now am dancing with the company as an apprentice.  I’m dancing 3 hours 3-5 days a week - I’m sure those last 20 pounds will melt off now!

Now that I’m back on the same side fo the ocean to our wedding location it seems like it’s that time to get cracking on all the DIY projects I’ve been putting off.  Hello to bottle cutting, tissue paper pomanders, designing programs, place cards, etc.

Even though I miss Mr.D and England, it’s good to be back hive!

I had to share this video with you guys…the tweenbot is just so cute!

Full story here. Say “awwwwwwwwwww”!

So…I was supposed to let Mr.D surprise me with the honeymoon.  Heres the thing though, I’m terrible with surprises.  I’m so bad with surprises it’s difficult for me to surprise others because I usually tell them what the surprise is.  Basically I’m a big surprise FAIL.

So I’ve begun taking a preliminary look into destinations.  As the D’orsays we have a few complicating factors, for instance, is Mr.D even allowed to leave the country after we get married? Once we receive the government approval to marry we have to apply for the Adjustment of Status so Mr.D can do things like live/work/function in the USA. Because he’ll be in limbo we aren’t sure of what the rules are.  But enough serious talk - let’s just hope we can leave the country!

New Zealand, Australia, Egypt and Hawaii were high on my “go -to” list, unfortunately so is the airfare.  So let’s forget those for now (we’ve got visas to pay for!). Next I turned to Miss Gloss who is also hunting for a hurricane free honeymoon. I started with researching airfare on sidestep because if we can’t afford to get there then what’s the point?  For example, flights from Baltimore/DC to Egypt are about $1390, although the exchange rate in Egypt would be to our advantage getting the flights together AND finding somewhere to stay and eat would be difficult.

All of these prices are from the Baltimore/DC area, there are 3 airports we could use so all of these are averages for late August/early September.  Hawaii came in around $700, Aruba around $400, Curaco around $620, Bermuda at $350, Cabo San Lucas at $440, and Puerto Vallarta at $400. Hmmmmm… would Curaco and Hawaii please leave the arena - all other destinations can stay.

What’s next? Weather.  Some like it hot - that includes us.  Except Mr.D will need SPF 100…cause he’s English and well, you know. Aruba weather in September is apparently “relentless heat with little to no breeze (we don’t like it THAT hot).  Bermuda seems cool and breezy - but I have hurricane paranoia. Cabo San Lucas sounds like it can be in the realm of the 90’s all the way to 100+, which is okay if it’s in the 90’s but not so much if it’s 100. Which leaves Puerto Vallarta - the rainy season being in September….

I started checking out the housing options on VRBO and reviews of hotels on TripAdvisor to see what people were saying about these destinations and their general pricing when…

…Weddingbee reader (and my fellow compatriot in the US/UK visa torture) BlightyGirl informed me that we in fact, could not leave the country.  Or even the lower 48! So again, Hawaii is out. This more than likely means a domestic mini moon destination. I’m okay with this because we’ll most likely save money  and be able to save (who am I kidding) it or spend it on another wedding expense (hello videographer).  Maybe we’ll just have our real honeymoon on our one year anniversary or when it’s not hurricane season.

So my question to the hive is this - where would you reccomend a mini-moon for the D’orsays?  We’d prefer within driving distance (5 hours or so?) from MD/DC but wouldn’t rule out options in sunnier/beachy locales. Muchas gracias in advance!

So, I know I said I’d tell you more about how Mr.D and I came to be in early March, but I realized that although our meet-aversary was important, our “decision to meet again” is almost more important than our meeting! I think there are lots of times in life where we let opportunities slip away and we barely notice them. I am just so happy that Mr.D and I made sure to dive in the unknown with each other.

March marks the first time that when Mr.D and I say “this time last year” we can reference the other! When I last left off Mr.D and I had met in Austin and we each had to go back home from our trips.  We began an intense amount of emailing, gchatting and skyping and one day when I woke up I eagerly checked my email as usual.  Mr.D had written a lovely long email after we finished skyping the night before.  I was running a little late for a meeting in Phoenix but (as with all of his emails) I HAD to read it. The best part of this email was that it said he really wanted to see where things could go with us, that he was compelled to give us a real chance.

Since I was running late though, I didn’t have time to type out  a well written, thoughtful response.  So I grabbed my breakfast and coffee, jumped in my car, called Mr.D to let him know I felt the same way.  All while trying to navigate the Phoenix metropolis, drink my coffee and play it “cool” on the phone with a man I was madly dorky over.

Even better was the next email, which suggested we meet up again! I was planning a move from Tucson to Miami in mid-April and because of the timing I suggested he visit Miami.  After talking on skype we both decided that it would be better if we took advantage of my impending road trip, I needed a road trip buddy and we both couldn’t wait to see each other again. My parents were less than thrilled that I was choosing to go on a 2,500 mile trip through very desolate parts of the west with someone I had been in the physical presence of for less than 10 hours.

I think at one point my mother even mentioned “bayou” “ax murderer” and “fed to alligators” in an email she sent me attempting to persuade me not to go.  I told her to google Mr.D, that we had had several long conversations both on skype and through email and that my decision had been made.

Mr.D flew into Tucson, helped me to pack up my life and a few days later we set off for our first stop, El Paso.  We only had 4 days before I had to catch a work flight from Fort Lauderdale, so driving 12+ hours each day from then on (stopping in Austin, New Orleans, and Orlando) we really got to know each other.  It’s a risky move, to confine yourself in a 2 door hatchback filled to the brim with all your earthly possessions and another human being you’ve known barely a month.  But it worked for us and we couldn’t be happier!

Did you and your fiance have an unlikely meeting (or “re-meeting”)?

Wowwee Zowee Londoners, you guys are lucky!

(Segerius-Bruce Photography via Rock n Roll Bride)

In the jewelry area I found Laduree macarons.

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I had a freakishly huge cupcake/muffin hybrid at Candy Cakes.

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I passed Beard Papas and craved a cream puff (or 12).

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I was in London for 2 days, but if this is any indication of the confectionery delights I can only imagine how delicious the desserts at London weddings must be.  I mean, that is if you’re opting out of the traditional fruitcake wedding cake (yes my American pals, Christmas type fruit cake).

What other non-traditional desserts have you discovered?  Any London faves?

The next day we visited Cadbury world which, not surprisingly, was crawling with children.  I wouldn’t take my non exisistent children here, because I think they’d be bored senseless.  Much of the “world” is actually movie shorts.  The “Cadabra” ride was creepy and bizarre, the room where you learn about chocolate making was fun, but I think we mostly went for the free chocolate. “Free” chocolate received: 2 of each of the following, dariy milk, caramel, curly wurly, buttons.  You might see a few things missing…

And then to purchase MORE chocolate of course

We headed for the city center after our chocolate overload and visited The Bullring, a shopping center that didn’t really live up to the hype. But we did check out this awesome vintage shop

Which had a fantastic selectionof cowboy boots.

and a great door

Since it was St.Patrick’s day weekend, and apparently there is an “Irish Quarter” in Birmingham there were hundreds of very inebriated people. Birmingham was a ton of fun and I definitely recommend visiting, my only regret is not seeing more of the city center.  Well, that and not wearing more comfortabel shoes, but thats practiclly a daily regret for me.  Tomorrow I head to London so I won’t be back till Sunday! Enjoy your weekends!

Nick and I visited Birmingham over the weekend and started out trip the way we start all our road trips: with a McDonalds Breakfast. There is something different about the UK Egg McMuffin and I can’t put my finger on what it is exactly. The muffin and cheese seem different and Nick thinks they put butter on the US English Muffins. The UK Mcdonalds coffee is also TERRIBLE. The gave me a “white coffee”, I don’t know what I tried to drink, but it was no bueno.

At least it it was Rainforest Alliance Certified.

After an hour or so of the Wedding Show we reached our limit so we headed for Birmingham city center to visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. They have a fantastic collection of Pre Raphaelite paintings and I also enjoyed their Arts and Crafts section.

This woman (Jane Morris) is modeled in so many of the paintings, but this is the only one of her as a redhead.

Nick and I both enjoyed the books in the Arts and Crafts section.

We found Millie and a Monkey in the museum as well. She’s a naughty brat, who would easily be f’ing with a fireplace. We love and miss her though, which is why we take pictures like this.

A HUGE painting by Botticelli.

Creepy ginger haired boys in dresses.

A painting by someone I don’t remember who used the wrong glazes or pigments. Rendering his subjects ghosts people.

I <3 Degas Bronzes

As with many free places there are often odd, eccentric people wandering around. We met Herman in the Buddha gallery and he started going on and on (and on) about Masonic architecture, symbols and la la stuff. 8 Lions, Hermes, H, 8, teardrops, seeds, same as above as below, men, man, Her-man. It was… interesting.

There are NO sushi restaurants near us in Lancaster. It almost breaks my heart, between sushi nights in Miami and my general love of Sushi Sono it’s one of the things I really miss about being in the UK. So on our way to the museum we spotted Woktastic. I should have known, from the revolving sushi conveyor belt that it wouldn’t be in the same realm as Miami or Maryland.

Then I accidentally ate CHICKEN, what the hell was chicken doing in sushi. Bastards.

Despite the chicken in the sushi we had a great first day in Birmingham. Huzzah! Stay tuned for our trip to Cadbury World and more of Birmingham!

It’s our meetiversary! Last year I boarded a plane to Austin for the weekend to interview career candidates for PIRG and play in one of my (now) favorite cities with 2 of my work friends. Nick had been in town for a few days for the SXSW Interactive conference and was still jet lagged. We each thought we were coming to the city for business and a little fun with friends.

(The only photo from that trip - Because yes, on Sunday my friend Heather and I did go to Whole Foods purchased mimosa materials and filled our water bottles with them. We may have then walked around Austin {found MORE mimosas} and narrowly escaped scientologists.)

After hopping off my plane, eating dinner and drinking a crazy purple margarita, the girls and I headed to Bar Six. We went upstairs and I was smacked in the face with an elbow where Nick and I began a conversation that hasn’t ended. We went on our first date the next night and it was truly love at first sight. I’m so happy I said “yes” to going to Austin on that work trip. It always reminds me to say yes more often, you never know what it might lead to. Have a lovely weekend!

It was pretty tough for me to think about how to give you guys a tour of one of my favorite cities. Baltimore is full of interesting things to see and do!

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But thats what makes Baltimore one of my favorite cities!

Where to Stay

I suggest staying in Downtown/Inner Harbor or in Federal Hill, it’s hard to tell you which places to stay in, because I’ve never really stayed in a hotel in my hometown. Henderson’s Wharf Inn is the top rated hotel on TripAdvisor.com and it looks very nice, they were extremely helpful when I called about block hotel rooms. The Scarborough Bed and Breakfast is located in Federal Hill and has a great website with fantastic reviews. Like many places in Baltimore nice neighborhoods can also be near sketch neighborhoods. I wouldn’t let this discourage you though, as it really is a nice city and the parts you will see as a tourist won’t be featured on The Wire anytime soon. Here is a spreadsheet we made for our guests who are looking to rent houses.

What to Do

If you’re into baseball you should certainly check out a game at Camden Yards. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if you’re a Red Sox (boo) or Yankees fan (hiss) you’ll be surrounded by your own kind when you come to a game. Baltimore is also home to Ravens, but I’m a Redskins fan so I’m little help on this one.

If you’re into art you should certainly check out the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) or The Walters for tons of art exhibits. They’re on the northern side of the city, so you’ll need to take public transportation, a cab, or your own car. I suggest having a nice picnic in Riverside park overlooking the Inner Harbor and heading down the hill to my favorite museum the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). The Maryland Science Center and The National Aquarium in Baltimore are also nearby AVAM. The Aquarium is one of my favorite date spots in the city, if you’re visiting in the summer Fridays after 5 is when prices take a dive. If you’re into history there are tons of fantastic spots in Baltimore - the most famous being Fort McHenry

Where to Eat

I’d also suggest trying to visit Baltimore during one of their fantastic restaurant weeks. Two years ago I seriously went to a restaurant at least once a day for a week to explore the different restaurants of the city. There is usually a week in the winter and week in the summer when the restaurants offer a a fixed course dinner for $30 of a fixed course lunch for $20. Some of the restaurants I’ve enjoyed dining in have been Bicycle, Black Olive, The Brass Elephant, Pazo, but there are tons I haven’t tried yet. For breakfast head to Spoons Cafe on cross street for local delicousness before you stroll around the Federal Hill streets to stop in the boutiques etc. You’ll also have to stop for a piece of pie at Dangerously Delicious because you guys already know how much I love this place.

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How to Par-tay

As far as Baltimore nightlife the city is a bit schizo, we don’t really have as many dance-y clubs as DC but I might only be saying that because I’m not really “in the know” in that department. A lot of the places to go out in Baltimore are still a bit collegiate. I love going for pizza and drinks over at Pub Dog (formerly Thirsty Dog) in Fed Hill and you can cozy up in the back by a fireplace. For a romantic night I suggest stopping for sunset drinks at one of the cities’ numerous wine bars or dropping by the 13th floor bar at Hotel Belvedere for a fantastic view before heading out to dinner.

My personal favorite bar in the city? The Brewer’s Art downstairs, hands down. In fact, I’m a pretty big fan of the Mt. Vernon neighborhood in general. The best festival voted a million years running is ArtScape - I hope you get to see it! I was *thisclose* to the Old 97’s the summer I first left town-the festival rocks my world every time. It’s also fun to swing by the Owl Bar because you’ll usually see a wedding party hanging out there since The Belvedere hosts tons of weddings. If you’re looking for a bar with peanuts on the floor head to the Midtown Yacht Club for more midtown fun. There aren’t many great places to stay in Midtown/Mt.Vernon, but you could easily spend a day visiting the museums, eating dinner at The Brass Elephant and enjoying the night life.

I hope you enjoy Charm City as much as I do!

ps. This post made me homesick!