CITY OF GOLD

Sunnies: Ray-Ban; Lipstick: J.Crew; Maxi Dress: Milly, Watch: Michael Kors; Bangles: Ralph Lauren; Sandals: Sam Edelman; Swimsuit; J. Crew; Dress: Parker; Heels: Vince Camuto; Kindle: Amazon; Earrings: Tinley Road; Fedora (old): Target

One of the best things of living in London - or anywhere in Europe really - is your proximity to so many exciting and exotic places. So, when I found out D had a conference in Dubai the weekend of our FIRST wedding anniversary, I made it very clear that I was coming along. I didn’t care if he was working - when will I ever get the chance to go to Dubai again?!

So, we’re spending a lovely long weekend in the City of Gold. I couldn’t more excited to feel the sun on my skin [it will be 80 degrees!], and spend the weekend shopping, eating, dancing and reading my Kindle by the pool.

Everything about Dubai screams exotic, luxury, color, sparkle and mystery. I’ll be doing my best Carrie Bradshaw impression - with flowy, light fabrics and sky-high heels. If only I had some Manolos... 

What would you pack for an exotic weekend away?

A WARNING

I haven’t decided what this blog is going to be about. Family says I should write about my adventures in London. D says I should ‘write a blog that is funny, so it makes money.’ But, I really like shopping, cooking, traveling, married life, reading, eating, sports, celebrities, geeky stuff, fancy stuff, humor...

The list could go on and on. So, be prepared for a ‘melting pot’ of topics until I get my groove. But, I do promise anything I write will be about things I think makes life fascinating. I hope you agree.

I don’t blame you if you’re abandoning ship now - its going to be a bumpy ride.

NUMBERS

I've been saying I wanted to start a blog for  months, maybe years, now but just never did it. It took some big life changes - ya know, only getting married and moving over an ocean - plus a just little time to get myself motivated.

Why now? I’m a former PR gal from Atlanta - now a digital PR lass in London. And, while my work life is definitely not like what you see on TV, it does invade my personal life. The other day at work, I was making one of those typical summary slides with excessive large numbers to show off all of the amazing things we did, and it got me thinking about numbers. I realized we’ve had a lot numbers, firsts, highs and lows that have colored the last year, and I hope we’ll have many more in 2012. With all that, there’s a lot going on in my head [and on my Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and GMAIL].

I can’t recap everything from 2011 in this one blog post, so for now, I figured I’d share a little about our fascinating year:

The Colorful [or colourful, depending on your location!]


- We got married! After 6+ years of dating, graduations, several moves, hundreds of Gator games, hours and hours of traveling, six LONG months of being separated by the Atlantic, a few tough times and innumerable good times, we made it official on March 5, 2011.
- Living in London - such a global and historical city. There’s nothing like driving past Buckingham Palace on your way to a client meeting, hopping over to Portobello Road just to grab lunch on a Saturday afternoon, or catching a glimpse of the London Eye when you’re walking into work.
- A group of new London friends - and reconnecting with some old ones. We seriously lucked out. We met an amazing group of London friends through a fellow Gator and her Gator-fan husband - and immediately hit it off. This group, plus some great coworkers, and reconnecting with some friends from Florida, means we’re lucky to be surrounded by some great people. [The Gator Nation is seriously everywhere.]
- We had our first white Christmas. Spending our first Christmas in Soll, Austria, just the two of us was a holiday we’ll never forget. We spent the week skiing, apres skiing and experiencing an European Christmas together.


The Black & White
- We miss our family. A five hour time difference means lots of late nights, video chatting, phone bills, email exchanges and long flights to see our dear family. Definitely worth it!

- Leaving our friends. There are certainly circumstances that make you realize who your true friends are - and moving across an ocean is one of them. But, I am so happy to know that those we considered close friends before we left are still our close friends. We have such great friends from UF and from our 4 years in Atlanta. Before I left, I couldn’t IMAGINE being this far from all of them. While we miss them often, its a great feeling to know that they miss us too - and that when we are lucky enough to see each other, its like nothing has changed.

- London’s lack of Publix, Chick-Fil-A, delis & deli sandwiches, sweet tea, Yoplait, white queso with jalapenos, The Today Show, JCrew, good MARGARITAS, college football, Tostitos and REAL mani/pedis. ‘Nuff said.