Lunch at Ritorno Chelsea

Guess what?  I've been editing photos!!!  It's been ages.  I was starting to think the blog had run its course and fallen by the wayside.  But change is in the air.  The lead up to the 1 year anniversary to the day the gauntlet fell on my marriage sucked!  So bad.  It stirred up so much shit for me.  But then, lots of self-love (cliche? yes. necessary? definitely), reflection and wrestling with the past.  I also took a really good look at where I am a year later and determined where I needed to make some changes as I move forward.  I feel like I've made it past a very important milestone.  I feel lighter and less foggy.  I feel excited about the future, more in control of my life again.  I've also felt editing photos and maybe even blogging some.   These photos have been sitting in draft form for a year now.  Last year, lovely Fiona from London Unattached invited me to Ritorno in Chelsea to sample their Chelsea Flower Show cocktail and have lunch.  Here are some of the pics I took that day.

Better with Age?

You might have noticed things have been quiet on the blog for the last week or so. That's because this roadblock of a post is sitting in my pending folder taunting me.  Last month I turned 50. Yeah, that's right.  Woohoo.  The big-five-oh.  Blah, blah, blah.  I feel I should write about it, commemorate it in some way.  It's kind of a big deal, I guess. But I really have no idea what to say about it. 

My 500th Post and an update!

Guess what this is!  My 500th post.  Can you believe it?  I certainly can't.  Four and a half years of blogging.  If I'm honest, I feel like it should be more.  But every post represents a special moment or story, a place I never dreamed a might see.  A milestone in life that is deeply cherished.  My stories and memories.  And my connection to you.  To those of you that read my blog, follow along to encourage and support.  That's still the best part.  So thank you for helping me get to this milestone!  I also have to tell you about a new journey that we're starting soon.  I'm hoping that you'll come along because I will certainly continue blogging along the way.

A more personal journey...

A week ago I was in surgery.  It seems like so long ago already.  I don't always post about such personal things, but I feel like i need to write about this.  Just once.  For a woman, a hysterectomy is one of those life events that splits time into "before" and "after."   Like puberty, a wedding or giving birth.  A feminine milestone that almost 20% of women will experience.  If you're a man and you haven't already clicked away, you may not want to read further.  Or maybe you will.  It's estimated that 1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis, 2 in 10 from fibroids and 10 in 10 deal with various "female" and hormonal issues. I think it would be much better for everyone if we all talked about it a bit more openly. 

Green at Kew Gardens (and grandbaby news)

Do you remember this post that I wrote about Jessica and John's beautiful wedding?  All of the emotions.  It's the most special post that I've ever shared on this blog. It was an incredible day.

Today marked another milestone in my sweet baby girl's dreams coming true.  It's a boy!  Jessica and John are going to have a sweet baby boy.  At 14 weeks it is early to know, but they had the Panoramic genetic test done and everything came back perfect. Jess told me a week ago it was a boy.  A momma just knows.

Obviously, I cried when I found out.  Nothing brings tears to my eyes quicker these days then thoughts of my grandbaby.  Knowing the gender just clicks everything into a bit sharper focus.  I can picture him more clearly now.  I can almost smell that intoxicating baby smell.  I can't wait to kiss his feet.  I'm madly in love already. 

Now that I'm pledging into the Nana Gigi Grandma Sorority, I have a whole new insight into the women I know who are grandmas.   Wow.  How do you ever utter a sentence that is not about your grandbaby?  This is going to be a thrill!  I wonder if GrandMummy blogs will be the new thing.  I'll try to refrain, although it will be difficult.  

In other, much less important news, we are packing for another adventure.  I'm packing bright colors and dangly earrings, flip flops and maxi-dresses and even a swimsuit.  Goodbye, London!  We're off to a Red Sea resort in Hurghada, Eygypt.  But, it won't be just lazing about in the sun, although mostly.  We're taking an excursion to Cairo and Luxor.  I'm actually going to see the great pyramids.  Pinch me.

I'm a bit giddy today, I must admit.  So with thoughts of babies and beaches rolling around in my head, I'm going to share a few more photos from our day in the Kew Gardens.  If you have a camera, run don't walk to Kew Gardens.  It's a feast for the lens.  

These are some of my favorite photos from that day, because green is my favorite color.  Although I say that about all the photos I've edited from that day.  Oh, there are more.  

I hope to be instagraming from Egypt if you like to follow along.   And a huge thank you to everyone who's sent such sweet words and thoughts about the new addition to our family.  We're obviously over the moon already.  

What's got you over the moon lately?

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#LDNBloggersTea at the Milestone Hotel

May 17th was our third quarterly London Blogger's Tea!

I love that the most amazing bloggers are joining the fun and making connections.

This time it was at the 5-Star Milestone Hotel.

If you read this post about my first experience at the Milestone 

you will know why I selected this beautiful hotel.

There were 23 bloggers in attendance from a wide variety of backgrounds.

We all gathered in a wood-paneled private room and started our tea with some bubbly.

I know it can be nerve-wracking walking into a room of strangers.

But, I'm always amazed at how quickly it just turns into a room of friends.

We share a common interest and read each others blogs.

It's the perfect set up for making connections.

I stood outside the room quietly at one point and listened to all of the chatter and laughter.

I'm certainly no event planner and this is out of my comfort zone.

But the connections that I see being made are so worth the effort.
Here are the lovely bloggers that were in attendance.
You definitely want to check out their blogs.

Sunny in London

Girl Meets Globe

Kiwi Footprints

Passport and Toothbrush

Chicadeedee

Earth to Jade

Ladies What…

The Experience Collection Project

Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes

The Secret Life of an Unknown Housewife

Two Feet, One World

Adventures of a London Kiwi

It's All Bee

More Than Just a Cupcake Lover

{Erin Out and About}

My Little Tale

Little Travel Bee

Random Acts of Drama

London Unattached

25 Before I'm 25

Quentessentially Me

Mayfair Office Girl

 

The company was fabulous.  The tea was nice.

After our last event, I think we are all completely spoiled

and this tea didn't quite get the rave reviews that the Royal Horseguards did.

The sandwiches were good and plentiful with traditional fillings

although I think they might have been sitting out a bit longer than they should
as the bread was a bit dry.

The scones were good and our request for "more cream" was quickly answered.

Our tea selection was limited to just English Breakfast and Earl Grey.

My first experience at the Milestone, I was able to select my tea and had my own pot.

We were just limited because of the size of our group, I would imagine,
but it's always nice to have more of a choice.

I was so full from the sandwiches and the scone that I couldn't fit more than one sweet treat.

But that red velvet cupcake was divine.

 Admittedly, there were a few problems with the special dietary requests and service.

I think most of us agree that it didn't deserve a perfect score.
Many of the bloggers have already posted their reviews with similar comments.

Personally, I will continue to recommend the Milestone

for afternoon tea because of my first experience.

I know what they normally provide to their customers and it's pretty special.

If you are interested in getting information about our next quartely #LDNBloggersTea
which will be in August at an as-yet-unnamed location,
please drop me an email at selena_jones@me.com.
We would love to have you!

Have you ever had tea at the Milestone Hotel?
What did you think?

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 The regular price for Afternoon Tea with Champagne atThe Milestone Hotel is £46.
We were offered a discounted rate of £30 per person for our tea.

The Best Hotel in London - The Milestone Hotel

Do you see what I did there?  I checked out again for a few days.

I had five posts scheduled for the week,

but my little post-it notes just marched on to a later date.  Again.

I've been focusing on a few big life issues that have taken center stage in my brain.

My Spousal Visa expires next month, so it's time to apply for my Indefinite Leave to Remain.

I'm studying for my Life in the UK test.  I'll post all about the process, once it's complete.

I'm also still taking UK driving lessons, which I don't wish to discuss.

I've ramped up the job search.

I've been going on interviews and meeting with placement agents.

Looking for a full-time job is a full-time job.  It's time to put that accounting degree to good use.

But it's Saturday, so let's not dwell on that stuff.

How about I whisk you away to a five-star London hotel?

A few weeks ago I attended a Brit Mums Travel Think Tank at The Milestone Hotel.

Talk about fancy.  It's a luxury, Grade II listed, boutique hotel in Kensington that was voted

the UK's Number 1 Hotel by Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice Awards 2014.

And after our event and spending some time with the staff there, I can certainly see why.

I've mentioned before that we usually stay in mid-range hotels.  Nothing too extravagant.

So, sometimes when I think of five-star hotels I think of a stuffy, posh place with

snooty staff where I'll feel like a hillbilly cousin.  This was not at all the case at the Milestone.

The thing that stood out the most was how welcoming the space and the people are.

Someday, I must get dressed up in a sparkly cocktail dress and sip champagne in this incredible Conservatory.

It's absolutely gorgeous down to every detail.

But, the best part was how warm and comfortable it feels.  You can tell that the staff really love the place.

They go out of their way to make sure their guests feel welcome, at home.

In 1998, the Milestone became a part of the Red Carnation Hotel collection.

At the heart of this hotel is a love story.  I think that must be why it has such a great feel.

 In the 1950's a young South African beauty fell in love with and married

a hotelier known for always wearing a small red carnation in his lapel.

If you like a good love story, take a look at The Red Carnation Hotels Story.

As you can see, it's just stunning.  Luxurious and elegant.

We toured several of the rooms, each more breathtaking than the last.

There was a lot of oohing and aahing.

They completely spoil their guests with a welcome drink upon arrival, round the clock room service,

twice daily maid service, in-room entertainment systems, complimentary wireless,

luxurious bath accessories, robes and slippers, and personal butlers.

They cater to families and business travelers, with thought to the smallest detail.

With rooms starting at £342 per night, we will be saving this one for a very special occasion.

However, I will be going back soon for their scrumptious afternoon tea.

They also offer a Gentleman's version and a Little Prince & Princess Tea for children.

I'm thinking that this would be the perfect spot for an upcoming #LDNBloggersTea.

What do you think?

Have you stayed in a five-star hotel in London?

If you have, I'm totally jealous.  You must tell me all about it.

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 *The BritMums Travel Think Tank were guests of The Milestone Hotel for tea.
 All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

 You can find this review and many others in my
London Attraction Guide.