Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Brinton!

4:45…that was the meeting time for us to gitty up and go Birmingham to see the amazing Brinton factory…being a design nut, this was as exciting for me to see carpet being made, as it is for most people to see a celeb! So even though I was so exhausted I wanted to curl up and die, it was incredible, and side note…they are the darn dang nicest folks!
After a couple hours sleeping on the train and another hour or so on a bus…we arrive with a day full of fibers! They started us with some briskets and said we needed coffee too, cause we all looked a little pooped I guess..sorry buddy no can do! Then we split up to see the entire process. Starting with the ideas that come out of the design studio, this would be dream job if you ask me, coming up with the designs that wil fill the carpets of Cruises, Lavish Homes, Hotels, Stores…oh, my young design heart beat rapidly at the idea! Next was off to the archives…okay let start with the fact that she was pretty much the coolest lady…and again a job that I would love, the Brinton company has collected millions of samples of fabrics, of archives of books, of art that became carpets, everything and this little sweet lady collects it all and distributes it out when needed to the designers. I loved how well this idea fits in with us doing pattern designs, their isn’t really reinventing the wheel, theirs just changing it, manipulating what has been done. Learning from the past and becoming inspired by future ideas they create some of the most gorgeous designs for carpet.
Brinton then procured us a lovely English meal… Lovely tea sandwiches, sausage lump covered in pastry, OJ, and other little nibbles of pastry with a foreign insides! After a nice break…a little cap nap on the plush carpet samples we were off to see the programs they use to make huge insulations of carpet with elaborate patterns possible. At the time they were working on a new hotel in Atlanta…an ornate pattern with a seashell motif! So amazing…my little corporate designer want-a-be tried to just soak it up…oh to design a lavish expensive hotel…dream baby..dream! Then it was off to the factory to see the massive dying instruments, the enormous lumps, the attention to detail as they fix mistakes my hand…in classes that we studied carpet I just never understood, just exactly how it all comes together and makes something that will last as long as carpet does, now the light bulb is on! This was absolutely the most amazing experience in my carpet loving life…
After returning home, pretty much zombie like…I decided that I would adorn a lovely ensemble to do laundry in…we call it the Ghost of London…just remember, the Bec is tired she doesn’t think straight!

Going Punting, Going Punting…la da da dad a da

I feel like I’m right back in school again…waking up early, sleeping though class, playing in town after…sound about right?
We caught our train early this morning and I had my usual nice little nap, Complete with a wide open mouth that I woke to see Darin taking a picture of, so being the smartie that I am decided I would tie my scarf around my head to keep it shut, yeah remember that when I’m tired I don’t so much think clearly! So now I look like I just had my wisdom teeth out, but fell back asleep to once again see Darin over my head, so I covered my head in the scarf…and now I look like a terrorist…all get you back Darin…just you wait!
So we arrived in the extremely cute town of Cambridge where we had a little time to start off the day right with…shopping. They have the most quant fun shopping in England, what I expected of all the countries. Malory was all excited cause they had the Rose and Violet chocolates she had been looking for, for her boss…so we thought we should try these if they are so highly sought after…yeah, they taste like perfume…I may never be able to smell a rose again…sick nasty!
Next we met up with one the most adorable English women ever, Miss Sally, the coinsure of all things Cambridge, she had puffy white hair and wore plaid pants, and fabulous blue eye shadow! She told fun stories of good times in the history of Cambridge, the fun stories that you would tell at reunions! One of which was the tradition of pranking…she showed us a clipping from the news paper with a picture of a car on top of the Kings Chapel…they only had a 6 hour shot to get it done, once a year…hilarious! You can now see the measures that they have taken in preventing such childish games, a small stone placed in just the right spot that not even Gumby could climb over. I also loved that in some of the living spaces their were old iron spikes outside the windows to prevent the escape of students! Ah, the fun times we have when we should be studious. One of my favorite stops on our tour was Kings College, a masterfully constructed cathedral with spectacular carved fan vaulted ceilings and the most elaborate, magnificent stain glass windows! They are some of the only ones preserved from the damage the war booming caused.
After a fabulous lunch at the famous Eagles Pub, visited by geniuses that attended Cambridge and developed things like the double helix of DNA…its fun cause on the ceiling are faded names of students and soldiers who came and visited, some written in candle way and lipstick! I was so excited cause I finally got my fish and chips, this is something from my birth that my dad would talk about from his time living in England…It was so good, although they would say it wasn’t authentic cause it was actually served on plate, but it was delich! A huge piece of cob with mashed peas, sloppy fries and a good English roll!
They we met up with our trusty guides again to travel though the Fitzgerald museum, a collections of artifacts and paintings collected my students, teachers and sponsors of the university. Some beautiful post modern paintings were on display and renaissance work and a great collection of porcelains too. After a tornado look around it was off for punting, which I thought was a game like crocket…Wrong-o! It’s a flat boat driven , in our case by a cute English boy named Orlando, controlled by a long stick. This was the most gorgeous float, with weeping willows flowing into the river and all the beautiful gothic architecture of the colleges of Cambridge…a few places of interest, the Harry Potter bridge and the lawn that they use for quitage field were filmed along our root. I absolutely fell in love with the architecture, the people and the overall ambience of Cambridge, it helped that the shopping was great and flea market open too!~ I love me some good shopping!
Heading back home though Kings Cross, platform 9…you following me here…yeah found us the Harry Potter platform 9 ¾! I’m such a dork. That night was fun though we all got together for a Harry Potter Party and watched the 5th movie and had chocolate frogs, chocolate cake and jelly beans! Can life get any better, I submit that it cannot!

Today started out much like other days in Europe…a museum! British Museum…with a wild array of artifacts from Ancient Egypt to African. I loved the way it signified the different cultures, art truly is what shapes our cultures and what a better way for showcasing it then under this illuminated geometric umbrella ceiling. One really memorable piece was in the African section, a tree made of rusty parts of cars, of machines, I think their was even a gun in their too…all making up a massive tree with animal creations around it. It was so interesting. I also saw a real mummy, creepy…his little bod their all cold and naked on display…but so amazing how its so perfectly preserved, their was even hair and skin and color on the wrappings…incredible! After that we headed to a man’s home dedicated to architecture; Sir John Soane, his home is precisely the state it was in when he died, packed to the rafters with artifacts from Rome, paintings, a mummy sarcophagus, pillars, anything you can think of…it was probably their! He was an amazing architect also so the home was full of splendid little tricks to enhance the space, rich reds and greens were used in the study which had mirrors that played tricks on the mind to make the space seem vaster than it was. Simply…Genius!
Then off we go to St. Paul’s Cathedral…a little side note, this is where Princess Dianna and Prince Charles were married…also home to the whispering gallery…my favorite part! The cathedral is amazingly adorned with stone carvings and elaborate windows. Then climb up the dome, and the greatest little trick I’ve ever seen, you can whisper to your friend all the way around this vast diameter and hear them as clear as if they are standing right next to you! We climbed a little further to the top and looked out at the amazing city scape, unlike any other, I love the juxtaposing of modern architecture and lavish Gothic architecture…so interesting to see such a vast change in styles and appreciate both for the workmanship and innovation.

1 Painting, 2 Painting 3 Painting…Harry Potter!

1 Painting, 2 Painting 3 Painting…Harry Potter!
London is home to some of the most magnificent museums one of which…B’s personal favorite, The V&A it’s got a great eclectic mix of design from modern furniture to ancient columns, there’s a section on fashion through the years and 21st Century Design…a plethora of perfection! One of our assignments while here on our Grand Tour is to collect inspiration for custom patterns. So as we meandered about the museum today we sketched ideas and snapped pictures of inspiration…It was so different going through with that mind set instead of just sponging it up for it’s ascetics, I feel like I was able to take a lot more detail out of it. One thing I especially loved about the V & A was the way the lighting worked with the pieces most of which were items, the light cast beautiful shadows around the room, reflecting the shapes of the pieces.
Next we headed though London, Crossing the Tower Bridge and stopping at the City Hall building. We also pasted Shakespeare Theater, and ended at Tate Modern. I am a big modern art fan…especially when it’s done well…not the weird stuff…Tate was high up on places that I freaking love…Monet’s Water lilies, Picasso pieces, amazing insulations, wonderful Warhol…all sheek and extraordinary.
Now the moment we’ve all been waiting for Harry Potter…oh my goodness, the Harry dork that I am loved seeing this…here in London…in the seat that Radcliff sat!..at least the Theater! It was huge, bright, energetic, exciting and all illuminated with bright neon lights…it was an event to go to a movie there…not just a past time! After some hilarious English commercials the movie began with the pan of the exact city bridge, the Millennium Bridge that we had walked on that very day, the parliament, the City Hall, The Bullet Building thing…it was so exciting! Ohho! Amazing as always, of course got chocked up when the beloved Albus Dumbledore dies, and laughed along with hundreds when Ron is being a bloody ideate! After the show we stopped to do some souvenir shopping and I got me a please beat me up I’m a tourist jacket…but it’s really cute, and functional, since I lost not only my heart but my jacket in Paris! What a great night, so great to be out, having fun that night with ...Harry Potter, Harry Potter..ohh!

London Calling…

I couldn’t leave Paris without one last shopping excursion, so we snuck over to the flea market and picked up some fab little dresses! It was so great to see the “farmers market” having been a corn girl these 6 years! It was dreamy seeing the rows and rows of fruits and veggies…I would love cooking here, there are such great bases to start with! I also grabbed a pastry…don’t leave Paris without one…as I headed to the much anticipated London!

We arrived, though the English Channel, no collapses or leaks…thanks for the illustration Dave! And am now here in London…I think I was most excited for London, because about 10 years ago, my little 13 year old self got her own little passport and planed her excursion to England with my sister who had gotten home…with big dreams in my head and a sister in college it was no time till she found her man and my trip was postponed till another day…today! England was all I expected and more, everything familiar but enhanced…older, newer, brighter, greener, wetter, richer, higher, farther…just right! If you can’t tell…I’m pretty sure I want to live here forever! After checking in at our South Kensington address…some great college flats that could use a bit of a face lift, but had a toilet, shower and bed…what I’ve found is all I need…oh an bonus a kitchen so we can cook and hopefully not eat out quite so much. Across from our 8’ windows is high end So. Kensington homes, so needless to say the area was really nice and I felt so privileged to be there.
Funny Stories…So unpacking our stuff…we were finally staying in one place for longer than 5 days we all picked our wardrobe…well with out warning my Jenna friend coming in at 5”4 and maybe 80 lbs soaking wet was encased in the wardrobe…it had come down right on top of her…from underneath in her kind polite Jenna-snow white-esk voice, “a, guys, can you help get this off of me…I was sure she would be a Jenna pancake, but because of her mouse like size it landed doors open right over her. Between the slanting floors and press board wardrobe, we felt it best not to use it…
Off we went to get us some goods, some groceries…we went to what I think was just a English Walmart…Sainsbury…and got enough food to last a few days…I’ve never been so excited to pick out bread and veggies, and of course stocked up on some must have Hob Nobs…more to come on my love obsession with these oatmeal, chocolate covered dreams…we headed back and put our overpriced goods in a hope this thing works fridge…yeah so didn’t work…fridge freezes, freezer-fridge! Frozen lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, eggs…not good!
Off we went for our orientation of soggy London…not to self, bring umbrella next time you come to Europe…were on umbrella number 2 at this point…that’s about $18! We took a quick peak at Big Ben in all his Glory, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, London Eye…all surrounding the majestic Thames River. London was full of energy, as the sunset sky faded from oranges and pinks, to deep blues the city lights illuminated the city and reflected in the river. We headed back home and made dinner…yeah cooking…whipped us up a little pizza (I know wrong country for Italian…but remember…I left my heart there!) some salad and tomatoes and a great little combo of French dressing with olive oil for our baguette! Gourmet if you ask me. I had a fun night getting to finally talk to my parents after a few days without hearing there cute voices…and still no baby…the count down begins! I’m having a hard time going to bed because all I want to do is go see more of London…I heart London!

Palace, Palace...Opera House

Palace, Palace…Opera House
With a buttery crosont smothered with creamy cheese and jam in my belly I headed out for another monumentous day in Paris. This really is a city of grandur…not good enough till it’s the most massive, grandest, and overall superior! This was very clear is the Paris Opera House, their isn’t anything quite so beautiful, the interiors have carniviungs of gold embellishment, inlays of rice stone, lush ruby fabrics, and lush dripping crystal lighting. I love how well this space fit the purpose, to shock and ah! As the paytrons enter every sence is exhausted by the richness and luxtury of it all.
Joining up with the group we were off to Fontainebleau…here our instructions came via head sets that looked like the 80’s cell phone…Every Room was fantastically adorned from top to bottom with moldings all embellished with a different color, all the flooring fantastic with articulate patterns. The colors shockingly vibrant and unbelievable, it really was a feast for the eyes. Here housed one of the last remaining authentic thrown, used by Napoleon…simply stunning…except for hardly simple, with feathers perching the top and rich reds contrasting the vibrant blue, truly a designers work of art…to bad we don’t get calls for to many thrown rooms anymore!
Now with our chariot awaiting…a massive stage coach bus…coffee maker included…we headed to the much anticipated visit to the Vaux Le Viscomte at candlelight.
First starting with a stop at the grocery store to get some dinner and a few treat souvenirs for the family. We had ourselves a feast of baguette sandwich, Pringles, a little cookie…and some other fun little goodies to get us by…on of my favorites were these cookie tart jobbers with jam in the middle…seriously a little piece of heaven in my mouth. We found ourselves a table in the forestry lands of Vaux and enjoyed!
Vaux exterior has to be my favorite I’ve seen yet, it absolutely fit the criteria for a splendid structure, complete with high ceilings, vast spaces, and a kitchen to boot…They had much of the space set up like it would be if still used, complete with animatronics…a little strange, but really helped me visualize house the space was used and how the people lived. Then the candles came out, what a beautiful sight to see it glowing by candle light, sadly candles and rain don’t mix, so there wasn’t a lot of time spent out in the candle lit gardens, but what I saw was spectacular. We then headed back inside and upstairs, were we found out we weren’t actually support to do…I feel like a PC (privileged character…it’s a Dad phrase!). I love their use of pattern…no pattern left out, they use them in a harmonious way that creates overall splendor and mystique. Vaux had to be one of the most memorable evenings in France.