Financially Chic

Did you know that the global apparel industry is worth $1.1 trillion in 2011? This year, in UK alone, fashion has contributed £21 million to the British economy.  That just gives you an idea how important the fashion industry is and how much we're spending. You're speaking to someone whose heart still skips a beat when I see a designer handbag or a Chanel jacket or my latest obsession, the Valentino Rockstud kitten heels but what's the price we are paying to be financially chic?

It's more common these days to go into debt in order to keep up with the Joneses. It's almost impossible not to turn green with envy when you see someone being photographed in thousand dollar handbag or a brand new outfit every other day. The rise of the middle class and the fact that more and more women are becoming financially independent (a huge thank you to the suffragettes) have led to the explosion of the luxury market.

Blogging has become a worldwide phenomenon, particularly fashion and style blogs. Let's face it, we all have a voyeuristic tendency. We like to see what other women wear. And we like to see how they put together their outfits too. So if you're a style blogger, therein lies the pressure to look different, inspiring and fresh in order to stay competitive. Does that mean we have to buy more clothes? Or start figuring out how to acquire sponsors? I can't speak for everyone but here's how I stay financially chic.

1. Pay yourself first
No matter how much I'm lusting after an object, I always pay myself first. I'm no financial expert but I truly believe in saving and investing for the future. Unlike Carrie Bradshaw, I can't survive on Manolos alone when I retire (Sarah Jessica Parker is the antithesis of her Sex and The City persona and is a brilliant businesswoman).


2. Recycle
I invest in a few pieces each year that I know will stand the test of time, have a good resale value should I fall out of love with them and fill in the gap with more affordable brands. I edit my wardrobe frequently to get rid of clothes and accessories that no longer work for me. I sell them to pay for future purchases.


3. Less is More
I used to have a massive wardrobe when I was living in New Zealand but struggled to find clothes to wear every single morning. You know the "I have nothing to wear affliction?" Yeah, that was me. I chucked out/gave away/sold 80% of my wardrobe and shipped the rest to the UK. I bought a tiny cupboard to keep myself in check. I made sure that every new purchase would work with the rest of my clothes. Surprisingly, I found it easier to live with less. No more clutter. Far less wastage and money down the drain yet plenty of clothes to wear, thanks to a well edited closet.


4. Be Content
There will always be someone who's taller, thinner, richer or smarter. Or has a more impressive handbag collection.Who cares? Be happy for them. Count our own blessings for we are far luckier than many others who struggle to put food on the table.


This is part of Couch Talk series hosted by Vanisha of Vanisha's Life. Check out the rest of the conversation here. So folks, please share your tips on being financially chic?

A Parody of Street Style Poses

After a hilarious conversation with Ingrid of The BagHag Diaries and Lisa of Stylisa both of whom attend fashion shows in Paris, Milan and London every year, we came to conclusion that there are 5 common poses that dominate the street style scene. There are now many who mill around outside the shows hoping to have their photos taken by the street style photographers. They're not there to attend the shows. Meanwhile, buyers, editors or journalists often have to make a run right after a show and have little time to be photographed.

After a few pointers from these two ladies who'd spent a fair bit of time observing the circus that ensued during the Fashion Week, I decided to put the poses to test. So you've got the 1) crossed leg with a dreamy/faraway gaze  2) pretending to be on the phone (I'd love to see their reaction when the phone actually rings while they're supposedly to be on a call)   3) the hahahaha... looking pretty while breaking into a gentle laugh pose   4) I'm a badass, don't you dare photograph me but I'm secretly thrilled that you do  5) a gentle flick of the hair





Photography by A Life Unhurried


Pose 1: I tried getting my legs into an X position but Grace, a friend who'd kindly agreed to be my photographer commented that I looked like I was busting to go to the loo. She's not wrong there. This is MY position when I'm dying to pee but there isn't a toilet in sight. The faraway look was probably a little too literal here. It would've worked without the hand doing the "The sailor went to sea sea sea....."





Photography by A Life Unhurried


Pose 2 & 3: As you've already guessed it, I'm pretending to be on the phone. I felt like an utter dork. I tried to combine number 2 and 3 together. You know, the hahahaha....  pose.  Both Grace and I were in hysterics by now. The neighbors thought we were on drugs.





Photography by A Life Unhurried


Pose 4: What 39 year old mom in suburbia UK would be crazy enough to undertake a demented version of the I'm a badass look? Anyway, let me be the first. So I shook my hair to get the tousled effect, glared into the camera, attempted an open mouthed pout just like a goldfish and voila, attitude. Or so I thought.





Pose 5: Once a tomboy always a tomboy. It was the most inelegant flick which sent my tresses straight into my mouth. Another flick nearly caused me to have a crick in my neck from over-straining.



Photography by A Life Unhurried





Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Lexy jacket (similar here or here), Alexander Wang t-shirt, Zara jeans (similar here), Louboutin peeptoe heels (similar here), Hermes Cape Cod double tour GM watch and Chanel timeless clutch (similar here)

I decided to inject some originality into my own pose. It's the deer caught in the headlights or otherwise known as the Marlene pose. It's also my usual look when a camera's pointed in my direction. Whew! I thought style blogging was easy but Tyra Banks has a point here. Modeling is darn hard work. I think I'll leave the posing to the experts.

Autumn Leaves

The temperature has dropped over the past few days. The sidewalks are covered with fallen leaves. The air is crisp and frigid. The entire landscape has changed dramatically as if someone has waved a magic wand and the greens are replaced by an explosion of varying shades of amber. Sandals and flats are now replaced with boots. I've succumbed to chunky knits in order to stay warm. Daylight saving begins tonight and the Christmas market will be opened in less than a month. Christmas is only less than 2 months away. What an exciting and magical time of the year.

 ** my apologies for constantly changing the font but I've been trying to settle on something that's easier on the eyes. I'd love to hear your feedback.

Pass It Forward: 3 Bloggers

I can't believe it's Friday again. The week just flew past like a snap of my fingers. I've been and will be hopping to and from London over the next week or so to catch up with friends who'd flown in from overseas. The world of blogging has given me the opportunity to meet incredibly talented and wonderful individuals so thank you to all of you who have been following my blog.



June of Stylish with A Budget

June originally hailed from Hong Kong (lucky girl!) but currently resides in the US. She's an architect and a huge fan of all things Isabel Marant. She has the rocker chic gal look down pat but never without a hint of flirtatiousness. She has these wicked legs which looked amazing with short layered skirts and killer boots.



Emma Hoareau of Lolita Says So

Lolita Says So is the brainchild of Emma Hoareau, a beauty editor of Notion Magazine. I love her tips about French beauty products. Nothing expensive but effective skincare remedies that one can easily pick up from any pharmacies in France. What captivated my attention was a frank viewpoint on the so called street style photography during  Fashion Week which bear a slight resemblance to circus acts along with the garish costumes that scream "photograph me!". If you're a francophile like me and love the romantic idea of living in Paris, you'll love her blog.



Samantha of Could I Have That

Samantha is a successful blogger, stylist and social media manager based in the US. When I read her About Me page, the first thought that popped into my head was kismet. She adores chocolate chip cookies (check out the name of MY blog), is addicted to traveling (cue my crazy adventures) and loves anything French (I'm the president of the Francophile club in the UK. Just kidding). She looks like a goddess, cooks better than Nigella Lawson and photographs like a dream.

Polpo's Warm Squid Salad with Cavolo Nero and Chickpeas

You've got friends coming and you want to wow them with your culinary skills. The only problem is you're pressed for time. You've got roughly 30 minutes to put together a restaurant worthy meal. What do you do? Judging from the rapturous response from my guests and family, I figured that this dish is good enough to be featured on the blog.

I found this recipe from a book that the hubby bought for me. Polpo is written by a London restauranteur Russell Norman who has a chain of restaurants under his belt. The recipes concentrate on mostly basic and simple Venetian fare. I may have a mild obsession for Isabel Marant clothes and designer handbags but when it comes to food, I head straight for hole in the wall, the mom and pop type bistros or trattorias.

The secret to this effortless and uncomplicated dish is that you don't overcook the squid lest it becomes chewy and tough. Also, ensure that the wine completely evaporates which I forgot to do once. Poor Lil L's face turned tomato red and hot from alcohol consumption. She grew progressively*hic*  giggly and *hic* *hic* jolly. I've managed to get my 6 year old drunk.

As usual, I've adapted and simplified the recipe as few have time to spend hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this dish is you can improvise and reduce or increase the ingredients depending on your palate.

Serves 4 to 6

2 heads of cavolo nero (deep green earthy Italian cabbage. Use kale as an alternative)
800g of cleaned squid tubes
extra virgin olive oil
flaky sea salt and black pepper
3 garlic cloves, finely chpped
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
5 medium tomatoes, quartered, seeds removed and roughly chopped (used canned chopped tomatoes if you don't have fresh tomatoes. Scoop half a can into the mixture)
1 x 400g can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
50ml white wine
1 chicken stock cube (I use Kallo organic stock cube)

1. Remove the leaves of the cabbage by holding the stem between your thumb and index finger and running the thumb and index finger of your other hand down the stem to pull the leafy part away. It will separate easily. Chop roughly.

2. Wash the squid and cut the body into 1.5 - 2 cm rings.

3. Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil into a very hot frying pan, place the squid in. Add a little salt and pepper, chopped garlic, chilli (omit this if you have young kids), chopped tomato flesh, cavolo nero and chickpeas. Add a splash of white wine and cook on high heat for 1-2 minutes.

4. Mix the chicken stock cube with 200ml of hot water. Pour in the stock and boil until the cabbage has started to collapse and the stock is reduced. Remove from heat.

5. Dish into bowls and serve with crusty bread.

Trying to Lose Weight

Once upon a time, there were three ladies who realized that their metabolic rate had come to a screeching halt. They decided to embark on a quest to increase activity in order to reduce jiggly bits. You know the excess lard fat blubber meaty bits around the chin, tummy, thighs..... yeah, those.

So what better way to exercise than to do it in a team.  Go team spirit! Y'know, be accountable to others as a motivation to remove my rear end from the chair (after having grown roots and sprouted leaves) when I don't feel like exerting myself or get sweaty.

So the three ladies set off for a walk along the meadows, river and ruins. And we chatted. And chatted. And chatted. My personal trainer once told me....."Marlene, if you can walk and talk, you're not walking fast enough". That's the cue for shut up and get going. Yeah, she was a pretty tough lady. I was scared s**tless of her.

Pretty soon, we came to a cafe. I mean, we've done 40 minutes of exercise (!). This is serious stuff. I'm not kidding. We'd burned off a total of 10 calories between the 3 of us. By exercising our jaw. So refreshments were definitely required to quench our parched throats and nourish our empty stomachs. We peered into the patisserie and all common sense left us. How could one not succumb to that pear and blueberry tart? Surely, I'd exercised long enough to reward myself with a pastry and a skinny latte (to alleviate my guilt).

I've decided to start dieting next week. I promise. Swear on my bible. Pinky swear.

The Travesty of High Heels

The universe breathed a sigh of relief when the fashion insiders turned up at the Fashion Week in low heels and flats. What a revelation. Thick court heels. Valentino Rockstud ballerinas which made  flats totally cool and acceptable. "Flats are in", the fashion world declared. What?! Hah! I didn't even know they were out of vogue in the first place, having worn them out of necessity on a daily basis. Who knew that these glamorous ladies actually stuffed flats in their handbags to swap over once they'd exceeded their pain threshold for the day? Like most women I know who had to use public transportation to go to work, they race to their office in sneakers or flats and kept a pair of heels under their desk.



I have this love-hate relationship with high heels. Love cos.... what vertically challenged woman wouldn't want to look taller. Your back's straigher, your legs go right up to the armpits and then there's the left-right hip swaying movement that just makes us more alluring. To the female species. Men could care less because they just totally don't get the fact that we have to hail a cab to go down 3 blocks instead of walking it.

"Hey!", my brother exclaimed. "You've got flat feet. It'll become a serious problem if you don't get that sorted." I love my brother. I do. I just don't want to get diagnosed particularly when I didn't ask for it. Or go to a clinic. He kept harping on about my condition the entire duration of our trip. Over the course of the next year, I've been slowly wearing low to medium heels to get a higher arch. It's only recently that I felt I've reached a milestone. I could finally strut my stuff in 2 inch heels.

A friend emailed me recently and asked if I wanted her size 34 Louboutins. She'd outgrown them during her previous pregnancy (why didn't that happen to me??). Hell, yeah! You know the sayin'....one man's trash is another man's treasure. The heels are thicker and the toes, wider which meant that the risk of fracturing my ankles is slimmer (a friend hobbled around for weeks when she snapped her ankles trying to navigate through a cobbled street in high heels) and that I could wear them out longer, unlike my Christian Louboutin No Prive which nearly decapitated my toes after an hour.

I've just discovered a plethora of accessories in the marketplace to reduce every ache, blister and slippage brought about from wearing heels. Who knew that high heels could be such an expensive, painful yet utterly intriguing subject that brought copious reverence quite unlike its lesser known sibling, the flats?

p.s. I have to mention that I bought the Louboutins from my friend at a disgustingly low price.

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Pass It Forward: 3 UK Bloggers

The Style Crusader, The Style Slicker and Park and Cube are 3 blogs that are synonymous with each other. You can't mention one without the other. The perfect synthesis of 3 very talented bloggers, photographers and friends. It's like having an afternoon high tea without finger sandwiches, scones and cakes. The horror.


Jen of The Style Crusader



Ahh.... a girl after my own heart. I was a goner when I saw a photo of Jen in an ensemble consisting of a pair of Converse sneakers, a dress and Acne leather jacket on her way to London Fashion Week. Now here's a girl who conforms to her own rules and not others. She's unafraid to speak her mind but with such diplomacy that I believe that our MPs should take notes from.


Kit of The Style Slicker



Kit is a stylist based in London. Her blog's a mish mash of fashion, lifestyle, DIY and travel. Her photos often stopped me dead in my tracks. Utterly breathtaking. Frank, self deprecating and witty would be the words I'd use to describe her posts.



Shini of Park and Cube



Shini's blog has been well documented here in the UK. Here's another blogger whose photography skills are far superior than many professional photographers out there. I still remember her coverage of the Hermes ateliers in Paris. Her blog is a work of art. I rarely say this but check it out and you'll know what I mean.

Wedge Issue

Rag & Bone Tuxedo blazer (similar US here, UK here), Alexander Wang t-shirt (use 20% discount code WEAREFAMILY), Uniqlo jeans, Hermes Ex-Libris cashmere shawl (similar here), Christy's hat (US here), Halogen Bianca wedges, Hermes Cape Cod GM watch and Bottega Veneta wallet

No, I'm not referring about controversial social issues that normally spring to mind when one talks about a wedge issue. Mine's more inane than that. I'd ordered these Halogen Bianca wedges from Nordstrom weeks before my friends' wedding but the first package disappeared along with the Yodel (courier) driver. So somewhere out there in rainy England, a burly man is tottering on my US size 5 wedges. I hope he likes them as much as I do. The replacement never made it in time for the wedding either. 

These Halogen Bianca wedges run true to size. The smallest size they go down to is a US 5. They're a little big on me but the ankle strap holds my foot in place. The 1.5 inch wedge is comfortable enough for everyday wear which helps because I'm constantly running from one place to the next. I'm smitten with these ankle strap beauties and am contemplating about their leopard print version.

On a different note, has anyone noticed how the temperature has dropped dramatically overnight? You probably can't tell but I had three layers on here (vest, t-shirt, blazer) along with a cashmere shawl just to keep me from freezing.

London in A Day

Etoile Isabel Marant Kady jacket (similar here), Uniqlo sweater (similar here), Uniqlo jeans (similar here), The Kooples wedge trainers (similar here and US here), Louis Vuitton stole (similar here or here) and Louis Vuitton Speedy 35cm

Cristobal Balenciaga polka dot cocktail dress 1962, Pierre Balmain (silk, ostrich, sequins and rhinestone) evening gown 1950 and Charles James printed dress 1938

There are days when I feel like a little hamster sprinting round and round inside a large wheel but going nowhere. I see friends in passing. Text messages or emails have become a norm. Life happens. Before you know it, you realize it has been 6 months since you last saw a good friend despite living just down the road from you. Sara and I have talked about ditching the husbands and kids for the day and letting them fend for themselves while we cavort around London. Two years later, we realized that we hadn't made good on our promise. It was a rather spontaneous decision and after a flurry of texts flying back and forth between two iPhones, we were on our way to London.

It was a day of window shopping, museum hopping and feasting. We walked along Brompton Road and peered through the windows of Harrods. We oohed and aahed over the exquisite designer dresses from Balenciaga, Balmain, Catherine Walker, Alexander McQueen and many others at Victoria and Albert museum. Lunch was at Oriental Canteen, just across the road from the museum where we scarfed down authentic Malaysian cuisine.

We strolled along the narrow sidewalks of Chelsea Kensington suburb to gawk at the imposing townhouses that lined the streets. We gasped and felt faint after seeing the number of zeros under every listing at the real estate agencies. £1.4 million for a 2 bedroom flat!! I silently squealed at the sight of the ubiquitous Chanel and Hermes bags swinging on the arms of many statuesque beauty queen lookalikes.

One of our favorite spots in London has got to be Liberty where clothes are carefully edited and beautifully displayed. We chatted over afternoon tea and re-fueled with a strong cup of latte. We wandered through the department store for hours. Thanks to DeadFleurette , I decided to check out Tonkotsu, a ramen restaurant near Chinatown. We nipped across Piccadilly Circus dodging young teens wearing impossibly short dresses while we shivered and huddled deeper into our coats. We slurped up fresh noodles and gulped down the thick and tasty broth. The chicken kaarage was one of the best I've ever had. By the time we staggered back to the train station, it was nearly 10.30pm. Our husbands and kids thought that we'd ditched them permanently. We vowed we'd do this again. Hopefully, while we're still young and not decrepit.



Liberty London
Great Marlborough Street
London W1B 5AH
Tel: 020 7734 1234
Tube: Oxford Circus

Oriental Canteen
2a Exhibition Road
South Kensington
London, SW7 2HF
Tel: 020 7581 8831
Tube: South Kensington

V and A Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel: 020 7942 2000
Tube: South Kensington

Tonkotsu
63 Dean St
London W1D 4QG
Tel: 020 7437 0071
Tube: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus
 

Pass It Forward: 3 Bloggers

I'm still rather taken aback and stoked by the positive feedback about my outfit photos. Aliya of Marant Philes summed up my thoughts perfectly -"It's truly the weirdest, most contrived thing to take photos of ourselves to present to the blogosphere. It's like smile but not too much, don't smile oh I look angry". So....going forward....whenever I have a free moment, I'm going to practice baring my teeth smiling in front of the mirror. *grrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiin*


Dearne of Notting Hill Girl

Dearne's an Aussie from my all time favorite city, Melbourne but is currently living in London. What's more, she's a fellow Francophile. French pharmacy junkie - check! French fashion - check! From Australia or NZ - check! (I'm biased). Blog's sprinkled with fashion and travel posts - check! She's absolutely stunning with those killer cheekbones. I spent the better part of the morning just scrolling through page after page ogling her outfits. Instant love!



 Tuan-Khanh of Dead Fleurette

Tuan-Khanh is barely 21 yet she has influenced thousands of others with her minimalist approach to wardrobe editing. She has certainly changed the way I view my sartorial needs. Interestingly, I now realize that I no longer have a problem getting dressed in the morning nor do I ever think that I have nothing to wear despite having the smallest wardrobe I've ever owned in my life. My jaw hit the ground when I found out that English is her ..... get this.... 3rd language. Yes, third! Yet, she is one of the best writers on the blogosphere.



Parveen of Handbags and Fashion Rags

Parveen is a walking skincare and make up encyclopedia. It was on her blog that I learned that in the make up world, the kabuki refers to a brush, not the Japanese kabuki theater. Since I'm absolutely hopeless at make up application, I rely on her reviews or else it's just a pointless exercise going to Sephora or any make up counter, for that matter. I love her refreshingly honest feedback. I dashed out to buy the Caudalie cleanser that she raved about. It is by far, the best cleanser I've ever used.

Parisian Chic: Sandrine

Barbour duffle coat (£125 from an outlet), Levi's jeans (outlet), Kickers boots and Ralph Lauren breton top.

Warehouse faux leather jacket (£55), Peter Jensen printed tunic (discounted from £190 to £25), skinny black jeans (£30) and Jigsaw flats.

Now that I'm zooming closer and closer to the 4-0 mark, I've started to pay more attention to ladies of similar age group. I pounce on friends, raid their wardrobes and pick their brains about their fashion sense. Thankfully, I've got very good-natured friends who are happy to accommodate my requests.

I live in England where it's cold AND wet 295 days of the year. While I could only gaze in admiration at the teeny tiny shorts on many bloggers that I adore, it would have an adverse effect on the general public and I, should I ever attempt to wear them out. One, I would stop traffic and cause a horrific crash along the main road as I go about my usual school run. Not for the right reasons, of course.  Cellulite, stubby legs and denim shorts do not complement each other the way crepes and Nutella do. Secondly, I would freeze into an ice block before I arrived at the school gate.

I've long admired Sandrine's style. She's a Parisian transplant who still adopts the French way of dressing. You may remember her when I interviewed her here. She's a bargain hunter, doesn't follow trends, wears minimal make up, has a small closet and only buys what she truly loves.

"I didn't buy it because it's a Barbour jacket. It would've be an unknown brand but I bought it because I love it and it has a nice finish. Some of my clothes are from quite a few years back. I'm happy in them so I still wear the clothes. I don't have a big collection of clothes because I've never ever had a big wardrobe. I'm frugal but I like quality, shape and texture."

We sat down over lunch that she'd prepared, along with another friend while we discussed about the different sartorial trends in the countries we've lived in - England, France, U.S, Malaysia, New Zealand and South Korea.We giggled over gang-nam style that has infiltrated the world and marveled about escort service for women in Seoul. Ahh... the things we discuss....

Until next time when I raid yet another friend's wardrobe!

Wedding Outfits

Etoile Isabel Marant Momo jacket (similar here), Alexander Wang t-shirt, Uniqlo pants (similar here), See by Chloe wedges (similar here), Hermes belt, Hermes Cape Cod GM watch and Louis Vuitton Bandouliere  Speedy 35cm

"Mommy, you have the best fakest smile ever!", Lil L said encouragingly as I was trying my darnest to pose for the photos. Errr ...... thanks. I think. Sometimes honesty is completely over-rated. For the inquiring minds (yes, Eileen, I'm talking to you), these are my two outfits to the wedding. As you can see, the t-shirt is askew and the (fake) smile is rather lopsided while I herd the sheep (Lil L) and hauled 10 pounds of equipment to the hotel for the wedding photoshoot.

I admire ladies like Garance Dore and Hanneli Mustaparta who can look unbelievably chic while carrying heavy camera gear and running around taking photos. Chances are, I would've unknowingly flashed at poor unsuspecting souls or perhaps struggled to bend down while racing from one location to the next in a dress and heels. I decided to spare everyone the embarrassment by sticking to a pair of comfortable pants and a jacket, both came with plenty of pockets for lens caps, memory cards and whatnots.

I have to eat humble pie after my rant earlier in the year about not buying expensive t-shirts. I caved in and bought a couple of Alexander Wang tees. They're by far the most flattering t-shirts I've ever come across. The scoop neckline dips just low enough to flatter but most importantly, I like the longish sleeves and the way it skims the body perfectly.

Irene modeling my Zara jacket. Actually, she was freezing and it was the only convenient piece of clothing lying around.

Zara jacket, Karen Walker dress (US here and UK here) and Chanel sunglasses (similar here)

While we entertained the wedding guests at our flat, I quickly changed into a dress for the reception. It's the end of the day and both Irene and I were barely coherent. My make up has completely worn off. Probably not a good idea to post the photo on the blog but hey, what you see is what you get.

Gary & Irene

We first met Gary at our little church in a small town in Hampshire. What are the odds of finding a friend who comes from my hometown in Borneo here in the UK? His wife Irene arrived from Kuching soon after. I found out that she not only spoke my lingo (a Chinese dialect called Foochow) but actually went to my high school and our parents have mutual friends. Now, that's what I call a 2 degrees of separation. We've become good friends ever since. In fact, Irene came along with me on our 24 hour adventure in Paris.

I was nervous, to say the least, on the days leading up to Gary and Irene's wedding. It has been more than 4 years since I've attended a wedding and given the task to assist in the important event. In the past, I've always told friends or family members that I'd only photograph on the caveat that they employ a professional photographer but this time, I was on my own. I was touched that they organized the wedding ceremony and reception near where I live so traipsing from one place to the next was a breeze.

Lil L had the time of her life. She had the honor of being the flower girl.  She managed to go on a carriage ride around town. Not the Lego ones that she has always played with but an actual horse with a fancy schmancy carriage. To the locals' delight, she did the Queen Elizabeth wave as they rode past the town center. A friend I bumped into ran up to me and exclaimed in disbelief, "I swear I saw Lil L in a carriage." "Umm....yeah..," I muttered. Her jaw dropped.

Thank you, Gary and Irene for the wonderful experience.