The Fallons Visit! November 15-28, 2014

Yay! Such an exciting thing to look forward to is having visitors! Bobbi is a sorority sister of mine from Baylor. She is a lot younger than me, so we really didn't hang out in college. Once I moved to Dallas in 2009, we started hanging out a lot! She is now one of my best friends! In Dallas we lived about 45 minutes from each other but met up at least weekly for dinners and/or gym time. I am the Godmother to her precious daughter, Maddi. Right when we found out we were moving to London Bobbi was moving to Oregon. It was a sad goodbye but also nice knowing we would both be leaving. Bobbi came back for a Dallas visit right before we left and helped us out so much getting our house ready for selling. She is now a door painting expert!

They arrived in London while we were in Brussels. This gave them some time to do the "touristy" things on their to-do list. I was so excited to get back to London to see them. They found a flat right across from the Bayswater underground. It was super easy access for me to go see them everyday.We went to Lion King at Lyceum Theatre. What an awesome experience! We sat in the front row so we were in a great spot as the animals came down the aisle and for when the giraffes get up close and personal! Maddi (4 year old) was very intrigued.

Lion King

We also went on Paddington Bear hunts. The Paddington Bear movie is coming out soon, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Paddington they have placed 50 bears around London for people to find. They were designed by famous people. We had a blast tracking many down! I think we found around 30! It was hard work too!

During one of our hunts were ended up in Hyde Park. I have been wanting to see the Peter Pan statue. It was a big part in Downton Abbey this season...and here it is!

We had a fun day at the Natural History Museum.

Humming Birds

Cartoons with Cricket

Stylin on the tube

Maddi loved going through Hamley's Toy Store. It was a mad house! Here is a Leggo model of the royals.

Bobbi made delicious nachos for my birthday! We got some yummy desserts too!

It was so sad to see them leave. I had such a wonderful time hanging out with them. Bobbi was such a wonderful help during the baby shower, kept me busy while Josh was in Dubai, and spent my birthday with me. I couldn't ask for a better friend. Love you guys!

Brussels, November 14-16, 2014

 Our last trip before baby Harvey comes! We booked this trip back in the early summer with the Stones, they had some good deals going on. We took the Eurostar train and stayed at the Hilton Hotel Brussels City. I really liked the train ride. It wasn't as luxurious I had imagined, but way better than flying. Matt had a super fun game on his ipad (like headbands) that we played the entire ride. I'm sure our neighbors were so pleased!The hotel was in a good location, but not the American customer service we are used to. If I were to go back I would stay closer to the city center, but of course that means more expensive. It was cold and rainy the whole weekend, but that didn't stop us! By the way we were warned that its very dreary in the fall/winter and Brussels did not disappoint! We had a friend who had lived in Brussels so we had some great recommendations. We pretty much followed all the suggestions as to not waste time or money at places that were not recommended. Once we checked in to the hotel we got some directions to the city center for lunch options. We wondered around for awhile and finally just decided on a place called Le Pre Sale. After the fact we realized this was one of the recommendations from our friend. How lucky was that! This place was known for its muscles so of course we had to try them! I got the garlic muscles and they were yummy.

Lunch when we arrived

Garlic Mussels

Silly in the square

After lunch we strolled around the city and found Pierre Ledent, the recommendation for the best macaroons around. I have tried macaroons before and wasn't a fan, but on man these were amazing! Made with all natural ingredients and they looked beautiful. It felt like we were in a jewelry store. Josh and I split a box with Danielle. I mean just look at that fancy box!

Brussels is also known for lace. We bought a little lace souvenir, and of course an ornament.

Kinsells in Brussels

Then it was time for a snack...I was not going to pass up a delicious Belgium waffle! Notice Mannekin Pis. He is a famous LITTLE statue that the story behind is a bit foggy, but you see models of him all over Brussels. Here he is in chocolate eating a waffle. By the way my waffle was delicious!

strawberries, chocolate, cream  

Mannekin Pis

Then it was dinner time...we all voted and decided on an Italian restaurant that according to the recommendations was legit and had great customer service. It was located in a little ally by Grand Place, we would have never found it/tried it on our own. So glad we went! This was by far everyone's favorite place the entire trip! It's called Osteria Al'Ombra, its a very tiny hole in the wall with a very scary staircase, and the chef is basically cooking in the dining room. We were so intrigued we kept looking back at him, and he asked if he was being too loud. See our yummy dinners...

After dinner we headed back to the hotel for a night cap (well for the non-pregnant ones). I was living through Danielle as she tried a Kir Royal! We had a few loud rounds of "headbands" and then it was off to bed.

The next morning (Saturday) I had read on the recommendations about a free walking tour...so I signed us all up! It was from 11-2 and covered lots of historical Brussels information. It really was free and I would recommend it. We did have a 30 minute break in the middle, but it was a pretty long tour so I spaced out for some of the facts. We started out in the Grand Place. This is basically the heart of the city, with the town hall, restaurants, stores, lots of tourists!, and where the king once lived. The buildings are so beautiful and intricate. In the spring they have a carpet made of flowers that looks spectacular...Ill have to go back when its out.

Rub this statue for good luck

Manneken Pis 

Royal Theater 

St. Michael and the St. Gudula Cathedral

The Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic style Catholic church where the royal weddings and funerals are held. Saint Michael and Saint Gudula are also the patron saints of Brussels.

Brussels Park

Royal Palace- once the residence of the King

Brussels Stock Exchange

Mont des Arts

The group after the tour

Time for lunch! The tour guide gave us one of his favorite spots and actually walked us there. Another girl joined in too (we think she was hoping the tour guide would hang out with her). This was off the main track and very much a local place. The food was good, but check out the menu...on a chalk board behind the bar and mostly in French...

"Of course we have a menu" 

Matt 

Time for some shopping...chocolate shopping!

A city of chocolate and Josh buys gummies

For dinner we decided on what was called a tourist trap on Restaurant Row. They had a huge menu but were famous for Brussels Muscles. Chez Leon

My delicious muscles with cheese

Josh's pasta dinner

Sunday was our last day in Brussels. We had a few hours until we had to be at the train station. We decided on one more recommendation for brunch. The notes said to arrive before noon for a table, apparently it gets very busy. Cafe de la Presse was a bit farther from our hotel so we grabbed a taxi and headed out by 10:30. We get there and the cafe is empty. "Table for 4 please", the hostess looks around at the EMPTY restaurant and tells us they are booked. We all probably had the weirdest looks on our faces. She says if we promise to be done by noon we can eat there. She must not know we are American and don't take 2 hours for breakfast! We told her no problem. They had 4 options for brunch but all 4 of us got the same thing! Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a yogurt. It was different but yummy!

Baby syrup

Brunch

After brunch we walked around and enjoyed the no rain...finally. During our tour the guide informed me the true Belgium Waffle only had powdered sugar on it. So of course I had to get another one, an authentic waffle. The second one was yummy but the strawberries, chocolate, and cream waffle was the best!

Let the Christmas Markets Begin, November 10-13, 2014

I am a HUGE market fan! In Texas I loved attending Canton, The Junior League's Neath the Wreath, Nutcracker Market...and many more. It's hard not buying anything since we have no space and don't need any decorations. I found some fun Christmas Markets in London, and can't wait to check them out! Just window shopping to my best ability of course!

My first market of the season was Southbank Center Christmas Market off Belvedere Road. This is a free holiday market. I met Rachael and we went on opening day! "Opening day" in London was very different than what I was imagining. We arrived 30 minutes after it opened and they were not even close to being ready. Seem like they will need at least until the weekend to be set. We walked around the open booths. It's a very cute area with quaint little log cabins that house the shops. I will definitely have to go back one they get their act together! We did get some yummy Dutch Pancakes, AND tried churros from "Churros&Chocolate" found on the list of "21 London Street Food Trucks That Will Change Your Life". We decided to find another place on the list called "Grill My Cheese". They were set up at the Leather Lane market...lucky day, we accidentally found "Crosstown Doughnuts" another place on The List! That makes 3 in one day! Grill My Cheese was good, I would recommend the one with BBQ sauce and meat. Crosstown Doughnuts were ok, a little too much bread for me but the best choice is the Creme brulee.

A churro dipped in chocolate

I got the raspberry, and banana to try

I had an off the menu item since their cheese is unpasteurized

Next market of the week is the Junior League of London's Boutique de Noel. This market was in Kensington Town Hall and cost £5, but just like in Dallas the money goes towards the charities. I got some unique gifts...one for me and one for my mom.

On Thursday Rachael and I headed to The Gherkin, to eat at another place on "The List", called "You Doughnut". I had some wood fired pizza before my doughnut for lunch. It was cheap and really yummy!

I got Margherita with olives

You Doughnut=AMAZING!!! 

You Doughnut is AWESOME!!! If you see it you must go! I got the hot doughnuts with vanilla sugar and salted caramel sauce, my toppings were sprinkles and marshmallows! Delicious!