The London Candy Company - our latest treat

When I lived in London, my tamest guilty pleasure was Cadbury chocolate. Every time I had an extra minute and a few coins in my pocket, I bought a chocolate bar from vending machines in the Tube. The chocolate was always a bit melty from the hot Underground air. Extra yummy.

Fast forward 10 years, and a neighborhood mama friend told me about The London Candy Company on the Upper East Side -- 94th and Lex. Savvy and I stopped there for some Easter candy last week--Cadbury bars, Mini Eggs, Galaxy bars & mini caramel eggs, and some Walkers crisps for good measure. Naturally, I've eaten it all already, with just a little bit of help from Rob and Savvy... 

The store is meticulously designed and has a wide open, shabby chic feel to it, with the perfect amount of British paraphernalia to be kitschy without sacrificing smart style. Being a candy shop, there is an unspoken "you're allowed to act like a kid here" vibe, and we were there the same time as a 3 year old duo that ran laps around Savannah. Even with grabby hands, she was angelic in comparison.

But it's really a place for adult anglophiles. In addition to the Cadbury, Glaxy and Aero bars, there are high end gifts, teas, and they serve Stumptown coffee. Beginning April 12th, they'll be hosting Sick Sweets, a painting series featuring "sherbit dips, walnut whips and curley wurlys." I don't know what any of those things are, so I will need to return and find out! 

Hunting for the perfect bag of "dipsh" (chips).

Yummy Prawn Crisps

Crunchity crunch

Shopping like it's 2001 (or the post where I really embarrass myself)

I recently sorted through my closet and over-stuffed a garbage bag full of clothes to donate. I do this at least once a year. Every year for the last 10 years, I've held onto a few items I purchased during the year I studied abroad in London. I began my twenties in London. Next month, I turn 30. Clothes a decade old from Topshop, H&M, Mango...Never to be worn again but still loved. "Smart trousers" that I rocked a few seasons past their prime...A flirty going-out shirt that my now-husband encouraged me to try on during an awkward shopping trip to Topshop while we were "on a break"...These and others are too sentimental to throw away.

Since they say 30 is the new 20, I thought it would be fun to update my wardrobe from the Oxford Street transplants that now reside on Broadway in Soho. After an especially tough morning with Savannah where she decided to start the day at 4:45am, I had a couple hours to myself thanks to an auntie (or should I say fairy godmother?) and took the opportunity to hit up Topshop and Mango for some retail therapy even though my eyes were burning from exhaustion. I hunted for party clothes to wear on my birthday night out and decided to snap some dressing room photos for the blog.

Taking self-portraits and spending lots of time on Instagram editing them was just the self-indulgent narcissistic activity I needed after months and months of pouring every ounce of my being into my daughter. I felt like my old, dorky (and hot) self. I ended up buying the black dress. It has long sleeves. I hope we have chilly evenings this September because I'm dying to wear it.