Europe 2011: Part 11, Jane Austen Festival #1

The Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England is one of the most fun events I've been able to be a part of. It's hard to explain, but the combination of pretty fashions, interesting lectures, dancing, and company of friends makes for lovely memories!

This post is mostly going to be me sharing pictures, because honestly, that's the next best thing to being in Bath!

You know it's a Jane Austen Festival when there are bonnets on the wall!

Meeting up with Jane Austen Book club friends the night I arrived!

And then on to day 2:

Lunch with the majority of the International Jane Austen Book Club! :D

Dolinde, Viktoria, and Aurora!

I decided to have a small tasty snack at the Jane Austen Centre and check emails! :)

I believe this is Queen Square

Jane Austen Centre! :D

And I also worked on some panoramic shots:

Royal Crescent

Royal Crescent, different version

In the evening, we had musical entertainment at the Masonic Lodge, which was the old Theatre Royal.

The ceiling is quite interesting

I sadly had to leave early to join friends watching the first episode of Downton Abbey's season 2! Yes, that's right, I saw the season premiere as it aired in the UK last year! :D

Waffles & Cocktails Party

This year I bought a waffle maker and decided it was a perfect excuse to celebrate. Initially, my colleagues suggested I bring it to work and make waffles, but I decided it would be more awesome to make a party themed around the concept.

I therefore crafted the Waffles & Cocktails theme and sent out custom invitations. This was my first foray into the realm of paper invites, something I plan to continue doing, going forwards. I used white pen on navy envelopes for the addresses and then inserted a cream colored card as seen above. (I've blanked out personal information.)

Party pictures:

Make your own cocktails, plus other delicious things!

Waffles!!!!

Making an additional batch of waffles!

Fundraiser for Delegate Susan Lee

Since my blog details not only fashion but life events, I continue with the recent fundraiser I attended for Susan Lee.

Ms. Lee is a Maryland State Delegate and one of my good friends happens to work for her. It was an honor to be present for the fundraiser; I enjoyed both seeing friends and acquaintances again as well as meeting new people!

Here are some pictures:

Susan Lee giving a speech

Girlfriend and me

Girlfriend and myself, full shot... doesn't she look fabulous? I'm wearing my tuxedo jacket paired with burgandy bow tie, grey trousers and grey striped smoking shoes w/tassels.

Me with one of my fellow consultants from Seven Locks Strategies

Attorney General Doug Gansler, and myself

Europe 2011: Part 10... Paris, France to Bath, England via Rail

This concludes the portion of my trip in France. Please enjoy the journey from Paris to Bath, UK!

RER in Gentilly

The Paris metro was running a series of posters regarding etiquette:

"The person who pushes 5 people when getting on the train will not get there any faster for his effort"

"When she is speaking at 86 decibels, a private call is no longer private"

And of course they had their own Borgia series competing with The Borgias from HBO.

Paid restroom in Paris train station (I think Gare du Nord):
Notice that you can use the urinal for €0.50, have a shower for €3.50, or get a private toilet stall for €2.30.

Eurostar terminal!

Riding TGV on Eurostar to England!

Time to enter the channel tunnel!!!!

First picture in the UK!

St. Pancras Station, London UK

British countryside speeding by!

Reserving accommodations!

Bath Spa station, Bath, England