Old friends & new I've found at Waterloo

It's amazing to think tomorrow is our last day in England. The past few days have been filled with fabulous meals, wine, people, and places.

On Friday we spent the day exploring Kent with the lovely Haynes family. They have become our "English family" while we have been here and our entire experience would not have been the same without them.

After going to see the ancient English town of Rye, and a delicious lunch at a local gastro pub, we headed to Leed's castle.

While most of us know the name Leed's for the famous WHO album, it is in fact also the site of the largest castle in Kent.

Within 5 minutes of seeing the flawlessly kept grounds I had already decided that the castle would be the site of my wedding in the very distant future (mom & dad you'd better start saving now!)

Feeling rested after our leisurely day Jackie and I took the opportunity to travel to Cambridge on Saturday as it was unfortunately one of our only sunny days here (those that know London will not be surprised to hear it has rained 85% of our trip).

It was in Cambridge that I truly feel deeply and madly in love with England.

The cobblestone streets and scholarly looking citizens were so inspiring (all the cute Cambridge men didn't hurt either).

After some serious shopping, including a stop at TK Maxx (yes, it's TK here not TJ) we went on what I now know to be the must do activity in Cambridge: punting.

Punting is in a sense the same thing as a gondola ride but much less romantic. However the views of Cambridge were beyond stunning and one of my favorite experiences so far.

Today we went back into London and went to service at St. Paul's Cathedral. While I have now been in what feels like an endless number of cathedral's, this one stood out.

The cathedral is known as the English architect Christopher Wren's masterpiece and as a beacon of hope during the great London fire.

I myself found mass in the cathedral incredibly moving and loved seeing all the traditions of the Church of England.

This account by no means details everything we have done. If I were to write about it all not only would it take away from the few pressure hours of sleep I get it would also scare away anyone who actually reads this.

xoxo,
Kacy

A foggy day in London town

There is nothing quite as wonderful as seeing the sky turn blue after getting soaked in the rain.

That is exactly what happened to Jacquelyn and I today as we traversed our way through London.

The day began in a rather unusual way as we headed to a “work” appointment for some freelance travel pieces I am working on.

For a piece I am doing on the Olympics it was a “necessity” that I taste some of the local dishes that restaurants will be serving during the games. After emailing dozens of pubs I booked a few appointments for me and my photographer (yes, Jackie) to taste what these places will be offering.

Today was our first tasting and let me tell you this small little pub has set the standard quite high. Not only was the food delicious but the atmosphere was incredibly warm and inviting.

After tasting every item that will be available on their shortened menu (which is really quite large) Jacquelyn and I decided it was time to continue on to our tourist attractions. And while the tower of London awed me & the Globe theater left me feeling dramatic, it was our final stop of the day that really had me jumping for joy.

Ever the crazy Beatle fan that I am, today I had a quintessential fan girl moment as I reenacted the famous cover of “Abbey Road.” I felt like such a tourist waiting for the optimum moment to cross the street for the perfect picture, which is in fact quite the art form. 

With each day London continues to fascinate me with it's treasure trove of history. My obsession with all things English only grows the more I learn about this magical place. 

Xoxo,

Kacy 

London Days 1 & 2: The Jubilant Jubilee

It has been almost a year to date since I embarked on my last European adventure. And being the ever-restless person that I am, when my friend Jacqueline asked me to join her this summer in England and Italy, I jumped at the opportunity. For the next few weeks I will be chronicling our adventures in these amazing European countries as we take advantage of our youth and learn to seize the day.

This past Monday we began on journey from the sweltering state of Arizona to the cool green pastures of England. Less than 48 hours after being in country I am already ready to pack my bags and head across the pond. This fact is due in huge part to the once in a lifetime experience I had at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee yesterday.

After one of the longest travel experiences of my life, I arrived in London after not having slept for 18 hours. But even that major side effect could not keep me from partaking in the Diamond Jubilee celebration that is not likely to occur again in my lifetime.

Exhausted and weary, Jacqueline and I arrived to London’s city center just in time to see the Queen pass by on Strand street. Confused as to what exactly was happening we both moved down towards Trafalgar square to see what the fuss was about. After an hour of waiting patiently I caught the glimpse of the glossy brunette strands of the one and only Duchess of Cambridge. Yes, I saw Kate Middleton in person and yes, I died in the process.

Seeing the grandeur and spectacle that is the English royal family was something indescribable. The culture is so different from the U.S. and different from anything else I have experienced in my life.

Starting our trip on such a high point has in many ways made the rest of our journey anti-climatic. Yet today we were still put in awe by the London Eye and the golden dome of Buckingham Palace.

With our trip just only begun I cannot wait to see what the rest of our time has in store for us. As we enjoyed a two-hour dinner in a local British pub tonight I will not be able to upload more photos until later. But fear not! If these past two days are any indication, this trip will be one for the storybooks.

Xoxo,

Kacy 

Summer Reading: Paris, My Sweet

“I considered the world my cupcake…sweet and inviting, familiar yet new, indulgent but only modestly so.” – Amy Thomas

While not everyone has the luxury of summer vacation, we all get to enjoy in the simple please of summer reading.

With the long days and cool nights, summer is the perfect season to escape into the world of literature.  

Last week when I stumbled upon a book that encompassed all of my favorite things—New York, travel, & my sweet tooth—I knew we were a match made in heaven.

Not only does Paris, My Sweet act as a memoir for writer and Manhattanite Amy Thomas, it also is the ultimate guide to all the best sweets in the two greatest cities on Earth.

And even though Thomas and I cannot agree on which city is the best, we can both agree that New York has gotten to us.

 “…I could never suppress my grin when I saw the jagged skyline, the halo of light emanating from the city, the sea of yellow taxis, or the mishmash cultures of clothes and clothing swimming together…New York was under my skin.”

But whether or not New York is under your skin, Paris, My Sweet is certainly a book you’ll want to sink your teeth into—especially for us single gals trying to navigate and find our place in this bustling world.

Xoxo,

Kacy

p.s. Has anyone read a book lately they couldn’t put down? Let me know on twitter @kacyjayne! 

A Love Letter to New York

Goodbyes are never easy...especially when you are unsure of what the future holds.

Close to four months ago, I picked up my enter life to move to what many consider to be the epicenter of the world. And while I had no idea at the time, this single decision has morphed into an array of life changing opportunities. 

For those of you that know me, even though I have called Arizona my home for my entire life, you are well aware that I have dreamed of living in New York City ever since my first visit 11 years ago. And while some may have doubted if I could actually do it, I am always one to follow through with my extravagant life plans. 

Rarely have my own plans for my life fallen so perfectly into place as they have in this crazy concrete jungle. And while the city itself has so much to do with all the things I have experienced in these short few months, it is the city's people that have made all the difference. 

Being the cheese ball that I am, NYC really is what all those songs say it is. While it can eat your soul alive and leave you forgetting why you wanted to live here in the first place, it truly is the place "where dreams are made of." 

As I transition back to suburbia for the next few months (since I will luckily get to call the city my permanent home in the very near future) all I can think about is how much my life has been shaped by the people, places, and things I have experienced here. 

So here is to this city! To every crowded subway ride and every Brooklyn hipster, to every struggling artist and every street performer...don't give up! For as the wisest New Yorker of them all Frank Sinatra once said, "If I can make it here, I'll make it anywhere." 

xoxo, 

Kacy 

Marni for the Masses

I don't know about you, but I love when high end designers make their lines affordable. 

Case in point, H&M's newest collaboration with Italian fashion giant Marni. 

While the line will not be out till this Thursday, I have been lusting after the 

items online for weeks now. 

Even better, the lovely Sofia Coppola has directed the commercial for the collection. 

Unfortunately, living in NYC means that it is almost impossible to get your hands on these eagerly anticipated items unless you wait in line--which, if you work full time like me is unlikely. 

Maybe one of my fabulous Arizona friends will stop by and pick something up for me as an early birthday present? (hint, hint) 

As for now, I will continue to covet this gorgeous silk tank & retro print shorts

from afar.

xoxo,

Kacy 

p.s. I know I said this blog would not be all about fashion...but this little tidbit 

was something I could not pass up sharing 

Hello Old Friend

My absence from this blog is abysmal, at best. While I took a short leave of absence to work on Indulgent Ambition (Jenna Lose and I's attempt at lifestyle blogging), after my summer travels in Europe, my return to the uninspiring Arizona landscape led to yet another round of blog neglect.


But oh, how things have changed.

In the past seven months, I have moved to New York City to begin a temporary (but hopefully permanent) new life in the Empire State. 


Since January, I have been working on the news site FOX News Latino.  Interning for this site has allowed me to do some incredible things that I never thought were possible- from sitting front row at New York Fashion Week to interviewing Supermodels. 


While I love what I do, there are often story ideas or personal opinions that pop into my head that I am not able to post about. That is why I have resurrected the "Committed Wanderer." However, the blog is in serious need of a remodel and I am in need of your help! 


The style will be much more relaxed, I am not going to focus on the quantity of posts but rather the quality. The posts could be about everything from my current obsessions to Spring Training (which I am so UPSET to be missing)


As for now, I would love input on a new name for the blog. 


I would love to do a play on my first and middle name, Kacy Jayne, which as anyone who knows me (or my twitter handle) knows I am rather found of. 


Thanks again for the few who are still interested on the way I view life. 
Also, a shoutout to @MerKenyon for inspiring me to increase my social media influence!


xoxo,
Kacy