Days 43

So last Wednesday I had the most action-packed day ever...I had class in the morning, and afterwards I went directly to revisit the Saatchi Gallery, made my first trip to the Tate Modern, and finally I saw Jerusalem at the Apollo theater.  I have already told you about the Saatchi Galleries, so here are photos of some of my favorite pieces...

favorite piece in the gallery 20:50 by Richard Wilson

The Tate Modern was pretty awesome as well I want to go back soon and explore some more, but I especially loved the works by Diane Arbus, John Heartfield, and The Guerrilla Girls.

Days 33-42

This past week was action packed especially with midterms approaching!  Last Monday (October 3rd) I went on a Jack The Ripper walking tour with a group from CAPA which was really interesting.  We heard all about the killings, saw most of the places where they happened, and learned who the polices main suspects were.  I was hoping to be frightened a bit more than I was, but walking back to my flat later that evening alone I couldn't help by look over my shoulder...Then on Tuesday my living theater class saw a production at The National Theater called The Kitchen.  The set was incredibly beautiful, unfortunately I wasn't as big of a fan of the show, although it had its redeeming qualities.  Thursday, a group of my friends that live in my building went out to the North Star which has become, by far, my favorite pub.  It has a wonderful atmosphere that makes you feel right at home not to mention the food and staff are fantastic.  Saturday night a group of us went to out a night club called Fabric which was a blast!  There were three rooms all with different DJ sets and hundreds of people dancing it was the most fun I have had at a club since I have been in London, and I definitely want to go back before I leave.  The fantastic end to the weekend was on Sunday when my friend  Jessica's mom and grandmother, who were visiting, took a a few of us out for brunch in Covent Garden.  This past Monday my art history class had a visit to the Saatchi Gallery, which is known for its great modern art exhibits.  The current show, The Shape of Things to Come: New Sculpor, was lovely and included works by David Altmejd, John Baldessari, David Batchelor, Peter Buggenhout, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Matthew Brannon, Bjorn Dahlem, Folkert de Jong, Roger Hiorns, Martin Honert, Thomas Houseago, Joanna Malinowska, Kris Martin, Matthew Monahan, Dirk Skreber, Anselm Reyle, Sterling Ruby, David Thorpe, Oscar Tuazon and Rebecca Warren.  I am going back tomorrow to spend some more time revisiting some of the pieces, and to take photos.  Later on on monday evening Sarah and I went to go see Iron & Wine at the O2 Shepards Bush Empire, which is one of London's more intimate venues, overall the show was pretty good, but I thought the set list could have been a bit better.  Photography wasn't allowed, but I snuck in a small camera, so here are some snapshots from the show...

Tonight, Tuesday, my living theater class attended another performance at The National Theater called The Veil.  I loved everything about the show...the set was breathtaking and the lighting and sound were subtle, but perfect.  Have a good rest of the week everyone I will update when I am back from my trip to Ireland this weekend!

Chicago Cravings

Everything about being in London has been fantastic; the food, the people, the shopping, but I am starting to get a craving for some of my favorite things in Chicago.

1. Coffee at Bourgerois Pig Cafe
By far my favorite coffee shop in Chicago, Bougerois Pig offers that cozy vintage feel that I love so much especially during the Fall. 

2. Burgers at DMK
Oh God don't even get me started all I have been craving the past two weeks is a Number 4 (grass fed beef, a fried egg, hatch green chilies, jack cheese, and bacon) with an order of sweet potato fries.  By far the best burgers in the city...this will have to be one of my first stops upon arriving back in Chicago!

3. Sushi at Wasabi
Ironically I have never stepped foot into this restaurant, but they have some of the best sushi in the city, and they deliver...

4. Tacos at Rockin' Taco
Three words pork al pastor...they also have tofu al pastor which I believe is 100% vegan if that is your thing.

5. Brunch at Longman & Eagle
Specifically bloody mary's at Longman and Eagle are fantastic they make their own mix, and I always request it extra spicy. The food is wonderful as well it is a great spin on your typical brunch menu I highly recommend the duck egg hash or the pork belly blt.

Days 26-32

This past week went by so fast!  On Tuesday I saw a show at the Tricycle Theater called "The Absence of Women" it was a northern Irish play about two men who had moved from Belfast to London to work on the rail system.  The majority of the play focused around a conversation between two friends who's lives had been pretty much destroyed because of their choices, which had then led to alcoholism, and eventually to their demise.  Then on Wednesday I traveled to the coast to Dover to see the White Cliffs my camera was being a bit funny, so I wasn't able to get great photos, but here are a few anyways...

Thursday morning my pop culture class had a field trip to Camden we saw Regents Park, the Queens rose garden, Baker Street, and the Sherlock Homes museum.  Then later on Thursday evening I saw a production of The 39 Steps with a group from school, and afterwards we all went out to Karaoke.  The rest of the weekend was spent at Borough Market, Notting Hill, Brick Lane and various drinking establishments...

Style Icon: Pamela Love

I have such a girl crush on Pamela Love...I love her style, her jewelry, her hair, her apartment, that cute boy sitting next to her...I could go on....  She always looks simply put together, but so damn cool at the same time