Kate Can Have Her Cake and Eat it Too!

Just like Marie Antoinette, the new royalty can have her cake and eat it too.  Today Baskins- Robbins announced the Royal Wedding ice cream cake.  Covered in 30 white and blue roses (I wonder if they know Kate's color scheme) this chocolate mousse ice cream cake is sure to tickle some taste buds.

According to the Windsor Knot (http://windsorknot.today.com/_news/2011/03/29/6369371-baskin-robbins-reveals-royal-wedding-ice-cream-cake) the flowers were inspired by the Cotswold gardens (blue roses - really?)  and will sell for $14.99. 

So, after you finish off you Royal Dunkin Donuts have a slice of cake and a cuppa tea! 

ROYAL MADNESS AND A MAGICAL MARCH

When my boys asked me why in the world would I want to fly across the ocean and join a throng of thousands (or millions) just to get a chance to be a part of the Royal Wedding I tried to equate it to something they could understand; I said, it's like Dad going to the NCAA regional tournament each year.  It's something to see and a be a part of - it is history in the making.  They didn't get it at that time but being part of something much larger than yourself is truly coming alive for all of us in Richmond Virginia as our hometown college and my alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University is on the road to the Final Four.

The closest thing to royalty in the United States right now is a basketball coach by the name of Shaka Smart.   Shaka is just 33 years old and is in his first major coaching position.  An intelligent and strategic coach, he is inspiring these Ram players to live the dream.  Having made it through a grueling 5 tournament games (a new record in NCAA) to reach the Final Four, the Rams are now poised to truly shine in the moment.
 
And just like Kate Middleton, he and the team are living the stuff that fairy tales are made of today.  VCU has advanced to the Final Four of NCAA basketball.  This from a team who lost 11 home games and was the butt of many jokes just 2 weeks ago when they were selected for the tournament.

Magic does happen every day and we should all grab a piece of it wherever we can!

Dinner is Wrapped

Every time I take a trip to a new locale, one of my first endeavors is to explore the local gourmet.  This has not always been the most delightful experiences as any visitor to Mexico can surely attest.  I have yet to read any travel article on England that explores the local fare.  My limited gastronomical knowledge of the United Kingdom is solely limited to two items:  Fish and Chips.  And, even those do not come highly recommended.


In conversations with those who visit the United Kingdom on a frequent basis there has yet to be a single recommendation such as "Oh, you must try the ______________at _____________Restaurant.  It is to die for."  Even the books that adorn my bedside table speak of fabulous Indian curry or Ethopian stew but there is very limited references to the a bountiful brunch in the garden or the fabulous dinner by the seaside.  


British imports include tea, cars and Burberry abounds - I guess I'll just have to explore the wonders of the Isles one chip at a time.  And, if Gordon Ramsay happens to see this I'll be happy to 
chow down with you as long as you don't use your potty mouth!

Put a Ring on It

Yes, I am now the proud owner of my very own "Royal Heirloom Ring".  Thanks to my friend Irene, who felt that this exquisite piece of jewelry was a bare necessity for my voyage to the Royal Wedding.  The accompanying "Certificate of Authenticity and Assurance" is quite impressive and it is even signed by Michael C. Travis of the Sterlington Collections.  Who the hell is he anyway?

The certificate states that the center stone is a "faux Ceylon Sapphire" (is that some special type of sapphire?) and surrounded by 14 flawless diamond-x4 hand cut CZ (starting to sound too good to be true to me).  Because Irene had to wait so long for this special order, my ring has been upgraded to a finished sterling silver plate - I think the original version was unfinished.

And although my ring wasn't presented in the Kenyan wilderness and never adorned Di's hand, it will forever hold a special place in my heart.  Because, after all, it does make me feel like a Princess!

There is an APP for That

Having recently experienced some "blog fog" on the Royal Wedding, I turned to iTunes for inspiration (that and a good dose of YouTube are always great distractions).  As of today, there are 20 apps for free and purchase related to the Royal Wedding.  Since we have 38 days to go, I am anxious to see if the number does increase.

I downloaded all the free apps and while not totally inspired I have been momentarily entertained.  The "Create Shake Wedding Dress Design" is probably one of the most entertaining; a word to the wise - turn the sound down - the music sounds like something from a bad porn movie (I must say I don't think there is any such thing as a good porn movie but being the mother of 4 lads those tunes are somewhat familiar).

It's quite another tune on the "Royal Wedding" app by Neonplay.  The music is quite liturgical and the information is concise.  However, I really am starting to get tired of seeing Kate in that same blue dress!!  Can't we get some new "official" photos people?

My favorite has to be the "Hello Magazine" app.  It has a little more sizzle and the photos do seem to pop - however, there is no musical accompaniment to entertain while perusing the photos.

My real hope was to see an app for the royal wedding route.  Guess I will have to rely on good old Google to fill that gap until someone latches on to my idea and creates the app.

See you on the sidewalk in 38 days!

Dunkin Donuts vs. Crumpets for Tea

Will you soon be eating a Royal Wedding Donut with your afternoon tea?  This heart-shaped confection will be filled with jelly and topped with vanilla icing and a chocolate drizzel and is coming to Dunkin Donuts from April 24-29.  And although Will and Kate might be experiencing their own form of bliss, this tasty treat will certainly get the American television viewers extra incentive to wake up and watch the early morning version of the Royal Wedding.

One of the most interesting aspects of this marketing endeavor is that although Dunkin' Donuts has a Londoner for its CEO, Nigel Travis, it appears that there are no Dunkin' Donuts in the United Kingdom!  No wonder the Brits like their tea and crumpets.  If you haven't experienced a hot cup of coffee and a big fat bite of a Dunkin', you don't know what your missing.  It appears that Dunkin Donuts empire might be farther reaching than that of the British empire - United States, Qatar, Honduras, Bulgaria and India to name just a few of the 31 countries that know a good cup of coffee when they taste it. 

Personally, this American plans to enjoy a cuppa tea at Fortnum & Mason (and a crumpet or two) but it is good to know that the masses will can sink their teeth into a sweet treat.





Royal Wedding Crasher: ROYAL WEDDING TEA

Royal Wedding Crasher: ROYAL WEDDING TEA: "Springtime arrived in Virginia today and the southern belles gathered to toast the great British tradition of high tea. And while ..."

ROYAL WEDDING TEA

Springtime arrived in Virginia today and the southern belles gathered to toast the great British tradition of high tea.  And while sweet potato biscuits were not on the menu, we did sneak in some new favorites including cheddar and dill scones, cucumber tea sandwiches along with smoked salmon and much more.  The "ladies-in-waiting" seemed to prefer Sneaky Pete's (made with the universal alcohol of vodka) to the Earl Grey tea with a lump.


Visit our Facebook Fan Page (Royal Wedding Crasher) to view the complete photo album.  Here you will see the gorgeous hats designed by the guests and being donated to St. Francis Home here in Richmond.  It is our hope that the chapeau's will grace graying hair on the morn of the Royal Wedding.  And, much to our surprise Will and Kate were available for photo opps with all the guests.  You will see that one of our friends even arrived with her British teeth in place.  And, it wasn't surprising that only 2 grand dames donned their gloves.  Some southern ladies never forget their manners.


It was a great day and everyone is excited about the upcoming nuptials for Will and Kate.  Perhaps more so than our friends across the pond.  Perhaps our Sweet Virginia Breeze will sail across the sea and put more romance to our British friends as the day grows closer.

Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?

Imagine my shock, when much to my chagrin, I should find Will and Kate in my bed tonight.  I knew that they were having a hard time deciding on their honeymoon and did not realize that they were considering my hometown.  

Yes, Midlothian Virginia is the site of the first commercial mines in the United States which harkens to Kate's ancestors and yes, we have the Edgar Allan Poe museum as well as lots of statues on Monument Avenue.  Who knew that Midlothian and Richmond would be a contender?  


All this time I have been focusing on my trip to London when I should be focusing on how I can help the royal pair choose a suitable locale for their trip to wedded bliss.  Meanwhile I hope that they change the sheets in the morn.