Friday, August 31, 2012

Moving Day


For the past two days our house has been filled with movers packing up all of our belongings and placing them in a crate to head over the Atlantic and meet us in London in six weeks. It was a bit strange to see our entire house placed in one big metal crate, wrapped up in boxes and paper. I have visions of everything either never arriving to the UK or arriving in little broken pieces, eeekkk. I know people do it all of the time, so I will be hopeful that it gets there just as shiny and new as we had everything in our little yellow house. I have tried writing a couple of posts all week, but with our Internet connection being cut off I finally got a chance to sit down this morning at hour hotel, half way to my parents in Virginia. 

Driving out of Florida last night was a weird feeling. We left in a rush to get on the road and I thought, hhhmm,  ready for the next chapter. I am looking forward to it, and so is Sir Oliver who had a blast at the hotel last night! 

I will be back this weekend once we finished with our eight more hours we have on the road! Happy weekend everyone! 

xoxo ~Becca


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Packing for London


We started packing up everything in our house this weekend and the movers are coming tomorrow to pack up everything else, crazy, I know! When I realized I had to pack two suitcases with my clothes for almost two months in them, I had to sit down and catch my breath. OK, pretty funny, but it is true, not the easiest! I  am packing for our trip to my parents in Virginia, a short visit to NYC, travel clothes, clothes for rainy London and clothes for when I come back to Miami for a quick visit in October. Multiple cities, multiple climates, multiple outfit changes necessary. Below I put together a mental list of basic items that I am packing and will probably be wearing many of times! 

1. White Oversized Boyfriend Shirt over Black Leggings - every day basic uniform!


3. A scarf to throw on when your chilly on the plane or chilly in the windy city

4. Longchamp Tote Bag for a carry on and is perfect because it folds up in your suitcase

5. Basic black flats, a stylish fancy pair of heels and a pair of rain boots, yes, I'm moving to London

6. A pop of color, cross body bag. This little neon tote is my favorite to throw my phone, lipstick and camera in during a day out and about. 

7. The always basic Jackie cardigan

8. Multiple favorite tanks to layer under any sweater. 

9. A pair of colored skinnies to fancy up the normal every day jeans. 

10. Most important, a stylish trench coat to wear in London or when I come back to DC in October. I am looking for a new one and am loving this one from Club Monaco. 

Wish me luck with my two suitcase limit! 

xoxo~Becca

Monday, August 27, 2012

Oliver on Instagram


A few months ago I posted about my little buddy, Sir Oliver on Instagram. If you follow me on Instagram then you know about little Oliver and my love for my dog. I always thought I would have a small teeny little dog, but honestly, now that Oliver has been in our life for a year, I don't know what I would do without him. Oliver is Beau's and my little buddy, child, favorite little friend. I mean come on now, check out these pictures of the happiest dog around, doesn't he make you smile! I can't wait to have him with me in London, the British Adventures of Sir Oliver!

Yes, Oliver will be making the move to London with Beau and I. The moving process for getting a dogs European Pet Passport is an entire post in itself, it is a lot of work, timing and details, but we wouldn't THINK of leaving him behind. It is true, just what people told me before, getting a dog is like a child! Happy Monday everyone, follow along here for more of Oliver's daily adventures. I guarantee this little puppy's smile will make your day! 

xoxo ~Becca 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Brunch and a Blog: Camille Styles

Happy Weekend everyone! Saturday morning in Fort Lauderdale and the rain is coming down hard, it is cloudy, windy and you can tell that Tropical Storm Isaac is close by. Rainy mornings like this are always a nice excuse to lay around the house, drink lots of coffee and browse through my favorite blogs.This morning I decided I wanted to start a new series, Brunch and a Blog, what a better morning to begin! There are so many blogs out there that I adore and find inspiration from and in case you haven't found them yet, I hope you enjoy my favorites and add them to your Google Reader list. First up on Brunch and a Blog is my favorite, Miss Camille Styles, a lifestyle blog focused on creative parties and inspired entertaining, those two pretty much sum up all things I love! 

{photo for an HGTV shoot

I've been reading Camille's blog for the past few years and have loved seeing it grow into such a creative little corner of the web. Camille is also a regular contributor with HGTV and the Cooking Channel. Camille and her team enjoy sharing ideas on entertaining, delicious recipes, creative DIY projects that are usually simple and will not take you all weekend to complete {love those!}, videos on how to plan a fun and simple soiree, beauty how-to's  and oh, so much more! I always love stopping by the blog and discovering a new recipe to make or a new product that I fall in love with. I hope you enjoy Camille Styles blog as much as I do. Below are a few of my favorite posts and ideas that I have discovered through her blog, enjoy! 


These pop up place cards are simply adorable {especially in hot pink with a striped napkin! Hello!}. The instructions look so easy I may need to make them for maybe a first dinner party in London?


I love seeing other bloggers "essentials" that they feature regularly, a little glimpse into other bloggers lives. 


This recipe for Asparagus & Ricotta Crostini's is simple and they are absolutely the perfect Summer hors d'oeuvres.


Beau and I eat this Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad regularly, that is how much I fell in love with it!


 Ever since I saw Camille's post when she went to London and took a flower arranging class at Jane Packer Flowers I have added it to my list of things to do when we move Across the Pond!


This wine and cheese party has me itching to invites a group of friends over for the evening! 

This Valentine's crafting party looks just like mine and my besties cup of tea! 


Find Camille here: BLOG, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

xoxo~Becca

Friday, August 24, 2012

Featured: The Things We Didn't Buy

I was so excited when sweet Marianne asked me to guest post over on her blog while she was travelling in Europe during the Summer. Check out my suggestions of some of my favorite places and things to do in South Florida over on her blog The Things We Didn't Buy
xoxo~Becca


A Little Makeover

You may have noticed that Urban Flip Flops got a little makeover over the last week! Thank you to Danielle Moss  for cleaning up my site and adding a little bit of Brit to my little world. Urban Flip Flops is feeling shiny, sparkly and new with her new look. 

While I was redoing the site, it was fun to look back to when my site first started until now!


My sister Charity created my original banner for me. It was fun and started as a place to keep my friends and family up to date on my move from to DC to Florida. 


Once I was settled in Fort Lauderdale I asked Laura for a little change to the site. I wanted to incorporate my love of DC and my change to life at the beach. 


Here we are now! I love the new look and hope you do as well! I found Danielle through the amazing site she is an editor for, The Every Girl. Many people asked me if I would continue to keep up my Urban Flip Flops blog and my response was, OF COURSE! What begin as a private locked blog for close friends and family, to a blog that I shared life in Florida and my favorite finds, has now evolved into my own little spot to share life flip flopping from city, beach and back to city {across the pond}. I hope to blog more and share more lifestyle segments with you on fashion, food, travel, decor, entertaining and more. 

I hope you like the new look! Pass it along to your friends and follow me along on Facebook, Twitter , Pinterest and Instagram! It was hard to make decisions but I think the outcome was WONDERFUL! A little British flair with a touch of the States ties up my story that starts next week. I would love to hear your thoughts! 

xoxo ~ Becca

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Crumpets. Tea. Kate Middleton and Me!

For the last couple of months I have been dying to share the big news with everybody and have been waiting for the right day to come. No, I am not having a baby, nope, not getting married { yet! } but Beau, Oliver and I are making a big move together as a little family. We have gone back and forth whether this is the right decision, whether it will ever be the good time to do this, whether if we decided not to do this and we looked back years later we would regret it. Well here we go, as of last Friday we announced to every one we know, officially, that we have decided to move....Across The Pond! Yep! Me, Beau and Sir Oliver are heading to London and can not wait. 
As of next Friday we will packing up our little yellow house in Fort Lauderdale and saying good bye to the land of sun and palm trees and heading across the Atlantic to the land of rainy days, pubs and afternoon tea. I'm not going to lie, I will miss the sun, however... we can't wait! Yes, there have been A LOT of flip flops through out these past few months and I know there will be huge ones to come, but the idea of this little adventure together makes me beyond excited. I moved to Florida a little over two years ago after living in a city that I had a major crush on {DC} to be with Beau and start our new life in Florida. I started a new job, I met some wonderful new friends, got involved in new organizations, got a fabulous little puppy, stopped working around the clock like in Washington and was able to have been part of a huge adventure with Floridian Weddings that I am beyond proud of. Moving to Florida was a giant leap for me! 

I can remember the day I packed up my cute little apartment in Washington, my bestie from elementary school Besse surprised me with hiring people to repaint it! I was working events back to back around the clock, both of grandfathers passed away, I didn't know how I was going to get it all done, leave the city I loved and relocate to the Sunshine state while being happy. Luckily I was able to have an amazing group of friends around me that helped me get through it, they helped me pack and even threw me the sweetest going away party. Yes, I still miss Washington, I miss the city, I miss my friends, I miss the morning runs with Meg and Cerys, I miss late night dinners at the Source with Pam and Robin, I miss my nights at home drinking wine and watching chick shows and reading magazines and living the single girls life, I miss packing up to take weekend trips to visit Beau and seeing him when I got off the plane, however, I wouldn't give up these last two years of my life at all. I think I will leave Florida learning a little bit more about myself and a lot more about my relationship, I wouldn't give that up. Mornings spent on bike rides with Sir Oliver, walks close to the beach, breakfast by the pool, dinners outside, all of these things I will cherish and remember forever, but as much I sometimes cried and screamed being here, I know it has made me an even more independent person and my relationship with Beau has grown, my ideas of being able to create things on my own has become reality, friends and family actually mean even more now that I am not living as close to them as I once was. Florida was a fantastic time, but we are excited and over the moon of the next step we are taking 
together!


I lived in London during a semester abroad in college the winter/spring of 2001-2002 and can not stop thinking of what my experience was then, wow how life has changed since I was 20! I keep rethinking of talking with my sister after I got home from the semester about how it would be a DREAM to live there when I am older and WOW, I honestly can't believe that the dream is happening!!!! Beau and I watched the Olympics this year constantly saying, "We are going to live there!", so exciting, it was not real! Seeing Kate Middleton's cute "high street" outfits in magazines makes me think, mental note where did she buy that! I have already started my Pinterest board of Across the Pond, London is on my mind! I guess you could say I am a bit of an Anglophile, so it is crazy to think that crumpets, tea and well, maybe Kate & Will, will be part of the daily routine {or just seeing Miss Middleton on front of the daily pages!}. 

I know I will be posting a lot {maybe too much!} about our upcoming move but I coudn't keep it in anymore and had to share! Visas, car sales, house selling, goodbye cocktails, yard sales, craigs lists, road trips, all of these things are coming in the next few weeks but in 22 days, we will be settling in London!!!! yay! So for now I am off to get some tasks completed for the day, pack up some boxes and enjoy maybe the pool for an hour! Cheers! Thanks for reading my novel! I can't wait to share everything with you along the way! 

xoxo~Becca

{thank you Courtney Ortiz for the fun photos!!!}



Friday, August 17, 2012

New Things on the HORIZON


Oh my! I have so much to tell you and all SO soon! I will be back on Monday and can't wait to share some big news! Happy weekend! xoxo ~ Becca

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Fall Flats

This time of year brings back memories of back to school shopping with my sisters and my mom. Remember when you would go shopping all day and pick out oodles of new outfits and always new shoes for the school year, how much fun was that! I think I'm in the running for a new pair of shoes for my back to school season for sure. Just because I may not be heading back to the classroom doesn't mean my  shoes haven't seen their time and need some refreshing for the new Fall Season. I have had my eye on some new flats to wear every day and think some of these may need to find a place in my closet. 



Fall Flats







What are you dreaming to add to your "Back to School" wardrobe? 

xoxo~Becca

Hey Florida Girls: Mutts & Martinis





{Photo by Doggy Studio}

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Happy Birthday Julia!

Today would mark the queen of the kitchen, Julia Child's 100th birthday! What a lady she was! Since I was in elementary school I have always loved cooking. I would call my mom everyday at the office asking if I could take over the kitchen for dinner, even in middle school. I remember hearing Julia's voice on PBS teaching how to make french bread or roast a chicken and I thought, wow, who was this woman! Well, over the years, I learned just who she was, an amazing lady who brought the French basics to America during a time where ladies didn't do such a thing. 
While living in DC I was lucky to be able to see Julia Child's exhibit at the Smithsonian where they actually replicated her kitchen, it is a must see. The kitchen is not a fancy place but a functional one! The last few years when Julie & Julia came out, it only extended my love of the American French woman chef. Today I will raise a glass of French red wine, eat a baguette and toast to Julia! For making us all love stepping into the kitchen! 

{essential Kitchen items by Julia: wine while cooking, herbs de provence, a quality pot for cooking stews and roasts, rolling pin, kitchen basic tools, dish cloths, a fabulous apron}

xoxo~Becca

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

I will remain CALM

These days it seems that my to-do list continues to grow and grow and grow and I feel like there is almost no end to it.  My shoulders get more tense every time I hear the "ding" of another email appearing in my inbox. So I decided this morning that I just have to take it day by day and work through all the craziness surrounding my days recently, it will all work out! Below are a few little things that are a great addition to keeping my days semi calm, little simple pleasures. What keeps you calm during hectic days that you feel might never end? 

A little bubbly after a crazy day, calming French songstress music, a cup of tea, lavender lotion, an afternoon break with a magazine, candles lit, these are little helpers for me! 


xoxo~Becca


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Happy Weekend!

Happy Sunday everyone! I am just as thrilled as the Duchess is below {I mean truly, how cute are they!}, it is Sunday, the weekend was filled with a successful Yard Sale, dinner with friends, and lots of fun surprises I can't WAIT to share with you. I am also just as thrilled as Kate Middleton because big news.......

THE SPICE GIRLS ARE PERFORMING AT TONIGHT'S CLOSING CEREMONY!!!!! Woo Hoo! The image of them below is their rehearsal!!! Oh Ya, I was a huge Girl Power fan in high school and not going to lie, a little Posh, Sporty, Baby, Ginger and Scary Spice still find their way into my playlists. So that is what I will be doing tonight, sitting by the tv, stacks of magazines, Pinterest time and Spice Girls time! Spice up your LIFE! 

I also read some fabulous links this morning after my run that I hope you would enjoy on your Sunday morning as well! Happy Weekend! Happy Olympics! xoxo~Becca

I am redoing my little corner of the world thanks to Danielle Moss and I have started to redesign it, can't wait to share it! Have you seen her adorable blog Breakfast at Toast or my favorite...The Everygirl!

I loved this article about balance of life with your "Mister" and your friends.  

The new RUE magazine came out this week and  I will certainly be diving into this with a cup of coffee today. 

Customized Lunch Bags for your kiddos are absolutely adorable. 

We featured a sweet Southern Wedding Planner Shannon over at Floridian Weddings, check her out, she's a doll

I'm totally LOVING these baubles that Sarah shared, they are pretty little things. 

The amazing South Florida based photographer Kat Braman shot a dream like wedding in Provence. Want to day dream and run in a lavender field...check this out. 

I've been waking up tired from my sleep? How does that happen! Maybe I need to sew one of these little masks this weekend. 

Friday, August 10, 2012

I'm having a sale....a YARD SALE!

As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure! Yep, I have been gathering up goodies around our house for the last two weeks. We are having a yard sale tomorrow.....stop by! 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Working Women: Chartreuse Inc.

The past few months I have been doing a lot of searching of what is next for me. Still not quite sure, along the way I have been inspired by so many amazing women that I know, I thought it would be a great new series to start, Working Women, the women that inspire me to be a creative working gal myself! First off I couldn't resist to feature one heck of a working woman that is near and dear to me, my oldest sister, Charity of Chartreuse Inc.   I know I've featured a couple of fabulous moments from Charity's life in Cleveland but now it's time to spotlight just what a wonderful woman in the Biz she is! 

{image from Glitter Guide

I can remember when Charity left her full time job in 2001 and told my sister Katie and I her plan, I was still in college and couldn't imagine the idea of owning your own business, she seemed so OLD to me. Well years later, here she is with an amazing boutique design studio in Lakewood, Ohio. Not only do I say this because she is my sister but also because, well, it is quite true, Charity is simply one of the most creative people I know. She has created a small women's own business with a fabulous team of three, who manages to create designs for "the Big Dogs" {as quoted straight from them}. 

{image from Glitter Guide

Not only is Charteuse Inc. a fabulous Graphic Design Studio, they also host a number of social events at their "Petit Parc", give back to their local community in a number of ways, believe in keeping a healthy office lifestyle, and last year created a playful line of Greeting Cards that they are selling on Etsy {Underground Cards Shop}. 



I remember talking to my sister a few years ago on the phone when she was in the middle of driving from work, to yoga, to a networking event she was volunteering for. She said how busy she was at work, but I do remember she said, "Hey, I'm busy at work, but I love what I do, so I do not mind. I wouldn't change it!" Love what you do and busy you will not mind is how I take it, and that stuck with me. 

{image from Glitter Guide


Fun. Creative. Ambitious. A "Go Getter". The girl seems to be able to do it all. Check out the video below to see a) why you should hire Chartreuse, because they have a BLAST at work and b) because you might want to apply to work their after. 


Thank you Chartreuse for inspiring us! 

Find Chartreuse website here, Facebook here, Blog here, Etsy Shop here

xoxo~Becca

Monday, August 6, 2012

Pop Brit Chicks

Ever since I lived in London during college I have been bit in love with the spunky British Pop Princesses/Rock Stars/Girl Groups, however you would like to describe them. Getting ready for a night out in London I use to blast Sophie Ellis-Bextor through my flat over and over again I think it drew my friends a little crazy. Till this day those songs are still on my iPod with splashes of Spice Girls mixed in, who can't resist those girls, come on! There is something about these Brits that is a little sassy, pinky, poppy and  still a little posh. Cheers to a few of my favorite Brits! 

Singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding has become a new favorite love of mine. Pink stripes in her hair, pink lips, she performed at Kate and William's wedding last year, she seems to have a fun quirky side to her and oh yes, did I mention she is a major runner! If you are a Nike+ addict like me ,you may have had Ellie congratulate you on your run, so fab. See her Nike Runs video below, I've been running along to her song Lights for the past year and it always gives me a little extra push! 

      

Lily Allen was discovered on MySpace and became a little British Rock Princess. The girl has major style {hello, she was a spokes model for Chanel!}, a major voice, an awesome little punk attitude and can write some pretty great breakup lyrics! I saw her perform in a small theatre in D.C. and she was full of energy, dancing around the stage, balloons falling from the ceiling, she rocks! 
 My newest Brit on my Spotify account is Marina Lambrini Diamandis, aka "Marina and the Diamonds". This lady has a voice that is for sure!!!! She has this old songstress like voice that pairs with her vintage glam, pop, dance style she has going on. Her drinking "Shampain" song is on repeat right now. 
And then there is Adele, need I say more. She is funny, fabulous and seems to so appreciate everything she has right now, including that killer voice and songwriting skills that make us push play over and over and over. Love her! 

I had to put together a little mix of these Royal British Pop Stars for you to fall in love with you as well! Cheers! xoxo~Becca


Saturday, August 4, 2012

Happy Weekend!

{photo taken from my iPhone at the Fort Lauderdale Beach} 

I am so very very happy to see the weekend here! Last week I was on the road all week and then came home, got the house ready and have had visitors all week. With so much to get done on the horizon, I am looking forward to some quiet me time this weekend to get a lot checked off of my to- do list. I spent a little time catching up on some blog reading this morning and had to share these wonderful links with you. Happy Weekend everyone! xoxo~Becca

I keep replaying this stop motion film we featured for this Florida wedding, isn't it adorable. 

I think I may pretty up some envelopes using these easy steps.

Caramel Brownie Pies sound a bit dangerous but also a bit delicious.  

Floridian Weddings is giving away A LOT of amazing goodies! Enter HERE, HERE and HERE

OK, I know I've said it before, but I've gained a lot of lbs, this looks like something I can stick with. 

I would like one of each of these cake prints in our house please. 

How adorable is this couple in denim and white for the engagement photos, too cute! 

Friday, August 3, 2012

Rebecca's Recipes: Funfetti Cake

Who doesn't like a reason for a birthday cake, a sprinkle filled confetti cake that is! Since I was a little girl I always loved the boxed Pillsbury Funfetti Cake, it was a favorite at birthday parties. The fluffy white cake mixed in with colored spots and creamy white icing was a favorite among many of my friends too. Well, here we are, in our thirties and still loving the cake. One of my best girlfriends actually had a Funfetti cake for her husbands grooms cake because he loved it so much. I decided since their is so much to celebrate this month that I was going to bake a bit of my nostalgic memories of Funfetti, but this time from scratch and not the box. August started with the celebration for Floridian Weddings first birthday, my adorable godson's first birthday, my bestie's birthday, my parent's 40th wedding anniversary and the list goes on! 

The cake is...omg... 100 times more delicious made from all natural homemade goodness, sorry Pillsbury I loved yours, but this recipe tops it! 


 Pink frosting in the inside and yellow frosting on the outside called for a party! 

I think one of the KEY things to do while frosting the cake is too add the thin layer of frosting first to decorum the cake, place it in the refrigerator and then take it out when ready to frost it entirely. I used the recipe from Sweet Tarte's blog and it was easy and oh so gooooood! Happy Birthday and celebrating to all of my loves out there! I wish we could have a slice of cake together! 



Recipe: For the Cake
2 cups all purpose flour*
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1  1/4 cups buttermilk
4 egg whites
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup multi-colored sprinkles

*edited to note: The original recipe for the Perfect Party Cake calls for 2 1/4 cups cake flour. Since I didn't have any cake flour on hand, I substituted with a lesser amount of all-purpose flour. I haven't tested this version with cake flour, but it will likely produce a lighter cake with a more delicate crumb. If that's what you're after, it may be worth using 2 1/4 cups cake flour here instead of 2 cups of all-purpose.

Recipe: For the Frosting 
3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractpinch of salt (optional)
Food coloring gels

Preheat the oven to 350.  Butter three 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, stir together the egg whites and buttermilk and set aside as well.  In the bowl of a stand-mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy,about three minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract.  With the mixer running, add in 1/3 of the flour mixture, followed by 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture. Continue alternating the flour and milk, adding another 1/3 of the flour mixture, the remaining buttermilk, and then the rest of the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary, and then beat the batter on medium for about a minute to make sure it's well incorporated. Turn off the mixer, and gently stir in the sprinkles. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden, springy to the touch, and a tester inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges, invert onto wire racks, and peel off parchment paper. Allow the cakes to finish cooling completely. 

To make the buttercream icing, beat the butter on medium speed for about 30 seconds, or until light and soft. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar.  Once all of  the sugar has been incorporated, add the vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt if desired. Beat on medium speed for another minute, or until the frosting is light and fluffy.

To assemble the cake, place one layer on a plate or cake board. Spread a thin layer of buttercream over the top of the cake. Place another cake layer on top, and repeat with another thin layer of frosting and the remaining cake layer. Working with an offset spatula if you have one, spread a very thin layer of icing over the top and sides of the cake, using a thicker coating of icing where needed to fill in any holes or gaps in the cake. This is your crumb coating--a very thin layer of icing in which all of the crumbs are suspended so that they're not visible in the finished cake. Once you have applied your crumb coating, pop the cake in the refrigerator or freezer for about 20 minutes to harden.  Remove the cake from the refrigerator, and spread the rest of the icing in an even layer over the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with more sprinkles, if desired. 



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