Category Archives: England

Travel: Crossing the Channel

We left the island of Hawaii to live on the island of Great Britain. While I thought I would never us the term ‘mainland’ again (when referring to the mainland of the USA), I sometimes do revert to that label when I refer to Europe. While England may be set off in the ocean, just like Japan is off of Asia, it is quite easy to travel to the ‘continental Europe’. We traveled back home this way from Paris last Summer. We took a ferry from Calais, France across to Dover, England where you can see the beautiful white cliffs. We would really like to return here with our boys to explore the beauty and the history of those symbolic white cliffs.

For us the experience of using the ferry was very easy and accommodating We were able to get through customs fairly easy and the waiting period to board was met with a nice waiting area with vending machines if needed. The prices would be as expected on the ferry for food and refreshments and I cannot comment more than that as we brought our own for the voyage. The trip seemed shorter than I expected or remembered as a child and we were able to just enjoy the trip and relax. We had traveled through Italy and France up to this point so just being able to kick our feet up was a great ending to our travels. While flying may be a lot easier or quicker, we really enjoyed taking the trains and ferry back. The view as we came in of the white cliffs were just breath taking. Whether you are traveling by train or car, I definitely recommend checking out crossing the English channel for the views and the experience.

Our view from the ferry of the white cliffs of Dover.

My husband chillin’ on the ferry as we enjoy our view.

Watching the sunset as we arrive back in England.

**Please get in contact with bonnie[at]bonnie-rose[dot]co[dot]uk for information on photographic services.

Bristol Fashion Week – Spring Season 2013

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I was very honoured to be chosen by British Style Bloggers for the ‘Day in the life of a catwalk reporter’ competition. This was my first fashion show to attend here in England. The last fashion show I attended was Tucson’s Fashion week in the US and covered fashion shows in Hawaii while I was living on the island as a fashion photographer. I really enjoyed being able to compare my experiences with Bristol Fashion week while getting to meet the other fashion bloggers. Since I have relocated to England I have noticed the differences between street fashion of women in England compared to what I have seen in America. Women wear a lot more denim and jeans in America where as here everyone appears to have a signature style. Be it a good or bad, it is their style. It is hard not to be inspired when among the other fashion bloggers at BFW with their personal style choices. I love how women in England take more chances with fashion and really grab from what is current on the runways of London, Paris, and New York. I left with not only new friendships but with new ideas about what to wear for the current spring season from what I saw on the catwalk and on my fellow bloggers.

I loved seeing how they transferred looks from the runways to the high street as they showcased looks from stores within the mall at Cribbs Causeway. The show began with the James Bond theme and men looking dashing in monochromatic suits. I was instantly hooked as I photographed from a prime location at the end of the catwalk. For Men’s wear my favourite looks were from Austin Reed and River Island. There were a lot of prints from monochrome to colour, but my favourite were the french inspired prints from Marks and Spencer. Between those dresses and the retro swimwear from Fat Face I have been motivated further to go on vacation in style. The children models truly stole the show with their dancing down the catwalk in Next and Gap Kids. They were all looks that were perfect for those of us who shop the high street to implement for our own personal style for 2013.

I leave you with one question.

What will you be wearing this Spring and Summer?

They began with James Bond music, dancers and men in black tie.

Fashions from Dorothy Perkins with menswear from River Island
Tap dancers outfits from River Island
Selected accessories from Accessorize
Footwear from Soletrader
Designer sunglasses from Vision Express

Fashions from John Lewis

Fashions from Marks and Spencer

Fashions from Fat Face
Children’s fashion from Next Children

Fashions from CC Viyella with menswear from Austin Reed
Children’s fashion from Next Children
Footwear from Jones Bootmaker

Fashions from Timberland

Fashions and Technology items from John Lewis
Hair styled by Tomlinson Hairdressing

Fashions from Wallis and menswear from Next
Selected accessories from Accessorize
Footwear from Dune

Fashions from Marks & Spencer
Designer sunglasses from Sunglass Hut

Lingerie from Ann Summers
Flamenco dancers’ fashions from Phase Eight and Next
Footwear from Dune

Fashions from River Island
Children’s fashions from Gap Kids

Fashions from various retailers at the Mall at Cribbs Causeway

(…is this kid not the cutest? I may be biased as a mum, but I thought his dance moves stole the show)

**Interested in photographic services by Bonnie Rose please contact bonnie@bonnie-rose.co.uk

***This was an article published at Bristish Style Bloggers. Click button above.

Dick Willows Farm Shop

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This past week I had the opportunity to go to my first farm shop, since relocating back to England.

Dick Willows is forty minute walk from our house making it quite convenient.

Sadly Dick Willows is leaving its location just as I find this gem.

The silver lining being that while they are here everything is currently 30% off.

On Friday I was taken here by my friend Libby and we browsed around,

enjoyed a chai latte with scone, and then picked up a few food items.

She also introduced me to how amazing the combination of

chutney, cheese, and bread/crackers and how delicious it can be.

So the following day, despite the heavy cold rain, I dragged my family back with me.

It ended up being lovely despite the weather conditions.

The boys had a lot of fun browsing the antique section

as they hunted for treasures to purchase.

Ronan finally settled on a cool dark red dragon figure.

I found some vintage fabric for which I plan to make couch pillows.

Maddox picked up vanilla fudge and Ryan found his cider.

You can actually come to Dick Willows and do cider tasting.

I should add that if you are in the Bath area you can still purchase the cider

from the weekend market in town.

All in all it was a great two days out and I am still

quite gutted that its closing down.

Yes. The cider is really that bright orange.

It tastes quite yummy too.

Weekend Letter: ‘Never Want to Leave’

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‘I Know I say this every time we go out (on a country walk). But I never want to leave.” – Ryan, my husband

My letter for this weekend is getting out much later than I would have liked,

but we were out most of the afternoon.

If you read my blog you will know that my family loves

to go on country walks in our home of Bath, England.

Today was supposed to be a short walk followed by a play at the park.

However yesterday we got poured on

and it made trekking through the mud today hard to resist.

With hunter wellies on and coats for the chilly air,

my family of four enjoyed being outside and getting a little dirty.

The quote above was spoken by my husband to me while we started our journey.

I love seeing him so happy.

I cannot remember him every being this in love with a place before.

When you ask your love to move out of country for you,

you just cross your fingers and hope it is going to work.

Even though the two of us will have been in country two years this coming May

we find ourselves in a continual honeymoon state.

Maybe this is what happiness and contentment feels like

when you are not having to move every couple of years.

I like learning new things about life like that.

Like how my husband now has a new fondness for crossword puzzles.

How working in England has trained him to spell things the ‘English’ way.

For example adding that extra ‘u’ or using an ‘s’ instead of a ‘z’.

My boys are assimilating too.

I have to admit its hard to get cross at your son at dinner

when instead of stating ‘i hate ______’

he says politely ‘I am not keen of ______’

To which I will return with,

‘Thats nice, but finish your food.’

It has been a lovely weekend with my family and I look forward

to all the weekends to follow.

From my family to yours,

have a great Sunday!

The Roman Baths (Bath, England)

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This weekend our walk led us not into the English countryside but into our town of Bath, England. This is the home of the historic Roman Baths and location of a natural hot springs. The history stems before the Romans built their temple in 60-70 AD to the Celtics who built a shrine here dedicated to the goddess Sulis, and whom the Romans identified with as Minerva. I had come here a very young girl, drank the water, and I do not remember a moment of that occasion Needless to say it was a wonderful place to re-experience with my family as they came here for the very first time.

As residents of Bath we were able to cut the lines of tourists and apply for our Discover card, which got us into the Roman Baths free of charge. The electronic handheld tour guides are complimentary and come with a variety of tours which you can follow at your leisure. With two sons who would gladly play their Nintendo DS all day, this was a huge hit with them both. We ended up spending three hours touring the sights and we could easily come back to see and hear more at another time.

I definitely recommend coming to Bath, England not only for the lush and beautiful views of the country but for the historic sites in town like the Roman Baths. You can also check out the Jane Austen Museum. We have not been yet but plan to go especially during this year of anniversary. After viewing the Baths you can kick your feet up and relax at the modern day thermal spa and enjoy the natural hot springs as the Romans had many years before.

Visiting the Roman Baths in Bath, England.

The Bath Abbey overlooks the Roman Baths.

With my husband, +Ryan Aherin, at the Roman Baths.

Loved the image of love in photo on the left and the details as shown on the right.

Only the ducks are allowed to bathe in the steamy warm waters today.

For a girl who grew up in Italy, I love the Roman aspects of Bath, England.

Visiting the historic sight with my bella familia.

Details of old and details of new were visions we saw today in Bath, England.

For those of you who follow me on Instagram
Here are the highlights I shared from over the weekend.

**Images may not be used or altered without written consent. Please get in contact for more information.

Mothering Sunday

Expat Living: Highs & Lows

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It has been a busy week for this expat living in Bath, England.

If you follow my instagram you may have seen the budding flowers.

I am so happy about this that its hard to walk down the street

without snapping a photo of the signs of Spring.

I had been asked by an Expat Blog to do an interview about my life living

abroad and advice to other expats and those hoping to cross over the pond.

In this I realized that there is only really one thing that gets me down.

Life in England is a little more expensive than if we had chose to live stateside.

I have friends who own their own two story houses with basements and land.

While that looks nice in photograph, I would not give up my tiny washing machine and

drying my clothes over the heater to not seeing the views I have outside my window.

With our 10 year Vow Renewal coming up, I look forward to sharing those views

as the backdrop to our ceremony and photographs.

I have however found out that life does not have to be so expensive in England and

hopefully within the next couple of months things may start becoming more smooth

as we continue our transition into our new home here in Batheaston.

Anyone interested in seeing a house tour of where we live?

While I was out with my friend Libby yesterday having one of the best Chai lattes,

we discussed going out weekly to try out different venues in our Bath area.

Which would be great because there is somewhere special that I hope to share

with all you blog readers next week.

Speaking of surprises.

I was suprised this week to find out that I was chosen to be a VIP blogger

for Britain Style Bloggers at Bristol Fashion Week.

I added the official button on the side bar and wil be tweeting on Twitter about it.

Look for the hashtags: #BFWSS13#BristolFashionWeek

Until that awesome time later this month I have a special guest blogger

to share something special with you. Something else to look forward to next week!

Thank you to all the new readers and if you found me from Across the Pond

Thank you and I’m glad you came this way.