Sunday White’s

Shop the Look: J Crew Toothpick Jeans // Caslon Side Split Cowl Neck Tunic // Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flats // Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Neverfull // Top Shop Lakota 60's Round Sunglasses // Micheal Kors Layton Chronograph Watch // John Hardy Dot Gold and Silver Chain Bracelet // Argento Medium Hammered Hoop Earrings 

When we moved to London we were determined to get out of the house, make sure we did not let the weather deter us and to create new traditions and experiences that we would remember for life.  We have been able to get out of the house- normally do not let the weather affect our outings- however, truth be told, we can not claim to have been 100% successful with either of those… We have been 100% successful in creating, at least one, new traditions– we started Sunday Pub Hour- every Sunday after Declan wakes from nap we head to the pub for our weekly pint(s). Now, given we are in London, surrounded by Englishmen and country pubs, this would seemed an easy task- but we learned it took some effort to find the perfect pub to host our emerging tradition.  With a little effort and  many pints later we were successful in finding the quintessential British pub about three blocks from our flat- The Eagle Ale House.  Now this pub comes equipped with everything needed for a winning pub hour- cask beer (unpasteurized & less fizzy), carpet, 1960’s worn leather sofas, fireplaces, summer beer garden, dog friendly, hand pies (like hot-pockets but better), bar tenders who love your son and broadcasts of Britain’s finest football (or soccer) and rugby matches.  What more can you ask for in your neighborhood watering hole??? It took us many months to find the perfect pub and there were many contenders but in the end The Eagle really could not be beat- it continues to be a staple in our Sunday routine.  We have had many visitors to pub hour, we have invited many people to pub hour and we insist that rain or shine we continue the tradition each week. As the sun begins to set earlier and earlier I find light in knowing we will continue this weekly tradition….

The new traditions we are building remind me to not become beholden to irrelevant routines or rules… like wearing white after Labor Day.  This became more and more apparent to me this season as I just could not seem to put my white denim away – I not only love the fit of these J Crew Toothpick Jeans but I also love the way they easily shift from summer to autumn.  Given there is no Labor Day, here in the UK, it was easy to negate  this rule- and honestly it is so unconnected to modern day fashion- and while I felt a little rebellious and am confident my Nanny is shaking her head at me from heaven I am happy to be breaking this rule.  British women are empowering in their style beliefs- “if you want to wear it, wear it” – who better to decided what I should wear then myself- why am I bound to a fashion rule that pre-dates even my grandparents???  This season I am not!!!  Paired with a pull over, like this Free People one (mine is an older Zella pull over <no longer available>), and my Tory Burch basic ballet flats; white jeans become the quintessential autumn fashion staple at Pub Hour.

Building and starting new rituals has not only given us a sampling of the many pubs here in Clapham (our neighborhood)- a refined taste for English cider and cask ales- and an ever growing bar tab-  but it has also brought our family closer- we all look forward to Sunday afternoon where we can all (including Declan) relax, enjoy each others company, chat about upcoming plans and meet some new locals… Pub hour is not just about the pints- in the end its about finding comfort in our new life and about finding security in knowing we are making memories of a lifetime.

Below are both identical and similar products to help you create your own Sunday Pub look- click on thumbnails to be taken to retailers to purchase! Happy Shopping!