London With Teen

I sometimes wonder if

Americans are fooled by our accent

into detecting brilliance

that may not really be there.

Stephen Fry

London-Eye-Family-Travel-Sharon-Birke

Last week, I suddenly found myself in London with a young travel companion who–though smitten by the British accent–did not come to visit the Queen nor her crown jewels, completely determined to avoid museums at all costs. Some shopping maybe? Not that either.  So what else was left to do? Plenty, it seems!

Keep an eye on the London Eye

 Skip the endless queue and buy tickets ahead online for the 3:30 pm guided tour

London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
+44 871 781 3000

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Trot through Hyde Park on four hooves with these beauties of Hyde Park StablesThey couldn’t trust beginners like us to hang on to the reins while holding a camera, so this is our best shot right by the stable.

 63 Bathurst Mews, London W2 2SB, United Kingdom +44 20 7723 2813

Hyde-Park-Stables-London-Horseback-Riding-Sharon-Birke

Boudoir high tea, Madame?

Have a party designing your own at

Biscuiteer’s Boutique in Notting Hill

194 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2ES, United Kingdom
+44 20 7727 8096

Biscuiteers-London-Boudoir-Cookies-Powerul-Goddess-Portraits

Watch a show at the grand Royal Albert Hall

Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP, United Kingdom
+44 20 7589 8212

Royal-Albert-Hall-London-Sharon-Birke

I spy a scorpion!  Watch the modern Sherlock Holmes British TV series to whet teen curiosity for this icon of mystery

Sherlock-Holmes-London-travel-with-teen-Sharon-Birke

From the London Eye, a sunset stroll over the Charing Cross pedestrian bridge takes you to my favorite hotel in London:

The Corinthia

Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD, United Kingdom
+44 20 7930 8181

Corinthia-Luxury-Hotel-London-Sharon-Birke

My teen had no interest in a guided tour so I’ll just pass on a recommendation by a Powerful Goddess client: Context Tours for guides with academic backgrounds to match your tour of interest. You won’t have to wonder if the stories they tell you is just another fairy tale. London Walks is famous for its 7:30 pm Jack The Ripper tours.

And if you’re in town at the right time, Vauxhall disco roller skating happens on weekends and The Magic Circle has a once a month event open to the public.

For those who are not particularly museum averse, the Victoria and Albert is my favorite for art and design!

Click on “Leave a Comment” (above left) to share your favorite  tips when you keep calm and travel to London with teens. xoxox

 London-Keep-Calm-with-teen-Sharon-Birke

© Sharon Birke

201 697 1947

Sharon@PowerfulGoddess.com

www.PowerfulGoddess.com

Glamour Portraits of the Goddess in Every Wife & Mother

Love, Lies and Valentine’s

To make Valentine’s really special,

I’ll tie my man up

so I can watch whatever I want on TV.

Tracy Smith

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If you’re not watching the 50 Shades of Grey movie this weekend, here are some New York Times articles and book recommendations especially compiled by a favorite blog fan for our reading pleasure.  How lucky are we to be so loved!

1. The 10 Best Modern Love Columns Ever 

   I love #2 on this list: Laura Munson’s “Those Are Not Fighting Words, Dear”

2. The 36 Questions That Lead to Love

   Even those who have been married too long may not know each other’s answers.

3. “Love and Lies” book by Clancy Martin

   Adelle Waldman reviews this memoir/essay on truthfulness, deceit, and the growth and care of erotic love.

Click on “Leave a Comment” (above left) to share how well you shall love (thyself) this Valentine’s.  Many hugs and kisses to you and our favorite blog fans!  xoxox

Don’t bore your Valentine with lingerie–

give him/her the gift of lasting memories with Powerful Goddess Portraits!

To purchase a Gift Certificate for a divine portrait session that brings out a woman’s best,

Buy Now Button with Credit Cards

or contact:

Sharon@PowerfulGoddess.com

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© Sharon Birke

201 697 1947

Sharon@PowerfulGoddess.com

www.PowerfulGoddess.com

Glamour Portraits of the Goddess in Every Wife & Mother

Carnival of Venice

If you can visit Venice

only once in your life,

make it Carnivale!

S. Birke

Share this link to watch on Youtube http://youtu.be/szPv4UIFFzg

Shouldn’t you be in Venice right now?  What better place for adults to remember how to play and have fun than Carnivale–the world famous winter event that attracts revelers and tourists from every corner of the world. Before fasting and introspection, the ten days before Lent is an endless round of parties and feasts for the eyes anywhere you turn! How can you possibly keep a serious face when you’re surrounded by people who take costume even more seriously, preening strangers who revel in the anonymity of masks, robes and cloaks, cheerfully posing for any passing camera?

2015 Calendar 

Events, parties and masquerade balls

 http://www.venice-carnival-italy.com

Where to stay

The Gritti Palace

 http://www.thegrittipalace.com

Hotel Danieli

 http://www.danielihotelvenice.com

Aman Canal Grande Venice

 http://www.amanresorts.com/amancanalgrandevenice/home.aspx

Where to see the most costumes

Masks and costumes congregate in various sites around Venice. Weekends are the busiest. They usually start the day posing in front of the gondolas outside the Doges’ Palace at St. Mark’s Square.  You can follow the revelers when they change venues and stroll elegantly to the Arsenale, a church around the corner or take the ferry to San Giorgio and Burano Islands. Those who prefer the more authentic period costumes hang out at Caffe Florian for tea in the afternoons.

Venice Carnival 2015 runs until February 17.  If you’re not the type to dress up, done a mask at least. This year’s theme “The Most Delicious Feast in the World” celebrates Italy’s culinary traditions and triumphs so if you insist that masks and costumes are really not your kind of eye candy, feast on delicious looking Italians instead!

Click on “Leave a Comment” (above left) to share how a mask helps you tell your truth. xoxox

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© Sharon Birke

201 697 1947

Sharon@PowerfulGoddess.com

www.PowerfulGoddess.com

Glamour Portraits of the Goddess in Every Wife & Mother