Back From the UK - Day 1 Photos... and a Coffee Table Makeover!!

I'm back!  And what a whirlwind.  Kevin and I looped around the UK - London to Edinburgh, Glasgow to Belfast, Dublin to Cardiff and back to London again.  I absolutely love everything about the UK (this is my 4th visit there!) and it was wonderful to visit again. 

I took over 500 photos.  I am quite a tourist that way. But this time I really tried to capture the mood of every place we visited instead of plain little pictures taken at a wide angle. I'll share my pics a little bit at a time so that you don't get overwhelmed (and bored!!)

DAY 1 - Toronto to London

Self- portrait- Hubby and I at the airport.

Our arrival at Victoria Station.  Everything was strewn with Jacks for the Jubilee Celebrations and the Olympics

Our London hotel was across the street from Earl's Court - the venue for Olympic volleyball.  It was so awesome to be near the "Action"

Our first "tourist stop" - the Imperial War Museum - planes, tanks, bombs, air raid shelters - my hubby felt like a kid in a candy store!

Next stop: Southwark Cathedral. I make a point each time I am in London to see a different church "gem."  This cathedral was begun in 1220 contains gorgeous wood and stone carvings.  The statues commemorating England's earliest kings are particularly detailed.    

A view across the River Thames. I thought this was particularly "British" shot. 

Kevin and I travelled to this spot just so I could see the Olympic rings on Tower Bridge.   I've never been in a city as it is hosting the Games.  It was quite exciting to be in the midst of it all!

I'll show you Day 2 the next time I post - Stratford and York!

Now onto the coffee table makeover.  Unfortunately I forgot to take "before" pictures of the aged coffee table that has occupied our family room for the last 4 years. I bought it back then for $30, secondhand because we had 2 toddler children and a third on the way.  I wanted a table without any corners on the tabletop and this one fit the bill perfectly.  

Here are the lovely knobs "before."  Gold burnished metal.  Pretty. No : (  So they got a sanding and a couple of coats of hammered silver spray paint.

And here is the table AFTER:

It all used to be the colour of the tabletop.  However I found that this wood tone blended too much with our wood floors. To make a separation,  I painted the lower part of the table a creamy white.  

It looks so refreshed and crisp with its new coating!  

I've wanted to do this job for months.  Had I know it was going to turn out so well I would have done it earlier!!

This little corner of the family room has become a cozy place for me.  Since we finished the basement into a playroom for the kids (lots of posts about this ASAP!) all of the toys have gone down there.  Now this comfy couch and table have become the perfect place for me to sip my tea and read my favourite magazines without the threat of attack from Beyblade spinners and naked Ken dolls.  :)

And the roses?

Present from my sweet hubby.  I am such a lucky lady!