Happy Anniversary to…Me!

Happy New Year royal watching friends! In addition to being the first day of 2013, today is also the one year anniversary of my first blog post! It has been such an incredible year putting my royal thoughts to paper (well, wordpress) and getting to know all of you. The best part of this whole blogging thing has been the Twitter conversations and relationships developed – us royal watchers have to stick together! I can’t thank you all enough for reading, posting and tweeting along with me.

So, in honor of this special occasion I’m taking a different approach to the typical “royal year in review” posts. I present to you, my top ten favorite blog posts from 2012. In chronological order – I don’t want to play favorites with my favorites!

1. Prince Harry’s Tour – Top Moments

2. An Interview with Victoria Arbiter

3. Happy Anniversary William and Catherine!

4. Hey Harry, Call Me..Maybe?

5. Keep Calm and Float On

6. Today’s News: Kate Looks Great, Harry Has Date

7. America for the Win!

8. Confession: I Miss Prince Harry

9. Christmas Gifts for the Royals

10. A Chat with Kelly Lynch

It was difficult to pick just ten..but there you have it! What were your favorite royal moments of 2012?

America For The Win!

It’s the first day post-Olympics and if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling pretty sad today – as if something is missing from your life. No, I’m not just talking about Ryan Lochte in a swimsuit taking over your TV.

Sometimes the best cure for a hangover is to get up and keep on drinking. So, to cure your London 2012 blues, here are my top ten favorite moments from the past two weeks.

#1 – TEAM USA

I could spend an entire post on the accomplishments of Team USA during the Olympics, 104 of them to be exact, but since most of my readers are Team GB I will refrain. Team USA took over London, heading for Heathrow this morning with more medals than any other nation. From Gabby Douglas and the Fab Five to David Boudia and Serena Williams, the Americans leaped, dove, served, swam and ran their way into the history books. At the end of it all, 255 American athletes stood on the podium, claiming 26 gold medals. AMERICA FOR THE WIN!

#2 – USA Swimming & Michael Phelps

I can exclusively report the following breaking news: Michael Phelps was raised by mermaids. 

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Okay, clearly that’s not actually true, but he seriously came from some special gene pool. During his final Olympics (cue the crying), Michael Phelps claimed his 22nd medal and title of most decorated Olympian in history. USA Swimming as a whole kicked serious fin; from my favorite Olympian Ryan Lochte to the adorable Missy Franklin (who apparently I need to fight for Prince Harry), both the men and women had an almost constant presence on the podium in the aquatic center. Must be something in the water over here…

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#3 – The Duke & Duchess of PDA

Just when you thought Will and Kate could not get any cuter, this happened:

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For all of those who say the royals never show affection/emotion I say.. welcome to Club Cambridge. The first week of the Olympics saw the world’s most popular couple showing constant displays of affection and excitement before Kate and her perfect hair took over with almost daily appearances when Will returned to work. The Duchess of Cambridge takes gold for best facial expressions of the Olympics.

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#4 – Prince Harry

SO much Prince Harry throughout the Olympics, I can’t even deal. Everywhere he went – and he went A LOT of places – Prince Hottie lived up to his nickname. He laughed, he cried, he made us all swoon. Thank you International Olympic Committee for gifting London with the 2012 Games and allowing us to have fourteen days of hotness. I’m pretty sure I hit a decibel I didn’t know existed when he made his way into the Closing Ceremony, looking like some sort of blue suited god.

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Bauer Griffin

#5 – People of the World, SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!

Viva Forever! I feel badly for anyone who didn’t have the pleasure of growing up with the Spice Girls in their lives. Thank you Baby, Ginger, Posh, Scary and Sporty for reuniting- we missed you. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to break out my Spice World VHS.

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#6 – Usain Bolt, Raised by Cheetahs

How could you not love Usain Bolt? Crazy stat: Three gold medals in under 40 seconds. If I’m ever caught in a burning build/getting mugged/running from a bear, I want this guy by my side. Partly for comic relief, mostly for the running thing.

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#7 – Queen by Day, Bond Girl by Night

Gotta hand it to Queen Elizabeth II for making her acting debut alongside James Bond. Don’t ever accuse her of being old and stuffy again.

#8 – Andy Murray

In what may be the quickest redemption the tennis world has ever seen, Andy Murray overtook Roger Federer to win gold on centre court at Wimbledon just one month after the Swiss tennis star claimed the Grand Slam title. It was one of those classic moments that only the Olympics can bring.

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#9 – Boris Johnson

I went back and forth about adding London’s colorful mayor to my list of top moments, but after NBC captured the perfect shot of him spicing up his life during the Closing Ceremony, he made the final cut. Even before the Games officially got underway, Johnson had us laughing with his tour of the Olympic Village. Then, he went and got himself stuck on a zipline. Thanks for the laughs, Boris.

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#10 – London

It is no secret that a big reason I was overly excited for this Olympics was the host city. As predicted, London did not disappoint. The images from around Great Britain that flooded my television, Twitter timeline and newspapers were breathtaking. The British certainly know how to throw a celebration and this was one the world will be talking about for a while. I was pretty let down when I turned on the news this morning to once again be flooded by shots of the New Jersey Turnpike and Hudson River. Give me back the Thames and Big Ben!

As David Cameron put it – Britain delivered.

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Congratulations on a successful Olympics, London!

The Olympics: So Many Activities My Head is Spinning

As predicted, I have been completely glued to the Olympics since Friday night – I think my family, friends and coworkers are slightly concerned. Shedding a tiny tear after yesterday’s big swim from the American men was probably the breaking point for everyone. Yea, I just admitted that. #SorryImNotSorry

Trying to keep up with blogging about the Games would be like trying to catch Michael Phelps on the final 50 of that 4×200 relay yesterday – never going to happen. So, I’m just going to have fun with it. On another note, I’m finding it pretty difficult to get super excited about royal watching because Team USA is absolutely killing it and that’s more exciting than anything.

However, a big congratulations to Zara Phillips and Team GB on yesterday’s silver medal in equestrian eventing. The first royal to win a medal at the Olympics – that’s a pretty big deal! What made it even more special – her mother and former Olympian, Princess Anne, presented the medals.

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As suspected, Zara’s family came out to support her on all competition days. Yes, William and Kate held hands and looked lovingly into each other’s eyes. They’re a married couple – isn’t that expected? It was certainly adorable..but headline grabbing? Not sold on that one.

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Oh, and Prince Harry was there too. Looking swoon-worhty as usual.

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Then, Team GB’s most regal ambassadors stopped by the Olympic Village, causing more excitement than when Ryan Lochte walks around shirtless.

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Stuffed Kangaroo, file under things I’d never thought I’d see Prince Harry playing with. It does appear to be a blonde kangaroo, though..

In between spending some quality time with horses and kangaroos, The Duchess of Cambridge got her glam on and headed to attend the United Kingdom’s Creative Industries Reception at the Royal Academy of Arts. Kate recycled the dove grey Roksanda Illincic dress she wore last summer in Los Angeles. This time, she represented ‘Team Up-Do.’On an unrelated note, whenever I see Kate with her hair up this MadTV skit immediately runs through my mind. “You think a lotta men can’t handle the regalness of an up-do?” Bottom line – she looked STUNNING…

But not as stunning as these guys…

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As someone who grew up in a swim cap and goggles, I can never tear myself away from competitive swimming..National Championships, World Championships..year round I watch it all with extreme enthusiasm. That being said, there is abolsutely no sporting event I enjoy more than Olympic swimming.

Team USA has been kicking fin in the pool since Saturday, but Tuesday brought the best moment of the Olympics, care of USA Swimming – Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever. With the help of Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens, Phelps landed his 19th Olympic medal – a gold in the Men’s 4×200 relay.

That’s how America gets things done.

Congratulations Michael & TEAM USA!

LOCHTE NATION

In honor of my favorite Olympian pulling out the first gold medal for Team USA..

CONGRATULATIONS RYAN LOCHTE! #JEAH

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In my opinion, there is nothing better than Olympic Swimming and it is very fitting that our first gold goes to a guy who has worked himself to the bone for the past four years to become one of our country’s top competitors. I mean, the guy flips tires and pushes cars for his dry-land workouts – that alone deserves some sort of medal. It also doesn’t hurt that he is extremely good looking.

This boy was made for a Wheaties box.

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Congratulations on blowing everyone out of the water in the 400 Individual Medley, Ryan. You deserve it!

PS – that American flag grill, you are beyond awesome.

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Oh and Ryan, if you ever want to swap out that 800-pound tire for something lighter to flip, call me.

BOOM! Britain. Nailed It.

I don’t even know where to begin with the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. I am not kidding when I say there is little I wouldn’t have done to be in that stadium tonight.

That being said, the London 2012 Opening Ceremony was the second time in the past two months the UK has completely blown me away. The ceremony truly focused on the athletes, as it very well should have been. They have worked so hard for so long and deserve every moment of spotlight that has been thrust upon them.

My Team USA French beret is tipped off to you, Danny Boyle. Based on my Facebook and Twitter feeds, the majority of Americans were nowhere near as impressed as I was and that’s a little sad. I would like to think something like the Olympics would open more people’s eyes to the cultures across the globe, and London 2012 did a top notch job of showcasing the essence of Britain’s culture and history. Sorry, but that’s exactly what the Opening Ceremony is about in any Olympics, in any country, every single time – it’s the athletes, the host nation and the world coming together. Any good host city would do exactly what London did. Regardless of your thoughts on the historic segments, the finale.. the fireworks, the music.. that had to have gotten to you. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion and that just happens to be mine. So in all seriousness, no offense to all of you who hated it.

The moment I was most looking forward to certainly did not disappoint – The Queen, the corgis and the ultimate man of mystery. Daniel Craig “escorting” Her Majesty into the Opening Ceremony was amazing – Queen Elizabeth II is the best Bond girl there ever was. If any of you needed any more convincing that Queen Elizabeth II is the most bad ass 80-something around, dressed in diamonds and feathers, hanging out with Bond should have taken care of that. Maybe they enjoyed some shaken, not stirred, gin Martinis afterwards.

Although there was not much royal coverage after the opening segment, I’m totally okay with that – the night was about the athletes! Harry did look totally swoon worthy in his Union Jack themed suit and tie ensemble, Kate looked stunning in her ice blue Christopher Kane dress and William was wearing his usual navy suit and maroon tie (no surprises there at all). Aw, William and Harry..twinsies!

As far as the remainder of the Opening Ceremony goes – Team USA and Team GB’s entrances warmed my heart as much as Prince Harry’s beautiful face tends to do. The reaction that overtook the stadium as the host nation paraded in was a special moment and of course, watching Team USA march in, made in China berets and all, brought a tiny tear to my eye. Yes, I did just admit that and I’m totally okay with it.

And then…there was the torch. Um, that arrival was utterly insane. HELLO DAVID BECKHAM. David Beckham in a suit, on a speed boat, surrounded by fire.. holy hotness. I still believe he should have had a much bigger role in these Olympics, specifically as a member of the Team GB soccer squad..but I’ll take Becks where I can get him.

Oh, and it goes without saying that the torch procession, cauldron lighting and Sir Paul McCartney were all INCREDIBLE. McCartney, Hey Jude.. C’MON!

I don’t think there is much left to say other than..JOB WELL DONE LONDON! You have once again proved that you know how to throw one heck of a ceremony.

Now that London has done an excellent job opening the London 2012 Summer Olympics, my attention turn to Team USA. For as much as I go one about my love for Britain, America is home. Bring back that hardware Team USA!

As Matt Lauer said, Does WOW even suffice? Thanks for a great night, London! GO USA!

All images courtesy of London 2012 and personal screen grabs. 

I Can’t Wait for London 2012

There is less than a month to go until the opening ceremony for London 2012 – and I cannot wait! I’ve always been a huge fan of the Summer Olympics and the fact that the Games are taking place in London this year.. I’ll be glued to the 3,500 hours of online coverage.

So, why am I so excited for the Olympics? Here are my top ten reasons why the Summer Olympics will be kick ass..in no particular order.

1. Two Words – Ryan Lochte.

2. That look of pure joy on The Queen’s face that she had throughout the entire Diamond Jubilee and we are sure to see during the opening and closing ceremonies. C’mon, Her Majesty is too adorable when she grins from ear to ear!

3. Two weeks of possible wardrobe heaven from The Duchess of Cambridge – who knows what events she will appear at!

4. If London can do this with the Diamond Jubilee, I can only imagine the spectacle we are in for when the entire world is watching. No one does pomp and pageantry like the British!

5. The slight chance that Usain Bolt will challenge Prince Harry to a do-over. Okay, yes..the chance that will happen is way less than slight.

6. Endless coverage of my favorite city in the world..it’s like a free trip to London from the comfort of my couch.

7. Uniforms. I can’t wait to see how each country’s uniforms, especially after all of the controversy surrounding Team GB’s Stella McCartney kits.

8. Team USA is guaranteed to bring home some serious hardware and well, that makes me proud.

9. Is there anything more exciting than Olympic swimming? Nope. Don’t think so.

10. Call me a dork, but something about the world coming together, despite war, economic bailouts, governments collapsing and all of our problems..that’s pretty special.