I like to consider myself a tea and coffee connoisseur, so I was extremely excited about the café scene in London.  There are so many options, from chain establishments like Costa and Caffe Nero (and Starbucks, of course), to smaller privately owned cafes on side streets.  I have my favorites of each, and enjoy them all for different reasons.  Caffe Nero is convenient to where we meet for class, but Costa’s mochas are hard to beat.  Take a walk around Covent Garden and you’re more than likely to find a smaller, non-chain café, like Muffinski’s.  I’m pretty sure I find a new café every time I go to Covent Garden.

A delicious breakfast from Notes Cafe

What I love most, though, are the drinks themselves and how they’re prepared.  Coffee is a work of art here.  The simplest caffe mocha is easily turned into caffeinated beauty with the swirl of a spoon against the canvas of white fluffy foam.  Aside from its appearance, coffee here even tastes different.  It’s much stronger, largely because they use real espresso in almost every drink.  The chocolate flavor is much more subtle, which I like a lot.  I like my coffee sweet, but too much sweetness can take away from the main ingredient.  One of my favorite cafes called Notes serves delicious mochas and fantastic, thick-sliced, toasted-to-perfection banana bread with creamy yoghurt and jam.  It’s a breakfast to die for that I will surely miss when I leave the city.

At home, I drink almost every meal with a glass of sweet tea.  If I asked for tea with a meal here, I would get a cup of hot water with a tea bag and sugar cubes, or a pot full of brewing tea.  That’s not a disappointment by any stretch, but it is different.

A lovely afternoon tea at Patisserie Valerie

I had my first experience with English tea at The Porcupine pub, which I briefly mentioned in my first London Callin’ Y’all piece.  My full breakfast came with tea or coffee, and since I’d already sampled plenty of coffee, I decided to switch it up and have tea.  English Breakfast is one of the most common flavors, so that’s what I ordered.  It was a perfect hot complement to my delicious breakfast.
 

Afternoon tea is also necessary in many Londoners’ daily routines.  It provides a nice break from a busy workday, or, depending on how late in the afternoon you go, adds a nice touch to the end of your day.  The traditional afternoon “high tea” includes tea and warm scones, which come with jam and clotted cream.  When I went to my first afternoon tea, I’ll admit I was not entirely sure what to do with the clotted cream; it looked more like butter than any sort of cream I’d ever seen.  But it’s meant to be spread on the scones like butter, and it’s quite tasty when topped with some strawberry or raspberry jam.  My favorite café for a nice tea is called Patisserie Valerie, which offers tea, scones, jam and cream for about 6.50 pounds.  It’s a calm, affordable treat, especially after long days traversing the city.

Even for a coffee addict like myself, the tea routine is just as sweet and fun to experience.  I like my coffee—caffe mochas, to be precise—to get me going in the mornings, but afternoon or evening tea serves as a fantastic cap to busy days in the city.

Kate Robertson is a junior at Virginia Tech, studying communication and English. This summer, Kate is studying abroad in London and chronicling her journey for us Southerners back home in her series London Callin’ Y’all. Originally form Atlanta, Kate plans to graduate in 2014 to launch a professional career in writing and public relations. Follow her on Twitter @kate3robertson.

I love my scarf...and Costa coffee.

On that note, scarves appear to be a staple in women’s wardrobes. They’re a cute addition to almost any ensemble, especially with a solid-colored shirt or blouse. Scarves come in quite handy on sunny but blustery days when you want that extra touch to keep you warm and fashionable. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve bought five scarves since I’ve been here. They’re easy to find and affordable, which is a bad sign for my bank account, but a great sign for my closet.

One fashion trend I’ve noticed over here is the combination of shorts — a lot of which are high-waisted — with tights or leggings. I’ve seen it done with skirts and dresses, but generally not with shorts. I don’t know how I feel about this trend. London is generally cooler than where I live in the States, so I could understand wearing tights for an extra layer.  But as a fashion statement? I don’t get it.  Maybe it’s just always so warm in the South that I never needed an extra layer with shorts, because I wear shorts when it’s hot. But somehow they make it work, and I can’t fault them for looking good.

Here's all the scarves I've bought since arriving in London. And yes, the one on the right is a giant British flag scarf!

From my observations, living in London—or any city, for that matter—requires a decent amount of walking. So you’d think the locals would wear shoes that are fit for traversing across the city on a daily basis. I cannot imagine walking as much as I do in some of the thin sandals and flats I’ve noticed. Maybe they aren’t as prone to shin splints as I am, but feet need support to walk that much.  I don’t know how they do it! I’ve noticed Sperry’s and similar styles aren’t too common over here, likely due to the lack of need for it, unless you’re boating up and down the Thames regularly. I see boots every now and then, too, but flats and strappy sandals definitely dominate foot fashion.

Jack Wills store in Covent Garden

Your next question is probably, “where can I find all these awesome clothes?” London offers some fantastic shopping, and it’s available on almost every street. H&M is a popular store, as are Top Shop and Next. Top Shop reminds me of a cross between H&M and Macy’s, and Next is more similar to H&M. I browsed through a Next and Top Shop, and wanted almost everything on display in both stores. My favorite London shop I’ve found is called Jack Wills University Outfitters. It’s like a Tommy Hilfiger for college students, and I want everything from it. But even on sale, it’s out of my price range. My bank account should be very thankful for this, and that I don’t have easy access to Jack Wills in the States. Maybe…maybe…if I’m still within my budget at the end of my trip, I’ll treat myself to a Jack Wills shirt or sweater.

On the whole, I love the London fashion scene. It’s unique and chic, and I know I’ll feel odd going home and reverting back to my denim shorts and maroon t-shirts. But I will enjoy it while my time here lasts, and maybe I’ll feel nostalgic whenever I wear one of my scarves back home.

Kate Robertson is a junior at Virginia Tech, studying communication and English. This summer, Kate is studying abroad in London and chronicling her journey for us Southerners back home in her series London Callin’ Y’all. Originally form Atlanta, Kate plans to graduate in 2014 to launch a professional career in writing and public relations. Follow her on Twitter @kate3robertson.

For the next month, I will be studying with twelve other students and three professors from Virginia Tech’s English department. We use London itself as our “text” to learn about its history, literature and architecture, and how they all tie together to give us the London we see and experience, and what lies below its skin.
 
I like to call myself a city girl after growing up in metro Atlanta, but London is a whole new world. Within its square mile limits, I have seen crowds larger than any I’ve seen in the States—even in New York—and I’ve experienced the underground “tube” system in every possible crowd density. The tube is quick and convenient, and I love having a station less than a five-minute walk from my flat. But I think my favorite mode of transit around London is the double-decker bus. I can get where I need to get efficiently and see the city as it goes by. Taking the bus has helped me get my bearings down, too; I’ve found my landmarks that I can use as reference points, so I know where I am if I can see and get to those places. My favorite reference point so far is St. Paul’s Cathedral, followed by “The Shard.”  The Shard is a tall building that looks exactly like a broken piece of glass. I know if I can get to one or both of those places, then I can get to anywhere I need to be in London.
 
One aspect of this trip I’ve already embraced and can’t wait to explore further is the cuisine. English food has a completely different palette than American food. A lot of spices and sauces are “add at your own risk and pace,” which I love because it’s flexible and I’m extremely picky. I thought my pickiness would hinder my ability to enjoy the English cuisine, but I’ve loved every meal I’ve sampled here. I treated myself to a “full English breakfast” the other day, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I usually take my eggs scrambled or devilled, but the over-medium eggs I had with my breakfast might convince my taste buds otherwise. My steak and ale pie I had at a café today was nothing to ignore, as it was a unique combination of flavors that I’d order it again any day.

 
While we have a full schedule of places to visit and plays to see, I have plenty of free time to explore London and surrounding areas on my own. My to-do list includes visiting Wimbledon and the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, the Harry Potter Studio Tour, Stonehenge and more. They say the best way to see and experience a city is to explore it on your own, and I plan to fully embrace that idea for the next month. I’ll have to keep my “y’alls” and “fixin’ tos” to minimums, but who knows? My “hi, y’all” might sound pretty neat with a splash of a British accent.

Kate Robertson is a junior at Virginia Tech, studying communication and English. This summer, Kate is studying abroad in London and chronicling her journey for us Southerners back home. Originally form Atlanta, Kate plans to graduate in 2014 to launch a professional career in writing and public relations. Follow her on Twitter @kate3robertson.

The Corps of Cadets brings a whole new tradition to Virginia Tech. Seeing more than 1,000 young men and women in uniform on a daily basis is a sight that never gets old. It started with VT’s first student William Addison Caldwell in 1872 and continues strong today. While many cadets commission and go into service after their time in the Corps, commission is not mandatory.  VT is one of six senior military colleges that does not require service after graduation.

Each year, the Corps welcomes over 350 freshmen to Blacksburg in August for New Cadet Week. They become well acquainted with their companies through rigorous physical training and leadership classes in no time. Freshmen can be easily spotted by the white “rat belts” on their uniforms; upper-class cadets wear black belts.

When classes start and all the cadets are mixed in with one another, it’s hard to tell them apart. A friend from my high school went into the Corps, and for the first few months of freshman year, I didn’t recognize him under his spiffy blue and white uniform and cap. They all look the same!

Cadets learn more than what their studies and training require.  Chivalry is certainly not dead in the Corps, and it shows in each and every cadet. I cannot count how many times a cadet has held a door open for me or moves to the right on the sidewalk so I can pass. Even when I meet a cadet friend for lunch to catch up, he won’t allow me to open a door for myself. How polite! I’ve even had a cadet tip his hat to me a time or two. It’s so refreshing to see chivalry exhibited so often from so many Southern gentlemen in uniform.

A statue of Caldwell, the first cadet

One of the most recognized traditions at VT for cadets and civilians alike is the Class Ring and the formal Ring Dance. Since 1911, each class has designed its own ring, which is premiered in the fall of the class’s junior year. The dance, held since 1934, comes in the spring. Junior cadets stand in the shape of the class numerals—2014 at this year’s dance0—and exchange rings with their dates.  At this point, civilian attendees exchange rings with their dates, too, symbolizing the transition from junior to senior for all.  The night is capped off with a fireworks display on the drill field.

The year finishes with Pass in Review, in which command is passed down to new leaders and graduating cadets are recognized for their accomplishments.  Freshmen “turn” and replace their white “last damn rat belts” with fancy black upperclassman belts.  The Pass in Review ceremony is held on the drill field, and every year hundreds of students and locals come to watch.

After attending VT for three years, I’m always thrown off when I visit other colleges and don’t see cadets everywhere. The Corps tradition at VT is a special experience, even for a civilian like me.

Kate Robertson is a junior at Virginia Tech, studying communication and English. Although she currently resides in the Philadelphia suburbs, Kate calls Atlanta home. After graduation, Kate hopes to return to Atlanta and work in corporate public relations. In her free time, Kate enjoys playing guitar and hand bells, reading, watching football and basketball, and sharing her love of the South through writing in any form.

Watch the “Wedding Wetting” here. We wish Mr. & Mrs. Frank Fearon the best of luck, and much grace, in their future endeavors!

“In July 2012, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that the state would pay off its bond debt and end tolls on GA 400 by December 2013. The ending date for GA 400 tolls has been set for Thursday, Nov. 21, weather permitting. This date was selected to lessen the impact on Thanksgiving holiday travel. In the case of inclement weather, the ending date will be moved to Nov. 22 or 23. Plans for the demolition of the toll booths and other aspects of the project are still being finalized. However, preliminary plans call for all GA 400 traffic to shift into three general purpose lanes where motorists currently use the electronic tolling lanes. Construction activities will likely begin in October 2013 to make preparations for the traffic shift in November.

“Once traffic is shifted, there is no heavy demolition work expected to take place during the winter holidays. Toll booth demolition is expected to be completed between January 2014 and the following May. Once the cash booths and the structure overhead are removed, traffic will shift over so that the rest of the toll plaza can be taken down. Once that happens, traffic will shift back over and remain there permanently. Top priorities for the project are: safety, traffic maintenance and communications.

More details about the GA 400 demolition project will be available later this spring in future issues of the Peach Pass Press enewsletter, and at www.georgiatolls.com and www.PeachPass.com.”

The Big Event originated at Texas A&M in 1982 and spread to VT twenty years later. It is “one big day, one big thanks” as hundreds of Hokies team up to serve the Blacksburg community. With over 6,500 student volunteers and 825 projects in 2013, VT is home to the nation’s second largest Big Event (behind A&M, of course).

Big Event 2013 kicks off at Virginia Tech

This year’s Big Event took place March 30. It’s a great way to kick off the spring in Blacksburg as we spend all morning and most of the afternoon out working in the community. My Big Event experience my sophomore year was especially memorable. Four friends and I spent the morning ridding an elderly couple’s yard of excess leaves and sweet gum balls. As thanks for our work, the husband made us delicious Reuben sandwiches for lunch. I had never had a Reuben before, and my first experience was a good one. The couple sat outside and ate with us, and we shared stories about our childhoods, families, homes and studies. My friends and I were so fortunate to spend our day with such a wonderful couple.  They didn’t have to make us lunch, but they were generous and kind, and we couldn’t thank them enough.

VT’s Relay for Life—which is the largest college Relay event in the country—takes places a few weeks later in mid-April.  Thousands of students set up camp on our drillfield and take turns walking laps around the track as we relay all night for the fight against cancer. Tribute videos showcase stories from survivors and participating students who relay in honor of a family member or friend who fought cancer. There are themed laps, in which walkers dress to match the theme and walk in costume for that hour.

My personal favorite Relay event is “Queen of the Night.” Guys volunteer to dress as ladies and have one hour to go downtown and collect donations. It’s hilarious to see fifteen men squeezed into girls’ dresses on a stage before thousands of their peers, but they do it for a wonderful cause.

Virginia Tech's Relay for Life is the largest college Relay event in the country!

Whether friend or family, everyone has someone to relay for. Last year, a close friend of mine hung photos of her two grandfathers at our campsite. One man fought cancer and survived, but the other lost his battle. Both of her photos were featured in a tribute video later in the night. When my friend saw her photos, especially of her deceased grandfather, she said quietly, “That’s my grandpa, y’all. That’s my grandpa.” Then she cried. That was the first and only time I have ever seen her cry.

What strikes me most about Relay for Life is how dedicated participants are, and how passionate we are about the cause. Local businesses even get involved. Moe’s in Blacksburg and Gobble Cakes, our gourmet cupcake bakery, offer proceeds toward Relay for the weeks leading up to the event. Thanks to all participants, we raised over $550,000 at last count, and that number is still growing.

Dedication to service and upholding the value of “Ut Prosim” really drew me into Virginia Tech when I first visited. Now I am proud to say that I uphold that value each and every day. The Big Event and Relay for Life inspire me and thousands of others to show our community and nation how we can help someone else, whether through walking a lap or picking sweet gum balls from a neighbor’s yard.

Kate Robertson is a junior at Virginia Tech, studying communication and English. Although she currently resides in the Philadelphia suburbs, Kate calls Atlanta home. After graduation, Kate hopes to return to Atlanta and work in corporate public relations. In her free time, Kate enjoys playing guitar and hand bells, reading, watching football and basketball, and sharing her love of the South through writing in any form.

Mitchell wrote in a letter to Miller, “Your book is undoubtedly the greatest that ever came out of the South about Southern people, and it is my favorite book.” Like “Gone With the Wind” Miller’s novel is a testament to the power of a Southerner’s spirt. Her heroine, Cean (pronounced Cee-Ann) who married and gave birth to 14 children (mostly girls!) in the antebellum South. Cean grows before the reader’s eyes as a young, naive bride to mature as a wise woman who (like Scarlett O’Hara) relies on her gumption to survive. The novel’s title is taken from the Bible: “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom,” (Isaiah 40:11) and reflects the Cean’s faith in God despite the harshness of her life.

Q: With already having Gilbert’s and HOBNOB in your portfolio, how is 10th & Piedmont different from your existing restaurants? What’s similar?
A; 10th & Piedmont is an extension of Gilbert’s, designed to make this corner a complete evening out destination. While the styles and menus of each restaurant are different, they are all similar in terms of friendly service and a commitment to excellence.

Q: How did you determine the restaurant’s style?
A: It was about knowing the neighborhood, respecting its needs, and knowing what they wanted. We held a focus group to get feedback and gain a deeper understanding of what the community desired.

Q: Are there any tributes to Outwrite in the new space?
A: Not physical tributes, but the spirit continues. We do commemorate Outwrite on our menus. We embraced the essence of Outwrite, their role as the center of the community, and continue their legacy, emphasizing diversity and flying a rainbow flag.

Q: Are there any local vendors you call favorites for produce, meats, booze, etc.?
A: My produce guy puts a lot of emphasis on working with local farmers. We also use Inland Seafood to ensure we serve sustainable products.

Q: What are your favorite foodie features on the menu?
A: Sean: Definitely the Diver Scallops – you can share the dish or have it as an entrée for yourself.
Gilbert: The Chicken and Waffles: it’s our innovative version of a classic dish.

Q: Atlanta is truly making a name for itself in the culinary scene. Besides y’all – who are your other favorite players in the game?
A: Buckhead Life. They are the leaders of food in this city.

Q: What made you decide to get into the restaurant biz?
A: Sean: The movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise. Once I saw that, I knew I wanted to study culinary arts to become a bartender and restaurateur.

Q: What are your favorite memories of Atlanta?
A: We have had so many good times at Piedmont Park. It’s just a block away from the restaurants, so it’s a great place to go relax.

Q: What are your signature cocktails at 10th & Piedmont?
A: Gilbert: The vodka selection, we are a vodka bar, and it’s very extensive.
Sean: The vodka flight for sure.

Q: Are you from the South originally? If not, where?
A: No, we are from Northern Turkey, Istanbul.

Q: What’s your greatest accomplishment?
A: Sean: Certainly my kids.

Q: How would you define a Southerner in the 21st century?
A: Gilbert: Southerners are more open to new ideas and more aware of the world. They’re more adventurous with tastes and flavors.

Q: What’s your definition of a lady?
A: Sean: In Gregorian times, it meant a high status woman, someone who is above other girls.
Gilbert: It’s a female with confidence and self-respect who knows how to act in different environments without putting anyone down.

Q: How about a gentleman?
A: Same as above, but a man. He has manners and is respectful to himself and others.

Q: What’s the biggest piece of advice you can bestow?
A: Enjoy new flavors and explore the culinary scene of Atlanta. Always remember to support local and read Pretty Southern!

Join 10th & Piedmont for daily dinner, lunch, weekend brunch and late night bar menu till 2 a.m. (except Sundays closing is at 11 p.m.). There’s so much fun going on every day including:

 
10th & Piedmont is located at 991 Piedmont Avenue. The restaurant serves dinner Monday – Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Lunch is offered with counter service Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the dinner menu is offered with table service on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A late night menu is offered once dinner service has ended and is served Monday-Saturday until 2 a.m. Editor’s Note – Thanks to 10th & Piedmont for the stellar photos. To see more, Like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check out their website, or call (404) 602-5510.