Shallow Pockets Brimming with American Credit Cards

American credit cards are the bane of my existence.  Every time you pay for something over here you insert half of your card into a reader which scans this little chip on your card... only we don't have the chip system back home so my card has to be swiped and that capability is diminishing quickly. I can't wait til I can open up my English account and get a chip card! Life will be easy breezy after that.

I went into Manchester today. About halfway through the week I realized I didn't have plans for Saturday... that was a strange comprehension... so I went online and booked a ticket to Manchester. Macc[lesfield] is only a 20 minute ride from Manchester and you can get tickets for 5-pound return- amazing! So I spent the day wandering aimlessly, picking up some necessities [I haven't had a purse this entire trip, y'all... I'm going to blame my lack of picture taking on that] and enjoying the sunny weather [after it finished raining, that is].

I told myself I wouldn't shop until my next paycheck... but window browsing is okay, right? Unfortunately... I'm weak. I was talking about the 4th of July last night at a pub with some co-workers and one them asked what we celebrated that day... um, our independence from YOU, haha. But it started to make me feel a bit patriotic and homesick.  I'm quite literally the only American in this town- the 4th is gonna be kind of anticlimactic this year, I think. I will be celebrating though. I'm gonna at least make some apple pie for the office and see if there's any way to get hold of a firework or two and maybe, if the weather is nice, have a little barbeque.  I also want to dress the part, though.  Unfortunately my packing was pretty minimal and I don't have any Americana gear at the ready. GOOD NEWS THOUGH: European fashion is wrought with the flag! Hell yes! Please just check out these beauties... I could not resist, no matter how hard I tried:

 

I have literally been on the hunt for these bad boys for many, many moths. I've been seeing clunky American flag heels all over the Euro blogsphere but I haven't been able to find them anywhereee- until today. THANK YOU thank you England!

And drumroll please- because I found yet ANOTHER item I've been internet-coveting:

Brass knuckle-esque clutch. And bonus- It's big enough for my phone, wallet, keys and camera. And it has a delicate chain strap for when I'm being lazy.

I'm going back in Manchester tonight for someone's birthday celebrations. It's a friend of a guy I work with and I've never met them but they live in Macc too so- here's to new friends! As for my old, dear friends, look what I have for you:

They should see the inside of your mailboxes in t-...2 weeks? :)

ALSO- BIG NEWS: The Olympic torch is going through Manchester tonight!! Fingers crossed I see it!