Some Very Big News…I’m Moving To London!

I got accepted to Le Cordon Bleu, and I still can’t believe this is real!

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with food and cooking for other people. It’s always been one of my favorite ways to show love. :)

Back in 3rd grade, my class had the chance to write and publish short stories, and instead of writing a story, I wrote a cookbook. (Of course I did that, haha.) I remember meticulously testing every “recipe” on my family and making my siblings and parents try all my creations.

I’m still so sorry about the sprinkle bread, Mom.

I also vividly remember making huge themed dinners at home. I’d spend hours turning our dining room into a “restaurant,” decorating the table, planning the menu, and then using the money I’d earned from babysitting to buy everything and cook dinner for my family. Oh, and I definitely made all my sisters help, whether they wanted to or not. 😂

So, as soon as I was old enough to get a real job, I applied to work at a restaurant. I ended up working there all through high school, college, and even through my first pregnancy. I loved it!

Frosted Nibbles….lol. Lmk if you want to see this on the blog haha!

Then, years later, I found myself in a different state, and then a different country, Australia, with my husband’s work and a brand-new baby, our oldest. That’s when I started the blog. Yes, all the way back in 2013. I’m one of the “old” ones on the internet now, haha.

How my website looked right after I started it. Are you surprised one of the very first recipes I shared was Halloween-themed?! 😂

At the time, creating recipes and being a new mom completely consumed me in the best way. It gave me something that was mine. It helped me climb out of postpartum blues and brought so much joy into a season that was also really hard.

My husband was working crazy hours back then. He traveled Sunday night through Friday night to be on location, so most of the week it was just me and my baby. We cooked, cleaned, ate, and watched cooking shows in our free time.

And while I’m fully self-taught when it comes to cooking and food, I have always wanted to learn more. I love learning new techniques. I love learning about different cuisines. And the more I learn, the more I realize how much there is to learn and how much I crave learning and love the process.

This is also why I drag my husband to cooking classes every time we travel. And because he is the best, he basically just books them now the second we start planning a trip. I’ve been lucky enough to cook all over the world, but I’ve never had the chance to do more professional training.

My husband has known this has been a dream of mine forever, so earlier this year, I applied to Le Cordon Bleu in London. I honestly didn’t know if anything would come of it.

But then I got accepted.

And before I could overthink every single detail, my husband surprised me by confirming it all and booking everything. Flights, a flat, the details, all of it. Yes, really. I struck GOLD with him.

He lived in London for two years before I met him, so he knows the area well and has helped make the whole thing feel so much less scary and so much more real.

So, you guys, I’m heading to London for the summer, and I already can’t sleep because I’m so excited. I truly cannot believe this is happening. And even more than that, I keep pinching myself that I have such a supportive family and village helping make it possible.

My family will come out and visit me, but in the meantime, my sister and her kids are coming from Hawaii to help with my kiddos. On top of that, so many neighbors, friends, and family members are stepping in. I know I’ll miss my kids like crazy, but I also hope this shows them that dreams are worth chasing, hard things are worth doing, and it’s never too late to keep learning.

I’ve been working overtime to get things ready at home, not because everyone isn’t capable, but because it’s how I show love.

I’ve tucked away little gifts, crafts, and activities for the kids to open each week. Both freezers are stocked with meals, snacks, and their favorite treats. Last Sunday, both of my boys spent several hours with me making loads of cookie dough, rolling it into balls, and freezing it so they can have their favorite treat even while I’m gone.

It was the most fun afternoon, and they’re very happy they have enough cookies to last the summer, haha.

So that’s the big news. I’m going to London. I’m going to Le Cordon Bleu. And I can’t wait to take you along with me.

Pics from my trip to London last year; I absolutely fell IN LOVE with this city!

I also have to say a huge thank you to you, my online village. So many of you have supported me for years, made my recipes, shared them with your families, left kind comments, and cheered me on. Because of you, I get to do this. I get to create, share, learn, and now chase this dream in a really big way. I never, ever take that for granted.

I create every recipe with you in mind. I want them to work. I want them to be loved. I want you to feel like you can make them and have success every time. I’m just so grateful for you. Truly. Thank you! I’m so excited!!