Sara and I are the biggest anglophiles you will ever meet. We love everything about London: the people, the culture, the history, and even (sometimes) the food. When I found out that LA was hosting BritWeek, I immediately freaked out and called Sara. Then I scoured the website to find out as much as I could about what I knew would be the greatest week ever.

Not surprisingly, BritWeek is exactly what it sounds like: a number of events open to the general public that focus on British contributions to film, fashion, music, the automotive industry and science.

One of the events was a celebration of Downton Abbey, where party guests had the opportunity to mingle with Laura Carmichael, the actress who plays Lady Edith. I can’t tell you how heartbroken Sara and I were that we both had plans that night- we absolutely LOVE Downton Abbey (not so much Lady Edith though!).

Since we couldn’t party at Downton, Sara and I chose to go explore the BritWeek celebration at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. On normal days, the Promenade is a fun place to walk around, shop and eat. But during BritWeek it’s a fun place to walk around with British accents, shop for tea and Digestives, and eat bangers and mash.

When we arrived, unique British brands were everywhere. If it wasn’t for the sunshine and palm trees, I would have felt like I was back in London! Boots was giving away makeup samples and doing makeovers, Walker Shortbread was handing out their delicious cookies, and a few “celebrities” were visiting from Madame Tussaud’s.

Daniel was an excellent date, but I felt a little underdressed!

Jaguar even had their new F-Type models there, and I got to drive one! Well… sat in one. Semantics.

Even the newspapers were British! Now if only there were people handing them out as you got on the tube, then it would really be like London!

I always miss London, but after BritWeek I really miss London. Sara and I are in agreement: every week should be BritWeek!

~A