~Scroll to the bottom of the post for a round-up of all of the posts shared during British Week~

I can remember the first time I enjoyed a high tea. The first time I heard over the speaker while navigating the Tube in London, “Mind the Gap”. The first time my very own eyes saw the rolling hills of the English countryside sectioned with stone walls and covered with vines and greenery. And the first time I drove on the left side of the road.

My affection for Britain has deepened with each travel experience to the country, but one need not visit England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales to have a deep fondness for the culture.

The announcement that TSLL’s inaugural British Week would take place was shared last summer, and it largely came to be because of TSLL readers. As I was traveling about in the countryside of Devon in the late fall of 2017, sharing my pics and moments and eagerly waiting to see if Meghan Markle would soon be engaged as the buzz was certain it would be only a matter of days before the announcement of the engagement to Prince Harry, I became smitten, as well as comforted by the British culture even more than I thought I might. And in my giddiness of sharing profusely what I was seeing with my own eyes and could not quite believe, I discovered that many TSLL readers were also Anglophiles, some even living in Britain. I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with you via social media or email, receiving your comments, ideas and celebrations, and want to thank you for voicing your love for the British culture. Consequently, my mind began to consider a way to celebrate our love for all things British, no matter where we might call home.

As I share in my introduction to readers just stopping by the blog for the first time, “I found a sanctuary unexpected” in the northern countryside of Devon. But upon reflection, it absolutely made sense that I would.

From the rain, the love for dogs, to the tea, to the history and congeniality, as well as so much more that will be shared throughout this week and in any and all British-inspired posts here on TSLL, so much of British living is simply luxurious living.

You may be wondering why I chose this week of all the weeks of the year to be THE British Week. There are many reasons. The first reason is purely logistical: I have more time to give as the school year is beginning to wind down, and I am eager to dive head-first back into more blog posts and the return of new episodes of the podcast; but more importantly, spring is a lovely time of year in Britain and with the Chelsea Flower Show beginning this Tuesday and running through Saturday, as someday I hope to be in Britain during this week and enjoy it and of course, share with readers here on the blog. How much fun would that be?

Today begins a full week of posts (at least two each day), giveaways (there will be at least three! And one is now up on the blog.), and a celebration of all things British. I do hope you enjoy.

As well, on this day last year, America’s own Meghan Markle married a British Prince, and so the inaugural TSLL British Week falls on their wedding anniversary (wasn’t that a beautiful and memorable as well as unique-to-the-couple wedding? You can see my full post here); and it just so happens to fall just days after the birth of their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (did you notice the tribute to Princess Diana in the Royal Sussex’s Instagram pic on Mother’s Day? One of Diana’s favorite flowers, Forget-Me-Nots are in the background – see below).

Needless to say, when I began looking at the confluence of events, preferences and celebrations taking place in May, it became an easy decision. And I look forward to celebrating TSLL’s annual British Week every third full week of May for many years to come.

Now, click here to discover the first giveaway made available exclusively to TSLL readers, and I do hope you enjoy British Week. Cheers!

TSLL BRITISH WEEK 2019 Posts:

Sunday May 19th

• A Giveaway for Anglophiles: A Year’s Subscription to The English Home magazine and more!
• You Might Be An Anglophile If . . . (30 Signs)

Monday May 20th

• Podcast episode #252: The Characteristics of Being a Late Bloomer, and How Embracing This Gift Could Change the World for Everyone
• The Gown: A Novel of History, Strength and Friendship
• Arrange your Flowers with Ease and Effortless Finesse with Annabelle Hickson’s New Book: My Interview with the Author

Tuesday May 21st

• Style Inspiration: Ready for Rain
• Two New Notepads Revealed & an All-Site TSLL Shop Sale!
  Roy Kirkham Fine Bone China Giveaway

Wednesday May 22nd

• My Favorite British Inspiration on Instagram, So Far . . .
• Thoughts from the Editor: Rain, Daffodils and Sunshine

Thursday May 23rd

• Outfit of the Week: Dressed for Britain
• A London Cottage (yep, you read that correctly)
• A Grand Giveaway: A Fortnum & Mason Hamper

Friday May 24th

• This & That: May 24, 2019 – British Edition

Saturday May 25th

• Elizabeth David: The British Food Writer Who Affectionately Introduced Readers to the Provinces of France
• 8 Ideas for a Wonderful Afternoon Tea

Sunday May 26th

• Last Thoughts on British Week 2019 & the Giveaway Winners are Announced

~Do you enjoy reading TSLL blog and visit regularly, but would prefer to read the blog without ads? I have some good news for you. For a limited time, during British Week, the price for a monthly or yearly ad-free subscription has been reduced. Simply use the following promo codes below when you subscribe (or learn how to subscribe) here. The discount runs through Sunday May 26, 2019.

•  Yearly $69.99 – Now $60/year – use promo code YEAR60Ad
• Monthly $6.99 – Now $5/month – use promo code BRITWK5Ad.
• Learn more and subscribe here.

View this post on Instagram

Paying tribute to all mothers today – past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered. We honor and celebrate each and every one of you. Today is Mother’s Day in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Japan, and several countries across Europe. This is the first Mother’s Day for The Duchess of Sussex. Quote from “lands” by @nayyirah.waheed: my mother was my first country; the first place i ever lived. Photo © SussexRoyal

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on May 12, 2019 at 6:21am PDT

~View TSLL’s BRITISH-INSPIRED posts in the Archives.

Illustration commissioned exclusively by Inslee for TSLL.