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Hi, I’m Ellen!

Thanks for clicking on my little corner of the internet.

I’ve recently moved to the US and thought it might be fun to share some of my experiences. I’ll keep ya updated on how it turns out…

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chipsvsfries

From 🇬🇧 > 🇺🇸
For ❤️ apparently 🤷‍♀️
Follow ⬇️ Chips vs Fries as I figure out Military life, living abroad and American English one day at a time

Bet you never thought someone would compare quaran

Bet you never thought someone would compare quarantine to radishes... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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NEW POST!!
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I recently decided to start a vegetable patch. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I wanted to grow some tomatoes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I asked my husband to get the seeds. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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He got radishes. Radishes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I didn’t ask for radishes. I didn’t want radishes. But I got radishes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So rather than getting (too) mad, I planted them and began furiously researching what the hell I should do with them as I’m pretty sure I’ve never even eaten a radish. (Suggestions are welcome below!!) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Much like my radish seeds, none of us asked for a deadly global pandemic which would shut down the economy and lock us all indoors for months on end. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So what do we do?
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Plant some seeds.... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To find out what I mean, read on!! (Link in bio) 🍅
(Swipe to see my radishes!! And yes, the first photo are not radish seeds...) •
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#stayathome #gardening #vegetablegarden #veggiepatch #becreative #bloggersofinstagram #britabroad #britishexpatsinusa #britishexpst #militaryspouse #milso #milsoblogger #radishes #vegetablegardening #trysomethingnew #trysomethingnewtoday #discoverunder1k

HAPPY VE DAY! • Today is the 75th anniversary of

HAPPY VE DAY! •
Today is the 75th anniversary of VE Day, or Victory in Europe. •
On this day in 1945, the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s surrender which caused celebrations to erupt across Europe. •
Today there will be no parties in the streets... being shut indoors kinda kills that party spirit... but we can still celebrate and be thankful for the privileges and freedoms we have today. •
I’m slightly miffed that I’m missing the special bank holiday in the U.K. and have to work all day buuuut rest assured, many British treats will be consumed 🥳 (Photo: Throw back to my last visit to Oxford) •
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#veday #happyveday #veday75thanniversary #oxford #visitoxford #uktravelbloggers #britishexpatsinusa #britishexpat #malemilspouse #milspouse #britabroad #visitgreatbritain #unionflag #bloggersofinstagram #discoverunder5k

It’s a tea and biscuits kinda Sunday... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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NEW POST: Biscuit vs. Cookie ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The biscuit/cookie debate is one I feel extremely passionate about, but one which has been ignored by our governments, leaders, and dictionary writers for far too long. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So here I am, the voice of a generation, bringing it to your attention. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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FYI, this entire post is going to cause a lot of confusion, akin to whole chips/crisps/fries debacle. But just go with it.
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Biscuit or Cookie?? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In American English, a cookie is a baked food that is typically small, flat and sweet. It usually contains flour, sugar and some type of oil or fat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In the UK, this typically small, flat and round baked good is given the correct name of biscuit. However, in British English, the definition of this delicious snack falls into two refined categories... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Read on!! (Link in bio) 🍪 •
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#teaandbiscuits #tea #biscuits #britabroad #britabroadproblems #bloggersofinstagram #expatblogger #expatlife #cookies #britishfood #myexpatcommunity #milso #malemilspouse #britinamerica #americanenglish #britishenglish #ukvsusa #chocolatehobnobs #englishbreakfasttea #travelblogger #livingabroad #teaofinstagram #discoverunder1k #britishproblems #britishexpat

HAPPY EASTER 🐣 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Looks like the pandemic isn’t over by Mid-April after all, so this Easter Sunday is certainly going to be memorable one... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I attended my first virtual church service, I’ll be missing my mum & gran’s LEGENDARY Sunday Roast, (going to attempts my own..) and I’m on day 1 zillion of only having ‘meaningful’ conversations with my husband. (Plz send help). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But most importantly, I’m safe, I’m healthy, I have a job. This Easter is different but I’m counting my blessings and it turns out I’m lucky enough to have a few. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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No matter what you are doing this Easter Sunday, have a wonderfully relaxing day.... and try not to let your quarantine buddies drive you mad. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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How are you spending this unique Easter Sunday? P.s link in bio for how to keep in contact during social distancing aaaand look out for my thoughts on the virus 🦠 •
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#easter #happyeaster #eastersunday2020 #cherryblossoms #dccherryblossoms #springisherefinally #stayathome #keepincontact #bloggersofinstagram
#milso #milsolife #militaryspouse #milspouse #milsoblogger #militarylife #milsosupport #militaryspouseblogger
#britabroad
#liveabroad #travelblog #expatslife #girlswhotravel #expatblog #expats #livingabroad #livingabroadblog #expatlife

NEW POST: 25 things I learnt before turning 25 ⠀

NEW POST: 25 things I learnt before turning 25 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So I’m turning 25. Or a quarter of a century old. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I never really thought about getting to this age. It always seemed so far off in the distance that I’d never actually get around to it. But here I am. Another millennial freaking out about officially reaching my mid-20s. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So, to give you a little insight into how I achieved this milestone… here are 25 things I’ve learnt (or tried to learn!!) before turning 25:
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1. You don’t need to do everything at once. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is something I continue to struggle with so maybe it’s not the best one to start with… When I first moved abroad I wanted to get my green card, get my US driving license, make a million friends, get a job and keep up with friends and family back in the UK whilst also exploring my local area and traveling around the rest of the States. So not a lot. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Yet my quest to do everything at once was soon held up by slow bureaucracy, loneliness, a fear of driving on the other side of the road, the horror that is job hunting and now, coronavirus. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I freaked out about this to start with, but being forced to slow down made me realise I dint need to do everything at once, there’s no rush. I haven’t been stopped from achieving my goals, they are still there, but it has stoped me from burning out.
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Read the rest to find out what a great (sort of ok) adult I am (Link in bio)🥳
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P.s. this post idea seemed like a good idea at the time but 25 things is a lot to write haha. •
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#turning25 #birthdaygirl #quaterofacentury #quaterofacenturyold #britabroad #livingabroad #expatlife #myexpatcommunity #militaryspouse #milso #bloggersofinstagram #discoverunder1k #travelbloggerlife #britishexpat

NEW POST: Keeping in contact while social distanci

NEW POST: Keeping in contact while social distancing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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During a crisis, it’s crucial that we reach out and keep in contact with our loved ones. Yet social distancing has made this so much harder than usual…
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For many expats and military families like myself, we are familiar with how difficult it is to be isolated from friends and family. And these extra restrictive measures on travel are making it harder than ever before. There’s a lingering feeling of helplessness when you are unable to hug and comfort your loved ones during such an uncertain time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Yet I continue to be blown away by the positivity and resilience you are all showing, whether you are separated by 5 meters or 5000 miles. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But we’re social creatures and isolating ourselves from friends and family doesn’t come naturally... So I’ve put together a few tips to help you keep in contact with everyone, both during this crazy time and for when we return to regular programming… (link in bio) 🙋‍♀️ | 🙋‍♀️
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Photo: throw back to more adventurous times... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#socialdistancing #isolation #quarantine #flattenthecurve #stayathome #keepincontact #myexpatcommunity #bloggersofinstagram
#milso #milsolife #militaryspouse #milspouse #milsoblogger #militarylife #milsosupport #militaryspouseblogger
#britabroad
#liveabroad #travelblog #expatslife #girlswhotravel #expatblog #expats #livingabroad #livingabroadblog #expatlife

HAPPY PANCAKE DAY ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pancake Day is the one day a year it’s acceptable in the U.K. to eat desert for dinner. More specifically, pancakes. But not those thick squishy American ones... they’re thin things, more like crepes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s the only day a year that the weather isn’t the number one topic of small talk. Instead we spend literally ALL DAY at work or school discussing the optimal fillings for our pancakes and the best ways to flip it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Facebook is the FILLED with everyone sharing their audition video for the Pancake Flipping Olympics. Instagram is just photo after photo of our pancake creations filled with Nutella, maple syrup, sugar and Lemon juice or anything else you can think of. Nothing savoury here though, this day is all about achieving maximum sugar consumption. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And before we know it, it’s over. And we spend the next day discussing how eating pancakes should be socially acceptable everyday of the year. But we’ll all still wait another 365 days to perform this unique cultural ritual again. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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(FYI Pancake Day is also Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent). And Fat Tuesday in the states. The entire tradition comes from eating fatty foods, like milk, butter and eggs that would usually be given up during Lent. Aaaand what do pancakes contain??? Milk and eggs!!) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sooo go and grab a pancake!! But more importantly, what’s your pancake topping of choice?? (I will judge you on this) 🥞 •
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• #happypancakeday #shrovetueday #fattuesday #milsoblogger #makingmemories #globaltrotter #exploringtheworld #britabroad #seethesights #travelblogger
#liveabroad #americandream #expatslife #travelblogger #traveladdict #abroadlife #travelcommunity #expatblogger #travelblogging #expatblog #expats #livingabroad #livingabroadblog #travelwriting #expatliving #expatlife #ExpatWoman #myexpatcommunity #immigrantlife #britishtraditions

That feeling when you take those first steps as hu

That feeling when you take those first steps as husband and wife... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As it’s Valentine’s Day I thought this would be the perfect chance to share our story... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Boy downloads app. Girl downloads app with friends as a joke (but secretly hoping prince charming will swipe right… he didn’t but she got something marginally better). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As the only history nerds the app it wasn’t long before they found each other and started writing essays to each other. Because if there is anything studying history teaches you, it’s how to write a lengthy essay.
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They messaged. And messaged. She dropped her phone in the loo so didn’t message for 3 days. He was worried she ghosted him. But she didn’t and they messaged some more. Sadly the phone did not make it.
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Then… They met ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Read on!!! (Link in bio) 💕
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What’s your story?? Is it still being written or is it already the stuff of Jane Austen novels? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!! •
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#happyvalentinesday #valentinesday #bemine #britishwedding #milso #militaryrelationship#adventurouslovestories #militarywifelife #militarycouple #airforce #standbyme #militarylife #militaryspouse #airforcespouse #milspouse #militarylove #milsoblogger #militarywife

My opinions on Brexit are summed up nicely in this

My opinions on Brexit are summed up nicely in this photo.
NEW POST ALERT
I wasn’t going to write a post on Brexit because this isn’t a political blog. It’s one about my experiences of being a Brit, married to an American and living abroad. But now Brexit is a pretty fundamental part of being British so maybe this is relevant. But first a bit of context... Just 2 weeks after the UK voted in favour of Brexit way back 2016, one of my closest friends and I took a month-long trip around Europe to celebrate graduating from University. It was supposed to celebrate “The Real Start of Our Lives”. But it felt more like a good-bye tour. I did not vote for Brexit.
I still struggle to understand why some people thought it would be a good idea.
But it’s important to remember that people are allowed to form their own opinions. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t make them evil or wrong, just different. While I disagree with Brexit I’m not going to get up on a high horse and say everyone who voted for it is insane. Having said that, I will now eat my own words and outline some of my issues with it.... (link in bio) 🇪🇺 #brexit #brexitshambles #eu #iloveeu #britabroad #liveabroad #traveltheworld #expatslife #travelblogger #girlswhotravel #roamtheplanet #abroadlife #keeptraveling #simplyadventure #expatblogger #travelblogging #stories #expatblog #instatravel #expats #livingabroad #livingabroadblog #traveleverywhere #expatliving #expatlife #travelgram #brexitmemesbrexit

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Recent Posts

Radishes and dealing with a less than ideal situation
Biscuit vs. Cookie
25 things I’ve learnt before turning 25
How to keep in contact AND social distance

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