Author Archives: britrish
Tasteful Royal Wedding memorabilia
I love shopping on Etsy. I recently discovered HouseThatLarsBuilt that does some delightful (and tasteful!) royal wedding memorabilia, including dinner plates, mugs and this sweet processional map.
Sweet breads!
Does this make me look fat?
Have you heard of breading? The Daily Mail reported on it yesterday and I have to say it might be the best thing I’ve ever seen. I know it’s quickly becoming a global phenomenon and is not exclusively British, but I couldn’t resist.
As an aside, I’m sure Brits would use a nice farmhouse loaf for this kind of thing.
‘X-Factor’ loses the deadweight
Buh-bye, Nicole and Paula!
Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones out?
Bravo, Simon!
I’m actually enjoying the shake-up.
If you’ve been hiding in a cave the past 24-48 hours, here’s what you’ve missed!
What do you think? Is “X-Factor” going to be even better next season without the deadweight?
What Brits are watching
While most Americans are just now discovering the charms of “Downton Abbey,” Brits are onto the next big thing.
Namely, BBC’s “Call the Midwife,” a period piece set in 1950s London centered on a group of midwives. TV critics are heralding it the Sunday night equivalent of a comfy, warm pair of slippers, and the viewership is off the charts, with 8.5 million Brits watching the series premiere.
I’ll catch it when it hits Netflix. I’m currently immersed in the decidedly non-British escapades of “Breaking Bad.”
Liberty + J. Crew = *sigh*
J. Crew has partnered with London’s Liberty for its spring line. Meet the gorgeousness that is the Margaret Annie floral.
I’m also digging the uber-feminine pink berry print.
Spring is in the air! I can feel it!
If Wes Anderson had been Welsh …
This weekend, I watched a British film called “Submarine” by writer/director Richard Ayoade. Have you heard of it?
I hadn’t and wasn’t sure what to expect. It turned out to be a good coming-of-age movie. Quirky, bittersweet and beautifully shot (and comes in at only 97 minutes, and so gets extra brownie points from me!), “Submarine” is what “Rushmore” would’ve been if Wes Anderson were Welsh (and as a side note, did you know that Wales is Wes Anderson’s middle name? Coincidence?!)
Ode to the Oxford comma
Let’s take a moment to give some love to the Oxford comma, which was traditionally used by printers, readers and editors at Oxford University Press.
Although the University of Oxford has officially dropped the Oxford comma in their style guide, there is still a case for keeping it around.
Below are two illustrative examples:
and …
Mini Boden goes big with union jack styles
Have you seen the spring line from Mini Boden USA?
I’m loving all of these pieces. They’ve gone really big with union jack items for boys this season – even including canvas union jack sneakers! Sadly, they haven’t shared the Britlove for girls (although there are some gorgeous floral numbers that I wish were available in grown-up sizes).
Get it while you can! These items are sure to sell out quickly!
Happy Burns Night
Haggis, clapshot and whisky sauce. Photo credit: BBC Food
Happy Burns Night!
Today is the day to celebrate the life and work of Scottish poet Robert Burns. It’s an evening to eat, drink, read great poetry (including my favorite Burns poem), play the pipes (particularly when “piping in the haggis” before sitting down and enjoying it) and finishing the night with a wee scotch. I have fond (but fuzzy) memories of Burns Night in Scotland, thanks to the gracious hospitality of Scottish friends who were keeping with tradition.
Check out a typical running order of the evening. I’ve always been particularly impressed by how scripted this dinner at home can be.
And if you have no idea what to cook for Burns Night, BBC Food has compiled an array of appropriate dishes (including some vegetarian options for the offalphobes in the house). Personally, I’ve only ever eaten the vegetarian version of haggis (and it really was delicious)!
A Room for London
Who wants to spend the night in a little boat house above Queen Elizabeth Hall overlooking the Thames River? Apparently, everyone!
The above one-bedroom architecture installation, “A Room for London” opened for bookings (from July to December 2012) at midday (translation: noon) last Friday and all nights were sold out in a matter of seconds.
Who could resist the central location, the stunning views and the chance to be a little part of London history? For more opportunities to holiday in this style of living architecture, check out Living-Architecture.co.uk or follow their Twitter.
BRITRISH.COM 