Author Archives: britrish
Jamie Oliver under the tree
Not sure if you caught Jamie Oliver making the rounds on morning TV last week but the Naked Chef was everywhere. My favorite appearance was his cooking segment with Anderson Cooper on “Anderson.”
Jamie’s latest books, “Meals in Minutes” (in the US) and “Great Britain” (in the UK) are on my wishlist for Christmas (although I’m considering holding out for the American release to save me from added hassle of converting measurements) and I am not alone. The British media is already betting that he will make the Christmas bestseller’s list.
I think that’s what you call talking turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today I’m thankful that the Pilgrims fled England, landed here, ate with the natives and came up with what has become the greatest holiday that we as Americans have.
That’s right. I’d choose Thanksgiving over Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July and Halloween any day. Think about it – It’s the one holiday that unites us regardless of one’s race, religion, age, orientation, affiliation … Anyone can celebrate it. You don’t even have to be American. It hasn’t been commercialized like everything else in America. You don’t give gifts or cards. You just prepare a really good meal. Best of all, the focus is on being thankful for what you have and spending time with the people that you love.
On that note, I’ll see you back here on Monday!
Unleashing your inner Iron Lady
Meryl Streep plays Margaret Thatcher in "Iron Lady." Love the 'do.
Never deny the power of big hair.
Margaret Thatcher’s sizable bouffant is reported to be all over the runways of Marc Jacobs and Chanel and now, with the release of “Iron Lady” this winter, this big hair trend is expected to be … well, even bigger.
Intrigued? Check out celebrity hairdresser Marc Woolley’s step-by-step instructions for creating this large-and-in-charge look.
I’m pretty sure that global domination requires an iron fist, large heated rollers and a paddle brush.
Boogers, bogies, and the bogey man
I’m taking a moment to clarify since this is a confusing matter:
Boogers [boog-er] : a piece of dried mucus in or from the nose.
Bogies [boh-gee] : British. a piece of dried mucus in or from the nose.
Bogey man [boog-ee-man, boh-gee-, boo-] : An imaginary evil character of supernatural powers, who may or may not have boogers or bogies in his nose, especially a mythical hobgoblin supposed to carry off naughty children, who may or may not have boogers or bogies in their noses.
Questions? Bueller? Bueller?
Cheese straw success
This weekend, I did my favorite kind of baking: cheese straws. Simple. Quick. Delicious.
Now I’ve blogged before about my un-Martha-esque (or un-Nigella-esque, or un-Gordon-esque, or un-Jamie-esque) comfort level in the kitchen, but thanks to the invention of frozen puff pastry, cheese straws are one item that I can make in a mad dash, while simultaneously juggling a half a dozen other tasks.
1. Defrost puff pastry from freezer. I like the ready-to-roll puff pastry from Trader Joe’s.
2. Roll out pastry.
3. Slice in long strips.
4. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar (or whatever cheese you fancy) and ground black pepper.
5. Bake.
6. Take out of the oven after 10 minutes or so or when they look golden brown.
7. Serve and feel like Martha, Nigella, Jamie or whoever is your favorite celebrity (or non-celebrity) chef, as the cheese straws are scoffed up in minutes.
Another chance for Ricky Gervais
Thank goodness for third chances.
I was happy to read yesterday that Ricky Gervais will be hosting next year’s Golden Globe Awards, despite the mixed reviews (okay, I’m probably being a little too kind) that he received for his last stab at hosting the Golden Globes earlier this year (in which I do believe most of Hollywood wanted to stab him.)
I happen to like his devil-may-care attitude, in the face of frosty A-listers. I’m drawn to the awkwardness. The audible outrage from the audience and yes, even the boos.
He’s a funny guy and “The Office” is living proof of that (both the U.K. and U.S. versions). Let’s hope that he knocks it out of the park next time. I’ll be watching.
Bum envy
Everyone wants to be Pippa Middleton. Or at the very least they want her bum (translation: bottom).
Last month, British retailer Debenhams launched a line of derriere enhancing padded underpants and they’ve been flying off the shelves. This week, Debenhams released sales figures indicating that they’re outselling their non-padded counterparts by 148 percent.
Brits are actually paying for more junk in their trunk. Who would’ve thought? That’s Pippa power, folks. Don’t doubt her sphere of influence.
Why else would the Huffington Post this week dedicate an article, not to her recent breakup with longtime boyfriend Alex Loudon (or anything else), but on her bold decision to wear leggings as pants? (On that note, let’s all hope that is a trend that she doesn’t help start…).
Trail blazers
I know. I’ve blogged before about J. Crew, but hot damn! I’m loving their fall collection.
Have you seen their women’s blazers this season? So preppy and British and fall-like. Check out their schoolboy blazer in Donegal tweed.
Or their schoolboy blazer in Prince of Wales wool tweed …
Or their Hacking Jacket in tweed, sourced from the famed Robert Noble mill in Peebles, Scotland, which has been producing woolen products since 1666.
They make me want to slap on a pair of riding boots and head out into pony country. Tally ho!
Guide to understanding the British
If you know a Brit, this handy dandy Anglo translation guide might come in handy (and uh, be dandy). Not sure where this originated, but I love it.
Christmas, John Lewis style
I’m not the kind of person who listens to Christmas music right after Halloween, or puts the tree up right after Thanksgiving. As far as I’m concerned, November 14th is way too early to be even contemplating the holiday season.
But the latest Christmas advert by British retailer John Lewis, which was released a few days ago, absolutely has gotten me into the Christmas spirit. Watch.
This advert just captures the magic of Christmas in Britain to me.
Some fans of The Smiths are up in arms about the use of a cover of “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” for such commercialism, but I like it.
(It should be noted that “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” was used in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” as well as “Pretty in Pink” so am failing to see the big whoop.)
BRITRISH.COM 