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‘The Layover’ in London
Anthony Bourdain walking Marco Pierre White's dog in London. Photo credit: Travel Channel
Anthony Bourdain, I love you. Despite the fact that you’ve ruined my ability to appreciate hollandaise sauce at a restaurant, I forgive you and have faithfully read your books and watched “No Reservations” without, well, reservation.
When I heard about Travel Channel‘s latest incarnation, “The Layover,” where Anthony Bourdain spends 24 hours in any given city, I was all over it. And when I heard the London episode of “The Layover” was airing last weekend, well, ditto a hundred times over.
If you haven’t seen the episode yet, you can watch clips and see photos.
If you missed it, I am sure they will repeat it, but you can catch the highlights and one-liners, courtesy of Eater.com.
Totes Amaze
Sometimes an expression just comes along that grabs me. For awhile it was “bajiggety,” as in out of sorts, confused, flustered, upset. It was used in “The Sweetest Thing” with Christina Applegate and Cameron Diaz and I latched on. It is a stellar phrase.
But it’s been surpassed by “totes amaze,” as in totally amazing. The Brits are using it. It’s whimsical, youthful, and little stupid. It’s the two words that British singer Lily Allen tweeted right after having her baby.
Totes amaze. Coming soon to the U.S.
The Royal Christmas card
Have you seen Prince Charles and Camilla’s Christmas card this year?
The front of the card features the Prince of Wales’ crest and Camilla’s cypher. But inside is this photo jewel of Charles, Camilla and the Camilla’s 3-year-old granddaughter Eliza Lopes on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The message simply reads: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”
Personally I was hoping for a Christmas letter.
And on that note, I wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and New Year!
Bernard
Last week, I blogged about popular baby names in the U.K. versus the U.S. Which led me to start thinking about how some names are pronounced differently in the two countries.
Case in point: Bernard. Yesterday, we watched the lovely “Love Actually” as we do around the holidays. I’ve watched it a gazillion times but never caught on to the fact that Emma Thompson’s character’s son is named Bernard (minor, if completely irrelevant detail), which is pronounced in the usual British way (BER-nəd) as opposed to the American way (bur-NAHRD).
Bernard is a fascinating one, in particular because we’ve all grown up learning about the St. Bernard dog with the little barrel of brandy under its neck. It’s a bur-NAHRD that does this. Not BER-nəd. At least that is the pronunciation we have been programmed to hear. Having said that, I’ll say that BER-nəd is an altogether nicer pronunciation, which probably explains why it is still used in Britain and also why the American pronunciation of Bernard ranks #1413 on a popular baby names list in the US. It also may explain why I have never met a Bernard.
The Holiday
I love watching holiday films (“Love Actually,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Home Alone,” etc.) in the ramp up to Christmas.
Friday night we watched “The Holiday.” Have you seen it?
I’m always comforted by a Nancy Meyers movie, not only for the rom-com storyline but the lush interiors, gorgeous wardrobes, Hans Zimmer soundtrack and fabulous locations (hello, charming hobbit house in Surrey!). Endless eye candy. But I particularly love “The Holiday” for the side-by-side comparison at English and California life. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out!
Lunch for one (anglophile)
A few weeks ago, I blogged about my search for the right bento box – and found one that fit the bill. Not only was it a good lunch solution but it doubled as a London double decker bus.
So, what about British lunch bags, I could hear you ask. How about this?
You know how I feel about union jack items – LOVE THEM. This little insulated neoprene lunch bag by Dabba Walla is machine washable, stain resistant and perfect for holding your your little (or big) anglophile’s lunch (ie. cheese ploughman’s, scotch eggs, crisps, pudding, etc.).
BRITRISH.COM 