Blog Archives
Why “The World’s End” is my favorite British movie of the past year
I finally watched “The World’s End” this week (currently airing on HBO Go) and love love loved it. Have you seen it?
It really was a great ending to the “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” trilogy, starring Simon Pegg (who also co-wrote it with Edgar Wright, who directed all three).
If you missed this gem, it’s premise is simple: Six friends reunite 20 later to attempt one massive pub crawl – The Glorious Golden Mile – that they didn’t complete in their youth. In the course of hitting 12 pubs in their childhood hometown, they stumble upon the unsettling truth that they are surrounded by residents that are decidedly not human – and must fight for their survival.
It’s so British and so brilliantly written, so smart and funny and nostalgic. It made me ache for the 1990s in Britain again, when I first spent time there at uni (American translation: college). It will make you want to hunker down in a grandpa pub named something like the King’s Head or the Royal Arms on a winter’s day and order a pint (or two or more!) of real ale like Old Peculiar (or maybe that’s just me.)
The soundtrack is especially evocative – tunes like The Housemartins’ “Happy Hour,” The Stone Roses’ “Fool’s Gold” and Primal Scream’s “Loaded” are just golden. As a side note, if you do decide to buy the soundtrack, get the British version of it, which includes an additional 10 songs including The Sundays’ “Here’s Where the Story Ends,” Happy Mondays’ “Step On,” and Kylie Minogue’s “Step Back In Time.” Sigh.
Second baby news for Will and Kate
Ah, congrats to the lovely Will and Kate on news of baby #2!
Now might be a good time to place some bets. What do you think? Girl or boy?
I think the last go-round, I was pretty psychically sure that it would be a girl (and then was clearly so wrong). This time, well, I’m going to do the reverse and say it will be a boy. A boy named Hugh, in fact. Or Lucien. Or perhaps Joffrey. (Maybe I’ve been watching too much “Game of Thrones.”)
What do you think? And what’s the latest royal name going to be this time?
A London sign
Looking for a way to add a little London to your home? Check out Pottery Barn’s London sign, now on sale for $509. It’s a framed giclée print that can be special ordered.
Art Everywhere
Art Everywhere, the U.K.’s biggest art exhibition runs through the end of this month. Where? Well, everywhere. Art Everywhere is showing up on more than 30,000 billboards across the country. Genius, right? Here are just a few examples.
The surprises of our first English birthday party
Alex Richards is an American writer, who recently moved from Brooklyn, New York to Bradford-on-Avon in England with her British husband, her 3-year-old daughter and one on the way.
Check out her recently post about the surprises of their first English birthday party and her observations of the scene on Momtastic.com.
15 surprising things about parenting in England
Erin Moore and her husband, Tom, have spent the last seven years in London, where they live with their four-year-old daughter Anne—and another baby on the way.
I liked this Cup of Jo post by Erin Moore, an American, on the 15 surprising things about parenting in England. I became a mom after we moved back to the states so am intrigued by the cultural differences. Particularly the differences on compliments, on never bragging and on drinking (even at an under-fives birthday party at 10 a.m. on a Sunday! Love it!). Read on.
16 summertime Pimm’s recipes
Any time is the right time for Pimms, me thinks, but yes, when summer rolls around, cue the bottle of No. 1. It’s a pure disgrace that I haven’t cracked open a bottle yet this season.
I do intend to try out some of Buzzfeed.com’s best Pimm’s recipes, particularly #3 (so classy!) and #9 (so inventive!). How about you? Do you drink Pimm’s?
I bloody love gin
Here is the perfect print for the gin lover in your life! It’s made in Britain, but can be shipped to the U.S. or anywhere worldwide. It’s priced at $21.23 at NotontheHighStreet.com.
A Guinness pie
I know, I know. It’s not pie weather. In fact, here in Sacramento, the temps have been in the mid-100’s, which is positively skorchio. However, the stomach wants what the stomach wants and lately, I’ve been craving the comfort of a good British pie.
Holland’s has recently launched a steak and Guinness pie, which is available at Tesco (for the Brits in the room). Prime steak, dark rich gravy infused with Guinness beer, and shortcrust pastry.
And for the Americans in the room, I stumbled upon steak and ale pies at Trader Joe’s. I haven’t tried it yet but I did buy a box and will do a little review on a future blog post!
What do you think? Are you a fan of steak and ale pie?
Joules in the U.S.
When we were visiting London last year, we passed by the shop Joules at Waterloo Station. The shop wasn’t open yet (still in “coming soon” mode), but I peered through the window (the French call it “lècher la vitrine” or window shopping, actually the literal translation of “window licking,” which was what I was nearly doing) and was absolutely charmed. Their women’s and children’s lines were gorgeous, lots of sweet patterns and lovely designs. Wellies in primary colors. Whimsical and easy to wear basics.
BRITRISH.COM 