Blog Archives
Mind the Gap! And its London line!
Have you seen the Gap London line? They really have an amazing collection of union jack items in adult sizes, as well as sizes for kids, toddlers and infants, just in time for the Summer Olympics.
I haven’t bought anything from the Gap in a long time, but this warrants a visit!
“My London, and welcome to it”
The Waterloo Bridge, with St. Paul’s in the background. Photo credit: Andrew Testa for The New York Times
I enjoyed this travel article by A.A. Gill in the New York Times published last month. If you missed it, give it a read. It’s a real insider’s profile of London as it currently stands – where to go, what to do and see, what to expect – for the next time you’re visiting the Big Smoke.
(I’m also curious to read A.A. Gill’s book on America, which is coming out next year.)
Home sweet Haringey
It’s been over a decade since we were living in North London, off the Green Lanes, in the Turkish neighborhood of Haringey.
It used to feel like a place you’d need a passport to get to – the antithesis of what outsiders think of traditional British – but it was an interesting place to hang a hat for a few years. Back then, it was “up-and-coming.” A little rough, yes. Colorful, certainly. But a great spot to get a kebab and homemade baklava at any time of the day or night.
I recently was Google searching to see what the neighborhood was like now. House prices have risen significantly since we were there – now a three-bedroom terraced house will sell for £380,000 (That’s $612,000!).
But I also found a little write-up on Time Out’s website, which completely captures the essence of that place when we were there.
Maybe the more things change, the more they stay the same. It was actually comforting to know it still really is “a place where you can buy offal, electrical equipment, exotic fruits and elaborate wedding cakes, often in the one shop.”
Bright, beautiful London living
When we lived in London over 10 years ago, we rented a tight little apartment (and by tight, I don’t mean “rad” or “awesome,” I mean tight.)
Don’t get me wrong. It grew on us and we loved it like you love a quiet and dependable relative that dons old kaftans, listens to a lot of Carly Simon and smells vaguely of a combination of mothballs and gyros.
And so it is with sheer awe that I viewed the latest house tour on Apartment Therapy – a five-bedroom, 2,250 square foot Edwardian home in West London. The space! The modern conveniences! The child-friendly yet decidedly urbane touches! And in green and leafy Chiswick to boot? Get out of town.
Apples and pears = stairs
Mince pies = eyes. Who knew? Photo credit: BBC
Yesterday morning, NPR covered a story on the London Olympics this summer – but it wasn’t the sports or the games that was the focus. Instead, they centered on the London cockney slang that visitors will encounter while visiting East London.
Have a listen – I’ve never gotten the cockney thing but it is fascinating.
Gum as art
Artist Ben Wilson works in an unusual medium: chewing gum.
Check out some of his art on the Millennium Bridge in London, made of discarded gum (bleeech!) and a little vision! So whimsical!
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.
‘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.
Happy New Year!
If travel is in the cards in 2012, check out Taschen’s 4 Cities, a box set of 12 volumes covering hotels, restaurants and shops in London, Paris, New York and Berlin.
In the meantime, have a wonderful New Year’s and I’ll see you back here on Tuesday!
London shower
I’m really loving this London’s Trafalgar Square shower curtain that I spotted on Joanna Goddard’s A Cup of Jo blog. It’s made of durable vinyl with metal grommet reinforced holes for hanging. Even better? It’s only $27 on Amazon.
BRITRISH.COM 