{around the world and back again}

Hello little blog!

It’s been awhile since I’ve last said hello… but if I told you that in the past two weeks I’ve been to San Sebastian, Spain (more on that later), New York (for work/play), Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco (all for work) and then all the way back to London, I hope you’d forgive me?

 {recognize the building above? it’s the Friends building and we stayed there! thanks seth & kate!!}

I’ve been home a few days to rest up but tomorrow we will board a flight to Seattle for the weekend, then Maui for a few days to wedding plan and then LA for a friend’s wedding.  Hopefully you will can see why I’ve been a bit MIA!

Although the majority of my time city hopping has been for work lately, I thought I would share a few snapshots of my journey….

Tyler joined me for a long weekend in New York with our friends… we wandered the streets ducking into cute cafes for frothy cappuccinos and bagel sticks (holy cow this was one of the best things ever):

When Tyler and I first met on our blind date, he brought Magnolia Bakery’s famous cupcakes to surprise me and I’ve been dying to taste them again since that day (nearly four years ago!)

We had decadent brunch in the West Village at Jeffrey’s Grocery  and another at Lure in Soho – both delish!

A snowy afternoon with friends telling stories and naturally talking about lots of American TV that hasn’t made it to the UK yet:

The most amazing Grilled Cheese Sandwich (5 cheeses!!) and tomato soup you will ever eat – it’s at a cosy pub called Blind Tiger with a fire place, Bon Iver-type music and countless artisan beers on tap – a MUST.

Cuddles with the adorable Brandon (Ty is a natural):

A quick run around Central Park then it was off to the airport for Chicago.

Have you ever seen French Press coffee on the go? It was the coolest thing and the best coffee I’ve ever tasted out of a paper cup – well done,  LaGuardia Airport!

Chicago was…. windy.

LA was not as warm as I’d hoped. The pool at the SLS was very inviting but I froze after about 5 minutes and retreated to the lounge to hang out instead:

Dinner at Bazaar was incredible. Highly recommended. The Philly Cheesesteak is not to be missed!

San Francisco was charming as always. The sun came out, people chatted me up at Specialty’s Café while ordering morning coffee, the air was fresh, the neighborhoods packed with sweet cafés, restaurants and bars. I could definitely see myself living there someday.

Before I knew it, I was boarding a plane home and spent some much needed down time with good friends, Ty and Pippa.

Thanks for stopping by! xo

{life lately: it’s fall!}

I’m curled up with a mug of steaming tea, listening to the wind shake our window panes with a puppy on my lap. I’m craving anything pumpkin, baking and comfort food. Fall has definitely snuggled down in London and I don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon.

Here are a few snapshots of life lately… did I mention we moved? I started a new job? We’re knee deep in planning a wedding? Life has been nothing short of crazy!

Checking out Notting Hill:

We moved into a new flat in what once was monastery…and I’m completely in love with it!!

We went to Paris to celebrate our friends’ engagement:

I’m hoping to make this Salted Caramel Apple Tart for a friend’s engagement/flat warming party and will be sure to report back if it’s a success! Have a nice weekend!

{life lately + a few london restaurant reviews}

Life lately…

Has been full of decadent meals! Last weekend, we started off the fun with fruity cocktails in the sun followed by Tapas at our favorite local spot, Tendido Cero. If you go, you have to try the meatballs, lightly fried asparagus and pane con tomate e jamon. amazing. I was actually so busy enjoying our dinner that I forgot to take a picture… so here’s a shot of my drink from a cocktail place right before tapas:

Our evening was absolutely perfect – great food, friends and even a few churros to top off the night!

The next evening, we met up with our good friends Josie & Jin…we started at this great little wine bar called Vinoteca.

Tucked behind the hustle and bustle of central London, this was a perfect place to taste some interesting wines, eat some incredible Sicilian olives and chat up the bar tender….meet our new friend, Ken: 

After a bit of local sparking wine and some good conversation, we left the charming little wine bar to get serious about dinner at the much anticipated Burger & Lobster. Seriously. Bacon cheeseburgers and lobster. That’s it. Hello heaven! I don’t think words are necessary: 

With full stomachs and ultimate contentment, we hopped the night bus home and tucked ourselves in bed

Oh and you thought I was done? Not quite!

We woke up the next morning, took Pippa for a nice long walk and somehow found ourselves at Raouls to commence one of the most indulgent and delicious Sunday brunches we’ve ever had. Behold the croissant french toast (how has someone not thought of this before??):

We then made the hour long walk home and spent the rest of the afternoon like this:

I’m a little embarrassed by all this food… don’t judge, ok? We promptly got back to the gym and ate lettuce for the rest of the week. ;)

{best brunch in paris}

A few weeks ago, we were in Paris with a random group of friends staying in this funky hip hotel (except for the weird stalker-ish pictures of Bill Clinton on every wall of our room….no wonder we didn’t sleep well…) – Mon Hotel which I would recommend, just maybe ask for the non creepy artwork room, perhaps?

Although our quick weekend trip was full of memorable events, I have to highlight our Sunday brunch spot – it has become my favorite and I would say is up there with some of the best brunch in Paris (I am not an expert, but I do know a great place and incredible food when I see it!) Perched on the corner of a darling residential street, Marcel sits with an effortlessly cool, chic exterior that opens to a cozy interior that is perfectly inviting for a lazy Sunday brunch.There was a bit of a wait, which we patiently embraced by meandering down the cute side streets and huddling under umbrellas…

Once we were seated, we proceeded to order a feast! The fresh squeezed juices and caramelized banana french toast were highlights: 

Although the servers weren’t the most patient with our less than perfect French, we still had a great time. It would be a great date spot too!

• Chez Marcel
• Address: 1 Villa Léandre, 18th arrondissement
• Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt (line 12)
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 46 06 04 04

Bonus:

On the way home – I had a bit too much fun while Ty was asleep and I can’t help but laugh hysterically at myself every time I see this (and to be completely honest, there was an entire photo shoot of this variety….people on the train thought I was very cool I bet ;)

{weekend getaway: santa monica, ca}

Most people wouldn’t think of hopping a plane from London to California for a “weekend getaway” – even typing it sounds crazy! When I booked tickets to fly in for the Bachelorette Party for one of my best friends, I did feel a little crazy. But even after 10,600 miles of travel in four days, I still would not take a single minute back!

It was a surprise for her no less… which completely sweetened the deal.

I flew in Thursday afternoon a few hours before the rest of the girls were due in. I checked into the hotel (they give warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in with a “Welcome Home” message – how cool is that?!) . I treated myself to a pedicure (lavender toes!) and monster salad:

When the ladies started arriving…I was so excited I was going to burst to surprise Kristin…so off I went armed with a girly bottle of Champagne, plastic glasses and my best “Room Service!!” voice to get her to open the door… after lots of hugs, tears and looks of total shock, I think I’m safe in saying it was a total surprise: 

{above image courtesy Rachael Kruse}

We had so much fun celebrating Kristin thanks to a weekend packed with all kinds of cool events Mckenzie planned. A few highlights:

Brunch + walk along the beach

Drinks, Dinner & Burlesque Show:

Beach Yoga with Brad – this was absolutely one of the most incredible things we did! Although the morning was over-cast and we weren’t sure if the class was going to happen, we grabbed coffees and headed to the beach anyway. The Yoga Instructor, Brad, was hilarious and the few hours we spent at the yoga session was truly a once in a lifetime experience. Oh and halfway through the class – we watched dolphins swim right by us! Dolphins! If you are in the area, it is completely worth the $10 donation to take the class – do it!!

{another one of Rachael’s – she is starting a photography business in the Seattle area if anyone is looking!}

Hanging out by the pool

{above image courtesy Ellen McCleerey}

Games, presents, dressing up for dinner and a night of dancing:

Finished out the weekend with brunch outside, a walk along the boardwalk to Venice Beach for lunch:

Before I knew it, we all headed to the airports and took our separate flights home. I had such a fun weekend seeing some of my best friends in the world. I savored every second and will have memories from this weekend that I will treasure for years!

Hope all is well in your part of the world!

{all images unless otherwise noted are Nouveau originals}