Gilgamesh is kinda a ‘big’ deal in N. London. I
mean the place is HUGE in size with a reputation to match. After idolizing the wooden monstrosity
of a restaurant that sits above the coveted Camden market (another personal
fave!), we finally secured some ressies with Lorna and Chris (two peeps who are
also kinda a big deal in our LON lives) and hit up the tasting menu. Too many dumplings, noodle dishes, and
cocktails to count later… we rolled out in a big ‘gilgamesh’.
It was last.. But not least! On our last night in London, we did it
up with our LON favorites at North London’s favorite Boozer, the Old Queens
Head. It was a rocking good way to
say see ya later… cause you know we’ll be back!
This by far is my proudest moment. Watching my friends enjoy the rich, gooeyness that are Hershey’s s’mores for the first time while hanging at our rented Farmhouse during Lamda Lamda weekend. The weekend was full of fun memories and sharing the joys of this childhood treat with some of my LON favorites was the ‘melted marshmallow on the graham cracker’ :-).
What other breakfast do you know that is so famous it has a book named after it? No other way to celebrate my last day of work in the LON then to hit this up with two of FHer’s Kirstie and Jen (workmates, I wasn’t playing favorites I promise, but the rest of you were too darn busy… or on holiday…to go!) It was a morning of brekkie decadence and it is a must stop on anyone’s LON itinerary.
Hold the eggs Benedict, I’ll be back!
Why oh why did it take me to long to ‘discover’ this hidden gem? If you haven’t been, run, don’t walk to check it out in the spring. With an eclectic mix of over 5000 plant species focusing on medicinal plants, it was by far one of my most surprising and enjoyable ‘to-do’s’.
When you go...Make sure you stop by the gift shop and grab yourself (and me too!) a jar of their honey, the bees pollinate all of the interesting and exotic plants in the garden meaning that this honey is out of this world!
{SNAP COMING SOON!}
So I never promised to go to Bliss Spa did I? Since I make the rules around here (and really when did I think I was going to have time to hit the 'spa' before heading stateside?) I decided to hit up the Bliss counter in Harrod's when J-lo was visiting. A bottle of triple oxygen instant energizing mask is heaven in a bottle - providing me 'Bliss' every few days and reminding me each time of that precious spa that the Mr. sent me to on my first trip to London almost five years ago.
Hubby and I spent one of last days in London doing one of the most romantic things you can do in ole Blighty, 'rowing' in a pedal boat in the middle of Hyde Park on the Serpentine Lake. It was one of those gorgeous sunny September days that reminds Londoners that summer isn't quite over yet, and reminded us why we did not want to leave just yet. Topped off with a pretty box of Laduree macaroons, it was just lovely.
{SNAP TO COME!}
So as an early Chrimbo gift to myself, I decided that for once and for all I was going to document the last things I did on my (Around) 75 Days and 101 (More or Less) Things I Want to Do Before I Leave London List®. So whether you're ready for it or not, so here goes a series of posts that will certainly make me, and maybe you, smile.
So the other day, my friend Julie, asked me what was going to happen to NYLON in Heels? I ummed, and ahhed, and finally confirmed that for now it will live on as my NYLONY blog - documenting my high heeled, hot-Stepping journey from New York to London (and back again!) in search of love (check!), life (robust!), laughter (lots!), and learning (cramming!).
So coming to you live from Chelsea, NY, where the hubby and I are now calling home.. stay tuned for more adventures and lots of MetroTwining my favorite London and NY hot spots and adventures!
Door to Door from London...to New York
So unfortunately, my untimely arrival in the NYC meant that I complete missed this way cool shopping event, Wish You Were Here! But thanks to a tip off from my girl Lorna, my LON counterparts can still get in on the shop swap action.
Here are the deets, go check it out!
10 days? Seriously one-zero days since we crossed back over the pond and became NYLONY's. Unreal. It has been a completely crazy, sporadic whirlwind since we got back to The City.
Since many of you have wondered if we have temporarily fell off the planet, here's a quick recap of what we've been up to:
And so it goes....
Anyway, as we get back into the swing of things, I have a few more London To-Do's that I have yet to blog about and lots more NYLONY updates to come ... Stay Tuned!
We snapped her hanging outside of Livebait which happened to be across the street from my chic leaving drink location, B@1. The birthday girl was boozing it up with some buds before the paps came and chased her away. We hear she later wasn't looking so hot (if she ever is is debatable) follow a messy performance at a CG Jazz Club.
Now I just need to bump elbows with Kate Moss to complete my roster of N. London crazy celeb spottings (Kelly Osbourne, Kirstin Dunst, Heath Ledger, Sadie Frost, Jude Law).
So I'll keep it short and simple. This 101 thing mission gets mixed reviews . NHAC didn't deliver on the promised band or underground talent, but DID offer on a night of cheap drinks with good friends, a few push-ups and lots of laughs.
"It's not where you are, but who your with that really matters."
Jess was one lucky London duck when she came to visit. Knowing my days at work and London town were dwindling, I took two days off to cover some tourist ground with her (and cover off more things I've always wanted to do!).
On Friday, September 11th, we bolted for Buckingham Palace to have a Royal Day out in the State Rooms and Gardens. I have a love/hate relationship with Buckingham Palace. See, many peeps (once including me) think if there is ONE THING you must do when you come to London, it's get on your high horse and head to the watch the Changing of the Guards at the Buckingham Gates.
Oh, how wrong I was and they are!
See, when I came over to the LON with my Etown Oxforders in '02. We mistakenly headed to the only place we're really ever heard of, you guess it, the Palace. It was rainy, it was cold, the Guards were stoic, but didn't change. It was actually then and there I declared I 'hated the Lon' (and maybe used a few other expletives rhyming with Piccadilly) and would NEVER be back.
Oh, boy. Did I Eat. My. Words.
When I decided to return to London, I still had bitter memories of Buckingham. And although nearly 50 people have passed through our Offord road doors, not one of them will tell you did I ever recommend or go with them to the famous icon. As the months and days have gone by, however, I've softened to the building and realized that ACTUALLY maybe there was something I was missing out on. So with Jess in tow, we bowed out and went in.Now, what I now say may surprise you. But I dare you to go. Leave out the changing of the Guard, and if you happen to be lucky enough to be in London town when the Queen takes up residence in Balmoral or Windsor and opens her doors.
Go. Visit Buckingham Palace State Rooms. They are truly lovely, inspiring, and full of history. Enjoy the time and tour there - because although I'm not a huge fan of pre-recorded tours, it's one of the best in the London-biz.
Sarah P, Andi, and others I apologize for writing off that lovely day in London as a loss. As I look back now and realize if we hadn't gotten lost at the Palace, I may have never found all the other gems of London that I lived to tell about here.
Chaucer, Beatles, the Bible oh my! Going to the British Library Museum MUST be on your London To-Do list. I must admit it took me far too long to just do it! After passing (and admiring) the BL since I arrived in the LON (it is only a mile or two from my flat mind you), I finally realized I had a spare night and that the 25 million book Library was open late and just went and took a look around.
This may have been the longest planned 'to-do' on the list! When Jess booked her trip to London, she made a lil request that we save this one for her. And so she came, and off we went!
I have a soft-spot for the Southbank and often find myself making excuses to peruse the area to get a glimpse of the Globe Theatre (not the original let me remind you). But, with all my passion for theatre, literature, and the arts in general - I've not once thought to buy a ticket and go in. Until now.
As the name suggests, a 'groundling' ticket means you are on the ground (or the yard) watching the play from standing room only. The concept is the same it was in Shakespeare's 1600s as tickets are still cheap at only 5 GBP a pop and you stand for the ENTIRE show. In the 21st century, however, we sophisticated Groundlings certainly don't swear or throw food at the actors and we most definitely don't stink!
Anyway, I regress. Our tickets entitled us to enjoy the three hour long performance of 'As You Like It'. The play got FANTASTIC reviews and, while I won't bore you with the specifics ('cause you should go and do it for yourself) I'll just pause to say that we all whole-heartedly agreed. Fast moving with a lot of wit, it (and some of the cute actors) won our hearts and we most definitely will go back for more!
Jess, Lorna, Jenny, Tamsin: Thanks for Shakespeare-ing it up with me at The Globe! And a huge thank you and dedication to Mr. Knutsen, a fantastic HHS teacher who taught us all to live, love, and learn about Willy the Shake.
What better way to kick off 'Selebration September' than with a few birthday drinks at the Big Chill House in honor of Lorna's September 1st birthday? Sat in our own hidden alcove, the mid-week drinks were the perfect anecdote to ward off the early signs of post-summer blues. This night out also marked the start of a busy social month as our last LON days draw near.
A shout out to Button and Clare for working their magic and getting the crew together to 'chill'.