Painting the town...PINK!

Check it out! A friend and I decided to go back to 1994 and sport hot pink nails* (better than those hot pink hot shorts I've seen lately). One cheap home manicure later et voila!

*Bought at Forever 21 for the ridiculously cheap price of $2.50.

Another dollar, another year?

Has it been a year almost since my last post? I guess it has. Nothing much to say than shame on me.
Back to the blog drawing board.

Quick update list:
1. Now living in NY.
2. Missing London and amazing friends.
3. Eyes always open for new adventures.
4. On spring holiday, a good way to get this started....again.

Breathe a Sigh of Bath!

Both of the previous times I have been to Bath proved to please and this time was no different for an easy and quick getaway during this last Bank Holiday.

Two lady pals and I ventured out of London at 11:00 to hit very little M4 traffic on Sunday morning. As soon as we emerged out of the viscious circles that are London suburbs, we remarked on how FRESH the air was as we said goodbye to the city smog and hello to rural countryside. And beautiful countryside at that! The fields were abundant with blocks of achingly bright canola fields all yellow and in stark contrast to the darkening sky. Despite the fact that it rained on us a few times in the car, we arrived in Bath with no umbrellas in sight and what looked like some sunny skies.

We made a quick beeline to the Thermae Bath Spa. I went once with my sister in July and it proved the perfect pick-me-up for our days spent drinking and touring around London. For around 20 quid, you get 2 hours to splash to your heart's content in the thermal waters from the famous Bath springs. The entire spa is revamped and with your admission, you get access to the Minerva Bath (like a big, heated whirlpool), the 4 steam rooms all flavoured with essence of lavender, mint or frankinscence, AND, last but not least...the heated rooftop pool which overlooks the hillsides and city of Bath. We emerged feeling revived, refreshed, and as if we had been given new bodies.

We were also able to soak in a few bottles of rose and pub grub at The Gascoyne Place, voted one of Bath's best eating establishments. This place is great and has a large wine list, hearty food, and many beers on tap. It's even in a Grade II listed Georgian building for any architecture buffs out there. Service was spotty, but our blissed brains hadn't the energy to complain.

A Day to Play

Ladies and gentlemen: we finally had some sun today in good old London. Fresh air and fair skies had everyone and their mother out and about today. I meandered over to Marylebone High Street, sampling some homemade Vietnamese food for charity at a cute, quiet Saturday market called Cabbages and Frocks. I saw tiny vendors selling everything from high end vintage to homemade paper. It was a welcome respite from the normal craziness of a Saturday market.

My happy feet then took me over to Hyde Park where I slept for a good hour while stretching out on the healthy green grass listening to the hum of the city and footballers around me.

To top of my afternoon, I stopped into Spa NK to sample some of the delicious products they have on display. I am always in a trance like state when I enter this store with the beautiful packaging of their products and the luscious scents of some candle wafting through the air.

What a lovely day...but, will there be more to come?

Rain, Rain...Go Away!

It has rained on and off this week a total of 27 (probably 30 by the time I finish this post) times this week. There have been big raindrops that when they fall feel as if you've taken a shower to small misty foggy rain that is just plain old annoying because you don't quite know what to do!

Everyone is thinking, "Enough already, give me some sun!" I've got a pretty full plate for this first May Bank holiday including some hip hop dancing, market going (Cabbage and Frocks in Marylebone), garden planting, pub drinking, spa visiting, and plain old relaxing.

To beat off some of these rainy day blues, I headed over to the pre-Saturday Portobello Market and found another branch of the boutique, Appletree. This tiny place is smack dab amongst the famous antique dealers on the southern end of the market. Step inside and I found tons of cute summer dresses with PRINTS galore and some funky accessories inside all handmade and definitely a throwback to the '80's including plastic hairbows, bright neon colors, and even bowed headbands! (Channeling Blair Waldorf!)

Then off to Ottolenghi to google at their deliciously divine sweet treats and real food. I really had no intention to buy or eat anything, but I could feel my stomach gurgling and practically reach out for some goodness. I opted for savoury saffron basmati rice with chickpeas and dill with a spicy aubergine topped with pomegranate. Yum!

Crossing my fingers and praying for the sun to start shining!

Markets Galore

As I walked out of my grueling pilates class in Notting Hill on Saturday, I was overjoyed to find blue skies and singing birds. I rewarded myself to a baked, savoury goodie at my favourite vegetarian takeaway, The Grain Shop on Portobello Road. I braved the crowds of Portobello Market and even scoped out some funky jewellery for sale that I left alone declaring, "I can make it for cheaper!"

I then rushed over on the tube to meet a friend for my first visit to Camden Market. Camden is located in the northeastern part of London right next to Regent's Park and the tonier neighborhoods of Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath. I was surprised and delighted to find a whole subculture of rock, punk and goth alive and well once I stepped onto the main market street.

My friend and I spelunked around the many different off beat shoe stores and ventured through the many stalls of the Horse Stables. I noticed that the clothing stalls were mostly run by Asian (I think Korean)owners and reminded me a lot of the one off, cute wares I spied when visiting Seoul a few years ago. The prices were the best I've seen in London ranging from 5-35 pounds and the tiny stalls had a true boutiquey feel to them. Spring shopping beware!

No Babies Wanted

I went out last night to the east end of London in Hoxton with some friends to cap off the week. I love stepping off the tube in the east end because it's gritty with kebab and fried food infused air, and it reminds me a bit of being back in NY. Our original plan: a small bar called Ziegfried's at 6:30, which would have made us ahead of the game in Friday post-work drinks.

As I meandered up onto the square, I saw that Ziegfried's was crowded (!?) to the max with people on their outdoor terrace and to my shock and horror-I had to climb over a baby stroller to get through the young, smoking crowd. Now, people, really? A baby? That poor child suffering their parent's and friend's second hand smoke, drunk banter, and loud music? Puh-lease! Leave your children at home, pay the money for a sitter, and really enjoy your time out! You and your little precious will be more the merrier for doing so!

Just as I was mid-step over the carriage, I got a text pointing me to the Hoxton Bar and Grill instead where my mates were waiting with a much coveted table for us to drink and eat our Friday night away.