Latest Posts
From one great city to another.
I’m flying to London tonight to visit Parisa and Tim, and am…strangely nervous. Given that I actually lived in London for six months back in 2002 and am not exactly a newbie traveler, that’s a little weird. But I think it’s partly because I’m going to miss Kendrick and Lucy, partly because I haven’t traveled very extensively since my college years (save for our honeymoon in Thailand and Indonesia), and partly because being a houseguest always makes me a little anxious: I really, really, really don’t want to get in the way. I’m bringing some nice housewarming gifts along with me (they just bought a new flat), and am planning on cooking them a couple of good meals while I’m there, but mostly I just want to wander the streets with Parisa and get in some good catch-up time.
Since it’s been years since I stepped foot in London, I’m planning on doing lots of touristy stuff while I’m there. Top on my list are visiting Camden Market (the dorm where Parisa and I lived when we studied abroad was right next to the market) and Portobello Market, checking out the Tate Modern, and maybe buying a dress or twenty at TopShop (I know there’s one in NYC now…that’s not the point). TimeOut London also advises me to “munch on whelks” (although I just googled “whelk” and think I might skip it) and visit the Horniman Anthropological Museum, which is “dominated by a bizarre, overstuffed walrus.”
OK, I’m excited. If you have any more suggestions for things I should do while in London, please email me at jordan@nonsociety.com!
Get High: Best Hotel Bars With Manhattan Views
While the New York skyline is beautiful from just about any vantage point, some of the best views can be found if you skip town. OffManhattan.com has a list of the Best Hotel Bars with Manhattan Views, such as the W Hoboken and the Hotel Le Bleu in Park Slope.
One of my favorite Franz Collection teacups - this one is the “Mint herb design.” I also love the Floral Bouquet Collection. My china is mismatched white, silver & gold Kate Spade (I’ll do a more detailed post on my table settings later), and I think that these items would be a gorgeous splash of color.
The longer I stare at these things, the more I realize that they’re totally something you would find in your weird relative’s china cabinet (or buy off of HSN at 3AM)…but I don’t care. I love them anyway.
A close-up of the photo of me with Grandma and Grandpa. I miss them lots…even more so than usual today.
I first discovered Franz Collection in a vintage shop in Los Angeles, and immediately bought the cream & sugar set you see pictured above for my mother (who collects cream & sugar sets, as well as teacups) for Christmas. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the teapot in a store in Ogunquit (where we were married), and realized that Franz is not some obscure, defunct company, but is rather quite well-known and available in shops across the country. No matter: I love it. Is it crazily over-the-top and campy? Oh, yeah…but that’s why I think it’s so exquisite. Some of my favorite lines are their “Herbs” and their “Flitters.”
I’d kind of like to start my own teacup collection, now that I have the space for it, and think that some of these might be a lovely starting point.
The teacup off to the left is from a different set: I found it at the 39th Street Flea Market and gave it to my mom as a Christmas present last year. Also pictured is a photo of me at age 2 (?) with my grandma and grandpa (on my dad’s side), as well as a letter that Dad received from Eleanor Roosevelt (signed by the lady herself) after he wrote her in ‘61. Oh, and a bottle of Patron that has been sitting in my parents’ dining room for…maybe eight years?
The super-adorable production team at RTL.
RTL Interview
Shooting the RTL interview on CBS’s rooftop.
Today I headed over to the RTL offices at CBS Studios on 57th Street to film an interview in which I discussed J.Lo’s sex “sexual situations” tape, which her ex-husband, Ojani Noa, is allegedly in possession of. This would be big trouble for Mrs. Anthony, if not for the confidentiality agreement that Noa signed in the wake of his 2004 firing from his position as manager of Madre’s (her now-defunct Pasadena restaurant). Whoops. So Lopez slapped Noa with a restraining order preventing him from distributing the tape (at least temporarily).
J.Crew cashmere sweater borrowed from Mom (I ran out of clothing on Day 4 of my housesitting assignment), Express studded leggings.
Wednesday night, I’m flying to London to visit one of my best friends in the world, Parisa, and her fiance Tim. I’m going under the auspices of helping Parisa plan her wedding and decorate her apartment, but really I just miss her. And I miss London: I studied abroad at UCL during my junior year, and I haven’t been back since. I booked my ticket a few weeks ago, but I just learned about the amazing deals being offered over at British Airways through November 19, 2009…and am currently regretting my airline pick. Alas.
In November, British Airways is holding a “World Sale” to promote flights and packages from the US and Canada to destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa. They’re offering flights to London from $229 each way and flight+hotel packages from $659, and the sale includes unbelievable destinations such as the Maldives ($608 each way) and Madrid ($205 each way). If you customize a package to fit your holiday, you receive 2,000 bonus BA miles when you book. My dream destination is Cairo (pictured above) - I have some Egyptian ancestors on my father’s side, and was pretty much obsessed with Egyptian culture throughout my elementary school years. I have always - always - wanted to see the pyramids. One day.
My college roommate, Catherine, constantly flew British Airways because her father was a pilot for the airline, and often gushed about their service. BA’s “Upgraded” experience includes 200+ “On-Demand” options, complimentary food & beverage service worldwide, a comfortable in-flight experience with ergonomically designed seats and eyeshades (I love when I get those on flights), destination guides to help you plan your trip, and “MetroTwin,” an online community that’s intended for use by travelers between NYC and London. Next time Parisa needs help planning a wedding (TOTALLY kidding, love you Tim!), I’m flying BA.
