I hope our American readers had a lovely Thanksgiving and that everyone else had a beautiful weekend! Matteo and I staved off homesickness by doing nothing turkey-day-ish. We had friends over for Tex-Mex (not something you can easily get over here) and then headed to the German Christmas market in the middle of town. It would have all made a brilliant post if I had thought about bringing my camera along — drrr!

Instead, I offer you the much less photogenic Saturday adventure we had — a foray into the wilds of the Edinburgh suburbs!

Matt and I are hoping to cut our weekly food budget down a bit by shopping at Asda. For those of you who don’t know, Asda is owned by Walmart (I know, shudder, shudder). We rarely went to Walmart in the states, but are happy to take a bus to Asda (and the burbs) here if it means saving a few quid. Cost of living is higher here than in Atlanta, and in order to afford going to fancy places in Edinburgh (pastry shops! castles!) we have to lower the bar by genuflecting to Walmart/Asda’s lower price point.

Growing up in American suburbia and watching Masterpiece Theater (my intro to all things British), I thought the UK was made up entirely of beautiful farm land and quaint little villages. And that does very much exist, but so does mega box stores with large car parks (i.e. parking lots). Shocking! Don’t all Europeans use public transport or bikes, and buy their daily groceries at little local shops?!

I know that the death of mom and pop shops and other independent groceries is a sad loss. But I think most people can’t afford shopping entirely at little local places, especially in-town where prices are higher. How about a balance? Support independent shops while simultaneously shopping where it’s cheaper so that you can afford those independent places as often as possible. I still feel a little guilty and bashful for “going suburban” while living here, but my wallet seems somewhat relieved.

One difference between Edinburgh’s suburb and much of the American suburbs is the public transport. It seems most people do drive to this Asda just outside of Edinburgh’s city center, but the bus is there for those who don’t have a car. It runs every 15 minutes and costs about $2 one way. Without the bus we would have to walk about an hour one way, and then back again laden with groceries. (The photo below is taken from the top deck of the bus sitting in the front row of seats — my favorite spot):

Even our little five block wall home (uphill! in gale-force wind!) with our groceries bags and backpacks nearly outdid me (the photo on the left is a much more accurate depiction of how I look after walking around the city):

Outfit details: J.Crew puffer coat • Eugenia Kim hat (stayed on my head even when the wind rammed me into a stone wall) • Land’s End sweater • Scarf from Vivid Boutique in Decatur • Skinnies from Next • Hunter wedge, lace-up wellies (I got them via Shopbop earlier this year, but you can still find them online and on sale at Neiman Marcus!)

I live and die by these Hunter wellies. I’ve always loved the look of the classic Hunter wellie, but never was convinced they would look good on me (tall rubber boots on a shorter frame), when I saw these shorter ones with a wedge, I went all google-eyed. They keep my toesies warm and dry and are quite easy to walk in.

Speaking of battling the wintry elements here in Scotland, I just purchased this awesome scarf from fellow blogger Laura (Blog of Worldly Delights) from her new Etsy shop. All of her items are so cute and so reasonably priced — do check out her etsy store. I can’t wait to wear Sly Pete around Edinburgh and make the Fantastic Mr. Fox whistling noise.

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Dearest Kitcath,

It was so nice to “see” you on Thanksgiving, but made me miss you guys terribly! I’m so glad you will be here in just a few weeks -eeeee!!!

I think winter has finally come to Edinburgh, so I think your giant puffer coat from Eddie Bauer is going to be perfect. Don’t worry about not being “fashionable,” I’ll be right along there with you! I’m trying to not go out shopping so that we can spend a bit at Merci in Paris. I need to reread the Haute World’s post on Merci (found it here ;)).

Hope we can skype chat tonight! Good luck on your paper!

LOVE,

Larbar

On Lar: new red beret from Debenhams • vintage scarf from Stefan’s in Atlanta • thrifted gap shirt • Blank black cords • Frye boots

(Apparently I like to dress franco-phoney when I go to American places.)  You like our new clock (above my head)? It’s from Pound Stretcher and slows down about every two days or so.

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Matteo and I stumbled on Katie’s Diner on our way to the pub one night, and thought we should try it out. It looks a little more bistro-y than diner-y, but its menu claims to be American: steak and potatoes, hamburgers, and a few other main courses.

I have to say Katie’s reminds me more of American places circa 1989 or so. We started with breaded mushroom caps:

And each got a burger with fries for our main course (iceburg lettuce included!). It made me a little nostalgic for my childhood — pre low-carb and/or gluten-free diets:

To top it off, a delicious, buttery apple crumble and vanilla ice cream!

I missed you, 1980s/90s Americana! I just didn’t expect to find you in Scotland of all places!

Oh and I meant to update those of you interested in treacle when I mentioned it a few weeks ago. Turns out that treacle isn’t some wonderful sugary concoction to be eaten by the likes of Alice (in Wonderland), but just the British version of black strap molasses! I was appalled. Something called treacle shouldn’t be so nutrient rich or taste like iron. but it does:

I’ve been eating it with my oats and nuts every morning to offset my baked-goods and burgers that I eat later in the day:

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Dearest Kitcath,

Two things:

1) This is what your package looked like when it arrived! Came at such a perfect time — feeling a little blue that day, missing everyone. I’ve actually got the Vivid Boutique candle lit now and we plan to use another packet of the taco seasoning tomorrow night (for our non-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving):

2) Should I get this as an early giftie to myself from Shopbop via Madewell? A good size for carrying around french pastries and museum guides whilst we stroll arm and arm down the Champs Elysees, non?

(edit: Nov. 24 • 10 am BST) I just saw this in my email, maybe a sign? (Even if I don’t plan to spend that much ;)):

Miss you, Kitcath!!!

xoxox,

Larbar

That (above), my friends is a delicious raisin brioche made by Falko Konditormeister. What is a Konditormeister? Only my favorite kind of person in the whole wide world — in any language — a master pastry chef! In this case, a German man by the name of Falko.

Not only do we live by some of the best French bakeries in Edinburgh, we also happen to have Herr Falko’s delicious establishment just a few blocks away from our flat. It is really an incredibly lucky thing that Matt and I can’t afford a car here. Without the walking we have to do, we would both turn into butter balls — happily munching away on croissants, pain au chocolats, and apple strudel until we collapsed from simultaneous heart attacks.

Here is a photo of my favorite handsome and svelte mans sitting in Falko Konditormeister’s bakery:

His cappuccino:

His Swiss toast (béchamel sauce, ham, swiss cheese on delicious kondistormeister bread):

This is what I wore to eat my butter delicious baked goods (I forgot to take pics of myself there – so I’m actually standing in my kitchen. Please note the very yellow walls, which are more orange in person):

Thrifted shirt from Finders Keepers in Atlanta • Citizens of Humanity skirt • Shuropody boots*

There’s a close-up of my shirt. It’s one of my favorites: it’s got this slightly Asian fan motif going on, and I love the colors.

*Shuropody boots: I have no idea how to pronounce the name of this store (Shoe Ro Pody? Shoe Rope-dy), but I stumbled upon it on Rose Street and thought it looked like one of those places where you buy orthopedic shoes. Sounds like a weird choice for someone who used to swear by 5-inch heels, but ya’ll, I is a-getting old, and walking around everywhere in Edinburgh is killing my poor, abused feetsies. And really, Shuropody (say it three times fast) had some cute things, plus they had a sale going! I needed another pair of boots because I’m wearing down the other two pairs I brought from the States. These newbies are lovely and warm and –gasp!– only two inches high. One day when I no longer live in a city of cobblestone, without a car, I might consider those 5-inchers again.

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Dear Kitcath,

It’s weird but I really haven’t seen much appeal in the High Street shopping since I’ve been here. Does that mean I am getting too old for trendy trends? I just can’t muster the strength to spend £30 on a cheaply made shirt with birds on it. Maybe it just means I’m too “poor” and should stick to the charity shops (£3 for an angora sweater- yes!). Maybe I’m just becoming thrifty and Scottish? One can always hope.

Anyways, I would like to save my hard-earned cash for some independent boutiques around here — though those seem a bit spendy too (but worth it right?), and to travel and see you more often. I’ll keep you abreast of any fluctuations in my shopping habits and what I discover.

Love/Miss You Muchos,

Larbar

H&M scarf • J.Crew puffer • thrifted purse • Next pink jeans • Frye boots

Like any good exploring adventure, this one starts out with the requisite outfit pic and. food! Matteo and I made it half way to Calton Hill before we decided it was best to stop for a quick bite (he also let me stop at every charity shop along the way – so I think he deserved at least a cuppa!).

We pottered into Henderson’s at St. John’s. It’s a vegetarian café in the basement of an historic church, right in the heart of Edinburgh. I had the frittata:

I think Matt must get so sick of me taking photos of him, but he is usually the one stuck with me all weekend! Look at those stone vaulted ceilings:

And just outside of Henderson’s is a beautiful cemetery:

This is the view southward from the church/café grounds:

You can also get a beautiful view of Edinburgh Castle from the park by St. John’s. Isn’t it so lovely in the autumn sunlight:

So after a stroll post-lunch we finally ambled over to our intended destination: Calton Hill. You can see it behind Matteo’s head (below) — see those bits and bobs that look like Roman ruins? Well, they aren’t exactly Roman, but they are meant to look like classical relics. Most of the monuments were built as memorials around the early 19th century:

You can get some lovely views of the city from Calton Hill (and it’s much less of a climb than Arthur’s Seat — much more my speed). That’s Leith and the Firth of Forth (watery bits in the far background) behind us, so you’re looking north west-ish.

And what about this view?! That’s Edinburgh Castle to the left on the hill and New Town to the right of that:

This is what the “ruins” (monuments and observatories) look like on the top of the hill:

This is the oldest observatory tower built in the 1700s. (Matt thought he was being sneaky and getting out of the shot– but I got him and his Remembrance Day poppy – muahahaha!):

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Dear Kitcath,

Here’s our twinsie skype photo! Skype stripes:

Still not seeing you in person is so hard! Only one month left to go!!

xoxoxo,

Larbar