Category Archives: Miscellaneous

10 April 2012

Leon vs. Leon’s

Are you guys ready for an epic battle of Leon vs. Leon’s? London vs. Decatur? Singular vs. possessive?

Well then, you’re in for a treat!

Actually, it’s not so much of a battle as it is a comparison. You guys enjoyed our home comparison so much that when Lar told me she ate at a place called Leon in London, I thought, “Wonder how it stacks up to Leon’s.” Leon’s Full Service, that is. One of our favorite local bars in Decatur that we’ve mentioned in previous posts here, here, here, here and here.

Let the battle/comparison begin!

WHAT

Leon: (Lar) Located in London’s Spitalfields Market (but it’s a chain, so there are a bunch around the city).

Leon’s: (Cath) Located in downtown Decatur, GA at the corner of Ponce de Leon Ave. and Church St.

FEEL

Leon: (Lar) A light-filled new build with a slight vintagey farmhouse feel with a dash 1930s propaganda posters. Lots of communal farmhouse tables and book shelves with vintage items (lamps, boxes, books) scattered about. If you eat “outside” you are still covered by the Spitalfields Market roof (good for rainy London) and you have great people watching as you’re facing the market stalls.

Leon’s: (Cath) Formerly a shop and before that, a gas station. Lots of dark wood, Edison light bulbs and chalk boards. Even if you don’t sit outside on the patio, you can sit in the main dining area with large windows and feel the springtime breeze.

FOOD ETC.

Leon: (Lar) You might be weary because they call it fast food, but don’t be. The food is served just as quickly as your favorite McDonalds, but what’s put on your tray is nothing like it. It’s fresh, healthy (for reals) and delicious. I got the superfoods salad of avocado, broccoli, fresh peas, cucumber, sprouts, feta and lime juice with just a bit of cracked pepper. I also got a side of their waffle fries and freshly juiced apple juice served with lime and mint. I’ve heard tell that they do a mean brunch as well. Check out their menu here. Oh and what fast food place do you know of that has wheat-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free items? Three cheers for Leon!

Leon’s: (Cath) Wonderful, delicious cocktails and a great beer selection that can hold its own in a big beer-loving city. Pictured below was one of Leon’s salad specials that included sliced fennel and arugula. I also recommend the homemade candy bar for dessert and the flat breads on the late night menu.

SPECIALTIES

Leon: (Lar) I’m not sure what Leon is known for because we kind of just stumbled upon it in our travels and ate as much as our tummies could hold in one go. I was still on my vegetarian/gluten-free kick at the time, but next trip to London I will certainly try their baked goods.

Leon’s: (Cath) Cocktails! They just came out with their spring drink menu and I’m dying to try the Petal Pusher: Berkshire Mountain ethereal gin, lemon, elderflower syrup, strega, St. George absinthe, black pepper.

BRANDING

Leon: (Lar) They use this kind of 1920s/30s vintage poster art mixed with a rustic edge which I really like. It’s cheery and harkens back to thoughts of homemade foods from the days of yore, but of course the food has a modern very healthy twist to it. I thought I was over that kind of vintage wine poster look (you know that one that everyone used to decorate their kitchens in the early Naughts), but with this rustic farm house twist, I think they make it work without looking at all dated or too hyper trendy.

Leon’s: (Cath) Decatur’s “community-driven restaurant and bar.” Silverware and napkins supplied in a wooden box at each table, water served in reused wine bottles, and the famous Navy chairs at every table. Even the drink menu feels special with it’s leather spine and front metal plate.

OTHER

Leon: (Lar) Fresh, nutritious foods and sustainability are their big pushes. They try to source as much as their food as they can locally, conserve as much water as possible and get involved with their communities. Their meat is all British, their eggs free range, and they attempt to buy as much free-trade as possible. They continue to aim to recycle as much as they can and so far four of their locations compost all their food waste. Go, sustainability!

Leon’s: (Cath) Huge focus on locally sourced produce and meat. Bocce ball court in the side yard.

Cath: The verdict? Well, they’re both pretty gosh darn great. Leon’s in Decatur might have the upper hand because we’ve both been there. Maybe someday Lar and I will be able to eat at Leon in London together.

Lar: I hope Leon’s expands in the states and Leon expands in the UK (come to Edinburgh, please!). I love how both places serve delicious, fresh food in a wonderful atmosphere while pushing a message of sustainability. Really the Leons are doing what I think all of today’s restaurants should! So my verdict is win win!

______________

Dearest Lar,

Did I tell you that I played the Mega Millions a few weeks ago when it was at $550 million + ? Just like everyone else I was so sure I was going to win. My plan after winning was to fly over to see you. Then we could bounce around the UK together (including a stop at Leon in London) and visit all the Jane Austen and Downtown Abbey sites. Hell, we could have visited every great estate that has ever shown up in a Masterpiece Theater/BBC period drama in the past decade and still have money to spare. Better luck next time, I suppose.

I also meant to send you a pic of what I wore to a wedding recently: a sparkly TFNC dress from Asos, the Clare Vivier clutch you gave me and the gorgeous ring you got me in London. It always makes me so happy to be wearing something from you – it makes me feel like I have my twin nearby.

Is there a Scottish lottery? Maybe if we both play our respective lotteries our chances of winning won’t change at all will double!

xoxo, Cath

Category: Cath's Style, Decatur/Atlanta
7 Comments
9 April 2012

Eco-Friendly Finds with Shopbop

So when I started this hullabaloo about ethical dressing I had another twinge of doubt/guilt (along with the massive twinges of “I need to shop less and more conscientiously!”). Cath and I are low-key as far as blog sponsors go, but we do have a couple. And here comes the twinge. How could I be so hypocritical! We have sponsors and I don’t even know where their products are sourced. Tsk, tsk.

To rectify this (and stop the head twinging – ouch!) I got in touch with our affiliate sponsor Shopbop, and asked if they could send us a list of their eco-friendly lines. They have a handy list of designers on their site, but no page that groups all of the eco labels together and explains exactly how eco/ethical they are. So here’s a handy list and explanation for ya:

Cleobella: A California-based brand that was inspired by a year of travel to foreign lands. All of their bags are handmade in Indonesia and Bali by local artisans and many of the materials are recycled. Their website also says that their leftover fabrics and leathers are given to charities that support local Balinese villages. They mention Care on their site under “Philanthropy” — woohoo!– but they don’t specifically mention how this is connected to their business. A percent of their profits perhaps? For more info on Cleobella, click here.

Kora: Oooh I like these guys. They use locally-sourced and recycled materials from around Africa (Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana) and the pieces are made by local artisans living in developing communities. Kora’s philosophy is “trade not aid” — providing sustainable economic growth to these communities — so cool! “Kora” means “work” in Kinyarwanda. To find out more, click here.

A Peace Treaty: an ethically-produced collection of jewelry and scarves started by a Pakistani Muslim and a Libyan Jew (I thought the name was a bit cheesy until I read that). They work in a different region of the world each season to provide fair-trade work to out-of-work artisans and disabled and widowed women. On their site they say that each jewelry or scarf collection resuscitates ancient handmade textile and metalsmithing techniques that are at risk of extinction. To read more, click here.

Lizzie Fortunato Jewels: designed and operated by twins, so you know it has to be good (wink, wink — I’m so subtle!). They use reclaimed and found materials for many of their pieces. I love these beautiful and simple designs. They have gorgeous, larger statement necklaces as well, but they go a bit beyond our price range. I’d like to know more about where they make their pieces and who makes them, but I’ll have a hunt around their blog and see if I can find out more.

Alkemie Jewelry: talons and skulls, ooo lala! These guys can claim that 100% of their designs are made of reclaimed materials and everything is made by hand in downtown L.A. I really love when companies are truly trying to follow what they say is important: sustainability and caring for their employees and the environment. I feel like a lot of supposedly eco-friendly brands I read about just scratch the surface and ride the green wave. Read more about Alkemie’s philosophy and story here.

Chinti and Parker: clothes! A British company that is carbon neutral and they state on their site that they are the opposite of fast fashion – woohoo! The downside is I know they are a bit pricey — boohoo. But they do a great job of explaining exactly how they stay eco/ethically friendly on their site (click here): almost all of their items are made in the EU, they want to make pieces that stand the test of time (less buying), their packaging is fair trade, all of their materials but the bamboo jersey is 100% organic, and they continue to try to come up with ways to be even more ethical and environmentally friendly. Let the saving begin!

Woohoo! Lovely list, right? Now I know what you might be thinking if you checked out some of these designers on Shopbop — they aren’t cheap. I do feel the one (fairly major) downside to ethical and eco shopping is the price. I know these designers aren’t as easily attainable as our cheapy loves of yore (F21, Primark, etc.). I do find it frustrating not to be able to scratch my shopping impulse itches any more with just $20 (that’s shoes and a cute blouse at Primark). Instead, I find myself gritting my teeth and having to think “Okay, do you need this? How was this made?” It certainly isn’t as fun, but I swear (even as I grind my teeth down to stubs) it’s much more rewarding.

With that thinking in mind, Cath and I both saved up for necklaces from Mettle via Shopbop. We wanted statement necklaces that were very wearable (no feathers or bright colors – love that, but needed something more versatile if we were going to spend over $100).

What’s really cool about this choker is that it’s made from recycled metal formerly used in bomb shells dropped by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Now that metal is being used by a fair-trade, non-profit skills training project in Cambodia by Mettle. A horrible, dangerous thing now being used in a sustainable way. Thumbs up all around.

I’ll keep plugging away at this ethical “investigation” and I hope it helps you guys if you are interested! I know some of you might be like “hush up, Lar, we wanna just keep shopping for fun!” And believe me I totally understand that. Making this public on our blog is making me stick to it. So even if you are getting tired of these rambles, I still thank you for keeping me on the straight and narrow (let the teeth gritting continue).

—-

Dear Cath,

I want to see pics of your Mettle necklace too! I’ll make sure to take proper photos of mine, and we can do a twinsie post. Isn’t that cool that Chinti and Parker is run by twins? I think that’s why I envy the Olsen twins the most: getting to work together and live in the same city. Maybe we should work toward that, huh?

Miss you so much!

Love,

Lar

Category: Lar's Style
7 Comments
5 April 2012

What Do Harry Potter, Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson and I Have in Common?

We’ve all been here:

Maybe not this particular gate per say, but these hills by Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands have seen some famous menfolk. Harry and friends took the Hogwarts train through this terrain, Liam Neeson as Rob Roy bounded away from the English up that hill, and Mel (face painted blue and white) strode about in his skirt kilt here.

So while Cath has been inspiring you with her lovely outfits, I’ve been dressed like this:

Nice, huh? Columbia, North Face, Pata-gucci: brands that I didn’t know existed, or pretended they didn’t exist (down with the black North Face fleece!), until two years ago (the “ugly pants” in this photo debuted on this blog here). Not my favorite clothing (except for my Zissou-inpsired neon pink cap), but so wonderful when one is doing some serious hiking. That’s right. Serious hiking. Two more outdoorsy words that are new to my vocabulary.

You can hike in cuter clothes: lace-up booties, skinny jeans, properly layered and fitted flannels, some sort of felt fedora. But, ladies and gents, when you are scrambling up rain-soaked rocks, stomping through peaty bogs, and attempting to pee (out in the open- gak!) at high altitudes, you do not want to worry about wriggling out of good-butt jeans or slipping off a mountain in lace-up Frye boots.

Now you might ask yourself, so what is the point of not just the ugly attire, but the (serious-to-me) hiking in the first place?!

Firstly, you get to take a train (I love trains!). It is in fact the same route they use in all the Harry Potter movies:

We did not pass Hogwarts, but we did stop at the most remote station in this part of Scotland. The “town” of Corrour is literally made up of the train station and that wee green house you see in the background. No roads, just a train stop. Two buildings surrounded by large rolling hills and mountains for miles and miles:

Secondly, you get to see beautiful things like this: Scotland on a sunny day! We were staying in Fort William which gets the highest level of rain fall. for Scotland! And it was sunny and glorious:

Thirdly, sheep. I love sheep!

Fourthly, friends (and rainbows!). My lovely friend and sistah-in-law Pam is the one who encourages Matt and I to be outdoorsy. If you are of a similar adventuresome spirit as she (or would like to live such a life vicariously, like moi), read all about her life in Kigali, Rwanda on her blog Pam the Nomad.

Fifthly, sun and hills and mountains and tree stumps:

Sixthly, because wherever this guy goes, I go (isn’t that the 80s jingle for My Buddy? Matt doesn’t wear overalls):

Seventhly (not a word?), because you get a rest from me gabbing about ethical clothing (everything I’m wearing in this post is at least two years old except for the hat which I bought in a weakened state to make myself feel better about the rest of my sartorial trappings).

Between being momentarily outdoorsy, working from home in my work-out clothes (which I never work out in), and my ethical muddle, I’m finding it hard pressed to remember how to dress with a bit of je nais se quoi. It’s a good thing I have Cath to keep me inspired and remind me that I can look cute at some future date (one perk to being a twin, “ahhh, that’s how I use to look in pencil skirts and heels!”).

Tell me, do you guys own fleece and water-resistant trousers?

—–

Dear Cath,

Do you remember Fort William ever looking so sunny? Isn’t it amazing? I so wish you could have been there with us! I know we aren’t real hikers, but you would have loved the sheep and I would have bought you a matching neon cap — we could have hummed the Life Aquatic sound track as we stumbled around fields.

I do seriously mean it though, when I say you keep me inspired. Now that the weather is trying to be warm in Scotland, I will try to emerge from my layers of sweat pants and woolly socks.

I miss you so much. Why is this not getting easier?

LOVE,

Lar

Category: Edinburgh, Lar's Style
12 Comments
2 April 2012

Atlanta Magazine Blogger Love

Dah-da-da-daaaahhhh!!! Hear yee, hear yee! I’ve been waiting impatiently eagerly for the past two months to blog about this blogger style feature in the April issue of Atlanta Magazine. Check out page 52 (I may or may not have the page number memorized):

That’s me on the right (of course), standing next to Eboni of The Fashionista Next Door, Jennifer of Jennysue Makeup, and Mattie of Mattieologie and Atlanta Style Bloggers.

The image is probably too small to read, but you can see the full write-up online here. The paragraph on AsianCajuns is one of the best write-ups we’ve ever had. Cathy Anderson, writer and fashion blogger (Poor Little It Girl), pulled this feature together and has made the four of us feel like rock stars.

We spent one Friday afternoon in February at an office in Inman Park for the photo shoot. It was so great getting to see Eboni again and finally meeting Mattie and Jennifer in person. They are all so gorgeous!

We had to arrive at the photo shoot hair and makeup ready. Lar is much better at make-up than me, so she coached me over Skype and then I went to Drybar to get my hair done. I wore a necklace and top from Madewell, Target belt, H&M skirt, Jeffrey Campbell heels and my AsianCajuns name necklace.

One of the best things about hanging out with fellow fashion bloggers, is that no one judges you when you whip out your camera and start taking photos of everything. My outfit? Click! Your outfit? Click! Our business cards laid out on the conference table? Click, click!

Below are just a few behind the scenes photos.

Mattie filming Eboni:

 

Jennifer taking a photo of Mattie filming Eboni:

 

Eboni is the foreground, with the talented Atlanta Magazine team in the background. That’s Cathy with the bow in her hair:

 

After taking what felt like a million photos, we only got a glimpse of the results on the photographer’s Mac:

 

It wouldn’t be a proper blogger meet-up if we didn’t exchange blogger business cards:

After the photos we spent a few minutes in front of the camera talking about fashion blogging in Atlanta. You can watch the whole video – and see me slumping in my chair for nine minutes – here.

Apart from missing Lar like crazy during the whole process, this photo shoot has been one of my best blogging experiences ever.

A big thank you to the Atlanta Magazine team, our photogs the Raftermen, Caren West PR (a little birdie told me you guys suggested us for the feature), and to Jennifer, Mattie, and Eboni for being so incredibly fun to work with!

Category: Cath's Style, Decatur/Atlanta
13 Comments
2 April 2012

Work Week Wear

Just a quick work-related post to get this week started. Unlike Lar who can wear sweatpants to work (so jealous!), I practically live in pencil skirts Monday through Friday. If I had more money, I’d write something here like, “I can’t seem get enough pencil skirts!” But really, with my limited budget (and apparent inability to think beyond this one silhouette for work) I only have about four skirts and a dress or two that I rotate throughout the work week. Here’s one of my standbys:

It’s a black pencil skirt that I purchased at an H&M a few years ago when I panicked at a conference and realized that I had forgotten my then-trusty black pencil skirt (an American Apparel jersey version that didn’t hold up well to washing). My other pencil skirt favorites include a denim one from J.Crew and a classic gray skirt from The Limited.

Outfit details: Primark shirt, H&M skirt, Simply Vera for Kohls pumps, Longchamp purse and necklace from Michael’s (yep, the craft store).

On a side note, I love these Simply Vera pumps. They’re the perfect nude color and make me feel like I’m about 7 feet tall. They’re not the most comfortable (I wore them to the mall this past weekend and ended up hobbling out to my car after 30 minutes), but sometimes you just have to go with form over function. Am I right? Fellow heel-lovers, back me up on this one!

I love the elastic detail on the inside of the heel that helps keep the shoe in place.

Now back to the skirt issue. I’m thinking I need to diversify my skirt options a bit. Mostly because if I keep wearing the same four skirts as regularly as I do now, they’re going to fall apart in the wash before the season is up.

I know I should embrace trousers more, but I can never find a pair that really fit well.

I’m itching to buy a pair of the summer jeans to wear on casual Fridays and maybe this knot skirt. My dream skirt would be this DVF patterned skirt – gray and black, my two favorite clothing colors.

What about you guys and gals? Have you fallen into a workwear rut? Has anyone ever bought the J.Crew Minnie pant? Is it as amazing as the catalog makes it seem? It’s the only pair of non-denim trousers that I’ve really been tempted to get.

_____________

Dearest Lar,

My skirt collection actually doubled when you left me all your clothes before moving to Scotland. However, like I mentioned above, I’ve gotten stuck wearing the same few skirts over and over again. I need you to come look at my closet like you used to and inspire me to throw something crazy together. Can you fly back to Atlanta and stay help me with my closet?

So glad you survived your trip to the highlands with all that walking/hiking and what not. I still remember feeling so out of shape hiking about the hills 7 years ago and I actually was kind of in shape back then! You’d have to drag me up those hills now. And I’m a little annoyed that there isn’t better wifi in the highlands. What, the cows and sheep don’t need to be connected to the outside world?! Next time you venture up north of Edinburgh, I advise that you stay in a quaint cottage with good internet service and just video chat with me 🙂

xoxo, Cath

Category: Cath's Style
18 Comments
29 March 2012

Thrifting and Other Ethical Options

Me and my fishy face still continue to muddle through my style/fashion dilemmas. Since writing this post and this post, I’ve been turning things over in my mind ad nauseum. And you guys have been brilliant offering your two cents and telling me how you handle buying, shopping and being all-around conscientious consumers. And so it continues! Here’s how I’ve progressed these past few weeks:

When in London I was not at all lured by the siren call of high street stores. Mega-huge Top Shop? Nah. H&M on every corner? I didn’t even see you! I spent most of my money on food and museum fees: feast for the tummy and the eyes. I did manage to buy a few things at Spitalfields Market and at this wonderful thrift store of designer finds called Dress for Less.

Thrifting/shopping vintage. Nothing new there (literally. hardi har har), but it is something I’ve been doing much more now. Most of it is just popping into charity shops to see what’s what and then leave empty handed (still very much trying to buy less even if it is recycled/re-used). I thought I would do the same at this lovely shop, but I found this gorgeous Reiss coat (left). I also tried on this buttery/dreamy Celine bomber (right):

I also found these pretty rings. One for me, one for Cath:

The owner of Dress for Less was so sweet. I’m always kind of weary of designer vintage shops. I’ve met with a fair share of snootiness going to the American equivalents. Dress for Less’ proprietor was just lovely and welcoming (makes sense that’s just been in business for 19 years). Her shop assistant was also the cutest thing this side of the pond — if a bit camera shy:

Now you might be going “Thrifting/schmifting. Thanks for pointing out an obvious way to be an ethical-consumer, Lar!” So here are some actual helpful ethical fashion links to make this muddle less. muddly (p.s. None of these lovelies are sponsors, just so lovely I had to link them):

• Cri de Coeur: vegan-friendly shoes and purses. Check out Jesse.Anne.O to see how she styles her’s.

• Fashion-conscience.com: not super-cheap, but a lot of beautiful, ethically made clothing, accessories and home goods.

• I love Fashion Change’s “Wear this, Not that” where they show you similar yet more ethical versions of things J.Crew, Gap, Urban Outfitters, etc. sell

• The Mother Nature Network has a terrific Eco-Fashionista blog: sample post title, “‘Mad Men’ Style Goes Eco-Friendly”

• You guys have to check on {r}evolution apparel. It makes me want to stop shopping full stop, or at least cut way back and be much more creative. Thanks for the link, Spatial Drift!

• LearnVest Daily made this super-helpful chart that rates major brands (American Eagle, Zara, Asos, TopShop) on their eco and ethical friendliness.

—-

Dear Cath,

Off the to the Highlands today. I hope we can skype video soon. Isn’t that doggie photo the cutest thing ever? I want to blog it up poster-size and frame him 😉

Miss you so much! I promise I won’t climb the whole mountain. Found out Ben Nevis means Terrible Mountain. Trying to tell me something?

LOVE,

Larbar

Category: Lar's Style
17 Comments
25 March 2012

Edinburgh Fog

This is so unfair to do to Edinburgh because this past week we’ve had glorious weather: birds are singing, the sun is shining (and warm!), daffodils are nodding their heads, and the wind has abated. But instead of showing you what the vibrancy of spring can look like in such a stoney northern climate, I’m giving you fog. Last night was just so eerily beautiful though, I have to show you. I mean, you all know what sunny fields of flowers look like, but what about a historic town shrouded in mist? I would hate a city that was continuously foggy, but Edinburgh (bless her) is discriminating and varied when it comes to climate. Just when you think you can’t take any more wind, she gives you a glorious day of blue skies — and vice versa, of course.

See for your selves and let me know what you think about Edinburgh’s muted and and mysterious fog attire:

Fantastically spooky, isn’t it?

—-

Dear Cath,

I don’t remember it ever being this foggy when we lived here. You always hear about London’s pea soup, but Edinburgh’s winds must keep the fog from the rolling off the ocean and just staying put. That last photo is walking across the meadows — doesn’t it look like a back drop for a Jeff Wall light box?

I miss you so much! Why aren’t you on skype right this moment?! 😉

xoxoxox,

Lar

Category: Edinburgh
13 Comments
22 March 2012

Workout Wear

I remember when Stella McCartney first started collaborating with Adidas in 2004. I loved the line so much that I would online-window-shop the site at least once a week (I was in college at the time and had $0 to spend) dreaming that one day I could have such stylish workout wear. Fast forward 8 years and I’ve been sent my very own Adidas by Stella McCartney hoodie and shorts – yippy!

Look how happy I am in my new workout gear! And now look at some real models wearing the 2012 season line:

I have to admit that the quality of the hoodie and shorts is about a million times nicer than my workout clothes that I’ve accumulated over the past decade from H&M and Target.

Another reason I love the Stella line? Most of the items can be worn in non-workout situations, which is great for me because some days I’m just too lazy busy to workout, but want to wear something comfortable.

Example A: Wearing the hoodie with skinny trousers from Ann Taylor and Jeffrey Campbell heels:

Example B: Adidas by Stella McCartney shorts paired with Norma Kamali for Walmart shirt, H&M cardi, Madewell necklace, Urban Outfitters sunglasses and American Eagle booties:

I was also sent this stretchy ipad sleeve, which works better for travel than my DODOcase:

My only complaint is that I can’t really wear the hoodie because it’s so ridiculously hot here in Atlanta. The temp has been in the 80s since last weekend. When I took these photos I started sweating as soon as I stepped out of my house. Ah, Georgia humidity, I have not missed you!

(A big thank you to Ali and Troy for taking these photos!)

________

Dear Lar,

Can you believe that I can still hold my leg up? 17 years of dance finally paid off – ha! Although I’ve been working out a lot more this year, I bet you’re in much better shape than me since you walk everywhere. Your trip to Spitalfields probably involved more walking than I do in one week!

Miss you so much!

xoxo, Cath

Category: Cath's Style
17 Comments
19 March 2012

London: Spitalfields Market

I’ve always wanted to go to a market in London: inexpensive-ish clothes, food, books and odds and ends all thrown together sounds like heaven, doesn’t it?

We spent most of our time around North London this trip, so Spitalfields Market was in my sights. I thought I was sniffing out a non-touristy part of London, but apart from this neighborhood becoming trendy of late, there has been a market at this location since the 1600s. So I’m about 400 years behind the times, but no matter. Chinese steamed buns taste delicious either way:

Just look at all this marvelousness! There are stalls of all kinds: indie seamstresses hawking their wares, vintage Penguin paperbacks, bowler hats, leather goods. The stall on the left (below) sells garlands for your hair so you can get your boho look down; pastries galore to the right:

Oh the food! Apart from the steamed buns, Matt and I consumed roughly three lunches in the span of three hours. We went to Leon (post upcoming) and fell in love with a stall called Rainforest Creations. Everything is raw and mostly sprouted. I know, I know, sounds terrible. I would have whole-heartedly agreed with you three months ago, but even though it doesn’t win you over with words like “butter” and “bacon,” I swear it is delicious. It was fresh and wonderful (who knew raw food could have so many flavors apart from “green” and “greener”?) and the colors are just amazing. We loved it so much we went back for seconds and bought thirds for dinner:

Still attempting to be a conscientious consumer on all fronts, I went easy on the buying: tricky thing when everything is fairly cheap and shiny (bit like a magpie, I am). I bought a summer striped dress for Cath (said it was made in England, so hopefully no sweatshop labor or labour) and an old Penguin edition of Gigi (when we were little, Cath and I wanted to be Leslie Caron’s Gigi. We had very little understanding of what a mistress/kept lady was, but it seemed to involve pretty dresses and walking around Paris. Done!).

I also got this sweater. It’s a brighter pink than this photo lets on.

And that was Spitalfields! Next London trip I hope to hit up another market. I don’t understand why we don’t have something similar in Atlanta. I mean, these British markets started outside and if they can have something outside in the rain and the cold, Atlanta can do it in the heat and humidity, right?

Update: Matt just pointed out this amazing blog to me called Spitalfields Life. I’m just dipping my toe in, but it looks to be amazing and is written daily by a Gentle Author. So even if you don’t have a London trip on the horizon, take a look at this blog to feel like you have your own Brick Lane tour guide.

—-

Dear Cath,

You would looooove Spitalfields and the whole east London vibe in general. It is pretty different from where we stayed in the past. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Decatur had something similar? I know there was that artist market, but it was missing the food and the vintage wares.

August seems much to far away.

LOVE,

Lar

Category: General AsianCajuns Info, Lar's Style
7 Comments
15 March 2012

London Love


(Above: me stomping around close to our flat in Islington wearing my Eugenia Kim hat, old pleather jacket, canvas tote, Madewell jeans and Hunter Boots)

Cath and I are nutty about London: the history, the Englishyness and the non-Englishyness (so diverse!), the food, the book shops, the shop shops, the old mixed with the new. . . we love it to bits and pieces. Last week when I visited for the first time in eight years, I really, really missed not having Cath there with me. So this post is a bit selfish (or twin-ish): a way to bring Cath with me on my trip!

“Licking the windows” (faire du lèche-vitrine = window shopping). Thrifitng and marketing abounds in London. So even if you don’t have gobs of money to spend you can do more than window lick:

I stopped by Fortnum and Mason to drool over their champagne and caviar picnic hampers and feel poor (cheapest thing was a £13 tin of tea – lordy!). Kate Middleton and the Queen were here just a week ahead of me. Our experiences differed slightly (I was shocked when no one offered me a free hamper!):

Even though it’s an incredibly congested city, the air quality (as far as cities go) is marvelous in London. Could it be the congestion fees, public transport and biker-friendly ways? I would be terrified to bike in London traffic, but almost convinced if I could lock my bike to one of these planters:

My highlight to the trip (apart from seeing old friends) was going to the super-hyped David Hockney exhibit at the Royal Academy. After hearing so many amazing things about it I thought it couldn’t be all that wonderful. Holy schmoly wholy, it was! Amazing fantasticness! I’d go so far to say it was the best exhibit I’ve ever seen (and I’m quite the museum-goer). The show was £14 which seemed steep until I saw it. Now I would gladly pay that daily to go back again and again:

London has amazing fast food, and I don’t mean hamburgers and pizza. Matt and I could easily stick to our vegetarian/gluten-free routine while going to a fast food chains around the city! This photo is from Itsu, but we also ate delicious healthy things at Leon and Pret A Manger:

Freshly juiced apple, lime and mint at Leon:

On our way to Spitalfields Market (upcoming post all about that glorious place!):

Have you guys been to London before? Where are your favorite places? Does it rank as one of your favorite cities? I love every big city I’ve been to (SF, NYC, DC, Chicago, Madrid, Paris, Rome, etc.), but London takes the (tea)cake for me!

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Dear Cath,

London (just like Edinburgh) does not feel whole without you. Everything we saw I tried to catalog in my head and tell you about — this blog post works much better than my old noggin.

Hope you had fun in class yesterday! See you on skype soon!

xoxoxox,

Lar

Category: General AsianCajuns Info, Lar's Style
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