Leftovers

Sorry had to put ONE more picture of the table up! I mean, is that not a GORGEOUS table?  Best part of Thanksgiving though is, of course, the LEFTOVERS.  Yesterday Mr. LaPoo and I had turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing sandis for lunch!  DREAM. AND for dinner, the mister made a delish turkey veggie soup.  The meals will keep coming for at least the rest of the week. Stay tuned.  Things could get creative to say the least!

Stick a Fork in Me...

I'm DONE!  Our first hosted Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Tons of work, but WELL worth it!  I can't even begin to tell you how much food we had.  The big achievement of the day was, of course, the turkey! Mr. LaPoo, who didn't even want a turkey in the first place (he's not American), grilled our gobble gobble on the BBQ. He brined it first and followed the instructions from the new Joy of Cooking, and a little help from my brother-in-law Jason, and it came out golden, moist and delicious!  And not a moment too soon, as in typical London fashion, it started pouring 20 minutes later.  

My pear, carrot and parsnip soup was also a big hit, especially with the babies, as was Mr. LaPoo's wild mushroom tart.  Everything was absolutely amazing and we even played two rounds of my family's favorite holiday game, Name in the Hat Game!  Check out some highlight pictures on this post and do note the artfully folded napkins thanks to yours LaPooly.  Had to fight to get those on the table, as someone else wanted to use disposables.  Nothing like a little turkey time tanty to get the table looking just so.  As we like to say in our house, it's supposed to be a HAPPY HOLIDAY! And it was!

Totally NUTS!

Can't talk, I'm on a roll.  Nuts are done. Chocolate tart in the oven.  Veggies peeled for the soup.  Just wanted to keep you abreast.  Like a TURKEY!  Yikes. Gotta go.

That Didn't Take Long...

Well, as predicted there have already been a couple HICCUPS.  Usually when I'm baking, I have my mother on speed dial, because most of the recipes I make are hers, and she's like a GENIUS in the kitchen.  She actually knows WHY you're supposed to do things, like what beating the egg whites separately actually does for whatever you're concocting.  Me? I just follow the instructions and hope for the best.  That is, when the instructions are explicitly laid out.  You can probably see where this is going.  As I was mixing together my ingredients for the pumpkin bread, I came across an indication to add nutmeg.  BUT, nowhere on my list of ingredients and AMOUNTS, was nutmeg mentioned.  Obviously, in a panic, I called my mom at my brother's house in Chicago. No answer. TYPICAL!  Next, I tried her cell phone.  Mobile, whatever.  NO ANSWER. Even more typical since she doesn't know how to use the damn thing.  Finally, I saw her on gchat and typed out a frantic plea for help. NADA.  I had to make an executive decision.  All the other spices seemed to be going in in teaspoons, so a teaspoon it was!  Now, hours later,  my loaves are done and resting dreamily on their cooling rack and I just received an email from my mom saying I can call now. I replied, "too late, happy thanksgiving to ya".  To which she replied, "That is way, way too much nutmeg."  Did you catch the extra WAY in there because I know I did!  Well, I spoke to her and it turns out it should be okay according to the Joy of Cooking - had to bring in the big guns.  The truth is we won't really know till the first bite is taken on Saturday, most likely by Mr. LaPoo.  Until then I am HOPING FOR THE FREAKING BEST!

LaTurkey Day

Happy Turkey Time!  Doesn't really feel like Thanksgiving today, especially since we're celebrating it on Saturday this year, but it's my favorite holiday EVER so must give it some air time. I mean what could be better than a holiday solely dedicated to food?! Nothin, that's what!  The cooking will commence this afternoon, as soon am I'm done with lunch. Going to start off with my mom's pumpkin bread recipe and cayenne pecans.  Tomorrow I'm going to make Eleanor Gubins' pear, parsnip and carrot soup and a chocolate tart!  There are sure to be some disasters so stayed tuned for whimsical anecdotes, pictures and all around good holiday cheer.  Oh, just finished my lunch.  Yay pilgrims!

My New Tayyabs

 Went for Indian food last night to New Tayyabs with Mr. LaPoo and our friends Dan and Liz!  Ate so much had to loosen my belt. Twice.  The food was amazing and super cheap.  Especially loved the quail dish Mr. LaPoo ordered.  And even on a Tuesday night the line was out the door.  Definitely worth a return trip, although not too often, since it was soo far I actually said I felt like I was in another country after stepping out of the tube at White Chapel.  Then I realized how bad that sounded, so zipped it up!  Most eventful part of the evening, however, was on the tube ride home.  Mr. LaPoo and I found ourselves in between two guys trying to figure out how they knew each other.   See, it was difficult to place each other since one of them had been in jail for the last seven years for man slaughter.  Which he proudly explained was the lowered sentence.  Meaning, he basically murdered someone.  Turns out they knew each other from growing up right around where we live.  This led to a big discussion on the walk home about where to raise our kids and what schools they can go to without turning into murdering drug dealers.  Thanks manslaughter man.  Thanks a lot.

Kophie LaKoo?

Well I've finally hit rock bottom.  Cried like a baby at Keeping up with the Kardashians yesterday.  Khloe's rehearsal dinner.  Bruce Jenner's toast.  A grown man, an olympian nonetheless, crying over his promise to his wife's dying ex husband.  You know what I'm talking about.  I know the wedding isn't for reals or whatever, and I guess the whole show is scripted, but I just love that family. I want to be friends with them and hang out with them all the time.  If only my name started with a K!  Hey Kris! Hey Khlo. Hey Kourt.  Key Kim....HEY KOPHIE! It works!

FALL OVERS

Started off this morning with two LaPoo Flu shots!  Swine and regular. So far so good, but I feel a couple sore arms coming on.

The weekend was another festival of feasts.  We have a friend in town from the states, although he's an Aussie, so organized a big dinner for Saturday night at First Floor on Portobello road.  Had everyone over to our place first for drinks and snacks.  Mr. LaPoo made award worthy cockails called Fall Over (we're a very punny couple. Totally MTB.).  He infused vodka the night before with rosemary fresh from our urban garden and made his own almond syrup.  They were definitely true to their name as a lovely seasonal cocktail, and while I didn't actually fall over, I did drink just enough to ruin the entire next season of Grey's Anatomy for my friend Tanya.  NIGHTMARE.  Anyway, I made my famous walnut parmesan bruschetta and bought our fave Taleggio from Mr. Christians.  All went down a scream.  In a good way.

Dinner was super fun and full of lively conversation.  Food was fine, but not great. This is not the first time First Floor has been below par for us,  but it's such a fun atmosphere, we always seem to think it worthy of return.

Sunday lay low, while Mr. LaPoo ditched me to go for dim sum with the guys.  He made it up to me though with a Mario Batali wild mushroom ragu with tagliatelle for dinner.  And for dessert I made Bill Granger's gooey chocolate treats.  Just something I whipped up!

Something's Bugging Me....

Ummm I feel obliged to tell you that I spent most of yesterday afternoon FREAKING out over the spider, shown above, that was terrorizing my flat.  When I first laid eyes on the little bugger, the DG in me grabbed a cup and bent down ready to scoop it up and let him go safe and sound on the balcony.  But as I did so, and it scurried closer to me rather than into the cup, the fashionista in me squealed and ran upstairs to stand on my bed until Mr. LaPoo came home.  Fine, eventually I came back down to the couch, but I swear I could hear that thing walking around for hours.  Finally, Mr. LaPoo did return home, though, and took care of the matter all before dinnertime.  PHEW!

And yes. I took a picture, which doesn't even do him justice by the way.  Have I mentioned I don't have a job?

LaPoo's Dinner Snafus

Last night I found myself in the private dining room  at the Burlington Arms with 12 Aussies and a Scandinavian woman for dinner.  Lots of old friends of Mr. LaPoo and a few unknowns.  All in all a delightful evening full of interesting conversations and only a couple awkward moments thanks to yours truly.  Faves of the evening were...

1.) When, out of 14 people in attendance, Mr. LaPoo and I managed to sit down next to and across from his ex-girlfriend.  Who, actually is super nice and smart.  Unless she's faking it, but I'm usually pretty good at picking up on such things.  

2.) How I kept obsessing all night about how funny it was that the ex and I both wore our hair in low side ponies.  What are the odds?  Oh and how my husband and the girl next to him, that wasn't me, had had sex before.  But mainly the side pony.

3.) When I ordered my cheeseburger medium rare and the waiter said they only made them well done I blurted out, "Are you kidding?"  Damn it feels good to be an American stereotype sometimes.

4.) Being caught in the middle of conversations about Afghanistan and the Copenhagen Summit, when really all I wanted was to be seated back with the interesting girl who makes chocolate discussing the possibility of Lloyd and Cheryl having an affair on X Factor.

5.) Chatting with the strange girl who assumed, as a fellow Jew, that I knew about the secret sign language thing.   Admittedly, I am the worst Jew in the world, but uh what?

6.) And finally, the fact that at the ex's office when someone brings forward a new idea, they are judged by their colleagues wearing either gold or green party hats.  Gold for when they like the idea and green for not so much.  I mean I've worked in fashion for years, and not once did I get to wear a gold party hat in a meeting.  Dang it!


P.S. Stay tuned for more on the chocolate girl.  It's like chocolate...but better!

LaPoo's Interviews Blues

Have had two interviews this week.  Felt like they went fine, but not amazing.  Yesterday's was a second interview, very last minute mind you, (not that I'm making excuses) and I just had one of those moments after they asked me a question, where my mind went blank and it felt like 30 minutes had passed until I answered!  NOT good.  Only time will tell now.  On the plus side, they all seemed to really enjoy my outfit.  Navy gorge Isabel Marant trousers with Paul Smith white shirt poking out from under a black APC short-sleeved knit top with strands of Chanel pearls and black patent peep toe Miu Miu heels.

Got home in the afternoon and switched back into my alter ego, CHEF LaPOO EXTRAORDINAIRE!  Cooked up some Sage marinated Pork loins with sauteed spinach, sweet potato fries and glazed apples.  DREAM.  Had it for lunch today too at the Eat on Berkeley Square.  I met my friends Chelsea and Liz there who got soup.  Yup.  I economized.  Look at me go.  OH and on my way to the gym this morning, I followed this guy for about three blocks who clearly had the WORST wedgy.  Kept walking funny and trying to readjust.  Totally sympathized with the poor guy.

P.S. I wasn't like following him following him. He just happened to be walking in front of me.

P.P.S. Have you noticed how everything seems to rhyme with LaPoo?

Host the Roast

Lots of glorious feasting this weekend! We had our friends Natalia and Jason over for lunch on Saturday with their adorable twin baby girls!  See above for the menu and please note that the kale was from our very own urban terrace garden.   Quite a tasty afternoon treat that lasted well into the evening.  Kept up the roast motif on Sunday with another long lunch at Bumpkin (Notting Hill branch) with our fave locals.  Always love going to Bumpkin - it's a fun atmosphere, but the food I think is just okay.  Never offensive, but never amazing.  I did, however, enjoy my gooey pecan brownie VERY MUCH.  This morning, hopped on the bus for my interview at Anya.  Think it went well, but I always seem to think that and am still unemployed.  Only time will tell.  On the positive side, my outfit came together quite nicely.  Winter white See by Chloe dress, black cropped Paul Smith blazer, big chunky Chanel necklace and black Jill Stuart boots.  I mean, I'd hire me on the outfit alone. 

Dirty Dell-inquents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ijH3cRJ1BY

So, if you live in the UK and watch TV, as most SANE people do, you've no doubt seen the new Dell commercial with the factory workers singing along to the 1958 Chordettes hit "Lollipop".  Something about this commercial has seemed a little off to me for quite some time, and only now have I put it all together.  If you don't know the commercial, check out the link above, and then please answer me the following questions...

1.) Why is the guy on the right fastening his overalls? One might assume he already got dressed at home.  Which leads me to....

2.) What was he doing down there, wherever he popped up from, with that "caught in the act" expression on his face? Half dressed? Below the other guy next to him, with the look of ecstasy on his face? 

3.) And finally.  The song choice. Lollipop. Getting a visual?  All seems to fit together nicely doesn't it? 

Me thinks someone in advertising at Dell is having a nice little chuckle right about now.

TGI...Pizza Night!

Still raining.  Still bored.  But at least it's the weekend, although we've covered this already haven't we?  So I get excited for other things. Like last night Mr. LaPoo and I watched two episodes of our new fave show. Modern Family.  Love!  It's kinda like The Office meets Best in Show meets The OC.  Fave character is Cam, the overweight gay guy.  He gets all the best lines.  I highly recommend.  

In other snews, saw my friend Julie today for a lunch and Grey's Anatomy sesh.  Then got a mani in preparation for my interview with Anya Hindmarch on Monday!  Went with another Chanel colour from my personal stock.  Nuit De Russie.  Nailed it. Do you see what I did there?  AND this just in:  Mr. LaPoo is on his way home as we speak.   Upon his arrival, after we put on the elastic waist pants, we will be ordering a large pizza from Mulberry Street on Westbourne Grove, which I have to say is pretty authentic NY pizza.  Get it with meatballs and you'll feel like you're at Lombardis.  ALSO, I think some Inbetweeners viewing is in our future.  Another show we're into at the mo.  At first I felt there weren't enough girls in it to be worth my while, but it's actually really funny and realistic....I would imagine, never having been a teenage boy myself.  THANK GOD! 

http://sky1.sky.com/modern-family
http://www.mulberrystreet.co.uk/
http://www.firstpizza.com/
http://www.e4.com/inbetweeners/

Feel the Burn

Ughgh feeling SUPER boring lately. Like I have nothing exciting to report to all my adoring fan.  By the way, thanks Jess!  What can I tell you? I made a delish mustard glazed salmon dish last night for din din with some bulgur wheat and asparagus.  Saw my friend Sally yesterday for lunch. Today it was Becky.  Have been going to the gym, trying out new classes, which has proven kind of depressing.  I arrived early to a class the other day and struck up a convo with another woman.  Mentioned my unemployment predicament, and before I knew it three other American women and an Aussie chimed in all with similar stories.  One was in the movie biz, one a banker, one a lawyer.  I mean, all these successful women have moved over to London for men and are now bopping around to the latest Britney song at Virgin Active Gym on Lancaster Road.  And I'll just bet the Kensington branch has its fair share too.  Oh well...at least we look great.  Sort of.  Must stop baking to fill my days.  Yikes that was SOO Bridget Jones of me.  Scratch that.  Must end on a high note after somewhat sad post.  Ice cream sandis for everyone!

My Boyfriend's Back And There's Gonna be Trouble....

Fine, he's my husband. But at least you have a fun song stuck in your head now! And don't worry, no trouble. No trouble at all!

Anypoop, Monday night my friend Amelia came over for a little dinner and tv sesh!  Kept me entertained right up to bedtime and then I woke up to a text from Mr. LaPoo from a cab on his way home from Heathrow.  This was followed by an email from Purple PR inviting me in for an interview.  All very sudden and exciting.  Went in yesterday afternoon and found myself in the middle of their press day.  Cupcakes, clothes, fabulous people and all!  Finally felt back in the world I belong.  Interview went well I think.  Job would be amazing and scary, so we will see what happens next!

Hey Na Hey Na my boyfriend's back!

My So-Called Weekend

Let's face it, every day is a Saturday for me. That's it.  Not trying to show-off, just telling it like it is.  Nevertheless, I still get excited for a delightful weekend.  Thursday night, (I know not really the weekend. Try and keep up.) went to dinner with my friend Gina for pe-king duck at the Four Seasons in Bayswater.  Not the hotel.  Think cheaper and a little less pool time.  The duck was delish, could have come out a bit warmer, but the price was definitely right. Friday night I decided to stay in, as it was rainy and gross, and in the spirit of plaid flannel shirts making a comeback this season, I settled in on the couch for a My So-Called Life marathon and some thai food from my fave delivery place Yello.  Fifteen years later and I still cry like a baby at the end of the Boiler Room episode.  There will never be another show that is as perfect and relevant and real for me.  I heart.  Saturday my friends Liz and Sonia came over for a sleepover party.  Strawberry daiquiris, Bill Granger's fish tacos, Twilight, popcorn and homemade ice cream sandis!  Nuff said.  Capped things off on Sunday checking out the gorgeous new bookshop on Kensington Park Road, Lutyens & Rubinstein, followed by a scrum burger at Lucky Seven on Westbourne Park Road.  Done and done.

http://www.ukfourseasons.com/
http://www.yelothai.com/
http://www.lucky7london.co.uk/   
http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-vogue-blog/articles/091026-lutyens-and-rubinstein-book-shop.aspx

A LaPoo's Interview's Muse

Can I just start off by by telling you how much I LOVE my cleaning lady?  Not in a it's so hard to find good help these days kind of a way (although it totally is), but in a just I really love her.  She's Polish (shocker.  Is that bad to say? Deal with it.) She's super cute and thin and pretty and can't be older than 25.  Yesterday morning I was frantically getting ready for an interview while she was here, and as I was leaving she looked at my thoughtfully and said, "OH! You look really great.  Have a good day." It's like she knew.  Of course, I was only meeting with a recruiter about a PR job with a fashion company nobody has ever heard of that I didn't really want in the first place, but STILL.  I mean that goes well above and beyond the duty of cleaning my kitchen.  Email me if you want her info.  You know, to clean your flat.  Or just to hang out and compliment you all day. 

ANYPOO, the meeting with the Dumb and Dumber Agency was a complete waste of time, as they knew nothing about fashion and spent 45 minutes asking me asinine questions like, "So when you did beauty PR that must have mainly been juggling a lot of different products right?"  Uh what?  The best moment, though, belonged to me.  Recruiter number 1 walked in and said, "Hi.  You must be Sophie.  I'm Nick."  To which I responded, "Hi. I'm Sophie." Nailed it.  If I do get the job, Nick promised there'd be a clothing allowance in it for me.  Check out above what this lucky lady could be wearing next season! Jerks.

Anthropologie Homework

Yesterday I met my friend Liz for lunch, if you can call three crackers and two slices of turkey breast a meal, and then we made our fave rounds.  Went to APC on Dover Street, where I loved EVERYTHING, but could buy nothing.  Then....we stumbled upon the new Anthropologie store on Regent Street.  WOW.  I'm a fan in general of Anthropologie.  I do often find the clothes to be hit or miss and a bit trying to hard to be 1940's bohemian gardener chic, but I always love their home stuff and the vibe of the store.  Well, this first attempt in London gets a solid TWO thumbs of up from Liz and me.  First of all, it is HUGE, and every inch is carefully fitted out to a stunning standard.  The Living Wall of plants is amazing and sustainable through rain water that falls from the room. I mean...!  As for the clothes, I actually found a LOT of stuff that I loved.  Was a bit pricey, which I often find true in the states too, but nevertheless I left feeling VERY upset that I couldn't buy anything.   Especially loved several items by the brand leifsdottir.  Just makes me want to find a job that much more.  Not that I only want to work to sustain my shopping habit....SHHH!  Three more sleeps 'till Mr. LaPoo returns! YAY!!

Back to Life...Back to Reality

Finally stepped back into the real world yesterday and left the flat!  Brought two big bags full of Mr. LaPoo's reject clothes to Retro Man for consignment.  For my New Yorker friends, Retro Man is kinda like INA, but not nearly as nice.  Maybe it's just me, but I always take consignment appointments super personally. Like when they don't take an item of clothing I want to know WHY?  What it's not GOOD enough?  PRADA isn't good enough for you?  They did, however, take a certain floral black and white Miu Miu shirt off our hands, so I can't really complain.  Mr. LaPoo went through a mild Eurotrash phase a couple years back, what can I tell you?  Anyway, all in all it was pretty successful.  THEN, I  decided to make myself once more presentable and got a mani pedi down at Kensington Nails.  Went with Chanel Nail Colour Vendetta.  A dreamy deep purple. On my walk home I passed the new cupcake shop, The Cupcake Company on Kensington Church Street.  So timely, as I just finished reading The Age of The Cupcake in the December issue of British Vogue.  I'm thinking I might need to do some research of my own on the matter this weekend. Do stay tuned.  I'm BACK BABY!   Things can only get better from here!

Special Delivery

I went to bed terrified last night that I was going to have to review a 12 year old episode of Party of Five for today's post since I did absolutely nothing yesterday. Yes I'm still sick.  BUT, thankfully, just before going to sleep I spoke to my friend Elizabeth in NYC, who had a great little tidbit to share.  

Seems Elizabeth's roommate has started dating her company's fedex guy.  I mean that in itself is AWESOME, but it gets better.  Shall we do this Gawker style with points? Why not? (If you don't know Gawker, it's the best. Check it out at www.gawker.com.)

-Fedex guy's name is Anthony, from Brooklyn.  +8. What else would it be?

-Anthony wears a fanny pack.  +10. And, to quote Elizabeth's email, "He doesn't wear it as part of his uniform.  Just on the weekends and stuff to go out." Weekend usage.  +2.

- Anthony and roommate Denise leave handles of vodka all over the kitchen.  On Monday night they had "PB&J sandis with bananas, a glass of milk and then chased it down with a vodka cranberry." +5.  Oh and who is named Denise anymore? Brings me straight back to the Huxtable residence.  +7.

-Anthony doesn't like crust on his bread, so Denise removes it for him. +5

-Elizabeth hears slapping noises coming from Denise's room while she's trying to watch TV at night. Dirty sex. +4. Dirty Sex when they know roommate is just outside their door. +2.  The fact that Elizabeth wasn't so much bothered by this, but more jealous.  +10

-And finally, Anthony calls Elizabeth Jen most of the time.  Is it just me or is there NOTHING better than when somebody gets a name wrong? +100.

TOTAL: 153

Foxy Time

A couple weeks ago Mr. LaPoo and I were at a the Electric Cinema and the trailer for Fantastic Mr. Fox came on, after which I turned to my loving husband beaming...

“No” was all he said.

“But it’s an all star cast!”

“It’s a cartoon.”

“Wes ANDERSON!” 

Well, my little friends, Mr. LaPoo is now away on business.  AND even though I am still deathly ill, I found it an opportune time to do something social with the gal pals last night.  You guessed it – dinner and a movie! I made a lovely chicken, asparagus and parmesan risotto, and a spinach salad with goats cheese, pear and homemade cayenne carmelized pecans.  For dessert you ask?  With a SINUS INFECTION, I managed to throw together some delish peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!  

The movie portion of the evening was also a resounding two thumbs up!  Who knew Wes Anderson's dry humor and disjointed style, which I love by the way, would work so well with an animated kid's story?  Totally felt Jason Schwartzmen stole the show - love it when he speaks really softly.  ALSO, happened to notice in the credits that Mario Batali and Adrien Brody had "cameos" as Rabbit and Field Mouse respectively.   Well played Mr. Anderson.  Well played.