Blog Archives
Last Days in London
Part 3 of 3
Upon arriving in London for the last part of our trip, we took a cab to our hotel. I just couldn’t deal with my sick girlie trying to wrestle all her baggage via the underground! I selected a different hotel for this second London leg, just to change it up a bit. We stayed at the Rubens at the Palace, which was just stunning. This was definitely the poshest place we would unpack! The staff was beyond kind and helpful, and it’s always nice to have wine and snacks waiting in your room upon arrival! Negative: the complicated light switches, lol! I had planned to go out, but we decided to simply dine in the lovely New York Bar in the hotel. We were pretty wiped out, so this was a perfect easy end to our long day.
Sunday morning we had a planned tour of Buckingham Palace. Our hotel was right across the street from the palace, so we left a few minutes early to grab a light breakfast of sausage rolls, smoothies, and coffee to nourish ourselves.
We were still a few minutes early, so we walked around to the front of the palace. It was almost the changing of the guard, so it was pretty crowded. I think I will try to witness that on my next London trip.
But on this trip, we were exploring the inside of the palace, not the outside. I wish I could share pictures from the tour, but they aren’t allowed. Suffice it to say, The Crown, Victoria, and other shows do a darn good job recreating the interior shots for their shows. I can’t believe how close we were allowed to get to the thrones, the priceless art, and more! Pro tip: even if you don’t do the palace, visit the gift shop. It was truly great and had a wide variety of souvenirs. Better than any other shop we saw!
Afterward, we wandered through St James Park, where we had to chuckle at all the tourists fascinated with squirrels. Frankie impressed a group of Italians by showing them how to feed them from her hand. We decided it made more sense to let them think she was a squirrel whisperer than let them know how many squirrels steal from our birdfeeders daily in the summer!
Continuing our stroll, we passed Westminster, Big Ben, and the London Eye on the way to our next destination.
Frankie had been jonesing for nachos for quite a while. After an unsuccessful search for them in Cork, we were thrilled to run into a place that had good chips and guacamole, if not true nachos. We were in the Borough Market, a great outdoor/indoor food market.
We had already tried samples of bread, bought berries and cucumbers which we ate on the spot, and I bought a great bottle of hot sauce (who knew?). But having a Bloody Maria, chips, and guac were just what we needed, and El Pastor Stoney was the place to get them! Didn’t hurt that we got to hang with two dogs, George and George (that’s a long story) while we noshed.
Back to the hotel we went to change for the night. On a previous trip to London, the girl had been to a speakeasy and wanted to return, so we tracked it down and headed over there that night. Unfortunately, Cahoots had grown in popularity (and was no longer a secret), so we could not get in without a reservation. The doorman suggested another bar nearby, Disrepute. This lounge is usually open to members only, but they had room for us at the 1960s-inspired bar, so we settled in for a craft cocktail. Then we decided to backtrack to a blues bar we had passed earlier. What a find! We hung out at Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues Bar for the next couple of hours, enjoying the music and the people-watching. This was a great find, and I would totally suggest you check it out. The bartender told us to come back for open mic night the next night, which we considered strongly so Frankie could get herself up on the stage, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Monday was our last day, and I had packed it pretty full. First off was a visit to the Tower of London. I had visited it previously but thought the kids would find it cool so I happily returned (and I will go back again). I booked a tour with Get Your Guide, and the guide showed us around outside and told us info about the Tower, Tower Bridge, and other surrounding areas before handing us off to a Beefeater. Did you know that the Beefeaters and their families live at the Tower? I did not, but I do now. As we wandered around with him, folks kept trying to join our group. He politely but firmly told them that this was a private tour, which I appreciated, as we had paid for his time! Most folks were apologetic about it, although one woman got riled up and complained. She was full of consternation as she asked, “Well how would you ever find a tour?” I muttered under my breath about this new invention called the Internet. A few in our group chuckled at that as she huffed off.
After our tour, we were free to wander on our own around the tower grounds. Another perk for being off-season: there was NO LINE to get in to see the crown jewels. When you look at the Disney World-like metal line stanchions outside the exhibit, indicating that there were usually a lot of people waiting to get in, you realize how nice that was! The crown jewels are truly worth the wait, though. So much sparkly! I did really wish Carter had been with us, and we kept sending him pics of the old weapons and things at the Tower. He would have loved it.
We spent about three hours total there, and I would have spent more but the girl was done, and we had another tour to get to: a pub tour! Booked with Liquid History Tours, our guide shepherded us around London for a few hours, pointing out sights, telling tales, and introducing us to four different pubs. Highlights from the tour included seeing haunted jail cells from the now-defunct Old Bailey courthouse and jail, running into the Blackfriars, a pub that Rich and I had actually visited during our London trip many years before, and sitting in Charles Dickens’ favorite seat at his fave watering hole, the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Two thumbs up for the adventure!
That evening, we had tickets to see the show Alan Cumming is Not Acting His Age which I understand will soon be coming to the States. We rushed back to the hotel to tidy up a bit then rushed back out again. The show was at the lovely Theatre Royal Drury Lane and for me, the high point of the evening was something I had booked as an add-on. For an added fee, we were to receive access to a private bar, replete with snacks and cocktails. I booked it frankly because I knew we wouldn’t have time to eat, and I honestly loved the idea of having a bar with a shorter line. Well, it was more than that. We were met by a “red coat,” a lovely young woman who escorted us to the lounge. Or so I thought. It was actually a private room with a fireplace, snacks, and a bottle of champagne, just for us!
Afterward, we realized that returning to the blues bar from the night before would be a very bad idea, as we were leaving for the airport at 5am and still had to pack. So, we headed back and corralled our belongings for one last time. Or, at least, until the next time!
This trip was clearly not perfect, but we managed. It would have been so much better if Carter could have stayed with us, and if Frankie hadn’t gotten sick. But you have to work with what you have. We shall just have to plan another adventure! And is it awful that, as much as I love spending time with my kids, following their schedules made me wistful for my solo travels. I have no other plans right now for any trips, but my brain is working on it!
Additional thoughts for travelers:
— use the underground! Just like the New York subway, it is super easy, especially when you tap your credit card instead of messing with an Oyster card.
— A lot of places don’t take American Express so make sure you bring a Visa
— London bathrooms almost always had lovely, scented hand lotion in them. This was true of all the bars, shops, restaurants and more
— In both Ireland and England you rarely saw paper towels, only hand dryers. Hence, the bathrooms were always clean!
I’m Ready for (watching) the Red Carpet!
Silver lining from the pandemic: every Oscar nominated movie I tried to see was available for me to watch from my couch.
Don’t get me wrong: I desperately miss going to the movies. I hope to feel comfortable with that again soon, but I’m just not there yet. So yeah, while I had to shell out $20 to stream a flick sometimes, I figure it’s not that bad. During a normal movie watching season, I am in theaters 2-3 times a week at the end, trying to ignore the popcorn, maybe smuggling in my own water. But there is always gas, and time. So over all I feel I have saved cash, and have probably seen more movies than usual.
But now I am ready for the glamour and glitz. Below I will give my predictions as always (what I liked best plus who I think will win) in the major categories. I am also going to give some fashion predictions along the way. I don’t know if you are aware, but there is a dress code this year, born out of so many zoom awards participants in athleisure. I am torn on the code, as stated on the website The Cut:
“We’re aiming for a fusion of Inspirational and Aspirational,” the letter reads, capitalizing Inspirational and Aspirational for inspirational and aspirational emphasis. “In actual words,” it continues, “Formal is totally cool if you want to go there, but casual is really not.”
I expect at least one star to push this. I’d love to see joggers with a bustier, Christian Louboutins, and a cutaway coat with train (Zendaya could rock this, but I think she’ll go full on glam). But on the whole, I like the request to zhush it up. In solidarity, I will wear sparkly gems with my jammies. Maybe. But no promises on a bra. Let’s not go crazy.
And the winners will (maybe) be…
Best Picture (saw them all)
Nomadland continues to be the frontrunner, and will likely win. Every picture nominated is very different. My faves for this category are probably The Father and Judas and the Black Messiah. But I think this category tends to go to films that are not all about the acting performances, which those two films really were. Nomadland is message driven, with both sweeping panoramas and detail driven scenes, and has an overall best film vibe. Going with that theme, I also think Minari would fit, but I am going with Nomadland.
Best Director (haven’t seen Another Round yet): will be Chloe Zhao for Nomadland. She is just slaying all the awards this year, and deservedly so. She manages to get all of her actors to be fully fleshed out no matter how tiny their roles.
Fashion aside: I am looking forward to seeing Emerald Fennell! I fell in love with her in Call the Midwife, and she was wonderful in The Crown. She has such great coloring — I want to see her in something green, which is very much a trend color, and hard to pull off.
Best Adapted Screenplay (haven’t seen Borat, and have no desire to do so, TBH): I loved The Father in this category. I assume all of the films are adapted from books, except One Night in Miami which feels like a play. I don’t like when films feel like plays: it means that they weren’t very well adapted, IMO). The Father is just so well done. I can see how this was a book, and I would love to read it.
Best Original Screenplay (saw them all): this is tough. All are great premises. The ones based on history (Judas and The Trial of the Chicago Seven) don’t get my vote simply because, since they are based on real events, they’re not as “original” to me. I personally think the most original concept was Sound of Metal (please see this if you haven’t yet), but the momentum is there for Promising Young Woman (and I think Hollywood digs Emerald Fennell right now).
Best Actor (seen them all): We all know Chadwick Bozeman will win this. Like Heath Ledger, it’s fortunate that his last role was an excellent one. His talent will be missed. That said, I loved Riz Ahmed in Sound of Metal! Watching a heavy metal drummer come to terms with losing his hearing, and still maintaining his sobriety, was breathtaking. Anthony Hopkins was brilliant as well (duh), with a finely nuanced performance as a man struggling with dementia (yes, I cried, and thought of my dad).
Fashion aside: the men have turned it up so hard in the past year! I hope Ahmed shows a little bit of metal edge. Hopkins and Gary Oldman will likely stay old school, which is fine. Steven Yeun is a wild card, but I assume he will be understated.
Best Supporting Actor: this one is a toughie. They were all good, of course, but no one actor stands out as that much better than the rest. I’m going to go with Daniel Kaluuya for Judas, as he has been picking up awards all season.
Fashion aside: this category will BRING.IT. I’m picturing colors and brocades and metallics. And I am here for it!
Best Actress: collective wisdom says Frances McDormand, and I wouldn’t be angry if she won. But I feel like she has played this before. Viola Davis is a good, solid choice, but I didn’t love this role. Maybe I just didn’t love Ma Rainey? My fave performance of the bunch was Carey Mulligan in Promising Young Woman. Twisted, sad, smart, broken, vengeful. What more could you want in a date? So I’d like her to win, but am leaning towards Davis right now. Ask me in an hour.
Fashion aside: I hope McDormand wears Birkenstocks again. David will be stunning in something tight, architectural and brightly colored. I want sex appeal from Vanessa Kirby and frothy fun from Mulligan!
Best Supporting Actress: (didn’t see Borat or Hillbilly Elegy, which got wretched reviews): While I personally loved Olivia Colman in The Father, I think Yuh-Jung Youn will win for Minari. And she earned it for sure!
Fashion aside: Amanda Seyfried will be lovely. Olivia Colman can go either way, but I hope she pulls it off with some regal, deeply colored creation. I would love to see something dramatically elegant on Youn! Maria Bakalova could be stunning, but she might be the one to push the taste envelope. I don’t know whay I say that, but I feel it.
Best Cinematography (saw them all): News of the World was almost my favorite in this category, although sometimes teh green screen action seemed pretty obvious. But Hollywood does loves it’s sweeping westerns. Nomadland could win, though, and has more momentum than this overdone Tom Hanks film (that movie tried to fit too much in. Too bad. Was a good story). So I think it’s gonna be Nomadland. You see and feel every season in this film.
Best Costume Design (didn’t see Pinnochio): I’m a sucker for a period piece, so I am hoping it’s Emma, with its delicious colors.
Fashion aside: Please, let Anya-Taylor Joy be at the Oscars, just so I can see her. She is gorgeous, and makes such wonderful fashion choices.
Best Film Editing (seen them all): Either The Father or Sound of Metal, but I am leaning towards The Father. The editing makes this movie.
All the rest, even though I have seen none or very few of the movies, but I like to have a guess for all:
Best Animated Feature: Soul
Best Documentary Feature: My Octopus Teacher
Best Documentary Short: A Concerto is a Conversation
Best International Feature Film: Another Round
Best makeup and Hairstyling: HIllbilly Elegy
Best Original Score: Soul
Best Original Song: One Night in Miami
Best Production design: The Father
Best Short, Animated: If Anything Happens I Love You
Best Short, Live Action: The Letter Room
Best Sound: Sound of Metal
Best Visual Effects: Tenet
Fashion aside: there will be a lot of florals tonight, on men and women. I want to see risks (I miss Cher). I want glamour and color. I want to gasp. I want to see people fall flat on their faces for trying something daring — not because they had crappy tailoring or accessorizing.
People, you’ve had 12 months of zoom calls in sweatpants. We are all over it. Y’all better bring it.
Fashion is Back
I don’t know about you, but I miss dressing up. Mind you. my body definitely looks like I have spent the past 12 months wearing sweatpants and binging every BBC series I could find, but my shoes still fit. And I am ready to dust off the Spanks and get fancy again, even if it means ballgowns in the produce aisles (with a bedazzled mask, of course).
The stars are ready, too, if the award shows of the past week are any indication. I haven’t seen many of the movies on everyone’s ballots, but I am getting there. In the mean time, I’ll ooh and ah and raise an eyebrow or two at the fashions, zoomed and in person, twinkling at me from my computer screen.
Both the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice awards happened in the past week. As always, I loved some looks, hated others, and my opinions don’t matter. But it sure is fun!
A lot of women chose dresses for one ceremony, then felt pants were more suited to the next occasion.
Kaley Cuoco went from ultra fem, to sparkly manly. I love both looks equally!
Angela Basset: two looks, same closet. Neither is that unique, but I like the tux better, as the other one had too much going on with the braid and the feathers. Plus: I really want a sequin tux in my OWN closet!
Unlike the critics, I hated the white dress (almost no one looks good in those drop waist numbers). The second look is the bomb, Andra Day.
Gal Godot looks wonderful in both looks, but the white dress could’ve been worn out to dinner. The ruffled jumpsuit is such a perfect combination of feminine flounce and tailored menswear, it’s hard to beat. I would look like Reddi-Whip had exploded on me if I had tried to pull it off, but she does it Justice (out of my League, lol).
Amanda Seyfried and Kaley Cuoco may have called each other. “Girl, let’s be old school Hollywood glam for the Globes, then look like 1920s Vaudeville magicians at the Critics Choice Awards.” And they both pulled it off. For this lineup, the tux is absolutely tops — chandelier crystals and all. If I ever get back to Vegas, I would love to wear this!
As for Kyra Sedgwick: I also prefer the pants outfit (although I love the mustard color on the dress). The satin is so glam.
I don’t know if you can call the black number a dress, but it feels different enough from the floral look to fit this category. O’Hara reminds us that women who reach a certain age figure out what they like, and what works for them, and they stick with it. And rather than looking like a boring uniform, it works. I wanna be her when I grow up!
It seems many women chose the pants route, and I am here for it.
Before we get away from pants, let’s check out some of the best-dressed men of the nights, IMO.
I’ve had a thing for Josh O’Connor since The Durrels in Corfu (haven’t seen it? You should!). He’s clearly comfortable showing far more style than his The Crown alter ego ever would!
Other masculine highlights:
Every season there are color themes. Red is often a tough one to wear on a carpet of the same hue, but when you are zooming, you can stand on whatever color you want. Here are some of the crimson crew.
I’m not sure which was my fave. I love Rosamund Pike (combat boots and tulle? Yes, please) and Daisy Edgar (the sleeves, the neckline, the hemline!). The least successful of this bunch was definitely Maya Rudolph. Nothing about this looks well done — the seam down the middle? Makes it look like a home ec project. If you want to be loose and comfy, that’s fine. But even a slight dip in the neckline would have given her more shape.
Perhaps my least favorite look of the week was Bryce Dallas Howard.
Her bra was bad. Her hair was pulled back too tight. The light color by her face was unflattering. She just looked uncomfortable. Maybe if the ombre had started at her waist?
Wanna see women who loved the way they looked? Check out Viola Davis and Regina King!
I love it when women go out on a fashion limb. Julia Gardner, Emma Corrin and Cynthia Erivo are a new generation of fashion risk takers, channeling the haute couture example of women like Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson and Tilda Swinton.
Speaking of Paulson…
I mean, even her cast looks cool.
Black and white are always common awards show themes.
Some of those may not have been exactly black or white, but that’s okay. Navy and cream count (it’s my blog).
Bold color will always have my heart, even if the style isn’t always the greatest (I’m looking at you, Kristen Wiig).
Anya Taylor-Joy is someone to watch, both on screen and on the carpet. She is stunning and quirky and I can’t take my eyes off her.
I 100% prefer the green look. It is sumptuous! The purple one reminds me of some old school lingerie. I am not sure I love the bodice (not nearly as flattering as the green one), but kudos to her for taking the risk. Please take more!
I’ll end with three of my favorite looks.
First, Gillian Anderson.
A far cry from both Scully and Margaret Thatcher!
Susan Kelechi Watson wore the look I wanted to own the most. It’s modern day flapper, with color and movement and shine to die for.
And for completely different reasons, Sandra Oh stole my heart.
You go girl. Or don’t. Stay home and be comfy and cute and awesome.
A little Ado About Everything 