Birfday

TA Cat is busy baking a cake.

My blog is one year old today! This the longest I've done anything. Ever.

All the Small Things

I've been in London for more than six weeks now. Now, I love America (Amurrica!) but I am not the biggest fan of many things American (why do I have to drive eerrrywhere?) Why is there so much margarine in this cookie?

It's the small things that make me miss the States.

• Tidy Cats litter--I bought this litter from Waitrose and the litter bits were so large that they don't go through the scoop. WTF?
• Craft brews--I'm not a big beer fan, but I like looking at all of the indie brands. It's all crap here.
• Trader Joe's/Target/Sephora--I feel like I could keep these companies in the black myself.
• It's Advil, not Nurofen. It's Nyquil, not NightNurse.
• Chipotle in adobo--not pickled chipotle (whatever that is).Oh I just googled it and they're kind of the same thing. 
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups/Peanut Butter Snickers--hey London, not everything has to be Nutella. Peanut butter is good for you, yo.
• All of the Ben and Jerry's flavors--all sorts of weird ass flavors here too. 
• Black Friday-because I WANT ALL THE DEALZ.
• real bacon--why call it streaky? it reminds me of dirty underwear (yes London, it's called underwear)
• quarters--these people have too many coins
• brunch--although I did have a lovely one at Caravan in Exmouth Market last weekend

Things that I can't get in the States:

• a VERY good selection of single-malts at affordable prices
• Duck and Goose fat, ready to use
• Liege Waffles--zomg so good.
• Peri Peri chicken--so spicy and yummy and overpriced
• the British Museum

The Weekly Gimme: The White Co. Cashmere Robe

£295, The White Company

You know what's dangerous? Working on top of a mall. Especially when the sales are on. And you have nothing to do at work. Fortunately, most of the stores in London right now are selling party stuff--sequins and fur and mini skirts, so I haven't been tempted much. (I am looking for a furry coat, but I can't find one that doesn't make me look like a disgruntled koala bear.)

The most successful stores in London (and any place, really), in my opinion, are the stores that sell you a lifestyle. I mean, who doesn't want to live an Anthropologie life? That shabby-chic, bohemian, Parisian-cum-Brooklyn way of being? I love going into the White Company because they sell me the lifestyle of an eternal lounger. Loungewear everywhere: robes, soft henleys, candles, pillows, the softest most plushest stuffed penguin . . . 

But the absolute best thing in the store is this cashmere robe (completely unaffordable and not sensible--how does one even wash a cashmere robe, especially in a goddamn London washing machine). But it is so soft and warm and comfy and I just want to be able to show up at work wearing no pants and just this robe. Livin' the dream.

Recent Developments

The title is kind of a securities lawyer joke . . .

I just bought my Xbox One (and Ryse) and got invited to the beta for Elder Scrolls Online (for PC, unfortunately). So . . . I'll be going on a mini hiatus for the next few weeks.

See ya when I see ya.

Review: Alterna Caviar Dry Shampoo

$22, Nordstrom

I got a teeny teeny bottle of this in one of my various boxes. (Reminder to self: sign up for Birchbox UK and Glossybox UK and see if there's anything else . . . )

This was just fine. It wasn't a spray can like most dry shampoos, you kinda of shook some powder into your hair and then you shake it out. I found it to be messier than other dry shampoos, and didn't absorb as much oil as my favorite brand (Batiste). 

The smell is neither bad nor good. I can't say too much about the bottle design, since I got such a tiny one. 

To be honest, at this point, I'm doubtful I'll find anything better than Batiste (it doesn't hurt that a can is only three quid at Boot's). This certainly isn't it. 

The Weekly Gimme: Cuyana Alpaca Long Classic Cape

$195, Cuyana

I'm so glad capes are back. I've always wanted to live in olden days, but you know, without all the disease and lice and treating women like chattel. Also, as the weather gets cooler in London and the days get shorter, all I want to do is shnuggle up in something cozy.

Also, my office is cold, which is good, because I get drowsy after lunch, but it's not so good when it's ten at night and I'm staring at my computer and my fingers get stiff from the cold and I'm waiting for catering to bring me my damn tea and cookies . . . 

Anyway, I'm also trying to build up my neutrals wardrobe. I have always and will always love bright colors (cobalts, emeralds, hot pinks) and have so many of those in my closet. But now, I've decided I need more neutrals (especially beige--why do I always shy away from beige?) and pastels. 

Maybe Cuyana will do a Black Friday sale? 

Settling In

Man. I have really let things go. The blog, my exercise regimen, my hair . . . Being a working girl isn't as easy as Melanie Griffiths makes it seem. (Although I do switch into heels at my desk--unless I'm feeling too lazy for heels that day).