I’ve waited a very long time to write these words, and dreams are coming true this month. After initial attempts and years of dead ends, and then a global pandemic canceling my plans, I’m finally making my way across the pond. Notting Hill to be exact «said with fingers, arms, legs, and toes crossed».
I’m not superstitious, but if I were, I’d wait to send this from the comfort of my flat.
Yes, I’ll be on the front lines reporting on Kate Middleton updates.
In all seriousness, after some recent reflections, I’ve never felt more confident about trusting the timing of life. Sure, I was devastated to not get over to London in 2020. I went from nearly the most independent experience you can have — living abroad solo, to the least — living with your parents during lockdown.
But during that time, and since then, I have been cultivating my career and life direction. I have a stronger sense of purpose and place in the world.
Am I certain of said purpose and place in the world? Absolutely not! It’s ever-shifting for me. I do feel grounded by my values and sense of self, but I’m always open to shifting and growing, learning and unlearning. I plan on doing all of those things during my time in London.
I am excited for tea culture, warm scones with clotted cream and jam. Walks (or runs) in the park with Paul Mescal, swims in Hampstead Heath ponds alongside Harry Styles. Sunday roasts. Embracing the moody grey drizzly temperamental weather and savoring the sunny days by sipping orange wine from sunrise to sunset on Primrose Hill. Taking a spontaneous train to visit my best friend in Paris. Making new friends, tons of them.
I’m also weirdly excited for the points of friction, the homesickness, the lonely days, the struggles and uncertainty of it all. By contrast, the lows make the highs even higher.
Pretty please connect me with anyone you think I should meet in London! Embracing “yes” as I embark on this new chapter. Shoot me an email or DM <3. And let me know if you are in town, let’s grab coffee tea.
LA RECS
In my final days in LA, I’ve discovered a few new favorites worth sharing.
SOBAR
Very sad to have only now discovered this spot. If I were staying, it would be embedded in the weekly rotation, no doubt. Although specializing in ju-wari style soba noodles, they also have an array of Japanese appetizers including sashimi, braised pork belly, chicken karaage, pickled veggies, and a spicy tuna crispy rice I’m still dreaming about, to name a few. You can sip sake, or hot tea. We opted for the buckwheat soba tea, which was divine. I think they’re still building awareness, so please give it a try and spread the good word!!
CAMPHOR
You’ve probably already heard of this spot. If you haven’t been yet, this is your sign to make a reservation and prepare yourself physically and emotionally for the commute downtown. It’s well worth it, but just try to avoid Friday at 7pm. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
MUST ORDER :
radicchio salad with passionfruit caesar dressing — peculiar pairing, but it just works.
french onion tartine — like a deconstructed french onion soup, but also like, if meth were in it.
scallops — they’re inside ravioli style pasta!!! Groundbreaking, honestly. The sauce was out of this world nuts insane beyond beyond beyond.
chicken — this needs to be pre-ordered. They brine it then sous vide it then sacrifice it to the gods then pour this buttery spiced tomato sauce on top, tableside. Very cool very good.
lentils & lamb — this was brought to the table complimentary (nice touch). Seasoned perfectly and just so so so damn flavorful?!
lobster risotto — I haven’t tried, but heard this was very very good.
MCCALL’S
While I love this spot as a market, this is more of a PSA about their sandwiches.
Served Wednesday - Saturday only. They use fresh ass Jyan Isaac bread. I’ve only tried the Turkey Bacon… it’s just THAT good I can’t get enough. It definitely has a bit of Jersey Mikes energy with the shredded lettuce and thinly shaved turkey breast, but they use aged cheddar and emulsify bacon IN THE MAYO, so you get that smokey bacon flavor without the gross cold congealed bacon fat. Genius.
THE PERFECT DAY (of eating) IN SANTA BARBARA
My parents recently came to visit as a last hurrah before leaving California. We split time between LA and SB, but if you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway itinerary, look no further. It takes the same amount of time to get to SB as it does going to Camphor from West LA on Friday at 7pm. Not right.
MORNING
This itinerary is for a day-trip, but if you’re spending the night (or weekend), my top hotel recs are Belmond El Encanto, San Ysidro Ranch, and Rosewood Miramar on the higher end, and Palihouse on the lower end.
Pick up coffee and a breakfast sammie from Lodge or GTA and hit the road earlyish.
If you arrive super early, have breakfast at Jeannine’s in Montecito and stroll Coast Village Road afterwards, coffee in hand.
Stop by Butterfly beach, go for a relaxed hike, visit the botanical garden, or my personal favorite, drive around and pick out your dream home. Basically, kill time before lunch.
AFTERNOON
Go to Bettina for lunch in the Montecito country mart. Order the meatballs alla vodka, caesar salad, and wood-fired pizzas.
Have a little shoppy shop around the country mart after to make room for…
Afternoon Tea + dessert at the Belmond. It’s perched uphill with beautiful views of the town with an incredible sea breeze. We sat on the terrace and ordered a pot of Earl Grey to pair with our sweet treats — chocolate espresso lava cake, butter pecan crème brûlée, and a Lemon Tart. Afterwards we wandered the grounds and sat by the fire-pit. It was magical.
How stunning is the lemon tart?! Lemon curd, pistachio, white chocolate, and yuzu mousse.
EVENING
Make your way to the manor bar at Rosewood Miramar. Play some backgammon and sip on negronis until you’re hungry again for dinner.
Have dinner al fresco at San Ysidro ranch. Ask for a wine cellar tour, and end the evening in their speakeasy, Plow & Angel.
Fun fact, I messed up the reservation with my family and booked for the following night. Unfortunately, they couldn’t seat us outside, but fortunately they allowed us to dine in our very own private room. The oldest dining room in all of California, in fact. It had its own little fireplace and was so quaint the word hardly does justice to describe it. Not often a fuck up turns out even better. Huzzah!
The End.
A QUOTE
about taking risks that inspires me :
"If you know something's going to work, it's not worth working on. It requires no courage. It requires no faith. It requires no skin in the game. Whether you're a spy or a teacher or a spouse or a painter or an abuela or an astronaut or a monk or a barista or a board-game designer, the bits that matter are the bits you make matter by putting yourself on the line for them. The unknown is the foundry where you forge your chips. Everything important is uncertain. Sitting with the discomfort of that uncertainty is the hard part, the wedge that can move the world."
Eliot Peper
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things I bought and loved
a very random curation. I’ve been trying to buy less and purge more lately.
while I already have a long trench I love, had to get this short trench for spring/summer in London.
A new custom apron.
this was a gift from Lexi, but I’ve been loving this cookbook. Joel is also an excellent follow on IG for inspo.
been loving brown lately, especially with a black outfit. These sandals are so comfy and perfect for spring / summer.
One final good reminder —
Cheers and cheerio! May we all take risks and reap the rewards.
xo,
B&B
Shifting and growing, learning and unlearning 🫶🏻