Dirty little leaf peepers

If you ask Jonny or I what we'd expect from a dream holiday, cocktails, sea, sunshine and amazing food would definitely feature high on the priority list - that along with lazing on a sun lounger and doing little else. Picture us in St Lucia, the Maldives or somewhere equally exotic with Jonny in his trademark Lobster-print Ted Baker trunks (ok maybe don't picture that bit), but you get the idea. Now rid your mind of far flung adventures in paradise because for our last 'vacation' before the not-so-wee Stone arrives we headed up norf, where we were greeted by rain, spent most of our time in wellies and got rudely awoken by a very excited pooch every morning! But we had the best time...

Cool runnings
After bundling Margot's worldly belongings into the hire car and a few bits for ourselves, we hit the open road en route to Lake Placid in the Andirondack Mountains, New York. It was a four hour journey and as we neared the mountain district the scenery was breathtaking. We'd hired a little cottage that I spied on Air BnB (another first for the Stones), which was really cute and the best part was that it had a garden for Margs who was in her element.

Margot's room!

Making a name for itself by hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 1932 and again in 1980, Lake Placid  was an adventurer's dream. Leaving aside the bobsled slope and hairy mountain hikes, we spent many an hour leaf-peeping at the fall foliage and generally soaking up the cozy alpine atmosphere and marvelling at the famous Mirror Lake that sits in the centre of town. 

The Mirror Lake

Put me down goddammit!!!

Three words: Vermont Maple Syrup

Next stop on the Stone's freedom tour was Vermont. I'd heard a lot about how beautiful this state was in the fall but I'd be telling porkies if I said I wasn't more excited for the copious amounts of maple syrup I planned to eat on pancakes, a trip to the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory and lunch at Burlington's American Flatbread pizza restaurant!

I think Margot was dreaming about the food too

Taking the car ferry across picturesque Lake Chamberlain - unfortunately it was pouring with rain - we arrived in Burlington just in time for lunch - how funny ;-) - and so made a quick stop before heading on to the cute village of Stowe where we had booked to spend a couple of nights in a mountain lodge complete with fire. It felt like Christmas! Stowe was such a quaint little town and the people were so friendly, no running into your ankles with trolleys like they do in Whole Foods, oh no.

This one's for you Pip!

Did you know Ben and Jerry's best seller is Cherry Garcia? I had my money on Half Baked!

It's a dog's life

The Maine event 

Short but very sweet, we bid farewell to Vermont, jumped in the wagon and drove five hours through New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest to our final destination in the little seaside village of Kennebunkport in Maine, where George Bush also has a holiday home. I'd done a lot of research into the route we should take for optimal fall leaf-peeping and despite the downpour the Kancamagus Highway didn't disappoint and allowed us to arrive in perfect time for some lobster bisque and clam chowder, mmm.

Words cannot do this little town justice, so here's a few piccies to give you a flavour…

The view from the back of our motel room

The Bush abode

Ball + beach = happy pooch

Bit late for leaf-peeping here, oops!

Margot was considering staying and becoming a country pooch

Sadly it was time to wave goodbye to Maine and make our way home to the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. I wonder what our next holiday will have in store…

Summer of 2014

As the sun sets on an awesome first summer in NYC - well as good as you can get without being able to partake in roof top drinking sessions - I thought it about time I dust down the computer and get my fingers tapping to update you on what's been occurring across the pond.

                                     The view from our new Manhattan pad

You probably all know by now that the Gravestone's summer got off to a shocker (good shock) of a start in April when the discovery was made that a baby Stone was brewing. Excited as we were - aside from Margot, I fear her excitement for the arrival is somewhat limited - panic ensued as we found ourselves trying to understand the confusion that is the US private health system. I'm not entirely convinced we're there yet, or in fact ever will be, but we have a doctor at least and a hospital and the once pebble seems to be growing into a rather big stone, so everything is gravy (fingers crossed, I'm a self-confessed pessimist).

The Moon
Our wonderful whirlwind wedding in Landan Town made it pretty impossible for us to have a honeymoon after the big day, so in May Jonny and I made the mammoth journey across to the other side of the US and beyond, arriving on the stunning island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. Ooo ahhh! It was beautiful, so lushiously green and tropical, and most of our time was spent sipping drinks by the pool and dining Tahitian style at the Roulottes - mobile dinners that set up shop on the Vaiete Square in Papeete.

Is it a mermaid??

But as if that wasn't exotic enough, our next stop was Tahiti's magical little sister Moorea, where on arriving at the hotel we discovered we'd been assigned the cabin on sticks (yep, just like the ones you see on the Seychelles adverts) next door to the dolphin pond!!! And you say I'm never happy Jonny…

I'm in para para paradise

I wasn't allowed to swim with the dolphins because of the insurance so I had to make do with me snorkel. Think the mermaid look is more me

The British landing… and a few Irish

Earlier this summer we also had a visit from two of my besties, aka the Jolly! From first class luxury on Virgin to a blowup bed on the floor in our former Brooklyn abode we had an absolute blast pretty much eating and drinking our way around the city - Olly V's food style! We also managed to squeeze in a trip to Coney Island and a stop off at one of Jonny's faves David Burke's Kitchen on Grand Street in SoHo, mainly for the chocolate cake dessert, which I believe you may have passed out through Olly?! Ha

Just in case we forgot where we were Jonny helpfully wore his Brooklyn hoodie AGAIN!!!

Next up was a visit from the Stones, who in between a quick trip up to Cape Cod, also managed to sample plenty NYC cuisine, my favourite being at the West Village branch of Sushi Samba. It was a fabulous evening catching up and the food was delicious - and that's coming from someone who was not so quietly dribbling in the corner as the other three devoured raw fish after raw fish, complete with running commentary. The Stones do like to talk about their food as they eat it! 

Finally to wrap to up, the mothership made an appearance and the two of us drove off into the sunset bound for the Jersey shore. Think we were too busy chin-wagging as I don't seem to have any pictures.

Lauren day

Contrary to popular belief (my dad and Jonny) not every day is Lauren day so when it comes around once a year in August I do tend to get myself into a bit of a tizzy adamant that I must have the BEST DAY EVER!!! and this year I can honestly say was a bloody corker. Thanks to my trusty Irish lad, I felt like a princess - despite failing to win this year's card count against the Turk. I'm back next year for a re-match!!

First up I got the mother of all presents, my very own LV bag complete with initials - I felt like the girl from St Louis in the Sex in the City movie, no rental for me, oh no, followed up by a trip to Hakkasan New York. Given that we got engaged in the London equivalent exactly a year ago, I felt a little teary as I sipped on my berry cocktail at the bar before devouring the most amazing crispy duck and pancakes I have ever tasted. My dessert even had a candle. Oh Jonny, I'm so excited for next year!!

The next day donning our pearls and flapper dresses, a bunch of us took the ferry over to Governor's Island for the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party. The 'prohibition gathering,' was so much fun, with tons of vintage stalls, Charleston dance lessons and tasty food, what more could a girl ask for. 

There's no place like home

Ok, so this year it appeared the 16th August was to be over shadowed by a slightly larger event, that involved a hog roast to feed a small village, a rave tent at the bottom of the garden, a sterling play list thanks to Olly and some rather large cardboard cut outs of mum as Marilyn Monroe and Cleopatra and dad's face plastered on Golum from Lord of the Rings. Happy 60th birthday to the biddies and what an amazing bash it was. Even the Brazilian cleaners had the time of their lives, throwing some shapes on the dance floor with my parent's amazing nearest and dearest - apart from little Luce, who was greatly missed :(. The Turk even made a tear jerking speech - crowd pleaser! 

As well as the big 6-0, dad was also celebrating his retirement while I was at home, which was a truly amazing evening. I felt proud as punch as more and more of his colleagues took to the microphone to talk about him - some nice things, some, well, not so nice. Ha ha, but that's why we love him. 

The bus making its way round London, did you see it? 

While I was at home enjoying some much needed TLC, a good curry night with the girls and a trip to the farm with my gorgeous god daughter Sophie…

Jonny was left holding the fort back in the Big Apple. He assured me that everything was under control, but I'm not so sure…

 Thank god our buddies Tash and Al were on hand to help out with the unruly pooch. In fact Margot had such a splendid time at chez Murg/Mic that it's like a second home...

And Jonny did manage to find us a marvellous Manhattan pad, which is just perfect. All in all it's been a pretty great summer, come on fall we're ready for you!

Fabulous February

It's been a busy month, what with 6am starts at New York Fashion Week (get your violins out for me people), Jonny's birthday, visitors and gigs - I love my life right now! So without wanting to bore you, here are the highlights:

1. Step into Wonderland
Let's start with the important stuff. Welcome to Alice Tea Cup - such a highlight of the month I have been there thrice. Having always been a huge fan of afternoon tea - I stick my pinky finger out at the mere thought of it - discovering that Alice Tea Cup had not one, but three chapters (aka locations) throughout the city, was a pretty spectacular day. As a British girl who loves nothing more than a good brew, this little gem has a tea list to rival all others; it's just a shame I can't seem to get past the 'Extra Fancy Earl Grey' (It's nearly as good a trip to the Crane household!). And when my buddy Becky arrived last week, I even managed to pass the Upper East Side cafe off as a tourist attraction, just so I could sample another pumpkin and caramel scone. Seriously good!

2. The BIG day
Sorry for cutting off your head Jonny! After a few too many vinos I clearly got my priorities straight and thought it more important to get the birthday pudding in shot instead of my husband's head. It's ok, he's not got much on top, so as another year passes by maybe for the best?! - unless it's Saturday of course when he likes to wear Pippa's winge (wig-fringe for those who need explanation)...

Jonny's birthday fell on a Monday this year, which turned out to be a bit rubbish when it comes to attractions in a very snowy NYC - or at least any the boy was particularly interested in - so we amused ourselves the best way legal aliens of the city should, with copious amounts of food and drink (you'll notice a theme to my blogs). First up was a trip to a Cafe Luluc, a cute French cafe around the corner from our apartment block for breakfast pancakes, followed by a slap up meal at Buddakan, an Asian fusion restaurant in Chelsea. Mmmm

3. It's that time again
As SATC's Carrie Bradshaw once said: "Every year the woman of New York leave their past behind them and look to the future…. It's called Fashion Week." Can you believe that this year I was one of those ladies???!!! Yet, as excited as I was to get behind the scenes at the shows, as the week loomed closer, reality hit and I began to dread the early starts, snotty fashionistas and standing around waiting for shows to begin. I imagine it's a different story for the Anna Wintour's of the world, who leisurely arrive in cars to take their rightful place on the 'frow' (front row) - alas my time is yet to come. A seasoned reporter backstage at the London shows, this Fashion Week came with the added obstacles that being in a new city - in ridiculously cold temperatures - brings. Needless to say I spent a lot of time willing my dying iPhone battery to survive long enough to guide me to the next show and sweet talking a LOT of people to let me backstage once I arrived. Moaning my way through the week (sorry Jonny and a few of the girls), I was determined to remember what an amazing opportunity I had been given and as I arrived for celebratory end-of-fashion-week tea and HobKnobs with the ladies following my last show, I was feeling pretty damn pleased with myself.

4. Party time's over pooch
Finally Margot is fit as a fiddle, fully vaccinated and ready to hit the streets. Well that's the way I see it, she has other ideas, seemingly preferring to chase me round the apartment nipping my ankles rather than taking a step outside on her lead. Even some stern words from 'Nanny Rita' on FaceTime haven't done the trick. Well pooch, have I got news for you; next Saturday we are off to our first puppy class to teach you some manners!

Too. Full. To. Speak.

From the moment I set eyes on the Zayounas at an innocent little bar on 3rd Ave, a knowing look made it abundantly clear that they weren't going home without a fight, and being the hospitable hosts that we are, the Stones thought it rude to let them take on the challenge alone. Forget Man Vs Food, this is a tale of four heroic human beings, who embarked on a three day culinary extravaganza, which left Hamid popping the Pepto-Bismol tablets like they were tic-tacs - yes you did read that right!

The Blue Smoke
The brief was simple, "We want ribs, steak and booze," Jess had warned me a few weeks before they left a very rainy UK for the minus ridiculous temperatures of NYC. So I tapped up my good friend Yelp who recommended The Blue Smoke. Tensions were high as we made the short walk up to the restaurant on East 27th St, on what was a particularly cold night, and with a famished Hamid and Jonny in tow. The boy's faces dropped as the waitress announced there was a short wait for the table - thankfully Jess distracted them with a drink at the bar to prevent any dribbling over the plates of food passing us by. Widely credited as the founder of New York City's barbecue movement, I was pretty sure this little beauty wasn't going to let me down, in fact it more than delivered. Deciding to ease ourselves in gently (as if) we carefully selected a juicy selection of appetisers - the famous Chipotle Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip, Smoked Black Pepper Sausage with Pimento Cheese and Crackers and Hush Puppies with Jalapeño Marmalade - I can't bring myself to show you pictures of everything, it makes me feel a little nauseous thinking about the amount me consumed, so I'll save pictures for the main course: RIBS, mmm…

Here's a VERY happy Jonny pictured just seconds before he devoured his rib sampler for one (two Memphis Baby Backs, two Kansas City Spareribs and one Texas Beef Rib). I had to give him a stern look when his eyes lit up at Hamid's suggestion of getting the sampler for two, reminding him that we also had sides of Mac n' Cheese, Cornbread, Fries and Pit beans with Pork. Phew, it was exhausting and as we walked back in silence to the Subway, dropping the Zayounas off at their hotel, I remember thinking I'm never eating again. Bah, tomorrow's a whole new day.

Sparks Steakhouse
Following an afternoon full of shopping for Jess and Hamid, meetings and general work malarkey for Jonny and me, erm... Friday coffee with the girls, we met at a bar in Midtown at 7pm for round two! Tonight steak was on the menu and the imminent meaty feast was pretty much all we talked about as we walked the five blocks up Lexington Ave to 'the greatest steakhouse in Manhattan' (the New York Post made this bold claim in 2001, not me. It was bloody amazing, but I figure I have many a steak to sample yet, so I shall save final judgement until our two years are up). Inside the restaurant reminded me of something out of a Mafia movie as we were directed to a huge round table with no frills, just a plain white tablecloth. It was clear this place was all about the STEAK! Funnily enough a few days later Jonny's boss informed him that the restaurant was the backdrop to the legendary gangland murder of mobster Paul Castellano in 1985.

Us enjoying enjoying a steak dinner

Sadly Paul missed out on the steak

As we perused the menu, Jonny announced he couldn't justify paying $25 dollars for an appetiser when he needed to save room for the meat. I think he said it about four times, by which point we were unanimous, there was to be appetiser. I think even after the decision had been finalised, he made his feelings clear at least twice more. No more wine for Jonny, or me it quickly became clear as I went to the restroom, only to return and promptly fall off my chair. Oh the shame, and the bruise, ouch! Anyway, all that can be said is that we had struck gold again, the steak was the biggest, juiciest cut, the sides of hash brown potatoes (everything comes with potato if you dine with Jonny) and creamed spinach were delicious, and despite his efforts Hamid was beaten. The evening ended with another silent walk back to the Subway via a quick stop at Grand Central station where if I remember rightly, Hamid managed to muster an "Oh wow."

The Malt House

Saturday was all about boozing in and around the West Village, so with the snow coming down thick and fast we decided to pick a pub and sit in it. Jonny has developed a fondness for The Malt House on Thompson Street so we met team Z and headed over there for a hearty brunch to line the stomach. Still full from the night before I fear I massively let the side down with my side order of scrambled egg, while Jonny went for the Mac n' Cheese - just to make sure he had a heart attack, and the Z's went for the Fried Chicken Waffle Club (They were the ones on holiday after all). I was also super impressed by Hamid's dedication to the Bourbon, and the J's on the Bloody Mary's, while I slowly sipped my tea! 

Later we braved the cold to meet a couple of Jess' friends for some more bevies on Hudson Street at the Upright Brew House. I'm not sure we were too upright when we left, but it was an awesome evening that once again ended with us devouring some delicious food - It may only have a 'B' rating but I only have good things to say about the Niu Noodle House and it's owner who served us up an Asian feast. 

So in summary, the Zayounas arrived, we ate, we drank, we ate lots more and then some more. Mission accomplished! Sadly all awesome things have to come to an end, yet while we had to reluctantly say goodbye to Jess and Hamid - apparently there is a little champ at home that needs them more than us - you'll be pleased to hear Jonny and I continue to eat our way through NYC! Anyone else up for the challenge?  

From New York to Phoenix, and then Miami

Last week Jonny left us - it's ok he came back - to jet off for five days to the considerably warmer city of Phoenix, followed by Miami. Yet while I wasn't too happy about being 'abandoned' in the Polar Vortex, freezing my Uniqlo-Japanese-heat-tech socks off in -15, he was en-route to interview a bunch of middle aged women about their experience of living with Osteoporosis, so I decided to let it go. Joking aside I had made my mind up that for this trip I was going to save him the 20 rhetorical questions of "did he really have to go?" and "why couldn't I just come if I promised to be on my best behaviour?" and just accept it and man-the-hell up. Margot on the other hand just sulked.

                                                     
As my nearest and dearest well know I'm a real home bird, yet for some reason I have always struggled with this part of myself and generally counter balance it by pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone. Having said that, I'm not ashamed to admit that change is not something I find all that easy, and with it generally comes an overwhelming feeling of panic, which up until now, has seen me run to Pucklechurch (Margrave headquarters) for sanctuary. So when we decided to move to NYC, although I was ridiculously excited, I also tried to prepare myself for experiencing this feeling a lot. As expected I felt it when I waved goodbye to you all in August, I felt it again in November saying a teary goodbye to my mum at Heathrow and for weeks I even felt it a little when Jonny went to work every morning. So as I waved him off last Sunday I was fully expecting to feel pretty horrendous, but to my surprise the feeling never came.

Now that's not to say I didn't miss the boy - he is the mac to my cheese after all - I couldn't wait for him to get back, but I know that he more than anyone will be delighted to hear: I was ok. Perhaps it's because I've had Margot to contend with, or the fact that I've made some truly awesome friends over here, but I'm also hoping it's partly because NYC is starting to feel a little more like home (just for two years mum). So to celebrate I devoted the week to having fun with friends and I had a blast; from a trip to the Museum of the City of New York, on what was the coldest day of my life so far, to catching up over a pot of Earl Grey - with milk please - and a girls night in with pizza, wine and a tin of Roses. Heaven!

Once Jonny arrived home at the weekend we also managed to squeeze in a trip to watch an Ice Hockey  match at Madison Square Gardens, or MSG as we now say - oh yeah, we're down with the locals. It was a college game between Harvard and Yale and on the subway to Manhattan we debated on which team we'd each support, with the loser getting up to feed Margot in the morning. Damn you Harvard!

A little deeper than my usual blogging style, I do apologise, but I am writing this with a tincy wincy hangover after Jonny's work Christmas party last night. More on that soon - be prepared for a feast for all the senses...