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!
