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Hello, London!

May 3, 2012 by Joy the Baker 73 Comments

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London oh London, how I love you!

Can I show you some images from my trip to England?

Now… before you go thinking me all sorts of fancy, I need to make a confession.  This is the very first time I’ve used this little blue passport.  Seriously.  The first time!

Here’s a bit of London adventuring.  Thanks for letting me share!

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I was in London with the lovely people of Beefeater and Plymouth gin.  They were kind enough to cart me and my American accent all over town teaching me about gin.  I even distilled my very own gin.  I’m contemplating a semi-permanent blog change:  Joy the Distiller?

…doesn’t quite have the same panache.

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I arrived in London on the day of the London Marathon.

I love this picture of a photographer checking his marathon shots.

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I met Jen Pelka.

Not only is Jen the editor of one of my very favorite shopping websites, GiltTaste… Jen is also hilarious, insightful, and a champion gin drinking partner.

Gilt is nothing but glorious shopping trouble.  If you don’t know, now you know.

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Meet James Burrough.  He’s the founder of Beefeater gin.

I’d like to thank Mr Burrough, and juniper berries for co-existing and bringing us gin.

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I love heartwarming signs in cozy dark bars.

This is JubJub Bar.

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A bathroom wall covered floor to ceiling in cassette tapes.

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I met two crazy loyal blog readers in London.  Jamie and Katy, you’re both gemstones.  Your accents sound totally posh, and make me sound like a silly American… I swear.

Also… thank you for saving me from nearly getting hit by a car.  Your streets are so confusing!

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The Eye of London.  Or. Wait.  Is it the London Eye?

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Waterproof cover-alls?  Check.

Oversized raincoat?  Check.

Totally still wearing heels?  Duh.

On a boat down the River Thames?  Check.

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A bit of rain?  Check.

Big Ben?  Check!

Nothing but contagious laughter and smiles?  Check.

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London is HUGE and total CONFUSION to my eyes.

And oooh, how I love a map.

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Self portrait in the cream jug.

Cream jug is totally not the correct name for that vessel.

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In a taxi with Lauren and Ali.

Lauren is a wonderfully talented writer, and I love her eye for photography.

Alie, of Alie and Georgia, is so funny she literally makes my body ache.

These are admirable ladies… with smart things to say, hilarious jokes to tell, and nice hair too…

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The American Bar at the Savoy (just the most wonderful hotel in London) is THE PLACE to have a cocktail.

It’s gorgeous, regal, it’s drenched in history and style, charm and grace…. and the cocktails are like egg white frothed dreams.

I’ll be back, Savoy… and I’ll be wearing a gown, and emerald earrings… just because.

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The Savoy Cocktail Book is my small attempt at bring this beautiful place home with me.

The view from Plymouth, England.

This takes my breath away… and makes me want to do cartwheels.

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The water in Plymouth runneth over.

Plymouth is green, lush, and the air feel crisp… and so different from Los Angeles.

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This river.  Aaaah… this is where I met my favorite gin of all time.  Plymouth gin, served with a few dashes of bitters, and fresh, cold river water.

Seriously!  A cocktail served simply… with fresh water that’s been filtered by English peat moss.

What a world.  I wanted this moment to last for always.

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Thank you, England!

Thank you for showing my eyes new sites.  Thank you for inspiring to make a Sunday roast.  Thank you for introducing me to Devonshire Cream and Plymouth Gin and beautiful new friends.

Very soon I’ll be visiting Jamie Oliver, my beloved Nigel Slater, and Nigella Lawson.  Let’s make a roast!  Let’s make some biscuits and call them scones!  Let’s make a gin cocktail… even if it’s not made from English river water.

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  1. aida mollenkamp

    May 7, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    What a fabulous trip, Joy! And, I love the company you kept! I mean, Alie may be one of the most hilarious people I’ve ever met…

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Bluebirds and Butterflies

    May 7, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    England….one of the places I dream of traveling to one day. Thank you for transporting us there today. Love ya xoxo Kim

    Reply
  3. Marg

    May 7, 2012 at 11:37 am

    oh Joy, I’ve just got back to LA from a trip home. Home being England, you went to the 2 most important places to me. London and Plymouth, AND that picture of the water rushing is Burrator Reservior which is about half a mile from my parents house and one of my favorite places in the world! We were quite possibly there at the same time! :)

    Reply
  4. culinarystorm

    May 7, 2012 at 3:49 am

    You need more stamps on that passport. Come to India NOW :)

    Reply
  5. Annie

    May 7, 2012 at 2:45 am

    Did you get a chance to try sticky date pudding, the most amazing of British desserts? If not, definitely give it a go when you go back!

    Reply
  6. Lisa @ Blithe Moments

    May 6, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Yay I’m going to be in London in just over a month! Loved the pictures.

    Reply
  7. Sasha (Global Table Adventure)

    May 6, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    Congratulations on that first stamp! It is so exciting. Isn’t the world so beautiful!? Love all the old churches, too … it’s like they are breathing. When I walk into their cool, dimly lit halls my whole spirit hushes.

    Reply
  8. Clara

    May 6, 2012 at 8:59 am

    Joy- this trip looks amazing! I’m so happy you got to go, you deserve that first stamp on your passport! I loved what you said on the most recent Homefries podcast… how annoying it can be when people say they were just in New York or London or whatever. I totally know what you mean! Though you did not come across that way at all- you of all people deserve to go on such an amazing trip!

    Reply
  9. Lauren Paup

    May 6, 2012 at 7:33 am

    Great pics! I love London… it’s such a wonderful city! I hope you brought back lots of English candies, like that licorice in your picture, Jelly Babies and Bounty Bars!!

    Reply
  10. Emmy

    May 6, 2012 at 7:07 am

    This post was so lovely and breathtaking….except I almost cried because it made me miss london SO badly! I’m thinking a third visit has to be in my near future, especially now that I’m 21 and gin is an option in my life:)

    Reply
  11. Helen

    May 6, 2012 at 5:06 am

    So nice to see London through your eyes. I love your perspective. You *definitely* need to come back and do a book signing.
    Also, I highly recommend the English countryside in the summer – tea and cake (Victoria sponge) on the lawn, rainy BBQs with Pimms, strawberries and cream with a glass of bubbly… BRING ON THE SUMMER!!
    (honestly, I’m fed up with getting soaked in this drought we’re having)

    Reply
  12. Melby

    May 5, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    I’m glad you had such a nice trip! I foresee many scone recipes and cocktail recipes on this blog in the coming weeks.

    Did you get a Sunday roast with spring peas and yorkshire pudding while you were there? It’s my absolute favorite. My daddy always makes it for me on my birthday, but somehow it tastes better when you’re in a certain foggy city.

    Reply
  13. Row

    May 5, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    That bathroom wall totally rocks. Just sayin’.
    Thanks for sharing your lovely pics, Joy. :)

    Reply
  14. Elise

    May 5, 2012 at 10:09 am

    I’m planning a trip this summer and trying to decide between London and Rome (not that I’m fancy either) and you’re definitely tipping the balance towards the London side. p.s. I love your podcast and the call in last week about the girl who paid $130 to download it…haha so classic. I can totally relate because I just almost went over my data limit by streaming it while I was on a run.

    Reply
  15. Katie Truelove

    May 5, 2012 at 10:05 am

    Looks like you had a fabulous time!! I LOVE the Savoy Cocktail Book– delicious drinks, beautiful illustrations and fun stories. I hope to visit the Savoy someday too (with Emeralds etc., of course;)!

    Reply
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