london town
Experts say that after being married for a while you start adopting your significant other’s bad habits. Well, after 13 years of marriage I can now confirm this is accurate.
Example: I’ve recently adopted my husband’s love of procrastination.
Dinner at the delicious La Porte Des Indes in London.
I currently need to…
- Pack up our condo,
- Find a reliable / reputable mover (if such a thing exists),
- Shop for new / smaller furniture that will fit in our much smaller NYC apartment,
- Enroll Maya in a new school, and
- Find a new job.
Other meals in London: Dinner at Strada, Lunch at Fortnum & Mason, Lunch at Sofra (one of my favorites!), Tea at the Royal Academy of Art
But when my husband (who apparently has nothing moving-related to worry about) said, “NYC is only a 6 hour flight from London, do you want to go?”
The only sensible answer – the only possible answer – was, “Yes, of course I want to go.”
At the park when I dragged Ali out for a walk…not sure why he isn’t adapting my good habits?
So I’ve decided that for now, instead of stressing out about everything, I’m going to have a scone and pretend all is just great.
But next week? When I get home? Next week is going to be scary.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
That’s not procrastination – that’s simply the best decision at the time !
Awh! I worked opposite Fortnums when I was in LDN. Miss it!
How long were you guys there for and what was your fave part of the trip?
Did you work at the Royal Academy? We went there yesterday and had tea. It’s a pretty place.
We are still in London! So far my favorite part has been hanging out at all the amazing parks: Hyde, Green, and today St. James. Love it.
I worked in the building next door to the Royal Academy (on Albany Courtyward)! Ha ha ! I know! Did you know Bill Nighy lives in Albany Court?
If you’re exploring parks, then you must be having some really great weather.
Ooh, here’s a food tip – AWESOME Thai food at Busaba Ethai – there are a few in London and there is one just off Haymarket if you’re willing to walk up from Green Park….
I have passed by Busaba Ethai a few times…thank you for the recommendation! We will try to visit before we leave.
I will walk anywhere in London. Anywhere. 🙂
YOLO, Ameena ;)! If anything, all those scones will help recharge your batteries! Hope you’re having a great time…these pics are making me excited about my upcoming trip!
I have a few new places to recommend! Zoom and Cantina Loredo. Both are amazing places…
Like they said in the show How I Met Your Mother: let the future
TedAmeena worry about it 😀How is Maya feeling about moving to a new place, new school, new friends?
Funny how I used to work on that show when I worked at CBS and yet I’ve never seen a single episode. 🙂
Maya is thrilled! She is all about change and is excited to move to NYC.
guess I will start doinh the same. Instead of scone I may havea lindor or two.
Hope u had a great time in London.
xo
Lindor is a great 2nd option. 🙂
Thanks for the comment Zainab!
Eh, sounds like you have pretty snazzy stuff to procrastinate with! Scones are the solution. To everything.
I really think they are. Especially when covered in jam. 🙂
You Jettsetter, You!! That’s the spirit, Ali! When faced with a daunting task…do something else! Great photos of Maya and Ali also You and Ali. The food looks wonderful. I’d love to help you pack up, not that I’m proving it at the moment, but I’m quite a good/efficient packer. Besides…I could make us Scones! Enjoy London. Next week will get here soon enough!
Yes, that’s almost Ali’s motto. 🙂
And thanks for all the compliments and the comment Fran, really appreciate it, as always.
You may as well relax now and then stress later….;-) Ali looks pretty relaxed about it all, looking at the photo!!
Also wondering how Maya feels too? With lots of big changes..
Maya is great with change…I’ve given her no option to be honest. She is excited about a new school and NYC!
Welcome to London Town Ameena hope you have a fabulous trip! Hope you can bring some LA sunshine with you. 🙂 have a great holiday! If you get a chance visit Dishoom in the city you will love it!
Thank you! I think we did bring some sunshine with us today, the weather was fantastic!
We visited Dishoom on our last trip here in January and loved it. Tried again yesterday and there was a 30 minute wait! Maybe we’ll get there again before we leave. 🙂
Wow. What a busy time for you. Things have a way of working out. I am exhausted because we spent 3 nights in NJ (a wedding and 2 nights in AC). I have come to the conclusion I am not 21 anymore. Did you find an apartment or condo? New furniture, new clothes for the seasons…you are going to be doing some major shopping!
We found an apartment…and yes, I am dreading all the shopping that now needs to happen! I am not much of a shopper.
AC – I definitely need to take a trip there. I’ve never been!
Good luck, Ameena! You’ll get it all done in the end 🙂
Thank you Jessie! I hope so.
Enjoy London. Love all the pictures! You’re right, Ali doesn’t look concern at all, I think that’s just how men are 🙂 Here’s to smooth and stressless moving process! Shopping for furniture is always fun!
I wish I could find someone to furniture shop for me…I am just NOT a good shopper!
Such nice photos.. this is the first time I see Ali showing teeth in all the photos… I think Maya’s smile resembles his. You might as well enjoy now and stress later… there is no point worrying. Things somehow always fall into place. Hope you guys are having fun.
Thanks Nisha…we are having a great time. I’m trying to live in the moment for once. It’s going…okay! 🙂
Ha, I wish my SO would ask me if I care to go to London, just because! I also wanted to tell you how gorgeous your daughter is. She is going to be a total heart breaker when she’s older.
So nice of you to say Tara…on behalf of Maya, thank you!
What? An international trip before a big move? I’d probably freak out and then go anyways because it’s just too good of an offer to refuse. Have fun!!
Exactly…it was too good an offer to refuse! 🙂
hahaha well anything to keep the mind off of a stressful situation right? and clearly anything is fixed by a decent scone and high tea? obviously! i close on my house on monday…so we both will have stressful next weeks ha! oh and remember when i got a new job? yeah. the universe hates me and a complex series of events and me refusing to move to north carolina happened so i am now job hunting too!
Congratulations on your new house! You must be thrilled.
Job hunting can be really stressful so I’m sending you loads of luck with that! I feel your pain. 🙂
Haha, if procrastinating involves a spontaneous trip to London then I’m all for it! I’ll be interesting to see what habits of Tom’s I acquire. Could be scary.
Also, don’t use Move Builder or UPACK to move. They are the worst.
Good luck!
I will definitely steer clear of those two movers…thank you for the warnings! It’s been a while since we’ve moved, I need all the help I can get.
Dude! that’s not procrastination..visiting London cause its just six hours away is the sensible thing to do 🙂 Besides, when life is so stressful, scones is just what you need Glad you guys had a good time.
Glad someone things eating scones in London is sensible. 🙂
Love this comment Shefali! Thank you.
If I knew my favourite blogger was coming to England with her beautiful family, then as a token of appreciation and to show her some British hospitality I would have reserved a High Tea spot in Doncaster. That would have been our token of gratitude to you for writing such brilliant posts. Next time please let us know and it would be a great honor to treat you and your family to English Tea.
Doncaster? I’m intrigued as I’ve never heard of it.
I’d love to have tea next time I’m in town. These trips are far too short. 😦
Oh God, I’m so sorry I meant Dorchester. I was reviewing a case study on Doncaster and well cannot believe the typing mistake I made. Yes tea in Dorchester will be a gift from me to your family:) You have to come for longer. Happy Apartment hunting in New York
Next time for sure Maha…I have not been to the Dorchester! Would love to try it. 🙂
🙂 That would be awesome. Thanks Ameena. Blessed be. x
Hi, check out roomandboard.com for NYC apartment sized furniture. They have a store in Soho (and some in CA) too. And no, I don’t work for them but I live in the area and have recommended them before. My sons’ bedroom sets and my dining room furniture are from there. Welcome to NYC and good luck!
Thank you for the recommendation! I’ve heard of Room and Board, I think we have a location in LA. I’m definitely going to check it out, especially since I need a new dining table, which needs to be approximately 1/3 of the one I have now. 🙂
Yes, that was the correct and only answer to that question. But seriously, though, you forgot to pack me in your suitcase. This just. keeps. happening!
I can only blame my current mindset for forgetting to bring you along Megan. Forgive me! 🙂
Ameena all this moving, job hunt, and shopping will have to happen whether you like it or not so for now enjoy and savor every bite of the scone 🙂
I did savor and enjoy…and now I’m home to start worrying again. 🙂
Scones will help give you strength to do all you need to do 🙂 So glad you found a place and are enjoying life!
Scones are a great source of strength…well said Elaine!
OMG – I would love to hear that question … NY is my love.
I can’t decide which city I love more…NY or London. I’m hoping to live in both and figure it out!
Long time, no comment. I’m late to the you-moving-to-NYC-game, but as it would happen, I also landed back here in May. Granted, Georgia and I are in Brooklyn, but if you’re needing any outer-borough friends, we’re your girls.
Sane moving to you!
We would love to visit you. I’ve seen so little of Brooklyn, just basically the area by the bridge, after I walked across!
Can’t wait!
Procrastinating hard tasks is definitely a good idea…perhaps you can extend your stay in London to continue to put off the inevitable!
Any luck finding a new pad in NYC? Can’t wait for photos and debts on the new abode!
Yes, we found a place and despite it being 1/2 the size of our place here I am 2X excited about it. 🙂
i think Ali is having a positive effect, if the stress is inevitable…you should heed London calling.
I did heed and I’m glad I did. Now that I’m home, the stress begins again!
If you are still in London you must try:
The spinach ball pasta at carluccios
The red velvet cupcake at hummingbird bakery
I visited Carluccios with Maya, we had the most amazing linzer cookie. But I will have to go back and try the actual food!
I love the St. Christopher’s location.
Thanks for the recommendations Deepa!
I have been wanting to visit London forever and your posts about your London visits makes me so much more eager. Lovely photos of you, Ali and Maya…
Thanks Gayathri!
I hope you get to London soon…it’s definitely an amazing place.
Of course you had to go!
So excited for your move!
Me too. 🙂
Scones definitely puts everyone in a better mood. Good luck on the move 🙂
Thanks Kiran!!
Oo i miss London, go to Busaba Eathai next to the Selfridges 🙂
And try Sketch cafe, also did you go to Hyde Park? Covent Garden, Regent St, ooh i am so missing it big time..
I used to live 20 mins from Marylebone 🙂
I did go to Hyde Park and Covent Garden and Regent Street. Next time I will try Sketch and Busaba (you are the second person to recommend Busaba!).
Thanks for all the recommendations Amy!
I wish I could adopt all of Glenn’s traits. Seriously he is good at everything he tries. Looking forward to all of your exciting changes.
Thanks Marie…I’m looking forward to them too!
Best of luck with NYC 🙂
Thank you Eddie!
Haha! Keep calm and have a scone, dahling! Oh but don’t worry: there may be some stressing and heaving and shoving (furniture, I mean) and maybe even a little mental breaking down, but you just have to tell yourself it will all be over soon and that it’s going to be awesome once it is.
There will definitely be shoving… LOL
But it’s definitely going to be worth it!
I haven’t been getting your subscriptions!
I must subscribe again.
Great photo of you guys! X
Oh no…I have no idea what’s going on with the subscriptions? I will try to figure it out.
We New Yorkers are not judgmental , so nothing to worry about.
We only get Scones around Holidays here in the suburbs of New York. May be a couple of distinct Restaurant may carry the. So if you love them like my son does, check out those places.
I’ve had good scones at the Peninsula and Alice’s Tea Cup…but I think I’ll need to do a little more research. 🙂
Thanks for the comment Munir!
Ooh! I hope you had fun in London!
I did…lots of fun!
ohh you were in my town 🙂 all the best with moving and all the big changes you’ll be making in your lives, hopefully all’d be best. And as always such appetizing food you had.. I’m so hungry now. Thanks!
What area do you live in?
I’d love recommendations. 🙂
I’m in South London and ping me for any kind of suggestions you want ❤
I’m back in LA now but I will definitely ask you for suggestions next time I make it to London! 🙂
Yes, how come the good habits are not embraced like the bad? I love this post, you are so funny Ameena. Have a great week,
SHauna xoxo
Such a mystery, isn’t it?
Thanks for the comment Shauna. 🙂
Love that last line – it’s so me! Glad you were able to enjoy London, even with a cross country move coming up. Sometimes it’s just better to deal with things as they come up instead of anticipating and stressing beforehand.
Yes, I’m learning that I need to stop stressing beforehand since it usually doesn’t help at all!
Next week may be scary, but why don’t you pretend you’ll be on a London vacation forever 😉
I wish I could be in London forever. 🙂
Hey Ameena,
I am your long time blog reader! I was in London for last two weeks on a business trip[ and visited Sofra after reading here. Loved it. Loved London, its just so cool. Hope you had a safe trip back home
So glad you liked Sofra. Just their bread alone makes me keep going back.
Thanks for the comment Murtaza, and thanks for reading!
I do my best work slightly freaked out, so just roll with that as an excuse 😉 Good luck!
Thanks Rhonda…I’m learning all about rolling and excuses. LOL