My San Antonio upbringing created a meat and grease-loving, gluttonous appetite that thrives on Tex-Mex, burgers and BBQ, three cuisines that spoiled and simultaneously ruined me, creating expectations that are rarely replicated outside of Texas. I struggled to find adequate TEX-MEX within the United States and barely imagined the uphill battle I would face after moving … Read more
It’s that time of year again, time for the nominal English sun to slink behind ever-gray clouds and another frigid winter come early. Each day shorter than the next, as the December solstice approaches like an unwelcome storm rolling across the horizon. Savvy travelers jet off to the southern hemisphere for a bit of sun … Read more
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit just opened at the Natural History Museum, where it will remain until March 2011, and it’s definitely worth a visit. Dimly lit rooms showcase magnificent photos, of predators on the hunt, serene panoramas, and curious moments, all captured by a photographer on his own often-tortured expedition. There are … Read more
I’ve been sitting on one of England’s best kept secrets for nearly a year, uncharacteristically hoarding a highly valuable piece of information. For many long months, I contemplated today’s disclosure, unable to decide whether the Hotel Endsleigh was better served by increased publicity or whether, in the spirit of its minimalist website and understated vibe, … Read more
Affordability and London are never used in the same sentence, particularly by American expats who are uniquely burdened by double taxes and unflattering exchange rates. They are indiscriminately assaulted by costs of every variety, grudgingly releasing majestic pound coins for the simplest daily purchases. Attempting to assuage troubled minds and pocketbooks, new and short-term expats … Read more
I’ve always loved delicate, precise things. According to my mother, my favorite childhood toys were little boxes and knickknacks, including rubber bands and paper wrappers, that I carried around in my pockets. For Christmas, I begged my parents for office supplies from the Container Store, and my monthly allowance was invariably spent at Sanrio, home … Read more
Christmas rapidly approaches, and I’ve barely made a dent in my shopping. I troll websites during quiet moments at work and bundle up on Saturday shopping trips, where I am inevitably distracted by the call of my own ever-growing wish list. I even consulted In Style’s guilt-free gift guide (for a mere $275, you can … Read more
I wanted to explain my rather extended absence from my beloved Expat’s Guide. Although I’ve been here in spirit, walking the streets of southwest London and harnessing key insights for future posts, I’ve been very far away indeed. After leaving my job a few months ago, I decided to spend some time in Africa, a … Read more
I’ve always considered myself part-mermaid, although my loyalty belongs to trout-filled mountain streams and emerald lakes rather than salty ocean water. I spent much of my youth in and under water, neighborhood pools providing the only reliable refuge from crippling Texas heat. I’m also hugely fond of the bath, which makes me better suited to … Read more
I was never given much decorative leeway over my childhood bedroom, so going to college was my first real opportunity to harness whatever inner design or style existed. I can’t say that I discovered much, nor did I progress with any sense of originality: my dorm room looked like that of every Southern sorority girl. … Read more
