Covent Garden Hotel's plastic laundry bags made Sofia Coppla's movie Somewhere at the Odeon Covent Garden far more enjoyable. While other people in this London theatre were lining up for popcorn, I took the time to line my seat, backrest and armrest. Ninety-seven minutes of germ-free entertainment. Too many infractions in the movie to mention.
This is what the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York looks like. What am I doing here in this sniffling crowd?
I am driving her to the hospital. NOW. Of course I would witness this act. She said she had to fix her hair.
Meet my digestive tract's new best friend -- The Champion. Champ is shy and did not want to come out of the box to be photographed.
'The grime and dust I sweep all away,
A cup of fresh mint tea is always relaxing and refreshing. It smells good and so will you. Way better than chewing gum and actually good for your breath and digestion. I have not yet been in a restaurant in London that did not have this herb available.
Welcome to this new vintage shop in Covent Garden where you can buy or hire clothing. The shop is owned by Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Mary Owen. Clothes are thoughtfully arranged according to decade with more expensive clothing available in a VIP Salon in the basement. I almost bought a pink 60's shift dress. BUT. A close inspection revealed underarm stains. In my opinion pink and yellow do not go all that well together. The thud in the fitting room heard around the world was me passing out. ALL IS WELL. I was revived with a sniff of the dress. I did buy a brand new flower for my hair though. It is a Lily lily and branded The Libertarian.
A confessional in a lingerie shop? A dressing room that looks like a confessional? Oh, if that chair could talk. Coco de Mer staff in London kindly explained this particular arrangement is a unique way to keep all parties entertained while shopping for erotic luxuries.
Not me. Not with Made-Just-For-Hygiene-Hunter entertainment right outside the Covent Garden Hotel Bar in London. He could have swept all night. And he did because I kept calling for an encore.
Keeping hotel walls free of knicks and scratches must be difficult. And painting rooms after every guest checks out nearly impossible -- unless of course you are the George V Paris. That's why I really do appreciate the pinstriped fabric textured wallpaper in my room at the Covent Garden Hotel in London. The walls look perfect. Since I do not sleep on walls or even touch them, I am not too fussed about their contents. Let's hope I do not get a blue light for Christmas.
For me, it was IN and OUT of the National Portrait Gallery in London without even touching a door. I even took a few spins around just for fun. To use a cliche, "Let others do the dirty work." Hahaha. Diabolical. I know.
It would have been much easier to blame this hideous stain on a table companion, but I believe in Karma. As hideous as this is, it is completely my fault. MY French Bean with Foie Gras slipped off the serving spoon at La Petite Maison in London and landed on the table cloth at La Petite Maison in London. I now fully understand the need to carry a Tide Bleach Pen. Either that or master the classic table cloth trick. Or going back to the Karma Thing, do not order anything with Foie Gras in it.
It is truly amazing what I can do in my protective shell while flying. In addition to sleeping upright I can brush my teeth, do facial exercises and cry while watching sappy movies in total privacy. Oh. And. If someone sneezes without covering their mouth their germs repel off the fabric. It only looks odd from the outside.
Unless the pillow is in a sealed plastic bag I will never ever rest my head on one of these. I have trained myself to sleep upright. Picture tomorrow.
David, chief mixologist at West Restaurant in Vancouver, is saving mankind from pedestrian cocktails with his devotion to quality everything. He is also saving the planet from destruction by using stainless steel forks instead of disposable straws to taste test cocktails prior to serving. (The taste test involves a dip and a lick.) David's artistry results in many orders in the course of a night. The forks bathe in vodka between testings. The vodka kills germs. All the more reason to consume more vodka.
I loved, loved, loved the Twisted Fork in Yaletown. Obviously, hygienic practices were in play. And, the Baked Eggs I had for brunch were perfection. I am told, this dish is also the chef's personal favourite. Eating with a twisted fork made the meal interesting though. Wink.
And I was the first to use it. The staff at Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar in Yaletown is as attentive in the restaurant as they are in the restrooms. The Towel Pyramid was rebuilt many times during the night I was there. Coincidence?
Vancouver is webcam mad. Look up towards the right. This webcam is not keeping tabs on the kitchen staff though -- that is what I am for. And I am happy to report no fingers were dipped into any pots at Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar in Yaletown. When the restaurant first opened images were broadcast online. The quality wasn't good enough so they killed the feed, but kept the webcam.
The Opus Hotel can definitely be thought of as one sexy place.
Thank you Opus Hotel. Pillows that do not end up on the floor during turndown service. My husband agreed, although he wondered whether luggage may have been stored on the rack at some point or other causing cross-contamination from the wheels. Seriously. Why is everyone around me so paranoid?
Some of the rooms at the Opus have just undergone a renovation. You know what that means ... NEW MATTRESSES. Gloriously clean and unspoiled. Even the tag is pristine. This mattress also offered a perfect sleep. Once I removed the bowling pins. Was the perfect sleep due to the coil configuration? Or the lack of stains? In my opinion, both.
First things, first. Vancouver, British Columbia is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. To live in. And visit. It continually rates highly in Surveys of the People. Visitors to the Capital of Luon -- for those unfamiliar with Luon it is the fabric used to create the most flattering yoga apparel on the planet; known to flatter even the widest bottom; courtesy of Lululemon Athletica. Moving on. In my opinion the best place to stay in Vancouver is the Opus. A boutique hotel in Yaletown. The lighting is right. The toiletries are delicious (smell only; do not consume.) And ... they offer a car service. Which is lovely. The car is super clean. And it takes you where your Louboutins cannot.
