London Trip

During my trip to London I fell for these adorable doorstops at Joanna Wood, a charming décor shop in the fashionable residential district Belgravia. Re-created with nostalgic fabrics featuring flowers, hearts, stripes, and stars, the flags give a nod to understated British country style. Absolutely charming, don't you think? Unfortunately, a doorstop wouldn't have been the easiest thing to take back across the pond — although these ones do have handles! So the search for another delightfully cute option continues.I've actually lately had a bizarre obsession with doorstops. I already own two, which is more than I need for my San Francisco apartment, especially considering that all of my doors stay put just fine with no help. But I can't help but window shop for a few more . . . you know, for that sprawling country estate I'll one day own. Check out my lovely doorstop picks below and tell me which is your fave!

Our very own CasaSugar uploaded this picture of a three-tiered confection to our Savory Sights group in the YumSugar Community.

During my recent trip to London, I attended the Taste of London 2010 restaurant festival in Regents Park. Naturally, one of my favorite tents to visit was luxury Parisian patisserie Ladurée. Of course I did sample the world's best macarons there, but I was also absolutely smitten with this dropdead gorgeous three-tiered cake. From the delicate scalloped icing and gold beads to the disc-like petals and perfectly pink palette, it was almost too pretty to eat . . . almost.

Do you have an image of something delicious that you recently made or enjoyed? Upload it!

Our very own CasaSugar uploaded this picture of right-out-of-the-fryer French fries to the Savory Sights group in the YumSugar Community. Do you have an image of something delicious that you recently made or enjoyed? Upload it!

During my recent trip to London, I had a wonderful lunch at 101 Pimlico Road in Belgravia. I ordered the grilled flank steak with fries and an absolutely mouthwatering béarnaise sauce. Paired with an Italian red, it was one of most delectable meals of my trip! I love how the frites were served in their petite frying basket. I noticed that style of plating at a few other restaurants in London . . . perhaps it's a growing trend?

During my wonderful weeklong trip to London and Suffolk hosted by the team from Visit London, I toured the fashionable Belgravia district, one of London's most charming and prestigious neighborhoods. Among other neighboring high streets, quaint Elizabeth Street is lined with small brick buildings with ground floor boutiques and residential apartments above. While the storefronts each exhibit their own sense of style with perfectly curated paint colors and sophisticated signage, the top floor exteriors are for the most part simple.

So I couldn't help but be smitten with one resident who spelled out the word "love" in topiaries from the window boxes on their balcony. The romantic touch of greenery is both subtle and eye-catching — quite akin to the sleepy neighborhood that carries the covetable red carpet looks of Jenny Packham, the show-stopping hats of acclaimed milliner Philip Treacy, and the to-die-for gems of Erickson Beamon.

For most of us, the purpose of installing roller blinds lies in keeping out light and offering privacy. But during my wonderful trip to London and Suffolk last week with Visit London, I came across one building that took the simple shades to a whole new level. From my cozy booth at the delightful Italian restaurant Carluccio's in Covent Garden, I couldn't help but be captivated (and blinded) by the neon pink blinds of a building across the street. Contrasting sharply with the building's white stucco exterior, the window treatments make a bold, playful, in-your-face statement that interacts with passersby while fending off their prying eyes. Are you too timid for this trick?