May 19, 2013

Chuffed to Bits: Top British Christmas Songs

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It's that time of year once again, ladies and gents.  The time of year where I go into my iTunes Library, click the little checkbox next to all of my favourite Christmas songs, and sync them to my iPod.  And in looking through that list, I've assembled quite a vast and varied selection of tunes over the years.  There are the songs I listened … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: 10 British Blokes Worth Swooning Over

Robert Pattinson

*Author's Note: Based on the response to this piece, I feel compelled to state the following.  This is not a Top 10 Most Swoonworthy British Blokes of All Time list.  You're not going to find Colin, Hugh, Daniel, Jude, David, Richard, Sean, etc. on it.  This is a small list of up-and-comers that I think are worth mentioning, and perhaps some of … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: The Top 5 Reasons Why I Love “Downton Abbey”

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*Warning* If you don't watch Downton Abbey, I don't recommend reading this, as it does contain a few spoilers.  But I do highly recommend that you start watching this show immediately so you'll be all caught up when it starts again, and so you'll have a sufficient amount of time to be sad like the rest of us because it's over (for … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: The Best British Christmas Movie? – A Love Letter to “Love Actually”

Love Actually

*Warning* If you haven’t seen the film Love Actually, I don’t recommend reading the following, as it’s full of spoilers.  And while we’re on the subject, why haven’t you seen it yet?  It was released in 2003!  Please go watch it.  Posthaste.   Dear Love Actually, It’s Christmastime once again, and this year I just … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: British Music Artist on the Rise – Michael Kiwanuka

Several months ago, I ordered a copy of the acclaimed British music magazine, MOJO, to be sent to me in the post.  The particular issue I ordered also came with a compilation CD featuring artists on the London music label, Communion.  Communion is of great interest to me, not only because the label was co-founded by Ben Lovett, a member of … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: Cookies, and Brownies, and Cupcakes – Oh My! Sweet Spots in London to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

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Okay.  I admit it.  I’ve got a sweet tooth.  To be honest, death by chocolate sounds pretty good to me.  You know that scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where Gene Wilder is singing Pure Imagination?  You know the one...     Who didn't dream of visiting a place like that when they were a little kid?  … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: Living in the Material World – 5 Things I Learned About George Harrison from the Scorsese Documentary

Recently, I watched George Harrison: Living in the Material World, the new documentary directed by Martin Scorsese.  As a lifelong Beatles fan, I was fascinated to learn more about George Harrison’s life before, during, and after his time with the Fab Four.  If you haven’t yet seen it, I highly recommend it.  Here’s the trailer for the … [Read more...]

Chuffed To Bits: Songs On My Brit Music Playlist – British Music I’m Listening To Now

Music means everything to me.  My friends will tell you that I always have a song in my head and my heart that I'm dying to talk about and share.  Albert Einstein once said, “…I often think in music.  I live my daydreams in music.  I see my life in terms of music…  I get most joy in life out of music.”  I think Einstein and I … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: Thoughts on Amy Winehouse

One late Friday afternoon in October of 2009, two American girls visiting the UK for the very first time found their way by bus to Camden in North London.  The rain was sporadic, as it often is in the Big Smoke, and we enjoyed racing through it, finding solace under awnings, a newly-purchased hat from a street vendor, and a free copy of The … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: Discovering “The Tudors”

I'm the first person to admit that I'm late to the party when it comes to The Tudors.  I'm an HBO kind of gal, and don't have Showtime (which is the cable network that originally aired it here in the States, prior to BBC America showing edited reruns).  But I've been hearing about this show for years from friends who absolutely loved it, and … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: A Spot of Tea – An Ode to a Lovely Drink

My lovely, new tea cup. A girl can dream, right?

Tea is a beverage I’ve enjoyed for much of my life.  I grew up adoring the sun tea that my mother would make, poured over ice on a hot, summer’s day.  As an adult, discovering tea lattes was something of a treat as well.  Side note: Did you know that an Earl Grey Tea Latte, also known as a London Fog Latte at Starbucks in the States, is … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: My Latest London Lessons Learned From a Recent Trip

Photo by Amie Taylor

I recently returned from my third trip to London—my second trip there in the past 6 months. And even though I was only there for a few days this time, it was long enough to make my heart ache once again with a deep and serious yearning for the city and the country I love so dearly. As I sat on the plane headed back to the U.S. with what has … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: The Top 5 Reasons You Should Watch “The Graham Norton Show”

I love Graham Norton.  And I mean love.  I've never laughed so hard whilst watching any chat show in my life; I've actually had coughing fits from watching the hilarity that ensues!  And this charming, funny, flamboyant, brilliant chap hailing from Cork, Ireland doesn't just make great telly.  He makes me want to hang out with him. Graham … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: A Love Song for Bobby Long

Bobby Long at Club Congress, 5 February 2011.  Photo by DeAnna Soth.

When I recently mentioned to a dear friend of mine that I’d named this column Chuffed to Bits, she looked a bit perplexed.  After I explained to her what that particular saying means, she suggested that perhaps I offer up a brief explanation for those who may not be familiar with the term.  So here goes.  As any English person will tell you, … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: 25 MORE British Music Artists You Should Be Listening To

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I’d like to start this with one word:  WOW.  Just… WOW.  To be honest, I was simply blown away by how many people clicked the “Like” button on Facebook for my list of 25 British Music Artists You Should Be Listening To.  Seriously, I was flabbergasted.   I never imagined when I was writing it that as many people would read it as they … [Read more...]

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