Wither it’s a slumber party or a bad break up, the chick flick is every girls stand by film. Chick flicks, or girly movies as my husband calls them, sometimes makes us laugh, cry and always cheer for the heroine. Britain has put out some absolutely fantastic chick-flicks in the past decade.

Without further ado ladies, here are my top ten British chick flicks:

1. Bridget Jones’ Diary: I never good sick of seeing this film. It has the perfect combination to be the ultimate British chick flick, cheating boyfriend, drinking, breakups and a happy ending. It think this movie is so successful as a chick flick because, Bridget vocalizes what most women are thinking. We can relate to her blunders and successes.

2.An Education: My husband and I went to go see this film while it was in the theater and I LOVED it! This is a story about a suburban British teenager coming into her own. The acting is superb. I cried and laughed, and wanted to be the main character so many times. This is a must see chick flick!

3. Bend It Like Beckham: This film has been around for a while, but it always feels fresh and fun every time I watch it. It is a unique look into life as a teenager of Indian immigrants, and see the cultural differences between generations. The steamy Jonathan Rhys Myers is also in this film. It is heartwarming and fun.

4. Love Actually;  I originally saw this film in the theaters too, my husband and I counted the days until this film came out on DVD. This flick has it all, hilarious moments, and times that make you want to use an entire box of tissue. This film also contains a wedding scene which equates to bonus chick flick points.

5. Four Weddings and A Funeral; This movie has also been around for a while. What chick flick could be better than a movie containing four weddings! this film is heart warming and a must have for the British chick flick collector.

6. The Holiday; The basic concept of this film is a house swap by two women, one being Kate Winslet and the other Cameron Diaz. One lives in Hollywood, the other lives in a charming British cottage. There is a scene where Cameron Diaz’s character goes to the store and buys wine, after arriving in the UK… Hilarious!!! This movie is the perfect chick flick!

7. Atonement; This is another chick flick gem. The love story in this film starts with a steamy affair and then goes horribly wrong. The film is set against the backdrop of World War II Britain. A classic and beautiful love story.

8. Pride and Prejudice; This film is the retelling of the famous Jane Austin novel. It is filmed beautifully in period detail. Kera Nightly’s performance of the very spirited Lizzy is fantastic. This is the ultimate love story.

9. Calendar Girls; This is a funny yet heart warming chick flick about a group of older women and their quest to raise money for charity. This film was based on a true story. Very touching and fun, a great chick flick.

10. Wimbledon: This film was not wildly popular here in the United States, and I cannot figure out why. A great love story, dabbled in with an disapproving father. This film obviously has tennis intertwined in it too.

Top Ten British Chick Flicks – Best British and English Girl Movies is a post from: Anglotopia.net

One of the Bravissimo bras from Their Website

As an American I am simply going to say it, I find it impossible to find a well made bra here in the US. It is true, and before I start to get nasty comments about how I don’t love my country, I have shopped every store imaginable to find my size, and it simply does not exist in American lingerie shops. I am what is considered an unusual size by American standards when it comes to finding a bra. I can count on one hand the number of bras that I have found in American stores, all of them, not even remotely attractive. I thought I was doomed to wear ugly, poor fitting bras for the rest of my life until, I found Bravissimo.

I had accidently stumbled upon the best bra shop in the world on a previous vacation to London. I went in the shop because I wondered on the off chance if the bra advertised in the window came in my size. I was greeted by a lovely lady who suggested I have a fitting. I was ushered  into a private dressing room where I was properly fitted for the first time in my life. Sure, I had been to Victoria’s Secret many times and had been measured, but the fit was never right. The fitting was precise, and completely painless. Soon the associate had returned with a handful of beautiful bras in my size! I could not believe it, beautiful bras came in my size! The bra in the window that had brought me into the shop did come in my size, which was a first for me. I had never been able to buy a bra out of a shop window at home.

I was pleased to learn that I was not  a freak of nature, due to my bra size.  I was actually a relatively normal size for the UK.  I have been back several times, every time I travel to the UK to be exact. I have also placed online orders from the US. Bravissimo also ships a beautiful catalogue to my home in the US too. All sizes are measured in the British system, which I find to be much more accurate. The British fit a bra differently than we do here in the US. The bra is meant to fit snugly around  and not hang from the shoulders, therefore reducing strain on the back. This fitting style works, and my shoulders and back thank me everyday for switching to this method.

I thought I had died and gone to bra heaven when I discovered Bravissimo. I learned to love my “ladies” through the beautiful bras that Bravissimo has to offer. The wonderful thing about their shop is that they offer more than just your typical bra, they offer strapless, Basque style, and the most beautiful bras that I have ever seen in a vast number of sizes. I was also pleased to learn that they sell some clothing as well. They offer wonderful shirts made for the, more endowed woman, where the buttons will not pull across the bust. They also offer fabulous swimsuits, even bikinis!

If you are planning a trip to the UK make sure to stop in and schedule a fitting. The fitting is absolutely free. When in the UK I always make time to be refitted.  Every associate has always been extremely friendly, and courteous. I highly recommend stopping in to one of their stores or visiting the Bravissimo website. If you are as frustrated as I was, trying to find a size that does not exist in American shops, give the Bravissimo experience a try.

Reluctant Anglophile: The Bravissimo Experience – The UK Has Better Bras! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Editor’s Note – Jonathan here: I would like to say that I do not endorse the content of this post and I hope that my beautiful wife can settle for a man that only kinda looks like Conan O’Brien.

One of the many things that Britain and Ireland do well is gorgeous actors. I don’t know if it is the accent or British/Irish gene pool but one thing is for sure, the British Isles have some beautiful men representing her these days when it comes to acting. Keep in mind, I could only pick 10 men or this list would be never ending. Here are my choices for the most handsome British and Irish actors:

David Tennant

This hunky actor won my heart by playing the character of Dr. Who. Warm, lovable, and not to mention gorgeous, David Tennant made an excellent Dr. Who. While I did enjoy the series for it’s interesting story lines and plots, I did also enjoy the eye candy. Tennant’s version of the Doctor always seemed to be the knight on the white horse or should I say in a blue box. Watching his character fall for Rose Tyler, that’s it, I was a goner. I go anywhere through time and space with this Doctor.

Ewan McGregor

Wether it is acting brilliantly or riding around the world on a motorcycle, this man is gorgeous doing it all.  I fell for this hunky actor when I first saw him in Moulin Rouge, as the sweet and venerable Christian.  His career has grown from that role to include  major Hollywood productions to the occasional independent film. I have also watched him ride his motorcycle around the world width wise and then from Scotland to South Africa, in Long Way Round and Long Way Down.  I’d get on the back of his motorcycle any day.

Daniel Craig

I think this picture speaks for itself. What can I say,  I am a sucker for James Bond.  Craig’s role as the super spy, was fantastic and wonderfully handsome. Slick, sophisticated  and British, this guy has got it all. Not to mention, every time I see him in a tux, I go a little weak at the knees. Absolute perfection!

Colin Firth

From Jane Austin to Bridget Jones, Colin Firth is wonderful in whatever role he is playing. As the distinguished English gentleman, Firth pulls this off perfectly every time.  The hopeless romantic that I am, would gladly accompany this man as his gentle lady.

James Nesbitt

I first saw this handsome actor in the crime drama, Murphy’s Law. What can I say, James nesbitt makes bald sexy. From that gorgeous accent to talented acting, this guys got it all. In the past few years this guy has got a bit of a reputation of being a ladies man. I would still consider leaving Jonathan for him.

Gerard Butler

While most American audiences don’t know that this actor is actually Scottish, I do. I first saw Butler  in the film, P.S. I Love You. He does a sexy dance at the beginning of the film that would make any girl blush. He has gorgeous blue eyes, mixed with that great accent, what girl would not go weak at the knees over this guy?

Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard was incredible in the film Once. That was the first time I had come across this heart throb. Not only is he gorgeous, the man can sing like no other.  His character in Once, is charming, and sweet as he falls for his co-star. I could listen to this man sing me the phone book and still totally swoon.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers

If I had to use one word to describe this actor it would be hot. He was steamy and sexy in Match Point. Those gorgeous blue eyes and handsome face. What girl stands a chance saying no to this stud, certainly not me. He seems gentle and like a bit of an asshole all at the same time, which is sexy.

Ralph Fiennes

This picture says it all, I really don’t need to say anything more about the sexiness of this British actor. From his roles in The Constant Gardner to the chick flick Maid in Manhattan, this sexy man oozes class and sophistication.  This is another man I would happily listen while he read me the phone book. Not only is he devilishly handsome, but he has got one of the sexiest voices I have ever heard.

Simon Pegg

This Brit has a charm and sweetness about him that makes him very sexy. He is also hilariously funny and that in itself is really sexy. He seems like a gentle romantic man which makes this girl’s heart flutter. I must also say I have a thing for men with red hair, after all I married a man with red hair!  From Run Fat Boy Run to Shaun of the Dead, this handsome man is so charming and funny.

Reluctant Anglophile: Top 10 British and Irish Actors I’d Seriously Consider Leaving My Husband For is a post from: Anglotopia.net

As the entire U.K. continues to shiver, the Met Office has officially said, that this year has been on of Britain’s coldest. This winter has been their coldest and one of the snowiest winters seen in the past 31 years. The Met Office measured snowfall and temperature from December to February.

The measurements were conclusive that Britain saw it’s harshest winter weather since the winter of 1978-1979. The numbers don’t lie, the average temperature in England was a balmy 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Scotland by far had the worst of this year’s winter weather with their average temperature being only 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Not only did the UK experience one of the coldest winters on record, they saw record snowfalls through out the winter season. While it does snow on occasion in England, the snow that was experienced this year was out of the ordinary. Heavy snow disrupted travel and business through out the UK this season. Towns and counties ran out of grit, which is similar to salt, that is used here in the US. Now, with the snow seeming to be winding down as spring is beginning, officials worry about where all of the water from the melting snow will go. Sever flooding has already been blamed for one death.

England has Coldest Winter in 31 Years! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Jonathan and I have been happily married since 2006. We took a trip to England shortly after we were married, before I legally changed my last name to Jon’s last name. My American driver’s license was still in my maiden name to match my passport. I did not have any problems going through customs in England or the United States.

When we got home from that trip we put our passports away and did not think anymore about them. When Jonathan called me last September to tell me that we had won the “Face of Opportunity” contest from British Airways, we were both over the moon. As we talked about the trip we planned what we were going to do, what we’d pack and who we’d meet. The last things on our minds were our passports – something you just don’t think about because you always have it.

That is until one night three weeks before the trip. I was laying in bed watching television as Jonathan came running into the bedroom in a panic. He remembered that my maiden name was still on my passport. We had forgotten to have it changed when I legally changed my name. Now all of my documentation saying who I was did not match my passport. Jonathan had booked the trip and all the tickets were in my married name.

We were unsure of what to do. With a three-week window in order to fix the name on the passport we knew it would be very risky to have the name changed. See, to make changes to an American passport, you have to send your current one in and they issue you a new passport. So, essentially I had a chance that I would be left without a passport at all in the amount of time before the trip. I called the British Airways trip hotline and explained the dilemma to them. They assured me that with the correct documentation, which I already had in my possession, that I could pass through customs without incident.

The documentation you need if your name on your passport is different that your married name:

• Birth Certificate
• Driver’s License
• Marriage License
• Social Security Card

As we prepared to leave for our trip, I assembled all of my documentation that would assure any customs officer that I was who I said I was. Having to carry it all around was probably overkill – but I wanted to be sure.

As we went in for landing at Heathrow I remarked to Jonathan that I did not want to see the room with the purple chairs. We are big fans of the television show UK Border Force. The room with the purple chairs is where customs officers send people with discrepancies in their documentation. In most cases, the people who sit in the room with purple chairs are often sent home.

Much to my relief, I did not visit the room with the purple chairs. In fact, I went easily through immigration as Heathrow and through Chicago when I returned home. The passports have not been put away since returning home, mine is sitting right next to my computer so I remember to have it changed. Like I said, I don’t want to ever sit in the room with the purple chairs.

Reluctant Anglophile: Dealing With a Passport Snafu – Maiden Name on Passport is a post from: Anglotopia.net

July 7,2005 is a day that I will never forget. I awoke that morning going about my usual morning routine. I climbed into my car and turned on my radio and I could not believe what I was hearing, the unthinkable; London, my beloved city had been attacked. Jon and I sat on our couch watching Sky news that an American station had cut into, and cried. We could not believe what we were seeing. We stayed glued to our television set for days, we even saw the attackers arrested and cheered in our living room.

The attacks had felt like they happened to us as well. We love London like a second home, it was tragic to see the whole city hurting. I desperately wanted to go lay flowers at the tube stations on our trip after the attacks but it did not seem appropriate. Now there is a place to reflect on the tragic events of 7-7-2005, there is now a memorial to those who lost their lives that day.

I made sure to visit the memorial this time. It is located in Hyde Park along Park Lane. The memorial is hauntingly beautiful. There is a cement pillar to represent each person who lost his or her lives that day. Each pillar represents a person and has where they were killed, along with the time the bombing took place. The pillars are laid out symmetrically to form a giant cube. Off to the side is a simple plaque with the names of all the victims.

As I walked among the pillars it was very sad. To walk among the pillars was like walking among those people that were represented. The memorial moved me to tears. I was so happy that I had a place to go pay my respects to those who died on that tragic day. I did not leave flowers, as it is not encouraged. I think that this is a must see when visiting London. It highlights the craziness in this world and reminds me to be thankful for everyday.

The Reluctant Anglophile: A Visit to the 7-7 Memorial in Hyde Park London is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Editor’s Note: This is the first post in an ongoing column by my wife, Jackie, called The Reluctant Anglophile. I thought it would be a way to get her more involved with the site and create a unique voice in our little community. Welcome Jackie!

There are few things in life that are as enjoyable as a good meal. I love dining out. The past few times that Jonathan and I have traveled to England we have had to do so on a very tight budget. On this trip Jonathan wanted to treat me to an evening of fine dining in London. We decided to go to Gordon Ramsey’s Maze Grill.

The restaurant served American themed fare rather than British. I think this may be in part to the Grill’s location, in Grosvenor Square, where the American Embassy is currently located (but not for much longer). We made our reservation about a week prior and were glad that we could still get in.

Gordon Ramsay is very well known here in the United States. I personally love his direct attitude. I also believe that he makes swearing an art form. I was not quite sure what to expect when going to the restaurant, but let me say, the man runs a restaurant as well as he swears. The staff ran the Grill efficiently, I could tell that everyone knew what they are supposed to be doing.

The décor is simple but very elegant. Jonathan and I ate in the Grill which is separate from the restaurant, and is also a bit more affordable. We showed up to the restaurant and were greeted by a doorman and a coat check counter. The staff was very welcoming. The table that we had reserved was half-circle shaped banquet, which I loved.

Jonathan and I both decided to have the fillet steak. We both choose the Casterbridge grass fed beef after all the meats were explained to us by one of the waiters. Here in the U.S. beef is corn fed, so we wanted to taste the difference. I ordered mine medium rare and Jonathan’s was well done. I can honestly say that my steak was the BEST steak I have ever had.

Our steak dinners were brought to us on cutting boards and were accompanied with a head of roasted garlic and fresh herbs. I had mashed potatoes with my steak and they were heavenly. As an American I remarked to Jonathan that Mr. Ramsey makes better mashed potatoes than I do! As a matter of fact, the matre’d took my potatoes away before I had finished with them, he must have thought I had finished and I was honestly sad.

We did not stay for dessert. Even if we had, we were so full on the most perfectly cooked steaks that there would have not been any room for more food. Our meal ended up being the most expensive meal that either of us had ever had, but I can honestly say it was well worth it. My hat’s off to Mr. Ramsay, thank you for the excellent meal.

Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill in Located in Grosvenor Square – check out their website for details and to make a reservation.

The Reluctant Anglophile: A Review of Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill is a post from: Anglotopia.net