About a Boy: Nicholas Hoult & Hugh Grant Now and Then

Hello dear hearts,

I felt I was being entirely too earnest with my Bourdain multi-part series, so now for something a little lighter and naughtier (do not distress as we will continue the Bourdain multi-parter tomorrow)! As you may recall, a delightful little film called "About a Boy" was released in theaters about eight years ago. The stars of that film were Hugh Grant and "the boy", played by Nicholas Hoult.

As you can see, Nicholas Hoult, was then only about 12 or 13 years old and was an awkward-looking child with a fictional suicidal mother who wore hideous knitted caps. And, of course, there is the adorable Hugh Grant who was then 42.  

Well, let's take a look at our stars now...

Part 4: Best of Bourdain in Europe: Provence

Choosing the best Bourdain episode in Europe was by far our most difficult task. We love many of the episodes Anthony taped in the Old World. Also, Mr. Fashionista and I have a special fondness for Italy (which is where we tied the knot) and Rome, Sicily and Venice were all in the running here. But, alas, we had to go with Provence for our favorite episode. Why?

1. Perfect lighting. As Bourdain explains, Provence is “where great painters painted." The lighting in Provence is one of the many reasons so many famous artists portrayed this gorgeous region of France in countless priceless paintings. And Tony's film crew manages to capture that famous lighting on film. The effect is breathtaking.

2. Making aioli the old fashioned way. This comes into play a couple of ways. First of all, Tony has to make a meal for some super picky French diners. They want it the old-fashioned way or not at all. And what we discover is that many provincial traditional dishes are somewhat difficult to make the old-fashioned way. Case in point: aioli is made in a mortar and pestle from garlic and olive oil only. In other words, adding an egg is for little girls who cry for mommy. And we quickly see that even old ladies in Provence can grind out the aioli without the egg. Tony better be prepared to do it the right way or not at all. Tony stresses the entire episode over his traditional meal, which provides for some good comedy. In the end, his meal is appreciated by the locals, but they also let him know his food is most definitely not a la provencale, thank you very much.

Part 3: Best of Bourdain in South America: Ecuador

Ecuador. Before this episode, I was vaguely aware that there was a cute colonial capital and that lovers of Darwin traveled here in packs to look at strange lizards on the Galapagos Islands. In other words, I was only mildly interested in visiting. After this episode, however, I was ready to buy my ticket to some delicious food and beautiful scenery. So, why was this our favorite South American episode?

1. Street Food in Quito. The real star here is actually the colonial town of Quito itself. An adorable town, with lots of beautiful old buildings and an energy to it as well. Plus, I love empanadas.

Beautiful Quito.

Part 2: Best of Bourdain in North America: The Rust Belt

So, oddly enough, it wasn't San Francisco or even New Orleans, which grabbed the top spot for best Bourdain show in North America. Instead, Anthony's adventures to Detroit, Baltimore and Buffalo with his buddy Zamir was our favorite No Reservations episode in North America. Why? Three reasons.


1. Snoop from the Wire. Tony and Felicia "Snoop" Pearson from HBO's best show ever, "The Wire", eat at Mo's Seafood in Baltimore. Snoop is just as gritty and compelling as her character on HBO was, but you kind of get the impression she's playing Tony a bit as well. Regardless, this gal has definitely lived a rough life. While Mo's Seafood does not look particularly appetizing, it feels real, and a highlight of the show is when Tony buys the patrons, who look like extras from the Cher classic movie, "Mask", an electric blue cocktail, called the "Obama". Which is actually kind of hysterical.

Port of Baltimore, Setting of HBO's The Wire, Season 2.

Part 1: Reservation for Two, Mr. Bourdain

Happy Sunday Dear Hearts,

Nooooooooooooooooooooo Reservations! Two words were never as sweet to mine ears.

The day Anthony Bourdain got married, I wept.Witty, cranky, world-traveling chef, with a heart of gold. What's not to love? My love for him is strange and strangely Oedipal. Also, kind of have a crush on Dr. House.

Mr. Fashionista is appropriately creeped out.

Best Vamp Couple (in Daylight)

Alright dear hearts, it's the battle of the vamp cursed to darkness (Bill Compton) v. the vamp who sparkles in the sun (Edward Cullen) and the women who love them, of course! As we all know two of our fave fictional vamp couples neck each other in real life as well. As such, we should naturally judge these two real life couples on their real life sauciness.

Today's battle will be primarily based on fashion and style, but a certain je ne sais quoi will, of course, guide our decision as well. Let the games begin!

Sookie Stackhouse & Bill Compton (Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer)

1. It is difficult to deny these adorably sweet newlyweds. They are obviously into each other. It is cute and we are charmed. On the other hand, Stephen really has some hair issues. It seems always to be either too dark or too light and I fear, that it is actually TOO gray, and he simply hides the grays with bad dye jobs and a young wife. Further, we are definitely not sold on Anna's Emmy dress by Alexander McQueen (left pic). Gorgeous and unique details with the worst fit I've ever seen in my life. And I will never be sold on the black nail polish idea. Perhaps it reminds me too much of my adolescence in flannels and Docs. Otherwise, bravo Sookie and Bill (and, Sookie, that little blue number is cute, cute, cute!).