Category: Community

You’re probably wondering, how could these two possibly be connected! Leave it up to US magazine, featuring Kate with the baby Prince George on the front cover, and Million Dollar Listing on the back cover.  Needless to say, Madison Hildebrand, the Renaissance man is featured in the center.

I cannot claim any credit for such an astute observation.  It was actually my 4 year old daughter Sabrina, who saw the magazine on her teacher’s desk and proclaimed ‘There is the baby king. His name is King George. Did you know he was born in the same hospital (Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s) as Max and me? He was probably in the same room as us.’

Then she turns over the magazine and says ‘And that’s Madison.  I gave him a pink dinosaur.  He sold our old house.’

Her teacher did not know Madison or the show.  She Googled him right away and was shocked to see that Sabrina was indeed correct. Madison Hildebrand was featured right in the middle of the back cover of US magazine for the upcoming season of Million Dollar Listing beginning August 7.

Max and Sabrina were born 4 years ago, nearly to the day of the birth of the baby prince.  The sky was as grey and dreary then as it appeared in the television spot of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posing on the steps of the Lindo Wing upon their departure.

On a brighter note, the week before the birth of my twins was sublime in a rare burst of hot and sunny weather in London.  Amongst many other things, memories of a lovely dinner on the eve of their birth with old friends from New York, as well as a visit from their godmother on the day of their birth after attending the Wimbledon Women’s Final are both well recorded in our history.

I am quite sure, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Great Britain and all Global Royal Followers will always fondly remember the birth of the Baby King!

   

I’m thrilled that this will be my first blog posting!

I had no idea that an English tea party in Malibu could be so glamorous. That is to say, a proper English tea party, as those of us Brits or in my case British American, have perfected.

My greatest challenge here was finding thinly sliced white bread for my cucumber sandwiches, which of course are my favorite. I also included egg mayonnaise, otherwise known in America as egg salad, and salmon surprise.  These required thinly sliced brown bread, which was also non-existent for over 100 miles from the 90265 postcode!

Oprah’s website suggested Pepperidge Farm thin sliced bread.  My search for Pepperidge Farm in Malibu was in vain as the customer service line informed me that supermarkets in Southern California just don’t carry it.  Needless to say, a great opportunity for local retailers.

For precise details on how to prepare English tea sandwiches, have a look at the book on Tea at the Ritz in London. Whilst you may think they are easy to prepare, definitely set aside at least several hours prior to your party to prepare them to perfection. Your guests will be most impressed with your delicious and pretty morsels.

Of course I nearly forgot the tea! Three different types of teas are really a must. My choice was a very rarefied Darjeeling, an Assam and a special Earl Grey.  In London, they are quite easy to find at say Harrods or Fortnums.  Los Angeles was a bit more challenging.  However, I found some delightful varieties at the American Tea Room in Beverly Hills.

Choose your tea as if you are at a wine tasting. The key is to smell the aroma of the “aged” or “reserve” group of which American Tea Room have probably around 50. We are blessed to have an online selection as well, if you are not able to travel to Beverly Hills (www.americantearoom.com).

I am over the moon to be able to say that my English tea party for six in Malibu was a great success! The party was actually a thank you to Madison Hildebrand who recently sold my little house in Malibu. Other great friends, including Ashley Lewis and Bianca Goodloe, attended as well.

Ta-ta and much luck with your proper English tea party!