Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come book by Jess out now!

Nigella Lawson said "I loved it!" so what are you waiting for?

  I love all of my children equally! The American one on the left is messy, loud, optimistic, sassy and uses the letter z far more often. The British one on the right is more subdued, wittier, has a better grasp of European history, often judges the louder American one. I’m sad to report thatRead On >>

Michael Phelps and I Have A Lot in Common

But seriously, cupping is terrible

Finally. An excuse to write about Michael Phelps. I wrote about cupping in GRADUATES IN WONDERLAND, because it was possibly the most terrible experience of my life. Here’s an excerpt in my letter from Beijing to Rachel in New York: Anyway, we actually lost a little bit of time together because I got sick. It’sRead On >>

Elves f**k and have better clothes than you

Elf School

  I went to elf school in Iceland and wrote about it for Jezebel: “Every time I see a local ripping off a tourist for some ‘authentic’ experience, I think, ‘Who the hell is going to fall for that?’” Dylan, my ex-roommate, remarked a few months ago over breakfast. “And then I think, ‘Oh wait.Read On >>

Kate Bolick “Spinster” Profile

All by myself: How single women are redefining 'spinsterhood'

When I (Jess) was back home in Texas this summer, I picked up “Spinster” by Kate Bolick at Barnes and Noble, even though I’m not really the target audience. I’d read compelling reviews and wanted to know what the fuss was about. I ended up reading this on the plane back to London – andRead On >>

Bake These Tarts, Bag Your Own Tyrannical King

(includes gluten because kings love gluten)

If you’re always a bridesmaid, never a bride, don’t fret. Attracting the perfect mate is time-consuming and difficult in the best of times. But there’s an easier way, and it dates back to the 16th century. If you’ve been watching Wolf Hall and want that really joyful time in history to be your reality, then this is theRead On >>

Repost: How I Landed My Two Dream Jobs

the rough path from unpaid intern to best job ever and back again

This is the second in an ongoing series in which we interview people who have interesting jobs and get them to tell us how they landed them. They will also reveal how they handled the transition to the real world after graduation — Sometimes to find out what you really want to do with yourRead On >>

Winter Survival: Almanzo Wilder’s Apple Pie

Husband of Laura Ingalls Wilder

There were preserves and jams and jellies and doughnuts. But best of all, Almanzo liked the spicy apple pie, with its thick, rich juice and crumbly crust. He ate two big wedges of the pie. – Farmer Boy, 1933 *The apple pie looked delicious, its homemade lard and flour crust glistening and golden. “Is this one ofRead On >>

Friggatriskaidekaphobia Cold Fruit Soup

Happy Friday The 13th!

Today is Friday the 13th—fear of this date, known as friggatriskaidekaphobia, is named after Frigg, the Norse goddess whose name inspired the word “Friday.” Norse mythology has it that 12 gods were having a lovely banquet at Valhalla when Loki, the god of mischief who was not invited, showed up, bringing the number of diners to 13.Read On >>

Winter of Discontent

The Worst Thing I Ever Did (Train for a Half-Marathon in Winter)

Here’s a post  I wrote for The Daily Telegraph about my training for my first half-marathon in Brighton, England. Don’t expect pro advice, though. I’m just hoping to finish/show up. Here’s how it’s going so far: Midway through my 3-mile run in London, my lungs and legs feel too heavy to continue and I stopRead On >>

Greta Garbo’s Advice

Hollywood Icons Solve Your Problems

Ever wondered how to handle job promotions, flirtations with married men and making friends? Greta Garbo has the answers of course (just look at her). Here’s my (her) Hollywood Advice Column at Vanity Fair.