Hi Joanne, welcome to Buzzhopper! Tell us what it’s like to be a Buzzhopper in London? 

I am an American journalist and I worked as an editor at People magazine in New York City for many years. I have been in London for three years now and love my life here. On the weekends I like to explore different neighborhoods and restaurants in this gorgeous city with my husband and two daughters. We also love visiting the English countryside or bopping around Europe on weekends.

I first caught the travel bug in high school when I was an exchange student in Sweden. Since then I have been lucky enough to live in Tokyo, Berlin, Brussels, and for a brief period, in Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City as it’s currently called. I never tire of traveling. As a Buzzhopper I have a chance to connect with like-minded, curious people all around the globe and get an inside glimpse into their world.  It’s awesome.

Bubbles and nibbles is one of your Vibes, tell us more?   

Bubbles and nibbles is one of my favorite vibes because I love champagne! Life with two children is always busy, so I often find that I don’t have time for a big night out.When meeting friends, a glass of bubbly and a quick bite seem to do the trick.Where I go out in London really depends on my mood. For lunch, I usually seek out restaurants that serve healthy food with an upbeat and cheery vibe like the Wolesley and Molly’s Little Venice. These places serve great salads. In fact, one of top selling dishes at The Wolesley is their chopped chicken salad. I avoid restaurants that are too dark or serve a lot of fried foods. For dinner, I like restaurants with a fun, buzzy vibe like  Sketch, House of Ho or Duck & Waffle. I avoid restaurants that are too precious, too formal or too somber!

What’s your favourite tip from another Buzzhopper that’s on your must-do list?  

 I am very intrigued by Maria Ramos’ tip about the Richmond Spa .  Richmond is a beautiful part of London and I haven’t explored it very much. Now I have an excuse to do so!

What would you say to people using Buzzhopper for the first time?  

London is a massive, sprawling city with a wide variety of neighborhoods. Because Buzzhoppers are spread all over the city, you can find your connection to them via your shared interests and vibes and they offer an insider glimpse into parts of the city you might not normally explore. I suggest you seek out BH’s recommended restaurants, bars or activities in new neighborhoods and map out a whole day around the tips.