East London Food & Culture

Ich Bin: Miranda Eason, contributing editor

Leytonstoner is now three months old - so we thought it about time you met our main writer more, er, intimately
Miranda Eason:
Miranda Eason: ‘My mum died without having done things she’d always wanted to do – if there’s something you really want to do, don’t wait.’ Photo: ME

Miranda Eason is a freelance journalist and editor writing about fashion, food, health and travel amongst other things. She grew up mostly in West Yorkshire, with stints in Zambia and Libya, and moved to London in 1997, working for over ten years on staff on various print magazines. She’s lived in E11 since 1999, and has been contributing editor of Leytonstoner since its launch in February.

When were you happiest?
Whenever I’m on my bike – it makes me feel like a kid again.

Where would you like to live?
I like the idea of living on a houseboat moored close to Victoria Park. I’m not sure how much I’d like the reality, especially in winter.

What is your favourite sound or smell?
The sound of waves breaking on the shore, because it usually means I’m on holiday.

LOCAL ADVERTISING

What is your greatest life achievement?
Hopefully inspiring people through the things I’ve written whether that’s to visit a new restaurant or make a healthy change to their life. That, or the first time I actually managed to stand up on a surfboard.

What is the most important thing life has taught you?
Our time here is short. My mum died without having done things she’d always wanted to do – if there’s something you really want to do, don’t wait, think Nike and just do it.

What is your earliest E11 memory?
Coming to see my flat for the first time. I fell in love instantly, despite the dodgy wallpaper. I put in an offer that same day and celebrated with a wine at the Coach & Horses.

Buy more croissants! Photo: SE
Buy more croissants! Cafe Du Metro. Photo: SE
What makes you unhappy?
When I get to Café Du Metro (140 High Road Leyton) on a Sunday morning and they’ve sold out of croissants.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Not putting things away. Once a week my flat gets too chaotic and I have a blitz. I know my life would be better, or at least less stressful, if I tidied up as I went along. Working on it…

What simple thing would make your life better?
A housekeeper. See above.

What is your guilty pleasure?
I once read someone say that if something makes them happy they don’t feel guilty about it and I kind of agree. That said I have a weakness for glossy but trashy TV and I’m currently spending more time than I probably should watching Pretty Little Liars on Netflix.

Perfect hangout: Marmelo Kitchen. Photo: Leandro Farina
Perfect hangout: Marmelo Kitchen. Photo: Leandro Farina
Talk to us about your yoga leanings.
The truth is I can often be found in a yoga or fitness studio. I recently signed up to Class Pass and it’s my mission to get my money’s worth. My favourite east London studios include 1Rebel for spinning and HIIT, Fierce Grace for hot yoga, Frame for all manner of fun classes, and Stretch for vinyasa flow yoga.

But where do you hang out for a beer or food?
I do the pub quiz either at the Leyton Technical or The Galvaniser’s Union in Bromley by Bow. On sunny weekends I’m often canal-side in Hackney Wick, The Counter Café for brunch on the pontoon (either the Turkish eggs or the big vegetarian breakfast), Crate for pizza (I always order the courgette, feta, red onion and gremolata) and The Plough to soak up the sun. Not usually all in one day, although it has been known. Rain or shine I love the Sunday lunch at the Red Lion. For a special Friday or Saturday night dinner Marmelo is hard to beat.

Miranda: ''
Miranda Eason: ‘I put in an offer that same day and celebrated with a wine at the Coach & Horses.’ Photo: ME
What’s the worst thing someone’s said to you?
“I think we’re going to have to operate,” by a doctor at Whipps Cross after I snapped my Achilles Tendon. They didn’t in the end, but I had my leg in plaster for twelve weeks. “There’s no way you’re getting on a plane to Costa Rica in two weeks’ time,” by a different doctor, also at Whipps Cross, when I was admitted with a severe case of pneumonia in January 2013. I’d been planning the trip, the first leg of a gap year, for six months. I burst into tears. I rallied and recuperated in Santa Teresa a village in Costa Rica that’s known for its surfing.

What has your career taught you?
Nothing lasts forever – the majority of the magazines I’ve worked on have folded.

What is your favourite dish?
It changes but currently ramen at Bone Daddies or Tonkotsu East.

What are you working on right now?
Headstand. Handstand. All of the stands, basically.

What did you do today?
Popped out for a cappuccino at Café Du Metro, which is how most days start. Caught up on work emails. Did a Cardio Kettleballs class at The Refinery, a swish new yoga and fitness studio in Hackney. Had lunch at Hatch, to congratulate myself on doing the Cardio Kettleballs class. Worked on a feature. Met a friend for a few glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon at Leyton Technical to plan our summer holiday.

Miranda writes weekly for Leytonstoner – to see her previous articles and reviews for us in one handy place, head here. Find her on Twitter @Miranda_Eason and Instagram @Miranda_Eason

Should you or someone you know feature in this column? If so, you’ll be able to reach thousands of readers in east London. Get in touch: info@leytonstoner.london

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment