room with a view…London

Brook St. London
Don’t worry, I’ll have details on the hotel in my next post! 🙂

We arrived in London mid-afternoon Thursday, and first thing on the agenda was a blogger meet-up of course! Le Monsieur was feeling under the weather and decided to stay in the hotel and rest, so I walked over to meet Alyson of That’s Not My Age at a fabulous Italian place for dinner. We got so busy talking right off the bat we forgot to take any pictures, but yes, she was wearing a Little Blue Shirt and looked fantastic. I think we could have sat there all night but they needed the table and we’d both had very full days, so our visit was over too soon. Alyson, thanks so much for coming back into town to meet!

The weather in London has been absolutely lovely since we arrived. Our first full day was a busy one. After breakfast, we set off to take a walk…

Green Park London

We cut through Green Park…

Princess Di Memorial Walk

and then past Buckingham Palace…

Buckingham Palace Queen Carriage

where The Queen just happened to be headed out to run a few errands. (Talk about some lucky timing!)

Our intent had been to hop the Tube at Victoria Station to get over to the V&A for the Alexander McQueen exhibition (yes, we booked tix in advance) but the entire area seemed to be under construction and we flailed about trying to find the entrance as everything was boarded up and blocked. We finally found our way, and after a quick ride and walk arrived at the museum and fully enjoyed the exhibit which is just as fantastic as everyone has said. It really gives insight into the designer’s work and inspirations and seeing some of those mind-blowing creations up close was really a treat. To me, he seemed to often blur the boundaries between fashion and performance art, and whether or not his work always appeals, there were many times in the exhibit I found myself with goosebumps, it was that hauntingly beautiful.

After the exhibit, we met Josephine (Chic At Any Age) outside. She whisked us off to the Covent Garden area where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch…

Josephine Chic At Any Age

and then a tour around the old flower market area which we’d not seen before.

Covent Garden kiosks

and over to the Royal Opera House where we found one can go upstairs in the annex for tea.

view Royal Opera House

The view was quite nice (yes, that’s The London Eye in the background) as was the tea.

London tea with Josephine
The lovely Josephine. Aren’t those pearls fabulous?

After that, well…

Fenwick London

shopping happens! (Will recap purchases in an upcoming post.) Josephine’s charming husband joined us for a late afternoon apéro, then we said our adieu’s for this year. Thank you, Josephine, for a wonderful afternoon, and for introducing me to Fenwick!

The day wasn’t over though…we had tickets to see “The Audience” with Kristin Scott Thomas. Here’s what I wore:

dressed for theater London
these Eileen Fisher pieces dress up nicely! Links: jacket (similar)top | pants | shoes

A couple of views of the gorgeous Apollo Theater from our seats:

The Audience Apollo Theater

balconies Apollo Theater London

The play was quite good, KST gave a bang up performance, the many costume changes were deftly handled, and we were especially impressed with the young actress who played the young Elizabeth.

We’d skipped dinner so were a bit hungry afterward, and decided to have a light snack before turning in…

canapes

A perfect end to a near-perfect London day!

Today we’re totally unscheduled and plan to wander at will.

Have you been to London? What’s your favorite area to visit?
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30 Comments

  1. I have stayed in Belgravia a few times as it is close to Victoria Station (coach and train). You can walk past rows of beautiful townhouses, private parks and beautiful shops. Jenny Packham is nearby. I saw The Audience in London when Helen Mirren was performing and was impressed by the transformations and by the young Elizabeth. Last year, we saw War Horse which was also amazing. We walked miles and miles in London. A place that I had not visited before was Camden Market. Doesn’t Covent Garden make you feel like an extra in My Fair Lady?

  2. Great to see your adventures in London! I’ve enjoyed the lead up to your trip and certainly Covent Garden is a good place to start. For a real overview try a walk along the South Bank there are plenty of tourists but as a London girl its still one of my favourite places, cross the foot bridge from Embankment for a good view of the City and the Thames. Lots of interesting places around Smithfield market to the North of the City of London and Upper Street Islington is good for shopping and people watching. Weather supposed to be good tomorrow so enjoy!

  3. I love walking along the Canal, finding something to eat at one of the booths at Camden Market. Always like Bloomsbury. Spitalfields. Primrose Hill. And the Tate Modern–love that building, altho’ really, secretly, we go for the olives . . .
    Looks as if you’re having a wonderful time! Envious re play and KST. . .

  4. Oh thank you for the photos! My daughter and I have such fantastic memories of our trip to England last summer, these bring it back. My favorite places to wander would be into Pimlico for its neighborhood feel, and over to Borough Market to have a pint at a stall and eat and watch the people. Oh, and for sights, my favorite was the Tower of London compound with the Crown Jewels, and then Churchill’s War Rooms. England has such history of statehood, of battle, of strategy, of politics. Hard to resist.

  5. Our family has stopped in London 4 times on our way home from missions trips……..it is without a doubt our favorite city!
    We are usually through there in late May or early June and ALWAYS visit Regent’s Park and the rose garden………..absolutely heaven on earth.

  6. Check out londonwalks.com-a slew of interesting walks that last 1-2 hours taking you through interesting neighborhoods. Many are led by actors who do a great job.

  7. If you have time, be sure to visit, the Sir John Soames House, and the Dennis Sever House. Both well worth seeing! We were in London last year, at this time, and loved touring both houses! Have a fabulous vacation! Wishing I was there!

  8. Oh I love London! My favorite place to visit every time we go is Apsley House, and I agree that Churchill’s War Rooms are fascinating.

  9. It’s probably too late for you this trip, but we love the Saturday Columbia Rd. Flower Market. It is in East London and includes not only lovely flowers and plants (many foreign to us) , but lovely small independently owned shops along the street. Our son and daughter in law have lived in London for the last three and a half years and introduced us to this flower market. I saw very few tourists there–and a good time was being had by all.

  10. Returned from my first trip to London three weeks ago – I left my heart there. The Tower of London, the Churchill War Rooms, and the HMS Belfast were my faves. Ate up five quick hours at the Imperial War Museum. Saw Prince Charles pulling in to Clarence House. Had two amazing meals at Clarke’s in Notting Hill. Can’t wait to return. Enjoy!

  11. Agree with another comment that Tate Modern is fabulous! Just to BE there and walk along the river. Daughter and I went last September and it was fabulous (with several wonderful day trips to Bath and Sissinghurst!)

  12. I love London. I think my favourite area is Little Venice and the boat ride up the canal to Camden Lock. It is beautiful, quiet area then bam you hit the craziness of Camden Markets. I also love doing some of the walking tours available. They often give you a very different view of an area you may already know such as Piccadilly.

  13. I know the tube is indispensable at times but I try to stay above ground . There is so much to see in London & each area is very different to the next . It isn’t all beautiful – it has suffered too much in the past for that , but it is all interesting . So just follow your nose & keep walking – yes Fenwicks is a favorite of mine too , we have one locally & it is an old family company
    Wendy in York

  14. I have been to London more times than I can count. For about six years, I spent almost every weekend flying between Portland, Oregon and London as Pan Am crew and on a 39-hour layover in London. During the daylight hours, I walked all over the city, did my law school reading around the Inns of Court and did my weekly grocery shopping. Most evenings, I went to a play, concert or dance performance. London has changed so much since then that I won’t hazard any specific recommendations except to go to a service at any Christopher Wren church or St. Paul’s Cathedral: regardless of your religious affiliation (or lack thereof), the musical and visual experience is literally awesome.

  15. I love these photos! How wonderful is London? I’ve met A from TNMA before!!! Did you pop into Brompton Oratory and Light a candle? Enjoy xxxxx

  16. Also, I love Liberty, the Tate Modern, the Churchill War rooms, lunch at Harvey Nicks…I luff it all. Jealous x

  17. I have just discovered your blog. I am enjoying your tips for minimalist packing and I hope to try them out on our upcoming trip to France (with husband and three year old daughter in tow). I am 40 years old so maybe I don’t fit the “over 50” category but my style is similar to yours. I live in the Baltimore area and we have an Eileen Fisher Factory Store nearby so I can purchase items at a more reasonable price. One of the things I find in reading beauty/style blogs is that a lot of the items are out of my price range (or more than I am willing to spend). Any suggestions for blogs that have more of a budget lens? Or maybe you could do a post about what is worth the splurge? By the way, I am about to buy the taos freedom sneakers because they look perfect for our trip. By the way – have you heard of Fly London shoes? I wonder what you would think of those. Incredibly comfortable and stylish!

  18. Have you visited Liberty’s in Regent Street? It’s probably the most interesting department store in London. Harrods should be avoided at all costs, I think.

  19. I find that almost anything I do in London is my favorite, right at the moment, but we’ve also really enjoyed day trips to the suburbs and villages outside of the city. Quick and easy ones to do are Hampstead, Greenwich, and Kew Gardens, all accessible by public transport. I had a magical time wandering through the Inns of Court where I serenditiously got to visit a set fro Pirates of the Caribbean 3, being filmed in and around London at the time, and by sitting just outside the Temple Church as a funeral Mass was being sung, an amazing almost private concert…in addition to the time traveling lovliness of the architecture and the gardens. We have “adopted” Marylebone as our place to stay :conveniently located between Regents Park and all the shopping of Oxford Street and beyond, and close to Bloomsbury and Mayfair, and with its own high street and neighborhood feel (albiet a far more upscale neighborhood than our own at home)

  20. You are having such a wonderful trip. I love London and have been there at leat a dozen times. And you didn’t only meet one blogger but two. Poor “Mr. Thatcher” haha. Although he might enjoy the “me-time’.
    Josephine indeed looks lovely with those pearls. And so did you going off to the theatre. How on earth you get all this in that small suitcase… And with all that shopping, you might have to send some packages home by mail….
    Greetje

  21. I second the Bourough Market south of the Thames. Go at lunch, as there are many wonderful street stalls to choose from. Last time we were in London, we also saw a show at the reproduction Globe Theatre down there, and that was very fun. A day trip we enjoyed was out to Bletchley Park to see the WWII military installation made famous in The Imitation Game.

  22. I love reading about your travels (next best thing to being there), and, having worked in and visited London quite frequently over the years, know it quite well. My favourite places are the Wallace Collection, and – a recent discovery – Leighton House in Holland Park. But there’s so much to see that every visit reveals a new treasure. Have a wonderful stay.

  23. Love your outfit for the theatre, think I need to buy those shoes! I just love London, love to wander along Marylebone High Street and St.Christopher’s Place. I like to stay in Chelsea or South Kensington and love wandering around there too. I did a street art walk with London Walks in 2013 that was in the East end, it was fantastic.
    Enjoy your trip.

  24. Finally broke down and bought those shoes after eyeing them for weeks! So great to find them on sale.