Travel Diary: Fashion, Food, & Fun in London
I arrived in London on Thursday afternoon, and have been going mostly non-stop since! The weather has been lovely and very spring-like so far, and I’ve been making the most of it. We’re off to what should be a fun event this afternoon, so in the meantime here are a few quick snippets and travel outfits from my first two days…
Airport style
SCARF | JACKET | JEANS | SHOES (SIMILAR) | BACKPACK | SUITCASE
(My sizes: Jacket – 4, Jeans – 8 Petite)
This was a perfect travel day outfit. It was comfortable and I still felt put-together even after an 11-hour flight. I’m road-testing some new travel gear this trip, including that medium-sized spinner bag from Samsonite; it’s incredibly lightweight! (And easy to spot on the carousel…) You can see everything I packed for the trip here: 12-Piece Travel Capsule Wardrobe for 3 Weeks.
(At the last minute, I decided to bring a larger bag (similar) for travel days, but still used my trusty canvas strap.)
One of my top tips for minimizing jet lag is to get outdoors and move around in the daylight as much as possible the first day. The weather was cooperating!
Travel outfit 2
We popped over to Chelsea, which was getting prettied up in anticipation of the big Flower Show next month. But I couldn’t pass by Me+Em without stopping in…
The shop was quite busy, but we had lots of fun looking and trying on, and chatting with some of the other customers. Me+Em is one of my favorite brands, and I always find something unique here. (They’re UK-based, so prices here are lower than in the States.)
We’d worked up an appetite shopping, so popped into Rabbit on King’s Road for a light lunch. I ordered an apple-elderberry-mint mocktail and was delighted with the Wellie glass it was served in. Food was 11/10 as well, highly recommend!
After lunch, Annie had an appointment at à la carte cosmetics near Sloane Square, so I tagged along. They specialize in natural-looking makeup, and the staff are lovely and so knowledgeable. I tried some of the products, which are fabulous! (No, I did not leave empty-handed either…) Recommend 11/10 if you’re visiting London. They can custom-make foundation and lipstick colors too. And they do ship to the U.S. so you can always get refills of your favorite products.
Meanwhile, back at the flat…
Lots more on my London itinerary…be sure to follow me on Instagram for updates, and subscribe to my newsletter to get all the latest (and style reports!).
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Glad everything is going so well.
Greetje
Thanks, Greetje! Hoping the nice weather holds while we’re in Milan.
The outfit in the window of Me+Em looks like you! What a fab time in London! Please keep us posted at the end of your trip about where you stayed and if you were pleased. We have an upcoming trip to Milan and London, and I want to know all the details!
Hi Cannon, I’m staying with a friend in London, but will post my hotel reviews from Paris and Milan once I’m back home. That is a great outfit in the Me+Em window, but sadly not my colors.
I love your gold suitcase, but would never pay that much.. The airlines are not friendly when handling baggage. Have a fun trip
Hi Barb, thanks! It was the light weight of the bag that won me over. It’s true that baggage handlers are rough, but I didn’t even notice any scuffs or scratches when I retrieved it off the carousel.
Looks like great weather and relaxed itinerary.
What made you take a larger handbag?
Thanks and have fun!
Thanks, Jill. As I was loading up the smaller handbag, it just felt overstuffed.
Great weather to start your trip! Love your jacket with the animal print scarf. I am one of those whose eye is just not going to adjust to the barrel jeans, however. Annie’s dark wash, straight leg, full length jeans are 100% more my style! I think we can all agree that the peonies are fabulous, though. We can’t grow those here in TX, sadly…
Thanks Jill Ann! We can’t grow peonies in California either, so have to buy for the short time they’re in season.
oh my gosh I wish I were with you!! I would LOVE to go to a Me & Em store so that I could actually try clothes on. I LOVE their clothes. And the cosmetics store looks absolutely perfect. You two have a wonderful wonderful time together! I’ll be following you from afar. XO Sally
Thanks, Sally!
Susan: remind me what size you took in the Me & Em striped pants. A six? Thanks!
Hi Sally, I’m wearing a 6 US/10UK.
Loved reading about your London trip. Bring it on!
Great travel outfit and glad to hear so far so good on the Samsonite luggage. Looks like you’ve had some fun outings and looking forward to more updates. Enjoy!!
Received a new Me + Em catalog today and saw lots of your brown; did you buy? I’m headed to London in 10 days and will be just down the road from the restaurant, off King’s Road, so I’m investigating as a possible dinner spot. We’ll be shopping, too, and I may check out Me + Em to see what’s on sale. Paris is first, though, and I’m revising my packing list (based on the one you just published) as the weather changes – it is going to be warm next week.
Travel outfit was perfect and the suitcase is great. Well done! I’m trying out a new Delsey Paris bag this trip in plum – no more black, ever, for me.
Have a great trip! Love the barrel jeans. They look fabulous on you! It’s a fun trend.
Thanks, Shelby!
Hello: What wardrobe outfits would you recommend for a two week trip to Scandinavia in May? Love your blog. Sheila
I love London and especially researching a different neighbourhood .
Seeing the rowers on the Thames was a tip off , and I see on either side of the beautiful Edwardian Mansions, there are many rowing clubs. What a wonderful place to visit(with Annie?) and having a park like view across the way is a bonus. There is a video that is taken along the Thames, showing the extent of the rowing facilities in Putney. I would follow a lot of your packing tips, Susan, but change the spring green to chartreuse, which suits my fall colours. I must admit my jeans would be slimmer and another pair of shoes ( pumps)would be added to wear with a coordinated soft skirt and dress .
I will be in Paris , then the UK in the fall , and these packing ideas are very useful .Just need to personalize.
It’s wonderful to see you’re off to a great start with your beautiful smile, travel wardrobe and the lovely weather in one of my favorite places to visit! I’m looking forward to more of your fashion pics and scenic photos along with your interesting narrative of everything you’re wearing, seeing, doing, and enjoying.
Such a fun first day! Sorry I’m a few days behind …..