So unfortunately, my untimely arrival in the NYC meant that I complete missed this way cool shopping event, Wish You Were Here! But thanks to a tip off from my girl Lorna, my LON counterparts can still get in on the shop swap action.
Here are the deets, go check it out!
We snapped her hanging outside of Livebait which happened to be across the street from my chic leaving drink location, B@1. The birthday girl was boozing it up with some buds before the paps came and chased her away. We hear she later wasn't looking so hot (if she ever is is debatable) follow a messy performance at a CG Jazz Club.
Now I just need to bump elbows with Kate Moss to complete my roster of N. London crazy celeb spottings (Kelly Osbourne, Kirstin Dunst, Heath Ledger, Sadie Frost, Jude Law).
A huge THANK YOU to our dear friend Cat Powell who not only house-sat for us during our month abroad in April/May but also treated us on tea for two at the super chic Charlotte Street Hotel.
Tea is one of my ultra-favorite fab things to do in the LON, and yet for all the teas I've taken at the Dorchester, the Berkley, the Covent Garden Hotel (oh the list goes on!!), Mike has NEVER had a proper English Tea in the whole five years he's been here!
Dining on tea sandwiches, scones, mini-cupcakes and more was an absolute delightful way to spend Bank Hols Monday. And since the Charlotte Street flicks weren't on that day, we treated our gluttonous selves to a movie at the local Odeon.
TA Cat! You were with us in spirit even though you've been living it up in Madrid!
There is one thing Mike and I had always said we wouldn't miss before leaving the LON - secure a coveted reservation and enjoy the culinary creativity of molecular gastronomist Heston Blumenthal at his famously fabulous Fat Duck. So two months ago, with a little help from our Amex concierage, we nailed a ressie for August 18th and got the Illsley's signed on to keep us company.
The restaurant, which is ranked 2nd in the world and boasts three Michelin stars, is known for its menu of unusual dishes. Our 14 course, four hour long gastronimc extravaganza included:
This supreme eating experience was technical perfection, playful, artistic, surprising and very tasty. It can truly be defined as "food as theatre, theatre as food."
A Michelin Star and 10/10 to Nick, Erica, and Mike for making this foodie fantasy a reality.
A few Tuesdays ago, I had a triple "To-Do" day thanks to an afternoon off work and my accomplice Erica. The first two "To-Do's" of the day were preceded by a Sushi Lunch at the Japanese Centre just to ensure we had our shopping stamina. Then it was off to Bond Street we went in search of the #14. Shop for (perfect) posh stationary at Smythson.
After perusing the selection of fine diaries, pens and papers galore, having a personal consultation for some new bespoke stationary (free samples included), I selected a box of Stamped Correspondence Cards from Coral Collection that said "Reach For Your Dreams" or in my lingo: "You have to have me".
The experience of watching the sales women delicately pack up the box of stationary into a Smythson blue box wrapped in a box and then sealed in a matching blue bag was worth the purchase just in it self... Who knew shopping for stationary could be as seductive as shopping for jewelry?
After the stationary foray, we kicked up our heels and hot stepped it over to #20. Discover Dover Street Market. Dover Street Market is a retail concept from Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons located in Mayfair. The store is 6 floors of bare walls and steel beams featuring over a dozen designers including who arfully display their wares throughout their space as they see fit. For a Fashionista it is a dream come true - for a Recessionista it makes for good afternoon entertainment and inspiration.
Although I left DSM empty handed, I have a wishlist full of ideas for F/W 09.
Thanks to Erica for being my partner in crime on this mission and making sure I didn't make any credit card misshaps.
So... now that I'm coming to grips with the reality that we are leaving London I realise that I have a whole-lotta love to show London before I go. So with a few tips from some friends.. here is the list. Now I just have to decide what shoes to wear and who's explorin'' with me!
1. Listen to classical music at St Martin-in-the-Fields (Thursdays to Saturdays, and alternate Tuesdays, 7.30pm). Lunchtime recitals are free.
2. Tour Buckingham Palace Summer State Rooms.
3. Row on the Serpentine.
4. Be a groundling at the Globe.
5. Get Beautiful at Bliss Spa.
6. Get up early for Billingsgate Market.
7. Experience a Burlesque Show.
8. Shop & drop at Bicester Village.
9. Take a London Ghost or Jack the Ripper Walk.
10. Eat fish & chips in Brighton.
11. Swim outdoors in the middle of Covent Garden. Oasis Sports Centre.
12. Stay late in a museum. Late night hours at the Tate or the V&A.
13. See a show at the Young Vic.
14. Shop for posh stationary at Symthson.
15. Visit the Oxo Tower.
16. Buy an umbrella at James Smith & Sons.
17. Take an open bus tour at night.
18. Visit the beautiful Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park. Holland Park tube
19. Discover the Chelsea Physic Garden.
20. Discover Dover Street market.
21. Get a membership and explore the British Library.
22. Go to Edinburgh!
23. Share a bottle of wine at Gordon’s.
24. Breakfast at the Wolseley.
25. Eat Vietnamese in Hackney's Huong-Viet.
26. Dine in the dark at Dans le Noir.
27. Experience the magic of Heston Blumenthal.
28. Teach the Londoners how to make s’mores.
29. Hunt down the Choc Star van.
30. Drink a cocktail at Loungelover.
31. Get hot and sweaty on a night out in Camden.
32. Catch a gig at Ronnie Scott’s.
33. Have a drink at the Routemaster in Shoreditch.
34. Chill at the Big Chill bar.
35. Drink at the Notting Hill Arts Club.
36. See Bruno!
37. Have a laugh and a pint in a Theatre Pub.
38. Take in the view from Parliament Hill.
39. Watch a movie and go for tea at the Charlotte Street Hotel.
40. Take in the view (& the food) at Gilgamesh.
41. Shop and eat brunch in Primrose Hill.
42. Go to a first Thursday in Shoreditch.
43. Climb to the top of the dome at St. Pauls.
44. Get plant happy at Petersham Nurseries.
45. Try an Ostrich Burger at Borough Market.
From the East Coast of the Atlantic to the West (aka NY to LON of course), here's a bit of what my girls are discussing around our virtual watercooler:
I can't wait to get home to the US in a few short weeks to pick up some low 
priced luxury in the form of Anya Hindmarch for Target! AH is infamous for her "I'm not a plastic bag" bag which was all the craze last year. Her bags go for 500 GBP plus - so you know the 50 USD version is a true bargainista steal! I may have to pick up a few and import some back to the LON. Check out more info over at the other NYLON or hop directly over to TARGET to check out the collection and snag one for yourself.
A few things I'm loving this week....
My new Orla Kiely bag: I first noticed Orla Kiely at the gift shop in the Tate Modern. Now her bold, beautiful fabrics and designs are popping up in dresses and furniture Anthropologie, luggage at Flight 001, and her amazing flagship store in London. Which so happens to be right around the corner from my office in Covent Garden. So after a fab lunch with my fellow NYLONer Cat on Saturday at Canela, we took a quick stop by and both made impromptu purchases. Now if only I could buy all the accessories!
The B-List: I can't wait to upgrade my crackberry so I can have access to 'The B-List', a downloadable guide of insiders' tips of where to eat, drink and shop around the globe. It launches officially in September but is available to BlackBerry users . Who wants to be on the A-List when the ‘B-List’ gives you real-time
access to the latest, newest, hottest ‘must-see’ and ‘must-do’ places
and products around the world?
Working out in the AM: For the first time in my life I have had the motivation to wake up and workout BEFORE work. Can you believe it? Nope? Neither can I!
DIY Wall Art: Mike and I have finally decided it's time to decorate the pad. What better way then a little DIY wall art? After searching all over London for some fabric we liked, we finally created two fab "wall arts' to complement our dining room. Anyone casting for Cribs?
