Vintage Fashion Shopping in London

After doing my post on London, one of my favourite bloggers, Siljes of Siljesfashion.blogspot.com asked if I could recommend some vintage shops in London.

I have added on my favourite website list, youlovefashion.com's vintage fashion in London.

I heartily recommend you go on it, as it lists addresses, telephone numbers, website access and opening hours and it is listed in geographical order around London.

I've also added Timeouts recommended charity shops in London, which also list the addresses, telephone numbers and opening times. These can also be browsed by geographical area around London, too.

I have been to Blondies and Rokit in East London and Rellik near Portobello Road, which is ideal for designer vintage goodies. If you do go clothes shopping at Portobello Road, it is recommended to go on Fridays, as there are more market sellers out-check out the stalls near Ladbroke Grove end. Brick Lane is also worth a visit on Sunday mornings for their boutiques and indoor market stalls, too.

Regarding charity shops in London, I have heard and noticed they can be dear. But you never know, there may be the item there that you've always wanted!!

My favourite places in London

I absolutely adore London and now summer is fast approaching, I'm hoping our day trips will be more frequent for shopping, sightseeing and people watching.

I'm going shopping on Saturday to Sloane Street and Harrods, more than likely this will be window shopping but it's highly likely I will get something from the Food Hall at Harrods- I could stay here all day as they have so many different departments within it-cakes, chocolates, meats, cheeses- we generally like to buy our sandwiches and snacks here and then eat them in Hyde Park, which on a summers day is heaven!

This is Greenwich Park-the Royal Observatory. The boys went to the top of the hill and rolled right down to the bottom!! An ace place to sit and watch the world go by!

Greenwich has an ace market, the Cutty Sark and from here you can take a river cruise and stop at Tower Bridge, the Embankment or Westminster-we did this last summer and it was fantastic!

On Fridays and Saturdays, Borough Market on the South Bank at London Bridge is open. Its wonderful for all types of different foods to take away, or eat there-the smells are divine! A must try (if you dare!) is oysters warmed in champagne-very different!

Brick Lane is open on Sundays until 2pm and is mainly known for its abundance of curry houses. However it is a vintage fashion heaven, with plenty of boutiques and market stalls and if you're hungry and don't fancy curry, try a bagel or some other multi cultural delight!

I love Hyde Park-after a picnic, its lovely just to sit back and people watch and see the world go by. Plus, if you've the energy, one way leads to Knightsbridge (Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Sloane Street) or head off in the opposite direction for Marble Arch, Bond Street and Selfridges, another favourite haven of paradise!

I also love Regents Street- we go and see the Christmas Lights nearly every year and it's always nice to pop into Zara and Mango, which I think have the best selection compared to the other London branches, Hamleys and of course Topshop at Oxford Street-although their online shop is hard to beat, the vintage section in the basement is to die for!!

Quirky-Or What?

There is a lot of 'tagging' going round the blogs about everyones 'quirks'. As I'm a newbie to blogging, I don't know enough people to tag who haven't been already. So, I thought I would post my totally trivial quirks:

1. I must have mild OCD, as I check locks (at work and home) at least 3 times before I walk away.

2. I have to finish a boot sale from 1st to last stall, as I'm frightened to death I'm going to miss an absolute steal of an item.

3. I am a neat freak regarding my clothes and wardrobe-no piles anywhere for me!

4. I love fruitellas (chewy fruit sweets) and as I'm not eating them during the day, I've started having 1-2 before I fall asleep at night.

5. I pretend to be half asleep first thing in the mornings, so Chris now brings me a cup of tea in bed every day-it's been so long now, 'my turn' has now disappeared!

6. I used to really love reading, but for some reason I cannot get back into it. I've a cupboard full of unread books, but I tell myself there's always something better to do than read.

It's funny what you know about yourself when you think hard enough about it!

Ooh la la Chanel!

Check out Chanel's website-their leather bags and accessories are to die for! I have the website listed under my favourite websites-check it out!------------------>

Plus, there is some funky music to listen to when you browse all the different bags-Oh, to be a millionaire!

Pashmina/Scarf

Now the weather is getting warmer, I'm tending to wear lighter jackets and if needed, one of my pashminas when it gets breezier.

I find this is such a versatile garment-I love the different ways you can wear them, as Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Alba show below.

The most trendy styles at the moment are wound round the neck and left open; wound round the neck and tied up, or the newest trend is folded into a big triangle, worn to the front (middle eastern style) with the ends dangling to the front or back.

There are plenty of people doing them-from top end designers to the ethnic suppliers with their own market stalls or high street shops- a definite spring staple!!