LONDON Fashion Week Recap
London Fashion Week Recap!
Hi Ladies! As promised here is my London Fashion Week Recap! Where we stayed, what we did, what we ate, what to skip, all my favorite moments and of course what I wore!
First of all I have to tell you that this was my first time in London and honestly I had no real inclination to visit London before this! I’m not sure why but I guess I didn’t know what to expect. I pictured very proper (hhmm uppetty people), maybe a little to preppy for me and boy was I happily surprised. I seriously fell in love with everything about London! The people where so incredibly warm and fun. I’ve never been called darling or love more in my life, ha! The city itself is so easy to navigate and the fact that we speak the same language makes is such a no brainer.
Ok so here’s the deets… Where We Stayed
We found this super reasonable hotel in the Soho area called Hotel Indigo. This was a long trip for me, I was gone 14 days and I’ll be honest that is a BIG expense so I did not want to break the bank. We had also heard that hotel rooms where really SMALL so since I was sharing a room with 2 other gfs I wanted to take that into account. We where so happy when we arrived and had a huge room! It was modern, clean and you couldn’t beat the location. Its’ in a really busy plaza that was def not our speed, think Times Square BUT we where a 10min walk max to everything we wanted to be around. Coffee Shops, Restaurants, Shopping, everything! We did explore the Mayfair area for hotels but it was out of our budget this time and a little more sleepy then what we wanted for our first trip. :) Anyway, our stay was great! Every photo you see in this post was taken in the area of the hotel with the below literally steps away from it to give you a visual.
SHOPPING:
Ok the shopping is insane in London! Literally ever store you have ever wanted to visit is there! It is a bit more expensive though except if you are shopping luxury you get a nice price break when you show your passport. Just make sure to arrive at the airport early because this is where you will claim your tac refund. Have your receipts and passport ready to show and it’s a 10 minute line for your refund.
These where in my opinion The Best Shopping destinations:
Carnaby Street: This is in the Soho Area and soo charming and alley way cute. Tons of great little coffee shops, pubs and restaurants here too. The stores a bit more independent and unique. Pop into Kingly Court, there’s a really cute pastry shop that is to die and grab a cocktail and sit in the courtyard.
Regent Street: You’ll find big box stores here. All Saints, Zara, Anthropologie, Stuart Weitzman, Liberty London, Reiss, SANDRO and so on…. The architecture is stunning and worth just walking around and window shopping for sure.
Covent Garden: I was so sad to not make it here but if you want hip fashion, unique gifts, rare sweets or one-off handmade jewelry, is a great place to explore.
Notting Hill: This was cute for a half day trip. No more then that in my opinion. We walked the whole things and most of the stores are the same, kind of a bazaar feel with lots of moroccan jewelry and accesories and band tee’s for days. There is an All Saints there but aside from that I wasn’t impressed. Sorry!
Liberty of London and Harrods: For me if I’m going to shop out of the country and lug these items back with me it’s either luxury pieces or something I can’t get at home easily. I loved Liberty of London and Harrods for these options. Both stores feel so iconic and special that just wondering around there is super fun! Everything from unique beauty finds to jewelry galore! and incredible fashion and curated brands! While I was at Liberty I happened across the Maria Tash boutique that I have been trying to get my hands on forever! Maria Tash makes incredible jewelry and also creates the beautiful piercings for the jewelry. They have an expert team of piercers and so many unique pieces. Think a dainty constellation of gorgeous jewelry for your ears! I really wanted to get basically a chandelier in mine but then reality bit at the price tag was almost $2500! So yeah I edited that down real quick! I ended up getting a couple new earring/piercings and I’m addicted. I’ll show a detail pic soon!
Where We Ate
OK this list is long but I will give you the highlights and steer you away from one that I think was a waste. Food is very important to us! For me waiting out is my social hour, I don’t really go to clubs so a great dinner with great aesthetics is my social life! LOL! I asked all my followers for recommendations and these are what we narrowed it down to and loved.
Dishoom; this was our fist dinner out and it did not disappoint! This was recommended more then any other restaurant and I can see why. London has a huge Indian community and you can find SO many great spots but Dishoom was such a standout! The food and cocktail where amazing and there was so many tasty vegetarian options that my two veggie friends didn’t feel like they missed out like you sometimes do at restaurants. The ambiance is more casual but super lively. It was packed so go early or make a reservation. LOVED!
HIX: This was a cool little spot that we went to for a cheese plate and martinis. Both where awesome and we love a good cheese plate!
Opso Restaurant: This was a recommendation from a fellow blogger and it did not disappoint! Amazing Mediterranean food done so well! THis is my favorite kind of foos so I was in my happy place. It’s intimate and has a really cute bar. HIGHLY recommend. You’ll get to try a bunch of small plates and eat family style, the best way to eat!
The Ivy Brasserie: Total hip spot with a DJ and the decor is beautiful! Also really busy so make a reservation. The favorites for this restaurant where the…
SKETCH: Ok this place was tricky because their website is like being in Alice in Wonderland, its so whimsical but hard to navigate in my opinion. Anyway, we had intended to visit this restaurant for high noon tea but apparently ended up at another of their 5 restaurants within the space. AND the restaurant was a fine dining restaurant so much more of a deep dive dinner experience then the fun dessert we where hoping for. BUT the place is beautiful, the food incredible BUT make sure you are adventurous in your food tastes. Things on the menu include frog legs, quail, foix grass, rabbit and so on. There is also a minimum you MUST order so be prepared to spend some $$$$. Definitely worth visiting but I want you to be prepared. Overall each of the numerous restaurants is gorgous, aesthetically incredible, presentation is epic and totally worth the experience.
Sushi Samba; SKIP! Totally overrated and I honestly have was better sushi in San Diego! I don’t know about you but I am not a fan of sushi covered in mayonnaise or deep fried! Keep my fish fresh, clean and with ingredients that highlight the fish not cover it. They also tended to get really creative with the composition of dishes but using the same ingredients over and over and just not well executed. Lot’s of sweet sauces and the such. Crumbly stuff that’s meant to look like dirt but is actually ground up seeds…not for me! Ok I’ll trow them a bone and say the views where stunning, maybe go for a cocktail instead. It’s got a hot club on the weekends that looked pretty happening and the elevator ride is something crazy, in a cool way unless you are scared of heights like me!!!!
We are coffee snobs so this was important for us! I think the number 1 fave was Soho Grind! Loved and they had the almond milk I like, and this is hugely important to me! Great coffee and super cute!
MY LOOKS:
OUTFIT #1: MILLY sweater, MILLY Pants, Tony Bianco Booties, Fendi Kan Bag here and here, Hat similar here, Sunglasses Quay After Hours worn in all pics
OUTFIT#2: VICI Sequins Tank similar here, VICI High Waist jeans here, Free People Bralette here, Saint Laurent Pumps here and here, Fendi Kan Bag here in black and for great price here, Tuxedo Blazer similar here, Jewelry Parpala jewelry and Via Savienne
OUTFIT #3: Acne Studios Sweater here and here, Levis Jeans here, Chloe Rylee Boots here and similar for better $$ here and here, Chanel Bag here and here or similar for better price here
OUTFIT #4: Free People Sweater here and here, Rag and Bone Leather Skinnies here on sale until 10/4! and here for a great deal! , Saint Laurent Pumps here and here, Fendi Kan Handbag here and for better price $$ here
SHOP MY LOOKS
Bottoms & Leather
Bags & Shoes