These past few days here in London I’ve had my senses overloaded, in the best ways of course: museums, shopping and sweets! Tuesday I spent almost four hours at the Victoria & Albert Museum where I was inspired by the amazing collections of textiles, fashion, jewelry and metals.   The Islamic and Middle Eastern rooms were by far my favorite followed by the English textiles from the 15th-20th centuries.

Victoria & Albert Museum

Harrods and Topshop were almost too much to bear.   Between all of the people and all of the fashions and accessories to admire my senses were wasted by the end of that shopping experience. I did visit the Madeline Weinrib Atelier in Harrods where her collection of vibrant colored furniture and carpets are as gorgeous as I had imagined.

Madeline Weinrib Atelier

Wednesday it was over to the Royal Academy of Art for the London Original Print Fair. Some of my favorite print galleries were represented including Eyestorm (they sent me a free ticket to the show!), Alan Cristea and now my new favorite TAG Fine Arts.   TAG represents Rob Ryan, the illustrator who has become known for his delicate paper cut designs. His original works are incredibly beautiful in person and very pricey.   For the Print Fair TAG commissioned Rob to create a limited edition ceramic tile with his “You can still do a lot with a small brain” illustration and it was only £25 so I snatched one up along with his book This is For You.

 Rob Ryan

Ottolenghi, otherwise known as the best bakery ever with the most massive meringue’s ever was scrumptious and Gywnnies recommendation for the Indian restaurant Amaya was spot on. We also had dinner at my boyfriend Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen where the food was perfect but the service was not so perfect, but we still enjoyed ourselves.   Notice how I’m already sounding like Madonna with her faux British accent.

Ottolenghi Sweets

Today I had the morning with the hubs before he had to work so we went for a long walk through Hyde Park where the flowers are blooming everywhere and then back to our favorite neighborhood Belgravia for window-shopping along Pimlico Road and Elizabeth Street.   The weather is sunny and beautiful so I’m off to Green Park to lounge about with my book until the hubs is back from his meetings. Tomorrow is history day with a visit to the Churchill Cabinet War Rooms, The Tower of London and maybe even a visit to the Tate Museum. Ta ta for now!

I’m in London this week! The hubs had to come for work and I got to tag-along to play. Between my friend Maglie’s suggestions, Tea for Joy’s London Guide for Design Sponge and Gywnnies GOOP guide I’ve got plenty to do, see and eat.   After a morning run/walk through Hyde Park, we had an amazing porridge and coffee at the TomTom Coffee in Belgravia (my favorite district so far) then we watched the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace before the hubs had to leave for work. In the afternoon I toured around Notting Hill and the fancy shops there.   I had a chance to visit Toast which has the most gorgeous catalog. To tell you the truth the live version was a bit of a disappointment. The clothing, although made with fine linen and silk was very bland and the home decor selection was also a bit of a snooze.   It just goes to show that excellent photography can do wonders.   I also dropped into a TopShop and tried on a few items from the Kate Moss collection. Boy was that depressing. Apparently you can’t have bones if you want to fit into anything Kate Moss designs. Fortunately for me I have bones, so that didn’t go so well.

The highlight of yesterday had to be my visit to Robert Kime’s textile shop.   I have been salivating over his fabrics for weeks and couldn’t wait to see these lovely designs in person. Emma was a massive help and I think she might have had as much fun as I did choosing patterns for my three re-upholstery projects. I took a few of pictures of the shop to share with you.

 Ok I’m off to the Victoria & Albert Museum now and then to the National Gallery to visit my friends the Arnolfini’s.   Ta ta for now!