This is not going to be particularly comprehensive or interesting whatsoever, it’s more like a “take a look at some of these pictures I took the other day” kind of post, but I have a sneaaaking suspicion that you like those kinds of posts anyway!
I’m in the process of creating another handbook for University, which involves visiting the most influential fashion stores in London – THIS IS TORTURE, sending poor students to the best (and most expensive) shops in London is just not fair now, is it? It’s more like a test of self-restraint! The photos above were taken walking up Portobello road and the surrounding area trying to find shops i’d never been to before. Portobello road wasn’t quite as special as i’d remembered it, but perhaps I was preoccupied, i’ll go back again sometime and you can get a proper report! Have you been there before?
I’m going to totally ignore the whole “Luella’s gone bust” thing for now, and hope i’ll wake up and everything will be okay..boo!
I know, I know, completely unrelated but definitely worth posting. Whilst on my (rather epic) journey around London’s shops, I walked past the Luella Christmas window displays at Liberty. I’ve read about the Luella Grotto on several other blogs, so no doubt you’ve already seen something this theme already, but I just have to post these pictures! Liberty have given Luella space in the shop to put all of her favourite Liberty items – this was automatically going to be a room full of things that I would love. Most of the items are advertised as ’stocking fillers’, but unfortunately for me, items over £50 don’t constitute as ’stocking fillers’ (what happened to socks and chocolates?), you can take a look at her top picks here if you’re after some gift ideas.
Even more exciting (because it’s totally free to enjoy!) are the Luella window displays that got me feeling all Christmassy in an odd traditional queen’s-speech sort of way. One section is decked out to look just like a working-class English Christmas (only, with far more presents) with paper Christmas cracker hats strewn about on a nasty carpet, the queen on the TV and a little artificial Christmas tree – it looks like a scene straight out of The Royle Family, it’s all so familiar. If you’re in London, it’s definitely worth a look, but I hope i’ve given those of you that are too far away to visit a little overview.
Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures of what I was wearing, because I went alone – I might have to start advertising for friends…! x
I’m kind of envious that you get to go out and about for your coursework. I seem to be chained to my computer which I hate right now!
Love the picture with all the knick knacks on.
Kim – Don’t be jealous, it’s costing me an arm and a leg traveling all over the place – and its cold! haha! x
I have no words for how amazing the Luella display looks. I’m so jealous, damn living in Scotland!
I’m also trying to block out the despise of Luella, even the sale on their website doesn’t make it any easier.
beautiful pictures!
I am IN LOVE with that fox family painting.
These photos are so great! I think it’d be heaven to visit those stores and sift through all those wonderful things.
Fab photos, and your course sounds so fun!!
OMG I want that fox family portrait! I need to get one commissioned just like that! And what a wonderful window display!
Your photo’s are AMAZING!
x
Lovely pics, you really have an eye to take photos (and a good camera I suppose)!
Hm, I have to say that I was also slightly underwhelmed when visiting Portobello road while living in London. But I’m sure it’s full of undiscovered surprises, I only popped in there like two times anyway!
x
I’d love my coursework to be like that. Sadly, since I’m taking maths and chemistry a levels, they aren’t quite the same.
These are lovely photos, showing some amazing aspects of London. I’m determined to get myself to London in the next year, it looks like a beautiful place. The window displays don’t like that where I live! I’m loving the little detailings.
xxxx
Nice pics Carrie, I love what you’re studying (LLLLLL) and I miss London, I wanted to go for the December Frock Me! Vintage but it’ll be impossible, if you go make sure you make an entry about it!!
Thanks for your comment! Glad that you liked it that much
xxx
Carrie,
You have a wonderful eye. These pictures make me nostalgic for London. Also I totally feel you, I was a poor student in London and walking by windows like this was pure torture. I used to curse the fact that I had to eat, I just wanted to shop.
I lived by Portobello about 3 yrs ago, I used to walk down there as often as I could, I loved it. I am sad if its changed. A full report would be awesome.
i’ve been there…and i looooved it. It’s soo..different..weird, unexpected…i love being able to find adorable cupcakes next to a store that sell military coats / forks / or very old cameras…
As Laia, I miss London too, sigh… I wanna come back (last year I was there for my birthday in December)!
Portobello is one of my favourite markets, you can find great things there… Last time I was there I bought a bag and a coat (L)!!
Please, make a report about it and about the Frock Me! Vintage! Please!!
Oh I am going to London this Thursday! I must see those displays, I can’t wait now!!
I love the pictures!! Gosh, I want to go back to London. I’ve only been twice and it wasn’t enough! Those Luella displays are wonderful.
I’m so envious! All these places look so lovely.
I’ve been to portobello road twice, and I must say that I loved it more the first time. I really like some of the small shops though, but I think I like the cafes more! You should do a London shopping guide! I’m coming to London in february (already booked tickets) and I’m really looking forward to visiting some of the places I’ve seen in your photos!
can i be your friend/photographer! haha
love the shots, i wish i’m anywhere near London, oh well!
Absolutely gorgeous photos and yes I love these posts. Makes me want to runaway to London
I really enjoyed it when I was there last. I especially adore the teapot sign!
i love these photos =)
i was just wondering..you do fashion design, promotion & styling at middlesex right? how much design is actually involved in the course? i was thinking of applying to do that course next year but i don’t really want to do that much designing..
thanks =)
I so wanna live where you live, or at least visit there once in my life. Great photos!
wow how lucky.
the pictures from London are just beautiful. Hope to go there sometime.
^^
xxx kissmequick
London London London, I’m everyday dreaming of living there for a while..
i have never been to portobello road, actually i have never been to london city, but the name of “portobello” is just so beautiful…&seeing these pictures….just makes me want to materialize there right now!!!! ha ha
lovely! im going to london in january.. do you have any recommendations? i haven’t got more than 2 days to spend, so i have to make some choices and need some advice..
hii!
I would like a long time to blog tracking.I got a new site and now I am writing blog.difficult to find, but the theme.much like you would your theme.where can I find this style ? I very glad if you would help me
Thanks in advance..
Greatings,
Dilan.
Very very nice photos!
I began to follow your blog more than a year ago and I love it, since I discovered it in a spanish magazine I have never lost a new entry. I adore both of you!
Now I have recently started my own blog, by the moment it isn’t nothing special, but I hope you’ll like it in the future.
Kisses from Spain
Aw, thanks for the Grotto pictures! I went to Liberty’s on Saturday (and blogged about it 5 minutes before coming here, ha) but only had a chance to look round their Christmas shop downstairs – I was with a boy who I’d dragged around enough already! I hope I’ll get to go again, though.
Did you find that they glared at you when you got your camera out? I felt very judged, and I only had my little camera with me, not my big, ostentatious one!
wow, really amazing window displays.. i love the eclectiness and its entire feel.
Nice pics!! Love it! :p
what an amazingly enjoyable post!!! xx
When I first got the orange jumper (from my shop on my blog) It actually reminded me of you hah :’) Love this post as usual, you have an amazing talent for capturing beautiful pictures from the most simplistic of places.
♥
Genious
your blog is so special, I love it’s great!
Awww these photos are stunningg
You really capture the magic of Portobello Road
Ooohh, I love christmasy displayss
I have been checking your blog for a long time now but this is my first comment.
1st.
I really enjoy reading your little post and pictures are charming!
2nd
Would you like to swap links with me?
That would make my day.
Love, Jenna
You are damn right, or at least I know I do enjoy your “look what I did today and what I snapped”. A lot. It is a proven fact that society is a bunch of voyeurs anyway…
Love the fox painting. I want it on my wall. I want it to speak back to me… So pretty!
quelles jolies photos !!!!ca fait envie
i was in london for the day last week. i was mesmerised by the liberty window, i just loved the creative thought that has gone into it. & yes, it made me think that i may in fact tune in to the queen’s speech this year (or maybe i’m just getting old!)
i go to England quite often cause, despite beeing Portuguese, my boyfriend is English, so I visit quite regularly, but I never get to find such cute places!
I completely adore your blog, and I’ll definitely stop by more often!
how do you always manage to make london look like a whimsical fairy tale?! i’ve been there, many times, and it’s never quite as magical.
Cinnamon Eve – Haha, its the same for me but the other way round! haha x
You need to go to Portobello Road on a Saturday, that’s when it really comes alive x
Delightful, I love this atmosphere !
Plus perhaps I’ll live in London next year…. and this really gives me the envy to live there ;D
Love the photos. Portobello is a great place to go I think, its always streaming with people and you can generally find something really good. Go again and you’ll probably enjoy it more, though I think you would enjoy it more if you went with someone. I wouldn’t want to go by myself.
Carmen.xx.
Wow, this looks amazing! The photos are so beautiful, really really vintage! Great blog, keep up the good work! xoxo
très très belles photos félicitations c’est wonderful