Trip 3- Part 1: London

Since the past two days were so busy and too fun I just have to split up the posts. I would not only overwhelm you, but also myself if I tried to write one massive post about my perfect 36 hours! So here it goes, Trip Three- Part One: London:

Pretty homes along Jubilee Walk; on my way to Kensington.

I took the train into London around noon on Wednesday and arrived into Paddington just before 1pm. I headed to Kensignton Palace first. I wrote about the exhibit, The Last Debutantes, which I have been dying to see. No photos were allowed in the exhibit, I was smart enough to take this before I entered Kensington though!

It was amazing! I highly recommend this to anyone in London over the next few months. If you adored the Jackie O: The White House exhibit this is something you cannot miss. It was all about the last year(1958) young ladies were presented to the Queen. If you do not have access to the exhibit I encourage you to order and read The Last Curtsy a book written by a former London deb. While also at Kensington Palace I stopped in to view Diana's dresses as well as the state apartments.

Our bulldog, Winston, is the grandson of the 2003 winner of the AKC show. Therefore, I could not resist this photo, I am sure it will take him back to his roots!

Afterwards, I took the Tube over to Mayfair and stopped by my mother's favorite bookshop: Heywood Hill.

She had made a list of books I was to purchase for her. Being the lovely daughter that I am I of course I did as I was told. I mean after all it was mother who got me a room at one of the most fabulous hotels in all of London! Rather then packing up all the books only to haul them around Paris (not only would that be very un-Sloane Ranger, but can imagine anything more dreadful then lugging a pretty bags of books on the chunnel and into stores?) I had them shipped to where I am staying. I was surprised to know the delightful, British author Nancy Mitford worked at Heywood Hill... no wonder mother adores the store!

After HH I headed to one of my favorite areas of London: Burlington Arcade.

Everything and anything one needs is here or across the street. If you need to pick up some tea stop into Fortnum and Mason before perusing the arcade. You can also find the Berk cashmere sweater you cannot live without, a wonderful leather accesory from Pickett, grab an afternoon pick-me-up from Laduree and complete your jewelry collection at one of the many posh jewelers. I just love, love, love Burlington Arcade!

Nan, this is for you. For a few hundred pounds you might want to consider making it yours...

The wonderful thing about Burlington Arcade is that it is just a block away from Bond Street; fabulous, right? You honestly can do all your shopping in a five block radius. I had such fun looking at all the fabulous window displays. I popped into Smythson to see all their fun accessories, check out their sale and view calling card options. They had the cutest pet Passport on sale that I wish I would have gotten for our dogs. Along with too many other items I spotted they also had a beautiful, signature pink Bible I am thinking about purchasing some day. I adore leather accessories so Smythson and Pickett were perfect stops for me. Also while on Bond street I walked by Sotheby's who was getting ready for their Impressionist Evening Sale later that night. As an art history major I could not resist taking this photo of The Fine Art Society which is directly across the street from the auction house:

Lucky enough for me Colefax and Fowler is not at all far from any of my other stops. I have been dying to see Nancy Lancaster's yellow room so of course I had to pop in!

The store is so beautiful and each room welcomes you. The accessories are timeless as is everything else; what a fabulous way to end my out-and-about time in London!

The famed Yellow Room.

Finally, I headed toward the Connaught. I had a lovely walk and enjoyed all the beautiful architecture.

I think this could be calling my name, a future home perhaps?!

Grosvenor Square

The Connaught Hotel

As soon as I arrived to my London home I settled into my room and then decided to have high tea. The Connaught has the BEST tea, far better than the Ritz I think. You pick from a list of 20+ teas and then get to enjoy a variety of sandwiches (they have me nine!), four fruit treats and a plate of four other pastries. That is just the first course! A basket of scones, strawberry jam and they most divine clotted cream follows course one. The scones were some of the best I have ever had, not at all too crumbly and perfectly smooth on top. Finally, once you do not think there is anyway you can put another bite in your mouth your server brings over a pastry cart. The cart is loaded with a selection of pies and cakes from which you must choose one to top off your tea.

Before the eating begun! Thank you fabulous father for this wonderful afternoon treat!

It was a good thing I missed lunch and had planned on having tea rather then dinner. Tea was truly delicious and a perfect way to end my day in London. I headed to my room to prepare for my early morning (I woke up at 4am to catch my 5:25am train) and spent the evening doing my hair and watching the UK MTV Hills marathon, thrilling I know. Have a wonderful day and look forward to my Paris update as well as a special selection of photos from both cities!

Pretty lobby/entrance to Terrace. Room 308, my home for the evening!