I stopped by some quaint shopping areas that are a little off the beaten track. First stop was Place des Vosges near Rue de Lappe, which is a gorgeous square in an area that houses some very unique shops. Here’s where you can get some antique books and I even saw a dollhouse that I liked! The area is near the Picasso and Victor Hugo museum, so you can also visit those if you like. I also grabbed a coffee and pie in one of the little cosy joints in the arcades.
Next stop was Galerie Vivienne, located between the Bourse and the Palais-Royal. Here’s where you can find a range of very interesting and luxe shops, including a Jean-Paul Gaultier boutique. There’s also a fantastic wine shop called Cave Legrand. I also spotted some musical boxes in one shop that play almost any classic tune you can think of. The area leads into a well-kept and romantic garden. Again, the trees are planted in a straight line and there was even a fountain in the middle of the garden. I bet many marriage proposals have taken place here!
I then walked through Passage Choisel and even went past Place Gaillon, which is a restaurant, that French actor Gérard Depardieu opened. Heard it’s pretty good! I finally reached Galeries Lafayette and was blown away by its amazing architecture. Also located at Boulevard Haussmann, it features a spectacular glass and steel dome and an Art Nouveau staircase built by architect Caumartin back in 1912. The store, which houses 10 floors of shopping, is also classified as a historic monument and it’s not hard to see why.
I want to take a little breather about the joys of shopping in London and Paris to talk a little about the food in Paris. It’s been exquisite and my palate was every bit as indulged in as my shopping habits were. The culinary delights in Paris are on par with anything else the city has to offer and the best part is that I don’t have to spend a forture to enjoy a good meal. I had lunch at Montmartre and had the most divine salad. Even the most simple of salads turned out to be a gastronomic adventure. Of course I had to order a crepe after that, and the lemon and sugar crepe worked out beautifully.
Oh, when you’re at Printemps, you have to check out the cafeteria at the top floor for the most amazing view of the city of Paris. There serve up a pretty good fare too. All that shopping during the day certainly worked up my appetite and after spending the entire day at Printemps, I went for a fancy dinner at Les Editeurs. In Paris, it is possible to be a gourmet without breaking your piggy bank. All you have to do it eat at the places where the Parisians eat and avoid the tourist traps. Les Editeurs is one such best-kept secret the Parisians have. It is located in the district of Odéon, which is where the literary heart of Paris beats. Designed with bookshelves that house literary gems, this elegant restaurant welcomes you to while your time away whether you are grabbing a cuppa and reading or chatting with your friends during an intimate dinner setting. Choc addicts should definitely try the chocolate soufflé dessert. It’s enticing smell intoxicated me from the next table and I had to order one. Thank goodness I have all that walking around to do tomorrow to work off the excesses of tonight’s dinner.
Caught the Eurostar to Paris this morning at Waterloo station. It’s just over two hours away and the train ride was so comfortable. Managed to get some beauty sleep onboard.
Reached Paris and went straight to the hotel to dump my luggage and freshen up for the city tour. I decided to get to know the city a little better so I can plan my shopping itinerary properly. I am staying at this cosy joint called Hotel Jardins du Marais and its entrance totally belies its interior. I walked into an art deco style reception, which was elegantly chic. Filled with Ghost chairs by Kartell, the reception leads into a lush courtyard that houses private gardens. The huge expanse of space was a pleasant surprise and I made my way to the building that houses my room. I love Paris already!
After freshening up, I was ready for my tour of the city of romance. Paris Vision was my natural choice as not only did they invent guided coach excursions throughout Paris way back in 1929, it is the major independent Parisian sightseeing operator today. I opted for the air-conditioned minibus for a more personalised excursion and my guide, the lovely Sophie, took me around Paris.
We drove past the Notre Dame, Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Pompidou Centre and the Louvre, and of course I had to have a photo taken at the Eiffel Tower. Sophie was so friendly and did such a great job of pointing out these sites to me. She also pointed out a traditional French garden where the trees are planted in a straight line. How unique!
We finally ended up in the last village of Paris, the boho Montmartre, where Sophie dropped me off so I could wander around myself and grab a coffee along a Parisian sidewalk café. There, I whiled my time away admiring the effortlessly stylish sense of Parisian dressing.
Got bitten by an adventurous bug today, so I decided to venture a little beyond central London for shopping. Bicester came to mind – the country’s leading shopping village right in the heart of Oxfordshire, midway between London and Birmingham. And it’s easy to get to besides: Tube to Maryleborne station, and from there, the connecting train direct to Bicester. I heard there’s a fab shopping village there simply named Bicester Village, where I can find outlet shops of designer goods and other gems at knockout prices – fantastic discounts of up to 60% and even steals such as two bags for the price of one! OK, that’s it, what am I waiting for… Bicester, here I come!
Needless to say, I went a little mad shopping here. My first pit stop was Tods, where I chanced a maroon leather tote bag. I was smitten immediately! With the discounted price tag and the healthy tax refund I was entitled, I needed no more persuasion – I whipped out my credit card. Deal done!
Here, there’s something for everyone…among stores for men, for beauty, for travel, lingerie and even for the home. It’s really easy to spend the entire day here. I grabbed lunch at the largest Pret a Manger store in London. You know what? I could get used to living in Bicester!
After a day at the markets yesterday, I decided to hit the stores today. I took the tube down to Knightsbridge station, where I made the inevitable stop at Harrods – the world’s most famous department store. It was love at first sight for me! I especially love the food basement – its range of chocoloates alone was enough to set any choc-addict on high, me included! After picking up a couple of charming souvenirs for mummy dearest, I took a walk along Brompton Road and had fun popping in and out of shops that caught my fancy.
I nipped into H&M since it’s not to be found anywhere in Asia. I also went into Jigsaw, Karen Millen, Zara, a shoe-shop called Walk and a huge Accessorize store where I acquired quite a few dazzling trinkets. I walked until I hit Sloane Street, another popular fashion shopping street. Here’s where you can find the likes of Tods, Jimmy Choo, Dior, Fendi, Gucci and Kenneth Cole. Here, I did quick window-shopping only as I was in a hurry to check out Kings Road which I have heard so much about – particularly about its hip and trendy ways back in the swinging sixties.
I finally got to Kings Road, the nerve centre for the counterculture in the mid-sixties. Although now gentrified, it is still is one of London’s better shopping streets. I spotted the glass façade of the Peter Jones shop, well-known as one of the first glass-curtain structures up in Britain. Coming from Asia and surrounded by ultra-modern skyscrapers, I especially find appealing the rich history and culture of this shopping street. Each shop seems to weave a tale of its own which you would want to enter and unravel, in addition to appreciating its wares. To me, this makes for more a meaningful shopping experience.
I certainly enjoyed the visit to the site where the mini-skirt revolution started, being a big fan of it myself. It was also here that punk in the seventies was born it seems and, guess what, apparently Vivienne Westwood’s clothes store ‘Sex’ had a big part in it too, something I only learnt when there. Oh, there’re also scores of great antique shops here if you’re into that and I couldn’t resist popping into Habitat to see if I could find something for my home.
King’s Road today is still chic, peppered with smaller fashion shops that help you to push the boundaries of fashion, to cast to the wind all previous fashion conventions you might have, and to try something different for the heck of it. People-watching’s my other favourite pastime here; London’s so cosmopolitan you’d never know whom you might chance upon.
Got up bright and early this morning to hit Portobello Market. Here’s where you can find everything from books to bric-a-brac, furniture to fashion. For the adventurous, there’s even an area selling exotic food. Saturday is a good day to visit the market, as the antiques market open on this day is one of the largest antiques/collectables markets in Europe. And guess what? I managed to score a Chanel 255 classic quilted bag in mint condition for a steal! Oh I just love shopping in London!
The energy in the market is just infectious, there’s a whole load of people bargaining for the pieces they want and you can literally find anything you want here since there’s over 1,500 traders. I even spotted a few posters that caught my fancy. Having a sweet tooth, I kept my eyes peeled for the Hummingbird Bakery, which I heard great stories about. I spotted its pink awning and walked into my idea of heaven. From rows upon rows of oh-so-pretty cupcakes to the gigantic mouthwatering slices of rich fudge cakes, I knew I wasn’t going to leave empty-handed! I ended up buying three choc cupcakes and a slice of fudge cake. Pure bliss I tell you!
I stuffed my face as I continued down the stretch of stalls, following the trial of Portobello Road until I reached Portobello Green Arcade. This is where many a famous design name was born, so naturally I was quite keen to see the goods on offer. 2Tuff has really nice clothing, its owners give classic styles a modern twist. You can also opt for some lovely jewels to complement your new outfit if you like. If you’re into bespoke tailoring, there’s Steve Bell. And oh, do drop by Red Hot, which has a lot of dressy and feminine stuff.
I love the Georgian townhouses that line the streets, it’s so quaint and serene
Brick Lane is full of history and contrasts. It exudes a quaint, tatty charm that belies its trendsetting aspects. Look hard enough into its so-hip-that-it-hurts shops and you may just find the next designer du jour! I made my first pit-stop at BenDay, a bespoke jeweller who turns gems scoured around the world into precious designs that are guaranteed to capture any heart.
The display at Frockbrokers next caught my eye and before I knew it, I stepped into a store right up a fashionista’s alley. Apparently, Frockbrokers stocks day and evening wear from new designers personally picked from London Fashion Week by the owner. I actually went through the spoils, piece by piece… I couldn’t stop! My stops at Brick Lane included:
- Cutting-edge underground label, Son of a Stag which stocks designer labels only found in Brick Lane and Milan. Had a nice chat with the owner and learnt that the previous owner, who was Dutch, had a surname of the Dutch equivalent of ‘stag’, hence the shop’s moniker! Fun facts like these just endear me to the stores and make the shopping experience all the more memorable.
- Laden Showroom, where Victoria Beckham is a fan, I was told! The outlet represents over 76 up-and-coming designers and trust me, you’ll be amazed at what you can find here.
- One of its kind, Junky Styling, is another cannot-miss, believe me! Here, it seems, they breathe life into old drabs and it’s amazing how artfully they do this. I tried on a pink corset and skirt set that was a suit in its previous life and totally fell in love with it! I must bring my pair of old jeans to see what they can do with it the next time I head this way.
- Absolute Vintage was recently listed as “one of the world’s 100 shops you have to visit’ by a local daily. Managed to pick up a few vintage buys for myself. Heard from the owner that the items are imported from all over, mainly the US. This place definitely serves as an inspiration to quite a few top stylists and magazine heavyweights, and I can see why.
- Eastside Books, a charming bookstore I chanced upon on my walkabout. It is one of the few remaining independent bookshops and the right place if you wanna read up on local history.
On my way to Spitalfields market, I walked right into Queens, which is such a fun and kitschy shop! Its owners had started off with a stall in the market before taking off and moving into their own brick-and-mortar store. Famed for supplying gifts to Sir Elton John’s parties, here’s the place to find over-the-top gift ideas for any person, even if he seems to have everything…
Walked around the markets for a bit before plonking my weary self into a chair to tuck into a hearty cottage pie. Spitalfields really is the kind of place where it pays to look beyond the norm.
I was up bright and early to hit the streets this morn because I had a date with a personal shopper to keep today, how exciting! After having brekkie at the hotel, I trundled down Oxford Street, which is really near the hotel. Running east to west past Oxford Circus to Marble Arch, Oxford Street is where you’ll find all the major flagship stores like Selfridges and Marks and Spencer. In fact, there are over 300 shops and 5 million square feet of retail space! No wonder Oxford Street lays claim to being London’s busiest street.
My first stop was, of course, Selfridges. This is where I met Dean Aslett, who did some personal shopping for me. I couldn’t wait for him to put together some stylish outfits for me. Check out the video.
I must say, personal shopping is great because it makes you step out of your everyday dressing boundary and try something new that you never know would work until it’s on you. Take the skirt for example, I’d be inclined think that it would overshadow my frame when I see it on the rack, but after putting it on, I realised that it did complement my figure. I love the cut! Dean’s really good with details and I must say I had great fun with him. You should give the service a shot when you’re there, not only is it complimentary, you also get to change in the privacy of a really luxe dressing room. This really is the life.
After the lovely session, I strolled around the store. You can find anything here, from designer threads to high street fashion, health supplements to beauty fixes, sports equipment to nifty gadgets. Selfridges wasn’t kidding when it says it’s the ultimate place for new brands, experiences and ideas. There’s even a huge food hall for you to purchase your groceries or grab a bite to recharge. Oh, you’d want to check out their window display when you’re there, they’re famous for their innovative displays.
After that lovely shopping experience, I made my way down to Bond Street, which is where all the designer shops are located. Home to the most elegant and expensive shops, this is where you can find Gucci, Armani and the likes. They even have a man posted at the door to screen you before letting you in. How exclusive!
I snooped around a few shops for a bit before I made my way to Piccadilly Circus. There’s a really large Topshop store there and I was anxious to get to it. I saw the iconic landmark, which is right smack at the junction of five busy streets. Who can miss the colourful electric displays behind the bronze fountain topped by a winged archer? Topshop was huge, to say the least! Spent hours there going through the latest collection and bought quite a bit of accessories and a lovely black jacket that I managed to find in my size. I love shopping in London!
Next stop, the London Eye! Voted Londoners’ most favourite attraction, the London Eye is really a great way to take in the sights of the entire city within half an hour. In glass-encased capsules, the giant Ferris wheel of sorts offers stunning views at 135 metres above London, ensuring that I caught sight of several of its famous landmarks like Westminster Abbey, London Bridge and the Tower of London. It’s definitely worth every penny and the best part is I didn’t even feel scared even though I don’t deal with heights very well. What great fun! You can you can even book your own private capsule and plan a romantic champagne dinner if you like. Many a marriage proposals have taken place here, I heard.
After that exhilarating ride, I took a nice long walk along the South Bank Area, which runs along River Thames. I heard that a few years ago, a few dedicated arts buff crossed the river to the South Bank complex to catch a play or exhibition. As a result of their foresight, this area that stretches along the banks of the Thames eastwards from Waterloo is one of the hippest parts of London!
Now, I was determined to head to Tate Modern for a quick visit, so I walked past a few other landmarks like the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall, Shakespeare’s Globe and HMS Belfast without popping in to visit any of them places. I also caught sight of the much-acclaimed Millennium Bridge, which is an award-winning structure by architects Wilkinson Eyre. Did you know it was lifted in a single piece by the Asian Hercules II, which is one of the world’s largest floating cranes?
Oh guess what? I got stopped along the way by Now magazine, who wanted to take a snapshot of my outfit cause they loved what I was wearing! Had a nice little chat with them since I was also in publishing and they sent me the link to my pic on the website. What an incredible day!
After a pit-stop at another café for an energy-booster, I finally reached Tate Modern.This much-hyped modern art gallery has gained cult following over the years, boasting works by Moore, Picasso, Dali, Warhol and Hepworth. Most recently, the Saatchi Gallery opened in the nearby County Hall, showing the best of controversial Brit artists like Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin. In fact, I just missed a meet-and-greet session with her!It’s certainly been an eventful afternoon hasn’t it?
I’ve finally reached London after a 12-hour flight, touched down in the wee hours of the morn but I am feeling as fresh as a daisy. That’s because I picked up some tips to prevent jet lag. Just make sure you get some shut-eye during the first four hours, try to keep awake for the next four and catch a nap again for the last four and you’ll be fine. Plus, I am going to dump my bags at the hotel, freshen up and then head straight for the sights and sounds of London city on a bright morning, what’s there not to be excited about?
Got to the hotel pretty quick, it’s called The Cumberland. It’s right next to the Marble Arch tube station, and a stone’s throw away from shopping meccas like Oxford Street and Bond Street, making it all the more easier for me to dump my shopping bags in the hotel before the next round of shopping. The art and design experience of the hotel begins the moment I entered the lobby. I was blown away by the cutting edge style, white spaces and contemporary art installations by UK’s best artists, including Sean Henry. It’s definitely a hotel for the design-savvy visitor. Within the hotel is restaurant Rhodes W1 owned by celebrity chef and restaurateur, Gary Rhodes.
Not wanting to waste any time, I freshened up and decided to take a walking tour as the weather was crisp and refreshing. Saw some people jogging and regretted that I didn’t pack my jogging shoes. Oh well, there’s always a next time!
Walked to Green Park, which is near Buckingham Palace and sat under a tree for a quick nibble from Pret a Manger. Saw a few squirrels running around, how charming! Green Park is just one of the many parks you can find in London and Londoners really do take every opportunity they can to enjoy them. I even saw a man decked out in a business suit taking his lunch there. How charming! Strolled over to the palace for a quick peek to see if the Queen was in. You can always tell if the Queen is in residence, look at the flagpole on top of the Palace, if the flag is flying then 'the Queen is at home'! Took a few quick snaps of the really grand palace and continued on my walking tour of the city. Missed the changing of the guards ceremony,, but managed to get a few pics of them through the fence. I can’t imagine how hot it must get for them under the collar during summer!
My next stop was the Big Ben, although I must say I heard it before I actually laid eyes on it. This is one of London’s icons and it looks it best at night when the clock faces are illuminated. Trust me, it’s a sight you don’t want to miss. It even tells you when parliament is in session by a light that shines above the clock face.
2) Travel with clothing that is less likely to wrinkle.
3) Roll up T-shirts or underwear and wrap your items around them at a fold line. This will help keep a crease from forming.
4) Take the proper size luggage for your trip. Too big a bag will allow your items to move around and make damage and wrinkles more likely.
5) Button the buttons on shirts so items will hang properly.
6) Use plastic dry cleaner bags between items. Make sure the dry cleaner bags do not have any advertising printed on them. The ink can rub off and end up on your clothes.
Besides my shopping list, or rather, my wish list, what else will I need in my fashionably large tote bag?
Hello again! I am dead beat from running around town and dropping by VisitBritain and Maison de le France to pick up some tips from the lovely people over there for my trip. Aunty Ruby at the VisitBritain office is a dear lady who so happily shared with me some of the most useful shopping tips, bless her soul! She just returned from a shopping spree herself not too long ago.
Apparently she started out from Oxford Street, which is this nice long stretch, home to shops like Selfridges, Topshop, Marks & Spencer and loads of eating outlets at which I can get quick bites to ensure my energy levels are kept at an all-time high! Think I will get a pressie for my bestie Mel from there. She really loves the new season at Topshop – let me surprise her with a top or two.
Aunty Ruby also told me I should definitely head down to Portobello Road Market, which was the set of Notting Hill, that lovely romantic comedy. While there, I can scour for some nice antiques for Mom -- she’d love that. Oh, she also told me that in Britain, there are two sales seasons that I wouldn’t want to miss, the winter and the summer sale. The winter starts right after Christmas for about two weeks while the summer one takes place between the last week of June to about August. Brilliant, there’s nothing better than getting what I want at a fraction of the price!
One other thing she pointed out: remember to claim my tax rebates once I am done shopping. As a visitor to the EU, I can enjoy tax rebates of up to 12%. All I have to do is to make a minimum purchase, which varies from store to store. (Mental note to self, remember to enquire at every store I visit!)
No sooner have I said goodbye to Aunt Ruby, I walked straight into chic and elegant Anne Chapalain at the Maison de le France office. Must be my lucky day! Anne was as helpful, dispensing tips on shopping in Paris. This lady truly knows Paris inside out and guess what, her love for the city is infectious! She even helped me pick up some brochures with shopping discounts! Just what I need! Cool right? We talked a fair bit about Paris and then some more about Paris and before I knew it, it was closing time. But no worries, I can still surf for information on the two cities from their comprehensive websites respectively -- both of which have been added under my Useful Links for more research later at my own time. Now, time to do some packing – let me raid my wardrobe to put together a sexy ensemble or two. This is getting really exciting…
Now, in case you’re wondering if my trip’s gonna be all about shopping for clothes, I’ll have you know that I am not that shallow. Really. I am also going to hunt for music records while in London, and, while in Paris, catch a few movies. Yeah, both cities have produced some of my all-time fave artistes and movies.
Music is really deep in the British soul and thanks in no small way to the 4 young but very talented lads who burst onto the charts in the ’60s. Paul, Ringo, John and George helped popularise rock ‘n’ roll and since then, there was no stopping the British Invasion. But I prefer British music that goes off the mainstream, producing new and raw sounds. Thus arose a new wave of music mania about a decade later when bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash made punk music incredibly sexy, rebelling against the cookie-cutter music scene of 1975. Brit Pop was also given a huge boost in the ’80s all thanks to MTV. Not only could audiences worldwide listen to the distinct Brit tunes, they could also watch their enigmatic singers on TV. This was when bands like The Police, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran captivated fans beyond UK shores.
Now the next wave of Brit tunes to assault our ears is Alternative, also the one I can best relate to. Spearheaded by the oh-so-hot Liam Gallagher of Oasis , British music became the “alternative” to the scene in the States. Oh, give me a rock rebel anytime! The indie scene also gained popularity with easy-listening tunes from The Cure , which just seems to stick in my head after a listen. Of course one of my fave bands at the moment is Coldplay , who is leading the British charge. Oh, you know what? I recently came up close and personal with Chris Martin’s baby blues when the band was in town for a concert and I must say, that Gwyneth is one lucky lady!
Hmm… pardon me, I know I am rattling… but I can’t stop talking about (and listening to) British music. I will check out live concerts I can catch while I am there, especially in Hyde Park! Live concerts’ all the rage in London and I know I am guaranteed pumping music of my beloved bands. If you’re into The Darkness, Muse, Gorrilaz, Radiohead, the Libertines or even Belle and Sebastian and Joss Stone, do email me and we can rave about our fave artistes!
OK, ok, enough about British music for now.
But Paris melts me as much. Besides enjoying a cuppa along a Parisian sidewalk café, my greatest love is to catch a French film. I love its cerebral context, rich colours and breathtaking cinematography. The antithesis of action-packed Hollywood films, French films have captivated audiences worldwide for the longest time, moi included. To me, French movies embody the indie spirit of moviemaking at its best, with its arthouse movies usually screened in artsy theatres. I reckon they’re best enjoyed with a bottle of red and of course, some delish French cheese – oh, for that slice of heaven on earth! One French film I love is Amélie, that runaway box-office hit back in 2001. It also stars one of my style icons, the gamine and ethereal Audrey Tautou. She personifies the famous French style, if you ask me. France is also home to the acclaimed Festival de Cannes, which celebrates the art of the cinema. When that’s going on, it’s the perfect time to hop into town to celebrity-watch!
Enough talking… do excuse me while I go make a list of the movies and records I want to watch and buy.
I am bitten by the travel bug again and since I can never get enough of shopping, I thought what better than a round trip to glorious London and Paris! It’s a no-brainer really; since I am set on shopping, those 2 cities pretty much win hands down. Fashion capital London with its style icons like Kate Moss and Sienna Miller and renowned designers Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, it's definitely a pit-stop for fashion-lovers like me and Paris! Oh my God, who can resist shopping in Paris, a city which exudes chic elegance. Karl Lagerfeld , Coco Chanel...need I say more?
I just checked the weather online… it says 15-20 degrees Celsius in London and Paris right now-- cool! Lovely spot of weather to shop in if you ask me. Now I just have to book my air-ticket and do a little research on the best shopping spots in London and Paris. Oh, oh, I hear leggings are hot this season, I'll definitely go find meself some when there.
We all have different shopping habits, but what works for me is keeping an open-mind and staying creative! Savvy shopping means getting the most bang for your buck. While that sometimes may mean paying full-price for something that screams out your name, other times it is scouring the bargain bin. And never pooh-pooh those shops along the narrow alleys that are off the beaten track. Some of my best buys are from such non-traditional shopping spots like used-furniture stores, consignment stores and my absolute fave, flea markets. Not knowing what I might find there adds to the fun! My colleague Elaine once found a vintage Chanel quilt bag in Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, the world's biggest flea market. It was marked down and still in a fab condition! I absolutely have to go to some flea markets and discount designer outlets in London like, when I am there. Who knows… I might be luckier than Elaine! Drop me a note if you know some fave shops that I should visit when I am there!
