labour and wait / DELICIOUS BITES

london

23 May 2018

I always enjoy my time in London and if I can, I try to explore new districts. This time I stayed in a flat just around the corner from the Columbia Road Flower Markets in Bethnal Green and chose to explore Hampstead.

I arrived just before closing time and as most shops along Columbia Road are only open Friday to Sunday, I raced down there.

I spied this gorgeous shop, Mason and Painter and quickly took a few photos.

I've been looking to add some more green accents to my own flat. The shop gave me some inspiration though I've already got the succulents in terracotta vibe happening.

It was so quiet when I visited the same area just a few days later.

I took an early morning walk to the Geffrye Museum, currently closed for renovation.

Then I sauntered through Shoreditch and Spitalfields.

More doorway love.

I had to revisit Labour and Wait.

I love all their goods and came home with a little something for my kitchen but I particularly love those green tiles.

Then I headed over to Covent Garden.

The obligatory Australian street performer.

The beautiful St Paul's Church garden tended by a mature gardener.

It was a splendid spring day.

The next day was going to be the best weather of my stay so I headed over to Hampstead to ramble the heath and to visit Kenwood House.

The house is surrounded by the most marvellous garden, overlooking a lake.

There is also a garden shop and cafe in the grounds.

There were also splashes of colour amongst the green.

Some more pastoral scenes.

I walked across the heath towards Hampstead but actually I was headed to Highgate. Eventually I turned around and headed in the correct direction.

The obligatory flower shop.

Hampstead village is lovely but those prices!

The next day was bit dreary so I galleried and window shopped.

I was particularly taken with Skandium's garden area.

My last stop was Exmouth Market for a spot of lunch.

That's all from my short visit to London. Next time I'll share some photos from Genoa.

See you all again soon.

Bye for now,

Jillian

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london

8 Jul 2016

Hi Every-one,

it seems an age since I last wrote. I've been cooped up in a convention centre in Glasgow for the past week so there has been precious little time for blogging, photography or shopping. Well from today all that will change.

These photos are from the 3 days I spent in London. I stayed in a lovely little flat in Notting Hill so explored the area a little. St Stephen's Mews were not far away so I stopped by whenever I could because I find mews so charming.

Daylesford Organics was just around the corner. I bought a little something there the day I arrived in London, the only thing I've bought to date.

Portobello Road was a 5 minute walk from home.

On my way to Hackney I stopped by Spitalfields and Shoreditch so I could visit Labour and Wait, one of my favourite stores.

I do have my eye on one of their aprons but I was mindful of my small backpack so will probably get one online once I'm home.

I always make sure I walk to Redchurch Street via Fournier Street. The houses there have a unique character.

I also visited the Chelsea Physic Gardens stopping at the Royal Hospital Chelsea along the way.

It took me 2 tries to find the gardens. On the day I arrived I went to Chelsea but I was a bit too jet lagged to follow directions and got lost. I did however find the hospital.

I wandered through them with my camera. I loved the hospital grounds.

How lucky are those Chelsea Pensioners to live here?

The Chelsea Physic Gardens are just a short walk from the hospital.

The garden is filled with medicinal plants and herbs as well as flowers and of course a statue of Lord Sloane.

These beautiful flowers from the garden adorned the tables in the tea room.

No visit to London is complete without a visit to the Borough Markets.

They have some lovely organic produce for sale.

I did need to feed my soul as well as my tummy so I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum to see the Paul Strand exhibition.

I found this installation in the courtyard.

On my last day in London, there wasn't too much time for reflection as I beetled my way through the streets en route to Liberty. It was a grey old day so I picked my way though puddles.

I always stop by the flower shop Wild at Heart at Liberty for a pop of colour.

Aren't these peonies vibrant?

And of course some delphiniums.

Something a bit more muted. Of course I took load more photos but I hope that gave you all a taste of London.

See you next week with some photos from Glasgow.

Bye for now,

Jillian

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london part II - islington, shoreditch and borough markets

4 Jun 2014

Hi evey-one,

I'm in Paris at the moment but as promised here are some more images from my time in London.

I visited Islington to see an exhibition at the Estorick Gallery.

As I wandered in circles searching for the gallery I passed quite a few nice shops including Ottolenghi, Toast, Folklore and Atelier Abigail Ahern. I had to stop when I saw this moss dog.

Something pretty to share with you.

After my visit to Islington, I hopped on the overground to Shoreditch High Street for a wander around the area. First things first, I needed some feeding so I dropped in here for a bagel and a piece of cheesecake. I'm still reeling at the prices as everything was less than a pound.

I dropped into Labour and Wait to find it packed with shoppers.

I walked back to Liverpool Street Station via Fournier and Princelet Streets in Spitalfields. The shops may change hands but thankfully the shop fronts stay the same.