So I’ve finally found a half an hour to post up all my London News :) I actually can’t believe that I was there this time last week, it seems like a much more distant memory by now. I had the most amazing five days & have loads to tell & show you ! The reason I was in London, in the first place, was because my sister, Kaelin, was doing her first course in the London College of Fashion. She completed the “Introduction to the Fashion Industry” course & by the sounds of it she really enjoyed it, along with making some lovely new friends. Last Summer, I was lucky enough to complete a course there too & I just cannot recommend the college enough ! I’m currently saving to do another one :)
While in London this time, I must admit that the trip solely consisted of shopping & drinking A LOT of coffee with my Mom. Two of my favorite things to do, so I wasn’t complaining. When we arrived on Sunday, we went straight to Camden Market. It was my third time there & it honestly just gets better & better each time…& to top it off, it was such a beautiful day in London !
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| My Mom & I |
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| Kaelin & I |
We started by going to one of my favorite Vintage Stores, “Rokit”. It’s such a well-known Vintage store & there is no questioning why.
We also went to “Berty & Gerty”. There was a lovely northern Irish girl working in the shop & she asked to take some photos of my sister & I for a street style project she was doing for college. I loved the Bowler Hats they stocked there & I’m so so gutted that I didn’t end up getting one (I forgot to go back for it ). I’ve been on the search for one for quite a while now, but I just haven’t found the “perfect” one just yet. Be sure to let me know if you come across some nice ones anywhere!
Of course, Camden is known for it’s amazing vintage, etc….but one of my favorite aspects of the market is the food ! My God, it’s amazing. I got one little snap of these really cute cupcakes. My sister & I got an amazing chocolate brownie from this particular stall….just thinking about it now is making me hungry !
Strangely enough, I didn’t end up buying loads in Camden this time. I think I just enjoyed being there more than anything. I did, however, pick up some really cool band-tee’s, a beautiful vintage waist-coat & this adorable little broach….
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| What do you think? |
On Monday, we then moved onto some High-Street shopping in the Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford. Before we got the tube out there, we dropped my sister off to LCF. Here’s a quick snap of what we were wearing….
The dress I’m wearing was purchased in Topshop last Summer. At the moment, I’m loving longer dresses paired with leather jackets. It just screams effortlessly cool ! …& of course, I’m wearing my new chelsea boots. Still in LOVE with them :)
It was lovely to visit The Westfield Shopping Centre as it has most of the main high-street shops I like. However, I must admit that everything was so so expensive ! I picked up a few little nice bits, including an amazing pair of cream ankle boots in H&M, which I’ll show you in an outfit post very soon. It was also cool that I FINALLY got to eat in Wagamama. I’ve been wanting to go for ages because I’ve heard so much about it & it definitely didn’t disappoint !
That evening, we went back to our hotel which was located right at the top of Oxford Street. We stayed in “The Cumberland Hotel” -Such a nice hotel & we really couldn’t ask for a better location. I had a chance then to visit the well-known Topshop at Oxford Circus….the first of 5 visits !! Somehow I managed to spend 2 & a half hours in there & left with a mere crop top & 3 pairs of socks ! How is that even possible?! The place is actually like a maze & time just goes so fast while you’re browsing the 3 floors. My favorite part is, of course, the shoe section. Amazing.
On Tuesday, we went to Brick Lane -a part of London renowned for it’s vintage stores. This is where I picked up my favorite pieces from the whole trip. Some of the stores were quite expensive but then others were the complete opposite, so I managed to find a few little bargains.
I went for a more casual look -DIY shorts & DIY studded shirt. For those of you who follow me on Instagram (@retroflame) you would have seen me post a quick pic of this shirt when I was studding the shoulders. I bought this shirt for 5 euro in the men’s section in Dunnes, just cut off the sleeves & added some gold studs to the shoulders. There was a really similar one in Topshop for about 6 times the price…so it just goes to show that often with a bit of imagination, you can save yourself a lot of money.
The first shop we went to was the “Vintage Basement”. Everything downstairs in the basement was only £10 & I picked up some really cool shirts. Also, I managed to finally find a nice over-sized denim jacket -something which I’ve been looking for for a while now. I got a t-shirt in the mens sale section in River Island which is going to look really cool with it ! Can’t wait to do an outfit post :)
We then found this cute little store, “The Vintage Emporium”. It was a cafe upstairs & then a really authentic vintage store downstairs. I kinda felt as if I was stepping back in time when I walked in, I loved it ! What impressed me most was the decor of the place, I loved the cute little displays all around the shop. If you are in Brick Lane, the store is definitely worth a visit. The owner was so lovely & let me take a quick few snaps, so have a look & let me know what you think.
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| This was on the way in to the store, such a cute idea :) |
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| Love the color of this ! |
On leaving Brick Lane, I got my picture taken for the Street Style Section of a magazine. Very random but the perfect end to the day. The image will be published before the end of the month, so I’ll keep you posted :) As you can probably guess I really had an amazing time & got to go to all of my favorite places in London. I’ll be featuring all the pieces I bought in upcoming outfit posts, so there is a lot more still to come. London is an amazing city which is so full of inspiration alone & I’m delighted to have gotten the chance to visit again. I know this was a really long post, so thanks a million if you took the time to read it all :) Hopefully it might be of help to you in future if you are ever visiting London.
I also have one more little pic to show you. It’s what I wore to my boyfriend’s 21st at the weekend, which I mentioned HERE. Both the top & skirt are pieces I got in London -the dress (worn as a top) is from H&M and the peplum skirt is from Zara.
So that’s all my news for the moment. Tomorrow marks the beginning of Kerry Fashion Weekend, so there are a busy few days ahead but I’m so excited ! The Designer Awards Show is on tomorrow night & then we are having a Vintage Salon Show on Saturday night in Killarney. I’m styling both shows, so I’ll have loads of news & photos for you next week. For more information or to purchase tickets, you can visit the Website.
Hope you are having a great week !
Stylishly yours,
Erika x
Emma C
11 April
Taking note of all these shops so next time I go to london I can visit them, they look amazing! Can’t wait to see the outfit posts to follow with the other new stuff you got! Best of luck with the fashion show hope all goes well!! xx
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks so much Emma, it’s all going really well so far :) Hope your study is going well xx
Tilly-Jayne
11 April
Loved reading this post! I live quite near to London yet I’ve never been to Brick Lane and only Camden once! Terrible! I definitely need to take a trip xx
Erika Fox
13 April
Yes definitely, you will find amazing stuff xx
Nicola
11 April
Everything looks amazing. I have only been to London one which was siteseeing and it was amazing then. I really want to go and look at all the shops mentioned here. It looks such a inspiring place! I love everything! You and your sister are both gorgeous too! I love the last photo of you, your outfit is gorgeous1
http://thefashiondistrictnlc.blogspot.co.uk/
Erika Fox
13 April
Thank you so much Nicola ! I totally agree, London is just bursting with inspiration ! It’s great to go there every now & again xx
Aishling.Br0wne
11 April
Oh I really wanna go to London now! All the Vintage shops sound amazing! And I see the your cool fashion sense/style runs in the family! Love all the outfits especially the last one
xx Aishling http://lestage2012.blogspot.fr/
Erika Fox
13 April
Awh thanks hun ! Yeah my mom & sister have such a great style too. Thanks for the lovely comment xx
Cathy
11 April
I love the lime chiffon dress and that floral peplum skirt!!! (:
xoxo
onceuponasprinkle.blogspot.com
Erika Fox
13 April
Thank you Cathy ! xx
mirjam schuurkamp
11 April
amazing photos,
you are pretty!
New outfit post – In love with my zara jacket
http://www.mirfashion.blogspot.com
Erika Fox
13 April
So sweet, thanks hun xx
SpRoGgA
11 April
You always look amazing, as did your sister!!!! Very pretty girls with fab fashion style!! <3 your blog!! xXx
Erika Fox
13 April
Such a lovely comment, really appreciate it xx
Tar Mar
11 April
love travel posts and you look stunning for your boyfs 21st!<3 x
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks Tara hun ! Loving all your video blogs you do xx
helenlouise
11 April
I loved this post! You and your sister wear the best outfits! Camden is my favourite part of London but I’ve never been to Brick Lane, I intend to make a trip as soon as I have money to burn :D
Erika Fox
13 April
Oh yes, you will love Brick Lane !! Thanks hun xx
Nabzz
11 April
LOVE yours and your sister’s outfits!
Ah yes, gotta love the Topshop shoe section. It’s my favourite part too.
Good luck with the fashion show.
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks so much hun !
The shows are going great xx
emillypotter
11 April
I love your pic <3
Erika Fox
13 April
Thank you ! xx
Sinead Lally
11 April
Great post!! always love these kind of ones!!! well done on the magazine shot too!!
see you saturday around 5pm!!! :) excited!!! x
cotton face vintage
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks so much Sinead, see you tomorrow :) xx
theheadlessstylist
11 April
Hey, just found your blog i love your unique style, ive decided to follow your blog for inspiration, would love if you could check mine out and follow if you like it, theheadlessstylist.blogspot.co.uk. You have an awsome blog im so happy i found it out, ill deffo be a regular reader because i love vintage too xx
theheadlessstylist.blogspot.co.uk
Erika Fox
13 April
Wow thanks a million dear ! WIll check out your blog now xx
FancyMuffin
11 April
All those places look so cool! I love you and your sisters outfits :D
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks hun xx
Georgia
11 April
so jealous you were in camden! i reallllly wanna go!
looking great in all of your pictures :)
http://georgiahollyedwards.blogspot.co.uk/
xx
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks Georgia, you would just love Camden ! xx
Sophie
11 April
I seriously need to raid your wardrobe!
Sophie
x
Erika Fox
13 April
Haha, anytime :)
Thanks Sophie xx
Harriet B
11 April
Fab post, I will definitely visit these places next time I’m in London :) I love that green dress! x
Erika Fox
13 April
Definitely do, you’ll love them !
Thanks Harriet xx
Aoife
12 April
I’m off to London in the morning to go stay in the Cumberland too!!! Going to the ballet with my parents.
Haha! What a great hotel, it’s my favourite in London.
You seem to have a had a great time. I can’t wait to go, only 4 hours til i’ll be on the plane!!!!
xxx
littleblondebear.blogspot.com
Erika Fox
13 April
No way? It’s such a handy hotel, perfect location !
Lucky you, hope you had a good time xx
jimmi lou
12 April
Sounds like you had a great time, looking forward to seeing your buys in outfit posts! I’m coming home for a month during the summer and going to fit in London for a week in between, can’t wait!
joanne from jimmilou.com
Erika Fox
13 April
Yes you definitely should, it’s one of my favorite cities :)
Thanks hun xx
Nathalia
12 April
Awesome photo’s
When I see this I can’t wait to go to London.
I really like your yellow dress and the skirt you’re wearing on the last photo.
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks a million Nathalia !
xx
Makeup By Flora
12 April
Great post, makes me homesick! London is home to me, only 2nd behind Australia :) I cant wait to go back. Must check out that hotel too…
Erika Fox
13 April
Awh thanks you Flora !
Yes such a great hotel.
Chat again soon xx
Sarah
12 April
Really enjoyed this post! Looks like you had a lovely time..I need to get myself to brick lane! Looking lovely in the outfits too :)
500daysoffashion.blogspot.com
x
Erika Fox
13 April
Thanks Sarah hun xx
S. Lopez
13 April
Amazing post, I’m in love with London!!!
xoxo
– http://fashionnfairytale.blogspot.com/
Erika Fox
13 April
Me too :)
Thanks a million xx
fox hunter
15 April
Aww, these photos are great! Looks like u had a fab time there and I’m a tad jealous cause I really wanna go there! Love these vintage stores, everything looks so good in there and I’m really into those hat boxes, haha. Lovely blog my dear! :) x
Erika Fox
29 April
Thanks so much ! I know, I love the hat boxes too :) xx
Ellie Burns
15 April
aw looking through all these photos makes me want to visit london again! i love rokit, i could spend hours in there! i love your blog- can’t believe i’ve only just found it! xx
Erika Fox
29 April
So sweet, thanks Ellie ! xx
Alice Andrews
16 April
I love london! It is my favourite place to go shopping!! Camden market is great! The vintage shopping is great there! And I love the food court bit – every type of food you can imagine! Coming from the sticks, visiting london is my favourite thing to do. Last year me and my sister stayed in this gorgeous london serviced apartments right by the market and it has such a great atmosphere, especially at night! It is also lovely to walk down regents canal, passed london zoo towards little venice! Especially if you get a nice sunny day like you did!
Did you venture onto Oxford and Regents Street? Harrods is amazing, but I couldnt afford much! Eek!
Erika Fox
29 April
I sure did, went to both streets, but I much prefer the markets :) You get so much more for you money ! Dying to go back again :) Thanks for your lovely comment xx
Walking Primrose
16 April
What kind of course did your sister do? Was it like a week-long one or something? I may do one during the summer! x
Erika Fox
29 April
Yeah she did the “Introduction to the Fashion Industry” one, for a week & she loved it ! If you check out the website you’ll get all the details, i’d definitely recommend doing one ! xx