London Shopping :: Part I

In my everyday life, living as I do in a small, rural market town, retail shopping is small scale, local and very modest. And in truth I am not a spendy sort of a person. I don't really indulge myself very much, live week by week on a modest cash budget, don't use credit cards and save up for bigger purchases. I buy 98% of my clothes from charity/thrift shops, and I wear those same few clothes week in week out, year in, year out. And I'm happy with that.

But twice a year, in March and November, I make the trip down to London by myself on a totally self-indulgent, inspirational shopping trip. I don't pretend it's anything else :: don't try and do Christmas shopping, don't do clothes, don't do food, don't shop for anyone else but me. On these trips, it's all about me, me, me. And boy does it feel good.

Well to be more accurate, it feels fan-bloody-tastic!

If you could've seen me sitting on the train during the three hours it took me to get to London on Saturday, you would've seen me fidgeting and squirming in my seat unable to sit still. I was SOoosoosososooo excited, it was almost unbearable. I had already purchased my Travelcard in advance, had my Shopping Route all planned out, knew exactly where I wanted to go, which shops would delight me the most. And I really, badly, desperately hoped to be delighted, hoped to be thrilled and amazed by the Big City shops I planned to visit.

Seven hours is what I had at my disposal, and if you'd like to come along with me, I'll give you a taste of my day.

First stop was the big flagship Paperchase store on Tottenham Court Road. Oh how I love this shop, fondly remembered from childhood visits. I love the stationary, the walls filled with coloured writing papers and envelopes, the beautifully designed notebooks, the cards, wrapping papers, ribbons, pens and (at this time of year) the Christmas decorations. Sadly I didn't think to take any photographs in this shop as I was too busy oohing and aahing, but it was a great start to my day.

After Paperchase, I walk very fast back down Tottenham Court Road, turning right onto Oxford Street and along to John Lewis. I love department stores, I love them very much. I browse my way through many lovely departments (including stationary, gifts and Christmas) before riding the escalators up to the 4th floor for haberdashery. I adore escalators, love the thrill of them every time, but especially at Christmas when the decorations are hung in abundance. It's glitzy and over the top and I am delighted by it all.

And Oh! Can you imagine me in the haberdashery department? Can you just picture me trying not to hyperventilate with excitement, giddily rushing around back and forth between the fabrics, the trimmings, the ribbons, the threads, the crafts, the beads, the yarns?!

I try to absorb everything, take it all in :: the colours, the textures, the complete desirability of everything the haberdashery department has to offer. Mind you, despite the total, near-to-yelping excitement factor, I was very restrained here. I bought glass beads, one solitary ball of yarn, a button tin. Some stick-on wiggly eyes and Hama beads for the Little People. But I love all I bought and am already excited for the next shop....

....onwards I go, down Regent Street to visit one of my all time favourite shops :: Liberty of London.

Stop to admire the flowers for sale at the front of Liberty's before rushing on in through the big heavy wooden doors to see inside.....

.....and I am not disappointed. It's just as i remember it to be (quite a few years since I was last here). It is dressed to the nines for Christmas and quite spectacular.

I do some idle browsing first, enjoy wandering aimlessly through the many wood paneled rooms, admiring the very shop itself as much as the contents within. Its so grand! So very utterly, extravagantly divine and expensive and grand!

But as much as I enjoy the oriental rugs, the expensive chocolates, the beautiful stationary, the luxurious bathing products, the silk scarves, the gorgeous tableware, the out-of-this-world furniture, I am really just saving myself for the fourth floor. The Floor of Temptation. The Floor of Liberty fabrics and the Rowan Department.

I am totally overwhelmed in the Rowan room. I have a major crush on Kaffe Fassett's/Rowan fabric and quilt designs and it's a long while since I've seen them in real life. In here, jostling for my attention are some real life, totally gorgeous quilts made up in Kaffe Fassett fabrics, a huge range of the fabrics themselves, books, threads, tapestry kits and a large selection of Rowan yarns. It is heaven. I had not intended to buy fabrics, but I am totally overcome with desire here and unable to stop myself. Before I can think too hard or do the maths, I yank eight bolts of fabric off the shelves and stand back to  witness the fabric being expertly cut, folded, wraped and then the  k-e-r-c-h-i-ng of the till. I manage to blow a quarter of my spending money in about ten and a half minutes flat. And it's so exciting that I nearly pee my pants. I can report that the Liberty Ladies Loos are very easy to find and conveniently also on the fourth floor.

After the excitement of Liberty, I make my way to my final destination which is the Country Living Fair in Islington. I have already had so much fun, and find I am beginning to wilt slightly, but I do my best and enter with spirit. It is humongously busy, absolutely heaving with shoppers here. And I am hot and tired and weary. But nevertheless I spend a good two or three hours visiting practically every stand in the show. Its very inspirational, very festive. Lots and lots of decorations. Lots and lots of Shabby Chic. Some nice individual stands amongst the usual suspects. All in all, yes I love it and find some nice things to buy.

And when I'm done with it all, I get myself a cup of tea and go in search of Kathy, to introduce myself and say hello. Kathy, it was LOveLy to meet you, it's wonderful when someones blog comes to life and the person behind the words and pictures becomes real. I'm sorry if I was a bit vacant and wilty, I was so desperately tired and totally shopped out!

My train left London at 5.30pm, and although it left on time, it was delayed by one hour en route. So it was 9.30pm by the time I staggered through my front door, and I was pooped. All the way home on the train I had been thinking of my bed. Had been looking through my purchases, thinking of bed, reading a bit, thinking of bed, dozing a bit and waking with a stiff neck, thinking of bed.

I could not get to my cosy, feathery, ripply, rosy, snuggly bed fast enough. I was asleep within minutes, dreaming of fabric and buttons and yarn and ribbons and decorations.

Yes, I had a wonderful day, and tomorrow I promise, I'll show you what I bought. Show you what came home in my stiffy, cordy-handled bags.

Hope you'll join me for a Lovely-Things Fest :: its gonna be so much fun sharing it with you!

xxxx

Edited to add :: oh I meant to say that if you haven't already done so, please do go and read Hen's blog, she did a similar shopping trip last week and her photo's/descriptions of the Country Living fair and Liberty are super.

Comments

[Angela]

Oh my gosh, thank you for posting about Liberty! I live in New Zealand and one of our TV stations aired the programme Liberty of London which I just loved! So nice to see the beautiful photo's you posted. One day I will make it over your way and one of the places I will stop off at will be Liberty of London.

[Kathryn]

Boo Hoo, we dont have a Liberty Shop here.
Great Post, felt like I was there.
Kathryn
Kathryn in the Loft
Australia

[Kathryn]

Boo Hoo, we dont have a Liberty Shop here.
Great Post, felt like I was there.
Kathryn
Kathryn in the Loft
Australia

[Kitschen Pink]

the haberdashery is wonderful, those liberty chairs are to do unmentionables for, but teh best thing? that wonderful ripple blanket at home! Just beautiful. Thanks for taking a provincial girl off on a London jolly! t.x

[susan]

Of all the wonderful pictures you took, the one that most made me want to be there was the last one; the one of your bed. It is such a wonderful, cozy and inviting picture. I adore that blanket; I love your colors.

major sigh

[julia]

What a lovely day. I only live one hour from London and would find that day exhausting enough so I take my hat off to you for braving the 6 hour round trip! Next time you go to John Lewis though, remember you are in the vicinity of MacColloch and Wallace which has a great haberdashery department. http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/
x

[Josefin]

Oh, sound like you had a great trip! I wish I could do that!
Looking forward to see more pics!

[Lace hearts]

That's a fantastic post. I feel I was shopping alongside you! Liberty really is such a lovely place to browse around, but I always have to restrain myself. Their Christmas decorations look fabulous. I can't wait to see what you came home with! xxx

[Cynthia]

Lovely pictures. I must say that shopping trip looked like fun!!!

[Frances]

You visited so many of my favorite London spots, and I know just what you mean about the glory of anticipation.

It's been a few years since I have been across the Atlantic, so you can imagine how seeing your photos has just whetted my appetite.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Cheers!

[Lynn]

What a feast for the eyes! Thank you for effectively transporting me from my real life to such a wonderland!!

[cathleen]

First thing this morning I opened your blog to see if you posted...then I had to go make myself some breakfast and tea, and then happily sit down and read. And what a lovely, lovely read, Lucy. Your descriptive shopping trip and charming photos were a delightful way to start my day. Your exhilaration in your little solitude shopping day was very endearing. Looking forward to seeing your goodies, especially your fabrics!

[claire]

Well I've well and truly enjoyed your tour so far, I've only been in the Beauty department at liberty but now i'm dying to go there and explore. I used to have a thing about stationary and pens and pencil when I was younger too, there doesnt seem to be a selection like there used to be. Looking forward to hearing about part 2 tommorow....claire xx

[Jennifer]

Love your description of your day! Thanks!!!!

[Deb]

Oh, I'm a green-eyed. We only live an hour or so from London by train but the only time I manage to visit is with hoardes of children in tow, going to museums ansd such like....

I think I'm going to have to save up my pennies and plan my own trip (thanks for the inspiration). Might take in books for cooks and loop I think they're called.

My daughter's would love to visit that Paperchase (tails off into daydream....)

[Mariana]

Thanks for the virtual trip! And we have to wait ONE more day to see your goodness...

[Marguerite]

Sounds exciting! I only get to London once every 2 years or so, but used to live there, so I've got my own pile of regular shopping... Fortnum & Mason for a ton of tea to last me through two years, Liberty's of course (last summer there was scaffolding all over and I walked right past it -- so sad!), Hampton Court for the needlework bits and some candles they make that my mother loves, John Lewis for tights (they don't make them like that in the US), etc.... you've brought back some fun memories!

[paula]

I wanted to go too...If I could.
Well, I'm planing something in December but not so grand, just a walk in the streets of Lisbon, looking for haberdashery and fabrics.

[Hen]

Well, I'm seriously impressed that you managed those three whopping great stores (three of my faves) and the fair all in the same day. I trust you had a good rest on Sunday! My, does that bed of yours look very inviting in all its rippley cosyness!
Hen x

[Sandie]

What a wonderful post... thank you for taking us shopping with you - it was great - no sore feet, no aching legs, no empty purse, no train fare .... I really enjoyed my virtual trip to London.

[claireclaire]

never been to Liberty's, my Dad though once had a job working for a big fabric company that dealt with them, we've still got some fabric he designed himself!!! You'd never think it if you met him now. There's an artistic person hidden in there. You were good not to buy lots of yarn my mum would have gone bonkers in and there. peeing your pants yes not a good idea! I nearly peed mine when the gallery took all my stuff on sunday yay. You can't beat your own bed at the end of a long day, mine usually has my little cat on the end of it waiting for me.
Off to my Etsy shop to list some wee stuffed heart brooches, then must eat before I flake out xxclaire

[Katy]

looks like a great day out! I love Liberty's more than any other shop in the world. Really I need a day to myself shopping, whenever I go down with husband and/or kids they wail when I head towards that tudor beauty!

[Cláudia]

Uau!!! Lucy!!!!
Eu queria estar lá com você admirando e comprando aquelas coisas belíssimas.
Obrigada por compartilhar tantas coisas lindas conosco!!
Espero ansiosa a próxima postagem.

Tenho postado meus comentários em português, mas nem sei se você os lê!
Uso o Google Translate para traduzir suas palavras e entender um pouco do que você escreve.
Hoje percebi que você é uma pessoa de vida simples e feliz com o que tem. Que bom!!
Isso me motiva a viver com simplicidade, longe das ofertas caras e tentadoras.
Obrigada mais uma vez.
Amo seu blog.
Beijos e Deus te abençoe!!

[Rosie Graham]

Faberoonie! Not been to Liberty's for ages, oh I do love that shop...I love those chairs!
Can't wait to see what you bought and isn't there something very indulgent about cordy handled bags?
Ohh before i forget please could you tell me where you bought your Sulky pen?
Well done on a fantastic day out
Rosie

[Leisa]

So looking forward to seeing your special purchases. What a wonderful day!