Category Archives: Shopping

Tetbury, The Cotswolds

22 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Last summer we decided to try a new area in the Cotswolds, and because we were gong to visit Highgrove Gardens, Prince Charles’ home, we decided to stay near Tetbury. It did not disappoint.

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It was not quite as quaint and perfect as the village of Broadway, where we usually stay in the Cotswolds.  But it had a real charm all its own.

IMG_8939The main streets were filled with all sorts of shops, and it is known for its antiques.

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It was interesting.  Very classic in style, and obviously an upscale market.  The shops were varied and seemed to cater to a country set.

IMG_8942There were also flowers everywhere…

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…for sale or just to make you feel good.

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A beautiful town with lots of character and…

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…full of surprises. I could walk from window to window and be impressed with the varied displays.

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A perfect morning in town strolling and window shopping before retiring to our Country Inn.

 

Kensington High Street Shops

18 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by in England, Fashion, London, Shopping, The Royal Family

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I love Kensington. Within easy walking distance are museums, and parks, and palaces…and lots of shops. With Christmas almost upon us, it seemed appropriate to visit one of London’s best shopping neighborhoods, if only by post.

A residential street in Kensington, around the corner from all the shops. Photo by me.

This is where young London goes to shop.  And it is such fun to see the different trends in the windows, even if I am not ready to buy.

The busy shopping center of Kensington. Photo by me

Around every corner are shops and alleys where treasures are sure to be found.

Photo by me.

The names are now becoming more familiar to women shoppers in America.  Many of these British stores are beginning to open shops in the US.

High Street, Kensington. Photo by me

They say it is the “Kate effect”, the influence of the Duchess of Cambridge who shops in this neighborhood, and often chooses fashion within an affordable range from the high street popular stores.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been known to wear the very reasonable fashions from Zara. Photo by me.

Another High Street favorite with young London. Photo by me.

After all her palace is right around the corner.

A few blocks from Kensington Palace. Photo by me

I would love having all this a few steps from my back door, cold and grey or not.

 

The Shops of Bath

26 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bath, Fashion, Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized

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One of the reasons My Beloved Brit’s cousins wanted to join me in Bath earlier this month was to attempt some early Christmas shopping.  I must say,  the shops in Bath are varied and wonderful.  There are the larger brand names from America like Gap and Banana Republic.

The main shopping street, Milsom. Notice all the bicycles. Cars are not encouraged in Bath. Photo by me

And an array of the better known English chains like Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw and L.K. Bennett.

Jigsaw, in The Old Post Office building. Photo by me

But my favorites were the smaller shops…

An art supply shop almost hidden by an ancient wall. Photo by me

Prince Charles’ estate shop which had all sorts of gardening treasures. Photo by me.

…tucked along the main street and side alleys.

Sausages for Sale in Bath. Heaven on earth for My Beloved Brit. Photo by me

It was nice to see the unique and the imaginative…

Hidden on a narrow cobbled street. Photo by me

…along the cobblestone side streets. There were many, many fine art galleries, some very good.

A favorite small gallery in Bath. Photo by me

A weaving shop. When I passed it later on, there was actually someone working in this room! Photo by me

I must admit, I didn’t buy a thing, although it was tempting.

A side street filled with small shops and tea rooms. Photo by me.

The pound to the dollar made it prohibitive, but it was still a joy to look.

The Salcombe Trading Company. Photo by me

And at the end of my stay they were rapidly putting up the little wooden huts for the upcoming Christmas Market from November 22nd to December 9th.

From the Bath website.

The Christmas Market is set up right between the Roman Baths, and The Abbey. From the Bath Christmas Market website.

‘Tis the season…to shop.

Bathed in Light

14 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bath, England, Shopping

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Last night was the lighting of the holiday lights in Bath.  Everyone was out, walking and gazing.  There are no cars on these streets…just people and shops and now lights!

Let the holidays begin! All photos by me.

Harrods and The Portobello Market

10 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by in London, Shopping

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I visited two famous retail locations in London today, and it was a study in contrasts.

First was Harrods, all decked out for the Christmas season.

Harrods on a busy Saturday — the Christmas season has begun in London. Photo by me.

The windows were lovely  — the theme was Disney Princesses.  Here are just a few.

Snow White is quite the stunner. Photo by me

The small female viewers were especially over the moon with the display, and I didn’t mind it either.  It did remind me of going to see the fabulous windows at Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue every Christmas in New York with my sister.

Harrods window displays were full of Disney color. Photo by me

Cinderella post pumpkin. Photo by me

Pocahontas. Photo by me

Aladdin’s flying princess. Photo by me

My personal favorite window, Sleeping Beauty. Look at the small fairy in the lower right side. Photo by me

And then there is inside Harrods.  The food court is still the major attraction, but there is lots to see throughout the store.

Sweets and chocolates, just past the caviar bar at Harrods’ Food Court. Photo by me

And this photo is especially for My Beloved Brit, who still misses the butchers of his youth and good British meat.

The butchers are busy at Harrods. Photo by me

And then in the afternoon there was the Portobello Market in Notting Hill.  If you’ve ever seen the Hugh Grant movie, you’re familiar with the London neighborhood, but I wasn’t expecting quite the massive crowds I saw.

The Portobello Road market website’s directions say to go to Notting Hill Gate Underground stop, and follow the crowds. they weren’t exaggerating. Photo by me

The crowds were massive, even though the weather was dreary. It’s England. Weather doesn’t matter. Photo by me

Lots of colorful stalls. Photo by me

Some of the shop windows were pretty interesting, also. Photo by me

A beautiful stall of not inexpensive leather items. Photo by me

A bit of fruit? It went on for blocks. Photo by me

The whole day was rather like falling down a rabbit hole–curiouser and curiouser. I love London.  Every day is an adventure.

Alice’s has lots of teacups for sale, just in case you have a mad hatter at home. Photo by me.

Perhaps I should have picked up some tea at Harrods for a tea party.

Enough tea for a party. Photo by me

 

 

 

 

Jubilee Windows

01 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in England, Shopping, The Royal Family, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Wherever we went in England and Scotland this past week, we saw store front windows celebrating the Diamond Jubilee, and announcements everywhere of festivities and local events in honor of the event.  There is a great sense of celebration everywhere, from the smallest village to London’s high street. You really can feel it building, and the sense of national pride and just plain fun is in every corner of the country. This weekend should be a kick!

Happy Diamond Jubilee Your Majesty. Photo by me.

I have thought more than once what a great sense of community the monarchy brings, and whenever I hear people wonder why the British keep it, this makes it perfectly obvious. At the moment it is at the height of popularity and seems to pull the entire country together.

Loved this one in Oxford, but Prince Philip does look a bit like a head waiter. photo by me

The deep awareness of history and common past has never shown its strength in a more obvious way. Most Brits have never known a different monarch in their lifetime when you consider this celebrates Elizabeth’s 60th year. So though we Americans may go through many heads of state in our lifetime, the monarchy gives the British people a great sense of continuity and national pride.

Windows for the celebration. Hard to see, but Will and Kate are on the left. The celebration is focusing on the accession. Photo by me.

There are all sorts of street parties and local celebrations planned, from pony rides to special fairs, and just about everyone seems to be getting in to the spirit.  Of course a four day holiday weekend does help bring joy to the nation.

Even the bakeries are getting in to the spirit. Photo by me.

It’s been great fun to be around for it, and I head in to London on today to join in the main festivities.