My Guide to Shopping, Eating and being fabulous in London

After living in London for quite a few years I discovered some amazing and fabulous places. This is not to say I don't enjoy popping to Primark and buying my snacks in Aldi because I do. But incase you do fancy a little bit of a fancy nancy girly time then here are some places I recommend you visit. First thing is first ladies... shopping.

HARRODS
Knightsbridge

Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge (follow signs to Harrods in station)
Best for: Everything! Harrods is a must visit. They have everything from an amazing foodhall to a fabulous shoe department. Harrods is also a great place to visit for high end make up like Estee Lauder, Tom Ford and they have a great Mac counter.

There are quite a few eateries. In particular, Laduree, on the ground floor. Think delightfully posh salads, french toast with syrup, beautiful cakes and an ice cold lemonade. It is lovely to sit outside there in the summer under the beautiful umbrellas having lunch and people watching. There is also a cute tea and cake place called 'The TeaRoom' on the 2nd floor (Try the Apple Crumble with custard for £7 it is pretty big and tastes amazing) Although be warned, the eateries are pretty expensive.

There is also the world famous Christmas department which opens every year in July. And don't forget to stop at the pet shop on the 3rd floor to have a cuddle with the cute puppies.



SELFRIDGES
Oxford Street

Nearest Tube: Bond Street (Leave station via main exit, turn left)
Best for: Again, an amazing store which you must visit. The make up hall is particularly good with all the brands in one room. You can also find a huge shoe department on the 2nd floor which caters for most budgets from Topshop shoes to Chanel and of course Louboutin, all on the same floor.

They also have a lovely restaurant/champagne bar called Hix situated above the handbag department which is perfect to sit, rest your feet, and marvel at at all the gorgeous brands.



LIBERTY'S OF LONDON
Regent Street

Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus (head south down Regent Street)
Best for: I really like the stationary department in Liberty's. They have some gorgeous own brand printed notebooks and diaries which make lovely gifts. It is one of those stores which is great to say you have been to but it is not a store I visit regularly as I much prefer Harrods or Selfridges as they are a lot bigger.

OXFORD CIRCUS
Oxford Street

Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus Best for: There are a lot of high street stores at Oxford Circus so it is a good idea to get off the tube there and walk down Oxford Street towards Selfridges. You will pass by: TOPSHOP - You must visit this store, it is amazing and huge. 3 floors of fabulous affordable fashion, bags, shoes (on lowest floor). There is also an EAT in there which do great coffees and it is nice to stop for a break while watching all the shoppers. If you want a little spruce up they have a hair blow dry bar which is fab if you are going out in the evening.
DEBENHAMS - I am a huge fan of Debenhams. They have a nice compact make up hall as you walk in and I often visit the home department in this store.
BHS - Again I love the home department here. It is on the second floor. There is also a bathroom in the cafe if you need to make a pit stop (see below for other bathroom pit stops)
HOUSE OF FRASER - OMG you must visit the shoe department in this store. It is full of fabulous high street brands all in one huge spacious room. I love Sam Edelman, Ash, Ugg's, Steve Madden all on the lowest floor. You can enter the shoe floor straight from street level by going down the escalator which is to the side of the main doors. They also have a good ladies department with brands like Biba. ZARA - There are a few Zara's on Oxford Street. You will pass by 2 on the way if you take this route. The one closest to Oxford Circus is just past H & M and it is really great.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH
Burlington Gardens, W1S
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus Best for: Ogling the hot men who stand at the door oh and the clothes of course. Some love it, some hate it but this is the flag ship store so if you love it, worth a look!

OLD BOND STREET
Old Bond Street, Mayfair
Nearest Tube: Green Park
Best for: Fabulous designer stores from Chanel to Joseph, Mulberry, Prada. A huge Louis Vuitton too, Amazing. Take a stroll down Old Bond street, start at the Picadilly end and keep walking. It is especially lovely at Christmas time.



SLOAN STREET
Knightsbridge Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge
Best for: All the top brand designer stand alone stores like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Roberto Cavalli. It is quite a good idea to walk from Harvey Nichols down Sloan Street you will pass by these shops and in 10 minutes be at Sloan Square which is right next to the Kings Road.

THE KING'S ROAD
Chelsea
Nearest Tube: Sloan Square
Best for: Like Made in Chelsea? This is where a lot of it is filmed. there are some great shops here starting with
PETER JONES - I love this shop. It is the only John Lewis left which is still called Peter Jones. Lots of floors with homeware, a compact make up department, Lovely Candle department. It is just a lovely store to visit. It looks beautiful at Xmas.
ZARA - The Zara is just off King's Road in Duke of York Square. It is a really good one. A nice size and very spacious. Not much of a men's department and medium sized kids.
TRILOGY - across from Zara. This is a great designer Jeans shop.
HEAL'S - I adore Heal's, it is a fabulous home ware store. It is a little further up the King's Road but worth visiting and has great gifts.
INDIA JANE - A great home decorating store with things like ornaments and throws to mirrors and tableware. Mostly traditional and semi modern.



SHOPPING CENTRES

WESTFIELD, Shepherds Bush
Nearest Tube: Shepherds Bush
Best for: A shopping marathon, everything in one place from Marks & Spencer's to Christian Dior. 

WESTFIELD, Stratford
Nearest Tube: Stratford
Best for: A good selection of shops from Kurt Geiger, Victoria's Secret and John Lewis. There is also a cinema and lots of eateries. Nothing too posh, all very casual.

BLUEWATER, Kent
Nearest Tube: Best to drive to. You can get the train to Greenhithe and then there is a bus to the centre. You might even bump in to the cast from Towie!

LAKESIDE OUTLETS, Dartford
Nearest Tube: Again best to drive here.
Best for: A whole host of huge shops from Ikea to Tk Maxx and lots of home furnishing stores. I love coming here for a whole day and getting lots of bargains.

COCKTAILS

MAYFAIR BAR
Mayfair hotel, Mayfair
Nearest Tube: Green Park Best For: Fabulous cocktails. This is an elegant bar with a long drinks list. A favourite of celebs. Dress to impress. Budget: £30 bottle of wine/£12+ cocktails

JAKS BAR
Walton Street, Chelsea
Nearest Tube: South Kensington
Best For: Relax in a Chelsea Girls local. Nice wine, cocktails and comfortable seating. Dress casual or to impress. Budget: £22 bottle of wine

SKETCH
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Best For: Cocktails in tea cups. A really fun bar. Also has a lovely restaurant and famous for its alien egg like toilets! Dress casual chic Budget: £7+ glass of wine



CASUAL/LUNCH DINING CHELSEA FARMERS MARKET
Sydney Street, Chelsea

Nearest Tube: Sloan Square
Best For: Light lunches, soup, burgers, salads. It is the location that I love about this place. Pop over to the Chelsea gardener and marvel at the beautiful plants or go next door and have a quick manicure.
Dress casual
Budget: £10+ pp

AUBAINE
Selfridges, Oxford Street
Nearest Tube: Bond Street
Best For: Brunch. Croissants and omelettes. Good resting point after morning at Selfridges. Dress Chic casual Budget: £15+ pp

MANICOMIO
Duke of York Square, Chelsea
Nearest Tube: Sloan Square
Best For: Breakfast or lunch. Great smoked salmon and eggs and lovely pancakes. Perfect to start the day and head off to the Kings Road shopping or pop to the Saatchi Gallery next door.
Dress chic casual
Budget: £15 pp

EVENING/FABULOUS DINING

DAPHNES
Draycott Avenue, Chelsea
Nearest Tube: South Kensington
Best For: lunching (easier to get a table) great dinner and great crowd. Lovely fish dishes, yummy fried zuchini and great location
Dress chic, to impress
Budget: £40+ pp



NOBU
Berkley Street, Mayfair
Nearest Tube: Green Park
Best For: Amazing sushi, wagu beef and cocktails. Don't fancy dinner? Just hop in to the bar.
Dress to impress
Budget: £50+ pp

I would love to hear if you have visited any of these places or do you have anywhere that you recommend?

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