London Like A Local In 24 Hours

July 1, 2019

Our recent buying trip took us to London for the weekend. Come experience this incredible city as we did, with only 36hrs and so much to do!

London is a city like no other. For us it's a city that hums with excitement and an abundance of charm. From it's rich architectural history, quaint market streets and of course endless fashion options, there is something for everyone. Read on to discover our Morning to Midnight guide to London in a weekend.

Where To Stay

Of course there are endless options to suit every budget but we couldn't resist staying at Kettner's London. Ideally positioned for our meetings, Kettner's is a centrally located boutique hotel in the heart of Soho and is part of the Soho House Group. The entire hotel is utterly charming, cosy and cool, and the service was warm and exceptional.

Breakfast

Coffee please! Don't worry - the days of bad London Coffee are over, thanks to the abundance of Aussie expats determined to bring Australia's coffee culture (and quality) to the big city. Either indulge in Kettner's delicious (and reasonably priced), wholesome breakfast & excellent coffee, or head to Farm Girl in Soho. Not only great coffee, but excellent fresh farm-to-table produce translated into dishes like avo on toast, smoothie bowels and salads.

Morning Activities

Outside pre-scheduled business meetings the priority was visiting as many leading boutiques as possible! Having not been to London in many years, it was inspiring to see the level of retail presented in London, and to know our brands and edit are absolutely world-class! Staying quite central we visited all the major shopping meccas including Dover Street Market, Harvey Nichols, Alex Eagle Studio, The Shop at Bluebird, Harrods, Liberty, Joseph and Selfridges, as well as Bond Street with the beautiful new Casa Loewe store. A highlight from the day included an afternoon piercing from the amazing Maria Tash at Liberty! If you're game, watch the full experience here (Peter, Ilana's incredible piercer, was amazing - the care, the skill and the attention to detail all made for a pain-free, stress-free experience and an exquisite new earring!).

Lunch

We were lucky and got some of London's brilliant sunshine-y days. A pit-stop to refuel and get a cold drink was essential, and Daylesford in Marylebone delivered just what was needed. Organic, filling and fresh, Daylesford brings the goodness of the English countryside to your plate with functional botanical infusions and amazing cold press nut blends (think cold brew coffee with fresh nut milks, vanilla, dates and salt, yum!)

Afternoon Delight

From Marylebone take a stroll through the famous Hyde Park. Take your time and make your way over to the West side of the park until you reach Kensington Palace. Once home to Prince Harry and Megan Markle, its beauty is magnificent. Wish you could see the inside? Make your way next door to The Orangery and you'll get a taste in the dining room set in a garden pavilion originally build for Queen Anne in 1704. Here you'll be able to have the quintessential English experience and enjoy an elaborate selection of teas and cakes for Afternoon Tea. Let us know what you think as we could not fit it in this time!

From here, Portobello Road in Notting Hill is a stone's throw away. If it's a Saturday you'll be greeted with the hustle and bustle of vintage street markets, all whilst taking in the beautiful multi-coloured houses which line the famous street.

Dinner

We met friends at well-known Soho spot Bocca di Lupo, an Italian trattoria serving yummy pasta and Italian share plates. Other spots on our list include any of Ottolenghi's restaurants, Annabel's and Sketch (see below).

When it's Dark

A day in London wouldn't be complete without catching a West End musical. With so many incredible shows to choose from, we couldn't pass up the chance to see the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton!

Afterwards, still buzzing from the show, catch a late night cocktail at Sketch (quite possibly the most beautiful restaurant/ bar in town, full of the perfect shade of pink and an Insta-worthy marble patterned floor!)

Our magical 36hrs in London did not disappoint! Feel free to contact us for specific tips on the cities we frequently visit, and if you find it hard packing well for a week away, view and

A brand created with the vision of producing perfectly tailored and exquisitely crafted blazers and jackets, Blazé Milano has quickly become a go-to in our year round wardrobes. With a focus on long-wearing staples, we were soon drawn to the label’s collection of classic styles that will be timeless for years to come. Discover the Missy Everynight blazer for a relaxed option that is crafted in a chic weaved fabrication with the brand’s signature gold-tone buttons. Perfect for every occasion, this is a style to invest in now and wear forever.

Looking ahead to the new season, if there is one style from Blazé Milano that you invest in, make it a chic bolero style jacket. Crafted in soft pinks, bridal whites and classic black, these chic outerwear pieces will instantly elevate your look and will be ideal for the trans-seasonal weather we have to look forward to as soon as the warm summer recedes. Paired with simple denim and an of-the-moment loafer, this look will be our go-to for Autumn office days and long weekend getaways.

Crafted in earthy rust and soft mint, Blazé Milano’s collection of sumptuous knitwear styles will also be high on our wish list for the new season. As with the rest of this Italian brand’s collection, these perfect lightweight polo style knit pieces will be timeless additions to your closet. Tucked into a mini skirt with knee-high boots or thrown nonchalantly over the shoulders, we’ll be investing in these sweaters and pulling them out of our wardrobes season-upon-season.

Expertly tailored with the same perfect precision as their blazers, Blazé’s denim styles have quickly become a staff favourite at Grace. Developed in the ultimate classic denim wash, discover high-waisted jeans detailed with the brand’s signature emblem and the ultimate denim shacket that had us drooling in the showroom.

There’s no denying that Blazé Milano’s SS24 collection has been designed and crafted to stand the test of time. From their staple blazers to soft as silk knitwear and vintage appeal denim, this collection will be taking you from the office to the weekend and every occasion in between. We’re thrilled to bring the Spring Summer 24 collections to you - we’re sure you’re going to love it just as much as we did in that beautiful Parisian apartment during Paris Fashion Week.