Travels: A Notting Hill kind of day

Notting Hill is just like the movie.

Set in West London.  Offbeat.  Colorful (characters).  A real neighborhood.  Market stalls.  Entertainment on every corner.  Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.  Charming mews.  An ecclectic combination of the past and  present.  Large Victorian townhomes, some divided into apartments (Like the one Hugh Grant had in Notting Hill, the movie).  And the Travel Bookstop.

I love to spend time in Notting Hill soaking it all in.

On my recent visit to London, like always, I  plan my Saturday morning around this fun adventure. The winding road through town, Portobello Road, fills to the brim with wanderers in search of of a treasure at this world-famous antique market. It is where I decided some years ago that I would start a collection of  antique magnifying glasses, mostly from the Victorian period or older.  I have 14 of them arranged on an antique pine table in my living room.  That is a lot of trips to London!  It is also where I purchased a lap desk with hand written music in the drawer.  Turns out that the owner was a music director of a church in the 1800's.  His pens and ink were still the desk.  And one of my favorite treasures from Portobello market, a set of opera glasses with a pearl handle.  I use them for every Broadway show that I see.  

Notting Hill is a place where the rich and famous, artsy and regular people live and work.  The food stalls on Saturday are nothing short of amazing with every smell (all good) imaginable and lots of pretty flowers to take home.  It is also a world class place to people watch.  Just like in the movie.  Like most of England, this is an area that has my heart and most Saturdays, I wake up thinking I wish I could take a stroll down Portobello Road.   I could always use another Victorian magnifying glass.                                     

Travels: This Week I'm in a London state of mind

I am not sure exactly when I fell in love with London.  But many years ago it became my city.   Again and again I return.  And when I leave, I always wish for more time.

My favorite visit here was with my late father for his 70th birthday.  We covered every inch of London and a lot out of the city during our two-week visit and being able to show it all to him was a memory that I cherish.  Standing on the white cliffs at Dover that he had seen from a naval ship when he was only 18.  Taking trains from tube stations that he had been in during the Blitz.  Seeing Winston Churchill's burial site.  And touring Buckingham Palace and my father saying, “I can’t believe they let us in!”

London  is a city that has my heart.

That is why having this entire week on my own, free to do anything I wish is such a gift.

Soon after arriving today I headed for the Thames Beachcombing Tour. London Walks bills it as 10,000 years of history beneath your feet.  For a history freak like myself, this is pure heaven.  A chance to peak into lives that were here so many years ago!!!  Sign me up.  So, I met up with Fiona, an inter-tidal archaeologist who is also a leading authority on the Thames shoreline.  It was worth braving today’s cold and rain take part in this fascinating tour with 10 other hearty participants.

The brochure says that you are guaranteed to find stuff, and find stuff we did.  Clay pipes, pieces of beautifully decorated bowls, Roman tiles that go back 1800 years, lots of metal remnants from a boatyard.  Just fascinating...

For the remainder of my first day in London, I did a quick run past Buckingham Palace.  The standard is flying, the queen is in. 

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Give Me Liberty! Or Give Me a Trip to Target for the Liberty of London Collection

When it comes to a really great experience on a chilly, rainy afternoon in London, it doesn't get any better than a trip to Liberty.  And now, all we have to do to get a good taste (and far less expensive) of the store is run (don't walk) to Target!

Target may not have the tea room and the aged hardwood floors of Liberty in London but it has a great collection: Liberty of London for Target that was just launched.  It is destined to be hugely popular, so don't wait too long!  When I was in Target at Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero today, the employees were stocking the shelves and customers were picking up everything as fast as it was displayed.

So, if you are looking for some spring inspiration, head to Target or check out a  sampling of prints and products that can be seen on Target's Web site. Some of my favorites: decorative items (don't miss this great lamp), storage items (great file boxes for just about anything that you need to store), comforters, sheets, pillows, clothing, scarves, sun dresses, flirty summer tops (great prices) and adorable children's clothing.  Who could resist these boots?  There is even a Liberty print bicycle.  And flip flops.  And the chairs.  You can make a purchase that will make you feel like spring for very little $$$.

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