I have been lucky enough to visit London twice with in the space of 3 days and I am so content. I couldn't think of any better way to spend my days off - infact, I wish to do this even more so.
On Friday I met up with one of my (with the risk of sounding 80 years of age) dearest friends whom I cherish and adore very much, we only had a few hours together and decided to meet at Oxford Circus. We have both agreed that we want to spend a full day together in a part of London we want to explore, but this is going to be saved for next month - funds pending. We are very familiar with Oxford Street and its surrounding streets and landmarks, but very bizarrely I have never been to Carnaby Street - so, it was an easy decision to make, considering its closeness. As glorious and magical as Oxford Street is, I've traipsed up and down that street too many times for it to still provide me with childlike excitement. On the way to Carnaby there was a gravitational pull into the very beautiful '& Other stories'; we felt everything and vocally exclaimed love throughout our peruse of the tastefully minimalistic store and left feeling inspired and dizzy with infatuation from the idyllic aesthetics.
We wandered through Carnaby Street in London's drizzly, frizz-enducing tricklings of rain, popping into various shops with enticing aesthetics, and nattering away as we went. Hunger struck, and the need to sit down and verbally vomit at eachother came a'knockin - in order to discuss important, serious matters; boys, beauty products and varying nut milks. Of course, being the foodie that I am becoming, I had researched places to eat beforehand, so whacked out google maps which skillfully led us to kingly court - the home of our 'eats' for the day.
We had a fufilling lunch at Pizza Pilgrims, with its wonderfully nostalgic, classically italian interior and buzzing atmosphere, it really was a real catch to have stumbled upon. The Pizza was delicious, fresh, stonebaked to perfection and artfully filling; meaning I didn't feel like my food was sitting in my windpipe/feel like I had a loaf of bread perched in my stomach. And may I say very reasonably priced! I had a simple margarita (not my usual choice), it was the size of a dinner plate and only £6.50! #SAYWHA. For central London that is a whopper of a price, claps all round.
Of course we had to go somewhere else after this to get our sweet fix - you can't just do it all in one place when there is an abundance of choice around you. It would be criminal for people like myself and Mimi, who both share a deep, deep rooted love affair with 'Gails Bakery' (SO MUCH LOVE.) - to not seize these opportunities of sheer indulgence.
I stumbled across Jamie Oliver's channel on Youtube last year, and then I tripped and fell head over heels in love with CupcakeJemma on Youtube - an affiliate contributor to his channel. Meanwhile, I had been following/stalking/perving on/wishing I was a part of/lusting after/dribbling over a company I found on Instagram called 'Crumbs and Doilies' for a little while when the puzzle came together; CupcakeJemma is the co-owner of 'Crumbs and Doilies' - isn't it wonderful when two things you admire come together in baked matrimony? SO. After following them for so long I realised I could only get my mitts on one, or potentially 412 if self-control was lost, if I went to certain markets on certain days at certain times, which thus deterred me from doing so. THEN. The announcement of a shop opening made me feel rather elated.
... can you see where I'm going with this?
I MEAN. CAN WE. JUST. EVEN. I MEAN. HUH, HEH, EH, WHAT.
Like, I know this probably sounds ridiculous. But. I honestly have no words other than perfection. I have never seen a shop that looks so perfect and cute and perfect and pretty and quaint and beautiful. Honestly, its just - I have no superlatives. Everything I could have hoped for and more.
The selection process was torturous, it was only 1.45pm and the cupcake selection had already taken a light battering. I went for the Raspberry Bombe and a baby tiny Lemon Mess, and wish I could go back everyday to try the ever-changing, creative flavours they offer. As soon as I left I wanted to get home and bake. I always want to bake. I love it so much, and know it is something that will be an eternal infatuation of mine. I WILL be the grandma that bakes the nicest cakes.
I have been having thoughts really recently of how I would love to have my own deli/bakery. I genuinely think I really would. There is something so enchanting to me about a bakery, any bakery, I can't help but be drawn in, even if its just to look. Its an unexplainable adoration, that I have yet to discover the root of, but all I know, for now, is that it, like London, like fashion, will - to me - always be very close to my heart.
Exploration is inspiration.
