Sunday 15 June 2014

June 2014 Potpourri Post Part 2

A trip to the Wallace Collection is a nice place to wander through while having a chat with a friend on a rainy London day.  
This museum gets forgotten among the heavyweights of the 
British Musuem and National Gallery 
but it is perfect for a little cultural injection.


It used to be a private home so is a perfect backdrop for many of the grand objets d'arts the collection houses.  It also is a popular venue for private and corporate parties.

They have something for everyone.
 Don't let the Game of thrones extra throw you.

They also happen to a sizable collection of the Sevres porcelain outside Versailles that was commissioned by Louis XV and 
his mistress madame de Pompadour.
I can't get over the still vibrant blue and
 the ever stylish design below.

But not only do they have precious items but the rooms themselves are a pleasure to pass through.
I think all the rooms with the silk walls are perfect.


But they are going to be undergoing a small refurbishment 
during the summer so please make sure you check if the room you are interested in will be open.




The blue oval room holds some items that were either taken or stolen somehow from Versailles.

I went to the tour at Versailles a few years ago and the guide there kept mentioning items that were at the Wallace so it made me look at things again in a fresh light.


People interested about the era of Marie Antoinette and the 
French revolution should definitely pay this place a visit.



They also have a nice internal courtyard to have either tea or lunch.
I had never seen it so crowded but as it was a rainy day everyone must have had the same idea as we did.

After lunch, we visited  VV Rouleaux.
It is the place to go in town for your haberdashery needs.
I felt like getting some ribbon for a future elusive project.
But they don't just sell ribbons...
They also sell hats and even hold hat making workshops.
I got my friend to try one on for me!
He manages to pull it off somehow.

We then went for an afternoon coffee and cake

 at the Monocle Cafe on Chiltern Street which
is opposite the Chiltern Firehouse.

That place is literally on fire and the hottest place in town at the moment.  It has a nice courtyard but otherwise no other feature other than a superb PR team.
But it is on a street that was considered a hidden gem to most until that place opened.  Chiltern Street was always cool.

But London is booming right now.
Met one of my dearest friends whom I have known for 
almost 20 years for dinner on a Tuesday night and we couldn't get a table last minute anywhere at a decent time. 
We were offered tables at 11 pm!? 
I remember when that sort of thing only happened in Spain.
But we finally got a table at Murano which is an Italian restaurant 
run by Angela Hartnett at 8 pm.
They had a great flexible menu but the dishes either went way above or below expectation. 
But very nice and considering all the intermediaries and extras makes it decent value for London.
Never met a wrist stack I didn't like and 
my friend's was no exception.


I also met up with ever entertaining in real life as well Curator and visited the Wedding Dress exhibition at the V&A.
We then chatted the afternoon away and 
replenished our Vitamin D in the V&A courtyard.

The V&A have the best trays with William Morris designs on them.
Speaking of designs.
She gave me an amazing personalized linen scarf that she embroidered herself.
I love it and thanks again Curator!

I know it looks like Millie is wearing a bikini but she is on heat and the dogsitter designed special underwear for her. 
Canine couture darlings.
In other news, the house is at a standstill but I did open the doors onto the balcony and hung out with Millie.

London summers don't involve pool parties
 but they do have lingering evenings.
This was the light at 930pm at night. 
I can't wait for the solstice!x

44 comments:

  1. Just gorgeous! Pammie xx

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  2. I love VV !!Luff that part of London too. That card is amazing. You are lucky x

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    1. I would move to Marylebone in a second! Curator's sewing is spot on and I felt very thankful xx

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  3. So interesting! I am always of two minds when visiting museums - so much has been stolen and it always bothers me. On other hand, know that some was protection. Love your scarf! Will Millie be getting spayed soon?

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    1. The irony is that the theft in most cases is the reason it survives isnt it? Yes apparently they get snipped three months after the first heat. Thanks - I love my scarf too :)

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  4. I have never heard of the Wallace Collection! If ever I get the chance to go to London again, I must visit, it looks fascinating. VV Rouleaux would be a dangerous place for me to visit: I am known to waste ridiculous amounts of time (and money) in haberdashery shops. There is a Monocle shop here in Toronto but I haven't had a chance to visit yet. Love your personalized scarf, very impressive work by Curator!!

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    1. It is perfectly located and next to Marylebone High Street so there is no excuse not to drop by and remember it is free too! I have a box of ribbon and I don't know what I intend to do with it. I am a ribbon hoarder from gifts etc...The monocle cafe is nice here and that cake is really delicious. Isnt the scarf impressive indeed?

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  5. Wow didn't know about this place!
    the blue oval room is stunning..
    Looks like a lovely day trip out

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    1. You must go for an afternoon or morning and have tea in the courtyard. It is very relaxing and gets you away from the pace of the rest of London Dawna!

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  6. The Chiltern Firehouse was so look at me, look at me, the night I was there, it seems to have been fitted with a homing device for every celeb in town.
    The Sevres is just beautiful, and VV Rouleaux was always one of my happy places, I always came out with ribbons or a feather which of course I did absolutely nothing with.

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    1. Even that guy at the courtyard entrance had attitude. It just makes me laugh now. I do wonder if that place will be over by end of August bc that courtyard won't be very popular in the winter! I hear you with coming out with stuff that ends up in a box that I can't seem to throw away...

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  7. The Wallace Collection is awesomeness!
    So was the V&A wedding dress expo.
    Got enough vit D for a whole month, and a negative of sunglasses on my boat race to prove it.

    Glad you like the embroidery N, there'll be hand-job subversive stitches, free speech, and motherfuckinbadassedshiiiiit coming soon at www.si.je

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    1. Yes I need to go on a proper Wallace tour and hear tidbits. It was so funny bc on the tour in Versailles - the guide there was obviously hung up about the Wallace!! I can't wait for your subversiveness Curator! :))

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  8. Love the scarf - can't believe Curator embroidered that by hand, it looks so perfect (and definitely not like my wonky hand embroidery at all!!). I think I went to the Wallace back in my Inchbald days - your photos have dredged up some memories of it for me.
    VV R is one of my favourite haunts. I bought ribbon for my E's hair in there last time I was in London (after I found where it had moved to in Sloane Square as they'd changed locations since the last time I was in).

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    1. You are just as handy going by the pics - love your handiwork too Heidi! Next time you go to the Wallace you can just walk through without having to think of homework ;) They closed the one at Sloane Sq and have an amazing store in Marylebone that has your name written all over it xx

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  9. I shall have to remember the Wallace Collection next time I visit London. The Sèvres porcelain in those gorgeous vibrant colours would be worth seeing and the way each room setting is decorated differently appeals to me too. By the way, I enjoyed your post on the Wedding Dress exhibition. I had been planning to go there this week but have had to change my plans so seeing them on your blog eased my disappointment !! I shall hopefully get down there next month.

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    1. Please keep in mind the refurbishment and also I think they do daily half hour tours of highlights which I did once with my mother and you learn a lot. You just have to go and see the exhibition at the V&A miss b!! You have plenty of time bc it is there til March 2015 :)

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  10. Hello Naomi,

    What a delicious pot pourri you offer to us here.

    The Wallace Collection is such a treasure house. This and the Soane Museum are two of our absolute London favourites. Good for them but rather sadly for us, we feel, they are getting better known and so are more crowded with visitors. This can be quite tricky in the smaller spaces and we rather liked having them to ourselves.

    We are completely out of touch these days with eating out in London. Value for money seems so poor, especially when compared with Budapest and one can never rely on the weather there for eating outside which is so nice to do in summer.

    Your friend looks divine in the fascinator/hat.......what a fun companion!

    And, what a beautifully embroidered gift. So special and thoughtful. Lovely!

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    1. I know what you mean about the Wallace - it used to be empty and was like an oasis but the cafe was chock a clock. The problem is that due to rents the places have no choice but to have certain prices. It is terrible and a lot of great business can't survive the first few months which is so crucial in a busines...I think Budapest has spoiled you indeed!! Isn't my friend looking so darn chic in that hat too? I might take up embroidery now myself if Curator holds classes...

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  11. One of the great things that the Wallace has is their reproductions of the Sevres plates in tin. They're brilliant and the patterns are reproduced exactly. It's not until you actually pick them up that you realize they're tin. I have about a dozen of them and they're fabulous for picnics. See them here.

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    1. Yes I saw them and they were beautiful! Pity there arent more picnic weather days. I have two that have served me faithfully!

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  12. Gosh aren't those silk walls incredible, the colors are stunning. Funny how old art looks amazing with colorful walls but contemporary art need just the white walls. Your friend can totally pull off that feathery topper! Good cheekbones

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    1. I can't imagine what they can do to improve it. Funny my friend is a Kiwi too!

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  13. Wow, the Wallace Collection looks amazing.

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    1. Centrally located, perfect size, and eclectic collection - right up your alley!

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  14. I discovered the Wallace collection recently and absolutely loved it. I loved the building too, and the art on display. A great place!

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    1. Isn't it just fabulous? Plus the venue is a great place for a special occasion or party too!

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  15. That caaaaake!
    The wallpaper is noice too!

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    1. Very noice indeed... That cake was made in the japanese bakery style so very light and you would have loved it - next time Cilla!

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  16. I've never heard of this place but like you say these types of places get lost in all the hype about the other more popular venues.

    You're not the first person to tell me about the increasing buzz of London, I wonder what is responsible - an improving economy?

    You are good to go out when it's rainy and dull, I tend to hibernate.

    You do have some good looking friends xx

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    1. London is half the time pure hype and then you get there and you wonder who the PR is...

      I suppose it is the feel good factor or people just got tired of feeling the recession and just want to get out there? But it is annoying at the same time bc it just creates stress and London is a stressful city where socializing takes an effort so not very conducive if you ask me. I am such a homebody that I could easily just sit at home. But thinking about it I do have some lookers so it 's a good thing I ain't jealous!! xx

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  17. Dear Naomi
    Recently I have had a nagging worry that I better comment on one of your posts before you up and take an extended sabbatical, or flat out just chuck the whole business. Of course, the only thing that comes to mind is the photo of your darling Millie in doggie diapers. Our two standard poodles, mother and daughter, wear them once or twice a year, the better to fend off the advances of any hound dog come hounding around. Now, having written that, the other thing that comes to mind is your friend and her stacked bracelets. It is a look that I’ve always wanted to pull off, even tried it a couple of times, just not man enough to pull it off. Enjoy the sunshine. Honestly, is there a better season than summer?

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    1. Hi there, thanks for your kind note - you must have a sixth sense but i decided i am plogging on. I am on blogging lite at the moment just to keep in touch otherwise you are right i might renounce my stake in this interweb!

      I didn't think it was also like a form of a chastity belt!? Our dogsitter put it on her so I just left it bc she looks cute in anything :) I also wish I could pull off the wrist stack but I fear I have the wrist version of cankles so am refraining! And yes summer is nice here in London too - all three days...

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    2. First, sorry, I don’t believe the whole wrist cankles thing, just don’t. Then, next, didn’t Hemingway write about living your whole life in 68 hours? That covers your three days of London summer with four to spare. Enjoy!

      Peace and Love…

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  18. I discovered the Wallace Collection on my last visit to London. Absolutely loved it! I particularly enjoyed a solo brunch at the cafe a couple of times as found the food consistently good (though certainly not cheap). Remembering these places really makes me miss London. Feels like a longggg time since I was last there though it was only 2 years ago. The plane ride is such a killer from Oz. I just did 10 hours return to Hawaii and that was bad enough! Hopefully our next trip involves Europe as I miss the history and culture so much. However I never find my Europe trips relaxing as I'm always trying to fit too much in! I'm so glad you make the effort to get out and explore for the enjoyment of us armchair travellers on your blog :)

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    1. The Wallace is a nice change to a gargantuan collection isn't it? Plus how lovely are all those rooms?? Yes those rides are a bit rough and testing patience and resolve....but Hawaii at 10 hours seems like a drive to the shops :) but I do hope you visit soon and I try to make the most of this city while I can!

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  19. I somehow missed this post which is full of good stuff! Millie is looking very sweet poor thing. Your outings have been excellent, all things I would have enjoyed immensely.
    Those nights with the extended night.. so magical and holiday-ish. Wish I was coming to London so we could meet up but maybe next year, we're sticking to the north this time around. If you're planning a trip to the Lake District in July let me know.xox

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    1. You must be packing but her keeping space for some Scottish cashmere?? I hope to be in the uk when you are bc it would be a great excuse to go up to the lakes for tea! Xx

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  20. What a fun romp through London Naomi! I agree, those blue shades are simply stunning. The culture in London is incredible and I love getting a glimpse. I have a thing for ribbons myself and always must have a nice assortment on hand, especially for wrapping up packages from my boutique. Hope your summer is going well so far. I'm finally on summer break and loving it! Cute pup by the way.
    xx, Heather

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    1. It's funny how that blue is so special and still so powerful. I can't imagine anything but an amazing summer in Cali Heather! xx

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  21. Love the wrist stack and the ring; the William Morris trays and your personalised scarf, and oh so many other things, including dear Millie not objecting at all to her doggie diaper.

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    1. Millie is so patient and almost over it. But she has turned anti-social with other dogs so that is a bit worrying!

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Thank you for dropping by!