A Favorite London Shop

Continuing with the theme of shopping that I started in my last post, I thought I would share with you one of my favorite little shops in London. The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers is a flower design school located in quiet St. Martin's Courtyard, offering courses in flower design, but they also have a little shop just full of merchandise.

Of course, on any day, you can always find a beautiful selection of

fresh flowers no matter what time of the year,

but if you come on in the shop, you'll find a treasure box of delights.

Little gifts for all occasions,

beautiful Christmas ornaments this time of the year,

tiny evening bags for you and a friend,

royal frames,

golden bottles,

bowls in rainbow colors,

and candles,

candles,

and more candles in many styles and colors, even in tea cups.

Found these cute magnetic "pegs" (or clothespins as we Americans call them) the last time I was there, and just had to buy some for me and my friends.

Cashmere throws,

journals for keeping secrets,

and all sorts of "lovelies" so tempting, that I bet you can't walk out without buying at least one thing.

A couple of weeks ago, I had to chuckle at this new line of merchandise,

with options for either line of thinking

and equal opportunity to decide whose really in charge!

I'm steering clear of this debate.

Check out their little store and the beautiful design studio on the lower floor the next time you find yourself in the Covent Garden area.

London Sales for the Guys

The final days of the London sales are winding down, and Harrod's would want you to believe that "There is only one sale." After perusing Harrod's for awhile with the girls, the boys headed out for a little bargain shopping of their own in a different direction.

First, Ryan fell in love with a grey suit which he is taking home,

and Jason found a sports coat and a dress shirt at Zara for a steal.

Next ,they headed to Jermyn Street where the shops are aimed at the gentleman's market.

There you find many shirt-makers,

men's toiletry items,

shoemakers,

and hat shops. Don't these look like the hats the gentleman were wearing at Wimbledon? The boys didn't buy hats, but they did buy shirts.

One of their favorite shirt stores is T. M. Lewin.

Thomas Pink even has a white shirt bar with 21 different styles. We girls should be so lucky!

Precise measurements are essential.

They bought ties-pink, purple, blue and yellow.

Almost like a candy shop, the threads and buttons were yummy colors. All in all, the guys are going home with some great looks and some sharp looking purchases.

The one thing Jason was sad to leave behind was this McLaren parked right outside Harrod's door. Just because it has a base price of $500,000, reaches 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and tops out at 208 miles, he thinks it would be the perfect souvenir.