KD Travels: Our Guide to London

London is one of my favorite cities to visit — I always look forward to trying new restaurants, enjoying afternoon tea, admiring the regency style homes, and of course, shopping the markets and vintage stores. Catherine and I just returned from a two week trip abroad, first stopping in Athens, Greece to meet with the family-run manufacturing company and talented designers who are producing new pieces for our vintage-inspired jewelry line, Laura Gray (I’m so excited to share more soon!). It was wonderful to meet the team in person — we toured their showroom in downtown Athens, tried on countless gorgeous handmade pieces, and customized a few one-of-a-kind necklaces with contemporary and vintage charms - I can’t wait to share them with you. Definitely put Athens at the top of your must-travel list — our complete guide will be on the blog soon!

Then it was on to London, where we sourced vintage stones for something fabulous in the works for Laura Gray, visited my favorite vendors to pick up some special pieces in time for the holidays, celebrated my first wedding anniversary with Jim, who was in town for work, and attended a retreat in the Cotswolds with a group of inspiring women business owners.

After a whirlwind adventure, I was happy to return home to Lola and Luna in Brooklyn and regroup for a few days before heading South for a pop-up at Poppy’s of Atlanta.

If you’re planning a trip to London and visit any of my favorite spots, please let me know! 

Where to stay

My favorite London hotel is by far The Kensington, which is located in South Kensington, one of the city's most charming neighborhoods. The Kensington is a luxurious but warm and welcoming hotel just moments from major attractions including The Royal Albert Hall, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington Gardens and Harrods.

The inviting terrace at The Kensington - perfect spot for enjoying a cocktail or a coffee.

The staff, service, and decor at The Kensignton is impeccable. After long afternoons of exploring and braving the blustery weather, I loved returning to the hotel’s cozy lounge to warm up in front of the fire with a cup of tea. 

The decor strikes the perfect balance of curated antique and modern finds.

The staff, service, and decor at The Kensignton is impeccable. After long afternoons of exploring and braving the blustery weather, I loved returning to the hotel’s cozy lounge to warm up in front of the fire with a cup of tea.

A highlight of our trip was indulging in the traditional British afternoon tea here — from the delicate blue and white china to the tower of finger sandwiches and tempting treats, this was a relaxing way to spend a chilly afternoon.

Don’t leave London without experiencing a proper British tea service.

Where to Shop for Vintage

There are so many excellent shopping opportunities in London that I could dedicate an entire post to the topic. As we were only in the city for a few days and had a packed agenda, we prioritized stopping by a few perennial favorites.

Loop Generation

Stop by Loop Generation for a beautifully curated selection of pre-loved designer fashion and accessories in the iconic Chelsea neighborhood. Catherine picked up a silver statement belt and we were tempted by the selection of designer purses, all in excellent condition.

Gorgeous clothing at Loop Generation in a rainbow of colors.

Accessories of Old

Visiting Accessories of Old is like stepping into Aladdin’s cave. Picture millions of pieces of original 1980s and 1990s, 18ct gold- plated, Swarovski-encrusted, UK-made jewelry that has been untouched for over 20 years. And the best part is that it’s all for sale! Accessories of Old is owned by Jon and Lisa Goldsmith and their business origin story is fascinating — read about it here.

Accessories of old has two locations in London — the Arch store is open to the public and stocks a wide range of our vintage jewelry and prices mainly range from £3-10. The larger trade warehouse, Parsons Green Depot, is open to both the public and trade (an appointment is required for trade to view the full collection). I picked up vintage crystals and stones for future Laura Gray pieces, some beautiful gold chains, and cabochons in a rainbow of colors.

 
Thriving in my natural habitat.

Sign of the Times

Sign of the Times opened its doors on Chelsea Green and was originally conceived to sell clothes belonging to celebrities. The store soon became a go-to for the fashion-forward elite, attracting celebrity clientele from near and far who sought to explore and shop a curated selection. I picked up a like-new cashmere sweater that was perfect to wear on my long flight home.

Must-See Markets

Portobello Road

This famous market (featured in 90s romcom Notting Hill) is best known for its overwhelming (in the best way!) selection of antiques and collectables, Portobello Road consists of several markets rolled into one – if you’re looking for antiques start at the Notting Hill end. Keep strolling if you want to grab a bite at the food stalls. If your shopping wish list includes vintage clothes, you’ll find them under the Westway and along the walkway to Ladbroke Grove.

Pro tip: The market gets incredibly crowded on Saturdays, which is also when you’ll find the biggest variety of vendors. Go early for the best selection. As at any crowded event, be aware of your surroundings — make sure your phone and wallet are secure so you can focus on the treasure hunt!

Mon-Wed 9am-6pm, Thu 9am-1pm, Fri 9am-7pm (antiques), Sat 9am-7pm (main day). More details here.

Fueled by cappuccino and ready for a day of sourcing!

Old Spitalfields Market

Open seven days a week, Old Spitalfields Market is one of east London’s busiest shopping hubs. Built in the 1800s, the structure was refurbished and rejuvenated in the early 2000s and is now one of the capital’s most unique shopping, eating and drinking destinations. Open seven days a week, Old Spitalfields Market is one of east London’s busiest shopping hubs. Built in the 1800s, the structure was refurbished and rejuvenated in the early 2000s and is now one of the capital’s most unique shopping, eating and drinking destinations.

When you’re ready for a break from treasure hunting, grab a bite at one of Old Spitalfields Market’s many restaurants and street food vendors. From burgers to soup dumplings to seafood buns, there’s something for everyone.

Car Boot Sales

If you’re a true treasure hunter, you’ve likely been to your fair share of estate sales, garage sales, and yard sales – but have you ever shopped out the trunk (aka the boot) of a classic car? I have to give Jim the credit for finding this unique shopping experience where we scored great vintage items like an orange vase with Greek key trim, chunky gold earrings from the 60s, and some fabulous cocktail rings.

At this particular sale, the Classic Car Boot Sale, sellers offer everything from second-hand clothing and jewelry to homeware and vinyl records out of the trunk of gorgeous vintage vehicles. We spent the morning browsing “the boots,” admiring the seller’s creative ensembles, and sampling snacks from the food stalls (that was mostly Jim).

Car boot sales happen throughout the city (or slightly outside it) throughout the year — this Time Out article lists some of the best and when they take place.


A fabulously dressed shopper at the Classic Boot Sale with her equally fabulous pup.

Where to Dine

There are more fantastic restaurants in London than there is time to try them, which makes an excellent reason to plan a return trip! A highlight was dinner at The Ivy Chelsea Garden. While we enjoyed burrata, sea bass, and rose, the interior design of this space is the real showstopper. Lush plants adorn every surface, oversized botanical prints grace the walls, and the stunning wallpaper in the women’s restroom transports you to a tropical island. (Catherine loved it so much she tracked down the manufacturer and ordered samples to frame for her house!)

Make sure to step outside into the property’s gorgeous outdoor garden — have a nightcap there if the weather is nice!

Every corner of The Ivy revealed an exposure of color and Art Deco accents, like this marble lady in the bathroom.


Jacuzzi

Jim and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary while we were in London and I was lucky enough to score a reservation at Jacuzzi in West London. With four floors of dining space filled with Italian treasures including Roman statues to Murano glass, I felt like I was back in Venice. 


I would have taken these gorgeous dishes home if I could have!

The chicest place to celebrate one year of marriage! (Not that you need an excuse to go!)

A few other favorite spots include Sketch (I went for tea last year), Brunswick House, and Arthur’s at Liberty (stop by for a cocktail after shopping at the famous department store).

Check out our travel guides to Paris, Lisbon and Porto, and Palm Beach too!