My London mini break


A few days off-island and I've taken the train to London for a couple of nights to stay with a friend. The main event of the trip was a dental appointment on Friday, but when Ann suggested I come to visit her in Borough there was no good reason why not. I'm looking rather pleased with myself after not only successfully navigating the underground, but also having come away for almost a week with only this tiny suitcase. No shopping sprees planned therefore no holdalls or bags within a bag this time.


This is the view from the guest bedroom - what a wonderful profusion of green. Ann had told me there was a fox that visited sometimes, but I didn't realise it would be bold enough to snooze on her shed roof!


There was a fox cub too which is a bit more inquisitive, coming all the way up to the patio doors to peer in from time to time. Sod's law meant that I never had my camera to hand to capture that though.


A fifteen minute walk from Ann's home is the Fashion and Textile Museum, currently the venue for the Orla Kiely "A Life in Pattern" exhibition - what a treat for me! 



It's funny that you only have to see things once to know that you really, really need them.




What an absolute joy it was to see the master of pattern play at work like this. 



I'm not sure if it were the clothes or the handbags which were the most exciting aspect of the show. Although I do know that the handbags caused me to have the most longing. I didn't count them, but as you can see they spanned every colour of the rainbow. A genuine Orla Kiely handbag is now on my bucket/wish list.





After much deliberation, I decided that this was my number one handbag. If you come across this on eBay, do please let me know. I've already done a search there of the 129 OK bags on offer and nothing sparks joy as this one does. I'm not going to settle just for the sake of it, but will be keeping an eye out too on the Orla Kiely website to see if a new style appears that makes my heart do somersaults as this bag does.


These oversized frocks were the masterstroke of the whole show, suspended in huge space, halfway through the exhibition for maximum impact. The scale of them is difficult to comprehend until you see them like this...



I'm not really sure if my pattern play comes up to scratch in this environment. Getting dressed that morning I was happy with my outfit, but compared to all of this, I'm dwarfed by the competition and quite rightly so. Anyhow, just for the record I'm wearing an H&M jacket, trousers from TK Maxx by Carolina Bell, shoes from TK Maxx by Head Over Heels, cardi by Atmosphere, handbag by Superbia and necklace was a gift from Sasha.


The exhibition runs until the 23rd September and if you can get to it then I'd say "Do!" For details of opening times and prices see the Fashion and Textile Museum website here.

Ann and I did a bit more gadding about in London together which I'll share with you on Wednesday. In the meantime, I can report that I'm home again and that I've survived the trial of another tooth extraction with only a bit of facial swelling to show for it. The year of the teeth continues apace! 

Anna x

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24 comments

  1. Oh I feel for you; I do think that teeth were only designed to last max 50 years and that after 50 the problems come out. Sad but I think true.
    That exhibition was SO for you!
    The snoozing Fox was cute. I do think they will become the next generation's domestic pets, they certainly express a curiosity and an interest to join our households.
    Hugs, x

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    1. I must admit I have to agree with you about the lifespan of our teeth. I'm investing heavily in mine, in the hope that I'll still be able to chew my own food well into my 80's!
      And yes, the exhibition was right up my street and if I could, I would visit it again.
      We don't have foxes on the islands, so it was quite a suprise to see this one so close by.

      Cheers,
      Anna x

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  2. Gah! I would have loved to attend this exhibit with you. Stunning!

    Can't believe you caught that fox napping on the roof. They aren't relaxed like that here. They are very rare to spot.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Yes, I'm sure you would have loved it too Suzanne. I had to hold myself back from snatching up a handbag to have a quick sashay around with it.
      I was pretty amazed at the fox too, but seemingly they roam freely in London more than we realise.

      Have a good week!
      Anna x

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  3. A fox! I have never seen one! How amazing.

    Thank you for the details on the exhibit - I love all these patterns, and I think you did an excellent job on your own pattern-mixing. I want one of those bags too, but I want one of the dresses more! I've never seen or heard of this designer before, so thanks for the intro, Anna! I hope your dental work went well! Did you get my vibes??

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    1. Firstly, thanks for your vibes, and yes it all went really well. A necessary evil, but hopefully worth it in the long run.
      Orla's name is well known for these iconic patterns which can be found throughout the home as well as in fashion. I'm a bit late to this particular party and really feel the need to buy a handbag to right this lack. The frocks are all so pretty too though ...

      Have a fab week!
      Anna x

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  4. Your trip to London was clearly a hit even if it didn't include any shopping. I'm hoping that the dental visit wasn't too traumatic and that you weren't in a lot of pain during this trip.
    The Orla Kiely prints have a unique bold and friendly character. They remind me very much of some of the patterns common in the 60's. The bright and happy colors have a positive retro vibe and definitely fit your styling vibe.

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    1. London was great Jude, and even the dental treatment wasn't too, too bad. Everything you say about the prints is true, especially that the happy colours and retro vibe would fit in so well with my style. I'm working on how to make that happen ...

      Wishing you a lovely week!
      Anna x

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  5. I admire your ability to travel light, and you've got every reason to look pleased with yourself. I'm off to the UK next week and I'm having packing stress, and chances are I'm going to take much more than I will actually need. Love the view from the guest window, not least because of the fox snoozing on the shed roof. And oh, that Orla Kiely exhibition has me drooling! xxx

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    1. Travelling light is relatively new to me, so all I can say is this - lay everything out on the bed, then choose half to pack!
      The fox looked much more cute and cuddly than he probably is.
      And yes, will you be near enough for a dash to London to see the exhibition?

      Have a great trip!
      Anna x

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  6. That fox! How fun to see that and to see the famed english gardens. I love seeing that! And those handbags! I'm with you about wanting them. I've gone back several times to look slowly at those pictures. What a fun trip and thank you for taking us along! xx Julia

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    1. I know, that fox! Isn't it extraordinary?
      These handbags were beautifully made and honestly had me drooling. I do hope to get back to see them all again before the show finishes, and maybe by then I'll have found a gem of my own. So glad you enjoyed the post!
      Anna x

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  7. Oh you do look glamorous in your floral pants and silver jacket - lovely! The exhibition looks very, very interesting and the handbags are truly amazing. I have nothing by Orla Kiely except a perfume, which is very nice and true to form I bought it in a charity shop in West Hampstead still in it's original wrapping for 15.00.

    The fox is very bold but urban foxes seem to have little fear...

    Look forward to part 2 of your London adventures.
    xxxx

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    1. I suppose you're near enough to visit this exhibition if the fancy takes you Vronni. I'd love to take a longer look at all of those handbags as each one is a true work of art (big sigh).
      Part two is up and I hope you enjoy it.

      Have a fab weekend!
      Anna x

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  8. I have a small rather muted Orla Kiely handbag in peach... I love it. She has a unique style..love the peek you gave us of the exhibition x

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    1. Your bag sounds very cute! If you get across to London you really ought to try to see the show - it's amazing.

      Have a super weekend!
      Anna x

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  9. How brazen of that fox! I'd love to have seen that. We did have one visit us and collect food that I'd put out for the birds, that too w2was very brazen and came up to the door as if to taunt us! Love the patterns, I bet you were in your element! Let's try and meet up next time you're over! Jacqui Mummabstylish

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    1. I think city foxes are brave just because it's the only way to survive I suppose. The exhibition was wonderful and yes, I was in pattern heaven. The trip was both last minute and swift, hence I didn't contact any of my blogging friends, but I promise I will next time!

      Anna x

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  10. Foxes are totally tame around our way, unfortunately as we have chickens. At this time of year we see a more out and about then any other time. An expert would probably know why. Glad you enjoyed your trip to the mainland. Have a good weekend and enjoy your sale.

    https://wwww.muttonstyle.com

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    1. It was such a surprise to see one up so close, but I hadn't even thought about the chickens thing.
      The trip was a great, if somewhat brief, trip and does always leave me wishing I had time to do more.

      Anna x

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  11. Oh poor you re the teeth! Tooth issues are the absolute worst!
    That exhibition looks aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing! What a fantastic thing to go and see. I'd like an OK handbag also! They are so nice!xx

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    1. You really ought to go to see the exhibition if you can Kezzie, it is really wonderful. And oh, those bags!

      Anna x

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