Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Postcard from London - Chelsea

The Bluebird Restaurant in Chelsea is one of the places I would not want to miss when in London, however short the visit... every lunch I have ever had there has always been a great and happy event. It carries all the trademarks of a Terence Conran restaurant ~ modern and stylish decor, comfortable seating and wonderful food.







 


The Bluebird is located at the top of Chelsea's King's Road just before 'The World's End', which was originally build as a private road for King Charles II, and remained reserved for royal use until 1830. In the swinging sixties the King's Road came to fame as the hippest place to be, and in the seventies it took centre stage at the birth of punk. Cafés, antique shops, independent boutiques and some high street shops line the two mile stretch between Sloane Square and the border of Fulham.

One of the shops next to the Bluebird is the Leggera Nell'Aria, where a pretty green and white tunic caught my eye as I walked past.


The tunics are made from featherlight cotton, which make them a perfect cover up for the beach or pool side


This is the one that came home with me, love the little pearl detail on the hem



more of Leggera Nell'Aria..



Across the road, you find Rococo Chocolates, which is another old favorite. Their chocolates and truffles are a delight, and because of the pretty packaging, they make wonderful gifts too.




Further down on the King's Road, tucked away in a side street, you'll find Manolo Blahnik's first shoe boutique and only flagship store, almost hidden behind an unassuming storefront. Inside, the shop is cosy and intimate.. it is furnished like an apartment, with comfortable sofas and armchairs, soft colored walls and a fireplace.





Other great spots on the King's Road:
(in geographical order, from East to West, starting at Sloane's Square)
Emma Hope (shoes), 53 Sloane Square 
Café Colbert, 50-52 Sloane Square
 
Cath Kidston, 27 King's Road
Duke of York Square (Shops, restaurants and the Saatchi Gallery), just off the King's Road
Blue Velvet (shoes): 174 King's Rd, where I bought a pair of incredibly comfortable ballet flats: Sport ballerinas  'Natural snake print with taupe rim', Code No. RB22)
Green and Stone (artist's material), 259 King's Road, www.greenandstone.com



Designers Guild, 267-277 King's Road
Vivienne Westwood (birthplace of punk), World's End, 430 King's Road
     
Last weekend at the beach, wearing my new Leggera Nell'Aria top with linen trousers, an Isthme pendant and a chaine d'ancre printed enamel bracelet




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33 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2014 at 3:36 AM

    Well, once again you have added another delight to my day!
    Thank you. Linda C.

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:34 PM

      So nice of you to say, thank you dear Linda!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2014 at 6:46 AM

    Beautiful! You look glorious in the tunic dressed up and down. I like your hair shorter around your face. Has la rentreé happened yet?
    Warmly,
    Tanja

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:35 PM

      Many thanks, my dear Tanja. Happy you like the new tunic in both looks! La rentrée happened last week Monday, France is officially back at work!

      Delete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2014 at 7:50 AM

    Oh Mai Tai how are wonderful your pucture of all I like so much and I miss the Bluebird and 1st time I went to London I visted Manolo Blanick but it was about 30 years ago and I found them so high heels, so expensive with the change and like a dream.... Your blouse is really nice and I did not know this address so thanks for the tip. You look superb at beach with it.
    And of course also with the scarf H kept by the big ring as a belt.
    Amities
    Monica

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:37 PM

      Oh so excited that we share yet another favourite, chère Monica! Hope you’ll get to visit the Bluebird again one day soon. So nice to here about your first visit to MB all these years ago... I am sure I would have felt the same way! Amitiés

      Delete
  4. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    Dear Mai Tai,

    Beautiful pictures as usual.. This restaurant is super.
    By the way, do you know where I could find levely Liberty of London blouse in France? I Love them.
    Amitiés,
    Anne Marie

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:39 PM

      Happy you like the pictures and restaurant, chère Anne Marie! I haven't seen Liberty blouses in France, but you can buy them through Liberty’s online boutique (they also ship to France): http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/dept/liberty-print_womenswear Bonne chance!

      Delete
  5. The enchanted homeSeptember 4, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    What a fun post....love the travel posts and your pictures make me feel like i am right there:) London is so beautiful! You look chic as ever.....

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:39 PM

      Thank you for coming along, so happy you enjoyed it!

      Delete
  6. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2014 at 3:24 PM

    I love that new tunic; I want that new tunic. They're so wonderful for hot summer days, and I love that little bead trim on yours, as well as the fresh blue and white print.

    But what I really want to know is: Who ordered that huge, scrumptious looking cheeseburger at the Bluebird? Something tells me that it wasn't you!

    Thank God you didn't show us pictures of the truffles . . .

    Ciao bella,
    Jerrine

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:40 PM

      So true re the tunics, there is nothing more comfortable than featherlight cotton on sweltering days… You made me laugh re the burger, and you are spot on of course… it was DS’s. Apparently it was excellent!

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  7. Faux FuchsiaSeptember 4, 2014 at 5:44 PM

    Miss London! You look lovely as usual x

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:40 PM

      Still remember the lovely pictures from when you went last! Hope you can do it soon again x

      Delete
  8. ilsaSeptember 4, 2014 at 7:28 PM

    Dear Mai Tai,

    You are a sight for sore eyes!!!

    How do you manage to look so poised, chic,and elegant even on the beach.., ... as I have told you many times before.. You are gifted!!!

    Thanks for sharing this lovely strolll around Chelsea... so many memories

    Today we went to our H store in the magnificent Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona.. just to "take a glance"... but as it's especial day ( minor celebration) I has come home with not one, but too new scarves...Zebra Pegasus in Vieux rose/noir/gris bleute.. this design it's amazing isn't it.. and Voyage en Etoffes in Rouge Brique/Bleu/Beige... my DH it's really spoiling me!!!

    So if you are so kind, and have some time and feel like playing, your suggestions will be more tan welcome!!!

    Thanks again for sharing your beauty and joie de vivre with us!!!!

    Regards from Barcelona

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:41 PM

      Hello my dear ilea, so exciting to hear about your new scarves, many congratulations on these treasures! What a sweet husband you have :-) The Paseo de Gracia store really is beautiful.. I have fond memories of it <3 Have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2014 at 4:12 AM

    You indicate that "The Bluebird is located at the top of Chelsea's King's Road just before 'The World's End', which was originally build as a private road for King Charles II in 1830." But, erm . . Charles II died in 1685.

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:41 PM

      The sentence got chopped my mistake, many thanks for pointing it out! It’s now corrected :-)

      Delete
  10. ladyjane963September 5, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    Dear MaiTai,

    Wonderful travel posts love them all so far look forward to the rest very informative, so glad you had a wonderful time and you look lovely as always, congrats on your new top really nice.

    Have a wonderful week-end Jane

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:44 PM

      Many thanks for the lovely comment dear Jane, so happy you enjoy the UK postcards! They’ve been such fun for me too, I wish it wouldn’t be coming to an end.. x

      Delete
  11. TrudyeSeptember 5, 2014 at 9:16 PM

    What lovely postcards from London with your favorite haunts featured,dear friend! Love your new tunic and ballet flats. It is nice to see someone making them with a sole that is truly made to log some miles in!
    Good grief ...could anyone look any more chic and put together for a day at the beach and beach tennis? I am in awe;-) Chin,chin to a lovely weekend...mwah,T xx

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:54 PM

      Aww my dear friend, so happy you enjoyed the postcards! The shoes are a miracle in comfort, and even though I've worn them quite a lot already, they still look like new. Wish I'd known this before... I would have bought a few more! Hope you had a beautiful and happy end of August. Big mwahs right back xx

      Delete
  12. Beautiful LifeSeptember 6, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    Hi MT, thanks as always, really enjoying your London journal! Have a great weekend. sx

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:54 PM

      So nice to know, many thanks dear S! Hope you had a lovely weekend too, and have a great week ahead x

      Delete
  13. VeroniqueSeptember 6, 2014 at 2:51 PM

    J adore ces ballerines !elles ont l'air formidables malheureusement le site ne livre pas la France...Amitiés.Véronique

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 6:45 PM

      Ah quelle dommage! Moi je suis déçu aussi, j’aimerai bien commander un deuxième pair!

      Delete
    2. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 7:02 PM

      Correction: Bonne nouvelle, le site livre la France! Quand vous créer votre compte, il faut choisir 'France' dans le menu 'Country'.

      Delete
  14. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    Dear MaiTai, thank you for the wonderful pictures of your british travelogue! I really love London and so it's a great pleasure to enjoy your pictures! Your tunic is really pretty! Curious: it took really long since I found which shoes you bought :-) Best wishes Claudia

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 7:16 PM

      So happy you enjoyed the travelogue, and nice to know we have a love for London in common! Re the shoes, so sorry. If you click on the link 'Sport ballerinas' you'll get to them much quicker (and you see them in other prints and colors along the way). Have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  15. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2014 at 10:11 PM

    How I look forward to visiting London again! Dearest Mai Tai, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity in sharing all these fabulous addresses. The pretty tunics are quite tempting and so are the ballet flats from Blue Velvet Shoes. <3
    You look fabulous, even at the beach.:-)
    Wishing you a wonderful week ahead and sending you big hugs, Manuela xx

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    1. MaiTaiSeptember 9, 2014 at 7:20 PM

      Hope you can make it one day soon, my dearest Manuela! It has been such a lovely trip, and sharing it here with you lovely ladies makes me re-live it all over again. So grateful for the wonderful company <3 Have a most wonderful week too xx

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  16. VéroniqueSeptember 10, 2014 at 4:43 PM

    Je vais vite aller essayer!!Merci!!xxVéronique

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  17. VéroniqueSeptember 10, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    Formidable! je viens de commander 2 paires!! ballerines snake marrons et une paire de mocassins en soldes!Merci Mai Tai.Amitiés.Véronique

    ReplyDelete

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