Hint #3

Wimbledon

Amazing day @ Wimbledon yesterday with London rain stopping long enough to keep the roof open the entire day. Drank Pimm's {on tap, fabulous} both in the garden and in the stadium under sunny skies while watching Wozniacki (1), Federer (3) and Djokovic (2) all move through to the 4th. Saw many carrying camping kit throughout {tents, etc.} -- evidence of a long day and an early queue. That's dedication to sport. Not me. I was in good seats just outside the reach of the blazing sun right next to the Royal Box. Where there were no sightings of a Duchess. Damn.

Lobster Roll Pop-up Shop

 

This weekend at Luna & Curious, an amazing boutique tucked into one of the many nooks & crannies surrounding Shoreditch High Street, you can have your lobster roll & eat it too. {See the July UK Elle Decoration spread below for more detail on this fabulous area...}

 

Hint #2

What's New?

I'm returning to the U.S. on 4th of July week-end with something new. Here's a little hint.

Can you possibly guess?

Selfridges & Anya Hindmarch Bespoke

While I love things, I'm not partial to shopping. But there is one retail establishment where I've been known to spend an entire Sunday afternoon. And I think a few others must too, since it's impossible to shake a stick in London without hitting one of its carrier bags...

Selfridges is famous for many things, but what I love most are its incredible pop-up shops -- like the current installation of Anya Hindmarch Bespoke. The tiny space reminds me of a posh 1940's cobbler dropped smack in the midst of Balenciaga & Prada. The staff {shout out to Karen, you will be missed!} is amazing and -- if you love the classics -- the selection is heavenly. Anya's archetypical styles are custom crafted of fine skins {lizard, box calf, croc} in beautiful colors, with endless options for personalization in block type or your own handwriting.

Although we agonized over size & color & style for ages {taking a break in the middle of the decision-making process for a pomegranate bellini @ Hix}, my cousin and I finally settled on twin Ebury handbags -- hers in a rich tan French box calf, mine in deep chocolate -- with a handwritten inscription embossed within to memorialize our time together in London. 

While Anya's Selfridges pop-up won't last forever, her Bespoke Shop in Pont Street, Belgravia will {I hope} remain for the ages.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Amazing weather at this year's sell-out show on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (which has hosted the show since 1913) ensured a crazy crowd, and crowded it was.  My cousin and I were there in the afternoon, and the gardens were fabulous (if a bit wilted from the heat). We wove our way around the grounds until just before closing, and then headed over to the Bluebird Cafe for dinner. A wonderful day all 'round...