Notting Hill
The highlight of my trip to colorful London last month undoubtedly was exploring Notting Hill with Joy and Bonnie. What a treat to visit London’s loveliest neighborhood with two of the loveliest ladies I know. Check out some of my favorite spots from my favorite London neighborhood what I wore.
Notting Hill is impossibly picture perfect (see above and below for proof!).
The ivy-covered historic buildings, vintage cars, pastel facades, hidden lanes and darling boutiques and neighborhood restaurants added up to charm overload.
Before our trip, Joy, Bonnie and I decided we wanted to be comfortable but look glamorous. You know, in that way that European women do so effortlessly. So we coined the term “glomfortable.” I’m not sure how glam I am, but I was comfortable in my London uniform.
Trench coat: Zara (also love this one) | Pastel sweater: Warehouse (on sale!) c/o | Shirt: Liberty of London | Sunglasses: Zara (not online but love these & these) | Shoes: GAP (love these too) | Jeans: Citizens of Humanity c/o (old but similar & love) | Bag: Oasis (color no longer available but love this one)
Is this gorgeous or what? I suppose the upside to all of that rain is breathtaking greenery.
Perusing sweet treats at Ottolenghi.
Though we refrained. Why? I have no idea. Big mistake. HUGE.
My real M.O. for wanting to see Notting Hill: the pastel-colored buildings!
They did not disappoint.
On top of adorable pastel-hued buildings, some were even covered in polka dots. I told Joy this was like the building version of her come to life.
More candy-colored architecture.
Speaking of candy, a giant candy necklace in a storefront!
Here we are in swinging London. Joy getting her boba tea fix and Bonnie educating us that boba is slang for big boobs. I almost spit out my tea when Bonnie, who is typically on the quiet side, nonchalantly blurted that out! I love her.
Have you ever?!?
The cutest flower shop, Wild at Heart.
Men who wear pink pants in front of green buildings make my heart go thumpity thump.
The shopping in Notting Hill was the best. It was one cute boutique after another, like Darccy.
And if the exchange rate hadn’t been so horrible, I would have done some serious dah-mage.
Troop Notting Hill.
We were lucky that most of the time we had glorious sunshine for our Notting Hill adventure, although we were treated to some light sprinkles as well. Bonnie handled it stylishly, of course, and came prepared with a polka dot umbrella, while I, on the other hand, had frizzy hair and the umbrella from my hotel.
And Cath Kidston.
We all agreed that this looked like MRS. Lilien! Wish she had been with us too. But she clearly was in spirit.
Proof! I spotted this flamingo in the very back of Graham & Green all the way from outside on the sidewalk. Two seconds later, I had adopted the lil lady who now happily makes her home in Palm Springs where she belongs.
I had to stop myself from breaking the glass at I Love Gorgeous and stealing this mini peacock chair for my Kaylee Golightly.
I also had to resist this sweet stack of vintage suitcases….because they wouldn’t fit in my suitcase?
Damn that terrible exchange rate.
Of course, no trip to Notting Hill is complete without a visit to The Notting Hill Bookshop from the movie Notting Hill.
Color me happy.
I loved Notting Hill so much I went back again on our last day…
Sunglasses: Zara (not online but love these & these) | Bag: Oasis (color no longer available but love this one) | Shoes: GAP (love these too) | Jeans: Citizens of Humanity c/o (old but similar & love) | Coat: Oasis c/o (sold out but love this blazer in the same color for summer & this one)
And took Fred Baby with me.
I didn’t want him to miss out on the most charming part of London…
So we met up with Joy and Bonnie at Pizza East for lunch.
Unfortunately I didn’t properly account for traffic, so we only had about 30 minutes. But it was on a Friday so we got a glimpse — actually drove right through! — Portobello Market.
It was just enough time to scarf down pizza at Pizza East (and gawk at the cool interior design– those napkins, that blue!) before we dashed off to the airport to fly to Rome.
Notting Hill, I love you!
Now I’d love to know: Have you been to Notting Hill or would you like to go? If you’ve been, what were your highlights?
Photos by Kelly Golightly unless otherwise noted above
