London; The Windows

We spent a whole day shopping the high end shoppes of London. We got off at Piccadilly Circus and from there it was round and about (in no particular order) Regent Street, Sloane Street, Piccadilly, New Bond, Old Bond and Jermyn. I was strangely underwhelmed by Liberty of London, but absolutely delighted with Fortnum and Masons. My partner shopped shirts and ties at the beautiful and elegant Harvie and Hudson but ended up purchasing at the more affordable Thomas Pink. Watches are his passion so we stopped into boutiques where burly but polite guards have to open the door to admit you. I tried on a 1500 pound coat at Dak's made with Jamieson's of Shetland wool. The Holiday lights were just coming on at 5pm when we, exhausted, stummbled back to Green Park station and on to our hotel for dinner.

Channeling Georgia O'Keefe here, don't you agree?

English bears wearing knits at Ralph Lauren.

LOVE this! Max Mara homages the best of the 70's

Dak's. Wool dress, silver shoes.

Watches watching the time at Cinderella's ball.

One of the many holiday windows at Fortnum and Mason's. 
The store was packed with people filling their carts full of biscuits, tea, coffee, fruitcake and Christmas chocolates.  I'm sure much of it was meant for mailing to relatives around the world.
 I purchased tea and shortbread here for The Daughter.

Art and Fashion

One last post about my Chicago trip. For what's a trip without a little window gazing? I am quite enamored of these displays at Chanel on Michigan Avenue. The whimsy of the airline theme mixed with classic Chanel details delights me. I especially love the three piece skirt set though I suspect that for me, the light blue shirtwaist is more flattering. As if I would ever have the opportunity to wear Chanel in the first place!
I do admit that the shoe choice leaves me puzzling.

And what's this? I excitedly posted this photo of Marcel Duchamp's Hat Rack on my Facebook page and got barely a look. Coming across this 1964 signed repro of the 1916 Dada milestone at the Art Institute set my heart pounding. You can clearly see his signature. Am I the only geek to be thrilled by this?

So cool!

Window-spiration

Colour. Texture. Cool found objects. 

Another way I tackle the inspiration blahs is by strolling and looking at window displays. A beautifully presented window is something to be paused over and savoured. My sister was a visual merchandiser so I guess I appreciate even more the skill and creativity required. After dark, when the store is closed and only the window lights are bright, is the best time to do this.  Sometimes I walk the Mink Mile (that Bloor block between Yonge and Bay with all the high-end shops) but I am also very lucky that my own neighbourhood has some lovely boutiques with charming windows.

The cool thing is, you don't necessarily want to buy what you see. When I look at the above display, I get the urge to clean out my closet, to put together new outfits, to sort my stash. I am reminded that I want to knit a loose fitting pullover sweater. I get the urge to make paper crafts.

More texture here. The painted blue chair and rose tin I especially love.
And bath salts! I own bath salts. What a simple luxury.

These two outfits would not look good on me but that doesn't mean I don't love them. I have many pendants & should wear them more often to dress up blouses. The print on that skirt is delightful.
Those wool scarves are gorgeous.
Don't I have something similar. I wonder where it is? 

Shoes! What's not to love? And cute socks. Sometimes, when new clothes are financially out of reach, a little accessory like fun socks or tights can be a real pick-me-up.