Sunday, 27 March 2011

Sunny Selfridges.... and the elusive tea towel!

My daughter and I have been enjoying some wonderful Thursday afternoons whilst she has been on her GP rotation as she has these afternoons off and I don't work Thursdays. We have spent a few of them up in London as it is easy for her to get up from Essex and the journey only takes me about 40 minutes.This is coming to an end next week as she swaps onto the A/E (accident and emergency) rotation so time off will be no more than 1 weekend in 4 and she will be working shifts again...all pretty normal for a junior doctor.

Last Thursday I decided I would meet her at Selfridges in Oxford Street. When I posted my wonderful wet afternoon post everyone enjoyed seeing London with me so I thought I would take you all along with me again via my new camera and show you some more sights of my favourite city.


The reason for heading for Selfridges was that I was on a mission to find a Cath Kidston Royal Wedding tea towel, yes seriously and I will explain why later!

For those of you who know the West End, Selfridges is such a great store. It is my 2nd favourite to John Lewis but it is my favourite building in Oxford Street.  It opened in 1909 and the outside is stunning. The entrance has the superb "Queen of time" clock as shown in these photos.










Here she is in close up.The actual entrance is again fantastic with the original revolving doors and some very cool lights.














When I was a little girl I always got worried that I would get stuck in the doors, I used to hang around my Mum's skirt just to make sure I got in OK!
Also when I was little I would go to see Father Christmas here, such great memories..and of course the shop window displays are works of art!








Once inside I had to be careful taking any more photos so I just took one going down the escalator to show you how very modern this building is inside. It had a complete overhaul recently and is now really one of the brightest and best places to shop in London.
Just to the left at the bottom of the escalator is the large Cath Kidston section and yes I found the elusive tea towel. Now there is a reason behind this.... well actually there are 2. Firstly I do not need much of an excuse to buy something CK and when I spotted the tea towels in a magazine I thought it was a fun way to remember the upcoming Royal Wedding. I also like the fact is is useful and not just another trinket to find room for indoors. The second reason is that we are going to a party on the evening of the Royal Wedding. My daughter's future Father in Law has a "big " birthday on that very day...so he has a Bank holiday of his own. His family are having a surprise party for him and I wanted to buy something fun as a present. How perfect is this...he is a great cook and the tea towel even has his birthday date on it. I think it will make him smile.

As we came out into the sunshine I took a few more photos of Oxford Street, there are huge rail link improvements going on at the moment to get things up to scratch in time for the Olympics.


This is the view looking down past Bond Street....















And this is looking back up towards Selfridges (Marble Arch). We loved seeing all the trees in blossom.    
                                 Of course we did a little more bridal browsing, had time for afternoon tea and then met my Hb from work and had an Italian meal together in Farringdon. A lovely day.

So would you like to see my booty from my trip......

............what's this?....


oooops , how on earth did all those extras get there...here is the tea towel..




One for me and one for N but I also could not resist these London fabric cushions....












I think this fabric is such fun. It has also been discontinued so will not be available for much longer. No time like the present to make up one's mind is there?
There are also a couple of other CK bits I bought but I can't reveal them as someone I know might read this-LOL.
So here is one of my new cushions in place on the sofa

Honestly it just shouted...."Buy me" and then who could resist....;0)

We have "sprung forward this morning and the warm sunshine is back....here is Billy enjoying it and sending a warm purr to you all


Bye for now,

Jane x
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18 comments:

  1. greenrabbitdesignsSunday, March 27, 2011

    I saw those tea towels in the CK magazine and thought they were a great souvenir of 'the wedding'! I have to say I am looking forward to the royal wedding.
    Look at gorgeous Billy enjoying the sun. :) Another hours daylight this evening, isn't it wonderful!!
    Vivienne x

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  2. JaneSunday, March 27, 2011

    Billy is loving the sunshine, it's turned into such warm afternoon here Vivienne. Enjoy the extra hour of daylight.
    Jane x

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  3. Beth of The Linen CatSunday, March 27, 2011

    Selfridges is pretty much my favourite store and I'm definitely due a nice London trip (I'm also only 40mins away but don't get to go much these days due to those pesky kids ;)). Looks like you had a great time, I love the tea towel. Bethx

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  4. Teresa KasnerSunday, March 27, 2011

    Dear Jane, thanks for taking me shopping in London with you! I only dream of seeing London, have never been across the pond. I seem to be destined to live my life out being deprived of it.

    I'm excited about the wedding too, I certainly hope he's a better husband than his father was to Diana.

    Hugs from Oregon, USA -- Teresa :-)

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  5. JaneSunday, March 27, 2011

    I know the feeling from some years ago Beth - bless them really! There are some advantages to being 40 something,the trouble is the "kids" now expect afternoon tea-LOL!
    Jane x

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  6. JaneSunday, March 27, 2011

    I particularly thought of all my overseas blog friends as I went on my journey Teresa - so glad you enjoyed it! There will be many more. I do think William is a totally different man to his father. I have high hopes of this marriage ;0)
    Jane x

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  7. MiaSunday, March 27, 2011

    Dear Jane,

    Thank you for sharing! And as being one of the overseas-fans of yours :) I enjoyed the tour a lot! I have been in London millions of years ago (please do not as the year!) and I would love to visit again. And the royal wedding tea towel, I love it! I am, as Viv too, already waiting the wedding, me and my sis will be glued to telly whole day! And the cushion looks just perfect on your sofa, I think you just had to have them!

    Have a wonderful new week, Jane, and kiss that handsome sun-bather for me again!

    Yours,
    Mia

    P.S. Only a week until...

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  8. JaneSunday, March 27, 2011

    Hi Mia, yes I am very excited about the up coming nuptials! I really think they appear to be very happy together.
    Billy has loved his day in the sunshine and I am counting down the days....;0)
    Jane x

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  9. micheleMonday, March 28, 2011

    Your photos are like a collection of postcards that capture the highlights of a fantastic day trip to London! I can only imagine that I'm tagging along and sightseeing! Glad you had a wonderful time, found the perfect gifts and finished with a nice meal- was there a little something for Billy among the day's treats? :o)

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  10. JaneMonday, March 28, 2011

    I'm glad you enjoyed it Michele. It was a lovely afternoon; London looks even better in the sunshine. I think that Billy believes the cushions were bought for him..I keep finding him sitting on them...;0)
    Jane x

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  11. Teje KarjalainenMonday, March 28, 2011

    Hi Jane!
    Thank you for taking me again to London - I wish I could spend a month there! I have been in Selfridge when I was 17 and I bought the best ever bathcoat!
    That tea towel and the pillow are so beautiful! Your last post was also lovely! Have a great sunny week! Teje

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  12. JaneMonday, March 28, 2011

    Hi Teje, the sun is still shining here and we had a good weekend too, despite the forecast rain it stayed away. Sunny greetings to you too,
    Jane x

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  13. Helen PhilippsMonday, March 28, 2011

    Lovely London post today, Jane! I did enjoy being there with you! The CK tea towel is such an inspired idea for a birthday on the same day. I know two families who are going to other weddings on the royal wedding day, one in London, and planned ages ago! Have a lovely sunny week.
    Helen x

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  14. JaneMonday, March 28, 2011

    Thanks Helen, well what else do you buy a man who has everything ;0)
    How memorable for your friends attending weddings that day...and they get their own bank holiday too!
    Jane x

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  15. mynestofyarnandbuttonsMonday, March 28, 2011

    Jane, I loved this post. I wish I could have gone to the Cath Kidston shopping with you. Love the things you bought and the tea towel idea for N's birthday is just perfect. I so enjoyed seeing London and all your activities! Thanks for sharing, it was definitely a fun day for all. xoRobin❤

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  16. JaneMonday, March 28, 2011

    I am glad you enjoyed your "shopping" with me Robin, London really is a place to visit, you would LOVE the shops and lots of Cath Kidston to drool over.I hope it is warming up for you, we are really enjoying some spring sunshine here. Have a great week,
    Jane x

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  17. Joanne BrennanSaturday, April 02, 2011

    Hi Jane, I hope you don't mind me commenting on here......I too am a physiotherapist who is also very interested in all things 'crafty'. I have just started a blog, but am very much a blog virgin and so have spent the morning trying to find my way around, and I came across your blog. Just wanted to say how I enjoyed reading some of your posts and looking at your photos.....and any advice or tips you could give would be extremely welcome.
    Thanks a million,
    Joanne

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  18. JaneSaturday, April 02, 2011

    Hi Joanne, welcome to the world of blogging and lovely to see you here.I shall come over to visit you...my biggest tip...be yourself and be positive and most of all have fun, blogging is such a great place.
    Jane x

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