Right now London equals snow, slush, mud and puddles (yes the snow is beautiful).  Delicate shoes are not the answer ... not even sensible boots fare well in these conditions. The humble wellington is a must. Enter Hunter boots. This Scottish company has been making their classic boots since 1856 and are suppliers to Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family. Now the term classic tends to be a little over used in this day and age but in this case it is the only fitting description. Built to last their current design has not changed since 1955 but now we can buy them in a myriad of different colours. I just invested in the forest green but likes of Kate Moss an other celebs have been spotted wearing anything from black to silver, with a bit of red thrown in for good measure. London does not have a monopoly on rain and where there is rain... there should definitely be a pair of Hunters. God, this sounds like an ad, but I truly am a convert! 

darimeya

Sometimes clothes appeal to you on a hanger. They take your fancy, maybe raise one of your eyebrows. You might lift a silken sleeve or flip the swing tag over to check the price, to see if the elusive item can charm you into a purchase. Other clothes shout at you 'I've been waiting for you to come and find me! We were made for each other! Let's elope!' The second two dresses you see above said exactly those words to me in the basement level of Topshop at Oxford Circus. They now live happily ever after in my wardrobe. The label is Darimeya and their cute illustrated frocks will have you on a fashion honeymoon in no time at all.

beyond the valley

Catalogues are often ugly, floppy, stapled things you throw away. The thick, matt art stock, bold vector illustration and clever folding of the free catalogue you can pick up as you enter London haven Beyond the Valley was as good to me as getting a free book! 

Then you can get your wallet out for ceramics, fashion, jewellery, homewares, the gallery space, bags, books, wallpapers- all crammed into a little corner on Newburgh St, SoHo.

My favourite things were the Cole & Son Falcon mirrors pictured above, and the Robert Archard ceramic custard cream box (also above). Visit the online store for dozens more names in fashion and interiors.

rifle maker gallery, soho

Next time you find yourself wondering if you're losing the plot, also ask yourself if you are peering into the window of a little gallery in SoHo called the Rifelmaker. See above and example of me, losing my mind as I star at the wonders inside. Julie Verhoeven and Marta Marce were on display in the window! 

Searching the gallery  website I was amazed at the talent who has exhibited there- my favourite being New Yorker Jamie Shovlin- check out these amazing book covers he redesigned for Fontana Publishing's series from the 1970's called 'Modern Masters' which were exhibited at the Riflemaker.

back in the saddle

Wow! I'm back...and despite the wondrous trip I've had I still call my gorgeous Sydney home (even though Paris and Tuscany make a good close second!) The next 30 days at Love Illustrated are going to be packed with some serious design goodies! I'll do a week's worth of posts on each city/country and even when I've done that I've got lomo pics coming back from the lab and months and months worth of designers, shops and products to fuel this baby for a long time!!! First stop... LONDON!

LONDON FAVOURITES...Discovering SoHo, high tea at the Victoria and Albert Museum, eating chocolate coated strawberries from Godiva's, choosing a perfume at Penhalligans, pretending to be rich while perusing the luxe goods at Liberty and last but not least, being

 surprised by the sunshine! I WISH I'D... Bought that belt from Ollie & Nic and that bag from Dahlia in SoHo, but it was the first week and I was trying to show restraint for Paris!

First show and tell for you- DO Store, Regent St, Soho. Find modern design in this amazing 2 level store that you haven't seen every where else. Matali Crasset's Wonderland Mirror and table linen and cushions by AK-LH were faves of mine.

oh no they didn't....

...but oh, yes, they did! Just as I purchase two plane tickets to London after 18 months of saving where I skimped on everything from home improvements to takeaway food, they go and load the whole Portobello Markets online! It's a great idea, and of course I'll still go and compare it to the real thing, but here are my picks from the ill-timed but still fabulous website, pretaportobello.com Now you can visit London in your lunch break!

1.Sido neck scruff, 26 pounds, 2. Belle du Jour vintage earrings, 12 pounds, 3. Orion brown stitched croc belt, 25 pounds , 4. Dahlia gold leather petal shoes, 77 pounds, 5. Jovanna frilled 'cameron' dress, 69 pounds