And then there was one - East London (very long) - YouLookFab Forum

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And then there was one - East London (very long)

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

After an eleven hour meet-up (is that right?), a day of solitary wandering was in order for this introvert. Armed with my oyster card, I headed toward East London to "have a look about".

Short version:
#1 East London street
#2 Allsaints Spitalfields - I am guessing the original.
#3 Hat stand in Spitalfields market - now a very civilized selection of stands in the middle of a business and commercial area.
#4 Charity shop

Long version:
I don't have a picture but I stopped into Blitz, which is a curated vintage shop in the Brick Lane area. I was interested to see what passed as super hip vintage in London these days. What I saw was every possible version of Levi's and a lot of this and that. The shoe collection was unimpressive. This was not a second hand shop with current fashion; everything was actually vintage or appeared that way. I popped in and out of a few other vintage shops in London and they seemed similar. I was mostly interested in people watching and seeing how the streets looked and really had a delightful time.

On the way back I stopped back in Regents street to have a look at &Other Stories. I had never been there or COS and was very curious to see "what the fuss was about". For what it's worth, I would say the quality is on par with Zara - COS maybe a bit more Zara Woman and &Other Stories Zara Basic if that makes sense. The shops were very calm and organized compared to H&M.

So you might notice I have mentioned any purchases. I did buy a pair of long earrings but, apart from presents for my kids, had yet to see anything worth fitting in my carry on. (Easyjet is quite strict with that.)

This all changed when I headed back to Hendon where my friend lives. I had already left myself some time to check out the local Tesco before I met her back home after work. Well imagine my delight when I discovered not one but FIVE British charity shops within a few blocks of the Finchley Central Station. The most surprising, coming from a country where there are an abundance of street cats was captured in #4.

4 out of 5 of these shops yielded nothing but I did find a couple of goodies in one store. I will take pictures and post in the near future!

Well if you read all that, thank you very much - and if you just looked at the pictures I understand completely :-)!

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Summer

deb

Veteran

Thank you far sharing your alone time. Looking forward to seeing your purchases.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like you did have a lovely alone time. I love people watching when I'm traveling too....it gives you a chance to absorb the local vibe and understand the people/culture at a deeper level. It lets me capture the real essence of a city, and I often find it to be more rewarding and satisfying than spending all my time shopping.

I look forward to more pictures!

Anonymous

I loved reading this mini travel report and I'm glad you got to take in the sights and sounds of London by yourself. How great that you found some charity shop goodies too!

Summer

Veteran

So interesting, Shevia. I can really relate to your day of exploring and people watching at your own pace - that's what I love to do, also. I hope you enjoyed your day in the East End.

viva

Veteran

Thanks for this travelogue and the pictures, Shevia. I was reminded of our trip to London a few years ago when one daughte was at college there and the other was 17. Our day in the East End was the girls' favorite by far: Indian food, Doc Martens, and the best people watching and street wandering of the trip.

Karin L H

Veteran

Love London and have lived in East London, so your pictures put a smile on my face! Thank you!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Thank you - it sounds like you all understand exactly!

Glory

Veteran

What a wonderful read about your day. I felt like I was walking alongside you. Looking forward to seeing your finds.

donnat

Veteran

Thanks for sharing these. Love hearing the travelog.

jackiec

Veteran

Thanks for sharing, Shevia! As an introvert myself, this sounds positively rejuvenating and invigorating at the same time! How fun! Love your photos and your description. I'm glad you had such a great day.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you so much for sharing-- wish I had been there with you! (Although then you'd have needed another day of solitary rest....). What terrific photos and such a fun story! My step-daughter would be all over that Cat Protection charity shop. I love the image of you walking the London streets. Like Virginia Woolf in "Street Haunting."

Elle

Veteran

What an interesting post. It really makes me want to go back to London. I totally understand your wanting some alone time after an intense people day (no matter how fun that day was).

approprio

(website)

Veteran

See, didn't I tell you the best pickings would be the local charity shops? Glad you found some stuff worthy of squeezing into the carry-on. Looking forward to seeing your scores.

Vildy

Veteran

Enjoyed reading this so much - you really brought it life.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Hats!

abc

Veteran

Loved this post. Can't wait to see your goodies. Thanks for the write up. I enjoy spending time wandering while traveling as well

PS Love that hat display!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shevia, it is fun to see a bit of London through your eyes. I was in London for the first time back in April and did not get to the East London yet so something new for me here.
I also visited some vintage shops in Portabelloand was equally not impressed...but then I am vintage illetirate so what do I know
Cannot wait to see the goodies!

rachylou

Veteran

Please nobody kill me, but London is looking like the U.S. ...

Beth Ann

Veteran

Solitary wandering and shopping can be delightful, but doubly so in a new and fascinating place. Thanks for sharing!

Aida

Veteran

Thanks for sharing some of your solitary time with us Jaime. The hat and kitty photos make me smile

Mander

(website)

Veteran

How so, Rachy? I guess I come from a part of the US where the oldest building is maybe 100 years old, so even though there are a lot of American brands in London the buildings they are in are generally more interesting if you remember to look up!

I'll have to check out east London sometime. It's odd in a way but I've hardly been anywhere outside the central bit where everyone goes and a little circle around Brixton.

One of the things that struck me during our little excursion was that I didn't see a single place that sold anything in larger sizes. I might do a little research on that and post my findings here at some point.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I really enjoyed reading your post. This is a fun way to explore London. Glad you found time to investigate some vintage and charity shops! You are the thrifting queen, after all. Your finds are nothing short of amazing. Can't wait to see what you brought home!

Inge

(website)

Sounds like you had a delightful day exploring London at your own pace, Jaime (the best way to really experience a city, isn't it). And five charity shops at the end of the day, what a fun surprise (and treat). I can't wait to see your London loot (do post a pic of the earrings too, pretty please?). Goodies you bought on trips are always extra special to wear, aren't they, because they carry so many beautiful memories.

Thanks so much for sharing your travel report with us!

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Shevia, I love spending days when traveling like you did. The photos were such fun to look at.

Did you have a nice leisurely lunch?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all - it is very nice to hear that I am not the only one that needs some solitary time and enjoys wandering around by herself.

Rachy your comment is very astute. London did remind me very much of New York and Boston also. First of all, on the streets most of the storefronts are international brands and there is very much a feel of an outdoor mall. I feel the same way about Soho and lower Manhattan now (where I used to live and work). It used to be much grittier and now it and London seem sanitized. For good and maybe a bit bad.
Mander, as I think we talked about, the East coast of the US is older and more European looking than out west. Not if you are really studying the architecture I'm sure but the overall vibe. Plus there is so much new building and renovation, and it seems that architecture is also pretty global these days. Below are a couple of shots I took of Londoners enjoying the sun at lunch break, and really, perhaps but for the absence of ties, could be New Yorkers.

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Summer

Veteran

Rachy, Mander and Shevia, it's true that most shopping centres, malls and storefronts can look depressingly similar from town to town and from country to country. Step outside those areas, though, into the backstreets, the markets and the oldest areas of a city and the real character starts to emerge.

My own nearest city boasts a Norman castle and an ancient cathedral, plus little cobbled lanes full of independent shops, artisan bakers and the like, plus a centuries-old market place. It's sad that many visitors see only the familiar, big-name store fronts, and fail to spot the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian architecture above.