We are the sum of many parts, the product of the country of our birth, the place we were raised. Yet in turn we are defined by those who came before us, that lineage instilled perhaps by chance, but more likely by design. I am Canadian born and raised, yet too, I am the daughter of a very English mother. She grew up just outside Liverpool, and despite forty years in Canada, she still retains much of her accent (somehow it is not surprising she resides in Victoria). It is to her I can attribute (or blame) my English sensibility and a penchant for most things British, except to my family’s dismay, tea.
As our collective eyes turn to London this week, perhaps I’m reminded a little more. With friends, I’ve engaged in speculation over the designer of Kate’s dress, although I won’t be awake to see the reveal in real time (I’m not that obsessive). My children have even got into the act, the seven year old (boy, but the way) bursting into my office to notify me that Kate had dropped to a size four. Insert rant about the media here. I suppose they are part English too, my little aficionados of The Beatles, Queen and The Police.
We spent five days in London this summer prior to our Baltic cruise. It was heavy on the sightseeing (well as much as one could accomplish with three kids), with a family friendly focus. Except for the time when we were swept up in the after-party of the London Pride parade in Trafalgar square. They thought it quite fabulous and begged to stay, although there were a couple of very memorable questions. Some of the other highlights were visits to the Tower of London, The National Gallery (I bribed them with the most fabulous Jaffa Cakes), The British Museum and the London Eye. With three kids in tow, I didn’t get a chance to shop nearly as much as I would have liked. We did manage Harvey Nichols, and Harrods (though memories of being lost there as a ten year old have damaged my psyche, haha). In lieu, I’ve compiled a list of all of the items I should have brought back from London. First stop, Paul Smith, quintessentially British with the bold pattern and colour. Because I cannot resist the adorableness, here is Elizabeth in her Paul Smith dress, which is now too small, cry. I would take several dresses for myself.
Because I have an obsession with jackets, Burberry is a must. I already have a classic trench, but I’ve recently fallen in love with this raincoat, I think it’s the hood. Mulberry makes great leather goods and I would love the Alexa bag (inspired of course by the fashionable Brit Alexa Chung). I do have a red Mulberry bag, which sadly I never use as it has no shoulder strap. I’ve nearly resigned myself to the fact that my life requires a more sensible bag. I covet anything from Alexander McQueen, RIP. And I definitely need another pair of Nicholas Kirkwood shoes. Tomorrow I will share my British design and decor favourites, because this is already getting long. And let’s face it, I would never have managed to get those items back on the plane.
