As Sunday rolled around, reality was hitting me that it was going to be Anna’s second last day in the city with us. This further fuelled me to ensure it was action packed! We got dressed early in the morning, and flower crowns in our hair, we headed to the Columbia Road flower market in East London. Tradition since the 1800’s, the streets transform into an ‘oasis of foliage and flowers’ every Sunday. Visitors can find everything from bedding plants, 10 foot banana trees, fresh-cut flowers and even pink pineapples! Although hidden behind flower booths, the street itself is composed of many independent shops – small art galleries, cake shops, vintage clothes stores, garden and antique shops. It was a beautiful morning being chameleons with our flower headpieces.

The rest of the day we spent being hip & chic in the city centre, enjoying a delicious brunch and trying new places. Our favourite had to be Maison Assouline which can be found right near Piccadilly Circus. I have previously visited this place, but never fully enjoyed all it has to offer until today. How to describe this magical place? Perhaps as they display it,”The world’s most sophisticated books in the most sophisticated atmosphere”. Or perhaps the story found on their website will paint a better picture:

We created this company to be the first luxury brand on culture. We wanted to supply everything for a contemporary library; we started working with top perfumers for scented candles, with Goyard for a book trunk, with Chanel on a quilted leather slipcase, and so on. Now we are expanding the Assouline lifestyle brand in stores in the most important cities of the world.

We love and believe in books more than everything else, but we also want to extend our vision to create all that can be expected in a chic and personalized library, from beautiful books and special editions to luxury gift items, unique library accessories, and now a complete turnkey collection of stylish furniture.

Our digital world goes faster than ever and nothing remains of it, but books are the solid part of our past and present. They also are beauty. For us, books are a matter of intellect and emotion, of heritage and innovation. Because information is not only about today, and the past is a sensational source of inspiration.

And the coffee and tea at their Swans Bar is to die for! Loved every minute of this adventure today.

Walking along, we visited contemporary galleries,  Church of the Immaculate Conception on Farm Street, the red bricks of Sloane Square and Peggy Porschen Cakes for a much needed afternoon sugar rush. Sunday mass at Westminster Abbey, and one last visit with Big Ben as we headed home at dusk.