Posts tagged "London"

Shopping In London

Camden Market is the place to go if you want cheaper stuff, it’s located next to the Camden Locks; this is London’s most popular market. It gets extremely busy here at weekends with thousands of traders, but watch out for the “buggy brigade” (parents with pushchairs!) your feet will be swollen, but not from the incessant shopping… from having them continuously rolled over and stamped on! Even so, you are sure to find the perfect pair of shoes to match that expensive designer outfit you just spent your whole months wages on. On the other hand, if you are looking for something a little different then Kensington Market might be a good choice, it’s located on Kensington High Street, this market caters for the underground fashions. You can also find an extensive range of outrageous hair colours, punk and gothic clothing and accessories, record stores, the latest in techno, platform shoes, leather goods and jewellery.

Portobello Road Market features antique goods, as well as clothing and music, hundreds of stalls on weekends, and cafes and bars. It is also a “celeb hotspot” with many famous people living and shopping in the area.

Oxford Street & Regent Street are the main areas in which to find many High Street stores. All the main ones are here from Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, John Lewis, Boots, W.H. Smith, Bhs, C&A and of course Hamley’s Toy Shop, which I must add is absolutely breath taking, especially at Christmas, every child and “older child’s” dream come true. You may not find many low priced goods here, but it really is worth a look. So credit cards at the ready!

You will also find Harrods; most people make a visit to this shop just to look at the costly price tags, as well as the wide variety of food on offer. But be sure to dress respectively, no light coloured clothing caked in the muddy tyre marks from the “buggy brigade” in the markets!! There is a dress code to shop here!

And then there is Soho. Soho is the place to go for a variety of boutiques; Janet Fitch for designer jewellery, Metalmorphis for body piercings, and Ann Summers for kinky lingerie. Ambient Soho and Black Market Records stock the best of techno, jungle and dance music. Try the Vintage Magazine Shop for excellent movie & TV memorabilia and posters. Soho is the ideal place if you are looking for something to do “After Dark”; it offers a wide range of erotic videos, sex toys, good cafes and restaurants and strip clubs. Soho is an interesting place to wander around, especially for the men who like to “window shop”!!

Shopping in London can be an exciting experience, whether you want to spend or just browse. It’s a vibrant city – buying something often involves discovering interesting surroundings and exploring new ones. At the seasonal times of year it is probably best to start early, London streets begin to look like an anthill around lunchtime! I myself am a true Londoner… born and bred, everyday there is something new to be found.

Top 5 ‘Must Buy Something In’ Shops In London – (just for the feel good factor, oh, and the carrier bag!)

Hamleys Toy Shop

Wow! That is the only word that came out of our mouths when we walked through the doors of Hamley’s, I lost my two kids and my husband immediately! Unfortunately, they found me again when they wanted money! But if you are looking for a reminder of your childhood or looking for something special for your own kids then this is the shop, and it really isn’t that expensive either, you can pick up a gift for as little as a fiver. It really is magical, 7 floors of it, a definite must. Nearest tubes: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus. Official website: http://www.hamleys.com

Covent Garden

If you are on a visit to London then try to visit the very trendy Covent Garden, with all the up-to-date designer shops like French Connection, H&M, Calvin Klein and Gap to name but a few. If you are shopaholic like myself then you will love Covent Garden, a fair few celebrities also shop and eat here. The Ivy restaurant is a well-known celebrity hotspot, if you can’t get in to enjoy the tasty food on offer then take a stroll past… 2 or 3 times… spot the celebrity! Nearest tube: Covent Garden

Harrods

A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without a visit to world-famous Harrods. Some just want to check out the expensive price tags, others buy stuff just for the carrier bag. Even so, you will find everything you need here, mind you, the store is huge and it is easy to get lost. And remember; if you need the loo… take some money with you! Nearest tube: Knightsbridge. Official website: http://www.harrods.com

Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street has loads on offer for yourself and a guilt gift for him (well, we have to buy him something don’t we? After all, it’s his credit card!). For him, there are sports shops like Puma, Ben Sherman, G-room and if he’s a budding DJ then there’s Kingly Court, this a great place to buy great vinyls. Oh, and not forgetting a place where he can re-fuel… there’s a few pubs too! And for the ladies, there is a number of fine cosmetics shops, a few boutiques selling vintage mod clothing, designer shoe shops and Liberty’s is just round the corner in Fouberts Place. There are places where we can re-fuel too… coffee shops and sandwich bars. Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

New Bond Street and Old Bond Street

Just off of Oxford Street, is the less crowded but far more expensive New Bond Street and Old Bond Street, for all those that have an endless flow of cash then this is the place to spend all of it! Most of the shops here have “greeters” who will smile, open doors for you, and wish you a nice day! Oh, and keep your eyes open for the odd celebrity here too, London’s Bond streets are well known for bringing out the odd one or two. Nearest tube: Bond Street

It’s a vast, fast and vibrant city; London has it all. Don’t miss it… come and visit!

Black and White Dating For You (PART 1)

Black and white dating has been around for centuries; of course it was hidden then in those times. As in 1863 USA passed a law that it was illegal to be seen in public for mixed couples and was an arrestable offence. After the slave trade, it became apparent that mixed couples started to grow around plantations and in cities. At present although the law has changed certain people have not. So, the law in itself had made it what it is today by impressing the layman. In Portuguese colonies it was not till the 1970s that the government had agreed to legalize mixed marriages.
Interracial dating couples are of different cultures and traditions but have found a common ground to fall in love this is not a crime. This kind of relationship might not sit well with a lot of people and as such they will not be reading this article. A guy can choose who he wants to date so can a woman. It is a free world so anyone should feel free to do as they please when choosing a partner.
As the saying goes love knows no boundaries, it is a decision taken together and nothing should come in their way of happiness. If black and white dating issue should cause some problems, then it will be up to them to deal with the situation and believe me being in this type of relationship thus raise some eyebrows. There was a story while in London: A black and white dating couples were driving in Ilford, Greater London. They were chased by a bunch of racist and cornered at a golf club. What happened was disgusting. I do not believe authorities did much about it.
A new movie called Neo Ned: It is about a neo nazi and a Black African woman who are inmates in a mental institution. He become a neo nazi not because he understood the philosophy of it, he just joined as there nothing better to do and to be part of a group hmmm.. She is demented by her believe that Hitler is living inside her. Both should not be together in reality but the issues concerning him falling in love with her, and she to deal with her feelings for him. It is a good movie but hope people who actually go to see and appreciate the irony.
Black men feel they do not have to justify their preferences for dating a white woman. Some reasons are one: Black women are too demanding, want to spend all your money and too controlling. Worse than your mother it seems, also black men believe black women do not respect them. Two: Black women will tend to moan generally about anything and not show their appreciation. One black man said he was fed up with the way black women had a problem dating him as he was not black enough for them being of mix race. He had enough and turned to other races to date.
Exploring the question what white women think of this; one woman said she cannot see what the fuss is about. Her black male friends are respectful and gentlemanly. And the talk black men only want white women is outrageous. The majority of black men will not go outside their race to date anyway. She finds this whole episode being generated by the media as it is normal for two of different races to be in love and be a couple. There is nothing strange or awkward about it, she again points to people in several forums stirring hatred amongst members. These forums should not exist in the first place.
Media have played their part creating more tension and not helping this by bringing it up in a bad light. Neo party members and black extremist talking about segregation and having to this in your face should not be allowed to happen. Media heads should be more responsible to bring this subject into a more positive argument. Questioning black and white dating to gain the neo nazi vote it seems. The main criteria are to sell newspapers and magazines but this is damaging communities. If this can be put to a stop, it will help stop the physical attacks in public places.
The human race exhibit more tolerance as the advancement has shown it is not a problem. A single person wishing to date outside their race has the chance to do so. Many a site provides great service in seeking what you want. There is a large amount of websites providing information regarding interracial dating. If you are gay there are sites that cater for an alternative taste. And within several websites you will be directed to a page providing all necessary. You should not feel ashamed for as black and white dating will keep going. You know what is best and you choose what makes happy.