I spent a few days in London this month and here are a few photos from that trip.  I had a very late night at an event at St Paul’s and the picture below was taken at around 5am. I think that may have been one of the few times this year I’ve been out when the sun has come up. The photo next to it was taken in Hackney, East London where I was very happy to spot a billboard of my favourite album of the year (so far) with rubbish stacked in front of it diluting the bright colours somewhat. If you’re in that neck of the woods the Saturday Broadway Markets are a must visit and seems to be bang smack in one of London’s hipster zones.

I didn’t devote much time to perfume hunting, the only shop I did make a quick trip to was Liberty where I sniffed a few fragrances.  I have to say my favourites out of everything I smelt there were Guerlain’s Nahema and Frederic Malle‘s Le Parfum de Therese.  Neither of which I own or have samples of, but they are definitely on my want list as of now. Both are long lasting, radiant classics that have a story to tell.

01 St Paul’s late night / early morning 02 Jamie xx In Colours Hackney 03 Diptyque artwork at Liberty 04 Liberty  05 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Drury Lane 06 Flowers at Covent Garden

One of my favourite places in London is the National Portrait Gallery and this was my third visit.   Last year I saw Stardust by David Bailey which was brilliant and I’ve always loved history so I adore gazing at the portraits of people that I’ve read about. It really is a must visit if you’re a bit of a history geek.  The Tudor section is amazing, although the Elizabeth I portraits seemed to be travelling elsewhere this time around.  Walking in that section in particular really reeks of times gone by with a slightly macabre edge.

01 Diana Princess of Wales by Bryan Organ 02 Queen Mary I – Unknown artist 03 Mick Jagger by Andy Warhol 04  King Richard III – Unknown artist 05 The Brontë Sisters by Patrick Branwell Brontë 06 Conversation Piece At Royal Lodge, Windsor by Sir James Gunn

Featured Image : The Secret of England’s Greatness (Queen Victoria Presenting A Bible In The Audience Chamber at Windsor) by Thomas Jones Barker.  I love this painting. It’s absolutely huge and although  the scene is fictional, it really nails Britain’s Imperialist past.