Welsand's in London

Christmas Time in London

VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM
We started today with another visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum, this time to see a specific exhibition on the wardrobe of Queen Maud, the British Princess who became Queen Consort of the newly independent Norway in 1905. Daughter of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, Maud was renowned for her fashionable style. Her clothes document an extraordinary era of fashion history, from the decorative but elaborate dress of the Victorian era to the streamlined chic of the 1930s. Her wardrobe comprised royal robes, sporting wear and accessories. This display includes some 50 outfits ranging from her wedding trousseau of 1896 to the latest Worth designs purchased just months before her death in 1938. The display really was beautiful! Sophie loved looking at the gowns too--we think we may have a fashion diva-to-be on our hands...The exhibition unfortunately ends in January.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Next, we went to the Natural History Museum and watched people ice skate and browsed through their outdoor Christmas Fair. The architecture of this building is goregous and they had all the trees surrounding it wrapped in lights--it really created a holiday atmosphere, even with no snow and articial ice looming in the scene.

HARROD'S
Onward we went for some window shopping finally ended up at the world famous Harrod's department store. Harrods covers 4.5 acres, with over 1 million square feet of selling space. The energy of store comes across in the unexpected. Perhaps opera singers performing arias up the Egyptian Escalators, Joan Collins signing her latest book or Donatella Versace launching her newest fragrance in person. Harrods has remained London's premier retail outlet for over 155 years. At Harrods, truly anything is possible!


At Harrod's we had a mission--find Sophie a Christmas stocking! We knew that Harrod's was the place to search and we were right! They had a huge selection of holiday items. We were thankful that they already had all of their seasonal products at 50% off since the stocking was obnoxiously expensive, but it was very unique and a keepsake for life. The after Christmas sales in England include 50% or more off almost everything in the stores including furniture, jewerly, as well as all the seasonal items, clothing, etc. I was told that people started "queuing" (getting in line) at 5:30 a.m. when the stores didn't open until 9 a.m.! The crowds sound unbearable and only for hard core shoppers!


WINDOW SHOPPING/CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Next we walked to Oxford Street to view the holiday lights and do some more window shopping. Oxford Street is Britian's busiest high street and is the heart of London's West End shopping. We were very impressed with the lights, the incredible window displays for the department stores, and the overall atmosphere. It was quite busy, but an exciting place to be with shoppers, talented street performers such as steel drummers from Africa, and unique holiday light displays throughout the streets. Our pictures don't do it justice. It was a great ending to another fantastic day in London!

posted by Chris @ 1:00 PM