back home...

..from an absolutely wonderful holiday! So, where did we go? Well, eastwards we did fly with a first stop in Montreal, where we spent most of our time with family as well as in our hotel's very lovely outdoor swimming pool (the weather was hot and humid so the swimming pool was absolutely the best place to be!).

As you can gather from my photos below, we didn't stop at Montreal... 'Hopped back on an eastbound plane which took us all the way to, yes... London! Excited I was, because for quite a while now, I've been wanting to visit London again  - last time there was in the sad August of 1997 when Princess Diana died...

With 10 days in London (more time than I've ever spent in London!) we were able to explore many of its great sites (the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey being family favorites), but we also had time to hit our kid's favorite candy store (a perfectly-appointed charming little shop near Covent Garden, I might add...) more than once,

...as well as my very favorite "candy store" more than once:

Despite having seen CK products here and there at local indie retailers, CK catalogs and lots of photos of her shops, the first time I walked into a CK shop (the Portobello Road one), I truly felt like a little kid in a candy store... all weak-kneed, gushy (probably drooling), not knowing what to grab first! I ended up going to a few CK stores and I found all of them, all be it a little different, so prettily arranged with the loveliest and freshest assortment of goodies... a definite high point of my holiday! (I'll show you my CK loot in my next post...)

Along with three of my children, I took the tube to Camden Town to take a peek at Loop. My kids had no idea that checking out Loop was my ultimate mission in this little trek up north, ( they would have never wanted to come with me if I told them that the goal was to find a yarn shop!), so when we did finally find it down a very quaint alley, I exclaimed: "Oh look, is that a yarn shop?! -- I'll just go in to take a quick look..."

As you may gather from the photos, Loop has a very sweet look to it, with a second floor decorated with lovely vintage chairs and sofas, making it a perfect cozy spot to browse through their yummy collection of yarn and books... ah, if I just had a little bit more time!

We stayed at a modest but very clean and friendly apartment-hotel in Notting Hill, a stone's throw away from world-renowned Portobello Market which is held every Saturday. We spent our first day in London at the market which I have to admit might not have been the best of ideas, since we were all very jet-lagged and comatose due to lack of sleep and the market was insanely, and I mean INSANELY, busy!!... One could only walk at a snail's pace, elbow to elbow with the crowds -- altogether not the best of market experiences for me and definitely a very excruciating experience for the children! I did however go back to Portobello Road when the market was not on and was charmed by the street and the shops:

Sigh!... how very lovely! And for more sheer loveliness, take a look at what hangs in the lobby of the V & A museum (my favorite museum in London):

Being a lover of flowers, I cannot speak of English loveliness without mention of flowers. So here goes... breathtaking views at Kew Gardens,

...and Hampton Court,

While stories of Henry VIII may take center stage within the castle walls at Hampton Court, the roses are without doubt the queens of the castle grounds; I couldn't help but linger in the walled rose garden because it being a warm and sunny day, the scent in the garden was absolutely intoxicating!

How pretty are these Hampton Court ladies-in-waiting!

And before moving on even further eastwards, let me just squeeze in a last collage of London loveliness!

Eastwards to where? Well, a quick 2 hours on the Eurostar brought us to Brussels where we stayed in the most wonderful attic apartment with this incredible view of the old town of Brussels:

I spent most of our time in Brussels being mesmerized by the facades in the old town around la Grand-Place -- take a look:

However, we also found time for a few of our favorite Belgian things:

 

Belgian chocolates and comics -- most important when traveling with kids! Our next stop was Bruges, so romantic and peaceful in all its medieval splendor... take a quick peek:

...and even more romance here,

As we only spent a day in Bruges, I would love to come back and stay longer; this time with a good guidebook in hand and in the autumn because I have a feeling that the sense of romance here is even more poignant during this season! ... Before leaving Bruges, I have to show you something I spotted on one of the canals:

It looked like someone's studio on a canal.. Can you only imagine?! Our last stop was Amsterdam and since this post is getting awfully long, I'll keep it brief... Amsterdam was a big hit with everyone as soon as we rented some bikes and got to cycle along its delightful canals!

While visits to the Riijskmuseum and the Van Gogh museum were definite highlights of my stay in Amsterdam, I have to tell you that I had the most fun on the last day of our trip when I went to Lapjesmarkt, the fabulous fabric market in the Jordaan which is held every Monday. Need I say more?!...

 

I will show you all the goodies I bought at this market as well as elsewhere throughout this trip in my next post. I hope you've enjoyed this post about our holiday -- I certainly enjoyed sharing it with you because it made me realize how truly amazing our holiday really was!

Comments

[Wendy]

Hello, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed this post. Such lovely photographs. Being a brit living near London my heart swelled with pride at all the things you found so charming. I'm also a little disappointed - I was in Covent Garden last Friday and had no idea that sweet shop was so close! W x

[Linda Gilbert]

Oh I have just blog hopped across to you. What excellent timing -- such a lovely post. I went to Amsterdam and loved it but did noot know about the fabric market-- What a shame. So glad you had such a wonderful trip
Kindest Regards Linda

[Aussie Maria]

I felt like I was taking a holiday without leaving home - thank you for sharing the photos

[Karen]

Hi Could you give me the name or address of the apartment you stayed at in Brussels?

[Annette]

Oh my oh my! Amsterdam! Netherlands certainly is the place to go for fabric, yarn and other great crafty stuff. And as I just live "next door" in the flower bombarded Switzerland and have afriend over there I guess I have all the good reasons to go there in a swisch! SOmething to really consider now when I am throwing myself into the new crafty field of sewing. Thanks for sharing.

[Krista - Poppyprint]

What a trip! Your photos are amazing Beata! I love the Jordaan market - it's incredible what you can find there. Bryan and I went to Bruges 1992 and I'd go back in a sec. LOVED it! Have you guys watched "In Bruges", the movie?

Can't wait to see your treasures!

[amanda makes]

Looks like heaven, Beata! Good to have you back though. Lots of love, Amanda xxx

[Tracey]

Looks like you had a fabulous holiday. I can't understand how the Lapjesmarkt escaped my notice when we were on honeymoon. Wonder if I can persuade Husband to go back to Amsterdam for our anniversary ? :-)

No, seriously.

[THe Muse of The Day]

I have been checking your blog for quite some time now to see if you were back. To be honest, I was getting a bit peeved as it was taking so lung. This post more than made up for it. It looks like you had a great time. Welcome home. Carolina

[philosophydoll]

B,

Thank you for this post...

I loved seeing the absolutely beautiful photos from your trip...

especially the garden shots,

and the view from the attic apartment...

Looking forward to your next post...

[leanne]

I needed a little get-away this morning with my first cup of coffee...how nice to see such beautiful images of a place I'd like to get to someday. Can't wait to see what goodies you found!

[erin]

beautiful photos, beata...looks like an amazing family adventure!
i get to go to the uk on my own in september to visit my bro and his family...can't wait!
lots of love - xo e.

[YAFIT]

WOW!!!!!
ITS LOOKS SO FUN AND PRETTY, THANKS FOR SHARING WITH US.
YAFIT
ISRAEL

[Pina]

Ok it was a very long post but a good one so I'll make my comment short and sweet....very very very jealous

[frances]

It's been a while since I stopped by your wonderful site. Looks as if today was a perfect time for a visit.

You've treated me a beautiful vicarious holiday, going to all sorts of places that I would so like to see again myself.

I certainly did not think that this post was too long ... it was a perfect length. Hoping that you will soon be showing more photos!

Best wishes.

[Erica K]

Wow, I'm so jealous! I can't wait to see the goodies you bought! :)

[Leisa]

What a wonderful holiday - the type that dreams are made of!! Great post - can't wait to see your treasures!

[debbie]

If only everyone's vacation photos were this lovely....

[Ravenhill]

A warm welcome back home! Your trip looks just marvelous, what beauty you found, and that market... delightful!
emily xoxo

[Petit Filoux]

Looks like you had a wonderful holiday. I always find it odd when people come spend their holiday where I live, I'm just glad that London didn't disappoint!! The V&A is definitely the most wonderful museum here!

[Jean C.]

What a WONDERFUL time you must have had! It shows from all your great pictures! Not sure what I liked the most... probably the fabric market! Every Monday!!!! What's not to like~ Looking forward to your next post!

[Jean C.]

Oops.... I forgot something. The beautiful glass hanging in the V & A museum... I saw a
show on PBS a number of years ago about the artist that makes those. He does such wonderful stuff. So cool to continue to see his work in different area's!

[joye]

Are you going to be filling your etsy shop soon? Been saving up for one of your amazing pillow cases! You are super talented!

[Sweetroseblooms.blogspot.com]

Amazing photos sounds like you have a wonderful.

[K]

ooooh! those photos are absolutely fabulous! I especially like that last group of photos. I soooo wish that vehicle was *mine* with all that delicious fabric.

I am so glad you and your family has such a wonderful holiday.

K

[selina]

Looks like a wonderful trip! Your photo's make me feel so lucky to live so near to Hampton Court (i'm just along the river in Surbiton). Bruges is also wonderful, my boyfriend took me there last Christmas, I'd love to go back there in the summertime! x

[do you mind if i knit]

When I lived in London, I always wished I was just a visitor, not actually living there. I think it's wonderful to be a visitor to London, you get the best out of it that way. Vanessa xxx

[Natalia]

Oh, I loved your post...you described so colorful your travel as I have beeen there myself...great fotos! thank you!