Brandy Melville Hits Down In London Town

For all of you who know the name 'Brandy Melville' you'll instantly think of the gorgeous little clothing store, boasting all the sorts of things pinned to your 'Fashion' board on Pinterest. And for all those who don't, here's your very first insight into the wonderful world of Brandy Melville. 
Fellow Londoners, I've got great news! 
Hidden amongst the rather posh 'Sloane' shops on the Kings Road is the very first Brandy Melville London Store. 
"Wahoo" - I hear you scream! I was beyond excited when I saw the post on 'The Londoner' and I couldn't wait to visit the store myself. 

Living in New York over the summer, I used to visit the Brandy Melville store in Soho on a way too regular basis and spend almost every penny I could in the amazing store knowing that none of my friends back home would have the same (of course I bought them back gifts). But now having its very own London branch, it would just be mean to keep it all to myself. Squeezed in-between Kurt Geiger and Thomas Sabo, 33 Kings Road is the home of the two story beaut packed full of the softest West Coast meets Italy basics out there. Originally a little Italian family run brand, Brandy Melville has stores dotted all over Italy as well as a couple in America, and now we are lucky enough to have our very own store in lurverly London.

All of the styles are cut to perfection with gorgeous cut out details at the back of tee's intricate strap work on tank tops and even waist lattice detail on the chiffon dresses. To save you from worrying what sort of underwear you would wear under these tops with gaping wholes in, they even do their very own intimates range, boasting bralets and mini shorts with great strap detailing and finishes, which you would want to show off just as much as the clothes themselves. 

The store itself is just as much of an attraction as the clothing itself with little vintage, tumblr like details of vinyl casing, vintage rotary dial telephones, hand painted wooden plaques, vintage bikes and even handmade ribbon covered hangers, most of which you can buy and take home for yourself. Brand Melville style living room, yes please!

The sizing however is slightly odd. They run on a one size fits most policy, which really means you cant be over a size 12, thus limiting the clientele massively. But do not worry, the oversized sweaters and jumpers are cut on the larger size and the super soft 'cashmere-like' fabric gives after one wear.

With a regularly updating collection, and new items coming in on a weekly basis, once you get it, its gone. So you never need to worry that you're going to walk down the street and see the same tee 5 times over. 
Naturally I couldn't resist picking up a couple new bits from their new collection as well as having a great rummage through their sale bins with everything at least 50% (so cheap they were pretty much giving it away). A dress, bralet, jumper, couple of tee's and several pieces of jewellery later I left feeling rather chuffed with my purchases, and barely a scratch on my bank account, only to arrive home to a rather envious little sister (who I've promised to take back on the weekend).

Be sure to head over to the glorious store if your in London, but if you can't make it you could always order online here. 

Off to see Les Miserables now - so excited!

Big Easy

   

To say that lobster is my favourite food, well actually, that would certainly be pretty accurate. Whatever the meal, be it grilled lobster, lobster risotto, lobster bisque you name it and I just cannot get enough. So obviously I had to go to 'The Lobster Festival' at the Big Easy on the King's Road. 

Big Easy is a truly American style crab-shack in the heart of Chelsea. Stepping off the King's Road, you are transported straight to America's Gulf Coast. The laid back atmosphere hits you in an instant, transporting you back to simpler times with the walls covered in business card and humorous food related sketches, chalk boards jammed packed of the days specials and gorgeous staff to make Big Easy the perfect place to kick back, relax and eat a great American home-style meal.

It was frozen margarita's all round. Didn't half make me want to be back in New York, but I suppose having this little slice of America in London certainly did a good job to fill the void.

Just look at that baby! A huge 2lb fresh Maine lobster all for me, yes I know greedy pig but I absolutely devoured every little bit. Perfectly grilled with a gorgeous homemade hollandaise sauce and chunky fries to go with it. I was in food heaven.

S opted for the fire roasted jumbo shrimp skewers. A new addition to the menu and an absolute taste sensation, marinated in roasted garlic and sweet chili sauce. 

Mohito's are hands down my favourite drink in the whole wide world. I feel like I'm actually a little bit of a mohito connoisseur now and get just so upset when I have a badly made one. At the Big Easy they have every single puree imaginable to make mohito's in all sorts of fruit variety. This peach mohito was absolutely TDF, perfect balance of mint, rum, crushed ice and puree. I was a very happy bunny.  

We were absolutely full to bursting at the end of the meal after devouring every single morsel of the huge American sized portions, and we only went for the 2lb lobster! Cannot wait to go back with a great gabble of friends to feast the night away on another one of their food special nights. The Lobster festival runs from noon till close everyday whilst other events including 'Wings, Burgers & Fries', 'The Big Pig Gig', 'All You Can Eat Shrimp & Fajitas' & 'Steak & Lobster' all run on different nights of the week and should definitely not be missed for a feast of gorgeous food and an unbelievably good price. 

PS. Book before you go as it gets very busy at peak times. Just use the online booking service though Toptable to reserve your spot (click here).