Hot Spot: Covent Garden, WC2

Style Note: The Isabella Oliver Cape

Posted by London Darling

Yesterday was one of those cold and breezy days in London when you really need something warm and snug to wrap up in. And what better way to wrap up than in a cape. It's the perfect alternative to a winter coat. I received this beautiful one as a Christmas Gift from one of my favourite labels Isabella Oliver.

London Fashion Week Diary: BODYAMR

Posted by London Darling

The BODYAMR show was one that I was particularly looking forward to, and it was well worth the wait. The signature draping that I love still played a huge role in the collection as an abundance of luxe fabrics and beaded embellishment.

Giveaway: Win Tickets to the 2010 Vitality Show!

Posted by London Darling

The lovely team at Vitality are treating three lucky readers to a pair of free tickets! Running from 18th-21st March in London’s Earls Court 2, Vitality is the UK’s largest health, beauty, fitness and wellbeing event for women.

Beauty Buzz: Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare

Posted by London Darling

I recently changed my beauty regime to include the Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, the Instant Boost Skin Tonic and Skin Repair Moisturiser. It's been just six days, and already I've seen a noticeable difference in the clarity of my complexion and the texture of my skin.

Hot Spot: Covent Garden, WC2

Covent Garden has long been a social hub for British fashion’s new talent so it's no surprise that the apple market is the selling place of choice for many British designers and artists.

A market with heart and plenty of soul, each stall offers something fresh and new with items you'll be stretched to find on the high street. There's a huge variety of stalls displaying clothing from boutique fashion labels and hand-made jewellery and accessories. You could say that it's the eclectic shopper's paradise.

Resident stall owners at the market include Amy Christie a designer of hand-blown crystal glass jewellery; Caroline Faiers offering a contemporary collection of belts and handbags featuring exclusive vintage embellishments; Robert Darwen, a specialist in unique, original, modern clocks and Cushers of Covent Garden, featuring hand air brushed cotton T-shirts unique in design and sold exclusively to visitors of the market.

Image Credit: Amy Christie Jewellery

Whilst playing host to British fashion’s hottest new talent, it is not uncommon to find big names from the world of fashion dropping into Covent Garden. Icons and influential personalities including Dita Von Teese amd Donatella Versace have graced the annual Fashion Fringe event that has become a key date in the London Fashion Week calendar.

But it's not just the fashion that gives Covent Garden such pulling power, when it comes to food, alfresco dining is 'the Covent Garden way', and with a good variety of fusion and culturally diverse cuisine, there are plenty of places to pleasure your palate or whet your whistle. As for entertainment, the Garden is home to The Royal Opera House and an entertainment network where aspiring dancers, actors and vocalists take to the streets and established veterans of theatre take to the stage.

The Royal Opera House is currently showing The Royal Ballet's production of La Bayadère, an enchanting story of love, murder and vengence by the gods set in India. Tickets are available from the 13th January 2009 to 7th February 2009. Visit The Royal Opera House website for more information.

Royal Opera House
Covent Garden,
London WC2E 9DD
Box Office: 020 7304 4000
Web: www.roh.org.uk

Apple Market
North Hall,
Covent Garden Market
London WC2

Opening Times:
Monday
9:00am-7:00pm
Tuesday-Sunday
10.30am- 7:00pm
Web: http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/markets/page/1