Travel Guide: London, UK

#LondonTown, where they drive on the right side of the road, the tea is black or earl, and the Queen is the original #bossbabe. London has so much to offer from Buckingham and Kensington Palace, the London Eye, the Clock Tower, and Churchill drawing-room. Plus, we can’t overlook the red, telephone booths whilst walking down our favorite shopping roads. While I don’t eat fish and chips anymore, there’s plenty of nibbles within the #Purist lifestyle in the UK! Here are our posh tips for doing #Londontown right!

1. Self Tanner (for the body and face)

2. Prebiotic Deodorant (arrowroot powder helps absorb moisture!)

3. Mani + Pedi Time (nails in the perfect hue)

4. Sunscreen (for the rays)

5. Nourishing travel soap (rose hips for nourishing)

6. Natural Toothpaste (for a bright smile on the road)

7. Body Butter (to nourish your parched skin)

8. Nourishing Mask (for a pick me up the day after a big night)

9. Be Glowy Hyaluronic Serum (so refreshing and a makeup setter!)

10. Mini-mini jade roller (lymphatic drainage TO-GO!)

Some of Estela's travel faves:

Travel Discovery Kit + Travel Trio

Makeup : Suntegrity BB cream , Fit Glow Lip gloss , Saint Eye Palette , Lily Lolo Mascara , Au Naturale Concealer , Au Naturale Lipgloss

For the long travel and sleepless nights : Juicy Bamboos , Eye Pratch Treatments , Sheet Masks , Nourish Travel Bar , Zinc Spray SPF, and Sweat Cosmetics SPF powder , B Vitamins (feeling alive) , daily multivitamins (Back to the Basics) , Digestive Enzymes to break down all this foreign food, and Wylde's Immune shrooms to stay strong throughout my trip!

Where to Eat & Hang

Sloane Square - shop Zara, modestly priced Monica Vinader and grab a bite.
Changing of the Guard / Horse Guard Parade - 10:30/11 daily.
Saatchi gallery - Fun for the art enthusiast.
White Cube Gallery - a gem for collectors.
National History Museum
Black Taxi Tour - a great way to see a lot for a modest price.
Tour of Kensington Palace (William and Kate’s residence) or Buckingham Palace through the end of September while the royals are not in residence.
Churchill Museum - history buff? This is calling your name.
London Eye - scared of heights? Sit in the middle!
Fashion Week - top UK and international designers.
Royal Ascot - the Derby of the UK.
Trip to the country / Cottswald by train. If you can get into the Soho Farmhouse, it is worth it! Lucknam Park is fun too!
Queens Tournament - the ATP tournament leading up to Wimbledon.
St Paul’s Cathedral visits Sundays and service is free.

DINE:

Colbert’s - amazing if Sloane Square is your shopping plan. Great gluten and dairy-free cobb salad.
The Ivy in Chelsea - floral lines patio great for lunch!
Harrods (gluten-free? no problems here!) great for lunch or tea.
Claridge’s - great for tea or drinks.
J. Sheekey - great dinner spot
Sexy Fish - chic restaurant
Scott's - traditional London
Chiltern Firehouse - a very fun atmosphere.
Harry - traditional London restaurant.
Casa Tua - Italian and chic
Casa Cruz - sexy dining. So romantic and interiors drool-worthy.
Borough’s Market - open-air shops to grab a sandwich or supplies to cook.
Hemsley + Hemsley - Selfridges restaurant entirely gluten-free.

Tea:

Harrod's (Gluten Free? No problem!)
Claridges

THE LOOK:

My fave look for afternoon tea? After cleansing with my 3-step regime ( Bright + Shine cleanser, Be Glowy hyaluronic spray serum, and Well & Glow rejuvenating face oil) I love a lil tinted moisturizer ( 5 in 1 for a dewier look or Impeccable Skin for a matte look ), a little all over highlighter with my fave on-the-go twist brush , and a pop of pink on my lips! I’m def obsessed with Saint’s Jubliee lipstick !

Shopping:

Selfridges - very posh London department store with every brand from Ted Baker to Gucci.
Joseph’s - Chic and small very curated multi-brand store.
Harrods - the most large scale department store which operates more like a mall. It is filled with international elite from around the world.
Harvey Nichols - a department store.
Portobello Road in Nottinghill
St. James Street - go-to destination for luxury retailing
King’s Road - shopping and fun along Sloane square and Saatchi
Mayfair - from Vivienne Westwood to Mount Street Printer, Barbour, Purdey, and Goyard.
Vivienne Westwood - slightly edgy and fun designer.
Ted Baker - traditional and well priced UK fashion.
Stella McCartney - Flagship while in London!
Burberry - Flagship
All Saints - edgy and totally EU (king street and on Commercial Street)
Lock & Co. Hatters - find your perfect hat here
Savile Row - known for traditional men's bespoke tailoring
Zadig Voltaire - edgy, upscale and EU (king street and all over)
Top Shop - now all over the US but you can still find only EU based fast fashion.
Zara - same with this EU fast fashion brand. It’s worth a look because the production for the US and EU is different.
Alfie’s Antique Market - large indoor market located on Church Street in Lisson Grove, London
Old Spitalfields Market - covered market in Spitalfields, London
Piccadilly Market - vibrant and charming market in the heart of London
Camden Market - No two days are ever the same at Camden Market
Jubilee Market - located in Jubilee Hall in Covent Garden

Sips:

Blue Bar at the Berkley - lovely evening drink or a nightcap.

Cross Keys - Old pub in Chelsea. Very well frequented by some notable Londoners.

5 Hartford - private and if you can get an invite don’t miss Thursdays (usually theme night) and stay late to dance.

Annabelle- Another private club that feels like the home of every international friend you’ve ever had. Great food and dance floor.

Artist Club - dinner or drinks. It’s private.

Chiltern Firehouse - dinner or private entrance for drink

Stay:

The Hari (so boutique and in my fave part of London - Belgravia. Don’t miss their terrace for a nibble. The Hari recommended these cute little markets for fun finds and antique furniture. I love finding a great unique piece
Claridge’s Hotel
The Berkley -Don't miss a sip at the Blue Bar
Mandarin Oriental
The Connaught - Great for tea too!
Vintry and Mercer
Sloane Place (right next to the Saatchi Gallery!!) - great location, well priced!
The Goring Hotel - with a royal appointment and all of Kate’s family staying there during the wedding. It’s quaint. Proper and in a quiet part of town.