I Just Got Back From London—Here's Where I Stayed, What I Ate, and What I Wore

I recently got back from a very busy fashion month where I attended London and Milan fashion weeks. While I certainly had a lovely time in Milan (my credit card would also agree with this statement), my experience in London is the one I can't stop thinking about. I was only in town for about four days and my schedule was packed due to the number of shows and appointments I attended, but I still snuck in time to enjoy my gorgeous hotel, eat a meal I've been pining after ever since I heard Stanley Tucci gush about it, and of course, show off a few fun outfits along the way. 

Since I didn't have enough time to fully play tourist, this London city guide is quite a compact one filled with one hotel, one restaurant, and three outfits. So if you're like me and find yourself on business in the city or have a quick pitstop along a longer trip, I encourage you to bookmark the two spots below as they are the recommendations I can't stop talking about. 

I absolutely thrive in a good hotel. Peak relaxation for me is the comfort of a doorman or concierge greeting you with a warm welcome, a fluffy bathrobe, and incredible room service all within the confines of a gorgeous hotel. The London EDITION exceeded my expectations in all the above and then some. EDITION hotels are known worldwide, but this might be the most gorgeous one I've been in. Originally built in 1835 as five townhouses and later transformed into the Berners Hotel in 1908, the establishment still features some original architecture and grandeur. 

Speaking of grandeur, the moment you walk into the hotel lobby you are greeted with picturesque ceilings and inviting interiors that make you want to sit down and stay a while. The hotel's restaurant, Berners Tavern, is a must as is Punch Room or Lobby Bar for a chic nightcap. The hotel is also celebrating a decade of its renowned luxury by offering guests a bespoke room package in honor of the milestone. So if you were thinking of planning a trip to London soon, now is definitely the time to book.

As I mentioned before, I was in London for London Fashion Week and therefore had a very busy schedule. One that often didn't leave time for noteworthy sit-down meals. With that in mind, I made sure to book at least one memorable dining experience while I was in town and Sartoria was the only restaurant on my list. I won't lie—I discovered Sartoria thanks to its wildly sung praises in Stanley Tucci's show "Searching For Italy". He dedicated an episode to his love for Italian food in London and brought viewers along with him as he dined at the restaurant of the chef who catered his wedding. You guessed it—Chef Francesco Mazzei of Sartoria. 

Sartoria means 'tailor' in Italian and rightfully sits in the historic Savile Row in Mayfair, London which is known for its bespoke tailoring for men. Sartoria is the only restaurant that sits on this famous street and I was thrilled to try it. I dined alone on my last night of London Fashion Week which meant I wasn't able to order too much, but what I did have was spectacular. My meal for one consisted of a perfect martini, scallops and nduja in a green sauce, spaghetti with Mazara prawns and bottarga, and a slice of pistachio cake to finish. Need I say more? 

London is always such an inspiring place when it comes to personal style and emerging talent. It's easy for me to get carried away with the nuances of it all and want to incorporate it into my own style, but that often leaves me feeling not quite like myself. This season, I challenged myself to only pack items that felt true to who I am and that brings me joy.

Below, you'll find an assortment of three of my favorite looks from throughout my trip featuring my new vintage Dries Van Noten skirt, my favorite Prada bag, and a ton of quality basics I never travel without.