#convent garden

[whats-in-a-sentence]

Some women retailers were so well established that they issued their own coins – trade tokens to use as small change during the constant shortage of official coinage. Six trade tokens struck by women dating from 1660-70 have survived.

"Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History" - Philippa Gregory

[looosey]

Literary London: the Modern Life of a Socialite pt. 2

A non-fiction piece.

Reading Mrs. Dalloway was very relevant for my travels here in London, a city full of luxurious temptations that would treat my wallet quite poorly. Mrs. Dalloway is a book about a woman, born into a plain middleclass upbringing, who marries into a high social class, and loves the lifestyle. The whole book follows a day in her life, as she is throwing Her party, where everyone will have no choice but to see how Born-to-Be-a-Wonderful-Host she is.

In Korean there is a slang that would be used to call this set of symptoms: 된장녀 (doen-jang-nyeo), a pejorative neologism for a girl who desires, buys, and flaunts luxury items, without the means to pay for it herself (hence the connection with "gold diggers"). The wikipedia definition goes further to say, she will often pinch pennies on basics in order to afford "conspicuous luxuries." I might just be a 된장녀, which is concerning! I have to remind myself that I am living in London for a month, and cannot spend like I'm on vacation for a week every week, or else I'll have to find work first thing when I return to campus!

To explain my first point about Mrs. Dalloway relevance to today, I argue that if born in my generation, Mrs. Dalloway would've been an influencer to a whole market of TikTok viewers: "how to attract provider men," "how to manifest your dream life," "how to build an elegant Instagram feed," "how to look expensive (cheap and affordable!)." More relevant to me, Mrs. Dalloway represents a desire for seeing and having nice things, and mingling with important people, which is viewed by other characters in the book as snobbish and out of touch with the reality of the general population.

Being in Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly, and many markets, and seeing marble statues, gold stitching on historical fabrics, the glittering diamonds of the crown jewels, the neurons in this same greedy part of my brain fires so much more often. This journal entry will be dedicated to all of the luxuries, London specific, that have tempted me successfully. This is a slightly shameful haul.

1. Coffee

I am addicted, and I have one a day, either at home or at a cafe or both. The alternative milk here is at no additional cost, which makes everything come out to about 3.8 pounds on average for a flat white! This is a steal, in comparison to American coffee spots! Or so I tell myself.

2. Nice Dinners

Namaaste Kitchen ⭐⭐⭐ (2.5/5)

Dishoom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Ukiyo Handroll Bar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Blacklock ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

Kanishka ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4.5/5)

3. Fancy Dresses

OddMuse: These are beautiful dresses, more expensive than any dress I own, but made out of cheap synthetic fabric. They have a beautiful chic storefront in Covent Garden, and I'm still on the fence about whether I will return these!!

4. 100% Wool

So the wool coat was a purchase I made for my own Christmas gift, on 40% off at Aritizia before I left for London. Was the three piece suit necessary? It might have to be the suit I wear to my own wedding at this point.

5. Afternoon Tea, English Breakfast

Clotted cream is delicious. Scones are in fact dry, but with cream and jam are delicious. Finger sandwiches are delicious. Blood sausages are okay. Those scrambled eggs are delicious. Flat whites are delicious.

6. Performances

From Left to Right: The Kit Kat Cabaret, Giselle, Les Misérables

I was checked hard when I watched Les Misérables and was reminded of the power of money to blind those who are wealthy to the pains of the rest of the world. And even without watching Les Mis, at the end of the day, my reality check comes in the form of a hefty credit bill and no presents for most of the people I care about, and no financial plan saved for some of the more important projects I have coming up soon. So with this, my Mrs. Dalloway lifestyle will have to come to an end.

[skirtmag]

The Convent Garden

[babbulicious]

Spitfire London, UK (Feb 2017)

[literal-aesthetic-trash]

• day in Daylesford •

[corsetdiary]

La Beau Monde 1875                

[gloriawriteshere]

Markets and Murals - #ThursdayDoors

Thursday Doors is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favourite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world.

Markets and Murals - #ThursdayDoors

[amelieparker]

The Best Covent Garden Restaurants London | Cora Pearls

Connect with Cora Pearls in the UK if you're seeking the best Covent Garden Restaurants London. In a historic Covent Garden townhouse, we provide sophisticated British comfort food, cocktails, and wines for all occasions. Please contact us at 020 7324 7722 to make a booking.