Jessica James
Buzz MG Director of Marketing

While Tina and I were nearing the end of our very enjoyable Virgin Atlantic flight (after seeing Before Sunrise twice…) the giddiness started to kick in. This would be my third return to London, since living there for a semester as a student in 2000 and Tina’s first London experience so I was determined to show her as much as possible in our four-day visit. After a run-in with an anti-social driver and a scratched door confrontation from Heathrow, we welcomed the warm lighting, tranquil surroundings, pink decor and pleasant smile of the receptionist awaiting our arrival at MyHotel: Chelsea. Located in the heart of uber-fashionable Brompton Cross, this boutique style hotel is decideably more “girlie” – just like their PR Manager Nadine promised, in comparison to their counterpart in Bloombury. Each of the 45 bedrooms have a minimalist feel with a playful decadence, equipped with wi-fi and plasma screen TV/DVD/CD players. With the addition of their jinja spa, library and MyBar, it is no wonder MyHotel: Chelsea was voted one of the 50 coolest new hotels (on the planet) in Conde Nast Traveller’s HOT List in 2003!

Trying to find something to eat close to midnight in Chelsea proved to be more difficult than we had imagined. We were turned away from pub after café until a friendly bloke on the street suggested we try Eclipse. It sounded as if it was only a few steps ahead but with a nondescript front window, we walked right past and ended up blocks away at Maroush (Beauchamp Place), a Lebanese restaurant, that stays open till 4am! – it sounded perfect, but we did not eat much beyond our dessert (baklava and tea)….

Saturday morning, we pulled ourselves out of bed after attempting a 3am viewing of Chris O’Donnell’s The Bachelor (a major perk at MyHotel – free DVD rentals from their library!) after a long night of making our way back from Knightsbridge – thank God we remembered our Uggs! A ten-minute stroll from South Kensington tube station, we got our trusty weekend traveler cards and set off to Portobello Market in Notting Hill. Beyond the maddening crowd, colorful fashion ensembles, endless brooches, jewels, velour blazers and colorful knee socks, we had our first celebrity sighting at Portobello. We spotted Kyra Sedgwick – alone, not with Kevin Bacon - admiring jewels and handbags at a vendor just a few feet ahead of us! After we spent all of the pounds we had in cash, we headed to Covent Garden where I introduced Tina to England’s most fabulous brit chick, Zoe Ball look-alike and old friend, Elsie. We amazingly found one another in front of Accessorize and since Tina and I were famished from all the shopping, we headed straight for lunch at Punch & Judy’s! This Covent Garden favorite was packed with young people hanging over the balcony checking out the crowds below so we headed to the basement where we discovered the first hint of Halloween with paper bats and cobwebs strewn throughout the aging stone walls.

After a night out with Elsie and her mates (in honor of YES! bandmate’s daughter Holly’s departure to Argentina) in the London Bridge district, Tina and I turned in, anticipating our Sunday morning at Speaker’s Corner and Camden Market. Speaker’s Corner was just as I remembered it – wildly eccentric men and women speaking their mind – rationally or not – to an international, bemused audience. Beyond the aging British Tory, a beer-chugging realist and a monk, we both spotted a man praying nearby with a soccer game going on right behind him in Hyde Park. Believe it or not, it’s just another typical day at Speaker’s Corner…

When we hit our politics overload, we headed to Camden Town, where Tina scored a gorgeous rabbit stole for 25 pounds at my favorite hidden stall, where I found my camel leather Bond-girl coat a few years earlier for the same ridiculously low price. Beyond the Doc
Martens, Mohawks, chains and trendy wares, there are truly some vintage treasures to be found at Camden. All you need is patience and a good eye!

Sunday evening I retreated to my host family’s home in Ealing for Brenda’s delicious spaghetti dinner and hours of catching up. Back in Chelsea, Tina slipped her feet into a gorgeous pair of champagne gold Jimmy Choo sandals that she could not resist – although she did admit to shortness of breath when they converted pounds to dollars at the cash register!

With the weekend behind us, we prepared for our client meetings. We had the pleasure of meeting with Claire Irvin, Editor In Chief of Elle Girl UK and Sugar, UK’s most popular teen mag and key members of her marketing / advertising staff to discuss Midas Records artists Angel and Auggie’s plans for a UK introduction. We also held meetings with Aram Walstra, BMG Creative Manager International in his office in trendy, student-friendly favorite Fulham and James Mac, booking agent at Decked Out!

We closed out our trip with dinner and drinks and an international business session with my cousin, Chris, CEO of an asset management / investment group that splits his time between London and L.A. He treated us for drinks at Eclipse (Yes! We FINALLY found it…) and the best sushi Tina and I have ever eaten at Itsu (Walton and Draycott in Chelsea). If you love conveyor belt-style sushi, this place is for you!

If you’re feeling a craving for fish and chips, Danni Minogue, Top Shop, 3AM Girls, Becks and Posh daily coverage, “Minding the Gap” and of course, The Eastenders come back to London or if you have yet to visit, just think of all the things you are missing out on!! (HINT: Call Virgin Atlantic today!!)