Portobello Market, Saturday

I haven't quite decided how I feel about Portobello Road Market. I made the mistake of going on a Saturday, two weeks in a row, and couldn't move an inch without stepping on someone, getting shoved, and then getting angry. You have to wait your turn to get near a vendors stall (the good ones at least), and once you do get there, the items are so overpriced and they will very rarely bargain with you.

Some of the shops are quite cute, however. I might even shop here, eventually, if I have any disposable income in the near future. Here's hoping, right. And if I one day I do happen to own a flat in Notting Hill, it will be one of these multi-coloured townhouses, because whats the point of living here if your house isn't a fluorescent shade of green?

And if I were furnishing my bright green Notting Hill flat with antiques - specifically tea pots and kettles, even though its not really my thing - I may shop for them here:

What a photogenic shop. Those mannequin ladies really caught my eye.

One antique shop worth stopping by at is Hirst Antiques: less antiquey, more jewellery, and lots of it. From every era and every price range. Bonus points: its open every day of the week. 

As far as the people go - its known worldwide as one of the best street markets, so you will find people from everywhere. And it seems like all the tourists in London at that very moment, just happen to be at this market on a Saturday. 

The style is pretty dull.  These girls are going for what I call 'east London hipsters trying to be west London posh' if only for the day. They've decided to raid their grandmothers closet and have found the perfect outfit to age them 40 years. Well done girls.

If your in the mood for channeling Hugh Grant circa his 'Notting Hill' years, you might want to check out The Travel Bookshop, which my friend informed me was a setting in the movie. How romantic. Who knew? Apparently all the girls pointing and shrieking at the entrance did. 

The shop was actually quite cute inside. All the travel books and guides inspired me to get the heck out of Portobello Market.

And so I did.  

Brick Lane, Sunday Up Market

Brick Lane on a Sunday is the epitome of urban living. People from every culture imaginable. Sights and sounds of local colour.  You'll encounter the most interesting characters, surely, selling trinkets straight out of their home.  But you know the saying, 'one person's trash is another ones treasure.' Lets be honest, it mostly is trash, but its fun to look at. You will be able to find anything, things you didn't even know existed. The things are so random, that I'm almost certain they we're in a drunken haze the night before, rummaged through their basements and closets and decided to sell what they found as the sobered up.

Aside from that, there are some fabulous shops on the street, bars, cafes (go to Street Coffee!), record stores (go to Rough Trade!). And most importantly, dozens of curry restaurants - you'll feel quite popular with all the owners calling you 'my friend' and inviting you in. Bonus: there is so much competition that it will be cheap and delicious. Always.

Getting cosy besides strangers in my fave Brick Lane pub

One of my favourite things about Brick Lane is the Sunday Up Market. Here's why:

Do I even need to say it?

Because where else can you find vintage fur from dead ladies closets, piles of Levis cutoff shorts, baskets full o' scarves, your grandmothers jewellery, your grandfathers pants, used shoes three sizes too small?

It takes a lot of digging, but there are gems in there, trust me.  I can spend hours browsing the vintage markets on a Sunday afternoon.  Hours.

For added fun on a Sunday in Brick Lane: Once you've found your perfect vintage item, wear it with one of the following: something fur, tribal prints, crazy patterns, animal prints... preferably together, anything oversized, a hat, something with feathers, something leather, a bold colour mixed with another bold colour, a bun on the top of your head accompanied by a headscarf and you will a. be stopped by a street style photographer and b. have fulfilled your mission for the day.

Once you've accomplished this and feel satisfied with yourself... satisfy your hunger at one of the below places:

Or here: 

Or here:

I'll let the above photos speak for themselves. But once you've made the most difficult decision of the week, ie. should I get Thai, Indian, Ethiopian, Spanish, Chinese, Moroccan, Mexican etc. etc.... take your little box of goodness and go sit with all the other cool, cultured, people on the steps outside - because your in Brick Lane on Sunday, and its the thing to do. Okay.

Borough Market, Foodie Paradise

Its all about food here. And I'm really not that into food. Well, that was quite a bold statement. I love to eat, naturally, but I don't cook. I've been living off yogurt and muesli since I moved to London. Until I discovered Borough Market.  I've never been this excited over food. The best part is you can try everything, and you can learn so much if you ask, everyones willing to teach you about their craft - whether its wine, olive oil, bread, cheese, fish...

You can't understand what its all about unless you visit, but I will try to give you an idea. Lets begin.

Depending on which way you arrive at the cavernous like market, you will be engulfed in a number of  aromas. Some pleasant, some not so much.  Fish heads anyone?

 It gets quite chilly in there. Approach the nearest vendor selling mulled wine. I went back for seconds, and then thirds. It was a good day.

Theres nothing like a pig head on display to make you want to buy some ham. Who doesn't love having their dinner stare them in the eyes?

 Or how about various pig limbs. Mmm, limbs. 

Marco and friend from The Olive Company were just wonderful.  Just a little forewarning: eating all of your olives in one sitting is bad for your health.

This lady tried to convince me there is seven different flavours of Croatian olive oil. So she let me try them all. She was right. Let the sampling begin. 

And then there's an overwhelming amount of cute vendor boys. I can't help but buy what their offering me. This one forced me to sample cheese, and then proceeded to make me purchase it, so domineering. 

And everything is so visually pleasing that they fool me into thinking I want, I need, to buy goose fat. Those tricksters. Side note: I didn't actually purchase goose fat, but I was thinking about it - such a deal.  

A word of advise: Avoid this market if you are attempting to lose weight, or are trying to save your pennies. Because you will most likely purchase all the above foods, while justifying to yourself that you will eat in moderation. You won't. 

Broadway Market Style

Broadway Market attracts an eclectic mix of fashionable people. They all seem to gather together in one confined space, then disappear until the next weekend in another top street style worthy ensemble. It could be mistaken for a trendy mirage if it weren’t for all the markets these trendsetters are shopping at that assures you - it's definitely real. 

After a trend forecaster told me about the market, I had to see what all the hype was about. She told me Brick Lane is not reflective of east end street style. Tourists congregate there to catch a glimpse of “edgy east London."  I quite liked the vibe of Broadway, amazing style was everywhere, and the people we're friendly. 

Here's what I saw. 

These girls were doing the "walk of shame chic." Telling me their Friday night was spilling over into the following day, wearing the same ensembles. You never would have guessed - they look great. Yvan Rodic of Facehunter managed to get a much better shot of the one girl here.

A typical looking trendy couple that congregate here to sit around and just look cool with each other.  

Prime example of the local colour I was telling you about. This lady hadn't been to bed yet, and couldn't remember what she was wearing, but here she is, bright and early selling hand made knickers. Can you spot a trend starting here people? This is the only place to be to cure your hangover and still look good.  

Mimi from Sweden was a doll. A little 70's bohemian, 80's acid wash, 90's grunge - It just works in my books!

Then I came across this lovely little vintage stall - Bird on a Wire Vintage. Perhaps a nice place to find the above fashions. Located in Netil market, which is around the corner from Broadway.

All in all, a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, hungover or not.  

Saturday, Broadway Market

Saturday at Broadway Market is like an escape from reality.  I've never seen so many cool people in one place at one time. I heard about Broadway Market from a trend forecaster at WGSN. She said "Brick Lane is out, you neeeed to go Broadway," and so I did. She was right. Tourists don't go there, probably because its too far out of the way (well except for me I guess) in the middle of Hackney. The market spills over into side streets, and their worth checking out as well.

Who knew a farmers market could attract such a cool group of people.

Who you'll see: Locals from Hackney, hipsters, trendsetters, parents wheeling babies in prams. 

What to buy: Artisan breads, meats, cheese, or shop for vintage right on the street. 

Must try: Vietnamese coffee (ask for condensed milk). One of the many pubs and cafes that line the street - if you can manage to find a table outside, great for catching up with friends, drinking delicious lattes and watching crazy fashionistas. Crazy in a good way. 

Don't miss: The Schoolyard market, around the corner. Stalls literally in a school yard. Sit on fake grass and eat your vegan curry. 

Schoolyard Market 

A Market Life

Portobello Market

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to London, after the rain and clouds and the busy tube stations, was the markets. A great place to experience the local culture.

Brick Lane, Portobello, Spitalfields, Borough, Broadway.... all fantastic in their own distinct ways.  Whether your looking for a great vintage fur, antiques, local produce, artisan foods, or a place to spot emerging trends from the street, you'll find it at the markets in London.

Here is what I've discovered while wandering the streets of these markets.

Broadway Market