#old spitalfields

It is difficult to stay in on a Sunday in London when there are so many sights, sounds, smells and eats to experience in Shoreditch.

It doesn't matter how many winters I have lived through around the world, cold weather is still a surprise to me -- the way it chills my bones and numbs my skin. 

About once a day as I walk outside, I say to myself, "I didn't sign up for this," even though I knew full well this was what I was signing up for. I've come to truly appreciate scarves and the pom-pom hat I got in Amsterdam. 

I spent all yesterday in the comfort of my warm bed, so today I had to do something to get me moving, so I headed into London. 

Even though it was super cold out, I ended up having an awesome day trying to keep warm in the best ways possible. 

1. Old Spitalfields Market 

After arriving at Waterloo, I took the tube to Liverpool Street to hit up yet another market. This market, however, is covered and surrounded by restaurants, so it's much cozier than going to Portobello Road on a cold day like today. 

Depending on the day, there are different themed stalls like vintage or art. Sundays have a little bit of everything, but sadly not as much food as I was hoping. 

I've come to realize all the markets in London basically have the same items, so you go to them for the environment. This one had a more commercial vibe because its chain restaurant surroundings. It had a much more family-oriented, refined vibe 

2. Pho 

I was planning to go back to my udon place, but as I was heading to the tube station, I happened upon Pho across the way from the market. I love pho, and the restaurant was packed, so I decided to try it out. 

I loved the vibe and appreciated the communal table. 

For those who don't know what pho is, it is a Vietnamese soup with flat, long noodles that comes with sprouts and herbs on the side. 

I got my pho with thinly sliced beef and added a ton of Hoisin sauce, fish sauce, cilantro, sprouts, lime, sriracha and basil. 

Eating it all is such a process, though, because the bowl is so big. I started with the noodles, so my stomach wouldn't get falsely full with broth. I recommend getting water with it, so you can appreciate the flavors and not overheat. 

3. Guildhall Art Gallery 

Whenever I find somewhere online I should go to, I add it to my "LONDON" list in the Notes app on my phone. Often I forget where I found out about things -- like the Victorian exhibit at the Guildhall Art Gallery. 

Guildhall is located over the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater. I realized that after walking out of the Victoriana exhibit. Glass panes looked over ruins in a dark basement area with the silhouettes of people made up of lazer pattern reenacting gladiators. It was like an eerie historical lazer tag place. 

The Victorian exhibit was pretty awesome. I wish it was more extensive because I could have spent all day looking at the pieces. There was everything from steam punk-inspired helmets, a chair with a back filled with taxidermy fox, a room filled with jasmine-scented cherubs and pictures of women with animal heads. I loved every single piece in the exhibit. For the 5 pound ticket, it was worth the trip. 

N for Nicole! 

4. Bea's of Bloomsburg 

Post-all things Victorian, I was craving a cupcake, so I headed down the street to a popular afternoon tea spot. I got a table and ordered a caramel cupcake and hibiscus-black currant tea. The set up was so cute, and the surroundings were super chic, but I just couldn't like the cupcake. I, however, couldn't get enough of the tea. I'm obsessed with hibiscus things. The cupcake was really dry, and the frosting was too buttery. Alas, I still enjoyed myself.  

5. Southbank 

From Bea's, I decided to walk to Waterloo -- best decision of the day! The walk was the perfect London at nighttime route. I went past St. Paul's for the first time then over the Millennium Bridge. On the bridge, you get the best view of tower Bridge, the Shard and the Globe all in one. Getting off the bridge and going to the right, I walked along to the Thames to Southbank. I walked through the Christmas market there then went to the Real Food Market, which was just closing up. 

Everyone was lined up at a stall selling pork sandwiches, One guy was making the sandwiches to order while another was pulling the pork from a huge chunk of pig. As I was waiting in line, people were lining up for seconds. I don't blame them. The sandwich was better than any pulled pork sandwich I've had -- and I grew up in the BBQ capital of the world. This sandwich was different because the meat was so moist and tender, there was fresh apple sauce spread on ciabatta and arugula {rocket} gave it a nice peppery bite. I want another now just thinking about it as I write. 

So despite the shiver-inducing cold, I had a really awesome day checking out new things in London while keeping warm. I live for these days out by myself, and I am really going to miss them. My time here is almost coming to an end. Ahhhh! Let's not focus on that! Instead, let's focus on what I have coming up next: 

Thanksgivukkah in London -- I have some fun plans up my sleeve! 

A possible trip to Brussels to see a family friend 

More Devon Days in London 

About a year ago I was avoiding tea and coffee like the plague. I couldn’t for the life of me think why people would drink it. But that all changed when I found an amazing little tea shop close to my uni in Preston... and I was converted. 

Ever since moving to London I had been looking for a similar experience  - a fully dedicated tea café with knowledgeable waitresses. Don’t get me wrong, London has some amazing places that serve afternoon tea, but I hadn’t been anywhere that was purely dedicated to the perfect cuppa... Until now.

TeaSmith (cute name right?) sits inside Spitalfields and is one of those places that is quite easy to miss if your not looking out for it. It’s a small tea café/shop with a long tea bar you can sit at. The tea bar makes it perfect to talk to the waitresses and soak up all of their tea expertise while watching them make all the weird and wonderful teas they serve.

We chatted to the waitress about what we liked and she suggested some different teas we should try. I had Lily flowering tea, meanwhile my tea-drinking partner went for Darjeeling. Both were amazing, having been made right in front of us with water from a pre-boiled tap. The people sitting next to use were having the Afternoon Tea Ceremony tasting menu, which included a number of different teas and lots of cakes and chocolates. 

The tea keeps flowing until the leaves are spent or the customer is full. We drank as much as we could before picking up some tea and a contraption for brewing to take home.

I can’t wait to make up my tea from the comfort of my kitchen, and whenever I’m in the area and looking for a new flavour to try I will most definitely be popping back to TeaSmith.

Stop by and see for yourself - which tea was your favourite?

As I came to write my first piece as Old Spitalfields’ new vintage blogger, I found myself pondering about the nature of vintage and its significance in our everyday lives.  The vogue of vintage has permeated every aspect of modern life as we relentlessly quest to replicate the allure of times past. I can’t be the only one who has smiled at the tigger-ish joy of those frolicking, young pups who pluck at their noughties denim bombers and delightedly exclaim “It’s vintage!” 

As the festive season draws near, we've been doing our very best to spread that feeling of good cheer and merriment among our visitors - and what better way to put a crimbo spring in your step by filling the market with glorious Christmas songs? Live ones at that.

East London is fast making a name for itself as a musical hub, so we've uncovered some of the hidden gems and given them a stage at selected Lunchtime Live sessions right here in the centre of Old Spitalfields. Here's the timetable and a few cheeky snippets of our superb artists - will we be seeing you for some mulled wine and a jig?

Lunchtime Live Schedule:

Monday 17th December

1pm - Katie Wilkinson - Rainbow-haired singer songwriter Katie has reached the knockout stages of this year’s Open Mic UK competition, hotly tipped as one to watch in 2013. You heard it here first...

Tuesday 18th December

1pm - The 286 - A seven piece band from our fair city, The 286 dare to cross the genres of indie rock and classical music. By clashing rock & roll riffs with cellos and violins, The 286 create a unique sound that you expect from a musical collaboration between The Beatles and Beethoven.

Wednesday 19th December

1pm - Nathan Persad - Imagine a cross between Austin Powers and John Lennon. Right there you have Nathan, whose had Time Out dub his stage presence as simply "amazing".

Friday 21st December

12:30pm - Redwood Falls - A gorgeously soulful three piece indie folk band building up a solid reputation as a live act following their recent debut on Shoreditch Radio's Silent Jukebox session. 

If you aren't already aware of We Make London, you should be! This organisation has been quietly building up steam since 2008, dedicated to the idea of uniting designer-makers and connecting them to appreciative buyers.

Beginning as a group of knitting clubs, bloggers, and small independent boutiques coming together, We Make London has since grown to become a platform that showcases and sells exceptional creative talent. 

Haven't started on that Christmas shopping yet? Instead of heading out to high street stores, get you nearest and dearest something handcrafted and unique from caring and passionate craftsmen! You'll be able to find anything from handworked jewellery to fashionable vintage style catering to all, including men, kids, and even pets. 

At Old Spitalfields, we agree that creative individuals should have a way to exhibit their ingenuity and handmade goods affordably, and are proud to say that you can find them at the Market on the upcoming dates:

- Saturday 10th November

- Sunday 11th November

- Saturday 22nd December