LondonZest Tries Hollywood Glamour

How can one think about gowns, jewels and stilettos when the outdoor temperature reaches the zeroes and all you want to do is slap on some mittens and a hoodie just to brave the cold London wind? I am feeling awfully shabby these days, preferring to settle for the jeans and knit sweaters than the cute LBD and accessories combo. But the Hollywood awards season having kicked off already and Spring weddings and exciting travel plans coming up shortly, I am finding myself longing for the occasion to dress up and be glamourous. Done with the winter blues, hello to the bejeweled evenings out and parties. In comes the shopping.

Walking past the Merchant, the posh yet welcoming high end designer Vintage store on Ledbury Road in Notting Hill, I was immediately enamored with the beauty of the window. I saw Chanel, I saw Stella and Dior, I saw Louboutins, Choos and Prada.

I grinned. I immediately had a vision of myself, tall, confident, glamourous, donning a flowy frock and diamond earrings, an Oscar in hand, on stage, thanking my mum, my dad, God, and of course, the academy. I don't know how it happened, but before I knew it, I was inside the treasure trove, trying on dozens of items, garments, shoes and jewelry and forgot about it all, the cold, the wind, the mittens. And then I grinned even wider, the treasure trove sheltered a Golden chest filled with vintage jewels. 

And suddenly, the long grey gown I had chosen for my upcoming friend's wedding seemed much less dull. The earrings were on my ears - and there was no taking them off. I smiled to the clerk - and there was not much else to say but thank you. And have a good day.

These are no diamonds but I'll settle for these any day of the week. I wish I could tell you the name of the designer but he remains nameless- honestly the shop assistant had no idea what his name was. You'll have to go check it out for yourself. So off you go, zesties.

The Merchant

36 Ledbury Road 

London, W11 2AB

Fashion Can Save the Children - And So Can You

Grazia's famous celebrity Editor-in-Chief Mary Portas has opened her very own clothing boutique on Westbroune Grove. Mary's Living & Giving shop for Save the Children is the latest addition to Notting Hill's hip and posh shopping street, and The Queen Be of the UK's fashion publishing world is heading it up. And she's not in it just for the fashion. No, she's in it for the children. Ain't nothin wrong with a bit of pro-social fashion, is there? Hey, I like fashion. And I like children. Put your hands together for a double whammy of win-wins all around. 

I'm a big believer in using one's name for charitable causes. Bill and Melinda Gates are doing it with their foundation. Bono and Oprah are doing it. Reese and George have also tattooed their names onto big and significant charitable organizations. Angie Jolie has been the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for years. Call it a marketing stunt. Call it a big fat lie. Call it whatever you want. I think it's brilliant. Why the hell not use your celebrity status to raise awareness for a cause when you know you have the clout to pull it through? Mary Portas is no international celebrity, but she is definitely well known in the UK especially when it comes to her incredible fashion sense and her generous sense of charity. And let's not forget, her awesomely fun fashion/tabloid mag Grazia has graced my nightstand a few too many times. And I'm sure it has yours. So for that alone, she deserves your attention today.

This is the drill: you visit the shop and if you're lucky, you'll find some impressive items on sale, like these gorgeous pieces below.

Louboutin sneakers, £190 (instead of £545)

Antonio Berardi Dress, £300 (instead of £860)

Alexa Mulberry bag, £300 (instead of £895)

And if you're a Grazia reader, you can even be one of the first ones to visit the shop on May 22nd from 10-11am. You'll meet the brains behind the whole operation and get the chance to get first dibs on a bunch of smashing deals! You can sign up on rsvp@savethechildren.com for an invitation to the very special event and earn yourself a free manicure and cupcakes in exchange for a fashion donation of your own, designer or high street. As I said before, it's win-win! You give away your things, and you leave with something nice for yourself. Oh, and you save the children. Wouldn't you say that's win-win-win? I most certainly would.

Mary's Living & Giving Shop for Save the Children

177 Westbourne Grove

London, W11 2SB

The Place For Kids- Even You

Do you ever think of yourself as a small child trapped in the body of an adult? I do all the time. I'm definitely still a kid at heart. And I'm not embarrassed to say it. From time to time, I like to watch cartoons. Every so often, I buy myself a stuffed animal for comfort at night and I squeeze it as hard as humanly possible just to remind myself that I am a strong and "grown up" woman. And sometimes, rarely, but sometimes, I go to the candy store and fill a candy bag to the very top and devour them all until I'm on a sugar high and can't sit still in my chair. I still like Christmas morning like I did back when I was 4 and I love and need my family just as much as well. I'm definitely still a kid and I'm not embarrassed to say it.

Cotton candy even still does it for me. At least I used to love it as a kid and don't think that ever went away. So when I walked by R.S. Currie's cotton candy stand on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill on Sunday, I had to have myself a piece of that. What? It's free for kids? And what exactly do you mean by "kids"? Like does it by any chance go up to and include 26 year olds? No? Hm. Didn't think so. Anyways, nice talking to you. Going in now.

It was a real magical emporium in there. Bounds of colourful toys, wooden and plastic, small and large, techy and traditional. My eye was zooming in and out of the candy table, while I could hardly restrain myself from staring at the little raggedy Anns and the awesome barbie dolls. Though definitely more of a boys' toy store (you'll find loads of mini race cars, paper airplanes and swords and shields), it's a real treat for any kid.

Massive lollipops and sweet tarts don't discriminate and neither do dreams and fantasies. So whether you've got a kid at home dying for a new game or stuffed pet to squeeze, or whether you just want to use your kid as an excuse to go check out the magic yourself, you'll love this hole in the wall luxury toyland. Cuz it's just plain fun.