Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Postcards from London - where to stay, and a souvenir

Ending the London series with my current favorite place to stay. The chic and tranquil 'Number Sixteen' in Sumner Place is beautifully decorated, has warm and welcoming staff, and could not be in a better position.


Tucked away in a quiet side street, it's a short walk to Brompton Cross, and just around the corner from the bustling South Kensington tube station. It's five minutes away from some of London's best museums (the fabulous Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science and the Natural History Museum for children of any age), and within 10 minutes, you can walk to the Bluebird and King's Road.








My Kachinas Maxi Twilly London scarf souvenir reminds me of the fun and whimsical sculptures in Number Sixteens's drawing room


Ref 091823S09 (ebene/soleil/corail)






The reverse side (it's actually the front side, but I think of it as the reverse)


  • Number Sixteen Hotel: 16 Sumner Place, London SW7 3EG, Tel: +44 (0)20 7589 5232, www.firmdalehotels.com/number-sixteen 
  • Star of India (nearby indian restaurant),154 Old Brompton Road, Tel: +44 (0)20 373 2901 
  • Victoria and Albert Museum: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL, 4Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk
  • Science Museum (DS's favorite): Exhibition Rd, London SW7 2DD, Tel: +44 870 870 4868, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
  • Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 5BD, Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk

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54 comments:

  1. Dear MaiTai,

    Really enjoyed all your London tours and love your holiday H MT , you look lovely in yours and since I have not tried them yet can I ask, do you wear yours as much as your other scarfs.

    Have a lovely few days
    Best Jane x

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    1. Thank you, dear Jane! I do wear my Maxi Twillys often, they are different and fun. Best to try one on, and see how it feels x

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  2. You have chosen a lovely souvenir, I love colors and motifs.
    Amitiés,
    Anne Marie

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  3. Très chic! I have to admit, I've never been a huge fan of the twilly/maxi twilly, but your photos encourage me to reconsider that decision. It's a very good look!

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    1. I am wearing less Twillys these days, but love the Maxi Twilly format. It’s worth a try!

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  4. Dearest Mai Tai,
    Welcome you back from your lovely holiday! I've been thoroughly mesmerized by all of your glorious photos.
    Love your playful new Maxi Twilly, in all of my fave colours. It would look smashing with your tri-toned RV's as well....clever girl!
    As we swing into Autumn, I look forward to more of your timeless inspirations!

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    1. You nailed it, dear haverfordgal! The Kachinas and RVs have become best friends already ;-)

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  5. Now that this informative London travelogue has reached the the end of the road,so to speak, I have thoroughly enjoyed it all! Love the cozy inn you have chosen as your fav place to stay...kachinas and all! Adore your Maxi Twilly in this cw and it looks like it will work with so many of your looks! Congrats on this great transition piece and look forward to seeing it in upcoming posts<3 Dreaming of Autumn... Have a wonderful weekend ,dear friend, T xx

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    1. Trud, if you manage to conjure up Autumn, will you share and send a bit my way? It's 88 here today. Boo hoo - I hate it when it stays so hot for so long.

      The quality of the light is changing, and it looks more fall-ish, but the temperatures certainly don't.

      Jerrine

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    2. I can't decide which side of that Maxi Twilly I like better, and what surprises me is that I was never attracted to the Kachinas pattern before. It looks wonderful on you, and I'm betting there will be a big run on Kachinas after this debut.

      I would love to know how many more scarves in a particular pattern sell after you've bought them and modeled them. Hermès must not realize what having the "MaiTai stamp of approval" means to their sales! They need to smarten up and make you a spokeswoman for the brand in the same way that Roger Vivier did with Ines. Wouldn't that be fun!

      The hotel looks wonderful. You always find the most amazing gems to stay at. I love the color palette and the quirky design elements. Some of the big London hotels can be so stuffy, but this one seems to say, "come on in; we're having fun, and we don't take ourselves too seriously." It's kind of the London version of the Recamier!

      Thank you for the postcards and all good things to you,
      Jerrine

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    3. Jerine, as I have written so many comments in the past, I mostly enjoy reading your comments now.
      Oh, your comment is so wonderful and you are so right saying that Mrs. Taina should be a spokeswoman of Hermes! That's it!
      I had a dream MaiTai might write the book about the style, but she did not like my idea.
      But now, I hope Hermes is reading and knows how right we all are in terms of MaiTai's style and her contribution to understanding their brand.
      Dear MaiTai, please do not refuse Hermes.

      Love, Lea

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    4. Dear Jerrine and Dear Lea,

      I couldn't agree more with you both!
      I do hope Hermes reads this post! Hugs to you both, Manuela

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    5. Dearest J....I did say dreaming;-) With lots of ac and temps in the 80's,softer light...well Autumn should be on your mind,too! Daily rain storms here drop the temps into the 70's in a flash...time to get more firewood;-)
      Yes, as I have often said and thought, Hermes should take note of our beautiful,talented leader as a brand ambassador!
      Sending Autumn vibes for a wonderful weekend, T

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    6. Lea, how sweet of you to say that - thank you! Like you, I've suggested she write a style book many times, and I told her that I'd even help her write it and would serve as editor, etc. She's much too modest, I think. But wouldn't she make a wonderful spokesperson for Hermès? No one makes their brand more appealing or more approachable.

      Perhaps we all need to meet in Paris and storm the H. bastion and shout, wake up Hermès. Look what you have right here under your nose - perfection!

      All the best to you and a hug with one for Manuela too,
      Jerrine

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    7. Dear Jerrine, please do put my name on the list for "storming the H bastion in Paris" - a wonderful idea, I will gladly participate it. You are truly right saying that no one makes H more appealing or more approachable - our dear MaiTai is surely the person making it so attractive and I am one of the persons who somehow followed her steps in style, enriched with H items. Now I know how nice and good it was for me, feel so good in H items and MT has much helped me. She truly embodies all the elements of Hermes, all the elegance and delicacy it contains. Well, I could write for hours...you know it. Hugs back to both you and Manuela. (We will succeed, I am sure (wink)). Love, Lea on

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    8. Oh, good, Lea. I'm glad that you're up for the storming. Can you just imagine the looks on their faces if a few hundred of us (probably more) came storming through the doors of FSH one day en masse, carrying "We Want MaiTai" banners. They'd probably have a heart attack!

      I think that Hermès can seem a bit formidable to some, especially at first, and one of MT's true talents is that she makes it much more approachable with her videos and how-to's and simply . . . her style and warmth.

      All good things to you,
      Jerrine

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    9. There is nothing I love more than reading the lively and fun exchanges between you, my dearest ladies and friends <3 It took some time to get my face color back to normal though ;-) So happy you like my scarf souvenir. It’s so much fun, and will be a good companion for autumn. And of course it would be the scarf I’d wear for our get together in Paris! It truly is wonderful and miraculous how this has become a place for like minded sisters and souls, and it’s not surprising we find ourselves appreciating our beloved Hermès in similar ways. So instead of meeting outside FSH, let’s gather at the Train Bleu, and toast our friendship and shared passions with a glass of champagne! Re the style book, I do love and appreciate your ideas and encouragement. Only that I would have to cut myself into quarters if I'd take on another project!

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  6. Dearest MaiTai,

    Thank you for the wonderful trip to the UK, via your discerning lens. I really 'feel' as if I've traveled to these charming places alongside you. It is such a treat to come here to your oasis and behold. Thank you dear soul.

    Much love,
    sammie

    P.S. I add this as a postscript, because nothing, absolutely nothing can hold a candle to your travel logs. Viewing the world through your discerning eye, you teach how to look/see at the world....

    so the P.S. is a big wave to you at your charming souvenir of No 16's sculpture--luv MaxiTwilly in Kachinas, and luv how you pair it w/ your fall leaves cardi + sanguine oatie = pure whimsical charm. I am smiling ear to ear, just looking at your whole look. : )

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    1. So happy you enjoyed coming along to London with me, dearest sammie! It always is so lovely to see you here. Hope all is well, and have a beautiful autumn!

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  7. Thank you so much for your enchanting pictures of London! They bring so many wonderful memories back... Enjoy a wonderful weekend! Best wishes Claudia

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    1. So great to hear. Here’s to wonderful memories!

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  8. P.S.: Congratulations to your new fantastic Maxi-Twilly. It reminds me of the very british TV-character "Doctor Who" :-) Claudia

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    1. The backside reminds me of Goldbären.. ;-)

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    2. Oh, yes, I totally agree with you!!!

      Haribo macht Kinder froh, und Erwachsene ebenso:-)

      XXX Barbara

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    3. Hat mich mein ganzes Leben froh gemacht ;-) Hier in Frankreich wurde daraus 'Haribo c'est beau la vie, pour les grands et les petits'...nicht ganz das Gleiche! xx

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    4. Hihi, ich glaube das hätte Hans Riegel aus Bonn auch nie gedacht, dass seine Goldbären uns irgendwann auf Hermès-Tüchern "begegnen"... Liebe Grüße Claudia

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  9. Dearest Mai Tai, I fully agree with the previous comments and do hope Hermes discovers you very soon! You are simply amazing: beautiful, elegant, generous, sweet, stylish, gifted, intelligent...
    Congratulations, my dear, on the new Max Twilly. Like Jerrine, I never really felt tempted for the Kashinas design but that twilly looks fabulous on you!!!!' And then two scarves in one, that's an extra bonus.:-)
    Besides that, you can combine it with so many items in your wardrobe!
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Big hugs, Manuela*

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    1. Manuela, do you think we'd better go try on a Kachinas Maxi T? I will if you will!

      All the best,
      Jerrine

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    2. Dear Jerrine, i have already been at Hermes here in Copenhagen. I was told that the Kachinas Max Twilly is from the previous season and they no longer have it.
      Your turn now ! :-) hug, Manuela

      P.S. Just to let you know that you have my full support regarding the 'Mai Tai book' . Me too, i have already suggested it to our lovely teacher before :-)

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    3. Darn! Manuela and Trudye, I'm sorry neither of you had any luck getting your hands on the Kachinas.

      Hermès is opening its new store in Atlanta on Wednesday night. We're always the last to get stock, and they've been holding shipments at the warehouse, so there's a slim possibility I might get lucky for you. I'll make a point of asking for it first thing.

      Totally off topic, but Trudye, Ines has her new fall line up on the Uniglo site. They never did re-stock spring/summer, though.

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    4. Dearest Manuela, I am back to bright red! You are the sweetest and kindest friend, thank you for the lovely words.

      Good news re Kachinas, it is still available online, in most countries! Hope we’ll be a fast growing twin club ;-)

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    5. Jerrine, must check Ines' AW creations for Uniqlo.. thanks for letting us know! Have fun at the opening of the new Atlanta (flagship!) store x

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  10. Long time no comment - but you know anyway how much I love each and every single one of your posts! Stunning pics, greatly summarized info and of course as always the best inspiration in terms of style! Wishing you a lovely weekend, hugs Macs

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    1. It’s always lovely to see you dear Macs, thank you for stopping by xx

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  11. Votre nouveau maxi twilly est très beau! Une idée de noeud que j'ai expérimentée avec le mien: plier le Maxi T en 2 dans la longueur,mettre autour du cou.Passer le coté avec la pliure dans un anneau grande taille et faire un noeud criss cross avec la partie avec les 2 pointes;laisser une boucle.Le noeud obtenu a un résultat très joli! Amitiés

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    1. Quelle belle idée, chère Véronique! Merci pour partager votre joli noeud. Amitiés

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  12. Ok, ladies...had to comment about the Kachinas! I love them and have several of the older CS shawls in my collection,probably one is almost vintage now! Being a longtime collector of Kermit Oliver, I am going to search out this Maxi Twilly for sure! It could serve as our inspirational badge as we storm the H on FSH;-)
    Congrats dear MT...I think this is your first piece of KO, if memory serves me!
    Happy weekend, T xx

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    1. Excellent idea, Trudye. We can tie them around our foreheads, Apache style. (Of course, we have to find them first!)

      I never thought I was a KO fan. I always appreciated his artistry, but I never felt his designs were right for me. But, this spring I fell for "Chefs," and it's now one of my favorite scarves.

      I still can't get over how wonderful the Kachinas MT looks on our girl, MT. I hope you can track it down.

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    2. So thrilled you approve, my dearest friend and trusted Kermit Oliver expert and aficionado! I could not be happier with my new treasure, it is such a beautiful piece to cherish and wear. Hope to become twins with you (they are still available on US’ h.com) Wish I had more KO pieces, but at least I have one more, a Pani…but it’s a 70 format. Big mwahs, and have a happy week xx

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    3. Anon, congratulations on your beautiful 'Chefs'!

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  13. Is your watch a Cartier? I like the shape and size because it's timeless (no pun intended!).

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    1. It is not a Cartier, but a small Reverso by Jaeger-LeCoultre. I’ve had it for almost twenty years, and love it just as much as I did in the beginning…timeless indeed!

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    2. For the longest time, I've wondered if your watch was a Reverso. Twins with you on this! Love that watch. My husband took me watch shopping about 15 years ago and that's what I selected. BTW, I'm all in for the meet up at the Train Bleu. Just have to bring my passport current. Loved the London series.

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  14. Ah, you've been touring my old stomping ground M.
    V&A was my local. 'Horrids' my corner shop.

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  15. Have so loved this London series! Your pictures are stunning and you look so chic.

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    1. Thanks so much, happy you enjoyed the postcards.

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  16. It´ s been ages since I have last entered a comment, but these London series simply is amazing! Esp. the Belgravia post reminded me of a time my husband and I´ve been there and he was still quite well. The long walks we have made are no longer possible and it was so wonderful being able to be there again in my imagination!
    Your pics are such a joy, you have such an eye for symmetry, matching colours and style, and I cannot enough praise the pics showing wrougt iron fences, french balconies etc, soo nice! Many thanks for all these loving memories!!
    And not to mention your style, so understated although being H-ed up, I can only agree with all of you, ladies, that our style icon should really write a book!!
    Warm hugs
    Barbara

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    1. It is always so nice to see you, dear Barbara. So glad the postcards brought back happy memories. You are very kind with your support and encouragement, and I am sending you much of the same right back. All the best and warmest hugs

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  17. Love all your photos and accessories - just beautiful! In the September 17 post, I would love to have the scarf worn by Claudine: Isaac Mizrahi dog scarf. Can you tell me where to get it? Deborah

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    1. Hello Deborah, I was hoping Claudine would have seen your comment. Perhaps you could find it via Google. Good luck!

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  18. Just discovered your blog. I love your style! Great inspiration ;) Also love this blog post. I used to live in South Kensington SW7 and know this area very well! I will have to check out Number 16 Sumner Place :)

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    1. Hello Liza, A warm welcome to my blog! Love SW7, it is such a fabulous area. How lucky to have lived there! All the best, MT

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