Selfridges

Selfridges & Co. is a wonderful department store in London. Founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge, who got his start at the famous Marshall Fields store in Chicago, he established himself in London and created an impressive store and legacy. While I was in London over this past Thanksgiving weekend, my visit was filled with some really fun surprises I hadn't expected. The Conran Shop, a London-based design store, has opened a branch shop in the basement of Selfridges. I used to work for The Conran Shop when it had a New York an outpost several years ago. On the top floor of Selfridges was a whole hallway devoted to Christmas decorations, stocking stuffers, and presents. One of the most impressive parts of the Christmas section was its personalized wrapping paper counter. Selfridges' window displays were also incredibly clever and chic featuring a sequined Santa getting ready to enjoy the colder weather.

National Gallery

The National Gallery in London is a tour de force when it comes to housing some really good art. From Caravaggio to Velasquez, from Gainsborough to Turner -- masterpieces by master artists make for a helluva an afternoon in London. I remember I searched out the Arnolfini portrait by van Eyck as well as Delaroche's Lady Jane Grey -- two marvelous paintings surround by other amazing works of art. 

In my trip to the National Gallery back in February, I remember strolling through the galleries really in awe of all of the amazing paintings I recalled that I had studied as an undergrad. The significance of so many wonderful pieces of art and the cultural weight was so wonderfully impressive and also riveting.