LONDON'S CALLING...
All the reasons why we love our hometown... and why you should too!
As part of our #BluebellaLoves series, we're currently running an exciting competition for one lucky Bluebella fan to win the ultimate weekend in our hometown of London! The winner will stay overnight at the exclusive Ampersand Hotel in Kensington, get a pair of tickets to this year's most talked about exhibition at the V&A, 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear' and get £250 to treat yourself to some Bluebella gorgeousness! Not that you needed any persuading to enter, but we thought we'd give you the low down on what we love about our beloved capital city.
If this doesn't tempt you, we don't know what will!
CITY SUN
London is without doubt THE best place to be in the summer. Whilst we know our typical British weather doesn't always work in our favour, when it does, boy is it good! The city comes alive in a way it doesn't in the winter - everybody flocks to the pubs post-work, spends weekends in the city's many parks or meets friends for brunch al-fresco style. We love strolling around Regent's Park and taking a walk up Primrose Hill in North London, before hopping over to Hampstead for a quintessentially British brunch! Or if we're in Chelsea, we love wandering down the King's Road for a spot of shopping and the occasional celeb spotting too.
London is without doubt THE best place to be in the summer. Whilst we know our typical British weather doesn't always work in our favour, when it does, boy is it good! The city comes alive in a way it doesn't in the winter - everybody flocks to the pubs post-work, spends weekends in the city's many parks or meets friends for brunch al-fresco style. We love strolling around Regent's Park and taking a walk up Primrose Hill in North London, before hopping over to Hampstead for a quintessentially British brunch! Or if we're in Chelsea, we love wandering down the King's Road for a spot of shopping and the occasional celeb spotting too.MUSEUM GOLD
If you're the lucky winner of our competition, then you'll be staying in an area that is famous for its museums, South Kensington. London's rich history and deep-rooted culture means there's many things to learn about and afternoon's can easily disappear within an exhibition, whether it's the Natural History's display of dinosaurs or the Science Museum's state-of-the-art technology. What we're most interested in, however, is the V&A's outstanding showcase dedicated to all things lingerie with their new exhibition 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear'. Exploring the journey lingerie has made through the decades, it's a must for any lingerie lover and that's why we're giving the winner a pair of tickets to it... we promise you will not be left disappointed!
If you're the lucky winner of our competition, then you'll be staying in an area that is famous for its museums, South Kensington. London's rich history and deep-rooted culture means there's many things to learn about and afternoon's can easily disappear within an exhibition, whether it's the Natural History's display of dinosaurs or the Science Museum's state-of-the-art technology. What we're most interested in, however, is the V&A's outstanding showcase dedicated to all things lingerie with their new exhibition 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear'. Exploring the journey lingerie has made through the decades, it's a must for any lingerie lover and that's why we're giving the winner a pair of tickets to it... we promise you will not be left disappointed!FOODIE FANATICS
If you're anything like us, then you'll be just as obsessed with food! London's vibrant foodie scene continues to grow and whatever your taste buds desire, you can get. Take a stroll up Islington's hub of Upper Street where you'll find every cuisine (that doesn't break the bank) you could ever imagine - we especially love Ottolenghi, whose founder Yotam is widely regarded as one of Britain's best chefs. If you're in Central, make sure you take a good walk around Soho's bustling streets where you'll find yourself immersed in the very best of the city's culture. For a cheap eat of £20, try Burger & Lobster, which does exactly what it says on the tin and trust us, it's amazing! If you want a more boozy brunch, head South to Bunga Bunga which is the spot for all day drinking and eating, plus a bit of karaoke thrown in for fun too.
If you're anything like us, then you'll be just as obsessed with food! London's vibrant foodie scene continues to grow and whatever your taste buds desire, you can get. Take a stroll up Islington's hub of Upper Street where you'll find every cuisine (that doesn't break the bank) you could ever imagine - we especially love THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE...
Show business! And of course, any trip to London wouldn't be complete without West End show. Whilst there is all the great shows that have been around for years (and we thoroughly recommend you go see them) such as Lion King, Wicked and Billy Elliot, there are constantly new and exciting ones that come around for a limited time only and this summer, Branagh's Romeo & Juliet at the Garrick Theatre in Covent Garden is one of them. Starring Lily James (pictured) and Richard Madden, they tell the tale of Shakespeare's heartbreaking story of forbidden love. The show is part of five different plays under the Branagh banner that brings together a remarkable group of actors including Dame Judi Dench, so if you don't manage to get tickets to this show there's another four to choose from. A must!
Show business! And of course, any trip to London wouldn't be complete without West End show. Whilst there is all the great shows that have been around for years (and we thoroughly recommend you go see them) such as Lion King, Wicked and Billy Elliot, there are constantly new and exciting ones that come around for a limited time only and this summer, 
The winner and chosen friend will be guests at the elegant, 5* boutique Ampersand Hotel in Kensington, one of the capital's most exclusive areas. This beautifully restored Victorian treasure is a luxurious hideaway, set near London's museum mile meaning you'll only be a stone's throw away from some of the best culture spots in the world. It's also well located for Harrods and shopping in the renowned areas of Knightsbridge and Chelsea's Kings Road.
The winner will also get two tickets to one of this summer's most sought-after exhibitions, 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear' and we think it's the perfect prize for any lingerie lovers like us! Exploring our relationship with lingerie over the decades, it's a fascinating journey through history in one of London's most prestigious museums, the Victoria & Albert. Loved by the likes of Vogue, The Guardian and many more fashion editors, it has had heaps of amazing reviews and really is the place to be for any underwear advocates!
Of course, no prize would be complete without a Bluebella treat too! What would a weekend away be without some lovely Bluebella lingerie to pack? That's why we're also giving the lucky winner £250 to spend on Bluebella! Treat yourself to our fashion-forward lingerie collections or indulge in some seriously seductive nightwear pieces... the choice is all yours!
The Wardrobe is by far one of the city's gems. A firm favourite with locals who know all about where to go, this bar transforms into a live music venue at night and plays host to the likes of Soul, Motown and Jazz artists. Perfect for after-work drinks, it has a inviting and relaxed ambience and has a gorgeous array of wines. Its food is just as famous as its music with the aptly named Soul Kitchen to wet your appetite, serving classic dishes from the deep South, Caribbean and Creole. You'll end up finding yourself there all night!
If you want some fun, then Manchester's new The Wash House is definitely for you. As the name suggests, it is actually a working launderette but don't be fooled! If you know where to go and what to say, you'll actually be led beyond the washing machines and tumble dryers into the secret cocktail bar at the back. The tip is to look out for the old phone and press the button.. you'll then be led into the exclusive bar at the back. Serving an array of moreish cocktails, The Wash House is not only one of the coolest bars around, its mysterious and fun entrance makes it all the more exclusive. We dare you...
If you're after a chic and stylish place to have a catch-up with friends, then Bath's trendy Circo Bar is the perfect place to head for a post-Saturday shop drink. Mixing the old and the new, it's lush decor oozes class with cool grey tones and luxurious Chesterfields and has contemporary classics on the soundtrack for a chilled-out vibe. Having recently extended its capacity, it now includes a low-lit cellar bar and features one of the most expensive back bars in Bath.
This relatively new bar is situated in an old Victorian Pump House and is in the heart of Edinburgh's gorgeous Old Town. Bursting with character, it keeps Scottish tradition by serving the best Whiskeys for spirit lovers (over 200 different varieties!) If you'd rather not taste the burn, then they have an extensive cocktail menu with inventive creations such as Days in Velour and Rogue Trader (which we hear are tasty!) We love Edinburgh and when we're next there, we'll be heading here...
If fashion and textiles are your thing, then we recommend you get down to the capital's Liberty in Fashion exhibition being held at, you guessed it, the Fashion & Textile Museum in South London. The exhibition explores the impact that Liberty, the esteemed department store central to London's shopping life, has had on British fashion right from the 19th Century through to the modern day. It has over 150 garments, textiles and objects showing the relationship they have with many key designers including Vivienne Westwood and Yves Saint Laurent. This is not one to be missed and is running right through until February 2016.
If you're in Yorkshire and a lover of contemporary art then the British Art Show 8 is the perfect place to see all of the best contemporary art produced in the UK in one place. 42 artists will be showcasing their work, new and old, making it one of the most ambitious shows the UK art world has ever seen. Based at the Leeds Art Gallery in the city centre, it takes place from 9th October - 10th January 2016. The show only takes place once every 5 years and it's the first time it has come to Leeds so if you are in the area, it's definitely worth heading down!
Bristol is a gorgeous city and a perfect one for weekend getaways. If you're not too busy at the city's famous spas, then the Circus City festival is taking place across Bristol in October. It includes an eclectic mix of brilliant shows, talks, masterclasses and workshops in various places around the city. Mixing everything from circus, dance, theatre, comedy and puppetry, it certainly has something for everyone. Also focusing on home-grown talent, it is the perfect way to get to know the more creative side of Bristol.