What I Got Up To During My Birthday Week In London

I'm not normally big on celebrating my birthday. I never had an 18th or 21st birthday party and I tend to treat it like any other day, with the bonus of a nice dinner, a slice of cake and a few presents. But after planning a little solo birthday trip to London last February, albeit the week after my birthday, I decided to spend my actual birthday down in the capital this year. This was also my longest trip to London, staying for five nights and I really managed to cram quite a lot in.

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen quite a bit of this on my Stories, but I wanted to share it on here too, so I can look back on it in future years. So, without further adieu, here's what I got up to during my birthday week in London.

Barbie: The Exhibition

After seeing so many people visit the Barbie exhibition at the Design Museum, and with it coming to an end in a few weeks' time, I simply had to book a ticket. And it was actually how I started my birthday, after a couple of birthday freebies from Dunkin Donuts and Gail's, respectively, for my birthday breakfast.

The exhibition truly was a trip down memory lane, while also hinting to the future of the brand. I loved seeing all the different Dream Houses, dolls and outfits. I mean, I never thought I'd see the day where a Barbie looked a bit like me (hello curly red hair), but it just goes to show how much the brand has evolved over the decades. There were also some great items from the Barbie movie and it was such a joy-filled and nostalgic way to start my birthday.

The Devil Wears Prada Musical

If I'm honest, seeing The Devil Wears Prada Musical was the deciding factor for me, when it came to booking my trip. And it was everything I could have hoped for. I'm a big fan of the movie but I'm an even bigger fan of Vanessa Williams, who plays the iconic Miranda Priestley. But it was actually Amy Di Bartolomeo, who plays Emily, that really wowed me.

It took all the best bits from the movie and blended them with catchy songs, over the top sets and outfits and again, was such an incredible way to spend my birthday. If you find yourself in London over the next year, you simply must book a ticket!

Bloomsbury Book Club at The Nest: Valentine’s Edition

While Glasgow – and Scotland more generally – is certainly getting better for book events, I was absolutely thrilled to discover that two incredible bookish events were taking place the week that I was in London. And the first was the Valentine's edition of the Bloomsbury Book Club.

It can always be a little bit intimidating going to an event alone, but I met so many wonderful people at this. Combining book bingo, a book quiz, incredible cocktails and just the best vibes, this was how I spent my first night. And it's always just so nice to be in a room of a fellow book lovers.

Penguin Michael Joseph Crime Party

And when I say I literally squealed when I found out that I got an invite to the Penguin Michael Joseph Crime Party, I'm not joking. An annual party celebrating one of my favourite genres, the evening brought together authors, publicists, booksellers journalists, bloggers and more. I was honestly so starstruck to meet Gillian McAllister – whose books I adore – and to meet so many wonderful new-to-me authors like Claire Wilson and S.M. Govett. I also found out that I was in the same room as incredible authors like Alex North and Mark Edwards. And it's safe to say, I'm sorted when it comes to my crime reading for the next few months, after taking quite a few proofs and advanced copies of upcoming releases home with me – even if I did have to post them home after there was no way I could carry them back on the train home in my bag.

Tangled at the Lush Spa

As I say, it was a bit of a jam packed trip, which is why it was so nice to slow down for a few hours in the midst of it. And that started with a trip to the recently opened Lush Spa in Covent Garden, which was such a gorgeous space and store. I ended up having the Tangled Hair treatment and what a treat it was! If you love the feeling of a relaxing scalp or head massage, this is the spa treatment for you. I also liked that it was a dry treatment, so it didn't leave me looking too dishevelled when I left or with really oily hair.

And at £45 for a 30 minute treatment, I was so impressed. I also had a good mooch around the store and came home with quite a few bits from their limited edition Valentine's collection.

re:lax Gua Sha Facial

Later in the week I had a very exciting appointment at re:lax Borough Yards. Now, I've had many a facial over the years, but this was the first gua sha facial that I've ever had. But after being intrigued by the technique, this was such a nice way to learn more and try it out. Not only did my therapist Victoria guide me through how to do gua sha on myself, she also utilised facial cupping and facial massage to make this one of the most informative and interesting facials that I've ever had.

I'll definitely be booking me and my mum in when we go down to London later this summer. And the best thing is, every facial is completely tailored to each individual and their skin needs. So, next time I might go for a more exfoliating one or maybe even a spot of LED light therapy. My mum can't wait to get booked in for the gua sha facial.

John Lewis Press Day

My week in London also coincided with two exciting press days. As you may or may not know, I'm a freelance journalist as my day job, who specialises in homes, interiors and gardens. So, I tend to be in pretty regular contact with the John Lewis press team, but the bi-annual press days always seem to happen on weeks when I can't get down to London.

Well, not this time. And what a morning it was. I got a chance to have a look at all things spring/summer across interiors, fashion, beauty and more. I even had my hair styled by the wonderful Dyson team. Just look at all these great bits that will be landing in-store and online, if they're not already.

Habitat Press Day

The Habitat press day also took place the same week and as always, they had some incredible designs at such great prices. From some show-stopping garden furniture, to their new Sanderson National Trust collaboration, I was so wowed by what I saw. And it's not too surprising that my homeware wishlist has grown again after spotting pieces like that show-stopping bright blue wavy mirror.

Meeting up with PRs and pals

Working remotely from Glasgow means that it's tricky to catch up in person with some of the PRs that I speak to week in week out at work, but thankfully I was able to fit in some great meetings. From chatting all things homes and interiors with the Pure PR team, to finding out about the latest and upcoming releases at Dyson, Primark Home, Headline Books and Little Brown, to visiting the Trace Publicity showroom, it's always so nice to put a face to names. And it really does help when I'm working on future articles and blog posts.

It was also so, so nice to finally meet one of my online pals, Tash, after following her for years now. We had the loveliest in-person catch up over brunch before I hopped on the train home.

A spot of shopping

And it wouldn't be a trip to London without a spot of shopping. I visited firm favourites like Miniso, Foyle's, Reserved, Artbox and the Glossier showroom, while also being treated to a few lovely bits at Space NK and Anthropologie. Their Covent Garden and King's Road stores, respectively, were so beautiful and I literally spent hours in both trying bits on.

MY BIRTHDAY TREATS

If you could visit anywhere in the world for your birthday, where would it be? I would love to one day spend my actual birthday somewhere hot and sunny. And what would be at the top of your list of things to do in London?

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