Dorville House

November 8, 2017

Fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera stands at Dorville House in London wearing an H&M trench coat and Express Barcelona tankOutfit details on fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera, wearing an H&M trench coat and carrying a black Celine trio bagWinnipeg fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera walks in London wearing Lovers + Friends jeans and Anine Bing Los Angeles sunglassesPortrait of style blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera at Dorville House in London wearing Anine Bing Los Angeles sunglasses and an Express Barcelona tankFashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera walks in London wearing an H&M trench coat and carrying a Celine trio bagH&M coat (similar)
Express tank (c/o)
Lovers + Friends jeans (c/o REVOLVE)
H&M heels
Celine bag
Anine Bing sunglasses
Keltie Leanne Designs earrings (c/o)

There is no doubt that it is wonderful to be able to spend as much time away as you do at home. But, admittedly, there is a sense of discombobulation that comes from writing about one foreign city while sitting in another. As I type this, I am crosslegged on an orange dining chair in our two-bedroom apartment just off the Las Vegas strip, and while the colour palette is far from my taste, the space has been a delightful home-away-from-home so far. It may be months before I have a chance to tell you more about it. After all, these photos date back to our last-minute day trip to London, which was in May…

We didn’t plan to visit London this year. We had a whirlwind long weekend there in 2013 that gave us a good taste of scones and pretty white row houses. But after Brexit happened, we realised that the days of easy train travel between Paris and London are likely coming to an end. Ian had never been on the Eurostar, and so we decided there was no time like the present. We booked our tickets just days before departure and set off early in the morning to nearby Gare du Nord, where we went through customs before boarding the train.

I wanted very little from our day in London. Just some scones with clotted cream, a few cups of tea and some iconic outfit photos in the city. I had my heart set on Oxford Street, but the background was not quite as lovely as I imagined. And so, as we so often do, we wandered. We popped into Selfridges and, on our way back towards Liberty, spied the perfectly charming Dorville House tucked away on a side street. It was, I admit, not perfect. The “Take Notice” sign in the window takes away from the ambience a bit. But sometimes, I am able to accept that imperfect is okay and this was one of those rare occasions.

Yes, the sidewalk is littered with discarded chewing gum. Yes, there is a reflection of a scaffolding in the window. And yes, the large metal buzzer at the door is less than elegant. But Dorville House was just the place we needed – we grabbed our shots and then went on our way to get scones, which, let’s face it, were the real priority.

I wish it didn’t always take me so long to share my photos. But part of me also loves taking the time to separate myself from them. It gives me the chance to reflect on my experiences and, often, gives me a more clear perspective. In the moment, London felt a bit rushed but I’m so glad, with the benefit of hindsight, that we got there. And these shots make the perfect souvenir.

8 comments so far.

8 responses to “Dorville House”

  1. Sarah says:

    Hello,

    Lovely look !

    Sarah, http://www.sarahmodeee.fr

  2. Melanie says:

    Your coat is awsesome :-*

    Melanie / http://www.goldzeitblog.de

  3. I’m glad you made it there – the days of easy travel in between there and Europe are indeed limited (I can’t even begin to tell how much that mess frustrates me). And you’re so right about the views on Oxford Street leaving something to be desired…

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

  4. I’m envious you still have photos from May! I’m happy if I have photos from a previous weekend! And glad to know scones were high on your priority list that day! 😉 Usually when we shoot it revolves around what we’ll eat/where we’ll go afterwards. Priorities. Haha! And I must say, I’m smitten with your easy & chic outfit. Proof trench coats are the best! I’ve been wearing mine a lot this fall and it just doesn’t disappoint!! xo

    http://www.girlandcloset.com

  5. Lisa says:

    Yeah, I remember Oxford Street being a madhouse when I went to London in 2008. Glad you found a relatively peaceful corner for these photos!

  6. I love that you wait to post your photos because I can completely relate to that feeling of enjoying them more when you’ve had some time away. Souvenirs is the perfect description really. And these photos are beautiful! I think the sign in the window only makes them more real. xo

  7. Lyddiegal says:

    It does seem a bit unfair that the realities of life – gum on sidewalks, buzzers on buildings, signage of all kinds – insist on making their way into our photographs, where all we want are pristine and beautiful spaces, so that we can properly capture our memories and our outfits.
    I’ve yet to visit London – I missed my chance when my sister was there for a semester, with all sorts of reasons that seem silly now, but hopefully I’ll get there someday. In the meantime, perhaps I’ll try my hand at making some clotted cream.
    http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/

  8. I’ve always admired the gates and simplicity of the buildings around London. What a gorgeous spot Cee. I love your trench coat. Always a classic.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Cee Fardoe is a thirty-something Canadian blogger who splits her time between Winnipeg and Paris. She is a voracious reader, avid tea-drinker, insatiable wanderer and fashion lover who prefers to dress in black, white and gray.

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