A little while ago, one of Toronto’s most beloved fashion bloggers/illustrators bid us adieu to set up in shop in Blighty. We asked Final Fashion’s Danielle Meder to share some insider tips and treasures from London town.

shop
There's a stretch on Kingsland Road in Dalston where there are about half a dozen charity shops, and although you're competing against some very savvy shoppers, a keen eye will uncover the odd treasure.

On Brick Lane you’ll pay a bit more for vintage but you won't have to look as hard. Rokit and Beyond Retro both have large selections, fast turnover and decent prices. There are tons of street stalls on the weekend that are worth a look. I've even had some luck bartering. Ask for a better price, you might get it.

For beauty stuff, this super-pharmacy Boots is pretty decent. The flagship on Oxford Street is massive. I buy my Clinique stuff there.

eat + drink
There’s nothing I love more than a fresh sausage or bacon and egg sandwich (or bap) – italian caffs all over the city serve these. I recently had one at Diana's Diner in Covent Garden which totally hit the spot. Foodie stuff galore at Borough Market is worth a whole weekday morning. Get the best coffee at Monmouth and nibble samples of everything. Weekends, hit up Broadway Market to see and be seen, it's like a fashion show with food.

do
Friday evenings at the V&A have lots of fun activities and are a great way to meet people. The National Portrait Gallery does something similar called the Late Shift. I always go for a live drawing class whenever I have the chance – they're available all over the city all the time, from serious art school sessions to drink & draw pub style. Every Thursday on Vynor Road, art galleries open their doors & serve cheap (or sometimes free) beers. The Book Club in Shoreditch offers tons of diversions & a lively atmosphere.
—Athena Tsavliris

If you’re London bound, or just like to keep abreast on what’s happening in UK’s booming metropolis, trust two in-the-know style editors to beeline you to the best in art, music, fashion and food.

A little bird is the brainchild of Daisy Garnett (British Vogue) and Francesca Martin (Harper's Bazaar) and is filled with delightful suggestions for Londoners and travellers alike.

Listen to barrelhouse blues at the famous HIX Oyster and Chop House, rummage through the city’s hidden markets and fairs or get insider tips on coveted designer sample sales.

Guest editors include master milliner Stephen Jones and the highly acclaimed writer David Nicholls.

Indeed, this is one little bird you’ll want to know.

www.a-littlebird.com

“You can take the girl out of Chelsea, but you can’t take Chelsea out of the girl.”

It’s been a while since our Toronto editor, Athena Tsavliris, ventured home. Here, she shares some favourite haunts from her old London neighbourhood.

The Shop at Bluebird
This fashion/lifestyle store keeps getting better and better. You’ll find big labels like Moschino and Marni, as well as lesser-known gems like Peter Jensen and Osman. John Derian plates, Isabel Marant shoes, Cire Trudon candles and Vanessa Bruno bags all hang out in this super cool space. 350 King’s Rd., London, www.theshopatbluebird.com

French Sole
This is the only ballet flat we wear. (They’re quite spendy, but worth every penny.) The newest store is packed with every colour, finish and print imaginable. Look for the Harriet in cherry red leather or metallic sparkles. 323 King's Rd., London, 0207-351-1634, www.frenchsole.com

The Chelsea Physic Garden
One of Chelsea’s best kept secrets, this beautiful garden is lovely for lazy lunches and sweet scented strolls. Lunch is served in what feels like a school hall and is quintessentially English. Think bangers followed by treacle tart and cream. 66 Royal Hospital Rd., London, 0207-352-5646, www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

Ad Hoc
We raided this place as teenagers, and it’s still a go-to if we're ever in need of a tutu, lace stockings, a neon wig or some fun faux baubles. 153 King's Rd., London, 0207-376-8829, www.adhoclondon.co.uk

Picasso
This Chelsea mainstay is our secret hangover spot. Bob Geldof and Eric Clapton were regulars, and even though the waitresses are moody and the food mediocre, there’s something about Picasso that has lasting appeal. 127 King's Rd., London, 0207-352-4921.

The Pig’s Ear
This pub has a great atmosphere and the food is pretty good too. In warmer months, punters spill out on to the street, it’s so popular. Try the steak tartare or one of the lovely seasonal risottos. 35 Old Church St., London, 0207-352 2908, http://www.thepigsear.info

Manolo Blahnik
The store is like a little shoe museum, with some of the most daring styles Blahnik designs. Many amazing pairs have been scored at its annual mega sale. Manolo Blahnik, 49-51 Old Church St., London, 0207-352-3863, www.manoloblahnik.com

With the humble postcard making a comeback after years of being stamped out, we’ve discovered an original way to send one.

A London company, Postcard Teas, will send your postcard affixed to a lovely bag of loose teas.

Simply choose your tea from the wide selection, fill out the virtual postcard, and they will print it out and post your tea anywhere around the world.

It’s such a charming way to say ‘Thank you,’ ‘I miss you’ or ‘Let’s meet for a cuppa’ – and far more personal than a speedy tweet or text could ever be.

www.postcardteas.com

109 Mile End Road is possibly the most fashionable address in London.

The locale for dozens of glamorous fashion and décor shoots, this 300-year-old townhouse has housed plenty a celebrity from Helen Mirren to Orlando Bloom.

It’s also a gorgeous guesthouse for visiting models, photographers, actors and other creative types.

Homeowner David Carter (an interior designer) has allocated two rooms for guests, both chicly appointed with vintage trunks, mannequins and whimsical furnishings.

Consider it a home away from home (no check-in, no staff etc.) in a great location with your own parking spot and use of a washer/dryer and a kitchen.

Now, if only home were this grand.

40 Winks, from $100-$130 per night. 011 44 020-7790 0259, www.40winks.org

Just back from a sojourn to her hometown of London, Toronto Editor Athena Tsavliris reveals a few of her favourite destinations.

stay
Nestled in the heart of SoHo, The Hazlitt’s (named after William Hazlitt, the writer who died here in 1830) is one of London’s most discreet hotels. Oozing with old-school charm, all 23 rooms feature grand Victorian mahogany furnishings, generous floor-sweeping drapes, and wonderfully soft sheets and pillows. Don’t miss out on the cozy living room boasting a library of signed books donated by the hotel's famous guests such as JK Rowling and Michael Ondaatje. From £390 for a double room, breakfast is optional ($18). http://www.hazlittshotel.com/

eat
Owned by London restaurateur Tom Conran (son of famous restaurateur Terence Conran), Crazy Homies serves up tasty Tex-Mex fare and Micheladas (a mix of Sol beer and lime juice in a salt-rimmed glass with a hint of chilli) out of a super kitsch two-floor bar/restaurant in Notting Hill.

shop
With more than 370 stalls, showrooms, and workshops, it’s worth leaving plenty of time to trawl your way through Alfie’s Market. Expect to find anything from ’50s silver ice cream spoons to antique lace collars to Vincenzo Caffarella lighting. Don’s miss Joel and Son Fabrics up the street for the most amazing materials (Pucci silks, Ungaro damasks) in the world.

do
With its eye-popping views, there is no better way to take in the city than from London’s beloved Ferris wheel. Tip: book your tickets on-line to avoid endless lineups. www.londoneye.com/