secret cities - shanghai and chinatown, new york by luru home

My ongoing obsession with cushion (pillows) collecting (yep, true) led to the discovery of Luru Home. The founders Claire and Lisa met in Shanghai, spied the beautiful indigo textiles and Luru Home was born. Claire is now back in Brooklyn and they've kindly shared their secret cities below...pass it on...

Shanghai 

Boutique Pilang Palang - bold yet classic Chinese design for the home

Bar Mokkos - shochu cocktails too easy to toss back

Restaurant Xibo - scrumptious Xinjiang fare

Coffee Farine - Paris of the East

Beauty Zen Massage the perfect nightcap

Chinatown, New York

Boutique No6 store - vintage and contemporary

Bar Leadbelly - might we suggest the Burma Shave?

Restaurant Nom Wah Tea Parlor - dim sum with a mid-century vibe 

Coffee Dimes - quirky Canal Street breaky joint 

Beauty Mian Tian Sing - known for its no-frills, no-fuss, fantastic blow-outs

more secret cities here from Poppy Delevingne, Stephanie Phair from The Outnet, Elizabeth Blitzer and Annie Taube...

secret cities london | stephanie phair | the outnet

Stephanie Phair is the super stylish Director of The Outnet. A native New Yorker, now based in London, here she shares her secret spots around the city...

Restaurant - Centonove, a small Italian, great value close to Portobello

Bar - Soho House or Montgomery Place

Boutique - 1^st dibs.com for amazing “window shopping” for interior décor

Coffee Spot - Sacred in Westfield

Beauty Haven - Adamina Spa on High St Kensington

secret cities new york | elizabeth blitzer | interior pr guru

Elizabeth Blitzer (or Biddy as she is affectionately known) is a very stylish friend of mine who runs her own interiors PR agency. She can be found 99% of the time in Cafe Cluny in the village, or rocking sparkly jumpsuits in LA. She wears so many bracelets (evidence below) you can hear her coming for miles. I love her style, so will you, so enjoy her top NYC tips...

Favourite boutique - Jesse James (true, but she actually finds the most amazing things in Loehmann's on 7th Ave, just don't venture there when hungover) 

Bar - The Rusty Knot 

Restaurant - Waverly Inn

Coffee spot - Cafe Cluny

Beauty haven - QQ on Christopher St

secret cities | london | poppy delevingne

Ridiculously gorgeous Poppy agreed to share her London secrets with me. I have a total girl crush on her style, she knows how to party and loves cheese burgers the size of her head. Brilliant. And eeerrr did you see how her fiancé proposed? 

Favourite Boutique - all the vintage shops down brick lane. You NEVER come home empty handed...

Bar - Lou Lou's on 5 Hertford Street. Moody lighting & dark corners, this place always brings out the naughty side in me. Try the tequila shots with orange & cinnamon...

Restaurant - Little House on Queen Street in Mayfair. Its part of the soho house group where you can feast on cheese burgers the size of your head and catch up with your friends until the wee early morning hours...

Coffee - Baker & Spice on Elizabeth Street. Their herbal teas & parmesan biscuits are to die for...

Beauty Haven - Nevilles Hair & Beauty on Pont Street. They do everything from magical manicures to reflexology. Someday I plan to move my bed in there...

secret cities new york | annie taube | lucky magazine

Where are the best boutiques, bars, restaurants, coffee and beauty spots in New York...London...Hong Kong...Singapore...? Lucky for you, I've been quizzing some stylish girlfriends around the globe to share their secret spots in the cities they live. First up, the gorgeous and stylish Annie Taube, Executive Director at Lucky magazine and her New York secrets... 

Favourite Boutique – Opening Ceremony or Kirna Zabete – Love both of these downtown spots – they always give a great easy overview of the season's must-have pieces.  Also love Chuckies as my little neighborhood shoe spot (1073 3rd Avenue) – they have great private label shoes that are perfect for weekend wear…

Bar – The Mark Hotel, 22 East 77th Street (fun to meet a group of girls or another couple – always interesting people watching!)

Restaurant – Pulqueria, 11 Doyers Street (the most amazing mexican food) and fabulous hidden atmosphere in China Town – down a secret stairway - you wouldn't even know it was there!

Coffee Spot – Bel Ami 30 E 68th Street (best coffee and pastries) hits the spot daily after morning drop off (for my daughter!)

Beauty Haven – Weekly mani/pedi's at Nail Niobe  - 1044 3rd Ave are a must (and they do great back massages too), or any vacation hotel spa (my only free time to get a massage!) Four Season's are the best spas anywhere in the world!