The end of my London chapter

Since 2011, it was always my dream to return to London and completely immerse myself into the wonderful city.

And then, at the end of 2015, I was finally able to do it.

I was a bundle of nerves, excitement and pride. Proud to be able to tick off another life aspiration.

For weeks, I was giddy with excitement of the new place to live, love and discover with my Frenchy.

And then my new relationship bubble burst... Hard.

London is a beautiful city to explore... As a tourist. But as soon as you start working and living in London, the novelty begins to wear off... FAST.

After difficulties opening a bank account and a struggle with homesickness, I was finding it difficult to appreciate the city I was living.

The crowded trains, the busy streets, the long commutes, the long working hours, the expensive restaurants, the rent that drains more than half your salary and finally the unpredictable weather. After a while, it becomes difficult and draining on your soul. 

My Frenchy and I were living London life for almost 10 months before we decided it wasn't a place for us.

I have met some wonderful people, ate some delicious food and will forever hold the memories of my time in London.

But for now, it's time to turn the page and start the next chapter.

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5 things I love about London

I owe London an apology.

I've been here for almost five months now and after an initial struggle with homesickness and a difficult time settling in, I've decided to focus on the positives and finally embrace everything this city has to offer.

So, here are the top 5 things I love about London:

1. There is always something to do. If you find yourself with nothing to do, then you're not doing London right! There are so many museums, shows, parks, restaurants and shops to look at and with so many public transport options available, you have no excuse to stay at home.

2. The trains run frequently so you're not wasting your time underground. If you miss a train, don't panic, the next one is only 1-3 minutes away! No stress! 

3. You are in the centre of Europe. There are so many surrounding countries to visit, so why not treat yourself to a long weekend in Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Portugal or even Paris :)

4. London is one of the fashion capitals of the world! There are shops everywhere, fashion everywhere and the streets of London are like a fashion runway. If you love fashion, this is a great place to experience the latest in the industry.

5. It's a great place to put your foot in the door for your chosen career. It's such a big city so there is always a possibility for evolution in your chosen field.

What do you love about London?

Coming up next: Spring is in the air

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Where did March go?

Does it scare you how quick time is flying by?

It feels like only yesterday we were celebrating Christmas but in actual fact, Christmas has come and gone and now, so has Easter.

I've been in London for close to 5 months now and it has been a difficult time. London is a very busy city. There are millions and millions of locals and millions of tourists, so everywhere is crowded.

And, the working days seem extra long here in London. I work 9 hours with an hour lunch break and then add on commuting to a from work, my 8 hour shift, turns into an 11 hour day. It has been difficult to try and find my work/life balance!

But, I've decided to find the positives in this city and try and enjoy my time.

For the passed 6 weeks, I have missed my blogging. I have been struggling in London, settling into my work and missing my friends and family, that I have neglected my real passion.

My blogging.

I will be managing my time better so I can blog more often and share with you my real passion...

[W R I T I N G  ,  F A S H I O N  &  T R A V E L]

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So be sure to check back for the London fashion and more from the London series.

Coming up next... The 5 things I love about London.

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Top 5 places to get coffee in London

Ever since I started studying at University, I began to drink coffee. Every time I drink coffee, I think back to my first year at University. I was fresh out of high school, excited to be an adult and eager to learn.  

I remember the people I met, my lecturers and the units I studied. I also remember all the coffee I drank and to this day, I can't function properly without at least one cup of coffee in my system.

I have to confess, since being in Europe I miss Australian coffee. I miss the coffee art on my morning flat white and most of all, I miss the taste of the perfected brew. I loved my time in France and I still want to return again, but the one thing I don't miss, is the coffee. 

I was excited to travel to a new country, to explore and discover new things. I have been in London for over 3 months now and I spend most of my free time finding the best coffee in London.

So, I've compiled a list of my top 5 places to get coffee in London.

1. Kaffeine in Soho. A café inspired by the coffee culture of Australia and New Zealand. Being Australian myself, this was one of the first cafés I tried in London. I loved everything about this café. My flat white was delicious and smooth and my tasty treats were indulgent.

2. The Coffee Works Project. We stumbled upon this café after walking along Southwark from the London Eye. We were tired from walking and in need of a caffeine fix! The industrial interior made it feel quirky and fun. The flat white was smooth and deliciously strong and the cakes were pretty delicious too.

3. Prufrock Coffee. After an afternoon of exploring London, it was time for some caffeination! This café was highly recommended so we decided to try it out! The people were friendly and welcoming and enjoyed a good conversation. Although, my Frenchy didn't get the coffee he ordered, we still enjoyed the experience and the coffee. With free Wifi, the modern café is a great place for an afternoon coffee or business meeting.

4. Wired Co in West Hampstead. This was one of the first coffees I had in London. I was heading to a job interview and arrived plenty early, so I had time to stop for a coffee. I stumbled passed this little café, so I decided to go in. The small café made it warm and cozy and my coffee was smooth and creamy.  The food menu looked interesting with fresh ingredients, so I'll definitely return to try!

5.  Flat White in Soho. Another Australian inspired café in London. I loved the small and intimate interior of Flat White. As soon as you walk in, you are hit with the smell of freshly brewed coffee. It's warm, cozy and the latte art is almost too nice to drink... almost!

Where is your favourite place to get coffee in London?

Head to the London Series for more tips from London.

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Things to do in London

My recent adventure... In a nutshell :)

London is a BIG city!

There is so much to see and do here. Behind every corner there is something new to discover.  

When you come to London, you'll definitely want to tick off the big tourist attractions, The London Eye, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and of course... Buckingham Palace. 

If you are lucky, you may be there for the changing of the guards! If not, you can simply take pictures of them through the gate, like I did! After staring at the Palace and taking many pictures, it's nice to take a stroll towards St James Park.

If you are afraid of birds, this may not be the best place for you, but if you can handle them, you'll see many ducks, swans, pigeons and you'll definitely see some squirrel! I was lucky to see this cute little duckling! It made my day... Isn't he cute?

After you walk through the park, you'll end up, just a short stroll from Westminster. Here you'll find the Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and of course, the London Eye. 

Walking along the Pier during sunset is simply beautiful. There are many places you can stop for coffee and cake, or a sneaky drink. You may be lucky and hear some talented buskers!

And finally, you can't be in London and not go to the Warner Brother's Harry Potter Tour. Growing up, I loved (and still do) Harry Potter. I've read the books many, many times and watched the movies countless amounts!

You'll need many hours and comfortable shoes to explore everything this city has to offer... And I haven't even scraped the surface!

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