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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Life gets a bit brighter in Brighton

 London is a beautiful city, but it's only the beginning. There are so many beautiful surrounding places to discover and explore.

And for as little as £10, you can be on a train for an hour and a half and end up in the beautiful seaside town of Brighton.

I spent a whole day exploring the streets of Brighton and it has reenergised my soul.

So things to do in Brighton.

Firstly you should take a stroll along the seaside and soak in the sea breeze. This is such a great remedy for energising the soul.

Along the seaside you can discover some markets and explore the local art and photography. 

You can continue your walk along the seaside until you reach the Brighton Pier.

Here you will find food and many sideshow games to play. You can play few games and enjoy some rides overlooking the Brighton sea.

Or if you are anything like me, you'll be a bit peckish after your seaside stroll and you can't leave Brighton without indulging in the typical local cuisine... Fish and Chips!

But, be warned, they are large servings!

You'll be nice and full after your feast and ready to take a stroll in the streets of Brighton. You'll discover an explosion of colourful houses, graffiti alleyways and more markets to enjoy. The best thing to do, is just walk. You'll discover little hidden gems along the way.

After a couple of hours of strolling through the streets, it's time to energise. And what better way to energise then a hot cup of coffee. One thing I was amazed at was the amount of cafés in Brighton. They all look amazing, it was hard to choose where to go.

I only spent 6 hours in Brighton, but it was enough time to re-ignite my love of exploring new places. I hope this day trip was only the beginning of discovering more of the places surrounding London.

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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Top 5 tips for trying to open a bank account in London

The first two months in London were difficult.

I was super excited to come to London and to explore a new city.
That was until I realised how difficult it was to open a bank account in this city! Without a bank account, it means difficulty in getting paid and without getting paid, you will be crushed and eaten alive by this expensive city! 

Until you start earning pounds, your funds will dry up quickly and you'll be left with nothing! So make sure you have plenty of time, patience and money to help you getting set up in London.

So here are my top 5 tips for trying to open a bank account in London.

1. Most importantly, ensure you have enough money to survive up to 4 weeks in London. This is the most important thing! If you plan your budget and live cheaply, you should be able to manage!

2. If you followed my Top 5 things to do BEFORE moving to London, you'll be waiting for your N.I. number and it will be arriving any day now. Once you receive this, you'll have your choice of banks to go with!

3. If you are like me and don't have proof of address, it will start to get difficult now! Without proof of address, most banks will not even look twice at you. I have been told many times, by many banks that they only accept utility bills, tenancy agreements, current UK drivers licence, tax bills or a National Insurance Number. So, if you don't have this information, don't bother with Metro Bank, Barclays, HSBS or Nat West!

4. If you don't have proof of address (like me) you can try Lloyds bank. They apparently open accounts with just your passport. I was however not so lucky with this! I made the mistake of mentioning I live at a share house and when I mentioned this, they completely shut me down. So, don't mention the share house or anything, just bring your passport!

5.  If you plan ahead before arriving to London, I was told by HSBC that you can provide proof of address from another country, they just want to prove you are who you are but they do require originals (see point 1 to see the documents they accept!) so bring these from home.

And a bonus tip, if all fails (like it did for me) ask for other payment options by your employers/Human Resources, they may be able to do something for you. They may be able to issue you with a cheque. You'll need to find a money changer and they will take a percentage of the balance but at least you'll have some money to tie you over.

Moving countries, cities or continents can be hard so don't let it get to you if they say no. I went to more then 15 banks just to be shut down by every single one of them. It's stressful, frustrating and seriously annoying. So be patient and try your best to get all the documents you need to make it easier.

Head to the London Series for more tips from London.

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The 5 shoes to avoid this Winter in London

We are definitely well into Winter now and it's sadly time to pack away some of your favourite shoes to get you through the rain, cold and snowy Winter here in London. Firstly, I haven't been in London very long but I can say from my experience... it rains a lot here. So there are many styles, materials and heels that won't make it through the season..

So, for now, it's time to pack away your trusty Autumn shoes and get prepared for Winter. Here are the 5 shoes to avoid this Winter.

1. Say goodbye to your beloved stilettos:

It pains me to write these words but it's true. Rain, snow and London, are not a very good combination! Walking in stiletto high heels in London, is a challenge in itself but add Winter elements... It's a disaster waiting to happen!

Instead, opt for a slightly chunkier, block style heel. They will be more stable and comfortable when walking around the London sights! 

2. Suede? No way!

Suede is one of my all time favourite shoe materials. The are soft, comfortable and elegant to wear, but sadly, they won't survive a second in the torrential rain London has. No matter how much waterproofing spray you put on them, I can almost guarantee, they won't survive. So leave them at home until the Spring has sprung!

Reach for your durable leather shoes, they'll hold up so much better in the weather!

3. Relaxed trainers

Since I began travelling, I have a new love for the sports luxe trend. I wore my white Armani canvas trainers with so many outfits. But they are not made for the Winter months. No matter how comfortable your canvas trainers are, I'm sorry, but they will not keep your feet dry. I remember walking home from the Tube station and completely underestimated the depth of a puddle! My poor feet were freezing cold by the time I got home. So, say goodbye to your old friend for now. They'll be waiting for when the puddles dry up!

If you can't survive without your comfortable trainers, you can find some luxe leather trainers which will have a much longer life in the Winter.

4. Sandals...

My biggest shoe weakness is suede, strappy, high heeled stiletto sandals so this post is completely crushing my soul! I'm sorry but sandals are not designed for Winter. So, if you want to keep your toes and not lose them to frostbite, it's time to let your favourite sandals rest while we endure this frightful season! Sandals shine the brightest during Spring and Summer so be patient!

If you can't survive without making a statement in sandals, opt for statement closed toes, you can wear hosiery to warm your feet up without drawing too much attention to your feet.

5. Ugh!... I mean Uggs!

I'm all for relaxed outings but please, Uggs are not boots! Leave your Uggs at home this Winter! I know they keep your feet toasty warm and comfortable but they are not proper Winter boots. Aside from the water resistant styles available, your Ugg boots will not handle the outdoor terrain, no matter how well you protect them and clean them. Keep yours Uggs fluffy and cozy for your feet to step into after a cold and busy Winter day.

As a shoe lover, it is very hard for me to say goodbye to some of my trusty shoes this Winter but, the silver lining... It's time to go shoe shopping for Winter.

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Check back next week for the must have shoes for Winter.

The Big Ben

London is such a big city.

There is so much to see and do and on my last day off, I went to the Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and walked along the Pier to the London Eye. It was such a beautiful (and freezing cold) day! My Frenchy and I got to witness a beautiful sunset and enjoy some quality time together.

Scroll down to see my tourist pictures from the Big Ben!:

Stay tuned for more tourist pictures from London!

For tips from London, head to the London Series.

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Top 5 must have items for surviving Winter in London

Growing up in Australia, I've had to deal with some extreme heat but fortunately for me, I've never had to endure extreme cold...

Until now!

I have been lucky so far with the weather in London but many people tell me that London is going to get more and more cold which leaves me with chills.

So to prepare myself for the upcoming colder season, I have invested in some good quality Winter essentials to help me fight the cold.

So what will you need?

1. You will definitely need a warm jacket to survive the Winter weather. Find a neutral, versatile style that you can wear with everything. My choice for the season is a grey feather jacket from Zara France. It is super cozy and I wear it everyday.

2. I've never been much of a beanie kind of girl but when I saw the luxurious cashmere beanie, I knew I had to have it. In Australia, there isn't much need for cashmere in our warm Winters but this season, I thought it would be an essential! I wear my grey cashmere beanie almost every evening on my way home from work. It keeps the heat in and the wind out. It also protects my delicate ears from the cold wind. This is a definite must have for the cold London weather.

3. You will never appreciate the value of warm gloves until you've suffered through a windy and raining London! One of my first nights in London, I felt like my fingers were about to drop off! Since then, I've been carrying around a pair of gloves in my handbag to keep my fingers and hands toasty warm.

4. Since the weather turned cold, I never leave the house without my woollen blanket scarf. This is my favourite accessory in my suitcase (that isn't shoes). My scarf is very warm, it's oversized and it matches all my Winter outfits.

5. Layering essentials are a definite must have for your Winter wardrobe. You should definitely stock up on long sleeve tops, neutral vests (singlets) and knee high stockings. By adding an extra layer, it will protect you from the fierce London wind and keep you warm!

There are so many places in London to stock up on all your Winter essentials so you can stay toasty warm this season.

For more tips from London click here.

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Tower Bridge

I've been in London for over 2 months now and I've only just started exploring this city. During one of our rare times off together, Frenchy and I decided to visit Tower Bridge.

Many people recommended it too me and I missed seeing it the last time I was in London, so off we went! It was cold, damp but beautiful!

There is so many things to do and see in London, I'm finally excited to begin exploring this place!

Head to the London series for tips on settling in.

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