Goodbye Tulsa, hello London!
Last fall my friend from London got married, so I took the opportunity not only to watch my dear friends tie the knot, but also explore a few more European cities with my girlfriends that were making the trip as well. My philosophy: If you’re going to spend 12 hours on a plane, pack the trip with new experiences to make the trip worth your while.
Getting around: London’s public transportation is fantastic. The underground is incredibly user-friendly, and there are maps available in every direction to help you get around. I suggest getting a map while you’re still at the airport – this will save you some time and you will learn the train route to your hotel as well. I always get a day pass when I’m exploring the city.
STAY: We scored an amazing deal at Kensington Close, a stunning hotel located near the shops at High Street Kensington. The location is prime -- the tube entrance is only a two minute walk and there are shops, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. Highly recommended!
EAT: I try not to plan too many of my meals while traveling unless there’s a world renowned restaurant that I must try. London has so many great restaurants, and I like to use apps like Yelp! for recommendations in proximity to my location.
We arrived in London early morning and our first stop was Caffe Nero at the airport for a quick latte and panini. It was a great place to replenish since we still had a journey ahead on the train.
On our first day, we stumbled across a cute, trendy pub call The Draft House. It was packed with locals on their lunch breaks, so we knew it must be good. The fish and chips are a must-try! If that’s not your thing, they also have great burgers and a great selection of --you guessed it-- draft beers to choose from.
The day before the wedding I was invited to high tea at The Landmark. It was an incredible experience and totally worth the splurge! They had an amazing selection of teas, sandwiches, and sweets. If you’re looking for a truly British experience, definitely make a point to spend the afternoon at this stunning hotel for tea. I can’t say enough great things about it.
WEAR: If you’re going to be strolling around the city, your best bet is to wear layers, a crossbody purse, and comfortable shoes. I especially love layering with button up shirts because you can easily take it off, tie it around your waist, and still look stylish. (Keep in mind that you’ll want to pack versatile colors and pieces that you can mix and match.) I also suggest that you bring an umbrella just in case the weather decides to turn. We were lucky to have beautiful weather and I was able to ditch my flannel and just wear a vest.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
- Purse: I took a small black crossbody bag by Steve Madden that I found at Nordstrom Rack. The size was perfect and black, of course, goes with everything.
- Shoes: I wore my favorite New Balance sneakers while strolling around and they were perfect -- I was so thankful that my feet never hurt! I also brought along a pair of black ankle booties that practically go with everything and they're comfortable and cute for going out.
- Accessories: I packed one versatile scarf that went with everything, two color-neutral H&M beanies, and a black Gap coat that was perfect for this trip. Layering accessories are easy to pack & they kept me warm.
SEE: There is so much culture in London and endless amount of things to do. I recommend going to The Tower of London, The London Bridge, The London Eye, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. Piccadilly Circus is another fun option, but it can be a little intense. There was a protest going on while we were there, so it was definitely an experience! I would definitely recommend checking out the area at some point on your trip as there are a lot of things to do and see.
*Highlight: Brick Lane.
Brick Lane has so much to offer, including beautiful art, delicious food, and even live music. As the road goes on, it just gets better and better! We were welcomed by colorful, unique street art when we first arrived. Later we discovered Brick Lane’s brilliant strip of indoor food vendors – it was heaven on earth, and accommodating to just about everyone’s taste. The food ranges from Thai to Italian to Lebanese to Greek. There was a live band playing just outside of the market. We had so much fun loading up on great food and taking it all in. I would recommend having cash as most of the vendors only accept cash, and we didn’t see any ATMs nearby.
Let me know your favorite London recommendations in the comments below. Happy traveling!