London 2018
This Christmas we spent a few days in London before heading to Dublin to spend the holidays with Dave’s parents. I love visiting his family and Dublin but London will forever be my favourite city. Not only do I have my massive Italian family there, it holds a special place in my heart. I have always wanted to live in London since I can remember and for a few months at a time I did have the chance but never for a long period of time. I would still love to go for a year to live in London but it’s a little hard to convince my Irish boyfriend to live in England. Plus now with the whole Brexit situation I don’t know if I would want to make that move. When I was applying to Masters programs I applied to three in London and then one here in Victoria. I ended up at the University of Victoria with one of my best friends and in my second year I met Dave so it all worked out of course. However, I do always think about what it would’ve been like living in my favourite city while studying Art History. It’s definitely on my bucket list and although I’ve already done one MA program in Art History, I could definitely see myself doing another or even a baking course instead. We will see what happens!
The decorations around London are so beautiful at Christmas
The angels along Regent Street were some of the best
My family live on the outskirts of London so I planned two full London days while we were over. The first was the day after we arrived and I didn’t even care about my jet lag I was too excited to go to London! My mum, my cousin’s wife and I all jumped on the train to Tottenham Hale where we switched for the underground. I know a lot of people do not like the underground, I am NOT one of them, I LOVE it! I was so excited to be back in a big city where so many different cultures meet, the fashion is always exciting and inspiring and the hustle and bustle just breathes life into you. First stop was of course Topshop on Oxford Circus. The biggest in the world, I gave myself a time limit to not bore my mum. That’s where I found my Teddy coat I have been wearing all winter long. Michelle, my cousin’s wife bought it for me for my Christmas and birthday present and I couldn’t have been happier! I have wanted one of those coats for ages. We then walked all over London, stopping at different shops along the way, admiring all the beautiful Christmas decorations that lined the streets of London.
Carnaby Street had such fun Christmas decorations
Loved this!
After wandering through Soho, Regent Street, Oxford Circus and many more we headed for a spot of afternoon tea at the Wolseley. We’ve decided to make a tradition for the three of us that any time we are over we will have afternoon tea with Michelle. It’s only been twice now but I love this tradition so much. I LOVE afternoon tea! So many delicious things to eat all in mini form and of course the tea is always magnificent. WE arrived a little early and our table wasn’t ready so we had cocktails because hey it’s Christmas time and you can drink whenever you want right? Michelle and I had these gorgeous mojitos and my mum opted for a non-alcoholic beverage but it was delicious none the less. The Wolseley was packed with people enjoying afternoon tea or Sunday dinner before the craziness of the Christmas holidays really set in. The space was magnificent, very old London style. It was a great spot for tea and we really enjoyed it, filling up way too much on sandwiches and scones, meant we couldn’t really find space for all the desserts, which was a shame!
Michelle and my mum at afternoon tea
The spread at the Wolseley
Me and my mum ready to dive in!
It’s going to be awhile until we are back in London, probably won’t make it until next summer. We’re hoping to do a little summer in Europe next year if all goes as planned, fingers crossed! I can’t wait to get back to London though and have our next afternoon tea with Michelle!