the vineyard // the castle & thai square // mayfair pizza co // brick lane

You know what guys…I'm not going to lie to you. Last week was pretty shitty. Despite of beautiful weather in London, I was feeling really homesick and just down in the dumps. I think the stress of the last couple of months (both personally and professionally) caught up with me.

Sunday started off great! I went to a pub lunch at the Hollywood Arms near Earl's Court. I had a Pimm's cocktail and a yummy roast chicken. Afterwards, Alex and I went for a walk through South Ken and Chelsea. It was a gorgeous day so everyone in London was out and about. There was a big Rugby game on and every pub was full. But Alex and I managed to get into the Cadogan Arms (on Kings Road) and had a drink there. Then we kept walking down to Duke of York Square and stopped off at Comptoir Libanais. We had a little hummus and some snacks (plus a little rose). We decided we were starving and went to Angel to grab Nando's. I think it's pretty clear I just ate and drank my way through the day.

On Monday I went back to Bootcamp Pilates in Parson's Green with Kirsten. Then I came back home to relax and cook dinner I knew it was going to be a long week ahead at work.

After work on Tuesday I made my way to Highbury and Islington to meet up with Alex at a pub called The Vineyard. We had a glass of £3.65 prosecco (say what!) and then we walked to Ali's flat for our weekly Bachelor night. We ordered Papa John's, pigged out on pizza/Dorito's/crispy M&M's and drank wine. I haven't seen the finale yet - we are saving it for next week - so don't tell me who won! I have been avoiding People.com so I don't find out.

I went on a course with Kirsten Wednesday morning in a neighborhood called Upton Park. It's in far east London and it's home to West Ham stadium. It was a pretty rough area…just run down and dirty but I guess I am spoiled by the beauty of my West Hampstead (where I live) and Chelsea (where I work)! After our morning course, we made our way back to work. It was another gorgeous day and we were lucky to get to join our students for their weekly horse riding lesson. After work, I made my way to New Bond Street and St Christopher's Place. The weather was perfect and I love walking around this area. Adam and I grabbed a bite to eat at Cote Brasserie and a Ben's cookie then I made my way back home to relax for the rest of the night.

Thursday was the best day of the week (weather wise) and after work, Alex came to meet me at school for a walk down the Chelsea Embankment and through Battersea park. Ali and Natalie were at The Castle pub in Angel having drinks on the roof terrace so we went to join them. We had a couple drinks, a few laughs, then we decided we were all starving and Thai food was the only thing that could satisfy us! We went to Thai Square on Upper Street. The food was so good and (even better) it's wasn't expensive. I was exhausted throughout dinner and had train troubles on the way home. It was one of those nights where I couldn't help but want to cry. At this point it had been a really long and exhausting week and I knew that my Friday was going to be crazy busy at work. So I had a pout, got over it and decided that Friday was going to be a good day!

the highlight of my week - my diploma came!

I woke up Friday morning with a positive attitude. I made it through the workday (despite a few bumps here and there) and by 5:00 I was ready to go back to my flat and do nothing. Clearly it had been a very busy week! I made a nice dinner for myself, watched a couple episodes of Game of Thrones, and went to bed. It was just what I needed.

Saturday morning started slow and relaxed. Then I went to New Bond Street to meet Jennifer for a girly lunch. She found a review last week for a restaurant called Mayfair Pizza Co and we were dying to try the Nutella Calzone. It was AMAZING. We went for a stroll to Fortnum and Mason and then through Piccadilly Market.

We hopped on the train and made our way to South West London. I made my way to Chelsea and met with Mel and Catherine at The Phene for a couple drinks.

Ciara joined us and then we all went to Hoxton to an Irish pub called Howl at the Moon. There was the Six Nations Rugby on and the atmosphere in the pub was so great! Everyone there was Irish (with the exception of me, Alex, and James!) and they went absolutely nuts when Ireland won! They were screaming and singing and chest bumping. I loved it!

trying to fit in with the irish crowd

me trying to fit in with the irish crowd!

pulling up a seat at the bar…don't mind if i do

cheap as chips

After we left the pub, Alex, James, Adam and I made our way to Brick Lane for an authentic curry. I hadn't been but it's been on my list of things to do in London since moving here almost two years ago! So it was about time I finally saw what it was all about. Brick Lane is essentially a street with Indian restaurants on both sides. These men stand on the street and do everything they can to get you inside their particular restaurant. We ended up going into the first one (named Sheba) when the guy offered us 25% off and a free round of drinks! We ate tons and it was damn good. Best part was that it only cost £15 a person. 

So like a lot of my weeks since moving here, it was difficult. It definitely had some bumps along the way. But like they always say…you win some and you lose some. In the end, I was a winner just for making it through another week in this incredible city. I couldn't have done it without my friends. 

xx

K

last week in london: bluebird cafe // spitalfields and shoreditch // the modern pantry

Last week was another busy one here in Londontown.

I started Sunday with a relaxing morning, then went to Hampstead to Heartcore studios for my weekly pilates session. Afterwards, I came back to my flat, freshened up and hopped on the train to go to St Albans. Andrea picked me up at the station and we went to The Pea Hen Pub in St A. This is such a gorgeous little town and it's only a 15 minute train ride from West Hampstead. We had a couple Blue Moons and then I came back home to get ready for the week.

On Monday, I did my work out, cooked dinner and relaxed on the couch. Tuesday was a bit of a different day for me. Instead of going to work, I went to a course at a school in Fulham on strategies for teaching children with special needs. It was really interesting and nice to have a day with other teachers and professionals. It was over by 3 so afterwards I went to Angel to meet Alex and enjoy the sunny afternoon. We walked the dog she walks a few times a week and went to the Alwyne Castle pub in Highbury & Islington before going to Ali's for the Bachelor. We watched two episodes this past week so I'm pretty sure I'm caught up with all you Americans now! Per usual, we had our Firezze pizza and wine.

strawberry beer

pizza, wine, and the bachelor

Wednesday was another gorgeous day so after work, Courtney and I went for a long walk down the Embankment and through Battersea Park. 

I tried out a new pilates studio in Parson's Green on Thursday after work called Bootcamp Pilates. It was good and they are doing an awesome introductory deal right now (2 classes for £12!). After class I came back to West Hampstead and relaxed for the rest of the evening. The last couple of months I've been re-watching Game of Thrones from the start as I missed a few episodes here and there throughout the last couple years. Anyways, my obsession has reached a whole new level as I'm reading the first book and watching a couple episodes a week! It's nice to just lay on the couch and do nothing some nights throughout the week though. 

Friday was the last day for one of the ladies I work with at the school. After work, a group of girls took her to the Bluebird Cafe on Kings Road for a little wine and food. We stayed there for a couple hours and just enjoyed chatting and wished her good luck in the future. We will definitely all miss her - she was a second mommy to all of us girls! 

After our early dinner at the Bluebird, me, Mel, Kirsten and Steph popped into the Trafalgar for a couple drinks. Then Mel and I made our way to Soho to meet up with Val and some of the American girls. We had big plans of going out on Friday night to a club called No. 5 Cavendish. I won't go into the details of what happened but after waiting outside in the cold for 45 minutes, I decided to make my way back home! I love a good girl's night - especially one with dancing - but my days of waiting outside to get into a club for longer than 5 minutes are over. I'm 29, not 19. 

birthday girl

at trafalgar

the view at val's flat in soho

On Saturday morning I woke up early to get my hair cut and colored. This has always been one of my favorite things in the world…I love being pampered for a couple hours! I especially love a good blow out that prevents me from washing my hair for at least 3 days. 

After my trip to the salon, I hopped on the train to Spitalfield's Market near Liverpool Street. Allison and I love a good market and I hadn't been to Spitalfield's on the weekend yet so I had to experience it. We walked around, ate crepes for lunch, and then we decided to walk to Shoreditch to check out the markets over there. There's a place (I don't even know what to call it) called BoxPark off of Shoreditch High Street. Basically it looks like a bunch of storage units put together to make a small shopping centre. There's stores and restaurants and bars. It was very cool! We also stumbled upon a couple of designer pop up stores and looked around Urban Outfitters. After a couple of hours of shopping with no luck, we decided it was time to throw the towel in and have a cocktail instead. We made our way through Shoreditch and saw the street art. Allison took me to the Crown and Shuttle which has a lovely back garden. The weather was gorgeous so we were happy to sit outside with our mimosas! 

spitalfields

boxpark

street art

crown and shuttle

After my very busy morning and afternoon, I was ready to head back to my flat and rest up for Saturday night. So I came home and had every intention of falling asleep…I got into my bed and my phone started ringing. WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN?! I can't remember the last time I had a nap. Oh well. I lounged around a bit and then started getting ready for the night!

Alex's birthday dinner was at a restaurant in Clerkenwell called The Modern Pantry. Before dinner, Ads and I grabbed a drink at The Zetter Townhouse which is right next door to the restaurant. Drinks and dinner were both excellent and afterwards we decided to continue the party at the Giant Robot. It was such a fun night so when 1 am rolled around and they did last call, we weren't ready to stop! So we all went back to Ali and Paul's for games, drinks, and music. I was in bed by 3:30 am and needless to say, I was completely exhausted on Sunday (but I'll save all that for my next post).

the modern pantry

the zetter townhouse

decisions decisions (i got wine - shocker)

knock knock

love

girls at the giant robot

me and ads

Ah such a fun week! I'm looking forward to this week too…gorgeous weather all week long! Until then…

xx

K

st pauls // bodean's // kirsten's hen do

This past week was a bit of a downer. I had such a nice week off that it was hard going back to work and getting back into the swing of things. The only comfort is that I have another break in 4 weeks -- nearly 3 weeks off to enjoy my parents being here and a potential trip to NYC!

Sunday and Monday were spent recovering from Amsterdam and the overall craziness from last week…I got back into my work out routine and healthy eating after having a complete carb overload. On Tuesday, I went to Ali's for our weekly Bachelor night (I hadn't been in 3 weeks!!) and we had a great time catching up, eating Firezze pizza, and drinking wine. It was a much needed girly night.

On Wednesday, I went to dinner in St Paul's at Ping Pong. This is some of the best Dim Sum in London. It's a classy little chain with lots of options. After dinner, I went for a stroll around St Paul's and made my way to the rooftop of One New Change to take a few pictures of the city. It was a clear, beautiful night.

On Thursday, I did my after work exercise video with Courtney and afterwards we went to the Good Life Eatery. I've posted about this place before (and Courtney's obsession with it). I had an amazing salmon 'sandwich' and a protein shake. I felt nice and clean after that!

So the tummy bug has been going around work and I have been really worried all week that I was going to get it. When Friday rolled around we were all feeling a bit 'funny' and I was certain it was my turn to suffer. I made it through the day and after work, Kirsten and I went to the Trafalgar Pub on King's Road. We had a couple drinks and then I went to meet Ads at Bodean's near Tower Bridge. Bodean's is an American restaurant which serves BBQ from every region - NC pulled pork, Texas brisket - as well as American cocktails and plays sports on their TVs from the States. Clearly, I was in heaven. 

On Saturday I woke up and went to the Duke of York Market in Chelsea with Courtney. It's a smaller market but is dedicated to just food. There's loads of options for lunch and goodies to take home. I got a nice little salad with falafels and a sweet baklava to take home. 

On Saturday evening, I went to Temple to meet up with a big group of girls for Kirsten's hen-do (AKA bachelorette party)! We started our evening at the Radio Rooftop Bar at the ME London hotel. The view is incredible and it's a really fun atmosphere. It was the perfect place to start off a big girls night. 

After the ME Hotel, we got into some super cute pedicabs and went to The Loop Bar off of Oxford Street! We had a blast dancing on the Groovy Wonderland dance floor. Such a fun night!

I'm hoping this week is better…after this, only 3 more weeks until Spring Break! :) 

Lots of love xx

K