London Days Out

Things are definitely starting to get busy in my life, I started my new job this week, (yay!) and I might be moving into a new place soon (kind of bittersweet), but my highlight of last week was my best friend from university came to visit London for the first time for a holiday! 

I love acting like a tourist, and I even got to do a few things I hadn't before in London, like go to Kensington palace, and a few I hadn't done in awhile, like go to the Tower of London, which I haven't done since I was 14!

She came with her grandparents and brother, and it was kind of interesting to see some Americans getting to know this country I've become so familiar with (plus hearing accents from home was pretty refreshing!) and it was great watching people experience some things about this country I've come to love.  Perhaps none of us enjoyed the weather, but the food we had was definitely good! We ate a few lunches in South Kensington, where they were staying.  I'd definitely recommend the  Anglesea Arms there and Maggie Jones for some delicious but decently priced food!

Rachel and I both love to shop, so of course we headed to Oxford Street for a look around and I introduced her to some of my fav high street shops over here.  I couldn't resist picking up a new spring bag from new look.  It's a gorgeous coral and very spacious (of course!), perfect for summer!

A Sandy Bit of Home

I absolutely love living in the UK, especially so close to London. But there comes days when the weather is just starting to feel springy that I get a pang of homesickness for white sand beaches on a Carolina coast. In the dreary rain today, I can't help planning my next trip home.

Moving to Surrey marked the first time since I was 8 that I've lived away from the beach. I grew up there and ending up attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington just down the coast. after that it was grad school in Swansea, one of the closest Uni's to the beach in the world. I haven't quite adjusted to the absence of salty sea air or the fact I struggle to think of things to do around here on a sunny day.

I grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a chain of barrier islands famed for their amazing beaches. At home you won't find high rise hotels and it's easy to find your own spot on the expanse of beach. It's a place where flip flops are the most acceptable forms of footwear, where everyone lives for summer. Winters are quiet and dull, with barely a shop open, but come summer the islands are buzzing with life, even if it is hoards of vaguely annoying tourists.

A winter sunset on the Outer Banks

I'm not sure if it's just the weather, or the simplicity of life in general there I'm missing a bit. In the seemingly endless struggle of trying to make it as a journalist, it doesn't surprise me that a part of me misses mornings spent in the sun followed by a cushy job at a clothing and gift store (the type of place that sells miniature lighthouses and wine glasses painted with fish, massive stuffed dolphins and hundreds of sweatshirts and t-shirts all emblazoned with OBX). I wore flip flops and sundresses and the sting of summer on my skin and did a job I knew like the back of my hand.

I'm (hopefully) planning a big trip home in September and hopefully bringing my boyfriend with me for his first USA adventure (which should be very interesting indeed!) I'm excited to get to eat at my old favourite restaurants and introduce Matt to the weird yet wonderful place I grew up. (And get in some beach and surfing time of course!)

The road home

One dress, 3 ways to wear

Last weekend I went to Southampton to pick up my surfboard that has been in storage there and decided to do a little retail therapy after. I picked up this amazing black and white striped skater dress from Republic while I was there.

 Unless you've been hiding under a rock from the fashion world, you probably know that monochrome is super hot for spring and summer.  I'm loving the trend, especially when mixed with a few unexpected pops of colour with shoes and accessories.  My favourite thing about this dress is the skater silhouette which is the big shape for this season. I can see why, it is super flattering on almost any body type and feels very 50's ladylike. Whether you are petite like me, curvy, busty, or pear, this dress brings out the best.

I love a great wear anywhere dress and this is definitely that, wear it for a date, lunch with friends, even work. Not only am I going to wear the heck out of this all season long, but Republic has some wicked good deals on at the moment in their sales, well worth a look if you like it!

Striped Skater Dress, Republic

Date Perfect

Brunch with the girls

Working it