One of the first things I praised the UK for was it’s crazy fast Wifi. You’d think in major cities in the U.S. we’d have comparable coverage – but we don’t. As an expat in London, I was floored at how quick service was – and how affordable. No longer did I need to worry about the mobile bill and broadband in the apartment killing our utilities budget. It was a small expense compared to rent and other necessities. Not to mention, paired with a good VPN service, getting all…
A friend and I were chatting the other day about adulting. Specifically, maintaining adult friendships. If you live in a big city, or just have friends with different lifestyles, it can be so difficult to get everyone together. While living in London, I had to choose dates more than a month in advance just for a happy hour drink. It’s no one’s fault really – it’s just how life is in 2019, with people being pulled in a million different directions. We’re also on the forefront of something new when…
Walking holidays in the UK do not end because it’s wintertime. I was shocked when our British friends suggested an outdoor getaway to Scotland in December last year! When it gets cold, I immediately think of fleeing to somewhere tropical. Not a place covered in snow. Or at least, I’m going to stay inside if there’s a blizzard outside. But I’ve learned that it’s wildly refreshing to spend time outdoors in the winter – especially as the short days make for less hours in the daylight. My mood was greatly…
Deep down, I think I hoped the situation might change. I spent almost three years in crazy London. During that time, I evolved more as a person than I have my whole life, impacted by the chaotic environment, new cast of characters ad crazy work opportunities. I soared and succeeded, then crashed and burned. Through it all though, it was an indescribable adventure I loved, living the expat life. Then the time came to move on, as all good things come to an end. My husband and I chose to…
It’s one thing to gear up and brave the outdoors on purpose, but fall and wintertime means a whole other animal to city dwellers. The streets can get pretty precarious as the temperature drops, which means the winter weather gear has to surface. Choosing clothes that are warm, sturdy and can handle almost any conditions for those who often commute by foot or brave the elements on a daily basis is essential. Layer, Layer, Layer If you’re a public transport warrior, you know how it can be breezy on your…
It’s all the rage. Sustainable, organic, low calorie, colorful, delicious food. London has an antiquated reputation of being total crap when it comes to mealtime, but I’ve easily found how to debunk these myths after living here just a short time. It goes without saying, discovering healthy restaurants in every corner of this city is a breeze. But I think cooking at home, utilizing local products and attending events with a taste of everything is the best way to conquer the landscape of urban eating. Looking for something indulgent first…
Hype men yell out they are certainly the BEST curry on Brick Lane in London. No no, not that other guy, us. Definitely. We have the awards to prove. Alright so does he, but WE are offering a deal. Come on in. Right now. Table is waiting. Now? Walking down Brick Lane in London in hopes of a tasty curry can be a daunting task. There are some wonderful curry houses, and some not so good ones. Without a plan, you’ll end up being convinced by the loudest shop owner…
Sweets. It’s a horrible habit, but give me a bowl of ice cream or a just baked pastry any day over a big savory meal. I practically judge new destinations based just on how good the desserts are in the area. This is why France wasn’t always my favorite place in the world, but it made up for a little stuffiness with incredible eats. Although I haven’t made it back to Paris since we moved over to London, I hope to visit as soon as the weather changes. In fact,…
It’s often a huge challenge to prioritize taking trips or a holiday. A budget that offers options and a little indulge is lovely, but not all of us have this luxury. On the other hand, we might have been squirreling away funds for a while to visit a new destination, but simply can’t find the time from our employer to make the journey significantly worth it. In fact, New research by Opodo reveals more than a third (38%) of Brits said their company offers no flexible working benefits as part…
My yoga practice is going just peachy, but let’s be real. I got to move my behind way more. Stretching and asanas made me feel active and worked well for a while to keep my heart rate pumping. But as my mental health began to improve, as my desire to be social, get out and, well, eat. And drink. I’ve noticed my weight creeping up again, which is discouraging after I had been working so hard. I wanted to find something to do in the city I could enjoy on…
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