Bye For Now

Two months is a long time. But it is also a short amount of time. You have time to become {basically} a local. But you leave behind things you wish you could have gotten to. You have this attatchement to a city that you aren't sure when you'll be back to. You know what they call to-go food & how to be a nice person on the public transportation. But you have a little empty space in your heart when you leave because of the phenomenal time you had and the amazing people you met. You are probably extremely excited to go home {because of your family, friends, BBQ, bagels & breakfast tacos}, but that means the end of something incredibly special.

So as I sit typing this out to y'all at Heathrow, I feel bittersweet. London has been so good to me. Arcadia University has been so good to me. My friends {shoutout to you Sierra, Natalie, Savannah, Isabella & Timmy} have been so nice to me. And every stranger I met has been great to me. I will always love London and it will always hold a special spot in my heart-xoxo darling, Hayden.

P.S. I was tasked with making a video of 1-second a 

day for my program. This is my version {it doesn't include 

every day because sometimes I forgot, but it is a 

pretty good representation of my trip}. 

Saturday Inspiration

Happy Saturday Y'all! It is my last day in London so I am off to make some extremely touristy purchases & see my last glimpses of the city! How are you doing? -xoxo darling, Hayden

Plane Clothes

Instead of today's normal "Articles I'm Reading" post I thought I would share what I will be wearing on my 8+ hour flight home on Sunday {*cries*}. I am all about comfort on long flights so I am opting for an old but super comfy Ralph Lauren long sleeve shirt, Nike running shorts, Nike sneakers, a fleece jacket, and a baseball cap. I figure the baseball cap will either cover my face as I nap or end up in my backpack because I am annoyed with it {we'll see how it goes}. As for where we took the photos, we were on the North Bank, across from the Shard, the HMS Belfast, and Tower Bridge. 

Tune back Sunday for my {slightly emotional} post about leaving London-xoxo darling, Hayden.

P.S. What do y'all wear on the plane? 

Wimbledon

Week Re-Cap

I cannot believe that I have less than a week left in London, it seems like it was just yesterday that I had arrived {it has been over two months}. But I have been having a blast these past few days. I was still with Hannah for a majority of this past week so we did a LOT. Including, but not limited to, tea, the Cliffs of Dover, and Notting Hill. Then Sierra & I went into high tourist mode starting Sunday to make sure we get the most out of our last week. Today I am having lunch with my boss from my interhsip and then we are headed to Greenwich to explore {again}. Thursday we are going to Windsor Castle & then the Serpentine Galleries + a classy dinner because it is Sierra's last night! I am not entirely sure what I will be up to Friday and Saturday but I will be on a really long plane ride home on Sunday...tune back in on Friday for what I will be wearing on that ridiculously long flight. What are y'all up to? -xoxo darling, Hayden

Wednesday picnic on Parliment Hill at Hampstead Heath! 

The view is amazing! 

 The cutest thank you note I got for my boss at my internship.

 An "English Garden" at a speakeasy in Shoreditch.

 Scrambled eggs on cornbread at The Diner in Shoreditch. 

 A Friday morning in Notting Hill.

Tea time at The Orangery at Kensington Palace.

 The gardens at Kensington Palace are gorgeous.

 They have a Pigott gallery! 

 Some of Diana & Queen Elizabeth's clothes are on display.

 Saturday morning at Cereal Killer Cafe in Shoreditch.

 You can even sit on beds! 

 Saturday afternoon Hannah & I went out ot the Cliffs of Dover {post coming soon}! 

 And we ate "cake by the ocean" even though it was the Channel...

 Sunday Sierra and I went on a boat on the Thames.

Then we went to Molly Bakes for one of their famous

 Freakshakes...it was amazing.

 Followed by visiting the Geffrye Museum.

 Monday was a treat yo-self moment after I aced my 

presentation, so I grabbed ice cream at Harrods! 

Brighton

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Brighton with some of my friends. We grabbed a train from Victoria that went straight to Brighton {with one stop at Gatwick} and arrived fairly early in the morning. From there we walked down to the Royal Pavilion for a tour. The Pavilion was an interesting experience. The architecture on the outside was amazing but the inside was a little daunting/over the top. Still very worth the train ride to see. 

From there we grabbed lunch on the beach & walked around the pier. Then we exhausted ourselves so we sat and tossed rocks on their pebble beach for hours. It was so amusing. The beach was fairly cold {most people were bundled up} but it was still a blast because it was calming. 

Overall, if you have the time, I would suggest a day trip to Brighton to see what England's "beach towns" are all about-xoxo darling, Hayden.

The Royal Pavilion

No trip to the beach is complete without ice cream.

Quotes of the Week

Saturday Inspiration

I'm really feeling bright colors this week {because it's summer}. H and I are off to the Cliffs of Dover for one last amazing day of bestie time before she heads home! I cannot believe I will only be in London for eight more days! Time has literally flown by-xoxo darling, Hayden. 

Visiting the Queen

 

As you know from earlier this week, Balmoral was one of my favorite places ever. And in case you weren't tired of seeing photos from my time there, here are a ton more! This outfit was absolutely perfect for the weather in the Scottish highlands. It had just the right amount of layers & adding the Hunters for the occasional rainstorm was good. Hope this inspires you-xoxo darling, Hayden.

*These items are not exactly the same, just similar.*

Week Re-Cap

Since I spent a good portion of my week in Paris, I have no complaints. My best friend flew across the Pond to see me & we have been having a blast ever since she got here! There should be some photos of Paris in this post {since that happened during this week} but there are far too many photos to choose from so I will be having Paris posts out the wazoo for y'all later. While in Paris I also did a shoot for HT's fourth birthday {uhm how did that happen?!} so that will be coming at y'all exactly a month from today! This week I have some more exploring to do with Hannah {we are off to the Cliffs of Dover on Saturday} and then next week my friends and I are going hard to knock out all of our last touristy things before we head home {something I cannot even begin to talk about}. How are y'all doing? -xoxo darling, Hayden

Some friends and I finally tried curry on Brick Lane -- it was amazing.

My school offered a tour of the largest Gurdwara outside of India 

so Sierra & I went. We found it fascinating. 

Also, their prayer room is gorgeous. 

Friday night we did Late Night at the National Gallery &

 they happen to have a Pigott room! 

On our way to the gallery I spotted the Crypt Cafe where I ate when I was in London when I was little so I convinced Sierra to go with me. 

We loved it! 

Before we went home for the night we grabbed strawberry 

daiquiris on the roof at The Castle near Angel. 

Hannah flew in on Saturday morning! 

It was Sierra's birthday so of course I got her a card -- which I

 thought was hysterical. 

Fried chicken + a Tall, Dark, & Stormy at Bird in Angel.

Peggy Porschen's for Sierra's birthday! 

I tried the Salted Caramel this time.

Posing it up on Bywater Street in Chelsea.

St. Pancras Station before Hannah & I caught our train to Paris.

Tuesday Sierra showed us around Parliament -- it was beautiful! 

And Tuesday night Hannah & I went to Selfridge's afeteria for Asian food and ice cream sundaes! 

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Balmoral

When I was 10 this movie came out. I didn't understand who it was about exactly or what I would feel after watching it. But once I did, I was a changed person. 

The Queen made me love Queen Elizabeth, her home at Balmoral and everything about Scotland. I wanted to visit so bad. Then the opportunity arose, I would be studying abroad for two whole months in England, why not go? So when my parents flew in we took a short flight to Edinburgh and then drove into the Scottish highlands to visit the castle I had been dreaming about for ages. 

It did not disappoint. Everything about the grounds and the house were beautiful. The gardens were awe-inspiring, the house had some pretty tacky 80s hunting lodge feelings {but in the best way possible} and there was so much history to be learned. 

It makes sense why the monarchs have always loved their "little" getaway to the highlands...I did too-xoxo darling, Hayden. 

P.S. If you haven't seen The Queen, I would 10/10 recommend. It is about how the royal family, specifically Queen Elizabeth reacted after Princess Diana's death. 

P.P.S. Check back on Thursday for even more photos! 

Just a warning, it is a little difficult to find. But if you type it into GoogleMaps, trust that and follow their instructions. There are no signs until about a little less than half-a-mile away from the castle.

You may only go in the ballroom, the rest of the house is off limits, but the grounds are so stunning it doesn't even matter.

You can also stay on the grounds, I had no idea otherwise I would have made the fam do this! 

Quotes of the Week

Happy Monday y'all! I am in Paris this lovely morning headed to the Galeries Lafayette for some early shopping! Yesterday was absolutely magical {I mean who doesn't love being in Paris with their best friend?}. Make sure you follow me on my social {Instagram, Snapchat} for photos of the journey & send me suggestions because we love making pit-stops as we explore-xoxo darling, Hayden.

Saturday Inspiration

Today is truly a conglomeration of things. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE BESTIE FLIES IN THIS MORNING! And then we are off to Paris tonight for a few days! I am super pumped! What are y'all doing this weekend? -xoxo darling, Hayden

Articles I'm Reading

1. This is such a fascinating article about something I was always curious about // How a Chanel bag comes to life // Park & Cube
2. This post by Emma is so cute // Hydrangea Season // Dash of Serendipity 
3. Love this look/these photos on Kate // Effortless Summer Style // A Lonestar State of Southern 
4. Blair is honestly #goals // Sailor Stripes // Atlantic-Pacific 
5. Oh my // Places: The Ritz Paris' Grand Re-Opening // Belgrave Crescent 
6. I have been to some of these! // America's Magnificient Midcentury Rest Stops Were Real Roadside Attractions // Curbed

The City of Lights

After four years, I am finally going back to one of my most favorite places on Earth. Paris. I will be there for a little over 48 hours {starting Saturday!} and I have no.idea.what.I.am.doing. So if y'all have any suggestions please, please, please let me know below. I am dying to eat amazing food, take super cute photos, and see more of the off-the-beaten-path than last time. Let me know your favorite spots-xoxo darling, Hayden. 

Week Re-Cap

What another amazing week it has been! I started off at my internship, then had a few meetings/explored, went to Wimbledon, visited Brighton, saw a friend at Oxford {and ended up on a pub crawl}, did some more exploring, and finally ended it back at my internship {in which I only have four more days!}. 

Wimbledon was one of my best decisions of this study abroad and I have a whole post about it come at y'all soon. Oxford was also pretty magical {so look out for that post}.

What wasn't magical and was more weird than anything else was the Barbican Center that I stumbled upon after visiting the Museum of London on Monday. It was built in the 1950s as this kind of "one-stop-shop" living and now it just looks like it needs to be pressure-washed all the time. Look it up if you get the chance...it's really special-xoxo darling, Hayden.

I stopped into Daunt to grab some books for 

the Wimbledon queue.

 We went to Soho for alcohol milkshakes at Stax.

 Exploring White Chapel

 And somehow I ended up at Tower of London.

 I had the most amazing time at Wimbledon on Day 11! {via}

 We had an early train to Brighton.

Hannah asked me if I eat it or if I just take photos with it...{via} 

 Sunday in Oxford was perfect.

 We ended up on a little pub crawl...{via}

 Monday I went to Farm Girl with a friend from high school! 

 It was so cute! 

 {via}

 Postman's Park is a beautiful memorial.

And it's in a super cute park!  

 The London Museum

 Barbican Center really confused me...

Edinburgh

Two weekends ago I got to visit the amazing country that is Scotland. It was absolutely gorgeous. Honestly, I fell in love. We stayed in Edinburgh right off the Royal Mile and did the classic tourist things. We climbed to Arthur's Seat {in the rain}, saw the outside of Holyrood Palace {because the Queen was there!}, and visited Edinburgh Castle. Plus I bought a plaid scarf...because when in Scotland, buy the plaid! Edinburgh was the cutest city and I don't think I had enough time to truly explore it, but I will be back-xoxo darling, Hayden.

The tents were in preparation for the Queen! 

Arthur's Seat was beautiful. 

If you want an amazing view & a really good introduction to the city, hiking it is ideal.

Holyrood Palace

The Royal Mile

Quotes of the Week

Happy Monday y'all! Today I am off so there will be lots of adventures to be had! -xoxo darling, Hayden

Saturday Inspiration

Travel is on my brain this week {and I'm off to Brighton}! Looking forward to many more adventures before I head home {queue the sobbing}-xoxo darling, Hayden. 

Articles I'm Reading

1. Love these houses // Italian Colour Riot // Desire to Inspire
2. I want to make this so bad // Chocolate Wafer Icebox Cake // Cupcakes & Cashmere 
3. Wow. Just Wow. // More is More Brownies // Studio DIY
4. I loved this skit on Summer Wind // Kate Spade New York Stripe Cotton Skirt // Nordstrom
5. Who wouldn't love one of these? // The Best Libraries in Vogue // Vogue 
6. Love you Liz // Queen Elizabeth Custard Tart Recipe // Town & Country

Regent's Park

I realize just this past Tuesday I was praising to you about the virtues of Greenwich Park, and don't get me wrong Greenwich is beautiful. But if you are looking for something a little closer to everything and not the obvious Hyde Park, Regent's Park has got you covered. 

It houses Queen Mary's Rose Garden (mostly pictured below), some the largest amount of waterfowl in England, and an entire sports hub. It is a beautiful place to walk through at dusk & the roses are perfect the first two weeks of June. 

When I was there I (honestly) witnessed Tonne Goodman doing a photoshoot for what I think was Vogue. It was a great moment-xoxo darling, Hayden.

P.S. I would like to thank my amazing friend Timmy Reynolds for taking the photos of me in this post! 

Week Re-Cap

So despite this being an amazing week because I got to see my parents and visit the beautiful Scotland, I got real sick. So Monday and yesterday have been spent firmly at my internship and then in bed each night. Scotland was gorgeous and I have lots of posts coming up about it. Other than that it has been quiet but today is my last work day for the week and I have lots planned! I am heading out to stand in line for a ticket to Wimbledon on Friday, Saturday I am headed to Brighton and Sunday we are going to Oxford. What are y'all doing? -xoxo darling, Hayden

 Being a little touristy at the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

Took my parents to Peggy Porschen's, they liked it! 

 Then my mom took us to her favorite fish & chips place, The Golden Hin.

 Friday morning we flew to Scotland! 

 I loved it so so so much.

 We hiked to Arthur's Seat which was beautiful. 

 Dinner at The Albanach

 This Scottish beer was A+.

 The train station was beautiful & 

the geotag was too cute.

 Lunch at Balmoral Castle

 This place really stole my heart.

 Dessert at Balmoral

 The view from Edinburgh Castle.

Another adventure in trying British Tex Mex, Tortilla.

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Greenwich

Greenwich has always been my favorite place in London. There is something so special about a place located on the border of Zone 1 & 2 that is so very different than downtown London. It feels a world away; calm, cheerful, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. The Royal Naval College leads you into the National Maratime Museum which flows into the oldest Royal Park. When you are at the top of Greenwich Hill in the park you can look back over the greenery and see the walkie talkie and the Gherkin to your left. On your right is the O2 venue and in front of you are the skyscrapers of the business center. 

After many years away I finally got to go back and was not disappointed. Despite a rainy morning in Shoreditch, the sun was out in the park and everything was so green. If you are in London for more than a day I would highly suggest a trip out, you can take a boat or the Docklands Light Railway {which shows you a part of London you most likely haven't seen}. No matter how you get there, you'll love it. 

Have any of y'all been? -xoxo darling, Hayden

Happy Fourth of July

Normally I would be super excited to celebrate the Fourth. There would be a drive to see fireworks somewhere, maybe some cupcakes, who knows. But I am in London at my internship & I am sick {ugh it's awful} so tonight I will be drinking a lot of orange juice while enjoying some British Netflix, wishing America a very happy fourth from across the pond-xoxo darling, Hayden.

{via}

Quotes of the Week

Saturday Inspiration

Today I'm feeling inspired by beaches, water, and bright colors -- what are y'all up to? xoxo darling, Hayden

Articles I'm Reading

1. These are the cutest photos; they made me cry // Couple's At-Home Engagement Pics Will Make You Feel All Warm & Fuzzy // Huffington Post
2. So accurate // New York & Paris Style: What's the Difference? Camille Rowe Shares Her Take // Madewell
3. Love this post rounding up espadrilles // Espadrilles for Summer // This is Glamorous
4. I want all of them // These are the most popular tasty desserts of all time // Buzz Feed
5. I love this man's podcast's about design // Roman Mars Radio
6. So cute // DIY Pinata Inspired Artwork // Dash of Serendipity 

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