My lovely day in kew gardens

In all of my time being a resident and visitor of London, I have never been to Kew gardens. So because it was one of my good friends Sonum's favourite places and because I love flowers, trees and gardens we blocked off a whole day for it. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. In fact, we found ourselves comfortably lost in the gardens with something awe-inspiring at every wrong turn and off the track path we chose.

My favourite part in particular was the good half an hour we spent trying to climb a tree ( perhaps illegally...not really sure about the rules on this...oops..?) and miserably failed at. Climbing a tree used to be so much easier as a kid but I swear I'm more fit now, so I don't know how that works? We also spent a long time trying to make our way to the tree top section of the gardens but kept getting sidetracked by something else and before we knew it the park was closing...so I guess I've left that for next time!

My friend Sonum also painted me a floral painting that I asked her to make of my personality and it is definitely spot on. We ended the day in Shoreditch eating at Dishoom--a must try Indian restaurant. I had heard a lot about this place and the amazing food that they serve up and when we actually got around to having it I'm not going to lie it lived up to the hype and the design concept is also excellent.

Top: Forever 21
Jeans: H&M
Shoes: Topshop | similar | similar
Backpack: Fjålraven

Checkout Sonum's work here

**Some pictures taken by Sonum

My day trip to oxford was like nothing had changed (except my stress levels)

The last time I was in Oxford, I was writing the hardest final exam of my life, wearing silly harry potter clothes called subfusc, graduating with a Masters in a ceremony conducted in basically all latin, and emotionally saying goodbye to some of the best friends I have made and some of the best times I have had, all associated with the lovely buildings and natural surroundings of this beautiful city campus that has been around since the 1100s.

This time around, my friend (and old Oxford flatmate, O the many nights of despair have we shared) Nila and I, went back for a day trip and visited our friend from my program Richard. I thought that in my memory I had embellished just how beautiful and wonderful Oxford actually is but I was wrong and it was so much better than I remember it...with just as many tourists! I think the reason for this was that this time I was there and I wasn't stressed, underslept, overworked, exhausted and anxious--you know, all the things that go along with trying to survive an intense Masters program. It was a little bitter sweet though, as it was weird to be a visitor in a place you once called home. And while the Alumni card gives your perks and still gets you into your old college and other places and gems other people can't go, it was sad walking past my old home and not being able to go in.

All in all it was a great day which started at the Pitt Rivers, moved onto our old college Lincoln, Christ Church meadows and ended with a must have penne arrabiata from Gino's (a family run pasta place tucked away from the touristy area that we ate at far too many times that the family knew us all very well).

Top: H&M | similar | similar
Dress: Forever 21 | similar
Shoes: Topshop | similar | similar | similar
Backpack: Fjålraven

**Some of these pictures are taken by Nila and Richard

The first few days in London

As many of you know I am actually a Classical Archaeology/ Art History PhD student starting this fall and a part of that life choice comes the fun and hands-on part of the job which include field-schools, excavations and internships. This summer I decided to join a Conservation field School in Stobi, Macedonia working on conserving mosaics and wall paintings from the Roman-Christian times. On my way to Macedonia, I stopped over in London to visit some friends I had made from my time there, as well as from Oxford, as a student. The best part of having friends living and working in London is that they keep me well informed about the new and exciting places that pop-up in this ever metropolitan city. London is a city that never ceases to surprise or give--believe me this blog post does no justice to my experience of London this time around. I also made an effort to put my phone away and enjoy myself--this means that I didn't pack my fancy camera (or any camera of a sort which is huge for me!).

Day 1: 
The day arrived in London it was bloody hot...like...I got my best tan of my whole trip on this first day. As soon as I arrived in Heathrow I changed into a pair of shorts and a light-airy top and messaged my friend Sonum and we decided to meet at Acton town from where we went straight to Comptoir Libanais in South Kensington. Sonum is one of my oldest and dearest friends that I lived with when I went to Central Saint Martins almost 10 years ago. [Yes, I was lugging my suitcase around the whole time] The food was absolutely delicious and the outdoor on the street seated area of the restaurant is one of my favourite features of this part of London. We sat, we ate and we chatted for hours and then decided to grab an ice cream from Venchi Cioccolata. Afterwards my friends swapped me out and I was handed over to Nila, with whom I stayed with for the duration of my trip. 

Top: H&M | similar | similar | similar
Shorts: Topshop | similar
Sunglasses: Topshop | similar
lipstick: Diva by MAC

Day 2:

Day 2 was a slower day where I slept in, had a home cooked breakfast made my Nila and then went shopping on Kensington high street. I did manage to spot the guy that plays Prince Robert in the Royals, so my token celebrity spotting box was ticked! After exhausting ourselves by shopping Nila and I stopped over at Candella for high tea. It is one of the most adorable tea houses that I have ever been to!

We went home and relaxed for a bit after which we unknowingly entered into one of best nights of my life thus far on this earth--spent in Brixton. We first went to Neverland, a roof-style type popup with streetfood eats and byob type stuff. They had transformed the space into an eating area that opened up into a sandy beach with beach huts overlooking the Thames. After the yummiest haloumi make-shift burger (they had run out of the veggie options so the chef made something special up for us) we decided to hop on a bus to Brixton to dance under a church. Yup...you read that right...under a church--called Gremio de Brixton. We then moved on from there and we decided to follow the music which ended up being the best decision we made because it led to a street dance party enlivened by a street busker whose name escapes me. After he performed his last song, the crowd dispersed and we decided to once again follow the music. We were so thankful we did because we turned the corner to an even bigger drum & base/reggae street party. We left Brixton that night completely in disbelief of the wonderful and unexpected night we had had, one for the books--the stuff of legends. 

Jacket: Zara | similar | similar
Top: Brandi Melville | similar | similar
Jeans: H&M
Lipstick: Vixen by Huda

Day 3: 

It was a little rain-y on the third day so we cancelled our plans for Richmond park and decided to spend the day in Soho. We went to My Place Cafe where we ate a delicious sandwich that I paired with Camomile tea. Nila & I then met our friend Henry from Oxford and proceeded to Sketch, where we had tea. Sketch is definitely worth the visit but it is expensive, so consider yourself warned!

Duster coat: H&M | similar   | similar | similar

Top: Forever 21 | similar
Trousers: H&M | similar

Be sure to follow along on the blog for the rest of my London, Maceodonia and Greece trip

**some of these pictures were taken by Nila, Sonum and Henry

Our favourite Pixi by Petra Products now available in Canada!

Pixi by Petra is a godsend beauty company. I have always had sensitive skin and always look for beauty products that are soft and gentle on the skin and use natural ingredients. After using Pixi products since their launch in Canada earlier this year on a consistent basis, I have found considerable change in my skin and wanted to share some of my favourite Pixi products:

1. Glow Tonic:

I am always looking for products that leave my skin naturally glowing with that dewy finish and the glow-tonic does just that. It also deeply cleanses pores and sweeps away excess oil and impurities, evening out your skin tone. Its no wonder why this product is a best seller!

2. Nourishing Sleep Mask and Peel & Polish: 

While the Peel & Polish leaves your skin exfoliated with its enzyme peel and soft the Nourishing Sleep Mask leaves your face glowing and rejuvenated. I usually leave the sleep mask on overnight and wake up with a nice shine and happy and hydrated skin--since we know that your skin requires a lot of moisture overnight this is the product to quench that thirst!

3. Rose Oil Blend and 24k Eye Elixir: 

The rose Oil Blend is my absolute favourite product--I swear by it. Never have I used an oil that has left my skin feeling so restored and renewed. The 24k eye elixir is perfect to use under my concealer to reduce the puffiness around my eyes.

4. Endless Silky Eye Pen, Large Lash Mascara and Sheer Cheek Gel: 

The sheer cheek gel is a perfect stainer that works in great combo with the other products that make your skin glow to give your skin that dew-y finish and it feels light on the skin. The Large lash mascara is perfect for creating a full lash line and to compliment the endless silky eye pen which is a really rich black and doesn't move once you've put it on (believe me this is a problem I have because of my oily eyelids).

*note this blog post is not sponsored by pixi by petra. however, we did receive these pixi by beauty products c/o pixi by petra. there are some affiliate links in this post. and all opinions expressed are our own*