london calling (me answering)

I think I've been dreaming of visiting London ever since the late 90s, when the Spice Girls, Titanic, Austin Powers, and Princess Di transfixed 10-year-old me, creating a personal obsession with crossing the pond (add to that the Royal Wedding, as well as Downton Abbey and anything on Keira Knightley's filmography, and it has only intensified). After an intense final year of grad school, graduation, moving cross-country and starting a new job, I haven't really had that much down time. And so, after months of planning, Jeremiah and I decided to take our first post-grad school vacation together, which was important in that it made us feel like real-life responsible adults (not that we weren't before, obviously, and not to imply that travel is the only way to feel like an adult. But years of being poor graduate students can make you constantly feel like you're trapped in arrested development). So this vacation was a big deal, celebrating that we were finally able to make some headway on our life goal of traveling around the world, together.

London was incredible, and definitely surpassed whatever childhood expectations I mentally clamped onto the city. We stayed in the Mayfair area near Hyde Park, and had a blast exploring the city through the tube (which fascinated this new New Yorker. The tube is so clean, beautifully designed and easy to navigate!). I took a million photos, and never wanted to leave. I may have even promised Jeremiah that it would be a part of a five-year plan for us to move there ...

I originally purchased this Kamali Kulture dress for work, but brought it along on the trip thinking it would be a great outfit staple for several days (I try to pack as light as possible because I always try to avoid checking bags). Wrinkle-free, easy to clean and goes with everything. Cannot recommend enough.

Here are a few photos from our day at the Tower of London, a major highlight of the trip for Jeremiah, who visited years ago during his study abroad. It was really fascinating to learn more of the buildings' histories, complete with royal executions, murders and intrigue (not to mention some of the Crown Jewels). Though it was super packed with tourists, I had a great time, and loved the views of the Thames River nearby.

credits - dress: kamali kulture (amazon) | oxfords: naturalizers | bag: pour la victoire | trench: banana republic. (photos of me by Jeremiah) 

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