London Lately, Summer Goodness & Travel Inspiration
Recently savored moments, thoughts, travel inspiration, London happenings, and more
This summer has unexpectedly been very full. Full of beautiful travels and time in nature, soaking in time with friends, full of exploring more of London as we approach 4 years here. It's also been filled with some challenges which has inspired me to refocus on the small, everyday moments and routines that make up the foundation.
As someone who loves to travel, I also love to be at home. So as I welcome September feeling both depleted and excited for what’s to come - and reminding myself that two opposite feelings can be true at once - I’ve taken some time to slow down and step back into a routine. Is it just me or does the ‘back to school’ energy stick with us? While perfect balance is impossible to achieve, I’m striving to feel more that way this month. Let’s delve into it.
Savored Lately
When my nervous system is on overdrive, I know where to turn due to my past experience with burnout; I’ve reintroduced some mindfulness exercises, like mediation and journaling and have recommitted to walking regularly for some fresh air and that much-sought-after UK Vitamin D. For the sake of transparency, none of this happens every day!
Luckily, my yoga classes have picked back up and having been without them for a couple of months, I see just how much they impact my mental health. Having always been into creating, I’ve also been trying to get back in touch with that side of me, too. Enter this Substack!
If you are new here, you can read my intro post to learn more about what I plan to share here and why I felt called to do so. I’ve also been sharing about recent travels and London adventures on Instagram!
I thought I’d share some small moments that have brought joy recently. I'd love to hear yours too, so please comment below!
Walking past the zoo in Regents Park in the morning and seeing the zookeepers tend to the animals before opening
Summer rainstorms and the permission they seemingly give to slow down, there’s one happening now as I type this and I’m sitting by the open window enjoying how it both sounds and smells
The tomatoes from the farmers market that have fueled my hyperfixation lunch of toast with thinly sliced (important!!) tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes
The beginnings of new friendships in unlikely places
Cycling as a means of transportation & hiking as a form of recreation!
A day trip to Whitstable where the only things on the agenda were to read on the beach, swim in the ocean, and enjoy some fresh seafood
The Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts
London Happenings
I love London for how multi-cultural it is, for how many things come through, for the people it’s enabled me to connect with, and that there is something for everyone. Here are some London happenings that are on my radar! Feel free to bookmark if you are either traveling to, or looking for something fun to do in the city.
Food
Gasoline Grill Pop Up at The Standard Hotel - until September 15th (check out my TikTok for my experience there)
Dusty Knuckle Pizza Nights - Thursday to Sunday in the summer
A new cafe that opened in Hackney called Running Late
I’ve still never been to Towpath Cafe and summer is the perfect time to go!
New architect-designed cafe, Abuelo, in Fitzrovia
Art, Design & Culture
Barbie®: The Exhibition at The Design Museum - until 23 February 2025
Charm necklace making at Accessories of Old in Fulham
Shows - Witness for the Prosecution, Mean Girls, and Hamilton
Wellness
Parliament Hill Lido before we fully bid adieu to summer
Small Business Spotlight
We recently took a day trip to Whitstable and before spending the afternoon on the beach, wandered around the shops on Harbour Street and High Street.
One that sticks out to me is andDanu, contemporary coastal womenswear, designed and made in Kent. With my background designing and making accessories, I have an immense appreciation for textiles and handcrafted clothing. I loved the fabrics and silhouettes that the andDanu collection featured and hope to add some of their pieces to my wardrobe.
Secondly is HOMEFOLK Ceramics. Nadine was popping up in a gorgeous whitewashed shop on Harbour Street and I’m so glad that we were in Whitstable in perfect timing to discover her beautiful work. I love the colors, textures and shapes that she uses. The scalloped edge bud vases and berry bowls caught my eye!
Travel Inspiration
Our travels to The Dolomites and Scotland this summer helped me reconnect with nature and recognize an even deeper love and appreciation for the outdoors, especially living in a city. I’ve always loved walking but two hiking-centric trips have brought about a new hobby that I hope to spend more time doing, especially as the UK is so walk/hike friendly.
In July, we traveled to the Dolomites, basing ourselves in:
Fiè allo Sciliar, where we spent a day mountain biking and enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and stunning views at this family-run hotel
Ortisei, where we had easy access to two must-see spots in The Dolomites, Alpe di Siusi and Seceda, and benefitted from amazing local knowledge from the owners of our hotel
Barbian, where we booked in for a couple of nights at this B&B that is only accessible by foot or transfer
In August, we booked a last minute trip to Scotland in order to make use of an expiring airline voucher. This entire trip proved to us how spontaneity can result in such meaningful memories. We hadn’t planned much ahead of this trip and had a wonderful time exploring around Glasgow and the Western Highlands. It is a jawdroppingly beautiful part of the world. I’ll be sharing more about our itinerary on Instagram and in the meantime, you can read about the wild dining experience that we had outside of Oban!
As we plan ahead for travel at the end of 2024 and 2025, some destinations that are top of mind include:
More UK adventures
San Sebastián
Sicily
Cape Town
Tokyo
Until Next Time
I’ve been confronted lately with feelings of this time in my life one day being a fleeting memory. Something Savored is, I suppose, one way that I’m working to both preserve these feelings and experiences as well as inspire a savoring of the present moment - for all of us - so this time doesn’t feel so fleeting.
I’ll leave you with a quote from a podcast I listened to recently that stuck with me:
“We fit in the important things when everything else is done, but the problem is today, everything else is never done. There is always something else.”
Dr Rangan Chatterjee
I’d love to hear if any of this resonated with you or what destinations you’re planning travel for, please feel free to leave some thoughts below!
Julianna
Julianna- Your photo journal is inspiring. But now I’m just hungry for that green tomato dish! 🤓
I think we could all benefit from remembering that "two opposite feelings can be true at once", and the world is not as black and white as it appears sometimes. Well put!