Attention Fellow UK Bloggers and Readers

I'm going to be in the UK on the 20th!

I would love to meet you guys. I'm going to be there for a rough two weeks, and I'll be leaving on the 4th of September. I haven't really planned out a proper itinerary or anything yet, as the trip itself is supposed to be about spontaneity and not really having to worry about plans or waking up early (eukh). I'm not really sure about a meet-up, because as I mentioned previously, I think almost everything I do there is going to be pretty impromptu. HOWEVER, I would be thrilled if you guys contacted me on twitter and let me know if you wanted to meet! Until I'm back, I won't be posting as much in terms of actual fashion and beauty posts, but I will be updating you guys about my trip and post some vacation-related pictures. I'm really excited about this trip, because I haven't been to the UK in quite a while (about 2-3 years) and I really do miss it. I'm thinking of seeing a couple of stage productions and I'm definitely going to go all out on British goodies (maybe, possibly, Cadbury eggs? hahah). I am going to be there with a couple of friends of mine, and I'm really hoping not to be too much of a mainstream tourist when I get there. I've been to the UK a rough 7 or 8 times and everytime I go, I promise myself that I'm not going to spend all my time in Oxford's Topshop and Primark, lugging all the shopping bags my arms could possibly take. My promises to myself are the equivalent of the Titanic promising not to sink, as I really cannot keep them for the life of me. I usually cave in to the annoying tourist voice in my head telling me to, once more, visit Madame Tussaud's, London Eye, and Westfield. I'm hoping, this time, to see some smaller boutiques and have a finer dining experience than Garfunkel's or Nando's (I have yet to walk by one of the above without cravings kicking in). If you guys have any recommendations on places to see and things to do there (doesn't have to be limited to just London, anywhere I can go by train is fine with me) I would love to hear them! Leave them below, in the comments.

For people wanting to meet me in person, contact me on twitter: @PrettyCheshire and I will be sure to follow and reply!


xoxo,
Taibah 

CULTure: Little Britain

I'm a huge fan of the UK, so when I found out I was going on a trip there, I was BEYOND ecstatic. As a matter of fact, I went around asking people I knew where they suggested I go for accommodations, tourism, food and drink, and of course: shopping! I was soon disappointed, however, when I kept getting the same old response. "Go to Oxford! They have the best shopping! Stay at any five star hotel as long as it's near Oxford, and that way you can shop more easily. Go to Topshop, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, and Harrods."

Yep. That's exactly what I wanted. More mainstream shopping chains. They might as well have suggested the GAP while they were at it. Because, really. It basically screams culture.

That's when I decided to really look into some more eclectic places to visit, and your not-so-typical places to shop. I was very pleasantly surprised. There were so many cool places to see; I was confused as to why people weren't really looking for more than just your typical stay in London.

So behold. I share with you, my awesome and very unorganized mini-mock-itinerary.

Above, is known as one of the hippest streets in the UK. South Shore Road in Gateshead, home to many British celebs, and boasts some of the finest restaurants.

This is not your average hotel in London. Located in Ledbury Mews North, this is a 5 star apartment which costs 149 British pounds a night (not too different from a 5 star hotel's cost per night.). For us people who've always wanted their own apartment, this is our chance to pretend we have one. (Goody!)

As per shopping, I'm sure you all know the usual hotspots, but the one store that really stood out to me is calle Aime Boutique in Ledbury Road, London. According to timeout.com, " Inside their airy, two-floor shop, you’ll find casual separates by Isabel Marant, APC and Les Prairies de Paris, plus brightly coloured offerings from Antik Batik, nostalgic Repetto ballet flats and romantic silver jewellery by Serge Thoraval, inscribed with lines of French poetry."