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Monumental views ;) 

1/29/2017

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The Monument was erected to commemorate the London Fire. Consisting of 311 steps to the top, the attraction provides stunning views of the city. 

While Monument doesn't have a spacious viewing deck like The Eye {Monument is nauseously narrow + caged in}, for £4 to get a little exercise and a great view, it's worth a visit! PLUS, right around the corner is Borough Market :). 

Enjoy the views below! 
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The City, is a borough in the center of London and consists of funny-shaped buildings, nicknamed The Cheese Grater, The Gherkin, and The Walkie-Talkie {where The Sky Garden is located and also provides views of London!}. 
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If you look closely, you can see The Eye hiding back there!
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The Shard
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London's hidden tea room {literally}

1/27/2017

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​When we first visited London, high tea was on our list of things to do. However, we only found the touristy high tea places that were extremely pricey. Since living here, we've learned, tea doesn't have cost an arm and a leg. 

While it's fun to do a fancy high tea at one of the high-end places like Sketch {definitely worth a trip!}, hidden gems that are quiet are just as nice. Enter: Soho's Hidden Tea Room. Located above what looks like a dive bar, you must enter the bar to get to the tea room. In fact, you must take the stairs behind the bar to get up to the teeny, tiny tea room. 

And once there, it's a quaint, one-room cafe with beautiful cakes and delicious teas. The best part, besides the ambiance and the sweetest staff, is that it's situated in the heart of Soho -- you'd never know it was in a bustling area. 

It's perfect for a catch up with a friend, a date with your significant other {humble brag: Ross took the day off for our little rendezvous here!}, or to meet someone in the spy business {I picture the opening scene of a mystery film set in this tea room ;)}.
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The vibrant Soho, that is alive at night, with diners and those heading out for a night on the town. 
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This is the bar downstairs where you have to walk through to get upstairs.
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Ain't that the truth in England!
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Malaga: The Target of vacation spots

1/14/2017

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Oh.em.double.flipping.gee. This city, which we knew nada about {Spanish for nothing-- see how much I learned on vacation ;)?!} blew us away. 

I cannot speak highly enough about this coastal town. In fact, I honestly think everyone should visit here. Like now. Book your tickets. 

Where can you find a vacation spot for everybody? And I literally mean errrbody! 

Want to lay on the beach? Malaga has an incredible beachfront, lined with mountains in the background. Is this even real life?
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The weather was a perfect 70-degrees {SEVENTY! Did you hear me?!} in January! The locals seemed to be cold in their down coats, but we were basking in the sun!
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Look at that stud ;)
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Want to get a work out in + hike? Those said mountains in the backdrop of the beach? Yep! You can hike those. 

Want to golf? You betcha. Malaga has golf courses + club rentals. 
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If you're interested in sports, you can see a bull fight {ring above} in the summer months or watch a soccer game. 
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As you can see, once we made it to the top, I couldn't stop taking pictures!
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Even this little guy is enjoying the view!
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You can see how high we climbed in the images above + below.
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Want to get some culture and see castles, museums, and architecture? Malaga has all of those and more! Birth place to Picasso, they have a museum dedicated to this famous artist; you can make your way to Castillo de Gibralfaro, a Moorish castle with breathtaking views of the city {see above pics}; there is a Roman Theater to tour; an ornate cathedral; and the list goes on + on! 
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The above pic is the castle from afar.
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The Cathedral is pictured above + below.
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The Roman Theater is below.
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And much like Seville, Malaga has colorful tiles + artwork decorating the town, as well.
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Want to shop? Oh my word! Malaga and well, from what it seems Spain in general, has some amazing shopping. 
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These narrow streets have many of the shops + cafes. What I love about Spain is they have some name-brand stores, but they have more boutiques + what seem to be independently-owned shops you can't find anywhere else.
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Their port even boasted many restaurants + shops! Lucky for us, it was nearby our hotel! 
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Want tasty tapas, pallella, seafood, cheap wine + beer? MA-LA-LA-LA-GA! 
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Malaga is a one-stop-shop. It is like the Target of all vacation spots {yes, I said it}. And you know how much I love Target! It has something for everyone. So, I return to what I said earlier: book your tickets now ;). ​
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Maybe we should just move here? I could get used to the Spanish lifestyle!
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Ringing in year two!

1/11/2017

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2017 didn't just mark a new year + a new beginning, it also marked our second anniversary of living in London. I truly can't believe how fast two years have flown by {I'm sure I said that about year 1}, and I'm really excited for this coming year ahead because I feel good things are ahead for us!

There was no better way to celebrate the new year and the second year abroad than by being in Spain. After all, we moved here to travel + explore. And so that's exactly what we did!

We started our little Spanish adventure in Seville, where we learned about local customs + traditions:  

1. Life is much slower and later in Seville, and I enjoyed slowing down. Breakfast, we learned, typically happened between 10-11AM. Lunch took place between 2-4PM. And dinner didn't really start until 9-10PM. In fact, some restaurants don't even open until 9PM!

2. Beer + wine are cheaper than water. Overall, everything was much more inexpensive than London. 

3. Everyone drinks. At all hours of the day. I'm fairly certain we even saw a child having a very teeny tiny glass of wine. 
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People are everywhere at all hours of the day. These pics were taken mid-day. How do I get this lifestyle?!
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4. Like everyone drinks, everyone eats tapas or small meals. And because of that, most people stand while eating and kitchens are chaotic, constantly turning over dishes and churning out new ones. It's loud. It's busy. It's energetic. 

5. Their colorful plazas, parks, and tiles are beautiful. I couldn't stop taking pictures of the tile work. Naturally, I had to buy some to bring back ;). 
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Plaza de Espana showcased vibrant tile + artwork, as well as stunning architecture. 
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6. Their parks are lush + green. I love the palm trees, giving off a Floridian feeling. 
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7. Orange trees are ev-er-y-where. And they are incredibly cute and look so juicy + sweet. However, they are definitely not as delicious as they look. They are extremely sour -- throat-burning, face-wincing sour, and it's no wonder why locals don't pick oranges off them! 
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This store above not only had a cute orange tree in front of it, but it sold the BEST tiles + art!
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Seville's cathedral had a garden filled with orange trees {see below!}
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8. Many of its buildings + decor seem to have Arabic influences due to its location. Though we haven't been to Morocco {yet!}, pictures I've seen of Tangier look similar to the views we saw of Seville. ​​
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And while we enjoyed Sevillan culture, we truly didn't appreciate the beauty of Spain until we arrived in Malaga. And oh my-oh my-oh my {be prepared for a lot more of those!}, I can't wait to show you this magical, hidden, coastal gem! 
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    Danielle Marie

    Chicago native. Proud teacher. Wannabe yoga instructor. Life-long learner. Royal & celebrity enthusiast. Foodie. Animal lover. London implant trying to understand a new culture and lifestyle. Follow me and my journey abroad, by subscribing below with your email address. xoxo

    *All views are my own and not reflective of my employer. 

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