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! 

​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 ;)}.

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?

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! 

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. 

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!