Steph Torre: London

Hi again!

As I mentioned in my previous post I am back from my first trip to the marvelous UK. If you follow me on insta, you got a good little peek at my vacay (P.S. Sorry I'm not sorry for the 2 posts a day.) I've gotten a few messages from sweet readers asking me to do posts on everything from restaurant spots to sights and attractions to shops. So I'm going to fit aaaaall of that into one big ol' post.

We arrived in London after an über long red eye flight across the pond and

started exploring right away, running around on pure adrenaline

The first thing we saw was one of Paul McCartney's houses (he owns 4 in Kensington alone)

Green Park was across the street from our hotel and on the other side of the park is Buckingham Palace. Many people picnicked here and I totally wish I could have joined them!. Tres cool.

Food: Pretty much anywhere you go in London, you can spot a Boots or an M&S Market. We went to both places for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. M&S has super fresh food and Boots is kind of like a CVS or Walgreens with a small food section.

Next we went on the London Eye. So cool! You could see everything from up top. It's definitely a must if you go to London.

We walked to Big Ben and sat in the grass for a hot second to look at it. Such a be-a-utiful day in London.

Westminster Abbey - the church William and Kate got married in!

For the Queen's birthday, the royal family were in a parade called Trooping The Colour and went by in these carriages. William and Kate are in this one.

We went to the Tower of London - an old castle that has the crown jewels inside.

Peep London Bridge from the Tower of London hashtag artsy

Next we went to Neal's Yard/ Covent Garden. Neal's Yard wins the prize for 'Most Colorful Alley' and Homeslice in this alley had the most amazing looking pizza/ Covent Garden has a bunch of restaurants and shops

We ate at Spaghetti House in Covent Garden for dinner and I had the freshest caprese salad ever! Yummmm

We went to the studio where all the Harry Potter movies were filmed. We saw all the sets, costumes and props used in the movies which was everything for me. I am obsessed with all things Harry Potter!

The REAL Diagon Alley

The boy's dorm/ Ron Weasley's bed

Chamber of Secrets

Umbridge's Office

Dumbledore's office

Dobby!

And this is the model of Hogwarts that they used to film all scenes of the school.

I could keep posting pictures from the Harry Potter tour forever.

Then we did a Jack the Ripper tour which was just okay. I guess it just wasn't really my thing!

WARNING: If you don't like murders do NOT go on this tour.

We ate at The Breakfast Club which was soooo delish! We had to wait in a line outside the door for over 30 min to eat here but it was so worth it! I had the pancakes with cream and berries and i recomend it. Two thumbs up. Plus their OJ was fresh squeezed. Doesn't get much better than that!

We went to the British Museum. There's so much to see here I don't know where to start! This is a classic me not looking/frizzy hair problems and my sister blinking picture. Happens all the time hehe.

Went back to Green Park for a walk. Totally felt like Kate Middleton

wearing my riding boots + J.Crew buffalo check coat.

We went to Buckingham Palace a few times but I accidentally deleted the picture I had of the palace. Womp womp wommmppp.

We saw the play The Mousetrap written by the famous author Agatha Christie. This play is so popular it's been playing for 62 years non-stop! This play was a good mystery with some comedy in it.

Food: We ate at Cafe Concerto and Cafe Pierre a couple of times each because they were all over the place by our hotel. It was a good place to eat for us since we were always on the go. Good food + quick service.

We walked and saw the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre but we didn't go in because it had a super long line to get in so we walked across Millenium Bridge and walked through Saint Paul's Cathedral. I didn't take pictures of any of this because I just totally forgot to do so oops!

We ate dough balls at a Pizza Express. SO GOOD!

Next we went to Harrod's which was Heaven on Earth to me! It was like a maze of nice things/stores

and wonderful food. I am totally in love.

Afternoon Tea at Harrod's was the best tea I have EVER had! The tea cakes were perfect too. I wish I could come here every day. Harrods is the best place hands down for afternoon tea.

Up close shot of my tea cakes

New phone case I bought at Harrods because the obsession is real people

The food hall downstairs in Harrods had all the most amazing food, pastries, chocolates and candies. Gimme these donuts.

Another fave store was Fortnum & Mason - the Queen gets her food here!

... And chocolate. Let's not forget chocolate.

Stocked up on tea cookies here hurrah!

The last couple of days we spent out of London and in the English Countryside. I loved the fresh air and gardens. Here's Henry VIII's castle (Hampton Court)

Walking through a real garden maze at his castle was really cool! I found the trick to getting out of it. Keep turning right!

The food at the castle was fit for a king or queen

We saw Stonehendge right before the Summer Solstice which is when the sun shines perfectly through the stones.

I took a stonehendge selfie sporting my J.Crew hat that I scored in the sale section for $20. I think the hat compliments the stones quite nicely don't you think? I kid, I kid