A day exploring London

Iv never had the chance to really see  London, every time I have visiting in the past I have never got the chance to explore and be a proper tourist. We started on Oxford street and walked to Harrods stopping along the way to look in shops and take photos, from Harrods we walked on to Buckingham palace, Big Ben and Trafalgar square.

After walking though a Trump protest, we then headed to M&M world and China town. I loved china town, we spent a bit of time exploring and taking photos, we also looked in a few Chinese sweet shops. On our way back to the car we walked though Soho and went to The Humming bird bakery for a few cupcakes!

Once we got in the car home we realized we have had walked over 11 miles !! Tip – wear comfy shoes!!!

There is still a lot of London still left to see but this trip has made me want to spend more time in the city. I will definitely be booking a weekend away to London soon!

 

Sophie Loves

Each month or week ( I haven’t decided yet) I want to share a few things i’m loving! As like every beauty YouTuber out there, each and every month they share the products they have used and loved that month.

Well I wanted to do this differently! I want to share my favorite pinterest board or image, the Instagram accounts im currently obsession over or holiday destination I can’t help myself to look at! Basically I want to share the things im Loving!

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Edinburgh ~ I can never get enough of looking at photos of Edinburgh but now I have an excuse, in April Harry & I are taking a trip to the Scottish capital! Check out my Edinburgh board to see more! 

Instagram Account ~ Disney At Home, Ok so I’m a massive Disney fan, this account features photos of Disney home ware around the home! unknown to my partner I’m getting a lot of Disney inspiration from this site for our home!

The Hockley Arts Club Nottingham ~ The Photo’s I took speaks for its self!  But since visiting The Hockley Arts Club just before Christmas I can’t get this place out of my head! From  choice of cocktails to the decor this place is so unique and is one of the many reasons why hometown is on of my favorite City’s! Everything about this place is magical, I cant wait to visit this place again! Thanks Dad for taking me here! ( My Dad knows all the best places in Nottingham!)

Taken by @harp14

Taken by MissSophieCharlton

Taken by MissSophieCharlton

Taken by MissSophieCharlton

Taken by MissSophieCharlton

Sophie Xx

City Guide ~ Cambridge

August last was Harry’s and my 7th Year Anniversary and to celebrate we spent the day in Cambridge. The one reason I love being from the UK is that we have so much history and you see this when walking the streets of Cambridge, the old ally ways, the college’s and the markets are all part of our history that makes England just amazing!

Like with any city we visit we use the local Park & Ride, I find it the easiest way to get in the city centre without worrying about parking,time limits or the hefty pricing. Once in the centre you see the beauty of the place, the old streets, shop fronts and of course the grand colleges!!

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Things to do..

Like with any city there is so much do, but i find the best way to get to know a place is just by walking the street, you will find some hidden gems which will turn out to your favourite places not the people from trip adviser! So put away your phones and walk!! One of the things we did while there was a  Punting Trip on the river Cam, it cost about £15 each and lasted nearly 1hour. I would really recommend punting as you get to find out information on the colleges and funny stories that have happened. Which other wise you wouldn’t known.
There is also the Fitz William museum with is free and perfect for a rainy day.

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Eat & Drink.. 
Before we visited we had a look online to see any independent restaurants or pubs where we could have a meal and a drink or two. We found a restaurant called Butch Annie’s. It’s are a burger joint which is a hit with the students of Cambridge. As Harry is a massive burger fan we clearly had to try it!! The service was brilliant and food well its heaven! Another pluses about this restaurant is that all there burgers come in a Veggie option so you don’t have to feel left our if your Vegetarian! I recommend – The Le Parisien burger with there homemade skin on fries and a chocolate shake which all comes to £14.70 but its worth it!

The Eagle ~ We also visited the Eagle to have a few drinks, the thing about the eagle is its different! There RAF bar ceiling I covers with writing, during the first world war US solders signed there squadron numbers. It was also the drinking and thinking hub where Watson and Crick announced they had discovered ‘the secret of life’.

Cambridge City centre is the perfect mix of old and new, you have the colleges the old streets but also a new modern shopping centre which houses stores like Apple and Krispy Kream. Cambridge is the perfect place for a long weekend brake or day trip. In the small time I was there I really did fall in love with the place!!

What places do you love to visit in Cambridge, what places to you love visiting for a long weekend or day trip? Please leave your comments below or message me privately, cant wait to here from you all!!

Sophie Xx

Kings College from the river Cam.

Punting on the river Cam

Rose Crescent

Punting on the river Cam

City Guide ~ Where i ate while in New York

While visiting New York, I was amazed how cheaply you could eat. You’re always told that NYC is really expensive but in my opinion there are places for everyone’s budget, you just have to do your research.

Before my family and I visited New York we googled a lot! Our hotel was situated in the Upper West side so we made sure we knew the area and what was local to us, such as coffee shops, independent restaurants and grocery stores. We also researched other areas like midtown, Upper East Side and the West Village. You may never even visit the places you’ve found online but at least you will know about pricing and if your ever stuck on where to eat you will know a few places you can try.

The first restaurant I wanted to share is where I had my first New York meal. It’s an all American diner situated in the Upper West Side called Big Daddy’s. We ate here twice purely because the food was so good! You can get a shake, Burger and fries for $19! Their fried chicken is definitely one try!!

If you love sports then make sure you visit Tonic bar Time Square! We visited Tonic on game night the Giant’s were playing! (My favourite team) and the atmosphere was amazing. We got seated and served right away. I recommend the spaghetti and meat balls for $15. I’ll warn you know they were huge!!

One night we fancied something different so we decided to try one of the restaurants we saw while researching. Brick Lane Curry House is situated in the Upper East side so we took a taxi across the park. Once we arrived we was seated and served quickly, I have been to a few good curry house’s but BLCH is the one of the best. If you are a fan of Man V Food then you will remember Adam eating the “PHAAL” curry which is the spiciest curry in the world.

Other place we ate…

Magnolia Bakery ~ Ok so this is my favourite places to visit while in New York, their cupcakes don’t compare to any I have had before. We visited the original store on Bleeker St West Village which was featured on Sex & The City!! Proper fan girl moment!! This is one place you can’t miss!! Their classic cupcakes cost $3.50 each and their Speciality cupcakes cost $3.75 each.

The last place on my list is a hidden gem which we only found out about while researching. It’s a sweet lovers paradise!! Dylan’s Candy Bar is on Lexington Av just across the road from Bloomingdales. There’s a sweet shop but also a cafe and bar!! Where you can have slushy’s, cakes and at night Cocktails!!

I have loved writing this post and remembering all the amazing memories I made in NYC. I hope this has helped you if you are planning your first trip to the big city!!

Sophie Xx

**Stay Tuned** I will be sharing more city guides soon which will included Paris & Edinburgh!!

“Fall” NYC Travel Guide

This time 2 years ago I was getting ready to fly to New York City for my 21st birthday. Since a young age I have had an obsession over anything American and my dream is to visit as many states as possible. As New York was my first US state visited it holds a very special place in my heart!

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies”   ~ Joe Fox

New York is at its prettiest during fall/winter and I miss it every year. There’s nothing better than walking around Central Park with the leaves crunching under foot with a hot chocolate keeping your hands warm! Oh it sounds perfect right now!

So this post is my “Fall” New York City Travel Guide and also an excuse for me to reminisce. Lets get started!!

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Where I stayed.

While in New York City I stayed at the Beacon Hotel in the Upper West Side. I loved this location as I’m as massive You’ve Got Mail movie fan I was in my element! As everyone knows New York Hotel rooms are very small but at the Beacon it was like having your very own NYC apartment. The location for this hotel was the main stand out, with it being only a few blocks from Strawberry Fields and the Lake, a 2 minute walk to the closest Starbuck and only across the road to Fairway Market this hotel really is perfect!. The staffs were so friendly and willing to answer all our questions. I really can’t recommend this hotel enough!!

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Seeing the sites. 

• Central Park – You can’t visit New York in the fall without walking though Central Park. As the leaves are changing colour and there covering the paths Central park is gorgeous. You could either take in all the views by foot or take a horse and carriage ride and keep warm by snuggling up and watching the sites pass by.
• Rockefeller Center – Now this is a must, take the elevator to the top and enjoy the best views over New York. I loved visited the Top of the Rock as you get views over The Empire State, Central Park and Freedom Tower.
• Times Square – Ok so no matter what time of year Time Square is always on the list of things to see! I recommend going twice once at night and once in the day, there’s nothing better than seeing the lights.

Shopping Shopping Shopping – Ok so this is another thing that’s on the list no matter what the season! I love Christmas so I was really happy that all the Christmas stock was in the stores like Christmas cards, decorations and also Christmas gift sets that you can’t get here in the UK! Also as America does Halloween bigger and better than us look out for Halloween candy!!

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Where to Eat & Drink

Ok so this all depends on how much money you have decided to spend, while I was there with my Mum and Sister we wanted to eat proper american food without the fancy price tag. In New York there’s so much to choose from. 1. Do your research! 2. Talk to the staff in your hotel, they will know the best places that locals love that are not tourist hot spots.

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My Tips & Tricks

•  Walk EVERYWHERE ~ Theres no better way to see everyday Manhattan life then walking the side walks! While I was in New York my family and I only used the subway once, not because of money but because we wanted to see things and find those places we wouldn’t have found without walking!
• Catching Yellow Cabs ~ While visiting we took a few cabs daily at night when we didn’t want to use the subway and also on the days we did loads of shopping it’s so much easier than walking with all your bags! Just remember if you’re in Midtown hailing a cab you could be sitting in a lot of traffic!
• Markets not Room Service! ~ First things first, room service is expensive anywhere you go so if you are wanting some food while you’re relaxing in you hotel room take a trip to the local market/store it works it a lot cheaper!

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I really hope you enjoyed this post I cant wait to share more of my travels with you!

Sophie Xx

**Stay TUNED** I will be posting a few more posts where I will got in to more detail on the places I love to visit in NYC. Also stay tuned for October’s My Little box!!