the ultimate weekend.

This weekend was one where its taken quite a few days to get back into normal life routine. It was The.Ultimate.Weekend. 

I had work all day saturday so we got the bus down to The Big Smoke i.e London on the saturday night and stayed until monday night.

The weekend looked just like this:

Columbia Road Flower Markets - probably the best and most vibrant way to start your Sunday. All of last year, I was dying to visit these cute little markets, although, somehow I never got the chance. Finally my time came & they definitely lived up to my expectations. The cute little stores lining the markets are not to be overlooked either. 

And ofcourse, the beautiful flowers cant go without a mention too. Look how bright they are. As i said, the most vibrant way to start your day. I loved it. I could have taken home every single bunch.

It was so intimidating/embarrassing getting photos here as i felt like I was in everyones way rushing to get there flowers haha, so the result is a rather awkward-looking me. 

After being marketed out (after the flower markets, we visited Brick Lane Markets, although, weren't the biggest fans. I think i need a brick lane guru to take me around and show me the best stalls next time because i really dont see what all the fuss is about based on my experience from the weekend) we found our way to Albion Cafe which was so incredibly yum and relaxed. I have a blog post dedicated to it coming up, just you wait. But here you have the preview of what we had for a beautiful brunch. It was so lovely sitting in there sipping on a creamy cappuccino (and alternating with a fresh and fruity smoothie) while it was pit-pattering outside (classic english weather) it just makes you realise that relatively small things make you so incredibly happy.

When we had nearly outstayed our welcome at the lovely Albion cafe, we headed from east london into central london. This would normally be incredibly simple considering there is a tube system which links all areas of london up, although on sundays it has the tendency to not co-operate. So what should have taken about 15 minutes unded up taking about 1.5 hours haha. And now the pit-pattering wasnt so charming any more. To help, I did get a red umbrella to go with my red scarf from "poundworld" which lasted all of 20minutes and caused more frustration than convenience when it kept being turned inside out every 30seconds haha. 

But anyway, we finally made it. We got off the tube at westminster and went for a lovely walk through St James' park and along Piccadilly, stoping at Laduree for a cheeky/scrumptious macaroon and carrying on through burlington arcade where we ended up at Saville row (pictured above). This has to be one of my favourite streets in London. And now I love it even more seeing as The Olsens named The Row after it. I love them. 

But I dont think this photo could be more "british" which is why i love it so much. 

4pm and we are hungry/thirsty again. So this obviously calls for beer (wine for me) and pizza time at one of our favourite places - Rocket in mayfair. They have 2 other ones in the city and in Canary wharf but ive only been to the one in mayfair and i love it. Its down the cutest little cobblestone alleyway just off Bond street. The pizzas are delicious and they make some awesome cocktails too.
This was the perfect sunday afternoon break from walking endlessly around the amazing city. We had just been in Selfridges before this which was so unbelievably hectic. Selfidges is amazing though isnt it. I love that place. I just want to go one morning on a weekday when its pretty chilled and i can find my way around the place properly. Much like Harrods. Ive been there countless times, but still feel like I have no idea where anything is. I would love to go to Laduree in Harrods too. Along with Laduree in Paris ofcourse. 

To top our amazing sunday in london off, we headed to westfield at shepherds bush where we window shopped, got some more yummy coffee and bickered about which movie we were going to see haha. After going around in circles over and over and over about whether we should see Paranormal activity 2 or Eat, Pray, Love we finally came up with the brilliant plan for tossing for it and luckily I won and we got to go and see Eat, Pray, Love. Just as well though, because it would have been an absolute waste of money for me to go see that ridiculously scary movie as i would have just kept my eyes shut, ears covered singing "lalalalala" the whole time. 
I love westfield at shepherds bush. It is so christmassy at the moment too which makes it even more special. Ahhh how magical is christmas in london. Just magnificent! There is even an ice skating rink in the middle of it at the moment. Crazy!

Sooo now onto Monday. This was meant for me to be going to Blackheath to go back to the school I worked at last year to see the little munchkins. Although, that plan got sidetracked as we found out some amazing news which caused for a celebration right away (its coming up, dont you worry). 
So our morning ended up being spent strolling through Green Park with the view of Buckingham Palace and fallen golden leaves everywhere. The definition of beautiful. George and I were just in the best moods and were pretty much skipping down the little leaf-lined pathways in the beautiful, enchanted park. 
Another perfect way to start your day - a crisp, wintery morning walk through one of london's royal parks. However, any lovely park can be substituted in. 

Carrying on through all beautiful streets of the belgravia area was just really quite inspiring. I love walking around big cities and thinking to myself and just really appreciating that exact moment you are in. Because so often, time just gets away from me without even realising it. Like right now, I cant believe its already thursday morning (2.30am, lucky i have the day off tomorrow woo) - this lovely weekend just went way too quickly. It always does though when your having fun. 
But as I was walking down these streets in which i did many times last year, i realised i never really stopped to look at the gorgeous buildings. They are just absolutely stunning. Its another one of londons cheeky little charms isnt it - all the history. Its a fantastic culture shock for someone from sydney which is a really young country in comparison, therefore, lacking in the years and years and years of history. 

Onto the good news of the day - in the morning we found out George got a job! He got a graduate job!  It is so incredible considering that the unemployment rate for graduates in this country is pretty damn high (from what i hear anyway). So this means, after he graduates with a degree in economics at nottingham in june next year, we will have a full summer of holidaying before he starts his job at Lloyds Banking Group in september. I am so proud of him. It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend. 
We went to Harvey Nichols cafe and terrace for a beautiful lunch along with a bottle of champagne (given) to celebrate the absolutely amazing news. 
We even got some more macaroons for dessert. Its true, macaroons are the new cupcakes. They are taking over the world. Im not complaining though, they are bloody delicious.
And that was the end to our perfect weekend.
Just one more picture:

I miss you already London. But Ill be back before you know it. 
:)
I hope everyone had a brilliant day.