Five Things I Love To Do in London

London holds a special place in my heart. The dynamic, charming and exciting city makes me so proud to call it home. It is filled to the brim with cafes, restaurants and pubs, wonderful department stores to get lost in, and leafy-green spaces for a breath of fresh air. Yet the core landmarks that set this city apart, the distinguished Londoner's, and that constant reminder of truly feeling alive amidst all the hustle and bustle – makes it one of a kind.

Playing tourist in my own city is somewhat of a hobby of mine and since being in the centre almost every day for University, I have come to discover what I love to do most.

Fur and Lots and Lots of Sugar, Soho

Au revoir university deadlines! I've now handed in my term one work for my degree, and feeling pretty fancy and free if I say so myself. I now have much more time to get back into blogging, explore London and focus on what makes me happy. 

To celebrate my friend Sarah and I popped to Cutter and Squidge in Soho, London - a lovely cake and dessert café. Not quite the boozy knees-up we had envisaged while ploughing through our work (don't worry, that's coming soon), but it did certainly bring a smile to our faces.

Balayage Round Two.

I was a little naughty last week and treated myself to a pamper session at Radio Hair Salon, Shoreditch to have my hair in balayage once again. It had been eight months since I last had it done for my birthday, so I guess you could say my hair much deserved a little treat (although, quite a hefty one). I absolutely adored it last time round; the blonde tones really complimented my skin, eyes and natural hair color. Moreover, it just really lifted my usual mousy-brown locks, making them look more expensive, luxurious and 'beachy'. With the blonde fading day by day with the summer sun disappearing, I knew I had to get it done again.

Instagram Paradise: Hillgate Place, Notting Hill

The whole of Notting Hill is an Instagrammer's paradise due to it's whimsical, colourful charm, but after continually seeing Hillgate Place pop up on my feed, I knew I had to join the hype. When my university lecture lasted a mere half an hour on Wednesday, I made the most of a beautifully crisp autumn day by taking my camera around with me to the much-photographed spot of Notting Hill. It's safe to say I quite possibly photographed every house in hope to capture the vibrant pastel shades through my lens...

Zara Has Your Party-Season Wardrobe Sorted...

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Zara always gets it right for me, whether I'm heading in there to buy a cheap t-shirt for summer, a cosy knit for autumn or a luxury cashmere coat. The prices and quality far succeed any other shop on the high street, and so it's unsupirsing that I've been snooping their website for perfect party season attire. From cobalt sequined camis and shimmering rose gold dresses, to an array of off-the-shoulder pieces and an abundance of velvet; Zara has everything you need this party season...

How To take Better Blog Photos

Since purchasing my Olympus Pen, my blog photography has definitely improved if I say so myself. Not only has the quality of the photos drastically changed, but my keen eye for photography too since my enjoyment from using the camera has made me more interested in this field and seek out extensive tips and tutorials. From this, I now have a better understanding of what makes a good blog photo that is appreciated by a reader. Not solely in terms of the quality (tech-savvy words such as 'aperture' still succeed in confusing me), but the shooting location, posing and types of photos too.

The visuals are just as important in a post than the words, particularly as people tend to look at the photo first to hook them in. And while I'm no expert, I'm here today to share with you all what I've learnt over the past few months from immersing myself in all things blog photography. Of course, everyone has their own unique perspective on what makes a good photo, but my tips are quite generic so they should fit just about every kind of blog. Happy snapping