Hey friends!!

I decided to do another video! I've become a bit obsessed with filming myself...that sounds super vain...not in that way. I may like the sound of my own voice better lol

Either way, I was so inspired to tell you my story of why and how I moved to London and hoped to inspire you who are thinking about moving somewhere to take the risk and go for it.




Thanks for watching. Let me know if you are thinking of moving, or have moved. Would love for you to share your experiences. Hope you've been inspired today!

Hello Friends!!

I decided to film my first Youtube video.
Its called the Wanderlust Tag, all about one of my passions....Travel.


Would love to see some of your responses, video or written.

These are the questions:

The Questions:
1. Your most treasured passport stamp?
2. Can you recite your passport # from memory if asked? (Y/N, don't give out your info online please!)
3. Preferred method of travel; planes, trains or automobiles?
4. Top 3 travel items?
5. Hostel or hotel?
6. Are you a repeat visitor or do you explore new places?
7. Do you read up on your destination (culture,history,safety) or do you wing it?
8. Favorite travel website?
9. Where would you recommend a friend to visit? Name city & why.
10, You're leaving tomorrow, money is no option, where are you going?

Hello Friends!

A few weeks ago my work friends took me to Wahaca's.

Now, I heard of this place prior to going, but all I knew was that it was a mexican resto made out of large storage containers on the Southbank in London.




That was it!

Boy would I be in for a surprise.

There was three of us that went and we ordered everything on the menu (ok so skipped on two dishes) but seriously, we ordered almost everything else. 






The food was super. The restaurant is owned by Thomasina "Tommi" Miers apperentaly is a presenter on the Food Network. Yup this was news to me as well.

Wahaca is a resto inspired by Mexican street food and the major portion of the menu are tapas inspired dishes.



I would recommend getting at least two or three dishes per person as they are smaller in size. This however makes ordering oh so fun, as you get to try as much as you want. 

I would also highly recommend the Churos with Chocolate sauce...holy moly!

Check out their incredibly confusing and crammed website here, trust me, dont judge them on their website, get yourself and your empty tummy over to the south bank and try their food. Not only will you enjoy some yummies but you will get a super view of the Thames while you are stuffing your face.

You're welcome!

Hello Friends!

So I FINALLY made it to Bodo's Schloss.

It is an Austrian inspired, ski chalet restaurant/bar in the heart of Kensington.



After wanting to go there for ages and reading about it on Rose's amazing blog The Londoner here, I have been trying to make plans to go.


Trust me when I say, it is very hard to get a reservation here, unless you book at least a week in advance and for good reason.

I called a week in advance and could only get a slot of two hours at 6pm. I had originally booked for 10 people as it was for my leaving do (I am moving back to Toronto). I received an email asking for my card details and letting me know that with a party of over 8 we would be on a set menu and would have to reserve with my CC in advance and for every person that did not turn up I would be charged. NO THANKS.

Thankfully only four of us could make it. This left a bit more breathing room to choose our menu and I did not have to give them CC details.

When one of my friends arrived at 6pm, the place was empty. We sat and waited for our other two friends who were running late. At 6:30pm, the waitress came up to us and said that we better order without our other guests as we only had the table until 8pm and that she did not want to rush us. This happend twice more before the others arrived. They were so on the ball and timely that it made for a bit of a pressured eating experience.

However, the food was amazing and the atmosphere a very Austrian, I'm in a ski chalet and not in the middle of Kensington vibe. The staff were all super nice and might I add, extra good looking. The crowd is a mixture of posh kids with money to spend and young professionals looking to escape. Everyone was especially good looking here.


The schnitzel was the favourite of our group. It looked really good.



I had the stuffed dumpblings with sausages on a bed of sauer kraut and the cucumber and sour cream salad. Amazing.

After 8pm, we finished our food and stayed at the bar, with cow hide covered bar stools, where we drank some of the most delish cocktails I have had, while listening to oldies such as Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.


This cocktail was called the King of Swingers and it was amazing, a better version of the Sex on the Beach.

At 9:30pm, we headed into the Discotheque and danced the night away, while taking several pictures with boys and their silly ski goggles and austrian feathered hats.




All in all, a worth while experience. As a warning,  it is a bit pricey, especially the cocktails but this is something you would expect from a super popular bar in Kensington. I think if you put that out of your mind, its a great place to go to forget that you live in London and go party with some of London's elite.

Prost!

Hello Friends!

One of the MANY perks of living in London is the fashion.

People in London dress to impress. The look is usually a bit hipster and ultimately more trendy than most places. These girls know their stuff.

One of the major trends coming up for the spring here are the satchels. If you pay attention, you will notice more and more of them popping up on the high streets and around people's shoulders.

Zatchels is a British company, started by two mates Dean and Brian, the owners of a small manufacturing business in the centre of Leicester.


The business is a new one and has grown immensely  The Zatchels are made to order, so they do not keep bags in stock, you order it, they make is specially for you and send it over.
This does delay the shipping time by about 30 days, but what you get it a good quality leather bag made just for you.

They have the classic Zatchels in all different colours and patterns:







The one trouble I find with these bags, is that they are a bit pricey. All justified however, since they are made to order and made with real leather.

I have seen quite a few knock off in other stores recently, even a really cute white one with silver studs for about 10 quid in Primark. 

Hello Friends.

First of all, sorry! Yes, I know I have been a blog slacker and have abandoned my baby for a bit.

Things got a bit crazy. But that is no excuse.

Alright lets get the big news out of the way.

I am moving back to Toronto!!! Yup, I am hauling my life from London and moving back to the Tdot. I am super excited and sad to be leaving. A very bittersweet moment.

The second big news is that admits all the moving, I got engaged over the Easter break!
We went for a little road trip to the South East coast of England and he popped the question right on Beachy Head, right on top of the white cliffs.

Just as well, I said yes, that spot is prime for suicides. The ring is beautiful and perfect. I am a lucky girl.

Our adventure began in Canterbury, where we saw old Pubs and tiny houses.

I wish you could see my face here, because I was drooling. I wanted to eat them all....yummm.


OOOPPPSSS, I pushed the whole house over. Sorry, I just dont know my own strength sometimes. Its safe to say, we walked away as quickly as possible from that one.




We made a few friends along the way.


This is us at Beachy Head, and me blissfully unaware.



I was just excited to be there...


Maybe a bit too excited?





And then the surprise of a lifetime....I was shocked. He made us stop for one last look, and took me in his arms. He said I love you and told me he had a question to ask me. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I started hyperventilating and said yes, shocked as I was, I even asked him if he was being serious (way to go Erika, way to go) But in the end he placed the rock on my finger with a huge grin and teary eyed we hugged and kissed and hugged some more.


After the excitement, we made a pit stop in Winchester and saw some beautiful cathedral and castle ruins.



Then is was off to the New Forest for some nature and animal cuddling.





I also found a fort and made it my mission to go inside. By my over excited face, you can see I succeeded.




So, thats it in a nutshell, or fortshell? Ya, either way, it was a trip I will remember forever.

Now its time to pack. Three more weeks and I will be back on Canadian soil.

Hello Friends.

I love food. Something you may have figured out by now.

I offcourse had to visit the place that guaranteed to have the best sandwich in London.

I would have to be the judge of that.

Bodean's is located in the middle of Soho and this little sandwich joint has a lot to offer.






Even the fries are delicious, they have a nice blend of spices on it.

Check them out here....your taste buds will be very happy you did.

If you are in the Shoreditch area of London, you should definitely walk in and say hello.
The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the prices are not too shabby either.
Take a look at directions and reviews here.