'London is a modern Babylon'

My Red Umbrella Tour of London commenced with the obligatory photo with Eros at Piccadilly Circus
(Barbour Bedale, Cole Haan bag, Alain Manoukian scarf, Totes umbrella, smile courtesy of Starbucks)

Last weekend, Chloe and I hopped on the Caledonian Sleeper train on Friday night and found ourselves in London's Euston Station bright (ok, cloudy and rainy) and early on Saturday. This was Chlo's first trip to London, so we made the most of our day -- including a swing by Oxford Street, Ben's Cookies, the National Gallery, and a delicious Indian feast for dinner (another first!).

A beautiful lady and the biggest Ben around

The city is gearing up for the holidays, so sparkly decorations and Christmas cheer were to be found on every avenue -- and Harrods, another obligatory stop, was in full swing with gorgeous window displays. I'd never been to London in the winter, but despite the chilly weather the city worked its magic and made a London lover out of both of us!

Hyde Park by day

Hyde Park by night -- Winter Wonderland!
(Please excuse the creeper in the foreground... perhaps she bought some of the awful mulled wine we sampled, too)

Sunday morning, we checked out of our ghastly London hostel (Never again, Misty from Poland. Never again.) and took the bus to Oxford to visit my favorite Leah!

We met Leah and her fellow Eastern University study abroad friends at the Eagle and Child pub (known to locals as the 'bird and baby') for lunch before embarking on a walking tour of the town. Strolling arm in arm with my sister, I loved learning about the history, Uni traditions, and the literary greats who studied and worked here. We chatted unceasingly while basking in the beauty of our surroundings. Indeed, the architecture and academic climate remind me of Edinburgh, albeit a flat Edinburgh, so I felt very much at home. 

The lamp post that inspired C.S. Lewis' lamp in Narnia!

After a full day of exploring Oxford, we returned to Leah's sprawling home off campus, where we crafted homemade pizza with her gal pals and lost ourselves in conversation. Before we knew it, and far before I was ready to depart, Chlo and I ventured into the British evening and boarded the bus to return to London's train station for the sleeper train home. We stayed up much later than we should've, before collapsing into our little bunk beds, bellies full and new memories swirling through our minds.

...and we were so inspired by the 'Oxford-style' pizza that we made one of our very own the next day!

Thank you, beautiful friends, for a beautiful weekend.

xo