My Perfect Day in London

For four years now I’ve been lucky to call London my second home. But my love affair with this city started back in 2016, when I was asked to cover London Fashion Week while working as a fashion editor at HarpersBazaar.com. I wasn’t thrilled about the request at first, to be honest, but after my first season, I was hooked. Traveling to London twice a year for the next three years made me fall in love with the city's energy, the fashion, and the people I got to know. So, when I left my job in 2020, there was no doubt in my mind that I needed to spend more time here.

It really felt like the universe conspired to get me here in 2022, and while living between London and New York isn’t always easy—schlepping all my stuff back and forth, and I miss my friends/family—I feel at home in London. I have a great flat that instantly makes me feel at peace, my neighbors know me, I have all my favorite spots (to be revealed below!), and there are just so many times when I’m walking around the city, and I feel overwhelmed with gratitude that I was able to make this happen for myself.

I always get asked, “Which city do you prefer, New York or London?” New York will always be home, and I really do believe it’s the best city in the world. But for where I’m at in my life right now, I feel most in sync with London. I really appreciate the slower pace of life. There’s more of a focus on actually enjoying your life rather than hustling it away. It’s a city with so many green spaces, and there’s just an energy about it that feels aligned for me personally—and always has.

Travel has obviously become a big part of my life, and who would’ve thought? Around 13 years ago, I had to ask my mom to fly with me on my first work trip because I had never been on a plane by myself. Now I can get on a long-haul flight solo without overthinking it. Over the years of writing this newsletter, I’ve shared bits and pieces of my travels and, more recently, started including recommendation lists, what I packed, and other tips from my trips in the monthly bonus newsletter, The Joy Drop, for paid subscribers. But I don’t want all that hard work to get lost in the archives, so I’m going to start publishing my recommendations as standalone articles to make them easier for y’all to find.

Below, you’ll find my recap of a perfect day in London. Plus, my top picks for where to eat, drink, shop, and sleep in London.

Morning: I start with Pilates at Heartcore, which I’ve been doing twice a week for the last month, then I walk home through Hyde Park before grabbing breakfast at Boxcar. I order the avocado toast and a green tea, but I’d also get a cinnamon bun to go (I swear they’re the best in London). It’s such a nice spot to sit outside, journal, and people-watch. From there, I’d head to Daunt Books or The Astrology Shop to pick up a book, then park myself in Paddington Street Gardens to read for a little.