Luckily, London has fantastic breakfast places. Some are fancy, some are casually cool and others are just really simple options to grab something quick and easy. Here are three of my favourite places to go throughout the week. (And I really do hit up some of these almost weekly!) For the sake of keeping things original, I didn’t include Granger & Co.—but that’s really only for the reason that I already talk about it a bit too much.

So without further babbling, I’m adding to my new “3 Great Places” series three of the places that are, off the top of my brain, the best places for breakfast in London. Any of these listed below will definitely start your day out in the right direction.

3 Really Great Places for Breakfast in London

RIDING HOUSE CAFE | There are popular places that come and go in London. It’s just what happens in big cities as newer spaces come. However, Riding House Cafe is a spot that is just as popular on a regular weekday morning now as it was years ago. (And maybe now, it also has the benefit of being seen as a “neighbourhood gem,” so not only do people think it’s great… but they also treasure and come back for regular meet-ups.) But you know why I go? The fluffy-yet-sorta-crispy-on-the-edges pancakes covered in berries and clotted cream. And the chorizo skillet. (Go with a friend so you can get one of each and share them.) And okay, yeah, I’m guess I’m a bit of a sappy Londoner, too. I love going back because it’s been the backdrop for some really great memories we have had and made with friends and each other throughout the years. But, you know, if they ever stopped crowning those pancakes with that glorious clotted cream, I might be able to move on.
43-51 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7PQ | +44 20 7927 0840

EXMOUTH MARKET GRIND | If you’re in Central London, but looking for a more neighbourhood feel (where you know, Londoners actually live), head towards Exmouth Market. There you’ll find along the lovely pedestrian Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell’s very own Grind. It’s a funky, Instagram-worthy little spot where the customer service is top-notch, the food is as aesthetically pleasing as it is delicious (their crispy, American-style bacon is my favourite in town), and is praised by coffee snobs in London as making “really good coffee.” I like a sunny spot by the window, but really, any place inside is great. (As a little bonus, if Grind is full, you can walk over to Caravan across the street as a solid Plan B.)
8-10 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QA | +44 20 3019 7709

GAIL’S | If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that we have a little Saturday morning tradition of going to Gail’s for cinnamon rolls. But what you may not see is the avocado toast with tomato chutney that Viola and I share. It is SO delicious. Luckily, Gail’s has become quite popular, so there are several of them scattered across London. Take your pick of the closest to you. All are great, and the simple-but-chic setting will feel like the perfect start to your day. When you’re finished, you can grab a coffee for the road or, you know, a cheese twist or chocolate chip cookie. Whatever works for you. Our favourite locations are on Portobello Road, Bloomsbury Square (though the small seating area is a bit rough) and Exmouth Market, but let’s be honest—all the locations are perfectly consistent and tasty. 
138 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 2DZ | +44 20 7792 8715

Find more of my favourite breakfast places in my London Travel Guide, or under #aspiringlondon on Instagram.

A Londoner Recommends….

LIZ CAFE | “Liz Cafe is a snug little neighbourhood cafe just off Shepherd’s Bush Green, and is a great breakfast stop if you’re just in the mood for a croissant and coffee or a full-on hearty brunch. I usually go for something in between—it’s hard to beat their avocado on sourdough with poached eggs and piccalilli. They’ve got lovely coffee, a cute space and decent prices for a great quality food.” — Sarah Dixon*
7 Goldhawk Rd, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 8QQ | +44 20 3689 1668

*Sarah Dixon is currently living in London studying Multimedia Journalism. She’s smart, cute and going places, and I feel extra proud of her because she before she was a fancy postgraduate, she was once a student in London studying in my program.

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*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD.

West Hampstead is ideal if you want to live in a residential London neighbourhood, but still be in central London in less than 10 minutes. It has less short-term expats than the more obvious *go-to* neighbourhoods (i.e. Notting Hill, South Kensington, Chelsea, and St. John's Wood), so it has more of a local community feel to it. 

2. ON A SCALE FROM 1-10, HOW CONNECTED WOULD YOU SAY WHERE YOU LIVE IS? WHAT ARE THE MAJOR LINES THAT RUN TO/FROM YOU?

10 - VERY well connected. There's the Jubilee Line, which is one of the fastest and most frequent Tube lines in London, plus the Metropolitan line from Finchley Road (the southern edge of West Hampstead), which take you express to Baker Street in 4 minutes. In addition, there's the Overground Train (30 minutes to Richmond, three minutes to Hampstead) and the Thameslink Train (one hour to Gatwick Airport and 30 minutes to Luton Airport). Frankly, it's hard to imagine a better-connected area. 

3. IN A DREAM WORLD, WHAT WOULD BE THE PERFECT STREET OR AREA TO LIVE IN WITHIN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD? WHY?

Canfield Gardens or Compayne Gardens. These are both in "South" West Hampstead, which is a designated conservation area of gorgeous Victorian and Edwardian homes. Think imposing red brick, signature coloured doors, stained glass panels, secret communal gardens, and come spring, blooming wisteria and every flower imaginable crawling up the front of the houses. It's hard not to want to Instagram every.single.house.   

4. ON A SCALE FROM 1-10, HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE VALUE FOR SQUARE FOOTAGE IS? DO YOU PAY A PREMIUM FOR WHERE YOU LIVE OR WOULD YOU SAY IT IS A BETTER VALUE THAN OTHER AREAS IN LONDON?

7 - it's good, not great. Compared to our previous two London neighbourhoods (Notting Hill and Marylebone), it's an exceptionally better value, but it's on par with other Zone 2 spots (although, it's better connected than other Zone 2 'hoods). We've been here for two years and have seen prices steadily increase. Perhaps the secret is out?!

5. WHAT IS THE GENERAL VIBE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD? GIVE US THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE WE MEET SEE ON YOUR HIGH STREET

Professionals and families, with a 4:1 ratio of Brits to expats (i.e. feels more "local" than our previous neighbourhoods). You might find late 20s professional meeting friends for sundowners, an early 30s mom pushing her napping newborn and dog, or an elegant couple who have graced the West Hampstead streets for 50 years.

6. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GET COFFEE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Wired Co for a takeaway coffee, HAM for a sit-down coffee/tea (and maybe a homemade doughnut) in their Instagram-worthy cafe.

7. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GET DINNER IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Hard to pick just one. Petite Coiree, a French/Korean cafe (get the Kimchee Airinchini to start!). For a night in, you MUST pick up Sushi takeaway from Sushi Tokoro, run by the *sweetest* husband/wife duo, the former of which used to be a Chef at Nobu. There are only two small tables, so we get takeaway at least once a week. In my 5+ years in London, this is the closest you'll get to New York-style sushi (i.e. fresh, good price, and not a chain like Wasabi/Yo Sushi or super high end like Hakkasan). 

8. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND A SATURDAY IN WEST HAMPSTEAD AS A LOCAL? 

Start with a cocktail at the super sleek Heads + Tails. Expect white marble, velvet lounges, and gold accents. Split a pizza at cozy Saraccino. End the night with a glass of wine or pint at The Gallery, your not-so-average local pub that sometimes has live music. 

9. HOW MUCH WOULD AN UBER TO OXFORD CIRCUS COST YOU?

About £10.

10. WHAT’S THE BEST PLACE TO BE OUTDOORS IN WEST HAMPSTEAD?

Kilburn Grange Park is a small, but mighty, great for doing a couple of laps with your dog, playing tennis, or enjoying the gorgeous garden blooms. You can also jump on the Overground for two very quick stops and be walking into Hampstead Heath in less five minutes. 

11. WHAT ARE THE BEST LOCAL SCHOOLS IN WEST HAMPSTEAD? PAID? STATE? PRIMARY? SECONDARY? ANY INSIDER TIPS ON HOW TO GET INTO THE GOOD SCHOOLS? 

There are several well-known nurseries that require applications at birth or when they're still babies (Broadhurst School, North Bridge House). The American School is nearby, so if you're an expat and want some continuity, you have that option.

12. WHAT ARE SOME GOOD AREA THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS? 

The Sherriff Centre is a church/cafe/shop/post office/children's soft play.  There are two areas separated by under and over 2's. Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre is a 10-15 min walk from West Hampstead and has everything kids could want—pools, climbing walls, giant soft play, classes. There's also "Toddlers' World" three times a week where they set up bouncy castles, jungle gyms, etc. Kilburn Grange Community Centre has multiple *free* drop-in playgroups throughout the week broken down by ages—babies, toddlers, under 5's, etc. It's a pilot "sure-start" program (there are only a couple others throughout the city), and I'm SO impressed. (As is my toddler daughter—it's the highlight of her week.)

13. HOW DO YOU MEET OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?

Pubs and parks. We bring our dog to both and she's an excellent conversation starter. 

Looking for more great areas of London to live? Search the neighbourhood guides for more local insight on what areas are really great to for living:

BROOK GREEN | PUTNEY | BRIXTON | ISLINGTON | NOTTING HILL

HAMPSTEAD | DULWICH | CHELSEA | SHEPHERDS BUSH

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*images courtesy of Casey Odjana

So we have our little pairs of places we like to enjoy together when we do say trips, and one of these little duos comes on the day we visit Mont St. Michel in Normandy. On our way down to the southern part of the region, we always stop in Villedieu-les-Poêles. 

This town is pretty and an easy stop on your journey down to the southern Normandy. You can park and stumble in to the sleepy little town easily from the car park, grab a sandwich from the boulangerie or sit down for the daily menu offered at Le Pussoir (delicious, but tiny- book ahead or arrive at 12:00 to snag a table). You can pause for a while in the sun by the massive fountain in front of the Hotel du Ville and then stray to take a peek or two in the shops. What you’ll notice immediately when you go inside these shops is that there are loads of cooking supply shops offering pots, pans, dishes and more made from copper.

The reason for this is because of the town’s historical prominence for making copper pots. Since 1830, Mauviel has had their workshop in Villedieu-les-Poêles and charming the world over with their wares ever since.

If you’re French, this brand will need no introduction to you- as it’s what is found in the top kitchens around France. And if you’re American, well, Mauviel probably isn’t new to you either, if you ever wandered into a Williams-Sonoma. (70% of the company’s exports go to the U.S. and most through Williams-Sonoma.)

If you’re in Normandy, do your best to stop by on your way to Mont St. Michel. 

You can visit the workshop everyday except Sunday, from 9-6. I’d recommend driving there, as the walk from city center is about 15 minutes at a slight incline up the entire way. (Plus, you’ll want to toss those dishes in the car and not have to schlep them all around town with you.)

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can take the factory tour to see the craftsmen making the gorgeous cookware, and afterwards, you can take a peek in the shop where you will see their massive range and get to shop the lines that are conveniently on clearance at 40% - 55% off. Now, sadly, they don’t offer shipping from the workshop- so you won’t be able to outfit your entire kitchen, but it is a special place to grab a pretty pot or two that you can strategically pack in your suitcase home.

Mauviel 1830 Factory & Outlet | 47 Route de Caen, Villedieu-les-Poêles, France

Find more of our favourite places in Normandy here or search my travel guide for France.

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*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

When we were in Paris a few weeks ago, Tyler & I got to meet up with our friends, Ron & Kathryn, for a morning such as this. It started with a last minute Instagram message the night before around 10 and by 9am, we were hopping off the Eurostar and grabbing a cab to meet them. Something about the ease of it all makes us feel a bit more at home living so far away from our families, I guess. It makes big cities and foreign countries feel, well, less foreign.

Anyway, we met up near their place on Saint Germain (so fancy, I tell you) just beside the Luxembourg Gardens at Treize. I’d been wanting to go for a long time, but it wasn’t until I mentioned I would have a massive suitcase with me that Kathryn told me not to worry, because “it was owned by an American.” Perfect. So they didn’t bat an eye at my giant accessory on wheels and they definitely knew their way around a Parisian-by-way-of-the-Delta brunch menu.

We had the best time sitting out in the May morning weather. People passed by and we just sat talking and smiling at the occasional American that would pass us on the way in. 

The coffee was great- even the almond latte needs to be mentioned because it was so smooth and creamy. The homemade biscuits are great (though, I wish I’d had some jam if I’m really being picky) and Tyler demolished his pecan-crusted fried chicken and waffles. All in all, it hit the spot for these Texpats needing a little love from back home… even though they were all the way in France. 

Treize definitely gets the Aspiring Kennedy stamp of approval. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the food is delicious, the setting near the Luxembourg Gardens ideal for meeting up and having a nice place to stroll afterwards, and have a strong feeling that I won’t wait all that long before I’m back.

TREIZE AU JARDIN | 5 Rue de Médicis, 75006 Paris | OPEN DAILY 10 AM - 9PM

Find more of my Paris favourites in my Travel Guide or in My Paris posts. 

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*Images original to Aspiring Kennedy

So while I look back and laugh at many of the deep conversations we definitely had (and all the parenting critiques we made on others), I do still think this was a nugget of wisdom from those dinners. And so, at random times, we sleep in the guest room. That way, we know what needs to improve and what is comfortable for our guests. 

And I have to say, we now have a guest bed that is REALLY comfortable. It’s big, it’s got great bedding (splurge on your company, guys, it’s money well spent), and now, it has a realllllly good mattress. Simba sent us a great new mattress and we have already taken to walking by the room and going to just lay across the bed and stare out the window. It’s so lush.

(Have you seen these mattresses? They come in a box! But after a little time out of the shrink-wrap, are full-size, normal mattresses. Its magic, I tell you! Find out more about Simba here, and you can use this link to save you £75 off your own mattress. Totally, highly recommend it if you’re looking for a new one. It sounds silly, but a great mattress makes your life better in a big way. No joke.) 

I love knowing that our guests get a great place to sleep when they come to visit us. It makes me happy to think that they can actually sleep so well when they’re fresh off an economy-seat ticket to visit us and really get rested. Because let’s be honest, they’re gonna need a good nights sleep staying with us. Between running around London and having the Knight kids are hosts, they’re need all the energy they can get.

A few ways we love to keep our guest room extra cosy are:

A GREAT BED | Beyond just a great mattress, good bedding, and great pillows, we also make sure our bed isn’t wobbly and keep the bed frame tightened. It’s something small, but makes a big difference!

CLOSET SPACE | Make sure your guests have a plan in your closet to hang their clothes in. This is something that I had forgotten to do for a long time, and finally the lightbulb moment occurred when staying with a friend. She grabbed a chunk of her hanging clothes out of the wardrobe really quickly when we were getting settled so that we’d have a space. Brilliant and so thoughtful.

FRESH FLOWERS | Again, so simple and so obvious- but how welcoming and lovely is it to have a tiny bud vase and a hand-written note on the nightstand to welcome you?

PHONE CHARGER | This is especially for you expats! Leave an outlet plug in by the nightstand for your guests who might have (read: probably did because it always seems to happen) forgot they were traveling to a different country when they grabbed their charger and will be feeling a bit desperate to charge up before they hit the sights. 

The proof will be in the pudding this week, though! We have some of our friends staying there while we are away for half-term. Hope the bed is comfy, Liz & Cory!! 

FIND MORE OF OUR LONDON HOME STYLE HERE. 

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*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

*this is not a sponsored post, but mattress was gifted from Simba

But I want to take this opportunity to tell you where I love to get salted caramels.

Because, dear friends, this is the big stuff.

Okay, okay. No, I guess it’s isn’t really. The other stuff wins, but you can find those things out just by wandering around. Everyone that visits Honfleur will intuitively know those same things with minutes.

But knowing where to get the BEST homemade caramels in town is something only someone who has walked throes streets many times and tried many caramels can tell you. 

You may only have one day there—so you won’t have time to pick the wrong ones. And when I say wrong, I mean so chewy your fillings are gonna pop out!

But if you take my advice, you’ll be wandering around town with a bag of the softest and sweetest homemade caramels in France.

The tiny shop is about a three-minute walk from the Cathedral. You’ll work your way through skinny alleys and cut through some passages to get to the right street... but actually, it’s so easy, so don’t worry. 

The shop you’re headed to is a little storefront smushed between a few antique shops. Look for a few bottles of cider that are cutely arranged on the street and a sign for Le Comptoir de Normandie. Inside, you’ll find local goods- but bowls of individually wrapped homemade caramels available to fill a bag. 

The caramels are €5.99 per 100 grams. They’re not cheap—a little under €1 each—but you get what you pay for. They’re fresh, soft and exactly what you’d want when on the quest for Norman caramels. 

There are a few flavours—vanilla, apple, lemon, etc.—but I stick the the classic: salted butter caramel. You can’t beat the real thing, baby.

(Okay, I typically do toss in a vanilla one or two, too.)

But you’ll be doing your part to support an independent shop (go on, be a hero) and walking out with a true local treasure. The dairy from Normandy is hard to beat- it’s the home of so many of the worlds best butters and cheeses (Camembert, anyone?), so it’s no surprise that homemade caramels would be lovely, too.

Le Comptoir de Normandie | 35 Rue Haute, 14600 Honfleur | +33 2 31 81 36 06

Headed to France? You’re so lucky! Find more of my favourite places in Normandy here to help plan your trip.

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*Images original to Aspiring Kennedy.

Let’s hit the streets of Paris and get this done right.

3 Really Great Places to Eat Crepes in Paris

1. LA DROGUERIE DU MARAIS | I love this tiny window-shop stand. The man who owns it makes a no-fuss crepe- with all the classic fillings: Nutella, banana, jam, sugar & lemon, and the like. I love the cheap prices and the prime location on Rue des Rosiers, but I also really love tuck inside the tiny shop and sip hot mint tea from the decorative glasses for €1 to really round out the experience.
56 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris | +33 1 40 26 13 51

2. BREIZH CAFÉ ODÉON | After the original location of Breizh in the Marais did so well with it’s chic concept selling Breton-style crepes, it only seemed natural to hop across the Seine and open another location in an equally popular area. Luckily, the left bank loves crepes as much as the right and this location is just as fab.. and with a larger seating area. Go for savoury crepes (“galettes”) made from buckwheat to start and end with sweet crepes stuffed with classic and gourmet options at the end of your meal. Reservations are definitely recommended. 
1 Rue de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris | +33 1 42 49 34 73

3. CRÊPERIE MARIE MADELEINE | This little stand and cafe was just around the corner from our place in Paris a few years ago. After far-too-frequent visits, we became friends with the sweet couple who own the cafe. By the end, Viola was helping make her crepes and we had made some sweet friends there. It doesn’t hurt that they have Speculoos on offer at this stand, my very favourite crepe filling. (If you don’t know what Speculoos is, it’s basically the original Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter. Aha… you see the amazing combination at hand now, don’t you?) So that’s my order. And if they have the crunchy Speculoos on hand, even better!
160 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris | +33 6 50 79 22 08

A LOCAL RECOMMENDS…

“If we want the simple, basic crepes in a perfectly, Paris location- we go to the little crepe stand by Saint Germain des Prestige church and get a Nutella & banana crepe. “ -Kathryn Ivey

Kathryn is an American expatriate who lives in the heart of Paris’ 6th arrondissement as an interior designer. Her and her husband, Ron, are the perfect blend of glam and amazing. Follow her on Instagram for daily glimpses into their life in Paris and her often-published and always-fashionable design work. Check her out on Instagram at @kathryniveyinteriors.

Looking for more great spots in Paris? Read on in my Paris Guide!

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*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

So, how then is one expected to travel with small kids around Europe? What a great question! I’m still looking for the absolute perfect answer, but I do have a few hypotheses that prove to seem reasonable. 

The first thing, and most important, that I have to offer is the adjustment of expectations. It’s not doing the same trips with little people in the mix. It’s going to the same places and doing it quite different than you used to.

Let’s use this day I am about to show you as an example. In my pre-kid days, I would have ventured towards the area of Les Halles with a few goals in mind: a leisurely lunch, stopping by my favourite French pharmacy for a long-winded chat with the clerk about which dry oils and ointments were best, and possibly, a loop through the Pompidou for some art and a coffee with a view from their restaurant, Georges, to finish off the outing. Sounds pretty lush, right? Right.

Not to be delusional, but I have pretty great kids. They really are good, but even after years of traveling, they would struggle with an afternoon like that. A big meal, waiting in a store without touching or chasing each other, physically making it through a museum without crying or needing the bathroom and sitting in a quiet, bougie cafe? They’re too little, and, take it from my own doing it wrong, it’s not fair for them.

So now, to make life easy, we have change what our days look like. We still opted to eat out at a casual place where we could eat outside, but ordered their food straight away and then did the best we could until we were finished. After that, we went to the lovely playground outside Les Halles and let them go to town. While they played there, I went to run a quick errand in a shop got us hot chocolate from Monoprix on my way out. We chatted in the sun and then, when it started to rain, we took the kids to the Lego Store and let them play for a bit. 

On the walk home, we meandered down some different streets and before you knew it- the afternoon was done.

Maybe not exactly how I would have planned it as a 27 year old, but a little compromise made the day way more fun. I mean, sure, we hung out in the park- but we did other fun things. And, come on, the park was in Paris where we could small talk with other parents and watch people pass by. It’s actually a more honest and real view of Paris than I had experienced before, and I love that for these short years it’s the experience we get to have.

Where we went:

BIGO | Limited kids menu “menu enfant,” but great daily specials for adults and just across from the park. Plan to share your kids’ dessert, the house “mousse au chocolat” because it’s massive and rich and amazing.

LES HALLES | On rainy days, you can wander through this multi-story shopping center. Monoprix and Petit Bateau (during the sales) are my favourites. The Lego Store is my kids’ favourite and has several areas where they can build various types of Legos.

Outside, your kids can splash in the fountains on sunny days or play in the massive playgrounds. One is for small kids (2-6) and the other is a cool playground for bigger kids (7-12). Parents aren’t allowed inside the gates of the older kids one (which I love), but there plenty of spots to sit just outside.

So there you are. Paris with little kids. Maybe not the same Paris that you had pre-kids, but if you’re spending the day wandering to bakeries, playing in royal gardens and cooking dinners from the market in your apartment together—it’s actually still a pretty awesome time.

Find more of our favourite Paris places here or in my travel guide.

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*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

To be honest, I haven’t always had the best grasp of what to do and where to go here. It’s taken a few trips back as an adult (with better taste) to find where the really great spots are in this little seaside town. The mix of so many cultures here makes it a less intuitive spot to find some of the quintessential French feeling places—which makes sense, as Nice was part of Italy up until the start of the 20th century. You’ve got a lot of French, a lot of Italians, and a lot of Russians all living here, and then tourists from all over coming to stay on holidays. It’s a melting pot among many other places on the Mediterranean that feel distinctly more “Italian” or “French” or “Spanish.” Nice has so many beautiful qualities that you can easily take at face value—the beach, the hills, the sunny promenades. Let’s just say that it kinda takes a little bit longer to find the good restaurants and hotels here.

Here are the places I like when I’m in Nice.

EAT

Breakfast

LE GRAND CAFÉ DE FRANCE | On the popular pedestrian street, Rue de France, there’s a shortage of classics brasseries. Luckily, Le Grand Café de France is there, and it’s got a classic terrace full of crisp white tablecloth and woven bistro chairs to make you feel at home. Go for breakfast (opt for le petit dejeuner classique for €8,90 and get a coffee, fresh orange juice and croissant) and you’ll be able to sit and people watch as you sip coffee and brush croissant flakes from your shirt. If you’re coming with a child, they even have an adorable high chair version of the classic bistro chairs ready and waiting for them.)
7 Rue de France, 06000 Nice | +33 4 93 53 97 38

Lunch

LOU PILHA LEVA | Socca is a traditional dish from the area, and it’s really worth trying. Think of it like a thin crepe made from chickpea flour. It’s gluten-free, salty, cheap and delicious. You can get them at a few places in the Old Nice, but this is my favourite little shop filled with history and little tables and benches outside to eat on. They have some other local specialities like fried eggplant and stuffed vegetables there, so if you’re feeling adventurous (and hungry), go for the assortment.
10 Rue du Collet, 06300 Nice | +33 4 93 13 99 08

COPPER BRANCH | If you’re needing something light and fresh, Copper Branch offers plant-based food that is pretty tasty and in an easy atmosphere. Try one of their bowls (I liked the Azteque) for a massive pile-up of deliciously fresh veggies that will make you feel great… and less guilty when you walk down to get gelato from GROM on the way back to your hotel.
26 Rue Massena, 06000 Nice

Snacks and Treats

GELATERIA FINOCCHIO | On a hot day, an Ice cream whilst strolling along the Promenade des Anglais is hard to beat. If you’re near the Old Town, you can stop at this local institution for a cone of any flavour you might imagine. Or even flavours you might not be able to imagine, inspired from local flavours and treats. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try a scoop of lavender, olive, orange blossom. thyme or jasmine. 
2 Pl. Rossetti, 06300 Nice | +33 4 93 80 72 52

LA CIVETTE DU COURS | If you’re by the flower market, you’ll notice that people flock to the small cafes during the afternoon to socialise and relax. There are a smattering of options, but La Civette is a safe bet for a simple afternoon drink or ice cream. (The coffee, chocolate & coconut ice creams have all been tasted and approved.)
1 Cours Saleya, 06300 Nice | +33 4 93 80 80 59

Dinner

MAISON MARGAUX | Head to this newly opened brasserie in the heart of Nice’s beloved Place Magenta. You can go any time of the day as it’s open from breakfast until late, but it Maison Margaux really shines on a warm night when the tables are crowded as people eat dinner and the atmosphere is lively. Expect classic French brasserie fare with a few modern additions, like, you know a mozzarella bar and freak shakes on the dessert menu.
2 Place Magenta, 06000 Nice

LA ROTONDE, HOTEL NEGRESCO | Sat inside the Negresco Hotel, La Rotonde is the more casual sibling eatery to the Michelin-starred Chantecler at the hotel. But if you’re looking for a pretty place to eat dinner (especially when the weather may not be the best for sitting outdoors), head here. The food is fabulous and the decor is definitely unlike you’ll have ever experienced before: you’ll be sat amongst all the trimmings from a Belle Epoque carousel. Find my full review here. 
37 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice | +33 4 93 16 64 00

Do

VIEUX NICE | Explore the oldest part of Nice where sunlight streams down alleys along the narrow streets and people meander in and out of shops. You’ll find socca stands, fish markets, and, in the daytime, there’s a lovely flower market that runs along it, just off the promenade by the sea. 

TAKE A HIKE | Oh, and that hill? The big one at the end of the city? It's called Colline Du Chateau—which means the "Castle Hill," though the Roman castle for which it was named has been long removed. Today it is simply a great (not-too-difficult) walk up to the top that rewards you with a sweeping view of the Riviera, cool sea breezes, & a giant park full of locals.

PLACE MESSENA | This is a great stop- either with or without kids. If you’ve got little ones, they can play and splash in the endless fountain area. There are benches and grassy patches around, so you should be able to find a place to sit. (I’d bring a change of clothes or a towel, as the sea air makes kids quite chilly when they are finished playing!) If you get tired of sitting int he park, you can also wander around the endless shops surrounding Place Messena. 

HIT THE BEACH | If you come all the way to Nice and don’t spend a good chunk of time on the Mediterranean… you’re missing the point. You can sit along side the Promenade in the blue chairs that line the way, but the real treat is to wander down onto the beach. Now, the beach is rocky, so it’s not the easiest to relax on. If you’re wanting to go to the public beach, I’d head to Flying Tiger and buy a yoga mat or two to lay on to buffer the pain. However, I’d really recommend heading to one of the private beach clubs, like Hotel Amour, just by the Hotel Negresco. You can go and buy a drink (a bottle of water cost me €5) and stay for as long as you like. I perched up on one of their sofas and enjoyed the afternoon sun. It’s a great (and easier!) way to enjoy a day at the beach. Plus, you don’t have to figure out what to do with random yoga mats at the end of your trip that way.

Stay

ARÔME HOTEL | This is a great, small boutique hotel in a fabulous location just off the beach. You’ll be close to the beach, great shopping and loads of cafes and places to eat. The train station is walkable from here (about 15/20 minutes) or you could do a short taxi. The owner, Fabio, is very involved and the whole experience is high-touch. The rooms are really lovely and you’ll love the feeling here.
65 Rue de la Buffa, 06000 Nice | +33 4 93 88 99 46

L’ALCOVE HOTEL | If you’re on a budget, but still aren’t up for slumming, this is a great option. Rooms are clean and tidy with a little Scandi-vibe (read: IKEA). The staff is really friendly, and the location is just a couple blocks from the beach. It’s a no-frills but happy place to stay in Nice.
12 Rue Andrioli, 06000 Nice | +33 4 26 48 71 95

BEST WESTERN HOTEL NEW YORK NICE | This is a great location off the main shopping street, Avenue Jean Medecin, and very close to the rail station. The rooms can be hit or miss, but overall- it’s a decent budget option for Nice that will get you near to Old Town and the lively outdoor Place Messena. 
44 Avenue du Marechal Foch, 06000 Nice | +33 4 93 85 14 31

Find more of my favourite spots in France here.

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For the longest time, I had no clue what that line in “Tiny Dancer” was saying. “Lay me darlin, she’s so … Lennon?” It made no sense to me. Then I saw it written down one day and it all clicked. Ha! I’m sure you all have some hilarious lyric misunderstandings, too. (Please, share them with me below!!) But anyway, as a long-time Elton John fan, I’ve always since wanted to have linen bedding to feel like that tiny dancer.

And now that l live in London during the summer without air conditioning, I really understand the appeal of them.

With a bit of spring-cleaning frenzy in us, Tyler & I recently tackled a deep clean on our room. It was a bit Marie Kondo, it was a bit rearranging the furniture to open it up, it was a bit moving out the baby gear that I still had in my nightstand from having Edie’s bassinet up here when she was little and sleeping in our room. (And yes, she is almost two, so it was probably well past time to do a clean-out.) We ended up with bags filled for the charity shops and made some much welcomed space in the house. Why does it feel good to have everything so clean when the weather gets nice? I think it’s because with the return of sunshine, you can see all the dust that’s piled up over the winter. That’s my unofficial theory. 

And while we were at it, our bed got a little revamp, too. We gladly packed away the winter comforter that had been, needless to say, feeling a bit oppressive in the warmer nights. We moved our lighter comforter on, because I love the weight of a heavy blanket, and got a soft, linen duvet cover for it.

Magic Linen is an adorable company that makes linen bedding in nearly every (pretty) shade you can imagine. While they have a big selection of styles and colours, the overall aesthetic is clean and most all could work in our home. They gifted me a few pieces- the comforter and pillow shams- but I’m thinking the next step will be for us to buy some of their linen sheets to complete the linen loveliness for the summer. (The price of not waking up sweaty is one I am willing to pay!)

With our room getting a little facelift, it’s making me excited to work on some other areas of our house. I think next up is going to be our middle floor with some bedroom arranging. It may just be time to move Edie’s crib out from between the play kitchen and sofa in our playroom and upgrade her to an official bedroom. (And yes, again, she is almost two… but as a third child myself, I can only say things build character.)

Find the full range of Magic Linen’s lovely bedding on their site, and while you’re there- it’s worth peeking around the rest of their lovely home textiles. This kitchen apron of theirs is on my wish list! They are a European company, but ship around the world so anyone can enjoy their lovely wares in their homes, too.

Thanks, Magic Linen, for these gorgeous threads for our bed. It’s the perfect swap for us—both in weather and style!

There’s no place like home! Take a peek though our little London home in my Home Style section.

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*Products gifted. Opinion and review are done on my own initiative.

1. DISHOOM | This can be a tricky one, as they don’t take reservations. But, they’ll always send you to the bar to wait for a table where you can start the night off cosy in one of their tables and kill time with loads of people chatting and laughing around you. By the time you get sat (typically, about 30 minutes, if I’m honest), you’ll be definitely ready to eat. The food is fantastic and the entire scene has a great combination of cosy, exciting and hip. We prefer the High Street Kensington location, as it’s the closest to our house, but I’ve got big dreams of doing brunch in the airy verandah of the Shoreditch location sometime.  (Read my full post about Dishoom here.)
4 Derry St, Kensington, London W8 5SE | +44 20 7420 9325

2. MORO | If you’re in/around East London, this is a great option for a spot that will feel decidedly local while also having the benefits of cool cultural influences of being in a major city. Make a reservation and expect great things- Spanish flavours, a happening scene of Londoners meeting for a night out and a perfect setting on the dreamy, twinkle-lit Exmouth Market to amble down when you’re finished with your dinner. You’ll be holding hands and smiling like cheesy college kids before you can say, “We need to get back soon so the babysitter can get home."
34-36 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4QE | +44 20 7833 8336

3. THE DELAUNAY | Forever one of our favourite date spots- this pretty place is in the style of an old Viennese Grand Cafe. It feels fabulous, you’ll feel swooned by the classy waitstaff and, oh man, is the food is delicious- the schnitzel! This is a great night out if you have a pretty dress or blouse you need to break in, or are headed to the theatre nearby on the Strand.
55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB | +44 20 7499 8558

A Local Recommends…

COYA | “We go for the amazing Chilean sea bass, passionfruit cocktails and ultra-London location along Hyde Park. You’ll definitely need a reservation to get a table, but it’s worth the hassle! A little tip: dress cute to match to cool crowd and interiors.” - Amber Mickelson*
118 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7NW | +44 20 7042 7118

*Amber is a Londoner who lives here with her husband and two darling children. She has the best taste of anyone and is one of my favourite people. If you’re lucky enough to know her in real life, you’ll agree. If you live to far away from London to know her, you can follow her sweet family on Instagram. 

Find more of my London favourites in my travel guide.

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“Um, hi… do you have anything going on for kids to do today?” The lady laughed and said: “You need to go to the Sackler Centre. They’ll take care of you.”

So off we trotted to the Sackler Centre and there a kind lady at the desk told us all about the family backpacks. I was a bit confused what a family backpack was and then she explained that they had different contents depending on which theme you chose and the contents were little activities to do around the museum. Perfect!

We got a little list of all the themes available and Viola opted for China. (Which I thought was a bit random because I didn’t realise she knew about China… but then she told me she chose it because her friend Jamie at school was from China and told her all about Chinese New Year. How cute!) We took our bag and headed back through the museum to the China section.

When we got there, we followed the little map around the area and then pulled out our corresponding bag for the activity there.

We found a little wooden pillow in one of the bags and went to try sleeping on in in the middle of the bench inside the room, as the card instructed. Each little activity let us play around and the kids experience what they were seeing in such a better way.

We worked our way through all the activities by building, drawing, laying, looking… it was fun and we didn’t feel in the way at all.

By the end of the six little bags, attention was running thin so we headed out to the cafe and regrouped.

Well, I regrouped. Harrison and Viola ran around and got their shoes/socks wet by running in the fountain…. Which was, obviously, only fun for about 5 minutes. Then it was not fun because they were pretty cold so it was time to leave. Ha!

But I loved seeing the museum through their eyes. Would I have picked those particular things to see and learn about on my own? Probably not. I’m grateful for smart museums to help families enjoy these spaces together. I can easily entertain myself in the V&A for hours, but I was feeling daunted by the idea of having to keep them happy.

VISITING THE V&A WITH KIDS

Take a peek on the V&A Museum’s official page for activities they offer to families.

The “Backpacks” activity is just one of many events for families to participate in. The V&A does a wonderful job in offering many other activities, such as trails, family games, hands-on discovery areas, and pop-up performances. (You’ll probably benefit from doing a bit more planning than I did!) Keep in mind that some of these activities are temporary, so be sure to check the website for an updated calendar of the events they are offering before you go.

Also, I love this picture of me and Viola at the V&A. It was the day before Harrison was born, and I’ll always remember that last little “us” outing to splash around at the V&A in the hot May sun.

Getting out and exploring a museum is such a fun way to spend a free afternoon with your kids. It doesn’t matter if you’re just visiting for a few days or have lived here for years. It’s a win-win: they will be having fun and learning, and you will, too.

Upon arrival to the V&A, just take a wander on back to the Sackler Centre Reception. They will point you in the right direction for all of the daily activities.

Victoria & Albert Museum | Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL | Free Admission | Open daily 10.00 - 17.45 and Friday 10.00 - 22.00

Looking for more ideas of what to do in London with kids? Look at my Little London section.

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I don’t have eloquent and sappy words to fill this post out tonight. It’s late, I’m so tired from a bad night of sleep last night, and tonight, I’m up way too long fighting the battle of lice that has once again come to our house. I’ll be honest and say that nit-combing school-aged children wasn’t a life skill that I was expecting to master. 

Do they give out trophies for that anywhere? If so, I’ve found my sport.

But here I am, crawling in to bed, as I do most nights, just after midnight when I feel I can’t keep my eyes open for another second. I know the alarm clock (or child climbing on me) will come too early, but just know, little babes, before I close my eyes and start to sleep....

You are my dream.

Amidst the sleepless years of chasing through parks and changing diapers in the patches of playgrounds, I couldn’t be happier to be here with you.

Thank you for being patient with me and waking up each day with more love for me than I know how to handle. Or appreciate.

I’m going to fail you a lot- more often than I get it right, it sometimes seems, but I’m trying. And while you may not get a perfect mom, you’ve got one that goes to bed each day exhausted for giving this gig all I’ve got. Most of my waking energy, my scheming for tomorrow, my thoughts... they’re for you. 

And I mean, how could I not be crazy for a gaggle of babies like you three? I’m the luckiest mom/mum there ever could be. Love you each so very much! 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the other moms pouring it out every day as you raise little ones and big ones. 

And for those that are missing children on this day, your love for those sweet babies is not forgotten. I hope this day makes you feel reminded that you are very much, in every sense of the word, a mother to a sweet child. Your love for them initiated you into this club long ago, and once you’re in- you can’t ever be kicked out. 

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So anyway, there I was- fresh on the Kings Road with a wide-eyed toddler awake from her nap. She wanted to walk, so we toddled down a block or so and then I saw the new Peggy Porschen glowing ahead of me like a pink oasis in the desert. Well, I didn’t actually know it was the NEW Peggy Porschen, because I didn’t realise there was a new one being opened up, but when I saw that pretty pink facade- I knew it was a Peggy Porschen and I knew we now had plans for where to go next.

Now, let’s be honest: Peggy Porschen is super famous for its pink facade covered in flowers. I’ve been before, I like it, but it has EXPLODED with Instagram fame and the experience there now… well, it’s less than charming with a million people flocking out the front waiting to get a clean shot of their cupcake without people walking by. Going there now feels less like a pink, Sofia Coppola-like experience and more like a Pepto-Bismol-inducing process. 

Needless to say, to roll into this new location with a smattering of empty tables, happy staff and plenty of space to take my stroller- well, I was pretty feeling it! This is what I’m talking about, Peggy. Good for you for making a second location so more people can enjoy your lovely shop! And thank you for all the extra seating in your new shop. 

We got a piece of the classic Victoria sponge to share. Except, Edie wouldn’t actually share it with me. She yelled and cried every time I took a bite. Or tried to take bite.

Eventually, she gave up and let me have some, but it was pretty funny and I couldn’t help but laugh each time she squawked at me in horror. (Again, thank goodness it was so empty!) 

I don’t often get a day out on the town alone with my Edie girl, and we both were loving the time together. My sweet little baby is getting bigger and smarter by the day. I wish I could freeze time a bit to these days… but I can’t, so instead, I blog them all here. 

But I’ve got to say, I can’t wait to take the other kids back there on little dates. It was the perfect spot to sit in the sun, drink jasmine tea and eat pretty (and expensive) tea. But you know, at the right places and moments- it is worth paying £6.50 for a slice of pretty pink cake. And I have to say that our trip to the new Peggy Porschen was worth every penny.

PEGGY PORSCHEN, CHELSEA | 219 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EJ | OPEN EVERY DAY 8AM-8PM

Find more of my days out around London with little kids here, or check out my YouTube channel.

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While I’ll always love the iconic black cabs of London, I will say that I think there are more economical ways to get yourself into the city center from London’s Heathrow airport. Let me walk you through the options and you can choose which would work best for your trip. With a little bit of planning, you’ll be able to to get into the city with your choice of whatever of the below options works the best for your trip, and before you can say “Mind the Gap,” you’ll be zooming your way into London to get the real fun started. 

THE UNDERGROUND | You can actually take the tube all the way to/from Central London on the Piccadilly line. It will take approximately 50 minutes to get in, and this is the cheapest route possible. The price of a single journey between Heathrow and Central London costs £6 per person, each way (as of March 2019). This is a great option if you’re traveling light and are not in a hurry. If you’ve got small kids (and accompanying gear, like a stroller) or a heavy luggage, this can be a tricky option as most train platforms will require hauling them up stairs. Tickets for these can be purchased upon arrival from the machines by the trains (they also take Apple Pay!). This is a helpful site for additional information on taking the underground to Heathrow.

THE HEATHROW EXPRESS | This fast train goes to/from Heathrow into London every 10 minutes and will get you there in about 15 minutes. Amazing right? Tickets are £19 per person, one way. However, once you get to Paddington, you still will have to take the tube or a cab to your next location. So by the time you add it all up, and schlepp your bags to/from the train terminal at Heathrow and then through Paddington out to the taxi rank or down through the tube and up again…. It’s kind of an expensive and physical trek. I’d opt for this if I was traveling solo (if there’s more than one of you, an Uber will be cheaper in the end) and if you have a small bag. Tickets for the Heathrow Express can either be purchased in advance, or very easily at the airport upon arrival.

UBER | Ubers are a cheap taxi into Central London from Heathrow. Most rides cost around £35-40, but you have to call for a driver once you’re outside of arrivals and then wait for 10-15 minutes as they enter the airport and come up through into a parking garage. After that, you have to go find them and get your luggage all the way to the car. (They can’t come inside and wait for you, so you’ve got to be ready to haul your bags + selves outside to the bank of lifts and get to the right floor and section of the garage.) It’s a fine option that I’ve done many times, but it’s not my favourite. It always seems to take ages, and if you’re traveling with loads of bags, the standard issue London Uber (a Toyota Prius) just has a small space in the back. I use Ubers from Heathrow when it’s just one or two of us. Beyond that, it gets a bit crazy and stressful. Once you get in the car, it’s only about 40 minutes into Central London if traffic is moving well.

BLACK CABS | I do love a good black cab, and while they are readily available at Heathrow, they are really expensive! As they are metered fares, they can go from pricey (£70-80) to really expensive, if traffic slows down. They can fit an amazing amount of luggage in them, and they’ll know exactly where you need to go and the best way there. Plus, it’s a great cultural experience. (Just one, in my opinion, that I think can be as easily enjoyed for shorter rides in/around the city instead of for this particular journey.) If you’re traveling with a stroller, you can push it directly into the middle of the cab and it is legal for the cab to drive with a child in it. Obviously, this is to the discretion of the parents/guardian, but it is legal. Again, this is about a 40-minute ride to Central London.

PRIVATE CAR | This option is my favourite, but can entail various different options and companies. With a pre-booked car, you can find much cheaper rates and the drivers will, most of the time, come meet you in the arrivals hall, offering help with your bags and keeping you from wandering through parking garages with a trolley full of luggage trying to find their location. These rides should take about 40 minutes to get you into Central London. My favourite companies to use are these two:

• BLACKLANE | This is a luxe service at decent prices (approximately £75 per car to Central London) that you can easily prebook on their simple site. They do a great job sending you information about your booking when you book, and just before the time of booking with your driver’s info. Plus, they have great customer service. This is a company I recommend again and again to travel clients. (Good new for Blacklane, too, is that they are in so many cities across the world. Once you try them, you can use them anywhere!)

• FAMILY TRANSFERS | If you’re traveling with kids, this is a great option that will provide car seats for children for around £100 (as of March 2019). The fleet of cars is all large cars (like vans), so you’ll be able to get all the bags and stroller packed in the back. Plus, two car seats are included with the booking. Additional carseats are available, at an extra charge. You can choose from either front- or rear-facing, or a combination of the two, if you need one of each.

You can also find cheaper companies with google searches that offer rides into London for around £50 per car, but I find that these smaller companies often don’t want the driver to come into the arrivals hall. After a long flight with bags, I’m often not in the mood to push bags around and track them down in the parking garages.

Find out more about traveling to London in my travel guide!

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It was a happy place for us, and we had some sweet memories as a family. In the mornings, Tyler & I would walk out the main door of the apartment onto the street and start our walk towards work. Luckily, right outside our door, was Cafe Loustic. A coffee shop that we thought was just a local gem, perfectly located out of our front door. Now that we have moved away, we see people and publications chatting about Cafe Loustic all the time, and we realise just how lucky we really were to have it so close by.

Especially on the days they had their donuts in. Oh man, I loved those things.

But anyway, the coffee is great. The location is fun and cute- just tucked onto a quiet, normal street (“our street!”), and the tiny little tables make it the perfect little date spot to start your day. In fact, you can watch our walk to work that I made and see us there in the morning! I love those little videos. They’re like time capsules of our lives and I’m so glad to have them.

So if/when you head to Paris, stop by Cafe Loustic for some REALLY GOOD coffee and one of our favourite places to start our day together in Paris. I recommend a messy top knot,  some drugstore red lipstick and a good oversized scarf to really set the scene.

CAFE LOUSTIC | 40 Rue Chapon, 75003 Paris | @cafeloustic

Find more of my favourite places to go in Paris in my Paris guide.

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Fast forward a few weeks, and the day of the party was here. At 11:30, our sweet tiny guests started to arrived and the party was on a roll. 

The girls got to go behind the counter, pick their toppings and PULL THEIR OWN ICE CREAM. Needless to say, they felt pretty cool. Then they dotted their (massive) cones with all the goodies they had selected and acted with as much pride as Clark Griswold dressing the family tree.

Oh! And speaking of sugar, check out the amazing cake my friend Grace made for Viola. It looked perfect, and tasted even better!

Now, if you’ve been into Bears, you know... the place isn’t huge. So since they wouldn’t be doing a bounce house, we opted for making a little craft... which suits Viola perfectly at this age, as she often declares that “making things” is her favourite activity. 

So we made sweet little frames that have their cut out handprints on Liberty London fabric scraps and a little poem that says: 

This print will remind you 

when I have grown quite tall 

that once I was little 

and my hand was very small.

Then, my sweet friend, Chloe, was there and used her calligraphy talent to write the girls name on the top... you know, just to make it look extra gorgeous. Lucky them!

I really love how they turned out. My first grade teacher had us make a craft like that (but ours was a napkin holder) and it’s still something that I look at often on my parents table and hold up next to my own hand to compare how much smaller I actually was. I hope these become as treasured as that little napkin holder is. 

And if not, we’ll thats okay. Let’s be honest, one of the best treasures we can bring with us through life is the friendships we make when we are young. You really can’t make old friends.

You know the type... I’ve been spending the last few weeks really connecting with my friends from when I was young because of a tough time that someone is going through. There’s such a safeness there when you’re among friends that knew you- and loved you- then. You can’t hide from them because they’ve seen you for so long, they already know your backstory and your annoying traits... but they’re still there for you as life pulls you in different directions. 

So yeah, we made crafts. They danced like wild animals out in the garden to music that nobody could hear but themselves. They sang into their ice cream cones like there was no tomorrow, and they hugged and helped each other along the way.

And it’s these kind of days that happily get stuffed into the vault of life... and you start to feel really rich when you look back and remember. 

We love Bears Ice Cream and it was perfect for Viola’s party! In case you’re looking to host a great children’s party in West London, hiring the shop costs £150 for 1.5 hours for 12 children. You can bring whatever decorations and food you’d like, in addition to the ice cream they get to make. The place is fab, the kids have a blast, and you get to support a great local business. Huzzah!

If you’re looking for more of our favourite spaces for kids in London, check out my Little London series.

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Friday, we got to Iceland really late- like 1:30 into our beds. When we woke up the next morning, before the kids knew what was going on as they slurped up their cereal, Tyler & I tucked out for about 45 minutes. We grabbed coffee and pastries from Sandholt Bakery (which Tyler boldly proclaimed his “favourite place to get pastries in the world!) and then walked back home by taking a little detour along some of our favourite shops.

It was short, sweet and our kids were none the wiser about the little adventure we had been on while they got dressed and played. You know, until we opened up the box of goodies from Sandholt.

For them, it was a little downtime with our au pair… but that little slice of time for us, well, those make the memories.

And it always makes me wonder, when I do that kind of sneaky double-life stuff on my kids, what all my parents were doing when I was bopping around as a kid. I guess I’ll never really know… but I do hope they had fun doing it!

*. * *

Oh! And read more about Sandholt Bakery here. That Danish is worth reading about, and tiny little Viola is really cute in the pictures, too. (Says her mother.)

FIND MORE OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS IN ICELAND IN MY ICELAND TRAVEL GUIDE.

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Just off Laugavegur, Kaktus Espressobar has quietly opened in the early days of 2019. The shop is bright with sunlight, even on the greyest of winter days like the one I’m hiding from now, and the atmosphere is perfect. With a solid background of Scandnivavian feel- clean lines, blond woods, a jar of homemade kleinur and candlesticks lit for each table- the places feels very much at home in Iceland. However, with the cute addition of cactus planters dotted around the space, Italian coffee beans, matcha lattes & homemade treats ranging from pistachio croissants to healthy date balls & chia pudding- it seems to have also rounded up the best parts of the rest of the globe, too.

But what makes the place especially adorable is the owner who can speak with confidence, pride and the sweetest smile as she talks about items on the menu. You can tell that she has made this place and is really proud of it. You see it in the way she arranges little cakes, the way she helps instruct the employees in the kitchen as they roll out scones in the kitchen, and it makes the feeling so lovely.

I have a feeling that while this place is a bit untouched now, it’s going to become a favourite spot soon. Though I think, from the looks of the crowds here today, it’s going to be claimed by the Icelanders first this time. It’s a local gem and feels like less of an attempt to become popular spot for tourists in the middle of Reykjavik and, rather, the manifestation of someone’s dream to create a great place for people to meet, share and return to week after week. 

And hey, even for tourists like me, it’s a great spot to get some cultural observation, that hygge feel, and some good wifi. 

KAKTUS ESPRESSOBAR | Vitastígur 12, Reykjavik, Iceland | Open Daily from 07:30 - 18:00 | Weekends from 09:00 -18:00

Find more of my favourite places to eat, sleep and see in my Iceland guide, or read more about the best places in the capital city in My Reykjavik posts.

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Kids learn a lot from living in major cities, but the biggest thing I’ve noticed from my own children growing up in London is that they learn to be citizens of the world at a younger age than I ever did in suburban Texas. They see people and space in a more relaxed and peaceful way than I did. There’s very little concept of being territorial and there’s always an understanding as to why people constantly come and go. It’s a character trait that is hard to articulate, but a joy to watch be naturally cultivated in your children.

However, I often mourn the lack of space they have to explore. But Lauren, they have the entire city of London! Hah… yeah, right. Ask any parent in London and they can tell you that trips to the famous museums are few and far between. Why? Because kids are in school during the week, and when they are out, they’re way too crowded. The truth is, it’s just hard to give kids the joy of wandering around the backyard for hours on end doing weird things here. 

Tyler and I try to offset this by driving out to Richmond Park as often as we can on the weekend. Even if it’s just for an hour, it’s worth the 25 minutes in the car. Parking is typically easy enough, and we bring a thermos of tea, a packed lunch and the kids’ wellies so they can get as dirty as they possibly want. 

Richmond Park is a massive, 2,500-acre expanse of nature preserve that stretches through the western suburb of Richmond. It’s free to visit, it’s gorgeous and you’ll see deer. So. Many. Deer. Each time we go, we see at least 75-100. It’s so wonderful.

And it’s a place you can go in London and have endless space. You can make trails, you can build wooden houses, you can have a picnic, you can walk your dog, or you can practice riding your bike on paths without busy commuters rolling their eyes and dodging out of your path. You can have all the space you need for whatever, and it is so lovely.

Our family tradition is to head to Gail’s for cinnamon buns and coffee first and then cruise out for the late morning and a picnic lunch when the energy levels start to dip. Then we pack up and it’s nap time on the way back to the house. It’s actually one of my favourite little days out because it’s always so fun and everyone is always so happy. Definitely, a win-win for the whole family!

I would recommend going with a car. Honestly, without one you’ll walk for a long time and little legs would get very tired. (Maybe you could bring a scooter?) But if you live in London and are desperate for some time out… head to Richmond Park. I won’t say the idea bowled me over when we first moved over, but now with a full-fledged family: I get it. It’s a sanctuary in the middle of London, and it’s a great family day out!

RICHMOND PARK | OPEN 7:30-16:45

By Tube: Richmond Station, National Rail or District Line (then catch the 371 or 65 buses to the pedestrian gate at Petersham)

Find more of my favourite places to go with kids in London here in my Little London section.

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*images original to Aspiring Kennedy