DIARY || Galleries, Flowers, and Cupcakes.

Is there any better way to describe the past week? Having done a few shifts at work back-to-back, I then had plenty of time off to meet up with friends and get a little cultural. A university mate came up to London on Wednesday and we spent our day dodging bursts of rain, overtaking buses (going into London on the day of the Tube Strike means you've got to walk everywhere), and spending ridiculous amounts on artisan coffee.
The Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea's beautiful Duke of York Square is one of my favourite places in the world. I walk in and immediately feel calm, maybe it's all the bright light and beautiful artwork. I managed to take a few snaps of my favourite pieces but my photos can't do them justice - this gallery is a must-visit if you're ever in the Chelsea area.

  

After a thorough wander of the Saatchi, we headed down the Kings Road for coffee - of course. We decided on Ca'Puccino, a coffee store I walk past nearly everyday and have always been intrigued by. If you're into your experimental coffee then this is your place - I had an Italian take on a latté which replaced milk with cream and added hazelnut syrup for the sweet-tooth in me. I can't see myself stopping off here on my daily coffee run to work but for something a little more special and out of the ordinary, then this is the place.

And what is a visit to South Kensington without a trip to The Hummingbird Bakery? I couldn't resist, I had to show my friend how amazing a cupcake can taste! Although I usually go for a classic Red Velvet, I pushed the boat out this time and went for the Salted Caramel Cupcake. Worth every calorie... although, I have to admit - I got off the bus a few stops early just to avoid the cupcake guilt!

The Victoria & Albert Museum is a gallery I've only ever visited once. Once - in my whole twenty years of living in London! I went to the David Bowie exhibition back in 2013 and was blown away. My Mum and I are desperate to see the Alexander McQueen exhibition but not sure we'll have time to before it closes. Anyway, my friend and I wandered round the 1500-1700 Britain section - it's useful having friends who are interested in the same period of history as you! - and then headed out to the incredible courtyard. Although they're a bit funny about photography within the museum, I went a bit crazy outside. 22 pictures of the most vibrant hydrangeas I've ever seen - even I don't need that many photos of flowers.

Walking round a spectacular building like the V&A can only fill you with awe. It really is incredible - again, I tried my best to capture what I was allowed to photograph but it's one of those places you just have to see in person. It should be at the top of every tourist's (and Londoner's) bucket list. And if art isn't your thing then the National History Museum is thirty seconds down the round. I can't believe it's taken me this long to appreciate all that London's museums have to offer.
I've now made it my mission to go back to the V&A and do it properly. I've seen everything there currently is to see at the Saatchi, I'll determined to do the same with the Victoria & Albert. It's okay, I'll have plenty of cupcakes to fuel me and the hope of somehow making it into the Alexander McQueen exhibition. I'll make it happen!

Happy Sunday! xx