Top 5 | Things to Do in Brighton

This past weekend, I was sea coast bound with some new friends and my love. Just a short hour train ride away, Brighton beckoned us and we made a day trip out of it - so fun!

I had no expectations, other than randomly hearing Brighton mentioned in some pop songs years ago, and seeing the odd nod to it in pop culture / books / movies / etc. The town (well, really a city) was interesting and very contrasting. The beach was pebbled and the water too cold to swim. The beachfront had the beautiful scenery and rolling ocean, alongside bright and flashing lights of a carnival. There were 'The Lanes' which contained a number of interesting and adorable cafes, bars (or pubs!), shops and restaurants.

Here is my collection of spots worth visiting when you head to Brighton.

Enjoy!

Top 5 | Training strategies for the random run I just signed up for

Hi there!

I've been busy and up to some exciting things this past week. Norway, Mexican Food, Bazaar: Inspire conference, and, perhaps most terrifyingly, signing up for a run!

I ran a half marathon nearly 2 years ago, and hated it. I felt proud, accomplished, and could check it off my bucket list. But my training was haphazard at best, and I was not prepared when race day came. Luckily I wasn't injured or in too much crippling pain following the race, so there is that haha. 

But now I've signed up for a 13k run, that coincides with my visit to Ontario for family time. And my family is running it too! So that immediately makes the run even more enticing to me. And, to be honest, since moving to London my exercise regime has been nonexistent. 

I'm focussed on learning from my mistakes, pacing myself (haha, figuratively and literally), and thinking of my training as holistic and something I can be doing every single day. That comes to form for me in a number of ways:

Top 5 | Random Questions I Googled Today

Here's a short and sweet list of my more random thoughts throughout the day.

#Fridaybrain

5. Who is Daphne Javitch? 

Top 5 | Stores I Love in London

Today, I want to write to you about London retail!

As a retail specialist, obsessed with customer experience, there's a special spot in my heart for stores. Okay, and I really enjoy shopping, some could say it's a sport I've been perfecting for the past 20 years (yikes, I feel old!).

Since arriving, London has introduced me to many new stores. They are too delightful to keep to myself, and I can only hope some of them make the hop across the pond to Toronto by the time I move back.

5. Argos
Full disclaimer - I live above an Argos and the insane convenience factor is a big part of the charm - but not the only reason it's on this list, obviously. Argos offers the old school method of catalogue shopping, modernised for the way of the future. Walk into store and there is no merchandise. Seriously, it's a storefront full of anchored iPads that is always packed full of people buying random things that appear magically from behind the service desk as soon as the order is placed. Why don't we have one of those in Canada?!

Top 5 | Favourite Instagram Profiles Right Now

Instagram is great. I tried to give up social media on Sundays, as part of a long list of very aggressive New Year resolutions. Unfortunately, Instagram is so ingrained in my muscle memory that I found myself on it and scrolling before my mind caught up to scream "NOOOOOOOOOO" - and by then it was way too late to close the app (obviously.). Waiting for the streetcar, waiting for the elevator, waiting in the elevator, waiting for my boyfriend to tie his sneakers, my days are apparently full of waiting - and full of prime Instagram time.

So, I've given up my NYR (and all other resolutions, it should be noted), and I've also given more thought to Instagram recently. Here are my 5 favourite Instagram profiles right now:

Top 5 | Websites for Interviews

I think I've mentioned before how much I love interviews, especially with random, not-so-famous people. The more relatable the better, in my opinion! The internet has become an amazing place to find tete-a-tete convos on an array of topics and, for your reading pleasure, I've made a first pass at my top five sites to read interviews on. (Disclaimer: this list is ever-evolving and subject to change!)

Click on to read my list ranked from good to great!