Glamourous

What a whirlwind the past few days have been! I am absolutely loving London; the city and my classes are more exciting than I could've imagined. I've been so busy and haven't had time to write a new post...but here are some quick picture highlights! We leave for Paris tomorrow morning so there should be a new post up early next week when we get back!

The main location that I'm at for classes. It's just off of Oxford Street! (And yes, that lower level is Zara!) It takes about thirty minutes to get there via the tube from our flats. I've gotten to explore Oxford Street quite a bit. It is definitely a busy, touristy, shopping area. It's very fun but I can't wait to start discovering the smaller parts of town too!

Orientation was on Monday. My favorite part of the day was the retail tour that Basia, the study abroad director, took us on. We spent about an hour and a half walking around seeing different shopping areas. On Tuesday we had a morning and afternoon session with Joe, our styling instructor (see his portfolio here: http://www.josephtoronka.com). Today, we had a session in the morning with Chris, our photographer & instructor (portfolio: http://christophersims.com, also make sure to check out http://www.55factory.net). In the afternoon we had a makeup session with Hannah who is a makeup artist and the study abroad manager here. It is great learning from people who are out there working in the industry right now and I have so much respect for all of them already. Can't wait to keep learning more from them!

Basia took us to meet her tailor friend, Mark Powell, during the retail tour on Monday. He was so much fun to talk to and had some really interesting things to say about how the industry is changing and how smaller businesses are having to change with it. I love being able to walk just a few blocks away and have the connections to meet people like this. (Read more about him here: http://www.markpowellbespoke.co.uk)

Selfridge's...One of many shops I was excited to see on Oxford Street!

Yummy crepes! We've eaten here twice already and I have a feeling we will be back soon! On our first trip there I had a sweet option (banana, caramel, and cream) and on our second visit I tried a savory option (ham and cheese). Both were delicious, of course.

Meredith, Lexi and I enjoying milkshakes at an adorable retro place a few blocks away from our flats.

Almost forgot to add this one! I'm not a huge fan of selfies...but this one has a fun story, I promise! This is what I wore to orientation on Monday. On our way to the school in the morning, I got stopped by a lady who works for Glamour Magazine. She wanted to take my picture for a "pops of color" feature for the August issue. So if you happen upon a copy of of Glamour UK in a couple months, you might see a familiar face!

That's why I'm falling in love with London already...you never know what or who is around the corner!