Hi there!

I hope all is well in your part of the world. We are in juggle mode at the moment because a problem with the rental house we were supposed to move into today has made us push back moving for a month. Meanwhile, we're getting ready to head to the US for a family visit. I swear, everything I own is in a box or suitcase.

3 Things I Always Bring When I Travel

Having everything packed in some way made me think about my travel items that I bring along no matter where I'm traveling. I made sure to keep these out of the packing boxes because I knew I'd need them for our US trip.

1. Flat noise-canceling headphones. I want to be able to nap on the plane without my headphones getting in the way. These ones are flat and don't bother me even when laying on my side.

​Shop my favorite headphones here​

2. Blanket scarf or pashmina. This is such an easy thing to pack, but so helpful. I've used it to wrap up on the plane, cover up my shoulders for cathedral visits in Rome, or dress up an outfit for an evening in London.

​Shop my favorite blanket scarf here​

3. Portable charger. Nothing kills my phone battery like vacation. I keep one of these in my day bag to make sure I don't suddenly find myself with scary low battery warnings.

​Shop my go-to portable charger here​

UK Find of the Week

My daughter and I stayed in a riverside studio apartment in London for a week while she attended a musical theatre training camp. At the time, I was just looking for a place that wouldn't be too costly where I could reliably work remotely. Luckily, we stumbled into a place I will definitely return to.

Locke at Broken Wharf surprised me by how much it felt like a home. They offer mainly studio apartment style hotel rooms, some with riverside views. There's also a coffee shop in the lobby, weekly social events, and a coworking space on site. Score!

The hotel is located near Blackfriars station, and a short walk from St. Paul's Cathedral. We crossed the Millennium Bridge one night for a stroll down the Thames to Southbank.

They unfortunately don't have large enough rooms for families, but this would be a great place to stay on a solo trip or with one companion if you want a space that feels more like a home than a hotel.

​Check them out here​

In the News - UK Visa Update

The UK has expanded the Global Talent visa route with a new pathway specifically for design professionals, creating fresh opportunities for designers who may not have fit neatly into existing immigration categories.

The changes also clarify eligibility requirements for some researchers and academics, making it worth a second look if you've previously ruled yourself out.

For highly accomplished professionals, the Global Talent visa remains one of the most flexible routes to live and work in the UK, with no job offer or employer sponsorship required.

​Read more about the changes here​

That's all for now, but I'll see you next week!

Victoria

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