Sonata Script – British Edition: Part 1 London
Giving you a peek into the past week for me and Sonata Home Design. The week in review, my favorite finds on the web, and just a little “this and that.” I always want to give you great ideas, inspiration, creative motivation, light bulb moments, and a hearty “You can do it!”
I know I am not alone in my passion for home decorating, crafting, and nesting. So, please join me each week for this creative Saturday jolt!
Well, it finally happened—we crossed the pond!
In June, my husband and I packed our bags (and our most comfortable walking shoes), grabbed our passports, and jetted off on a long-dreamed-of adventure to England!
After years of saying “someday,” we finally turned someday into cheerio, America! and found ourselves standing in the shadow of Big Ben, dodging red double-decker buses, and awkwardly adjusting to looking the “wrong” way before crossing the street.
We spent three whirlwind days soaking up the sights of London, then hopped into a rental car (now that was an adventure!) and made our way to the charming, postcard-perfect Cotswolds for the rest of the week.
The entire trip was so spectacular, I needed a little time to collect my thoughts—and, truthfully, come back down to earth. So rather than cram every delightful detail into one overflowing post, I’m splitting our adventure into two parts.
First up: London!
So grab a cuppa, settle in, and come along with me to the land of tea, scones, and more history than you can shake a Beefeater’s hat at.
London
Our flight into London went smoothly and we even managed to get a little sleep. This was important because we hit the ground running once we got to London.
We checked into our hotel and, I have to admit, we were a little underwhelmed. Rather than charming boutique hotel, it read more like an efficient dormitory room.
But the lobby was super cool!
First Stop…Buckingham Palace
What a fun way to jumpstart our London adventure!
We got there bright and early for the Changing of the Guard, soaked in the music from the military band, strolled around like proper tourists, and even snagged a seat at the base of the Queen Victoria Memorial—prime people-watching spot, by the way!
Westminster Abbey
London is packed with amazing guided tour options, but we narrowed it down and picked just one paid tour for this trip—and I’m so glad we did!
We chose Westminster Abbey because, honestly, the history is just too rich not to experience with a guide who knows all the juicy details. And ours? Fantastic.
I’ve seen Westminster Abbey so many times on TV—royal weddings, state funerals, coronations—but walking through those doors in person? Total goosebumps.
The grandeur of the building, the towering nave, the stained glass windows catching the light… it’s absolutely breathtaking.
And then, of course, there are the famous (and infamous) people. So many historical figures are buried here that it almost feels like walking through a real-life history book—except way cooler!
One of the biggest wow moments? Standing at the actual burial site of Queen Elizabeth I. Talk about a powerful moment!
Poor Anne of Cleves!
Let’s just say I wouldn’t have wanted to be any of Henry VIII’s wives, but Anne’s story often gets less screen time than the others.
As wife number four, she was chosen more for politics than love, and let’s just say Henry was not impressed. Their marriage was quickly annulled, and she was shuffled off quietly—but she did keep her head, so… silver lining?
Her burial marker is tucked away in a rather shadowy little corner of the Abbey, so I thought I’d give her a little moment to shine here.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is every bit as charming as you’d hope—colorful houses, cute cafés, and that irresistible movie-magic vibe.
We wandered past pastel-painted doors, browsed vintage treasures at Portobello Road Market, and half-expected Hugh Grant to pop out of a bookshop at any moment.
We grabbed breakfast at the sweetest little outdoor café—flaky pastries, fresh air, and the kind of people-watching you only get in London. My husband is still talking about his latte…he swears it was the best of his life. And coming from him, that’s a very bold statement!
Notting Hill might just be my favorite neighborhood in all of London—bursting with charm, color, and personality on every corner. I had the best time wandering through the street vendors, soaking it all in.
One thing on my wishlist? A classic Notting Hill shopping bag—and I found the perfect one in the happiest green and pink combo!
Other London Favorites
So much to share!
So here is a quick list of some of our other favorite London spots!
- Kensington Palace
- Princess Diana Memorial Garden (part of Kensington Palace)
- Chinatown (I’m now a huge fan of Chinese bakeries!)
- Harrods (Iconic department store)
- Afternoon tea (this is part of my daily routine now!)
- Fortnum and Mason (Need tea or biscuits? This is the place to be!)
Windsor Castle
Just about 30 minutes outside of London, the walk up the hill to Windsor Castle felt like stepping onto the set of Camelot—and yes, I may or may not have been humming “The Lusty Month of May” to myself!
The exterior is absolutely majestic, but the real wow factor is inside.
One of the most fascinating parts was seeing the section that was devastated by the 1992 fire—now completely restored. You’d never guess it had once been gutted.
The highlight for me? Laying eyes on those iconic royal portraits—the ones you see in all the history books. I stood in front of the portrait of 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I) for a solid 15 minutes, completely captivated.
Sadly, no photos allowed inside…so you’ll just have to take my word for it!
But hey—photos were allowed in the gift shop!
Long live Queen Melissa?
Thanks for traveling with me. In the next Sonata Script…the Cotswolds!
Quote (or Quips!) for the Week
Since we’ve just returned from such a fun trip, I thought I’d switch things up this week and share some of the entertaining language differences between us Americans and the Brits—instead of my usual weekly quote.
That way, you’ll know exactly why I’m talking about “my new trainers” or how we spent the afternoon snacking on “sweets and crisps”!
We actually did get pretty used to saying “car park” instead of parking lot. And I still catch myself saying “crisps” here in the States!
Some of my favorites…
Trousers instead of pants…
Wardrobe instead of closet…
Biscuits instead of cookies (of course!)
What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!
British-inspired Shopping
Look What I Found On the Web
This is not just a blog post. I’m sharing the entire website of UK designer Sophie Robinson. Talk about decorating with JOY! I love how she uses color and pattern, and her entire site is worth exploring! Photo credit: Sophie Robinson website
British blogger April J. Harris has an amazing blog where she shares fantastic recipes, travel experiences, and home decorating. I couldn’t resist her post on Afternoon Tea Recipe Ideas. Someday, I hope to meet April in person. Maybe on my next trip!
My friend, Kim, at Cottage in the Mitten just gave her home office a refresh makeover. It is gorgeous! She has inspired me to take a good look at my own office…perhaps a refresh is in order around here. Take a look!
Blog Posts You Might Have Missed
DIY Travel Journal (I used this on my trip!)
A Tea Party in My Foyer (British Inspired!)
A Tour of My Summer Front Porch
Wishing you a great week!
Always remember…”Home is where your story begins!” ~Annie Danielson
Cheers!
A Little About Me
Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!
“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”
I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.
I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!
