Honestly, the thought of lunch hadn’t even popped into my head today. I ended up at a little place called “Leon”. Think healthy fast food and you’re on the right track. They have salads, wraps, little smoothies, and more.

I ended up with a “clean, green shake” and a falafel wrap that ended up being almost a foot-long to my surprise, which quickly turned into my delight. Crunchy, gooey, and with a little bit of spice. I felt healthier just munching on it! And I definitely did not feel as if I was going to walk out the door feeling hungry. I’m also glad that I decided to treat myself and order a smoothie because it ended up pairing really well with my  wrap.

A mellow little shake with an unpredictable, quirky wrap can really create a delightful experience.

Looking at the city from up here is so much more relaxing in comparison to the bustling atmosphere below. Not that it isn’t crowded here as well, but there seems to be a rhythm here, as opposed to the chaos on Westminster Bridge and near the London Eye.

From up here the sunlight beaming across the newer glass buildings become beautiful jewels; reminiscent of the crown jewels I hope to see later. But, even from up here, looking down on the city, I can spot green. Even in a major city like London, you can find secret gardens, greenery, and parks, even on the rooftops.

I’m sure during the infamous grey days, the Sky Garden becomes an oasis for many different families, friends, couples, and a few tourists as well.

If you are not a fan of heights, or you’d rather be down in the thick of the city, there is another option. Along a stretch of crafty shops there is a flower market beyond compare. It only appears on Sundays, rain or shine or, in today’s case, hail.

There was a riot of color that could not be ignored. There were fresh flowers of all colors on the tiny street. In this pop-up garden, everything could be given a warm home. Just appreciating all of the sights and scents is enough to rejuvenate a person.

Looking back on today, I’d say the real jewels of London is the greenery in this city. It has a way of lightening your day and your heart.

A gray, rainy day can be one of the biggest obstacles in anyone’s day. It can be even worse when there is leftover ice and slush on the ground to remind you that sunny springtime is still nowhere in sight. Or if you’re like me, it can remind you of not only having to scrape off all of the ice and muck from your car but also having to shovel away the rest of Jack Frost’s leftovers from the alley behind your house.

So, what is the best thing to do on such a spectacular day? For me, it’s a warm cup of tea. But, for an especially nasty day, tea just isn’t going to cut it. I needed pie. Or maybe cake. Something sweet!

Thankfully, I went to a little restaurant in Towson known as “The Orchard Market and Cafe.” It’s really easy to miss, but it’s worth the expedition. The classical piano being played in the background lures you in from the lobby to one of many tables. Time seems to slow down in the restaurant’s colorful surroundings. The walls are filled with photographs and paintings to welcome you in for a meal.

After being given a warm cup of tea, the server introduced me to the dessert tray. I won’t go into to detail over all of the choices that were laid out for me, but I will tell you all about the gem I chose: the tiramisu.

Home-made and filled with love. It was as much of a masterpiece as the art that surrounded me. Three layers of light, fluffy ladyfingers cocooned in a generous layer of cream and chocolate. The top was coated with so much coffee, I could smell it before it appeared at my table. For an added surprise, there was a few shaving of coconut hidden beneath the chocolate.

After just three bites, all of my thoughts from that morning vanished.