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In light of Pure London kicking off this weekend, here are a few things you can do this year to stay in the fashion loop for ‪#‎LFW16‬. 👗💕👠

Read the full post at rulesoflondon.com.

Move over Macklemore, Rules Of London has found a new favorite vintage store and it's better than your grandpa's closet - it's Nana's Vintage Wardrobe.

Read the full post at rulesoflondon.com to score a discount on unique vintage finds!

“Summertime is here in London, which means rooftops are open and festival season has officially begun.”

Read the full post at rulesoflondon.com to find all your tips for traveling Croatia and this summer’s festival season!

When times are tough and wallets are empty, you've got to think of ways to save money on clothes. Here are a few tips to help you spend less, and maybe even make more, when it comes to shopping in London.

Read the full post at rulesoflondon.com.

Question: “Why is there such a long break before [UK] exams are actually taken etc.? Are the classes significantly more difficult?”

Find the answer at rulesoflondon.com.

New post is up!

Question: Hey! I’m coming to London in two weeks and was just wondering what blogs you have about what to do and what main things to see when coming there! little awesome pubs and stuff like that!!

Find the answer at www.rulesoflondon.com.

Rules Of London has LAUNCHED

Well, it’s OFFICIAL.

Rules Of London has moved on to its very own website!

Without further ado, here’s the NEW and IMPROVED, WWW.RULESOFLONDON.COM. 👗✨✈✨👠

Go check it out and feel free to give me a shout on here still, or email questions to [email protected].

HUGE thanks to everyone who reads, or has sent encouraging messages. Your support has helped me continue writing and is the reason the blog has made it this far.

Also big thanks to everyone who helped make this vision a reality. 📷 photo by Ella Lucy Nash Velasco 🎨 Graphic Design by Maartje Smolders.

From now on, posts will be updated on the new site so RoL can continue to maximize your London experience, without minimizing your bank account - one rule at a time.

#RulesOfLondon

The Story of An Original Leroy

“Brash, bold and unapologetic” - which is exactly what it is. Thanks to a cross between Instagram and The Laden Showroom, I discovered An Original Leroy and designer, Natasha Wright.

These clothes are loud, proud and stand out in a crowd. So when I spotted a girl across the beach wearing a similar one at Croatia’s Soundwave Festival, I had to ask where she got it.

Turns out it was Fabienne, presenter, DJ and stylist, who can often be found at launch parties and style events rocking a range of Leroy’s clothing.

Given that I’d just spoken to Natasha recently, crossed paths with her clothing, and her friend in another country, it was a fashion fate sign that a post was meant to be done.

What I came to find with this line is how each piece is a statement, that allows you to transform an outfit from day to night.

Go loud with a crop top and a matching skirt, or rock one top with a separate bottom and transform a plain outfit into a statement with a balance.

So where did the name come from? Natasha’s father, Leroy, was the inspiration with some valuable advice. He taught her to be fearless, stand out from the crowd and do whatever it was that she felt she was meant to do. From this life lesson, ‘An Original Leroy’ was born.

With a degree from Central Saint Martins, two independent labels and a mentor at the Learning College of Fashion I asked; if she were to give one tip her students, what would it be?

"Play to your strength: express and understand yourself well enough to know where your natural talents lie." A thought worth sharing since it applies to many situations, no matter what you’re wearing.

Use ‘GRACIE20′ to save a bit, because no one ever said you had to be rich to be fabulous.

#RulesOfLondon & #AnOriginalLeroy

Ask London: Finding a Job after Graduation

Question: So, if I'm going to graduate from the BS accountancy and I take the international board exam and pass - and I somehow wish to find possible employment that would make me a candidate for tier 2 - do you have any possible recommendations on where I can find employment? Or do you think it's possible? Though I still have a few years to go before graduation and I come from Asia.

Answer: Hello and thanks for writing!

I’m going to be honest with you; it’s not easy - but it is possible. While I can’t tell you exactly where to find employment, I can give you some tips on how to find it.

My most important piece of advice would be to internship as much as you can while you’re still studying. See my previous post on how to study and work part time which covers how to job hunt and find internships.

Secondly, I’d say build up your resume (aka your CV) with any other programs, volunteer work, educational or professional experience you can.

Lastly, always keep in mind what you want to do in the long run and focus any classes, dissertations, internships, part time jobs, experience and activities around this industry. Companies don’t just look for experience, they look for focused experience.

Given that you’re from Asia and I’m from the USA, it’s not fair for me to make any assumptions when it comes to visa processes and paperwork, as this depends on which country you’re from. But when it comes to interviewing, research your visa requirements and processes so you can assure anyone who interviews you that you know what options are out there.

When it comes to a Tier 2 visa, the larger the company, the higher the budget and the higher the chances they're able to sponsor you. But that's not to say small companies won't; it’s whether or not they’re willing to, or have a license.

Also, the industry you’re in helps. So the good news is, banking and finance industries are easier to find a Tier 2 job, while the marketing industry is a bit more difficult. In most cases, your degree has to be in relation to whatever job you're moving for.

The most frustrating thing is, while in University you’ll probably have to work for cheap, but this does NOT mean you have to work for free. If you’re able to take an unpaid internship due to financial circumstantials and you think the opportunity is worth it, then by all means go for it. But if you’ve got bills to pay then it’s okay to explain to whoever hires you that you're simply not able to work for free.

Just keep in mind that internships and ‘first jobs’ are to help us build experience and demonstrate our value, two things we don’t get at University. So while someone may hire you as an intern, they have no reason to hire you full time unless you’ve demonstrated your value to the company.

During university I worked three jobs; two paid internships and babysitting to make ends meet, while participating in the LUIP program and finishing a dissertation. It was one of these part time jobs that ended up asking me to stay full time after graduation, while all the other stuff contributed to a well rounded resumé.

The point of this is not to brag, but to realistically demonstrate how much hard work can actually go in to finding a job after graduation. Unfortunately our generation faces a lot of pressure and having a degree no longer guarantees you’ll find a full time job, whether or not it’s in London.

It's partly luck, partly timing mixed with research, hard work and lots and lots of coffee. So hopefully these tips help, good luck and remember, “with determination and passion, anything is possible”.

#RulesOfLondon

Looking in London: for things to do

A wise man once said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” That wise man was Samuel Johnson and the crazy thing he was right because it’s pretty true.

If it were physically possible to do everything in this city, by the time you were done there’d be something new to do.

It’s hard enough trying to decide on where to go, so here’s a few ways to narrow the options down in such a large town. Choose a section of town you want to go first, East, North, South or West and then go from there. Here are some ways to help narrow down your options and find out what’s going on in the here and now, no matter where you are in London Town:

Eventbrite: if you register here you’ll get an email with top London events each month and it usually has some pretty fun stuff. They offer paid for events and free events and have a great app to manage tickets.

Groupon: is great no matter what city you’re in. Whether it’s health & beauty, fitness, restaurants, high tea or fun things to do, there are some great finds worth the money and the time.

Amazon Local: while this isn’t available in every major city yet, it is in London and is worth the look. Both Groupon and Amazon are great for trying new places out, finding the right fit or if you’re just passing through.

But beware: always call before buying any deals through these sites to make sure an appointment is available.

Facebook: like it or not, this is where a lot of event management happens and it’s where we find out what events are on and which ones our friends are going to. So don’t forget to check those event invites you get, they’re not all sh*t.

Apps: because it’s 2015 and there’s pretty much an app for everything, I’d recommend Dojo App and Hype as two apps that have the latest London updates and happenings. Narrowing things down by location and categories, I’ve used both, have little complaints and am a big fan of the interface.

Then of course you have some major publications that are always covering fun things going on no matter what day or place in London Town. Three of my favorites are TimeOut, The Londonist and Visit London.

The thing is, I can continuously write posts about my favorite places to go out for a drink, a coffee and a good dancing time; but a wise man once said, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

In this case I’m not giving you fish, I’m giving you digital sources, because I’m much better at finding these than I am at finding fish.

#RulesOfLondon

Ask London: an interview with Nellie

I thought it’d be nice to hear someone else’s opinion about London Town for a change. An American who studied abroad and has come to visit since, here’s what Nellie has to say:

What made you choose London as your city to study abroad? I always wanted to study abroad in London. It’s accessible for Americans, but still incredibly rich in history. Also it’s incredibly fun. Each part of London is different so there’s something for everyone. It’s the most fun city in the world and it’s easy to get around.

What’s something you wish you’d known before moving to this new city? There’s no real bacon.

What are your three of your favorite places to eat in London? I made frozen peas in the kitchen when I was hungover… but in all seriousness most food in London that’s really good is made by non english people, i.e. Indian food. There’s a lot of good food in Camden, and Rules is a great old restaurant in London.

What were your three favourite places to go out in London? London is the best place to go out in the world. There’s the posh Mayfair clubs and Cirque le Soir is definitely something different. Also Camden and Brick Lane are great.

What do you miss most about London living the most? And what don’t you miss? I miss the people. Everyone is so much fun when you go out. I guess London is really expensive, and that’s the only thing I don’t miss.

What advice would you give to someone who’s new to the city? Do not fear the tube. It’s not that difficult. Also food goes bad almost immediately because they don’t put crazy preservatives in it.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from studying abroad? Make friends. Act like it’s freshman year all over again (because for some of them it is) and introduce yourself to everyone, or join a sports team. Sports teams in London are like Greek life in America.

What was one of your biggest challenges when you lived in London? I think I let my guard down a little. I would walk home late at night all the time and that’s not a good idea in any city.

What would you have done differently if you had to do it all over again? I would’ve traveled a bit more. I made a lot of friends so I didn’t always want to give up weekends to travel, but I still went to Paris, Amsterdam and Rome. Traveling from London is easy so I should have done it a bit more.

If you were to study abroad again, where would you pick next? London.

What best part and most difficult part of coming back home? Best part of return to america: bacon. Most difficult part was to leave all the friends I had made and go back to harder classes in Miami.

When packing to go to London, if you had to pack 3 items you can’t live without, what would they be? Seasoning.

What are you up to now? I’m in law school in America. It’s tough because I would love to go back to London, but there isn’t a huge need for American lawyers in London.

How has studying abroad in London town contributed to bettering your education and career? And if so, how? I actually interviewed with someone who had gotten her masters at Queen Mary. I got offered the job.

Nellie is a dear friend of mine who I met our first year studying abroad. A big thanks to Nellie for letting me feature you on the blog!

Want to see where we went on our recent trip to Prague? Check out my previous post to make the most out of your trip to this pretty city.

#RulesOfLondon

misslanadelrey

Hi everyone :)

Hello everyone,

I know there is a good possibility of no one reading this, but I need some advice and don’t really know where or who to ask. I live in London but I’m shy and a bit of an introvert and It’s really hard for me to make friends.

So I would like to ask any of the people that follow my blog, it doesn’t matter if you are from London or not, but how do you make friends, how do you find, connect and share your interests with people and just become friends?

Again I know you’ll probably won’t read this but any advice would be appreciated :)

rulesoflondon

Hey @misslanadelrey,

I saw your post and thought to respond!

I’ve written a few pieces that talk about how to make friends when you’re new to London town. Two of my previous posts, Chasing dreams & jelly beans and Lady dates & making friends in a new place might have some of the answers you’re looking for.

The first part of making friends is making the effort to get up, go out and do stuff. Whether it’s going to a drawing class, a cafe or a yoga class - half the battle of making friends is putting yourself in social situations where you know you’ll cross paths with people you’ve not before.

Sites like Meetup, Time Out London, Londonist, city socialiser and thinking Bob are all great places to find groups and events going on. Or just troll Facebook, there’s plenty of niche groups and events there too.

The second part of making friends is to always keep in mind, “your vibe attracts your tribe”.

What I mean by this is when you go out, no matter who you’re with - and especially if you’re by yourself - remind yourself to go out with the intent to talk to new people and be open to new people talking to you. Even if that means complimenting someone’s shoes or asking where they’re from, you’re more likely to meet new people if you simply remind yourself to try.

As humans, we give off vibes - and what you put out into the world is what you get back. Making friends is like karma with people. Ever notice how people who do ‘bad stuff’ like to hang out with people who do ‘bad stuff’? And people who do ‘good stuff’ like hang out with people who like to do ‘good stuff’?

It’s human nature to hang out with people that we have things in common with, thus we naturally look for signals when we meet new people that we can relate to or respond positively too. That's not to say someone you have little in common with can't be your friend.

All you have to do is remind yourself to be open to talking to people; you’d be surprised at how many people will actually keep the conversation going.

So the next time you’re out and see someone sitting nearby, try striking up a conversation and see where it goes - it may be a new friend, and it may not. But the end result will be you’re meeting new people and hearing new stories, and that’s half the the fun when it comes to making friends.

The great thing about London is there’s ALWAYS something to do. So start searching and find something you want to do - and when you show up you’re bound to meet some new people who want to be there too. #RulesOfLondon

A Guide To: Visas & UK Residency

A common question I’m asked is how one gets a visa to stay in the UK. If I’m completely honest, it’s more complicated than that couple on Facebook who keeps changing their relationship status. But with hard work and a lot of research, patience and paperwork - it’s possible.

That being said, here’s some information that’ll help you figure out what visa to get and how to go about getting it.

Tier 1 - Migrants with desirable professional skills: this visa has been discontinued unfortunately, so that’s that. But if you already have this type of visa, renewals and extensions are still allowed. Find more about it here.

Tier 2 - Skilled workers with an offer of employment: in order to apply for this type of visa a company has to sponsor you, i.e. offer you a job. The position you're applying for has to be skilled at NQF level 6 (graduate level) and you have to meet the minimum salary level for that specific position. Visit the UKCISA website to see all Tier 2 related information on eligibility for sponsors, position skill levels and wage levels.

Tier 3 - Temporary workers: this was meant for any kind of labour shortages in the UK, however this too as been discontinued. Find more about it here.

Tier 4 - Students: self explanatory, this one’s for anyone studying full-time. See my previous post on ‘you’ve studied abroad and now you want to transfer’ to get a better idea of how to prepare for this process. To see the full process of eligibility and applications, head over the UK gov’s website and read the details on how to apply for a Tier 4 visa.

Tier 5 - Youth mobility schemes/temporary workers: this scheme only applies to residents of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Taiwan and the USA. It’s for paid internships and people who want to live, work and travel in the UK for up to two years. Find more about it here or check Access Tier 5′s website, which has further details on eligibility.

Applying for residency: if you want to move to the UK and stay permanently, you have to work in the UK under a Tier 2 visa for 5 years. Only then can you apply for residency and get a British passport. This means, if you’re in the UK under any of the other visas - these years will not apply to your time towards residency.

The only exception to this rule is if you’ve lived in the UK for 10 years. Either of these situations only make you eligible to apply for residency - but to actually apply is a whole other process I’ve yet to figure out. However I’ve been told that DWI global is a great place to get help with this process.

If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend and you live with them for 2+ years, and you can prove it with documents such as bills and utilities, then you can apply for the ‘permission to remain leave on basis of relationship’. Or you could always get married, which I don’t recommend unless - well - you’re actually ready to get married.

Final & Financial Tips: I cannot stress enough, that at the end of the day this all comes down to money. If you plan on staying in the UK, if you want to transfer to finish your degree or if you want to switch visas - always keep money in your savings. This international sh*t isn’t cheap and when it comes down to it, if you want to move overseas you’re going to have to be willing, and ready, to pay for it.

If you’re applying for a student visa, then you’ll need a significant amount of savings (over £1,000) to cover all the application fees and flights. If you’re applying for a work visa, your work will probably cover application and visa fees, however they’re not entitled to cover your flights.

Most importantly, in order to apply for a new visa, or switch visas, you have to leave the UK to process the application, so you’ll always need to have savings in the bank for flights. In most cases, this means going back to your home country, but in some that just means leaving the UK and traveling somewhere to process the paperwork.

Please bear in mind that this post is just a basis to the research you’ll have to do in order to process your circumstantial visa paperwork. Almost every year the UK government alters rules, regulations, costs, eligibility requirements and processes; so your best bet is to figure out what visa you'll need first and then start researching from there.

So, if I haven’t already bored the eyeballs out of your sockets or made you want to cry while bashing your head into a wall, then I hope this has helped you more than it’s stressed you out.

The thing is, the entire UK visa process is stressful, even when you’ve got the money to do it - it’s not fun and it’s really tiring. But happiness and hard work go hand in hand, and if you want something bad enough - then it’s always worth the work.

So don’t give up and follow your heart - you never know where your dreams will take you, even if you thought you knew from the start. #RulesOfLondon

Need some advice on your visa process or have any other questions? Send them to [email protected] or check out Migreat, a free guidance tool which helps you every step of the way.

The Travel Check List

As much fun as traveling is, it’s also very stressful. Bitter sweet, it’s quite the feat when you’re about to leave your comfort seat.

Plan all you want, part of the experience is dealing with stressful situations and unseen circumstances. But when it comes to flying in and out of London town there are a few things you can check before you go to make your flights less stress and more delight.

So here’s some things to check before you take off with a full backpack:

Terminal & flight details: whether you’re coming in or going out, check what terminal you’re flying to or from. At Heathrow Airport, this will determine what tube you take or where people may need to meet you. On the way to Heathrow, when you’re standing at the platform, there will be a sign telling you what tube is approaching. There’s a tube that runs to Terminals 1-2-3, Terminals 1-2-3 & 4, Terminal 4 & 5 and Terminal 5. So when you’re hopping on, make sure you’re jumping on the right one.

Commute time: whatever your commute time to the airport is - double it. No matter how much you prepare, sometimes it's impossible to be on time. Tubes run late, buses have detours and you'll always remember that one thing you forgot. Usually my London tube app is pretty accurate in terms of timing, but twice now it's told me the trip to the airport would take an hour - and both times it took two. So save yourself the stress and double the time to avoid a mess.

Currency: check what currency the country you're going to uses because in some places they accept more than one. Currency rates will determine how you’ll get the most out of your money; for instance in Prague, they accept Euros and Koruna, the Czech Crown. Ask your bank or your nearest exchange office what they recommend, then you can decide which way your wallet will bend.

Bank Cards: check with your bank and credit card company as to what international fees apply. For example, Capital One USA offers credit cards that charge you $0 for international transactions. Each bank has its own policies and most will charge you $X amount of money for each transaction you make; so in some cases it’s best to take out cash from an ATM upon arrival and make that last as long as you can. Your other option is to take money out before you go and convert at the nearest currency exchange. Word on the street, the best rates in London are at M&S. Not sure what M&S is? Check out my previous post on The Hierarchy of Grocery Stores to see what it’s all about.

Weather: obviously check the weather, but I never believe what it says. I know I know, science. But I always like to tell myself that sunny is a state of mind and I try to remind myself this all the time. But realistically, checking the weather will give you a better idea of what to pack - so in this case science wins and is where it’s at.

Of course these tips apply to where you’re going and where you’re coming from. But if you’ve already got your International Packing List the next thing you’ll need is your travel check list - and hopefully this one will help. #RulesOfLondon

Do you have travel tips you’d like to share, or questions about traveling to and from London Town? Tweet them to @RulesOfLondon or email [email protected] and I’ll answer them as soon as I can!

A Pretty Prague

Full of things to see, it’s a beautiful city - with Old Town and New Town you can decide how modern your trip will be. Here’s a few places that make a Prague trip a little more sweet, with so much historical beauty it’s quite the treat.

Cross the Charles Bridge and find Old Town square, where you’ll find Prague castle sitting peacefully; giving this side of town a fairy tale feel - a lovely place to sip cocktails and coffee as the sun goes down.

The Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock made in 1410 - thus, it’s said to be the third oldest clock in the world. Which is pretty cool when you think how much time it’s seen go by.

The tickets are reasonably priced - with a view at the top - making it a timeless historical treat not many clocks can beat.

Want a few more good views? Find the beer gardens if it’s nice outside; there’s Reigrovy Sady or Letenske Sady - all notoriously known.

With beer gardens and castles in the sky, now we know why they say Prague is so pretty - especially if you go to see St. Vitus Cathedral. A tour that costs a little bit more, but a good one for sure.

For nightlife there’s Lucerna which has a Friday 90s night - yes please.

With a huge movie screen hanging over the dance floor, a huge crowd and smoke machines - what more could one ask for?

There’s Chapeau Rouge and Popo Petl - mix with some reggae at Akropolis and you’ve got a scene. Or Bukanyr, an after hours boat club, where people don’t show up until 3 - and if you need a late night dance floor there’s studio 54.

The John Lennon wall is a fave with musicians singing each day, spreading the songs of the Beatles as they play.

So that’s it for now, there's never enough time. It’s physically impossible to see the whole world, but you can try - and days are well spent in a pretty Prague watching the clouds float by. #RulesOfLondon

Ask London: the transition train

Question: Hi! I read your profile on the QMUL page, and I’m super curious about how your transition went from transferring from a US school. I’m currently in my 1st year of college in the US, considering a year abroad, and sort of want to do the same thing you did. What was the process like? How was financial aid covered? Thank you! :D -Zoë

Answer: Hey Zoë!

Thanks for reading and double for writing!

Culture shock is when the simplest of things suddenly feel confusing and unknown to you. Whether it’s going to the grocery store or the post office, or if you need to develop photos and have a headache but don’t know what paracetamol is.

I’ve written a few posts in the past that could be able to help. But since it’s a few questions within one question, here’s a few different answers that will hopefully lead you in the right direction.

In terms of what to expect your first year transitioning abroad, I would say the peaks and pits post I wrote a while ago hits the nail on the head. There were ups and there were downs, but you can’t have any great experiences without having some unpleasant ones too. The biggest thing you’ll start to ask yourself is, “who are you?”; and you’ll have the most fun answering that question with more answers than you possibly knew.

In a more literal sense, the post I wrote on squashing studying bugs in London Town will help you get a better idea on how the educational and grading system works here in comparison to the U.S.

For financial aid, see my previous post on financial circumstantials. That explains how to figure out where funding can come from and how to go about getting it.

To hopefully answer your question as a whole, I can’t say the transition was easy, but it was worth it. If I can recommend anything, it’s to dive deep into the ocean of the unknown. Meet new people, keep dreaming, exploring and trying new foods.

Because if the world is your oyster, you may as well eat it - just don’t forget to keep it spicy and order extra hot sauce. #RulesOfLondon

Do you have a question about moving abroad or stopping by in London Town? Message me or send it to [email protected] and I’ll answer it as soon as I can! :)

Did you know that all the UK coins together make up the £1 shield?! Neither did I - so I decided this needed to be shared with the Tumblr world.

A co-worker sent this to me and I was absolutely mind blown. Then another friend added that all the coins add up to 88 pence - which is a rip off if you ask me, I want my full £1!

Oh well, I guess that’s the way the currency cookie crumbles when you’re living in London Town. It’s always a bit more expensive than you thought, and you’re always left with a few pence less than you ought.

But you’ll always learn something from the money you spend - especially when that money is spent on exploring the city or seeing the world. #RulesOfLondon

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