Chris and I recently returned from our vacation. We went to visit my brother who is currently living in London and loving it.

Have you ever been?

If you have, you know this, but even if you haven't, you can imagine that there are people everywhere you go, and from every single corner of the world, seriously. And each group of people seems to have at least a couple cameras on them (not including their phones). I don't say this with annoyance but truly as a mere fact.

So, as I visited the popular landmarks, and fought for a spot to photograph them, I realized I was creating the same photos that hundreds of thousands of people create when they're there. The very same. I was in auto mode, just view, click, move. And I honestly thought to myself that I didn't want to have those images. I can easily google them and they will be far more beautiful and artistic than what I was creating.

With that in mind, I decided that I wanted to capture the things we kind of see but don't register. The things we notice but may not remember.

Yes, I got some cliche/expected/overdone photos as well, because, after all, I was still a tourist, but, as I sat here to write this and share some photos with you, I decided to select just very few of the very few that I took. Oh, and, of course, if you follow me on Instagram (@lainetorres), you got to see more of the touristy shots, with selfies and goofy filters and what-not's - you know, the fun stuff.

Here you go - the British details you may or may not have noticed:

Tower Bridge in the background. This photo was taken with the Tower of London behind me.

Tower Bridge in the background

This photo was taken with the Tower of London behind me

My brother Hugo (left), his wife Aline and my husband Chris, crossing the Tower Bridge.

My brother Hugo (left), his wife Aline and my husband Chris, crossing the Tower Bridge

Daniel & Suzie's love, celebrated on April 4th, 2017, and attached to Tower Bridge.

Daniel & Suzie's love, celebrated on April 4th, 2017, and attached to Tower Bridge

Office buildings and their modern architecture sit on one Thames River bank, opposite the Tower of London and all it's history.	More modern offices overlooking the Thames.
Saint Paul's Cathedral - no photos allowed inside.	Trafalgar Square with Big Ben in the horizon and The National Gallery behind me.

From top left:

1. Modern architecture buildings on one side of the Thames River bank, opposite the Tower of London and all it's history

2. More modern offices overlooking the Thames and the Tower of London

3. Saint Paul's Cathedral - no photos allowed inside

4. Trafalgar Square with Big Ben in the horizon and The National Gallery behind me

Artist using chalk on Trafalgar Square.

Artist using chalk on Trafalgar Square

A candid shot of my brother and his wife, next to The London Eye, opposite Houses of Parliament.

A candid shot of my brother and his wife, next to The London Eye, opposite Houses of Parliament

Touring the Tower of London.

Touring the Tower of London

The British Museum - an infinite world of historic artifacts.

The British Museum - an infinite world of historic artifacts

Policeman in charge of traffic at the changing of the Royal Guard.

Policeman in charge of traffic at the changing of the Royal Guard

Victoria Memorial, across from Buckingham Palace.

Victoria Memorial, across from Buckingham Palace

Artist drawing at the National Gallery.

Artist drawing at the National Gallery

Antique store meticulously arranged.

Antique store meticulously arranged

Dancewear store - can you find Chris?

Dancewear store - can you find Chris?

Carousel by The London Eye.

Carousel by The London Eye

Day shot of Big Ben <3

And when the lights come on.

Left: Day shot of Big Ben <3

Right: When the lights come on

Early evening overlooking Houses of Parliament

Early evening overlooking Houses of Parliament

Some of the things we did (and that I recommend):

• The Shard
• Tower Bridge
• Saint Paul's Cathedral (spectacular!)
• Fish and chips with cold beer at a different pub every evening (LOL):
  • Queen's Head - Uxbridge
  • The Good Yarn - Uxbridge
  • Fig Tree - Uxbridge
  • The Hole in the Wall - Waterloo
• Houses of Parliament & Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben)
• Tower of London (go early and spend a ton of time there)
• The London Eye
• Thames River Cruise
• British Museum (a must-see for all history lovers)
• Camden Market (much cheaper souvenirs and grab some delicious street food there too!)
• Trafalgar Square
• Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard (make sure you visit the beautiful gardens nearby)
• The National Gallery

I would like to give a big thanks to my client and friend Stacy Mueller for sharing so many wonderful tips and recommendations prior to us leaving. Thanks, Stacy! Your suggestions were very much appreciated.

How about you? What's your favorite thing to see/do in London? What else would you add to the list? Comment below and I will make sure to check it out next time.

-Laine