Forevermissvanity - A UK Lifestyle Blogger : May 2015

An Afternoon in Harrogate

Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire famous for its Betty's Tearoom, old spa waters and beautiful gardens. The town is a popular tourist destination attracting visitors worldwide and repeatedly the town has been voted one of the best places to live in the UK. In a poll ran by Secret Escapes 2013, Harrogate was also voted as the third most romantic destination in the world beating some of the top named cities in the world such as Paris, Vienna and Rome.

Despite living relatively close to Harrogate, I have never had the opportunity to properly look round and it has always been something that I have wanted to do. Last week my best friend and I decided that we needed a girls day out and today we went to Harrogate for a spot of shopping, an Afternoon Tea at Betty's and I also popped into the world renowned H2K salon for a cheeky pre-shop massage.

The H2K salon is situated in the Montpellier shopping region of Harrogate. Montpellier Quarter is known for its independent boutiques, exclusive stores and cobbled pathways leading to quirky cafes, award winning restaurants and salons. Outside these amazing shops lies Montpellier gardens, an array of lush greenery, park land and places that are perfect to sit and admire the beauty of Harrogate town.

H2K of Harrogate is a successful beauty salon situated in Montpellier Quarter and is known for being one of the leading suppliers of toiletries to UK and international hotels. The Flagship Store opened in Harrogate in 2013 which showcases their wide range of toiletries and also offers treatments and massages using all their own products. Before shopping I decided to pop by H2K of Harrogate for a back massage and I was impressed by the friendly professional staff, the beautiful decor of the salon and the wonderful oils they used during the treatment. The spa therapist knew exactly what was needed to ease my aches and pains and also paid close attention to the problem areas that I spoke to her about in the consultation. The treatment rooms have dimmed lighting, beautifully scented candles in the background and a comfy bed with soft fluffy towels and covers. My back massage lasted approximately 30 minutes and left me feeling invigorated and energised, ready for the day ahead.

Our next stop was the world renowned Betty's Tearooms. Betty's Tearooms is a 96 year old tea room situated in the heart of Harrogate town. The tea room overlooks the beautiful Montpellier gardens and is highly regarded due their high quality confectionary, elegant rooms, friendly hospitality and above all, their high level of professionalism. Betty's tearooms is a great place to visit if you're looking for a relaxing environment to sit and eat breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or an evening meal.

My friend and I opted for the Betty's Traditional Afternoon Tea which consisted of a pot of tea, scones, cakes and sandwiches priced at a reasonable £18.95. The Afternoon Tea was beautifully presented with silver tea pots, china cups and the food looked mouth wateringly good as it promptly arrived in front of us.

Seeing as though I don't eat meat I opted for a vegetarian afternoon tea and the staff were more than willing to accommodate. The vegetarian option came with a variety of cheese sandwiches from a traditional cucumber and cream cheese to a mediterranean vegetable and cheese sandwich. All of which were cut up into small bite size pieces and were light to eat at the start of the meal.

Next course was a traditional scone with clotted cream and jam. Having a stomach problem means I currently need to avoid too much dairy and regrettably I had to pass on the clotted cream, but the scone was light and fluffy with the perfect amount of raisins and was made to just the right size, leaving enough room to manage dessert.

Dessert consisted of chocolate coffee cake, a custard tart with raspberries and a macaroon for the non-vegetarians. The custard tart tasted fresh and sweet and the pastry melted in your mouth. The coffee chocolate cake was a little bit on the rich side for me, but cut at just the right size, they were manageable and finished off the meal perfectly.

Finally my friend Josephine and I ended up to the high street to do a spot of shopping. With everything from high street classics such as Topshop, River Island, The Body Shop and Lush to premium brands such as LK Bennett, Joules, Jo Malone and L'Occitane, the Harrogate high street caters for every tourist and resident alike. I had such a wonderful time in Harrogate, it really made me think of what other wonders I am missing that are on my doorstep. Harrogate is a beautiful town and I would really urge others to visit.

Have you been to Harrogate before?

*This post was in collaboration with Visit Harrogate

Wat Phumin is a temple built in 1596 that resides in the Nan Province of Thailand. I visited here on my first day in Nan and was blown away by the idyllic surroundings and beautiful architecture. It is the only temple in Thailand to be built as if it laid on the back of two snakes. These snakes were built to symbolise the protection of the temple. The temple features four main entrances and is decorated in traditional Thai lue and Lana style, both of which are traditional designs from Northern Thailand. The main characteristics of this style are buildings which contain small windows, carved motifs along the doors and gables and tall teak pillars in the traditional red, black and gold colouring. These often include paintings of elephants. Wat Phumin is Nan's most famous temple due to its murals by the celebrated Thai Lu artist named Thit Buaphan.

Like most temples it is highly frowned upon to wear shoes during your visit and shoulder garments must be worn as a mark of respect to the Buddha. Shoes are removed to ensure the temple remains sacred and clean. Removing shoes also symbolises leaving demons and bad mental state on the outer temple, giving you peace of mind and freedom to pray upon entering.

Wat Phumin is a fully functioning temple serving as a Viharn (Assembly Hall) and Ubosot (Ordination Hall) where Buddhist ceremonies regularly take place, where monks often visit and in some cases where monks get ordained. Buddha images are kept as shrines in these temples and local people are able to come pray. Hundreds of years ago these temples were also used as shelter for travelling monks.

The alter features four large Buddhas, floral shrines and like most Buddha temples, an image of the King of Thailand. The particular style of Buddha is known as the Bhumisparsa Mudra also known as the 'Buddha Invoking Mother-Earth'. The Buddha can be seen with his hands pointing to the ground. The view of this Buddha was breath taking and upon entering the temple, I felt overtaken by spirituality. It's really hard to enter these temples and not associate yourself in some ways with the Buddhist way of life.

Above is an example of the tall teak pillars mentioned in the first paragraph. These are designed in traditional Thai Lu style with the colours red, black and gold. These pillars are finely decorated with gold leaf and feature Elephants and flowers. According to the website Thaizer.com:" In Buddhist legend it is believed that Queen Maya (mother of the Buddha) was only able to concieve after having a dream that a white elephant entered inside her' and another reason for the use of Elephants in temples is to symbolise the Ganesh - a Hindu god with an Elephant's head. These are just two of many reasons why the Elephant is in such high regard in Buddhist culture and Thailand.

Artist Thit Buaphan is a renowned painter in Thailand, most known for his contributions to temple design in the 19th century. The artist played a key role in the renovation of this temple when it was rebuilt in 1867 under the reign of Chao Ananta Vora Ritthi Det. Above is one of his most famous paintings known as the Thai Lovers Seduction or the Artist and his Lady, which resides on the temple wall in Wat Phumin. This mural is said to be one of the only self portraits of Thit Buaphan and has become legendary in Nan Province and this particular image can be seen on souvenirs across the city.

Have you ever visited a Thai Temple?

*This trip was courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Millie Mackintosh Long Sleeve Lace and Tulle Mini Dress - £94.50 down from £135.00

Seafolly Kabuki Bloom Maillot Swimsuit* - £66.50 down from £95.00

Michael Kors Selma Blue Small Cross Body Bag - £112 down from £140

Dune Jaxon Crossover Strap Block Heel Sandals £52 down from £65.00

Viktor Rolf Bonbon - £45 down from £50

For most people who get paid monthly, tomorrow is Payday and what better way to celebrate than a spot of shopping. I'm not usually one of those that goes out especially on payday to buy something, but when there's a sale, I hate to miss out on a few potential bargains. House of Fraser, one of my favourite department stores have just announced their 40% spring sale and as I've just received a bonus from work and it's payday, I'm eager to treat myself.

Top of my list right now has to be a good swimsuit. I don't have any holidays planned at the moment, but I regularly go swimming at the gym and recently I've lost a fair bit of weight so my usual swimsuit no longer fits me. Swimming is really good for my arthritis and has been helping me keep my energy up whilst I have been poorly lately. A good swimsuit is something I really need to invest in right now and House of Fraser has a great variety of swimwear. I'm in love with this Seafolly Kabuki Bloom Maillot swimsuit as the pattern is summery and I love halter neck style swimwear. The ruching around the waist helps deter from any muffin tops and the busy pattern gives the illusion of a slimmer waist.

Next on my list is a small handbag. I own lots of handbags but most of them are large totes used for shopping or carrying around things for work. I'm looking for a casual handbag that I can use when meeting friends or those days when all I want is my lippy, purse and a car keys. I love Michael Kors and cannot live without my other MK handbags. This Michael Kors small Selma handbag is aqua blue looks perfect for the summertime and would add a lovely burst of colour to any outfit. At £112 down from £140 this is a bargain and I can see this selling out rather quickly.

Perfumes are one thing I have no shortage of, but I do love collecting them. I'm looking for a summer fragrance to add to my collection and this Viktor & Rolf bonbon sounds perfect. Fruity and floral with a hint of caramel, these scents sound like a match made in heaven and the bottle is feminine and pretty.

Finally a new outfit wouldn't go amiss and as the summer is drawing nearer and the weather is getting brighter I'd really like to buy a new dress and a comfy pair of wedges. I really like the look of the Millie Mackintosh Long Sleeve Lace and Tulle Mini Dress and this would look perfect teamed up Dune Jaxon block sandals.

Do you have any shopping planned?

If you have been keeping up with my blog lately you will have seen that recently I took a trip to Ox Pasture Hall in Scarborough. The weekend was amazing - beautiful weather and lot's of fun and the hotel was one of the most beautiful places I have had the fortune of visiting. One of the highlights of my visit to Ox Pasture Hall was the evening meal based in the Ox Pasture Hall Courtyard restaurant.

The Courtyard Restaurant at Ox Pasture Hall has a wonderful rustic charm, friendly service and above all great food. The restaurant boasts a stunning location and according to the website 'is the only restaurant in Scarborough to be awarded 2-rosettes for culinary excellence and has been mentioned in the Michelin guide'. With such raving reviews, I couldn't wait for my husband and I to sample their culinary treats.

When dining at the Courtyard Restaurant you are given two menu options - one is A La Carte and the other is a more traditional restaurant style menu. You have the option to choose which type of food you like and you are able to mix and match the items if you prefer something on the alternative menu. Both are similarly priced at around £8 for a starter, £13 - £25 for a main and £8 for dessert. These prices may seem a little bit steep, but for the quality of food it is definitely worth it.

The first course that arrived on our table was mushroom risotto appetizer to whet our appetite. The mushroom risotto had a melt in the mouth consistency and left you wanting more - it was gooey, mushroomy and full of flavour, yet surprisingly quite delicate. It was the perfect little dish to get us in a dining mood.

For starters I opted for the vegetarian option of Creamed Mushrooms with Toasted Bread and my husband chose the tomato and pepper soup. The creamed mushrooms were the perfect size for a starter and wasn't too rich on the stomach, despite tasting very creamy. The toast was crunchy and bode well the mushrooms. I loved the rustic presentation and the simplicity of this dish. The soup was packed full of flavour with the perfect balance of tomato and peppers. This came served with a selection of the Courtyard specialist breads which they made from scratch.

Next on the menu was a surprise strawberry sorbet palette cleanser. This sorbet has to be one of the yummiest sorbets I have ever eaten. It was fresh, juicy, tangy and moreish. If I came to the restaurant and just ate this dish, I would have been more than satisfied. It was beautiful.

After taking a break to beat the bloat after two impromptu courses and one amazing starter, our mains were served. My husband went for Slow Cooked Pork Belly which consisted of Tenderloin of Pork, Homemade Black Pudding, Savoy Cabbage and Sautéed Potato and I chose the vegetarian option of Open Lasagne, a Provencal of Vegetable, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese.

My husband loved his main course, I could tell this by how quiet he went and the length of time he took consuming it. Every now and then he would let out an 'mmm'. I had never seen him as content with a meal - he can be a rather fussy eater. The pork in his words was deliciously tender and the black pudding perfectly complemented the entire meal. The presentation was top notch, exceeding all expectations when the dish arrived.

My lasagne was beautiful, but a little bit too cheesy for my liking. The vegetables were all cooked beautifully, the tomato sauce wasn't too overpowering like some tomato based dishes and I loved surprise slightly pickled spinach and red cabbage layer hiding beneath all the pasta. This would have been better with a small salad to help distract from the abundance of cheese, but other than that it was probably up there with the best lasagnes I have had.

When we were asked for a dessert menu, my husband and I had doubts whether we could fit it our already overcrowded bellies, but neither of us wanted to pass up the opportunity to see whether the final course lived up to standards of all the rest. If it did, we both knew we would be in for a delight.

I went for the Lemon Cheesecake with Lemon Tart ice-cream and my husband went for his usual choice of chocolate fudge cake. Both of which we agreed were the highlight of the entire meal. The cheesecake was light as a feather with a soft buttery biscuit base and a fine jellied layer on the top. The ice cream reminded me of lemon sorbet which fizzed subtly in my mouth and tingled my taste buds. The chocolate dessert was light and fluffy yet rich enough to leave you feeling full. It wasn't as sickly as most chocolate desserts and left my husband feeling very satisfied after such a large, but wonderful meal.

My dining experience was second to none at Ox Pasture Hall and the staff were more than accommodating and catered to our every needs. I couldn't wish for a better experience and I have been raving about the meal ever since I left. I hope that next time I visit Scarborough I can pop by again and introduce this hidden gem to my family. Ox Pasture Hall, you blew us away.

Have you been to Ox Pasture Hall Hotel?

*This meal was complimentary in exchange for an honest review

Bangkok has always been up there on my bucket list, partially thanks to the film The Hangover 2 and secondly because I've always wanted to immerse myself in Thai culture and there's no better place than starting at the capital. Thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand last month I was able to visit the first time and learn everything I needed to know about the city. Bangkok is definitely a love it or hate it place. Before I embarked on my travels I had heard mixed reviews from friends, bloggers and other tourists, but this did not deter me. The only way to truly discover Bangkok was to see it for myself.

Bangkok is a large, bustling city with vibrant street life and plenty to see and do. The city has a population of over 8 million people making it one of the most thriving cities in the world and covers an almighty 1,568.7 square kilometres of land. The Chaophraya river sprawls through the city centre connecting a network of canals and is home to many 'river families', most of whom live in houseboats and use the canal for work. Walking along the streets there are plenty of food vendors and street markets selling everything from handbags to flowers and typical Thai street food.

Getting around

Getting around Bangkok is relatively easy and rather cheap compared to Western world public transport. The taxi's my friends and I caught cost less than £5 for a 40 minute journey in rush hour traffic, whereas in England this would probably be around the £20 mark if not more. One of the most popular methods of getting around Bangkok is by Tuk Tuk, a three-wheeler mototaxi and a form of novelty transport. These Tuk Tuks are popular with tourists as you can see a lot of Bangkok on your ride and they are really affordable to use. However, if you are to use these Tuk Tuk's beware as they can go quite fast in between traffic and with open sides, they aren't the most secure vehicles in Bangkok. Tuk Tuks can be flagged down really easily from most roadsides and cost less than taxis. If you're looking for fast transport but don't like the idea of being stuck amongst the Bangkok rush hour, the Sky train is Bangkok's equivalent of the London underground - but in the sky, obviously. There are three sky trains all owned by different companies and each go in different directions. You must buy separate tickets for each train and they can only go in one direction. The sky trains are air conditioned and take around five minutes to get to your destination, it's perfect for if you are in a rush. Finally if you have a wild side and a love for motorbikes, you can always catch the Bangkok motorbike taxis. Motorbike taxis are affordable and fast, but yet again have a tendency to swerve through traffic and give you the odd mini heart attack. I have been assured by many people that they are safe to use, but something I wouldn't personally give a go.

Shopping

If you love shopping you are spoilt for choice in Bangkok. Bangkok has everything from quirky independent street markets to large shopping centres such as the Siam Centre. The Siam Centre is one of the biggest shopping centres in Bangkok and looks absolutely luxurious. The grounds have waterfalls and beautiful decor and inside the Siam centre is host to over 200 international and Thai brands. If you love grabbing yourself a genuine 'designer fake' the MBK shopping centre sells an array of fake designer handbags from Mulberry to LV and is popular with most tourists- just be careful, you're not legally allowed to take them out of the country.

Khao San Road Market

One of my favourite places to visit in Bangkok is the Khao San road street market. There's food, music and plenty of street vendors. Khao San road is popular with thrifty backpackers and is great for those looking to haggle. The street is really colourful and you are bound to grab yourself a bargain. I brought home plenty of dresses, t-shirts and souvenirs and spent less than 200baht.

A trip on the Chaophraya

If you're looking for an affordable way to travel and see the sights, it is worth getting on an express ferry on the Chaophraya. Not only will you be able to see the famous river, but it also connects to a lot of leading landmarks such as the Grand Palace. The river cruise enables you to see fantastic views of Bangkok and experience the Bangkok lifestyle from the large hotel chains and luxurious apartments to the shanty shacks along the river.

Have you been to Bangkok before?

I love chocolate and I could happily eat is all day long, the problem is my stomach seems to hate it. Being slightly dairy intolerant and having a dodgy gallbladder does not bode well with most chocolate, in fact chocolate is my stomachs worst enemy. I've been on the search for awhile now to find a chocolate that will ease my hunger pangs and also satisfy my digestive system and I've finally found the perfect match.

Rawr chocolate* is a vegan, dairy and gluten free chocolate brand, perfect for people like me who try to cut out the dairy and those who need to monitor their food intake. Rawr chocolate is made at low temperatures to preserve enzymes and uses the most natural ingredient Cacao. Cacao is the basic ingredient of all chocolate and according to Rawr 'the food has very special qualities.' Apparently named "the food of gods" over 3500 years ago, cacao was used for anything and everything from healing to rituals and general consumption. Today scientists have proved that Cacao has over 300 nutritional compounds making raw chocolate a healthy treat. Most commercial chocolate on the market is highly processed and cooked at very high temperatures. The higher the temperature that the chocolate is made at, the more nutritional value it loses. Rawr say: "they are devoted to making chocolate with the highest quality raw, organic ingredients... completely dairy-free with no added refined cane or beet sugar and nothing artificial." This is probably why my stomach allows me to eat Rawr chocolate and have no repercussions.

Rawr chocolate comes in seven different flavours from Goji berry to mint chocolate, chocolate orange to Lucuma chocolate which is a caramel like flavour. This chocolate is melt in the mouth divine and although it has no dairy, it has a creamy like flavour and texture. Most organic chocolate I have tried in the past has tasted bitter, but this chocolate feels light and fruity, like I could eat a few bars without feeling sick. My favourite of the four I tried had to be the Chocolate Orange. This chocolate is zesty and sweet, yet light on the palette. Whilst my husband loved the mint chocolate. He said that "the bar tasted fresh, but not overly minty - it was the perfect balance."

Rawr Chocolate can be bought from their online store starting at £2.45 per bar.

Have you tried Rawr Chocolate before?

When life gets too busy and stressful there's nothing better than escaping to the country for some peace and quiet and to be surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the local wildlife. My life has been incredibly stressful lately being in and out of hospital and catching up on work in between, my body was pleading with me to take it easy for a few days and have a much needed break. At just the right time, I was lucky enough to be invited to the beautiful Ox Pasture Hall Hotel in Scarborough for a weekend away. Set deep in the countryside between Scarborough and Whitby, Ox Pasture Hall is the perfect romantic getaway, a place to relax and has the most luxurious settings, perfect for a wedding.

I had seen so many photographs and reviews of Ox Pasture Hall before the visit, but these pictures did not do this place justice and my expectations were exceeded once I saw the grounds for myself. Everything from the beautiful garden ornaments to the carefully selected seating positioned with the most amazing views had me surprised and added character to this wonderful little country retreat. I was blown away from the moment I arrived in the car park and I already knew I had so much more to discover.

Check in time is around 2pm and we arrived around 5pm after spending some time in Scarborough. Due to my medication I have been unable to drive long distance and caught the train from my home town and then a taxi from Scarborough station to Ox Pasture Hall. The taxi ride was less than £10 and the ride took us through a scenic route in the countryside. We passed mini lakes, saw plenty of wildlife and drove through some picturesque small villages - all before we arrived at Ox Pasture. The check in was really easy and the staff were more than accommodating asking to help us with our luggage and giving us a guided tour of the grounds whilst leading us to our room.

We passed through several of Ox Pasture Hall's courtyards on the way to our room, all of which are perfect places to relax and have a drink or bask in the sun during a warm weekend. The grounds were incredibly clean - even when it was windy and the hotel was nice and quiet despite being one of their busiest weekends, which was perfect for a weekend of relaxation.

I was lucky enough to stay in one of Ox Pasture Hall's luxury suites. The luxury suites all have their own living area, a very spacious bathroom and a giant king size bed. Like most hotels we were provided with complimentary robes, tea and coffee and bath supplies. I was shocked by the size of the suite and really enjoyed looking out of the windows at all the different countryside views. The room had the most splendid decor - all of which had a wildlife, country-esque feel with animal ornaments, soft natural furnishings and oak furniture.

This bathroom had to be the one of the biggest bathrooms I have ever used - almost just as big as the bedroom. The bathroom had 'his' and 'hers' sinks, a gigantic bath with waterfall taps (something I have always wanted for my own house) and a spacious standing shower area yet again with waterfall taps. The bathroom was clean with no hair or anything insight, it was like we had been the first people to use it and one of the cleanest hotel bathrooms I have ever seen.

Everything in the hotel room was highly detailed from the little soaps resting near the sink to these bath lotions and potions neatly positioned in this cute ornamental bath tub.

The bedroom had wonderful views of the garden and the bed felt really comfortable. The room had a rather large television which was great to lay down and watch at the end of a busy day and the curtains blocked out all the light so you are able to get a good night sleep.

Once we had settled into our rooms, we went downstairs to explore the bar facilities. The bar had soft leather sofas, large cushions and an elegant log fire. It was like being in someone's living room and felt very homely. The drinks were reasonably priced for a hotel and my husband happily had a few pints which didn't break the bank. The bar area is a great place to relax and talk about your day with minimal interference and great surroundings.

My husband and I had the most amazing time at Ox Pasture hall and this has to be in my top three hotels that I ever stayed in. The staff are wonderful, the surroundings are beautiful and it's the perfect getaway for those looking to relax and have time to themselves or enjoy the company of a loved one. I'm definitely planning on going back next year and as the hotel is dog friendly, I may even take my furry friend for a weekend away too.

Have you been to Scarborough or Ox Pasture Hall Hotel?

Hand Cream is something that I often go through phases of using and then forget about for a few months. It's not that I don't like hand cream, it's just finding the right one can often be difficult. Some of them are too oily, some of them take forever to rub in and then there's ones that smell like something your grandmother would have used and not in a good 'vintage' style way. Until recently I had pretty much given up on hand cream and then these came along.

Patisserie de Bain are a cosmetics company housed under the Rose & Co.Apothecary* brand. Each product is lovingly handmade in the Rose & Co kitchens using cocoa, shea butter, almond oil and the finest of English fragrances. Sold in the cutest vintage style packaging, these are perfect for gifts or someone looking to add a bit of personality into their cosmetic and skincare draw. According to the website:' these adorable fancies sell by the thousand every month' and to me this comes as no surprise as this is the best hand cream I have ever used.

Recently I was sent these two Patisserie de Bain hand creams to review - one 'Sweet as Cherry Pie' and one 'Lemon Bon Bon'. Both of these have the most luxurious scents, it is like walking into a vintage sweet shop. The 'Sweet as Cherry Pie' hand cream reminds me of Cherry Bakewell tarts and 'Lemon Bon Bon' is sweet and tangy like Lemon Sherbert. Both hand creams absorb easily into the skin and the scent lingers for hours. As someone who is obsessed with the 1950s or anything in a vintage style, these are perfect for me and something that I would love to show off to my friends. What is even better is that they are really affordable at £3.99 per tube and with five different ones to collect, it wouldn't break the bank buying them all.

Have you tried any of the Patisserie de Bain range?

The one question I get asked on a regular basis is 'why are you vegetarian?' I get asked this almost every week whether it is by a work colleague, a friend, a member of my family or even someone who has read my blog. I often find this a rather annoying question - it's not like I go up to them and ask why don't you like this type of vegetable or if I see them not eating ketchup, asking them why they don't like that. As soon as someone mentions they are vegetarian, everyone seems to think they are entitled to an opinion on it. Second question that always comes after finding out that someone is vegetarian - 'do you do this for the animals? They are going to get killed anyway, it's not like you can prevent it.' Third question - 'What on earth do you eat? You can't eat anything.' Has someone written a guidebook on what to ask if you ever meet a vegetarian? I'm pretty sure every question I get asked is the same and in pretty much the same order. People are entitled to their own dietary choices, some of these are out of personal beliefs and some are due to health choices. My reason for being vegetarian is simple, I just didn't like the taste of meat.

I remember sitting on a floor at a sleepover with my friends aged 14 and talking about a band we really liked being vegetarian. We then decided it would be a 'cool' thing to make a pact and turn vegetarian. As someone that has turned their nose up at meat all the time when I was younger and always opted for vegetarian options when eating out, this decision was easy for me to make. We all went home the next day and started our lives as vegetarians and told our parents. My parents laughed when I told them. They said it was just 'a phase' and that I would grow out of it. Despite not liking meat most of my childhood, they were adamant that I would grow to like it. 10 years on and I've grown apart from those friends I made that pact with, but I've been told they now eat meat. For me, vegetarianism is still a strong part of my life, if not now more than ever before.

Being vegetarian has taught me to a better cook - I like experimenting with flavours and learning to cook vegetables in different ways to give them different textures and tastes, being vegetarian has made me love independent food brands and support upcoming companies and being vegetarian has given me a sense of pride. I'm not sure how, but I feel good about myself being vegetarian and yes although I'm not really in it for the animals, it is great to look at a little lamb in the field and know that it won't be on my plate this evening. Do I miss meat? No. Do I have much variety in my diet? I eat differently nearly every single day, now there's so many fake meat products and supplements that you can have a vegetarian equivalent of almost anything. Being vegetarian is a personal decision and something that happened to be the best decision for me. The only way to find out is to try it for yourself or do what a lot of my friends and family do, have a 'Meat Free Monday' or the equivalent. I'm not going to rant on about the health benefits of being vegetarian because I'm pretty sure you all know them already, but I would challenge you to see if you could go a week or two without meat, because it really is easier than you think.

http://www.nationalvegetarianweek.org/

Are you vegetarian or know someone who is?

Scarborough is a quintessentially British seaside resort nestled in the North Yorkshire moors. The resort became one the first popular seaside villages in the UK and now attracts a wealth of people from all over the world. If you're looking for a quirky seaside fishing village with plentiful attractions, arcades and a castle within a short distance to the Yorkshire moors, Scarborough should be on your bucket list this summer.

If you're from the North of England and haven't been to Scarborough, you're definitely in the minority. With a fifteen minute ride to Whitby and less than two hours from many big cities such as Leeds, York and an extra half an hour from Manchester, Scarborough is a convenient place to visit for a day at the beach. When I found out that my husband had never been to Scarborough despite living in the UK for more than 10 years, I knew this was something I had to change. Last weekend I packed our bags and organised a romantic weekend away to beach and set on showing him the sights that I fondly remember from being a young girl living in Yorkshire.

When we arrived the weather was overcast and blustery, but this did not deter our enjoyment. We walked along the promenade visiting the infamous 2p machines, ate chips on the seafront and called at the harbour for a 15 minute sail on a 'pirate ship'.

Scarborough is a family friendly resort and many of the attractions are catered towards children. One of the popular attractions is the pirate ship based on the Scarborough harbour offering fifteen minute trips across the bay in a replicated tall ship with skull and cross bones. This little excursion costs a mere £3 per adult and is a great way to view the bay from a distance.

After our short trip around the bay, my husband and I set off to find Scarborough castle. Like most castles, Scarborough castle is based upon a giant hill overlooking the coastline and I must advise that if you're visiting with someone who has a disability, it would be easier to catch a bus up to the castle or ring in advance for disabled parking rather than attempt to walk up the hill like my husband and I decided to do. There are smooth tracks and steps, but both are rather steep and require a tremendous effort. Once we reached the top the panoramic views of the bay was worth the effort and the tea room situated on the castle grounds provided much needed refreshment.

Scarborough castle features a Roman signal station, an Anglo-Scandinavian settlement, a chapel and a 12th-century castle. Scarborough castle was created by Henry II and King John in the 12th Century and the has survived through some of England's most prolific battles. Like most castles in the UK these days, most it now lies in ruins, but there are still the towers which you can walk up and the view from the castle grounds makes the visit even more worthwhile.

Although Scarborough remains a holiday hotspot for people in the UK, their tourism industry has declined over the years due to people now favouring to go abroad. Visiting Scarborough for the first time as an adult has reminded me that you don't always have to go further afield for a holiday, in the UK we have plenty of beautiful, hidden gems and Scarborough is just one of many. These are the places my parents, my grandparents and even great grandparents would have enjoyed before there was a chance of travelling abroad and visiting and admiring the coastline helps keep those memories alive for many families and where new memories can be made.

Have you ever been to Scarborough?

An Afternoon in Harrogate

Wat Phumin, Nan: Thailand Academy 3

House of Fraser Payday Sale Picks

Dining at Ox Pasture Hall Courtyard Restaurant

Visiting Bangkok: Thailand Academy 3

Rawr Organic Chocolate

A Visit to Ox Pasture Hall Hotel, Scarborough

Patisserie de Bain Hand Cream

National Vegetarian Week: 10 Years of being a Vegetarian

A Weekend in Scarborough