Forevermissvanity - A UK Lifestyle Blogger : June 2015

Taste Cocktails Subscription Box

When it comes to drinking I'm definitely more of a cocktail girl than any other type of alcohol. I love the refreshing combination of ingredients in cocktails and the variety of cocktails currently out there. On our wedding day a good friend of my husband and I bought us a cocktail kit as a wedding gift, but I always lacked inspiration and until recently hadn't had the chance to use it. When I discovered the Taste Cocktails Subscription Box I knew I had to try it and that this would be a perfect excuse to put my cocktail making skills to good use.

Taste* is a monthly subscription box tailored towards cocktail lovers and wannabe mixologists. Each box contains premium ingredients and recipes to make up to six cocktails with information about the source and history of the drinks. You can choose from several one-off packages or a monthly subscription that allows to you to discover new cocktails every month. The prices for this subscription package start at £25 for the ingredients or £46 if you are in need of an equipment kit to make your cocktails. The boxes can be cancelled anytime and even better, they come with free postage. These are great if you have any summer parties planned or if you are looking to spice up a night in with your partner or friends.

The box I received was the Mezcal and Chartreuse box with Del Maguey Mezcal. Del Maguey Vidal Mezcal is type of Tequila produced in the Oaxaca region of Mexico, where each bottle is produced in and named after a particular village in that area. The Vida is a fruity aromatic spirit with a hint of honey, vanilla and roast agave. Using these spirits are said to offer the drinker a ginger, cinnamon, burnt sandalwood, banana and tangerine flavour that are soft and delicate on the palette. The history of the Chartreuse is also quite fascinating. According to Taste: "Only two Chartreuse Monks know the identity of the 130 plants used in distilling this particular liqueur, how to blend them and which plants they have to macerate to produce the natural green and yellow colours." All of these spirits were alcohol that I had previously been unfamiliar with and I found the little histories really insightful. After reading the little booklet and the instructions, I couldn't wait to have a go at making the cocktails.

This particular cocktail kit came with six ingredients and recipes to make two cocktails 'All Betts Are Off' and 'The Last of the Oaxacans'. The first recipe was made by a man named Matt Lanning of The Bitter Bar in Boulder, Colorado to introduce his customers to Mezcal whilst the other is a Mexican version of a classic gin recipe called 'The Last Word' made with green chartreuse. The recipes were easy to follow and in layman's terms so that any amatuer mixologist can have a go.

Above is my attempt of the 'All Betts Are Off', a cocktail that both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed and enjoyed the most out of the two cocktail recipes mentioned. This would have looked a lot nicer in a different glass, but nevertheless it tasted great. I found this cocktail to be sweet, yet bitter and quite refreshing. Although it has a substantial amount of tequila, the grapefruit extract helps deter from the bitter sourness of tequila and for me, makes it more palatable. I really enjoyed this subscription box and will be keeping an eye on the website to see if there's anymore that I fancy trying...I'm currently eyeing up the Daiquiri box!

If you fancy having a go at making your own cocktails, why not enter my competition to win a Taste cocktail subscription box for yourself? The competition is open to anyone in the UK over the age of 18 and the winner will receive one Taste Cocktail subscription box. Please fill out all mandatory requirements to enter.

Have you tried Taste Cocktails?

Planning a holiday can be enjoyable but sometimes a little bit daunting. Firstly you have to pick where you would like to visit, then the types of activities you would like to do and that's not including choosing accommodation and arranging flights. Arranging a holiday can be stressful when stress usually is the one thing that you are trying to escape from. But fear not, thanks to Marco Polo*, your holiday planning will be stress free and exciting.

Marco Polo gift guides are a new selection of high quality, travel sized, colourful travel guides with insider tips on places all over the world. The books feature everything from where to eat, places to stay, things to visit, unusual experiences and even hidden gem recommendations from other travellers and locals. The books cost a mere £6.99 each and include a street atlas, a separate pull-out map for easy navigation and they also feature a section in the book of cultural traditions ensuring you stay out of trouble and in the know during your visit.

At the beginning of the year my husband and I made a pact to do more travelling in 2015 even if we had very little budget and had to start small. Unfortunately life got in the way over the past few months and our travelling dreams, however tiny had to be postponed. Things have now picked up and my husband and I are desperate to plan a few mini trips. To help us figure out where to go and give us a sense of direction the team over at Marco Polo sent me a few guide books. These guides have been very useful when writing our itineraries and thinking of places to visit. We have already booked a mini break in Dublin for September and will be booking a trip to Amsterdam for October and plan on potentially going to Paris in February so we will be making use of all the street maps and hints and tips when we go. I always believe in carrying around a map and guidebook because you never know when your phone battery will die and they can be so handy in an emergency. With their compact size and small price tag, these books are definitely an item that belongs in your carry on.

Do you have any holidays planned?

People often tell me that I have great skin and ask for my skin secrets. As much as I'd like to say it is inherited and I naturally look good, I think it is mainly down to my skincare regime and the amount of quality products that I use. I always use SPF, a great moisturiser and try stay out of the sun. I have a makeup free day at least once a week to allow my skin to settle and I believe in regular facials - even if they are 'Do it Yourself' at home. As we've just entered summer and everyone wants the perfect summer skin, I've decided to put together a few of my summer skincare essentials so you at home know what I use on a daily basis and the products that really help my skin.

Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream

As I suffer from dry skin, a good exfoliating cream is a must. I've always been a big fan of Clarins and find their products to be gentle and soothing on the skin. This Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream boasts dual-action microbeads with soothing Mimosa extract which helps erase flaky surface cells and tighten pores. This product leaves my skin feeling fresh and silky smooth after use.

Body Shop Body Butter Grapefruit

Body Shop butters come in so many amazing summer scents and are great for adding fragrance and moisture to the body. I picked this up from the Body Shop a few weeks ago and haven't stopped using it. The grapefruit scent is juicy and fresh and leaves my skin feeling soft.

Clarins Daily Energizer Moisturiser

If you struggle to wake up in the morning and need an energy boost, this is a product you should think about picking up. The Clarins Daily Energizer Moisturiser is a product that I religiously buy and use. The Energizer cream gives you soft, silky skin and a radiant, healthy looking complexion. When my skin looks dull and needs a healthy glow, this is my go to product.

Estee Lauder Daywear facial SPF 50

I often worry about sun damage and I'm usually the first to put on suncream when the weather gets brighter. This Estee Lauder Daywear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant and UV defense SPF 50 can be worked easily into your morning skin care regime and helps protect against sun damage and keep your skin looking younger for longer.

Soap and Glory CC Cream

I searched so long for a good CC cream that suited my skin tone and gave me the coverage I wanted without having to use a foundation and this Soap and Glory CC cream was the one that I eventually fell head over heels for. This CC cream is a multi-action tinted moisture fluid with an SPF 15 to protect your skin against sun damage,hyper bright technology to illuminate skin tone, lightscrambling superblur micromesh to blur out the appearance of lines and wrinkles and energinseng, an energising antioxidant extract. This fluid applies really easily and gives great coverage whilst also feeling moisturising on the skin. This is perfect for those looking to go on holiday and don't fancy wearing foundation on a daily basis.

Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack

Last but definitely not least is the Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack. I suffer from really bad dark circles around my eyes and I'm always on the lookout for products that help soothe my puffy eyes and reduce the dark appearance. This hydrating eye treatment is perfect for overtired and puffy eyes. The product features Botanical Peptides that are clinically proven to help reduce dark circles, an oxygen boosting Oxyginsengtm complex, moisture boosting hyper hydraters and cool cucumber to help tone, firm and condition the delicate skin surrounding the eyes. I use this product every day and have noticed that my eyes are looking less puffy and firmer.

What are your Summer Skincare Essentials?

Growing up my mum and I very rarely saw eye to eye. We used to bicker quite frequently and get under each others toes. But as I grew older and moved out of the house, my mum and I are closer than we ever have been. We talk each day on the phone for at least half an hour and she's there for me whenever I need her.They say that people argue a lot when they are so alike and that's probably why my mother and I did, we're so alike it's untrue. Littlewoods* recently approached me to write a post about why my mum knows me best as part of their #MumsKnowBest campaign and I thought this was such a lovely idea. It's not often that I get to say thank you to my mum or give her praise - I've always been more of a Daddy's girl. So this post is dedicated to my mum and all the things she does for me. Even though I don't say thank you as much as I should, I really do appreciate it.

Ringing me to check to see if I'm okay

My mum has a habit of ringing me almost everyday to just to see if I'm okay and when I'm down it is like she telepathically senses it and rings at the exact time. She may not always say the right things, but she does try and most of the time, she does a good job of cheering me up.

Buying me my favourite chocolates when I've had a bad day.

My mum knows when I'm down or i've had a really bad day that I like nothing more than sobbing into a box of Maltesers and watching my favourite TV shows to distract me. As soon as I had my operation the other day, my mum was armed and ready with a box of chocolates as soon as I came out of theatre.

Standing up for me when I decided to go vegetarian.

I turned vegetarian when I was 13 and a lot of my family told me it was a phase and something that I would grow out of. My mum always stood up for me and learnt to cook so many vegetarian meals from scratch. 11 years on and I'm still vegetarian.

Telling me that 'you can do it'.

My mum has always been the one to tell me 'you can do it' when I have been self douting. When it came to my GCSES, my college diploma and my degree I was an emotional state trying my hardest to get the best grades. My mum would just come upstairs and tell me to 'say strong' and that I could 'get through it'. She was right.

Why does your Mum know best?

When it comes to my wardrobe I'm the sort of girl that likes to have a capsule collection that will last me through every season rather than shop different trends and I like to focus my energy on different accessories that will give my clothing a new lease of life. Today I thought I'd share with you four little items that I can't get enough of this summer from glittery nail polish to these ultra fab, inexpensive sunglasses.

The first item I would like to mention are these Rose Tinted Aviator style sunglasses from George at ASDA. These sunglasses have a timeless design and the most beautiful rose gold framing which will add warmth to anyone skintone. At £3.50 these are a star buy and something you should stock up on. These fit and look better on me than some of my designer pairs.

To complement my sunglasses and continue the rose gold theme, I have been wearing my new Azendi necklace from Jewelstreet.* Jewel Street are a trendy online retailer specialising in boutique jewellery brands. They have a staggering 300 independent designers to choose from and jewellery to suit most budgets. I chose this beautiful Azendi Rose Gold Vermeil Pave Disc Pendant available from Jewelstreet at £115. The necklace is made from concentric circles of pave cubic zirconia and they are set on a sterling silver disc finished with rose gold plating. This pendant is simple yet elegant and looks great with pretty much everything.

Last but definitely not least are both these beautiful nail polishes from Avon. Avon isn't the first place I think of when it comes to buying makeup but after recently being sent a selection of makeup to review, I have been shocked by their quality. I love both these glittery nail polishes as they are easy to apply, the glitter doesn't rub off and they add sparkle to any outfit.

What are your summer favourite accessories?

Today is National Cream Tea Day, a celebration of all things quintessentially British from china tea cups to clotted cream scones. Cream teas allow us to indulge in the finer things in life and have a pleasurable moment to ourselves where sugar and sweet things are no longer off limits. Cream tea has been a British tradition for centuries and celebrated countrywide in many different forms and often a cause for debate in some counties, such as Cornwall and Devon with the row over the cream and jam and which to put on first. Despite being such a large part of British culture, the humble cream tea had been rarely celebrated. Until recently when The Cream Tea Society set up by Tiptree, the jam experts declared that 26 June would be forever known as National Cream Tea Day.

Today I am celebrating National Cream Tea Day by enjoying a cup of my favourite White Tea Strawberry by Higher Living* and a traditional clotted cream scone with strawberry jam. White Tea Strawberry combines a light and delicate white tea with real strawberry pieces and natural strawberry flavour to give a fruity, berry burst. The tea is sweet, yet not overpowering and is the perfect accompaniment to any summer afternoon tea.

If you feel guilty whilst indulging on a calorific, but yummy cream tea, the White Strawberry tea can help put your mind at rest with its plentiful health benefits. The strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and manganese which help promote healthy bone structure and the white tea is known to contain more antioxidant than a green tea as it's only made from the unopened buds and young leaves of the plant.

White tea can be drank hot or cold and if you prefer your drinks a little bit on the sweeter side, you can add honey or sweeteners, both of which really enhance the flavour of this tea. If you're having a party, you can make a jug of iced-tea simply by brewing six bags of tea and adding chilled mineral water and ice-cubes. I decided to finish my iced tea with a garnish of lime as I love strawberry and lime drinks and it is really refreshing.

How will you be celebrating National Cream Tea Day?

I love a good magazine freebie and this month it seems like all the key fashion magazines have recently upped their game. This month Glamour are giving away Modelco eye pencils, Cosmopolitan are giving away a fantastic selection of sunnies, Marie Claire have Elemis samples, Red has Ren samples and InStyle are giving away Limited Edition Nails Inc polishes inspired by the 1980s. These polishes are full sized and worth £11 each.

Nails Inc have always been one of my favourite nail polish brands and I'm always looking out for when they do magazine collaborations like this one. Just before my operation I managed to pick up this issue with the 'The Tide is High' aqua/ turquoise blue nail polish. This colour is perfect for a summer holiday or cocktails with friends. It is delicate, feminine and from what I have seen so far, applies really well. I don't often write about beauty or magazine samples, but this one was definitely worth a mention. It's a great colour for SS15 and would be a great asset to any nail polish collection.

Have you picked up any magazine freebies this month?

As I'm writing this post I'm currently sat in bed drinking a cup of tea, planning my next lot of blog posts in my head and wondering when I'll be able to get back on track with my life. I'm a useless patient, always wanting to recovery quicker than I should and I can get irritated by being housebound more than several hours. Even on a weekend I have to leave the house to do some shopping or go for a walk long, I hate the feeling of missing out and being unproductive.

For those who haven't been following my Twitter or Instagram feeds, I finally had my gallbladder removed on Thursday after months of agonising pain. The operation was fairly quick and done via keyhole surgery and I seem to making a good recovery so far. Due to my long work commute and a few previous stomach issues the doctors have advised that I have two weeks recovery. Two weeks seems like forever when I'm used to being such a busy, hands on person, but I know in the long run it will all be worth it. Last time I had an operation and went back to work too soon, I ended up back in hospital with a serious infection - I think I have learnt my lesson. For now I'm going to enjoy my rest period and to put it to good use planning out blog posts, getting into some new TV Shows on Netflix and making a start on the new Grey book, wish me luck.

What have you been up to lately?

If you follow my Instagram page you will have seen that I recently bought an Olivia Burton watch. I have wanted an Olivia Burton watch for the last year or so after seeing so many fashion bloggers wearing and writing about them. I love the traditional style watch and how effortlessly glamorous they are. I usually wear my Michael Kors watch wherever I go, but these days I'm finding it a little bit too bulky and I wanted something that looked casual but also really pretty. Two weeks ago I finally took the plunge and purchased this Olivia Burton Timeless Camel and Gold watch from Selfridges and from the moment it arrived, I haven't stopped wearing it.

This watch comes in the most beautiful Olivia Burton packaging and feels really lightweight to hold, but you can tell it is well made. The strap fits perfectly without any need for adjustment and the clock face is the perfect size for everyday wear. I really like the simplistic yet elegant design of this watch and the colour and style is versatile, fitting perfectly with almost any outfit in my wardrobe. This Olivia Burton watch was a steal at £80 and I really think that these watches are worth the money, if not worth a lot more than they sell for. I can myself wearing this watch for years to come and I've already had so many compliments that it inspired me to share these pictures with you.

Do you own an Olivia Burton watch?

When I tell people that I went to Ibiza for my honeymoon people are often amazed. For the last few decades the Balearic islands have had somewhat of a bad reputation for being associated with wreckless party goers, loud music and shameless behaviour, but these islands have been the foundations of some of my favourite holidays as a child. I first went to Ibiza at 8 years old and regularly visit as an adult and I first went to Majorca at the age of 12 and I have no hesitation about going back. These islands do have their party areas, but there's also so much more to enjoy and even in the party areas of these islands, there are many hidden gems.

I was challenged by Holiday Gems to write an alternative guide to an 18-30s holiday in Magaluf and when asked I leaped at the challenge. Firstly, as previously mentioned I really want to erase the stigma of these party islands and highlight the beauty that resides in Majorca and secondly, I haven't been to Majorca in years but I do intend on going back there and this was the perfect excuse to do some research. Although Magaluf is one of perfect places for a alcohol binging holiday, there are plenty of other amazing things you can do without getting drunk. Here's a few of my recommendations:

Image source: here

Island Tour: Soller and La Calobra

Immerse yourself in culture and see the entire island via wooden train and boat. According to the day excursion website 'you are able to take a trip on the wooden train built in 1912, see the most spectacular road in Mallorca and see the amazing views at La Calobra'. This trip is considered to be one of the best trips in Mallorca.

Website: http://bit.ly/1J4jmgf

Image source: Here

Visit the Caves of Drach

One of my favourite memories I have of a family holiday is visiting the Caves of Drach in Mallorca. These caves are spectacular and look like something from a movie. You are given a tour of cave via a short boat trip and at the end you are able to watch a classical music concert in Lake Martel with a lighting show enabling you to see the true beauty of the cave.

Website: http://www.cuevasdeldrach.com/

Image source: here

Son Amar Cabaret Show

Finally if you still want to drink and be merry, but in a more sophisticated manner why not visit the world renowned Son Amar cabaret show, which is a few miles away in Majorca. The show features visual comedy, breathtaking acrobatics, Spanish Flamenco dancing, cabaret performances and even dancing horses. The tickets come with a three course traditional Mediterranean meal and wine.

Website: https://www.sonamar.com/

Have you been to Majorca before?

Jo Malone are a brand that I had heard so much of in the past but never really had the chance to explore. My nearest Jo Malone store is quite far away from me and I'm not a big fan of online shopping. It was a few months ago in Bangkok Airport Duty Free that I really fell in love with Jo Malone. My friend and I were trying to pass time before our flight and spent a lot of time sampling the perfumes as most women do. It was the first time that I had really sniffed a Jo Malone perfume and instantly I fell in love with this Blackberry and Bay Cologne.

Jo malone are a quintessentially British brand putting their customers at the heart of their business. They specialise in bespoke fragrances in the form of candles, colognes and perfumes each luxuriously presented in one of their immaculate signature boxes. This Blackberry and Bay cologne has notes of blackberry juice, bay and brambly woods. The website description says that it should 'evoke childhood memories of blackberry picking'. Maybe that is why I love it so much. I regularly picked blackberries with my mother and loved eating her homemade blackberry pies. Despite some of its childhood attributes, this cologne screams sophistication and has a very light musky scent to counteract the sweetness of the fruit. It is a playful yet vibrant fragrance and is probably one of the fragrances that suits me the most.

What is your favourite Jo Malone cologne?

Khum Muang Min Boutique Hotel is a budget hotel in the heart of Nan Province, Thailand. The hotel is family run bed and breakfast with excellent hospitality and in close proximity to all the Nan attractions.I recently stayed here on my trip to Thailand with the Thailand Tourism Authority earlier this year. I admit I can be a little bit of a hotel snob and worried a lot about what my hotel would look like, but when I arrived my concerns quickly faded away.

The Khum Muang Min Boutique Hotel is a converted traditional Thai house which is turquoise in colour and has large opening windows, a picturesque garden and beautiful wooden floors. The hotel has fantastic WIFI and is perfect for those travelling on a budget and looking for somewhere with a 'homely' feel.

Khum Muang Min has two floors with the reception, breakfast area and rooms on the ground floor and additional bedrooms on the first floor. Each floor is decorated in traditional Thai style - lots of teak furnishings, draping white curtains and green plants.

The hotel room was a lot better than I expected. The decor seems a little bit stuck in the 1970s but offers a comfortable place to say with a firm but huggable mattress, a large television and home comforts such as a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. Before visiting the Khum Muang Min Boutique hotel I heard a few bad reviews regarding the hotel being next door to a prison. I can confirm that the hotel is within close proximity to the prison, but I felt safer in this hotel than I have done in many others in the UK. The locals, the staff and even the visitors are all very friendly and the two nights that I stayed were pleasant, comfortable and enjoyable.

Earlier today I was scrolling through some photographs on my Macbook and came across these from my recent trip to Scarborough and Scarborough Sea Life Centre. As it is Friday and everyone loves looking at cute animals on the weekend, I thought I'd share a few of these photographs with you.

Scarborough Sea Life centre resides in the North bay area of Scarborough and is made of three triangular buildings containing over 50 displays of marine life including an outdoor area with seals, otters and penguins. The sea life centre is rather easy to get to by walking along the seafront promenade or a quick five minute drive from the town centre. Alternatively you can hop on the fairly priced Scarborough sightseeing bus which calls at all the main Scarborough attractions.

This sea life centre is rather small compared to the ones I have visited in London and around the UK, but there is still plenty to see and hosts a fantastic variety of marine life. Whether you're looking to 'find Nemo' or fancy exploring rock pools, there's something for the whole family and it's a great day out whatever your age.

One of the creatives that grabbed my attention at the Sea Life centre is Antiopi, the Loggerhead Turtles. I love Turtles and I'm always fascinated when I see them. Antiopi is between 50 and 60 years old and had been rescued from a Greek Island before finding her forever home in Scarborough. Antiopi unfortunately suffered head injuries from a boat propeller and cannot be returned to the wild due to the damage to her brain, but she seems happy enough to nestled between the rocks and enjoy the quieter life at the Sea Life centre.

Another highlight of Scarborough Sea Life centre was seeing the penguins at Penguin Island. Scarborough Sea Life centre is the only Sea Life centre in Europe to have a penguin walkthrough feature. I love how the penguins are all lined up for this photograph.

After a brief encounter with a few penguins, we made our way to the Otter sanctuary. Scarborough Sea Life centre is home to two Asian Short Clawed Otters named Eric and Pumpkin. The otters seemed rather shy on our visit and spent a lot of time hidden inside this log, but I did manage to capture this fun photograph when he eventually came out of hiding.

Last but definitely not least was the Seal Sanctuary. Scarborough Sea Life centre not only showcases a variety of beautiful seals, but it also have one of Britain's only seal rescue and rehabilitation programmes. The programme helps injured, distressed and abandoned seal pups on the East Coast of Britain. Many of the UK's Seals live under fear of getting caught in fishing nets, hit by boats and most commonly entanglement in marine litter. Scarborough Sea Life centre has a Seal hospital where you can see the amazing work they do and the Seals being treated as well as seeing those that are rescued happily having a dip in their large outdoor living area like this one above. The sea life centre also regularly hold beach cleanup sessions to prevent Seals getting into danger on the East Coast.

Over all I thoroughly enjoyed my little visit to Scarborough Sea Life and would definitely call back again. It was only a short tour and took my husband and I just 45 minutes to get round, but where there are cute animals and pretty coloured marine life, I'm there.

Have you been to Scarborough Sea Life Centre?

The British weather can be highly unpredictable and the summer season is full of different occasions where you need a variety of shoes, but don't worry Jones Bootmakers has it covered. Jones Bootmakers has always been a store that I have walked past but never really had the chance to go in. I assumed by the title that there were more of a boot supplier than anything else but I have recently been proved wrong. I was approached by Jones Bootmakers asking if I would like to review a pair of their shoes and after spending only five minutes on site I had already fallen in love with the black pair of sandals above and a few others. After assuming that Jones Bootmakers only sold boots for the last few years, I was shocked to see that they are such a versatile brand with shoes to suit everything from weddings to festivals this summer.

Festival Style - Joules Wellies

If you're planning on visiting a muddy festival or even going camping Jones stock a large selection of wellington's like the Joules ones in the image above. These navy printed wellies with country heritage hounds are great for the outdoors and add a splash of style to any outfit.

Holiday Style - Ice Heeled Sandals

When going on holiday, a good pair of sandals is a must. I love sandals with a little bit of a wedge so that I appear taller but I also like them to be very comfy as tend to do a lot of walking. These Jones Bootmaker Ice Heeled sandals are the perfect height and have a lot of support around the ankle and foot. I love the colour, the simplistic design and the fact that these would go with almost any outfit.

Wedding Guest Style - Cilla Court Shoes

I have a thing for dainty red court shoes and these pillar box red patent leather shoes are perfect for adding a pop of colour to any outfit. These would be great for any occasion from weddings to a casual lunch date with friends.

Everyday shoes - Ivy Heeled Sandals

Last but definitely not least are these Ivy Heeled sandals. Great dressed up or down, they would be a great asset to any wardrobe. These shoes have to be on the comfiest and stylish pairs of sandals I own and since receiving them, I haven't stopped wearing them. Everything from the perfect height of the heel to the soft black suede makes me happy. These shoes ooze sophistication and are fabulous for wearing in the office and for after work drinks with colleagues.

Have you shopped at Jones Bootmakers before?

Gordon Castle Candle * Mindfulness Book

Having time to ourselves is something that is often hard to come by when you lead such a busy life. Everything can get in the way from work to being invited out last minute with friends and it often puts a strain on our bodies and make us highly stressed. Stress is something that most adults encounter at some point in their lives and for some people, it can drive them to despair. Some people don't like talking about their stress levels and others are open, but leaving stress undealt with can be a major problem. Most of us will have had a moment in our lives where we have reached boiling point and combust in the most awkward of places. I know I have. From crying in the middle of the streets to suddenly screaming for no apparent reason. All of which happened because I allowed myself to get overly stressed and didn't give myself time to relax. Giving yourself 10 minutes a day to detox the mind and forget about your troubles is all that is sometimes needed to make you feel like a new person and having some alone time is a great way to plan out your next steps and have a clear mind on the situation.

When I read about the new craze of adult colouring books I was glad to feel I was not alone in wanting a colouring book at the age of 24. I remember colouring all the time as a child and being rather content. Whenever I was being naughty or throwing a little hissy fit, my parents would sit me down in the corner of the room and make me colour. Even at a young age colouring felt therapeutic to me and instantly gave me the relaxation I needed.

The Mindfulness Colouring Book by Emma Farrarons is described as 'anti-stress art therapy for busy people'. People who purchase this book are asked to dedicate a few minutes of their day to colouring in this book to see if it makes a difference. I bought this from Waterstones a few weeks ago as I thought this would be the perfect way to de-stress after a long day at work and so far I've been feeling like a child again, happy filling in all the bank pages with an abundance of colour. I love the feeling of being creative and free to unleash my colourful thoughts on the page and with my favourite new candle the relaxing scent of my Scottish Gordon's Castle Rosemary and Thyme I have been able to soothe my mind and find some inner peace - for at least 10 minutes a day. I've never been artistic and apart from my writing and I'm not really that creative, but I find Emma's book a delight to use and somewhat inspiring. With the candle lit next to the fireplace and some peaceful music in the background, I've able to colour my stress away. Buying a colouring book when you're getting older might feel like a strange thing to do, but I would definitely recommend trying it.

Have you been tempted to buy an adult colouring book?

Everywhere you look on social media, people are talking about subscription boxes and the products that they receive on a monthly basis. These boxes vary from fashion to food, beauty products to toiletries and wherever there's a demand, there's a subscription box. Foodie subscription boxes are the latest trend on the market, coining in on those with specialist diets or foodies looking to discover new brands that are often difficult to acquire. Graze and Degustabox were the first major players in the foodie subscription market in the UK but as their popularity exceeded, more companies were eager to join the bandwagon. The latest foodie subscription box on the scene is Snackly, a subscription box dedicated to those following a gluten free diet. This box costs only £7.95 per month and promises a selection of goodies that are gluten free and made in the UK.

This months box was an absolute treat with Anglesey Sea Salted Chocolate, a Salted Caramel Brownie, a Nothing But Apple and Fig snack, Lemon butter Shortbread, Easy Bean Chickpea Crispbread and two large pieces of Peace of Cake Biscotti. I'm not a coeliac and I don't have to lead a gluten free diet, but I do like to experiment with my food and have been told that a gluten free diet could help me with a few of my health problems. I have always thought that gluten free bread, biscuits and dough tasted rather bland but these Snackly* boxes are anything but bland.Full of flavour, naughty but nice, these Snackly boxes have everything you want for a little monthly subscription box and they are far from the word boring, something that gluten free food is often associated with.

My favourite snacks this month had to be the Lemon Butter Shortbread that were melt in the mouth yummy, with just the right amount of lemon and the chickpea crisp breads that were light but with such intense flavour, they left me wanting more. I didn't really like the Nothing But apple snack as it tasted far too sweet for my liking, but the oozey, gooey, scrumptious brownie in the box was definitely my cup of tea. This box had five items and out of these I only disliked one. Would I buy again? Definitely. This box is perfect for those looking for different gluten free items to try and for foodies with a sense of culinary adventure. Unlike a lot of foodie subscription boxes that are starting to get boring, this one just seems to be getting better each time.

Have you tried a Snackly box yet?

Image source: Pixabay

Booking a holiday can be an expensive affair and by the time you have sorted accommodation, transport and meals you can sometimes be left with very little money to spend enjoying your time away. If you're looking for luxury but you're on a budget, look no further than RoomAuction.com. With over 55,000 hotels in the UK and Worldwide and an easy to use site, there's no reason to be missing out on a holiday this summer.

For further information and to see my entry to become one of RoomAuction's travel ambassador, check out my review here.

Have you ever used RoomAuction before?

Almost two months ago I was invited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to spend a week in the country learning about Thai culture, the Thai fashion industry and visiting some of the remote areas in Thailand which are desperately looking to increase their tourism. After spending a night in Bangkok I was flown to the Nan Province in the North of Thailand to spend time with the locals and discover first hand the importance of the Thai textile industry. We flew to Nan from Bangkok via Nok Air, a budget airline equivalent to the UK's Easyjet and Ryanair. Nok Air has to be one of the friendliest airlines I have ever flown with and the staff looked immaculate in their beautiful yellow outfits.

Nan is a small city bordering Laos and is almost 700km north of Bangkok. The town is spread along the Nan river bank, one of the four rivers which eventually joins the Chaopraya in central Bangkok. Much of Nan is devoted to the agricultural trades such as rice farming and fruit cultivation. Nan has a wealth of history dating back over 700 years ago and has six national parks, one of which is Doi Phukha with mountains nearly 2,000m high. Nan is a beautiful and relaxing place to visit with the warmest of welcomes given by the locals. With plenty of tourist attractions, top restaurants and a friendly atmosphere, it is perfect for those looking to go off the beaten in track in Thailand and really immerse themselves in Thai tradition and culture.

One of the best ways to learn about Nan is to hop on the Nan City Bus tour. The bus takes you on a small ride, stopping off at the main tourist attractions for 10 minutes at a time. Although Nan is relatively small and walking around is just as easy, the city bus enables you to sit back and enjoy the views, as well as learn more about Nan thanks to the experienced tour guide on board.The Nan city bus tour is a perfect way to discover all the wonderful temples Nan has to offer such as Wat Ming Muang and Wat Phra Kerd.

One of the most popular sports in Nan is longboat racing and each year they have the annual longboat race between the months of September and October. Longboat racing is considered a national sport in this area and the history of longboat racing in Nan can be dated back to the Ayutthaya period over 600 years ago, when longboat racing was seen as a form of military defense. These long, narrow boats are made from dugout tree trunks and can hold up to 60 oarsmen at a time. The annual longboat festival is popular with tourists and locals alike and is a joyful occasion where everyone can celebrate Thailands long boating tradition.

If you plan on staying overnight in Nan, make sure you check out the Nan evening market. The evening market is where the community often gets together to eat, drink and watch traditional Thai dancing under the evening sunset. The night market is a great place to purchase everything from traditional clothing to modern trinkets and charms as well as experience the national delicacies.

When living a busy life it is so easy to take people and the things they do for granted. We're always thinking about what to do next rather than sitting down and reflecting on what has just happened. Sometimes people can do the smallest of things but they make such a big difference and when they do this regularly, it is easy to forget and become accustomed to it. In my marriage, work, social life and my blog there are many things that I often take for granted and never say thank you for. For example when my husband takes care of me when I'm poorly or when my friends do something to make me smile. Even in the blogging industry, it is easy to take the things you get sent for granted or the time people put into helping you with your blog.There are so many people that go above and beyond every day to make our lives that little bit easier and happier and even though they would say it doesn't matter and that you're welcome, sometimes just saying thank you can really make their day. This post was inspired by my work colleague who bought me a beautiful set of flowers the other day to say thank you for helping her with a client. It gave me a fussy feeling that I hadn't got in a long time and I felt so appreciated. In my opinion I was just doing my job and would do it again in a heartbeat, but this random act of kindness really made my day. It made me think that if everyone took a few minutes out of their day to thank the people that have helped them, the world would be a slightly happier place.

So from today my vow is to say thank you more and give back to the people that have really helped me. From my blog to my work and even to my poor husband who does so much for me and sometimes gets very little in return, I want to give the people the fussy feeling that I felt a few days ago and build stronger relationship with the people I know. I was always told to write thank you cards when I was little but used to make excuses not to do it. It's only now that I realise the difference saying thank you can make.

What have you been taking for granted lately?

Taste Cocktails Subscription Box

Holiday Planning with Marco Polo Guidebooks

Summer Skincare Essentials

#MumsKnowBest

Summer Favourites: Rose Gold and Glitter

National Cream Tea Day

Nails Inc for Instyle Magazine

A Little Life Update: Surgery, Blogging and Life

Olivia Burton Timeless Watches

Magaluf for Non-Clubbers

Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay Cologne

Khum Muang Min Boutique Hotel: Nan, Thailand

Scarborough Sea Life Centre

Shoes for Every Ocassion

The Importance of 'Me Time'

Snackly Gluten Free Subscription Box

Bid your Way to Luxury with RoomAuction.com

Welcome to Nan: Thailand Academy 3

Remembering to Say Thank You!