Joe Browns Spring/Summer Collection


As a blogger sometimes you are asked to do some pretty fun things that you would have never seen yourself doing prior to unleashing your thoughts on the world wide web and one of those things for me was modelling. As someone who is a curvy 5ft 2 shy twenty-something year old, I'm not the sort of person who automatically screams model, but I'm all for trying new things and last week I was invited by the clothing company Joe Browns to have some shots taken in their new spring/summer collection.

Joe Brown's is an online clothing company that specialises in quality unique clothing different to the high street and their influences are taken from all over the world. Their clothing is bright, bold and colourful and in some cases, a little bit retro-inspired - all things I personally love. Their S/S16 ladies collection is very bright and floral and there's so much to choose from meaning that everyone of different shape, size and age is well catered for, including little miss 5ft2, big hips over here.

Joe Brown's Spring/Summer

For our little blogger photoshoot, the lovely Kellie (Big Fashionista) and I were taken to Tropical World, Leeds and both of us had a few photographs taken against the beautiful tropical plants and wildlife. As you can tell in the image above, both of us had such a fun time and the dresses we choose to model were so comfortable that we could just be ourselves and have a laugh.

My favourite dress of the day was the Summer Day Dress seen in the photo above. It is a lightweight printed dress with a petticoat lining and features an elasticated waistline. This dress is just the perfect length for my height and really flatters my curves. The floral design draws attention away the bits that make me feel self conscious and the elasticated waistline helped demonstrate my smaller waist. At £24.95 it's really affordable and the dress itself has a very versatile design with florals being in style most months. The light pink and baby blue hues are perfect for the spring and summer months, while the dark navy base colour helps tone down the dress for autumn and winter. 

As someone who had never previously heard of Joe Brown's before this shoot, I have to say that they have really impressed me with the quality and I'm now a Joe Brown's convert. My only discrepancy would be that sizes can vary so you need to watch out when ordering online, but that is the same for many high street stores - after all, we're not all the same shape and size and to be honest, it would be boring if we were.

Thank you Joe Brown's for such a fun day, I know where I'm getting my holiday wardrobe.

Have you shopped at Joe Brown's before?




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Wolf Street Food Leeds


Discovering new places to eat is one of my favourite pastimes and in Leeds, there's an abundance of new and exciting eateries opening up almost every month. As a vegetarian, I'm always on the search for restaurants and cafes that go above and beyond to cater for special dietary requirements and try to stray away from safe options. I love fresh wholesome food with plenty of flavour and surprisingly, that can sometimes be hard to come by.

Wolf Street is a recently opened deli on St Paul's street Leeds, in the heart financial district of the city and last week, I was kindly invited to check it out. Wolf Street has been open approximately six months and caters mainly for busy city office workers on their lunchtime rush due to it's location, but if you're in that side of the city, it is definitely worth paying a visit.


According to their website: "Wolf was born from a ferocious passion for all things Italian" and having visited the deli, I can definitely tell you that the staff are very passionate about their trade. Their prepping areas are immaculately clean, their ingredients look so fresh it makes your mouth water and every team member speaks about the Wolf Street products with high enthusiasm. 


The Wolf Street menu caters for every lunchtime Italian craving from pasta dishes to pizza, crusty Italian focaccia to hearty, yet healthy salad bowls. There's also my personal favourite, the Piada which is a thin crust Italian wrap available in sizes small or large. Having never previously had a Piada, it was the one thing that really stuck out on the menu to me and I was really intrigued by the sound of it. The Piada is an Italian wrap that is gently heated up and covered in a garlic salt, it's then up to you to choose your filling.


There are plenty of fillings and toppings available for all the items at Wolf Street and lots of choices for both vegetarians and carnivores.  The first step is to choose your base ingredient - as a vegetarian I opted for the fresh seasonal vegetables, but there's a variety of chicken, steak and even Italian sausage for those looking for something a bit meatier. The next step is to choose your sauce. There's both hot and cold sauces from pesto to pomodoro. I choose the pomodoro which is a mild tomato sauce and then I finished my wrap with three items from the salad bar. I went for avocado, sun dried tomatoes and rocket.


The end result was delicious and probably the best tasting wrap I've had in a long time. Everything tasted really fresh, the vegetables had lots of flavour and it was really filling - something which a lot vegetarian dishes struggle with. This wrap was £4.45 and although I've read a few reviews that say Wolf Street is a little bit overpriced, I would say that price is definitely fair. You can tell the food has been made with love, it's a substantial lunch and it tastes healthy. If I worked closer to Wolf Street, I would be there everyday and to those who are passing by, I'd definitely say pop in, it's worth it.


Have you been to Wolf Street before?


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A Day Out at Tropical World


Tropical World is a place that I've always wanted to visit, but when looking for days out on a weekend, it's somewhere that I would often forget even though it's only a stone throw away from my town. Last Thursday, I finally got the chance to visit thanks to the guys over at Joe Browns, who invited to on a tropical themed blogger photoshoot. It was a really fun day frolicking amongst the butterflies and making fish faces at the Piranhas.


For those who haven't been before, Tropical World is one of the UK's most popular garden attractions and is home to the largest collection of tropical plants outside London's Kew Gardens. The attraction is situated next to the luscious greenery of RoundHay Park and it only a 10 minute ride out of Leeds by car or a 20 minute bus journey on the number 12 or 2 bus route.


Tropical World features a large variety of wildlife from their renowned butterfly gardens to their newly introduced Meerkat exhibit. It's like walking through a tropical island and is fun for all the family. The attraction is only small and doesn't take that long to walk through, but there's something for all to enjoy, whatever critters or animals you love. It was also great to see that many of the animals had plenty of space, albeit the poor monkeys - I do think they need a bigger home and it was nice to see the birds and butterflies being able to fly freely in their open space. 


Admission to Tropical World is £5 for adults, which is really affordable and fairly priced for this particular attraction. I really had fun and would not hesitate to go back there. The surrounding area is also wonderful to look at and if you're thirsty or a bit peckish there's a cute cafe or a pub across the road, what's not to love.

Have you been to Tropical World before?

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Love your Bones, Be Strong


Good health is something we often take for granted, especially when we're young. Some of us can be quite naive about our health, thinking that certain health issues can only affect other people and many of us  live with a YOLO  (you only live once) attitude because we often associate health issues with people much older than ourselves. The reality is that anyone can fall ill at anytime, we're not all as invincible as we would like to be, therefore looking after ourselves while we are fit and young should be a priority.

Hellenia, the health supplement company is currently running a campaign called 'Love your Bones, Be Strong' to highlight the importance of strong bones among females. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and is the structural building block present in muscles, bones, skin and cartilage, therefore Hellenia have created a Pro - Active collagen  that can be added to juice or water to help maintain the musculoskeletal system and provide essential amino acids for joint protection which helps rebuild tissues and build strength and muscle mass.

Bone and joint issues in young women is quite common due to hormonal imbalances, especially in fertile young women. According to an article on Everyday Health 'many women notice an increase in joint pain just before or during their period and this is likely because estrogen levels plummet right before menstruation and rise again after a woman's period is over'. I have suffered from joint pain from a very young age and a few years ago I had an operation on my knee and the doctor discovered I had a chrondomalcia patella, which is thinning of the cartilage in the knee. He explained to me that it is common in young women due to hormones and would probably settle down once I have reached the menopause.

Another common bone and joint disorder rising in young women is autoimmune arthritis.  You normally wouldn't associate arthritis with a young woman in her twenties, but two years after enduring months of pain in my wrists, feet and knees, I finally went to the doctors and after a series of tests I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It came as such shock knowing that I wasn't even a quarter of the way through my life and my joints had started slowly degenerating. There was days I was in so much pain I could barely get out of bed and at the time, I was in my final year of university trying to write my dissertation. The first year or two living with my condition was the hardest, but now I'm doing really well because I've started looking after my joints as much as I can.

Eating healthy and taking supplements is just two of the many ways to look after your joints, as well as regular exercise. I have been told by my rheumatologist to take regular Vitamin D medication alongside my arthritis medication and eat plenty of calcium rich products. Exercise is also really important because it keeps your joints active and prevents stiffness. Swimming is one of the best exercises you can do if you have joint problems because it works every part of body without putting too much strain on your joints. 

It's important to look after your bones and joints while you are fit and young to prevent deterioration when you are older, after all prevention is usually better than the cure. We don't often realise how important our joints and bones actually are - we walk with them, carry things with them and do many of the things we love with them, therefore it's important to try keep them in the best shape. Love your Bones, Be Strong and conquer the world.

Do you do anything to look after your joints and bones?
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5 Reasons to Visit Yorkshire


Sometimes we can take for granted what is right in front us, whether it's material things or our families and friends and being in the same place, using something or seeing someone every day can make us lose perspective. Mid last year, I had a bit of an epiphany moment while on a weekend break with my husband in Hemsley, North Yorkshire. I had just bought my first car, a little Fiat 500 and wanted to go on a mini road trip and coincidentally, a hotel in Helmsley had just asked me if I wanted to pop by to do a review. So a few weeks later, my husband and I paid the hotel a visit. We both had an exceptional weekend walking in the countryside, eating great British food and visiting the nearby historical places. We laughed so much when we got lost in the countryside after accidentally veering off track and by the end of the weekend I didn't care I had barely any signal. That trip made me realise that fun can be had staycationing in Yorkshire and as someone who is Yorkshire 'born & breed' I was quite disappointed with myself having not made the effort to get to know my own county more in the past.

My plan this year is to take as many trips out in my car as I can and get to know the hidden gems of Yorkshire from Castles to Canals, the seaside to the off beat country tracks, I want to see the best of what Yorkshire can offer. 

Here's my top five reasons why I think you should come join me.


Pretty villages
Yorkshire has so many pretty villages from Harrogate in North Yorkshire popular for it's Betty's Afternoon Tea to Holmfirth in West Yorkshire where the popular TV series 'Last of Summer of Wine' was filmed. There are so many little places to explore and many countryside pubs and bars to work your way through.


Beautiful Seaside Villages
Yorkshire has one of the most stunning and historic coastlines in the UK and there are plenty of places to see and visit. Whether you're looking for something a little more secluded like Robin Hood's Bay, wanting to visit historical abbeys in Whitby or wanting some old school coin machine fun in Scarborough, there's a beach for everyone on the Yorkshire coast.


Lots of history
I love history and luckily for me, Yorkshire has no shortage of history. Yorkshire has everything from Norman castles to medieval abbeys, Tudor houses to a 13th century Gothic minster. If you like Vikings, York is home to the Jorvik Viking Centre complete with a virtual tour of what it would be like living in York in the Viking era.


Scenic Walks
If you prefer life in the slow lane and your ideal day is going on a long scenic walk with your pet pooch, the Yorkshire Dales is the place to visit. The Yorkshire Dales spans over 1,769km squared consisting of hills and picturesque river valleys.


Charming Canals
If you prefer to take a stroll along the canal on a summery Sunday afternoon, Yorkshire has plenty of charming canals for you to visit. A few of my favourites are Skipton canal, a canal cruise on the River Ouse York and Marsden canal, West Yorkshire where you can take a trip underneath the Standedge Tunnel.


To help you on your next adventure, whether it's discovering somewhere close to home or further afield, I have teamed up with Inntravel, a travel company specialising in holidays abroad and in the UK and Bradt guidebooks to give you the chance of winning a guide book of your choice.

You must be 18 and over and live in the UK to enter and all you need to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.


Where is your favourite place in Yorkshire?
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Happy Valentine's Day - Cleo by Panache Review


Today I thought I would heat things up by writing a post about my new Cleo by Panache underwear. I don't really blog much about fashion these days and very rarely do lingerie posts, but Panache have been a brand that I have wanted to try for awhile now and since it's Valentine's Day and everyone's in the mood for love and seduction, I thought this would be a great fit.

Panache are a popular underwear brand that specialises in D to K cup lingerie, with smaller cup sizes arriving this spring. Their collections are really trendy as the brand names suggests and they come in a variety of colours, styles and patterns. It always shocks people when I tell them that I was once an F cup. It was when I was much larger and carried a lot more weight and since shedding the pounds my bra size has dropped to an ample C cup. When I had a much larger bra size, I always struggled to find bras that looked good for my age. I was only 17 at the time and the majority of bras that I stumbled across looked highly unflattering and finding something youthful was next to impossible. These days having a larger breast size is much more common and there are now a lot more retailers catering for a wider selection of 'bussoms'.


Panache recently sent me their Cleo by Panache Kali baby doll set to review ahead of Valentine's Day and try for size. I explained to them that I'm a C cup, but they said that some of their sizes can vary just like many other high street bra shops and that this particular baby doll in a D cup would probably fit just nicely. When the set arrived I fell in love in the bright red colour and you could tell the lingerie was of a good quality by the feel of the fabric. I really like the little lace heart detailing that helps this particular baby doll stand out from the crowd and the lace knickers that came with it are a flattering cut - they sit perfectly on my hips and help enhance my curves. This set is a real confidence booster.

Overall I'm really happy with the Panache babydoll set I was sent to check out and they have lived up and exceeded my expectations. I had heard so many positive things about the brand from press, bloggers and my friends and I'm incredibly happy that they are bringing out a few smaller sizes so that I can shop there more in the future.

Have you bought any Panache underwear before?
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#SummerLove Formentera


If you could turn back the clock and spend the day re-living one holiday memory, what would it be? For me, it's quite a difficult decision. I've been on a few spectacular holidays as of late and I have made so many wonderful memories, but one of my favourite holiday memories has to be visiting the island of Formentera on my honeymoon.

Formentera is the smallest Balearic island in the Medditerean sea, spanning only 83km and is known for it's crystal clear waters, picturesque harbours and past times such as snorkelling and sailing - both of which I thoroughly enjoy. The island is only a short ferry ride away from it's bigger more popular sister island, Ibiza and regularly attracts plenty of party-goers who are looking to chill out and get away from everything for the day. The island looks like paradise and from the pictures it is easy to mistake it for a Caribbean island. The sands are white, the water is tropical green and there's plenty of sea and wild life around the island.

My husband and I decided to take a boat ride from San Antonio to the island of Formentera while on honeymoon. The boat ride cost us approximately €35 each and then when we got to the island we hopped on a coach that took us to the Playa de Ses Illetes, the most popular beach.


It was incredibly hot that day and I burnt within seconds as I stupidly left my sun tan cream back at the hotel, but nevertheless it was a great day. I thoroughly enjoyed my swim and it was great to spend some romantic time with my husband admiring the picturesque views. There were people swimming out to the giant rock formations to take photographs, children swimming gleefully along the shoreline, magnificent yachts sailing in the distance, all soaking up the spectacular weather. I've been to Ibiza many times, but this day in particular was the hottest it has been while I've been there.


Once we finished our swim, my husband and I went to explore the beach and found a series of really cute cafes for lunch. We noticed the language barrier was a little bit harder here than mainland Spain or Ibiza because most of the people live on this very small island, but the nevertheless, it was easy enough to order a few sandwiches, which we ate on the rocks admiring the view of Ibiza in the distance.


As the day progressed, we jumped back on the coach with our return ticket and went back to the port. Formentera has such a lovely port town. You can tell the island attracts the wealthy as many of the yachts were less than 40ft in the marina. We saw yachts with flags from all over the Meditterean, showing us just how popular this small island is to visit. The harbour village had quite a lovely cafes and restaurants as well as a small sports bar similar to what you would see on the strip of San Antonio but of course, a little bit more refined. We also came across a few stalls on the harbour side selling lots of local produce to the strolling tourists.

We only spent a few hours here, but when I think of 'summer love' and holiday memories, it's one of the first places that springs to mind. Formentera really captured my heart and was one of our favourite days on our honeymoon. Many people questioned me when I said we were going to Ibiza for our honeymoon and I think these pictures help explain it all. It is affordable paradise and proves that you don't have to leave Europe for a tropical, sun filled adventure. 

Have you been to Formentera?

This post is an entry to the James Villa's Travel Writing Competition




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5 Ways to Source Travel Beauty Samples


We've all been there, frantically checking each of our beauty products to see if they comply with the 'under 100ml' rule before heading out to the airport. I cannot count the amount of times I've been pulled over by security after I've forgotten to 'plastic bag an item'. But fear not, if you like to look good on holiday and want a way to stick under the 100ml, there's a cheap and cheerful way to have a full set of beauty items without packing a suitcase full of bottles.

Beauty samples are great for going on holiday as they take up minimal space in a cosmetics bag and you can throw them away once you have used them. These days there's lots of free or affordable ways you collect beauty samples and if you're savvy, you can collect and stockpile them for all your future trips.

Beauty Counters

Getting beauty samples from beauty counters can be tricky as so many people ask for them, but the majority of the time if you are genuinely interested in trialling a brand or perfume, they will hand them out. Many foundation brands often have '7 day trials' on their products (you can find these by checking out the brands social media channels) and the samples are quite generous.



Subscription Boxes

If you travel regularly and you're looking to try new beauty products, subscription beauty boxes are a great way of discovering different brands and also getting travel sized products that you can take in your carry on. If you're a perfume fanatic like myself and worry about not having enough on your holiday, check out The Fragrance Shop Discovery club*. The Discovery Club is a quarterly subscription box where you are given 10 of the most popular perfume samples of that quarter. Each box has a theme and this month mine was 'perfume classics'. The box had samples of my favourite perfume such as the Jimmy Choo original and discount vouchers that you can redeem against full sized products. These boxes are only £5.00 per quarter with free shipping.

eBay

eBay is also a useful site for finding beauty samples. If you're looking for samples of your favourite perfume instead of taking the whole bottle, eBay is a fantastic place to find them. If you're looking to try new perfumes or cosmetics and you're wanting a few variations, try typing in 'job lot samples'.

Magazines

Everyone loves a good magazine freebie and every now and then some of the higher end fashion and beauty mags have some great freebies attached to them or on the inside pages. I have a box under my bed full of samples I've found in magazines and they have come in very handy on my travels.

Freebie Websites

Finally if you're short on cash and looking for some freebies to tie you over before you invest in more beauty products, there are plenty of websites available online where you can find free beauty products. One of my favourite websites has to be 'Latest Free Stuff', but there's also 'Magic Freebies' and a whole lot more. Be careful when entering your details to some of these websites as they can generate a lot of spam and be very aware of scam websites. If a website looks suspicious, always read reviews before hand.

Are you a sample hoarder?
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Romantic UK Valentine's Day Breaks


Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to book somewhere where both you and your partner can relax, have some pampering, drink copious amounts of prosecco and eat great food. As a nation, we're busy bees at work and some of us really struggle to get the work-life balance right, putting a great strain on our relationships. Although many people think Valentine's Day is just another marketing ploy, it is still a great reason to book some time away where you can both have some couple time and enjoy the great deals and discounts many travel companies have to offer.

My husband and I usually go away on Valentine's Day, but as we're jetting off to Frankfurt at the beginning of March we've decided to have a quiet one this year.  This still hasn't stopped me lusting over the endless amount of spa breaks and country retreats that I have seen advertised. Seeing as though I'm not going away this year, I thought I would put my research to good use and do a round up post of what I think are some of best UK Valentine's Day retreats.


Galgorm Resort & Spa, Belfast

Featured in the top two images is the Galgorm Resort & Spa, Northern Irelands premier luxury hotel and spa, situated only 30 minutes from Belfast. The resort is set within 163 acres of lush parkland with a spectacular view of the River Maine flowing through the estate. Spend a romantic day or two, enjoying the new riverside Thermal Spa Village, the first of its kind in Ireland. Idyllically located on the banks of the river, guests will enjoy the serenity of the natural landscape and will experience pure relaxation with a extensive selection of romantic riverside hot tubs, indoor and outdoor heated pools, steam rooms and saunas. Their Riverside Romance package which starts at £100pp Mon- Thurs or £105pp Fri-Sun includes 1 hour Rose Petal Riverside Tub Bathing Experience, 1 hour Thermal Spa Village access and half a bottle of champagne in the tub and a gift for the ladies. Weekend packages start from £249.99pp.

For more information check out: www.galgorm.com


Foxhills Club & Resort

If you're looking for a romantic ManorHouse stay in the Surrey suburbs, the Foxhills Club & Resort may tickle your fancy this Valentine's Day. The Foxhills Club & Resort is a 19th-century Manor House hotel which will be serving up a luxury Valentine's Day dinner this year. The deliciously tempting dinner menu has been prepared by Executive Chef Allan O'Kane and guests can relax by the crackling log fire with the distance rhythms of modern jazz and treat their loved to a romantic candle lit dinner. The menu is prepared with the finest British ingredients with an international twist. Weekend packages start at £370 per couple including B&B, a three course meal and club access.

For more information check out: www.foxhills.co.uk


Chester Grosvenor, Chester

Situated in the bustling heart of the city of Chester, The Chester Grosvenor Hotel is a wonderful getaway for those who love spa breaks, a city steeped in history, a spot of shopping and Michelin star restaurants. The black and white timbered facade of the grade II listed building belies the modern interior, which boasts 68 bedrooms, 12 stylish suites, two awarding-winning restaurants, most notably 'Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor' which has retained its Michelin star for 26 consecutive years and a relaxing boutique spa. The hotel has two special Valentine's Day offers, one of which is a Romantic Time Out for Two featuring a 60 minute spa treatment of choice followed by the full use of the Thermal Suite, a gift from Elemis and an Indulgent Afternoon Tea starting at £105pp throughout February and £115 on Valentines Day weekend. The other package is the 'Romantic Spa Journey' featuring a 45 minute spa treatment of choice with full use of the spa facilities, followed by a one course spa lunch, a complimentary glass of fizz and a special gift from Elemis. This package is £70pp throughout February and £80pp on V-Day weekend.

For more information check out: www.chestergrosvenor.com


Sofitel London St James, London

If you're looking for a city break in the capital this Valentine's Day, a visit to the Sofitel London should tick all the boxes. Set in the heart of London, this neoclassical hotel is surrounded by over 150 listed properties. Inside, guests are enveloped in its richly modernised interior, French in design with a nod to English Tradition. This year, couples can retreat into a romantic cocoon at Sofitel London St James and indulge in one of two special Valentine's Day deals. The 'She is The One' package features a 30 minute facial, 30 minute massage, 30 minute manicure and a glass of champagne and a pink macaroon at £130pp. The 'So in Love' package includes access to private jacuzzi for 30 minutes, a 60 minute treatment of choice (massage or facial) a glass of champagne and a pink macaroon for £215 per couple.

For more information check out: www.sofitel.com

Do you have any plans this Valentine's Day?

*Please note that I have not been paid or incentivised to feature any of these hotels, I did this because I liked the sound of their packages and it is something I would personally buy.
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