You're Never Too Old or Too Broke to Travel

When it comes to the whole travel/discover yourself malarky, I was a little bit of a late bloomer. While all my friends were on gap years tucking into their 'Pad Thai's', diving with sharks ,mountaineering or doing their bit for charity in a faraway land, I was at home wondering which pair of shoes to purchase next and arranging my wedding. I did a fair bit of travelling when I was younger around the British coastline and Europe, but by the time I reached my late teens, I found myself trapped in a world of materialism and only caring about the way I look. At that time my personal enrichment came from buying designer handbags and watches rather than learning about the world and during that period in my life I was genuinely happy, but I'd be lying to myself if I said something wasn't missing. 

Last year I was invited to Thailand on a trip of lifetime to be immersed in Thai culture and learn about a different way of living. It was that trip that I can honestly say has changed my outlook life. As much as I'd like to avoid the cliche', I admit I came back having 'discovered myself'. One particular moment that stood out was when a young boy ran up to me in a small little village in Phrae, Northern Thailand. He kept pointing at my Instax camera, mesmerised by the technology that us Westerners are very much used to and he asked if he could take a photo. I happily obliged and allowed him to use the remainder of my filter. Before I left, he ran up to me, wrapped his arms around me and said 'thank you Jessica' with the largest grin on his face. It was one of those moments when I realised it's the small things that count in life and the memories we make with the people we meet on journeys like this. This brief encounter was worth more than any Michael Kors bag and if I invested more of my money in travelling, maybe I could make more people smile on my way or meet new people that will also give me a new outlook in life.

I'm now approaching 25 and trying to plan out my future travels. Yes I haven't spent a year in Australia like my friends or done a tour round Vietnam, but I'm still young and I have decades ahead of me. Just because I haven't done the whole 'gap yah' thing like my friends, doesn't mean I can't discover myself in my own way and learn more about the world. In fact, I'm happier that I now have a travel companion in my husband that I can share my adventures with.

On the money side of things, I'm not rich and I can't imagine taking a years break from work anytime soon, but it doesn't mean I can't tick a few countries off my bucket list each year by using my holiday allowance, even if they are Europe. One important thing to remember if that anywhere can be an adventure if you make it into one and if you are struggling for cash, there's nothing wrong with starting by discovering your own country doing mini staycations before splashing out on further away holidays. They key is to take things at your own pace and your own budget, eventually you will get round to ticking off all the dream places you have wanted to go. 

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A Day At Lake Windermere

To begin our long bank holiday weekend, my husband and I decided to take a three hour drive up to the Lake District yesterday and check out Lake Windermere for the first time. Both of us had heard so many great things about the Lake District but neither of us have had chance to go before.

Lake Windermere is England's largest lake standing at ten and a half miles long and 219 feet deep and features five very traditional and pretty lake side villages - Ambleside, Waterhead, Bowness-on-Windermere, Lakeside and Windermere itself. The lake is really easy to get around as there are many modes of transport all offering tours not only just round Windermere, but many lakes within the Lake District. There's a hop on, hop off with commentary about the history of Windermere and the lakes, ferry trips to other neighbouring lakes, regular buses and trains and of course boat cruises - ones where you can hop on and off at different islands or ones where you can sit back and enjoy 45 minutes admiring the beautiful scenery. 

We arrived at Lake Windermere at around 10'o clock in the morning and parked our car in a car park at Windermere Village. Windermere Village is approximately a 1 mile walk to the actual lake, but it's a great spot for finding parking and there's a higher chance of finding a car parking spot further from the Lake in peak times such as Bank Holidays. The bus was only £2 each to the lakeside and during our little ride, we were able to listen to the commentary and learn a little bit more about the place we were visiting.

Once we stepped off the bus, I was really taken aback by how beautiful Lake Windermere is and the amount of things you can do. I expected it to be rather quiet with people just walking their dogs and the odd sailboat. Instead it was an area filled with tourists from all over the globe, a lake that housed dozens of 40ft yachts and it was hard not to fall in love with all the quirky, independent shops in the tranquil, yet bustling villages.

During our time at Lake Windermere, we ate ice-cream, walked along the marina and even rented a little boat and had our own little adventure on the water. The boat we hired was £30 for up to six people for an hour, which was more than affordable and a great way to really appreciate the views around Windermere. I had such a wonderful day and my husband and I are definitely looking to head back in the summer and spend a long weekend there or a few mores days so we can really explore the area. This year I promised myself I would do more 'UK Staycations' and so far I'm learning a lot about the country I live in and have realised over the years that there are so many places I have been missing out on, the Lake District being one of them.

Have you been to the Lake District before?

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The Alchemist - Greek Street, Leeds

If you're looking for somewhere with a wow factor that will be full of surprises and keep you entertained all night through, you can never go wrong with an Alchemist. The Alchemist has a chain of now five bars: two in Leeds, one in London and two in Manchester, all of which specialise in molecular drinks curated by a selection highly trained mixologists. At an Alchemist, food is not just 

food and drinks are beyond the ordinary.

The Alchemist* on Greek Street, Leeds is one of the newest in the chain of Alchemist Bar and Restaurants and possibly one of my favourites. The room is very spacious, the staff are incredibly attentive and their new menu, which I was given a chance to preview last week is super delicious and mouthwateringly good. As someone who is vegetarian and almost tee-total, you probably wouldn't have the Alchemist down as a restaurant for me to visit, but with a superb list of mocktails - all of which are just as good as their alcoholic counterparts and plenty of food choices for us herbivores, I left the restaurant last week with a belly full to the rim of food and feeling highly satisfied.

As soon as my friend and I were seated, the lovely waitress brought us a cocktail menu to browse. When I usually dine out, I find mocktail and non-alcoholic beverages to be rather uninspiring, after all there's only so many 'virgin mojitos' you can drink, but there's nothing boring about the Alchemist mocktail menu. Listed as drinks made by the 'Alchemist's Apprentice' this mocktail menu has drinks that bubble and froth right in front of you, as well as the classics such as a Virgin Mojito or Virgin Pornstar, but even though they are classics, each of those have an Alchemist's twist. After all, nothing is quite normal at an Alchemist...well maybe the soft drinks, beer or wine, but at Alchemist, it's all about those cocktails.

Once we finally stopped getting distract by the drinks menu, Lizi and I ordered our starters. I chose the vegetable gyoza and really enjoyed it. It was the perfect size for a starter the gyoza was soft yet crispy and the dripping sauce was packed full of flavour. I had being eyeing up this starter on the website for a few days prior to my visit and I wasn't disappointed.

Continuing with the Japanese theme, I decided on the Japanese ramen with Quorn for my main. I'm always a bit apprehensive about choosing Quorn at a restaurant as I cook with it all the time at home and often worry about how they will make it special - after all, you don't go eat at a restaurant to have something that you can easily cook at home. However, when this main arrived all my worries were quickly diminished. When the waiter brought out my dish, he poured the steaming broth into the ramen right in front of me to give a theatrical steaming, bubbling effect. It was the a witches cauldron placed in front of me, full of magical goodness. As well as looking good, the dish tasted superb. It was far from bland as I imagined it to be and the vegetables were cooked to perfection. This dish was light, yet filling and full of texture as well as flavour. 

As we eagerly awaited desserts, we both ordered yet another cocktail. This time I went for a Virgin Pornstar. Pornstar Martini's are a drink I often miss when I go out and mocktail versions can be hard to come by. This Virgin Pornstar was served ice-cold with a hint of vanilla and probably is one of the best mocktails I've ever had. It was one of those drinks that I happily slurped, trying to get every last bit out of the juice out of the glass. To be honest, I'd happily return to The Alchemist just for that cocktail. I can imagine it is wonderfully refreshing on a hot day.

And finally, the piece-de-resistance, the show-stopper, the dessert. Usually after two courses I'm struggling to fit in dessert, but nothing was stopping me from eating this bad boy. This salted-caramel cheesecake with mint sugar, strawberries and cream was heavenly.  Cheesecakes are usually quite a heavy dessert and salted caramel is a rich, indulgent flavour, but this particular cheesecake was as light as a feather, but still full of flavour. The salted caramel wasn't too overpowering and the mint sugar really tickled my tastebuds. I wasn't sure how I initially felt about the mint and salted caramel combo, but it worked and it worked incredibly well. It was the perfect ending to a superb meal, The Alchemist is yet to disappoint me.

Have you been to any Alchemist bars?

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Ecco Pizzeria, Roundhay

Last week I was invited to the Ecco Pizzeria* new restaurant launch in Roundhay, Leeds to preview some of their authentic Italian cuisine and boy, it was fun and delicious. Having successfully ran a popular Italian takeaway in Headingly, Ecco Pizzeria decided to expand their business and open a new restaurant in Roundhay. The restaurant mission to use the freshest and finest ingredients - all of which are imported from Italy, to make the most authentic Neapolitan Pizza. 

The restaurant is a fair trek out of Leeds with it being a 25 minute bus journey or at least a 15 minute car journey, but it is definitely worth a visit. I loved the cosy decor with little reminders of Italy such as Sicilian tomato cans and pizza flour bags all elegantly displayed behind the seating.

Ecco Pizzeria is currently unlicensed so there's no booze at the restaurant, but fear not there are plenty of sweet tasting authentic Italian soft drinks that will quench your thirst. I found the cola I had very refreshing and it really complemented my meal.

Starting the meal in true Italian style, the waiter brought us a plate of dough-balls and these dough-balls were possibly the best ones I have ever had. The garlic and herb dipping sauce was so fresh and light, while the dough balls were really fluffy and moreish, ten times better than a lot of Italian high street chain restaurants.

The star attraction was of course the pizza, made with the traditional Italian technique of using an old wood burning stove. I opted for the Funghi pizza, which consisted of roasted mushrooms and fresh basil on a San Marzano tomato and mozzarella base. The pizza was really fresh, barely any ounce of grease - which is great for me as my stomach can't handle fatty foods since I had my gallbladder removed and despite the incredible size, I had no problems eating it all. I was really impressed with the large variety of vegetarian options on the menu and even more impressed when they told me that they also do vegan pizzas, substituting the cheese for a vegan mozzarella.

No true Italian meal would be complete without Gelato and at Ecco Pizzeria there are many different and quite unique flavours to choose from, all of which are freshly made at the restaurant. Out of their 18 flavours, I chose the Ferrero Rocher and Salted Caramel Gelato, which was a match made in heaven. I admit the gelato did defeat me, after a really large pizza and dough-balls my stomach could not handle anymore rich food, but nevertheless it was really good and next time I will definitely make sure I save more room for dessert.

If I had paid for the meal, it would have been approximately £13 - £16 for the three courses and drinks (depending on the drinks and pizza I choose) which I think is definitely affordable for the amount of food you recieve and the fact that a lot of effort has been put into making these dishes - you can tell the pizzas have been made by those who are passionate about truly authentic Italian food and it shows in the flavours and quality of the meal. I would recommend Ecco to anyone in the Roundhay area or those looking to travel out of town to find a hidden gem that will get people talking. There's no doubt in my mind that I will be going to back to Ecco at some point in the near future.

Have you been the Ecco Pizzeria?

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MyBag SS16 Collection

Last week I headed over to Manchester for the evening to catch up with some friends and to attend the MyBag SS16 collection preview held at Artisan. MyBag is an online fashion retailer, launched in 2010, that specialises in designer luxury handbags and accessorises. Their stockists include Karl Lagerfeld, The Cambridge Satchel Company, Lulu Guinness, Aspinal of London, Ted Baker and many of the big names, all of which are at competitive prices. As a 'handbag girl' myself and someone who is currently on the market for some new arm candy, I couldn't wait to check it out.

The first bags to grab my attention as I walked into the room were these Grafea bags in an array of bright colours. I'm not usually a rucksack type of girl, but these made me reconsider. I love how feminine they are as rucksacks are usually quite bulky and manly and the colours just scream spring/summer and festival season.

Next to catch a glimpse of my eye was this Karl Lagerfeld cream Karl & Choupette shopper. I love how spacious this bag is and the quirky design. It is perfect for those looking who follow the stories of Karl and Choupette and want a bit of Karl Lagerfeld in their lives without investing big bucks in Chanel.

Lulu Guinness have always been one of my favourite brands and I was really happy to see a few of their items on display. Although I'm not too sure whether the lipstick bag is that practical, it definitely put a smile on my face and is a perfect little accessory for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd on a night out. My favourite Lulu Guinness piece of the evening was the Amy Cross Body Bag in Light Magenta. It's just the perfect size for an evening or afternoon with the girls and the pastel pink adds a pop of colour to any outfit without being too bold and in your face.

One thing I didn't realise before the MyBag event was that MyBag also sell jewellery and watches, in particular Olivia Burton, which as you may know is one of my favourite watch makers. They only have a handful on their website right now so I'm hoping they do get a few more in the future.

Finally, the bag that stole my heart, the Aspinal of London Mayfair Croc bag. I adore everything about this bag from it's compact size, yet really spacious inside, the beautiful vintage design and the cute little clasp on the front. This handbag is versatile, it's an investment piece due to it's timeless design and you cannot deny how cute it looks. If only someone would lend me £595...

Have you shopped at MyBag before?

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Views from the Main Tower, Frankfurt

When I was researching things to do in Frankfurt, the Main Tower was one attraction that kept popping up over and over again, so when we landed in the city, the first thing we did after checking in the hotel was to head there. The Main Tower is one of Frankfurt's most popular skyscrapers, with a viewing platform on the 54th floor open to the public. Many people who have been to Frankfurt say that it is truly the best way to see the city and they are not wrong.

The Main Tower is really easy to find as it stands so tall that you can see it in almost any direction in the city. For those looking to cram in as many tourist attractions as possible during your visit, I really do recommend visiting the tower first as it really introduces you to Frankfurt and it's only a few short steps away from Romerberg and other places you would be likely to visit. The Frankfurt sightseeing bus also stops at the Main Tower if you decide not to walk.

When we arrived at the tower, we were both subject to a bag check due to security reasons and asked for our €6.50 admission fee, which I think is fair as these views are so spectacular and you won't see views as great as this elsewhere in the city. Once we paid, we scanned the tickets through the machine and made our way up in the elevator. For those who have a fear of heights, it can be quite daunting stepping out on a balcony so high, but it is really secure and once you get up there, it is worth the initial fear.

From the top you can see everything from Romerberg to the river Main, the skyscrapers in the financial district to the museum embankment at the opposite side of the city. Despite the weather being so overcast when we got there, everything looked so clear down below. We spent at least 30 minutes admiring the view and once we came back down, we just wanted to go back up again. I think that was the best €6.50 I spent in Frankfurt.

Have you been up the Main Tower?

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Jumeirah Hotel, Frankfurt

You know when you have one of the moments that is so surreal you have to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming? Well walking into this hotel was one of those. As I stared up at the glistening chandelier, I muttered to myself 'I already don't want to leave' and that was before we had even checked in .My husband and I love going on city breaks and we usually splash the cash on somewhere nice to stay, but this time it was a little bit different. A few months ago I entered a competition with Business Traveller magazine and won a two night stay at the Jumeirah Frankfurt, the competition was entered on my other personal email address and for once my luck was nothing to do with my blogging. Before winning the competition, my husband and I had discussed visiting Germany - he studied German at school and loves the language and I was keen to explore another European country, so winning this competition was the perfect opportunity to go away.

The Jumeirah Frankfurt is a luxury hotel situated in the centre of Frankfurt, next to the main shopping district on Zeil street. Most of Frankfurt's attractions are within easy walking distance from the hotel and conveniently, the hotel is a few footsteps away from the underground station Haupwache which is on the same train line as the airport. The hotel features a spa, two restaurants, a superb bar area and a fitness suite, they even make their own honey from their honey farm on the roof.

During our visit to Frankfurt, we stayed in the skyline deluxe room at the Jumeirah as part of the 'shop and stay package'. The shop and stay package includes a stay in a skyline deluxe room, 80 Euro credit for their signature restaurant and a foot spa treatment for guest.The skyline deluxe room has panoramic views of the city, a spacious bathroom and living area, a free mini bar and pretty much everything you could ask for from a hotel room, including an easy to use safe, robes hanging in the bathroom area, magazines to read and even a tablet you can browse on.

The above picture was taken from our bedroom window, which overlooks the Main tower and all the skyscrapers in the financial district. On an evening it was lovely to lay in bed and look out of the window at the amazing view with all the buildings lit up and it was equally nice to wake up in the morning and admire the city.

Overall, I really cannot fault this hotel. The service was spectacular, the room was beautiful and the location was perfect. For two people who had never been to Frankfurt before, we left really impressed, both with the city and the hotel and we will definitely be visiting again.

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Sunday Style: Cobalt Blue & Stripes

Have you ever looked into your wardrobe and felt like you were getting too old to wear something? This has been happening to me every other day as of late because in a few short weeks I will be turning 25. I have realised that my personal style has changed tremendously over the past few months. I find myself nearly every week going through my wardrobe and muttering the words 'too short' or 'what the hell was I thinking?' I never used to be a jeans and blouse person, but somehow without even thinking too much about it, my sense of style is now merging into an older, more mature style and I'm actually preferring it.

Long gone are the days where I would wear six inch heels I could barely walk in, wear dresses that probably my dad wouldn't approve of and where I would go out on Saturday night without a jacket. These days it is all about comfy layers, a good pair of flattering jeans and heeled, sensible booties or court shoes if I need to dress up.  I have transitioned from 'just got out of university girl' to 'young professional' and I think I'm looking better for it.

My current style staples are a pair of figure hugging jeans, a smart versatile blouse that can be dressed up or down and a neutral coloured jacket or bright blazer depending on the occasion. I'm also quite partial to a leather jacket if I feel like 'rocking' things up a bit.  Before my 'style reinvention' I used to be a shoe girl, but I'm all about handbags now. My closet is bursting with handbags in different styles and colours, some high-street, some designer and somehow I cannot stop buying more. I feel like a good handbag completes my outfit. My current favourite is this Carvela bag from the House of Fraser Sale at Love The Sales.  I have teamed this handbag up with my lovely new Zara stripped blouse and jeans and this old blazer that I found at the back of my wardrobe.

Although no-one really looks forward to ageing, I am quite looking forward to my 25th birthday in a few weeks as I feel that I've finally reached my style maturity and I'm looking forward to experimenting with fashion a little bit more and straying away from the clothes a younger me would have once chosen. I feel more confident with the way I look now than I did at 21 and I'm ready for what the future will bring. Am I sad about turning 25? No, bring it on.

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A Short Guide to Frankfurt

City breaks are one of my favourite types of vacations. I love seeing the hustle and bustle of city life in a different country, being immersed in culture and sampling the local cuisine and as an avid shopper, I enjoy visiting local markets, thrift stores and shopping malls to see what I can get my hands on. Last weekend my husband and I took a trip to Frankfurt, Germany's Financial district, the birthplace of the Euro and a city known for being one of the best shopping areas in the country. Although little information can be found about visiting Frankfurt, my husband and I discovered plenty of things to do when we got there and during the 72 hours we were in the country, I have to stay that this particular city really tugged on my heart strings.

The first thing to note about Frankfurt is the plethora of skyscrapers. Frankfurt Am Main is nicknamed 'Mainhatten' for it's striking resemblance to America's Manhattan due Frankfurt's impressive skyline. If you want the feeling of being in New York, but you're tight on budget, Frankfurt comes pretty close. You can observe all the skyscrapers and Frankfurt's beautiful city from the 54th floor of one of Frankfurt's tallest buildings, the Main Tower. The Main Tower costs €8 per person and it is a 'must-see' if you're in the area.

Romerberg is one of the most popular places to visit in Frankfurt thanks to it's traditional style German buildings and authentic German cuisine. If you're looking to sample a Bratwurst or two (a traditional German sausage) or tuck into the infamous green sauce - concoction of herbs and spices usually served with potatoes, Romerberg is the place to be. 

Across the river is another traditional German district called Sachsenhausen. Sachsenhausen is famous for it's traditional Frankfurt Apfelwein. Apfelwein has been described by many as an acquired taste, but I personally loved it. The best way to describe it is a mix between flat cider and wine, which may sound revolting but it's actually quite nice and something you definitely need to try for an authentic Frankfurt experience. 

If you're looking for some history and culture, one of the first places you should head is the world renowned Stadel Art Museum. This museum features artwork from many famous painters such as Monet and Picasso and is one of German's highest regarded art galleries.

If you prefer looking at prehistoric animals, then consider paying The Senckenberg (Natural History Museum) a visit. This museum has a large collection of dinosaurs and is one of Germany's largest natural history museum.

One of my favourite free places to visit in Frankfurt was the Chinese Gardens (Chinesischer Garte) at Bethmann Park. This little garden is perfect for those looking for serenity and a little bit of peace and quiet. The gardens consist of a marble bridge over fresh lily ponds and several Chinese style buildings.

There are so many things I could write about Frankfurt and only so much space in one blog post. Keep an eye out for more of my Frankfurt write ups coming in the next few days. If you're looking to visit Germany and want somewhere a little bit more traditional and non-touristy, I do recommend visiting Frankfurt.

Have you been to Frankfurt before?

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Hotel Room Etiquette

A lot of people don't know this, but my first ever job was working as a hotel cleaner. It wasn't the most glamorous job, but it gave me good pocket money while I studied hard at college and  my first years of university. I stayed in that job for four years from the age of 16 to 20 and during those four years, I saw some quite disturbing sights. It always shocked me how many people used to disrespect the hotel rooms and leave them in a such state that none of the cleaning staff would know where to start. I know it was my job to clean up after other people's mess, but I have grown up being told that I should 'respect other peoples property' and to 'treat other people's property how you would treat your own" and with that in mind, I like to leave my hotel room how I would leave my bedroom or bathroom at home.

Although my days cleaning hotels are a long distant memory, I'm often reminded of my former career when I visit or review hotels and see the maids in the corridors. These days I'm travelling more than ever before and I'm always thankful for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure my hotel stay is immaculate and the best it can be. Therefore, I've decided to write a mini post about hotel room etiquette.  

Try refrain from self tanning or hair colouring in your hotel room

There's nothing worse than removing bright orange bedsheets or having to bleach the bath because someone has used permanent hair colour and splattered it everywhere. Fake tan and hair dye can sometimes stain products and there a nightmare to scrub. 

Leave your used towels in the bath

Always try to leave your used towels in the bath. Sometimes people used to hang towels back up and we would spend a fair few minutes trying to inspect them to see if they had been used or not - sometimes it's quite difficult to tell. Throwing your towels in your bath tub means that hotel staff can give you fresh ones if you need them or save on laundry and be eco-friendly if you don't.

Don't run away with the hotel ornaments or accessorises

During my years working in a hotel I have seen bed linen, towels, mugs, a kettle, hotel pillows and even a lamp 'go missing'.  Taking these items from a hotel room means that the next person could miss out until they get replaced and not to mention that stealing from a hotel room is in fact illegal.

Try not to throw everything on the floor

When you check into a hotel room, it can be so tempting to fling all your items on the floor and leave, but please try and leave your room as tidy as you can. Housekeepers don't expect the room to look exactly how they left it, but it does make tidying your room while you're out a lot easier if they don't have to move everything. 

If you don't need extra shampoo/conditioner, don't ask for it

Everyone loves the little bathroom freebies at hotels and some people will request extras just so they can fill their suitcase with them. At the end of the day, a lot of hotels do not have unlimited stock of these items and regularly have to order more of them to keep up with demand. Some hotels can have hundreds of people a day staying there, so please don't be too greedy so there's enough to go round.

If you don't want to be disturbed, use the 'do not disturb sign'

Housekeepers do not have x-ray vision, they cannot see through walls to see if you're in or out of your room, all they can do is knock and hope you will answer or not. There has been many times hotel cleaners have walked in on me while I've been away and I've done it several times to other people because they have been asleep and not heard the door being knocked. If you don't think you will hear the door or you don't want to be disturbed, always try to use a 'do not disturb sign' and if there isn't one in your room, you can always notify reception.

What are your hotel etiquette tips?

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Last Minute Mother's Day Ideas

My mother and I were never that close growing up, we used to bicker over the smallest of things, but as I've grown older, I've realised that the bickering was because we are too alike. They always say you argue with the people closest to you because they are the people you love so much and it's true. Even if we did have our moments, I loved her dearly and still do. Now I've moved house, got married and have a job, I've now got a lot more respect for my mum and we meet up whenever we can and phone each other several times a week. The space that came from me moving out of my childhood house, brought us closer together.

I'm sure you will have seen all the ads on TV and in the supermarkets, but in case you've forgotten, this weekend is Mother's Day. I love treating my mother on mother's day because she used to treat me so much growing up. I doubt one little Mother's Day gift a year will be enough to repay the several thousands of pounds of bringing up a child, the endless nights of lack of sleep when I had severe asthma and dealing with me through my 'moody teenage years', but she knows I care and buying her a little gift is my way of showing that. To celebrate Mother's Day, I've put together a small guide if you're running short on time and ideas.

Go out for an afternoon tea or make your own

You can't go wrong with an afternoon tea, who doesn't like a good cup of tea, miniature and more cakes than you've consumed in the last year all on a plate. I love going for afternoon tea as it's a great way of spending quality time together and enjoying some tasty treats. If you're looking to save some cash, you can always make your own. You can buy these cake stands from a lot of homeware stores - I know TK Maxx had some good ones the other day and you can fill the stand with treats that both you and your mum love.

A Spa day/pamper session at home

If you think your mum needs time to relax and be pampered, a spa day would be the perfect chance for her to unwind, take time off doing her daily chores and focus on herself instead of other people for one. I love the sound of this Moroccan Hammam treat at Harrods - if only I lived in London. If you can't afford to splash out on a spa day, bring the spa to your mum and treat her to some face masks, skincare and some bubble bath so she can take time out in the comfort of her own home.

Make something handmade

If you really want to show your mum how much you care, why not consider making her a handmade gift? We often get wrapped up on the commercialisation of mother's day, when in fact it should be the thought that counts. Making your mum a gift will put a smile on her face like it did when you first painted her a picture or brought home something you made at school and I'm pretty sure she will treasure it just as much something you did back then.

What are you planning on doing this Mother's Day?

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How to Survive a Wintery Day at The Seaside

I love visiting the English seaside. Dipping my feet in cool water on a hot summer's day, feeling the sand between my toes and the taste of fresh ice-cream or beach side chips. There are so many things I love about the seaside, but most of them revolve around the weather being slightly warmer than it is now.

Last week I made a surprise trip to Cromer on the Norfolk coastline. It wasn't planned. My parents decided they wanted to spend time with my husband and I and convinced us to join them on a trip to Norwich which is a four hour car journey from where we live. When we got to Norwich, there was a football game on and the town was heaving with traffic. We couldn't get in and for almost an hour, we even struggled to get out. After being stuck in traffic for quite awhile and not wanting to waste our day, we decided to drive out of Norwich and followed the directions to Cromer.

Cromer is a small fishing town known for it's independent boutiques, traditional pier and white, blue flag beaches. Cromer is also renowned for it's fishing, particularly crab, which is available in most fisheries in the area. When we arrived, I admit I was a little disappointed as I usually visit the beach when it's sunny and the towns are thriving with busy tourists. Cromer looked like a ghost town and despite it being only midday, everywhere was closed. The museums were shut, there was only a handful of pubs open and even the sandwich shops were shutting their blinds when we arrived. Nevertheless, it was great to glance out at the North Sea, walk along the pier without little kids or dogs running between my feet and the fish and chip shops were still open giving Cromer it's traditional seaside scent - y'know, that mix of seat salt, vinegar and seaweed.

My day out in Cromer prompted this post on how to survive a wintery day at the seaside. As we didn't plan to go the beach, we weren't really prepared, but if you plan in advance and know what you're getting yourself in for, you'll probably have a more success trip than we had.

Research your destination.

A lot of costal towns close for the winter so you may turn up to a destination and be sorely disappointed if everything is closed. Check reviews and tides and try to find a place that is quite popular as the chances are they are more likely to cater for tourists outside the typical tourist seasons.

Wrap up and stay warm

Beaches are breezy on the best of days as the wind blows inland from the sea, on a winter day this can make visiting the beach really cold, so always pack a scarf and a thick pair of gloves.

Pack a lunchbox

As previously mentioned, a lot of places close in the winter including some restaurants and cafes as they rely more on peak tourist times. Fisheries and fast food stores may be open, but if you have special dietary requirements, it might be safer to pack a lunchbox.

Write an itinerary or a plan of action

When you're visiting the seaside in winter or on a particular cold day, the weather may prevent you from doing certain things such as dipping your toes in the sea or walking on the beach. Research nearby tourist attractions and things you can do so you make the most of your day whatever the weather.

Do you like visiting the beach during winter?

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Reasons why you should consider short term holiday lets

When booking a holiday or a city break, finding the right accommodation to suit your needs is really important. Some people want five star luxury and a butler on demand, while others want a home away from home with minimal distractions. Now more than ever before, the tourism industry is becoming savvier to travellers needs and there's now a plethora of accommodation options compared to previous years. Thanks to sites such as Air BnB, holiday apartments and short term rentals are soaring in popularity and hotels have some heavy competition.

I've always been a hotel girl, I love room service at my demand, the smell of luxury soaps when you enter the bathroom and raiding the mini bar, but staying in a hotel comes at quite a hefty price, a hefty price that I cannot always afford. As I'm looking to travel more frequently these days, I need to start managing my budget a little bit better and explore different options. Here's a few reasons why short term let/holiday apartments may be more cost effective than hotels.

Hotel prices in cities are extortionate

Cities always come with a premium price tag, especially places like London. The food is more expensive, the drinks are more expensive, so of course hotels will follow suit. In the past I've paid £300 - £400 easily on a two night hotel stay in London,  but now having researched short terms lets London I've found apartments for as little as £130. 

There's better deals for those travelling with friends

If you're travelling with close friends, it would work out a lot cheaper to have an apartment to share for a few days and rather than a few hotel rooms and you get your own space to chill out and have drinks - drinks that don't have to be purchased at a hotel bar.

Short term lets enable you to see what it is like living in a specific area

If you have dreamt of moving to a city and want to see what it is like, having a short term let or an apartment would allow you to experience this by going food shopping in the local area then coming back to your apartment to cook and socialising at the nearest bar.

You can save money by not eating out

When you're staying at a hotel, you're more likely to eat at restaurants or cafes because there's nowhere to cook and eating out two or three times a day if you're staying somewhere for more than a few days can become quite expensive. Renting an apartment enables you to cook your own meals if you're tight on money and then you can always eat out if you decide to treat yourself. 

I'm not too sure whether I'm willing to give up my hotel stays yet, but having researched holiday letting, i'm really surprised by all the money I could potentially save in future. If you're on a tight or restricted budget, short term lets are something you should definitely look into.

Have you stayed in a short term holiday let before?

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