Holiday throwback

As the sun has decided to come back out again, I started to look back over some of the amazing places around the world I have had the opportunity to visit. Although they make me sad and miss travelling it gets me excited for what the next few years might hold. I don’t begrudge not holidaying very much the last few years as we have been saving up for what is going to be the best day of our lives, but I can’t wait for us to start travelling the world together <3

Here are some snaps of the amazing places I have already been lucky enough to visit…  

Disneyland Paris

Las Vegas, Grand Canyon

 Las Vegas, Hoover Dam

 Florida, Typhoon Lagoon lazy river
 Turkey

Marbella

Gran Canaria

 Gran Canaria, Porto Mogan

Las Vegas

 Marbella Yachts

 Does it need a title!?

 Orlando Florida, Epcot

Canary Islands

Canada

 Las Vegas, The famous Caesar's Palace

I loved looking back at old holiday pics <3
Do you ever look back?
What was your favourite holiday?

Destination check list

I am a massive fan of holidays and traveling. I am so lucky to have already visited some amazing places in the world, however, I am beginning to have serious withdrawals. So naturally, as us women do, I have started compiling a list of places I really want to visit in the next two years... recommendations welcome.

Florida

We have already booked our holiday to Florida next year for our honeymoon, I can’t wait to go back as it’s such an amazing place there is so much to see and do. Me and my husband to be (that sounds so weird) are already planning where we want to eat, the shopping and obviously which parks we want to visit first J

Morocco

I have never visited anywhere like Morocco, but I can imagine the culture and cities are beautiful. I love the idea of popping to the markets, trying new cuisines and relaxing all in the same place. I’m gradually getting bored of those holidays where you sit by a pool all day, so I think somewhere like this would be really interesting and fun!

The Big Apple

I’m pretty sure it’s every girls dream to go to New York City! I have always dreamed of visiting near Christmas, perhaps with the chance of a sprinkling of snow and some Christmas shopping, so I am really hoping to go over next Christmas! I might have to make a hint or two to Liam J

The South of France

Being just over the border it seems silly not want to visit the South of France, I have heard from so many people how beautiful and warm it is. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to warm pastries, drink wine & cheese of an evening and get a tan all at the same time!?

Thailand

I am so lucky that I have an Uncle that lives in Thailand, why have I not visited yet!? I definitely will be venturing over within the next two years. So many people go travelling there, I would be silly not to go and make the most of having my own personal tour guide.

I wonder in two years how many of these places I will have ticked off my list, or whether my list may have changed?

Any travelling tips?

Any amazing places I should add to my list?

April on Instagram

Is it May already!? I am super excited that it is almost UK summer time, but as each month whizzes by I get closer and closer to my wedding… 194 days to be precise, Not that I’m nervous at all… Here’s some great snaps from my Instagram in April.

Badminton horse trails with Guide Dogs

I have just started as a Volunteer for the charity ‘Guide Dogs’. I first started to be interested in guide dogs this year at a Burn’s night event they had organised. It was there I realised what a fantastic charity it was and the massive help they are to so many in the UK. As a fundraiser you get to attend local events to help with fundraising, as well as organising your own events, it’s a great opportunity to meet a variety of people and do something great for others in your spare time. This weekend I was lucky enough to go to Badminton Horse Trials with the guide dogs. It was a really great day, here's a little sneak peek...

When we weren’t fundraising – lunch time – we took a look around at what Badminton had to offer, they had so many great stalls and of course a food hall. I may have grabbed a treat or two to keep me going J We were so lucky to have such a great turnout of Guide dog employees and volunteers, I’m really happy that one of my best friends got me into the organisation, plus did I mention I got to spend the day with more than 10 puppies and retired guide dogs <3

If you want to know more about fundraising, sponsoring a guide dog, puppy walking or interested in applying for a guide dog check out their website… http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/

April Favourites

I picked up some really great bits & bobs in April I couldn't resist sharing:)

Gosh ' Brow defining gel'

I have tried numerous products on my eyebrows, pencils, shadows, liquids and none I have been truly happy with, they have always just 'done the job'. I picked this up and I was intrigued as I hadn't seen anything like this for your eyebrows. It looks like a mascara, and acts in a similar way you just simply comb the brush through your brows. It obviously doesn't colour in your brow, but it enhances the natural hair on your brows and holds them in place! You could always top it up with a pencil or shadow but I personally find this is enough and love how it is making my eyebrows look - highly recommend!

Stripe crazy - Pull and bear & Primark

I have always loved navy, but I have gone a bit navy & stripe crazy this month. I purchased two great items, one being a top from Pull & Bear, its a casual slouchy t-shirt with the most lovely soft material, I love the stripes and the colour and think it will be great paired with some shorts in the summer. I also popped into Primark and couldn't resist this striped smock dress, it was only £5 and I can imagine it being really comfy with some boots on a summer evening.

Annie Sloan Old Ochre

I love to up-cycle and re use or re invent old furniture, I have fallen in love with Annie Sloan paint and picked up Old Ochre the other day for a trunk I am going to use as a coffee table! The neutral cream colour is perfect and the application so simple! For a small or big project it is so worth the price AND the paint last ages!

Mary Berry kitchen collection

I am yet to purchase any of this, but I had to mention how fabulous it is! I came across it in Sainsbury's and I wanted to buy the whole lot. The collection includes mugs, cake forks, chalk boards and cake tins as well as her new book. The collection is in a beautiful cream & blue and has her signature geese print on many of the items. I will definitely be purchasing something in the next month!

Mason jar 

I really love the idea of having a smoothie or beverage in the summer in a mason jar, but I have never got around to buying one. That was until I stumbled upon a selection of them in Tesco! They are plastic which is really handy as they are not heavy and you don't risk breaking them, but it also comes with a lid attached and accompanying straw! I only brought one but I am so tempted to go back for more! I think they will be great for BBQs and parties over the summer.

:)

Up-cycle Annie Sloan fun

Up-cycling is not only a great way to re-vamp or change your home; it is also a great hobby. I was lucky enough this month to receive two pieces of new furniture handed down from family members. I was given a lovely old wooden trunk/ottoman, which I am going to use as a coffee table and I was also given a small nest of tables, naturally I had to up-cycle them J  I have fallen in love with Annie Sloan paint, it is so easy to use and also leaves a great finish on furniture with virtually no preparation to the wood. I have used Annie Sloan for both pieces, Old Ochre for the coffee table – Old Ochre is a cream/grey colour it’s really neutral and great for living or dining rooms. I chose Annie Sloan Louis Blue for the corner tables; this is a very calm, pastel blue.

Coffee table/Ottoman

Personally, I find with furniture if you paint the whole item it can be a bit over the top, you lose the natural authenticity of the wood and your ‘one off’ piece can look a bit common. I learnt this the hard way, so now I just stick to just painting the base or legs of an item and sand down the natural wood in areas I want to keep unpainted . I think this leaves a really nice finish to the furniture as well as keeping some of the original character from the piece.

( I am yet to sand down the top, but I think its going to look great when its finished)

Small Nest tables

I love having a bit of colour with smaller items, I think they can look really pretty and original, I am yet to experiment with bold colours, so Louis Blue was perfect for now. I would really like to experiment with some of the brighter colours on chairs and book cases and think this is a great way to brighten up a room.

( I love the tone of Louis Blue)

Step by step guide

. Get your chosen paint, paintbrush and dust sheet

. Place your furniture on top of the dust sheet making sure you have covered all areas of the floor as you don’t want paint getting somewhere you don’t want it

. Paint  the base, give a double coat if necessary and leave to dry

. Sand the top of the coffee table, it doesn't have to look perfect, but use a sander if you can as it saves so much time

. Sand some of the edges for a shabby look

.  Use Annie Sloan Clear wax to finish

Unfortunately, I haven't sanded the top of the trunk yet so it is unfinished - British weather is to blame:(

Annie Sloan paint tips

. The paint dries really quickly so don’t  worry about precision too much, double coat it for a finished look

. You don’t need to sand your wood first, this is one of my favourite things about Annie Sloan, the paint is so flawless the wood needs virtually no preparation before you start painting

. Mix and match with different colours you might be surprised

. Grab a tester pot and test colours on smaller items first

. Use the Annie Sloan wax to finish off your pieces as this will keep it in good condition

What up-cycling projects have you been doing?

Any tips?

Fun summer in the UK

I honestly believe you can have just as much fun in the UK as you can abroad, minus the expectation of sun and a golden tan. If you don't have time or the budget to go abroad this year, why not explore the UK? 

Go Glamping or Camping

Pitching a tent up in a field can honestly be so much fun. I would say weather dependent so maybe camping should be more of a last minute decision, but you will not regret it. If you have never been before, take someone with experience and enjoy. Camp fires, sleeping bags, and the seaside:) Take a big group of friends or family, or even just an intimate stay with you and your partner! If roughing it isn't for you Glamping is becoming very popular, a lot of bigger campsites now have Tipis, ready made tents etc to cater to all your needs.

Book a ' Sun Holiday'

The Sun newspaper do this deal twice a year, you collect tokens from your newspaper and once you have collected enough you are entitled to a £9.99 holiday. The system works all online now, so you can choose your weekend, caravan, lodge, holiday home and destination. The prices do usually go above £9.99 however, it is still such a great deal and it gives you the chance to explore some great seaside areas on a budget.

Visit a big city

Why not have a few days visiting a big city. Be a tourist somewhere you have never been before, or re visit some of your favourite quaint cafes and eateries in one of your favourite places. Use buses, trains, city bikes and explore:) I'm definitely going to try and visit London this summer!

Festivals

Festivals have become so popular recently so you really can take your pick of the local or big festivals available in the UK. Take wellies just in case the British weather doesn't hold out:)

What plans do you have this summer?