Nursery Planning & Inspiration

Image from Mamas and Papas

One thing I was always so excited to do when we found out we were expecting was to plan and sort out the nursery. It was something I was determined to have done by the time baby came, and it would be a functional yet cute space. I also wanted it to be something that could last a little while, and suit either gender as we don't know what we're having. But where did I start?

Pregnant in a Pandemic - How I'm Feeling

When you first start trying to get pregnant or see the little blue lines on a test, you envision your pregnancy and what it'll be like. Will you feel ill, how big will you get, what will your maternity wardrobe look like, who will plan your shower etc. I don't think anyone ever imagines they'd be spending a large chunk of it stuck at home, isolated from their friends and family. But that's where we currently stand.

2020 Reading Challenge - My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams

I've decided I don't like resolutions for a new year, I much prefer the term goals. Might just be me being super picky, but I always associate resolutions with promises you make to yourself that (9/10) never actually happen. Whereas goals you can set up as targets, with deadlines and actions. They're trackable. And one of my goals for 2020 was to read 10 new books...

THE TRAVEL DIARIES: DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Disney park number two, say hello to Hollywood Studios. Or MGM Studios as it used to be known when I came with my family 15 years ago. This was the park I thought would be Adam's favourite, and from memory was the most like a Universal park. However, it turned out to be our least favourite out of the three. Not because it sucks - because it doesn't, it's still amazing. It just wasn't our favourite.

THE TRAVEL DIARIES: DISCOVERY COVE

Theme parks and Disney ears aren't everything Orlando has to offer, there's also an aquatic world that's waiting to be discovered and waiting to give you incredible memories and experiences that will last you a lifetime. Say hello to Discovery Cove.

THE TRAVEL DIARIES: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

So let's talk about Universal, shall we? I am separating out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so that'll come in another blog soon but for now we're going to look at everything else in both Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure. 

THE TRAVEL DIARIES: DISNEY'S MAGIC KINGDOM

Enter the most magical of all the Disney parks. When you think of Disneyworld you think of the castle, standing proud and tall and encompassing every childhood dream and feeling you ever had. That's how it feels when you see that castle for the first time, it's like a warm feeling that starts to fill you from the heart as you breathe in, and releases all the excitement as you breathe out. Ladies and gents, Disney's Magic Kingdom.

THE WALLPAPER DIARIES: WEEKLY WALLPAPERS WEEK 2 - FITNESS

Welcome to another week's worth of wallpapers! This collection definitely took me longer to do - but I played around more with colours, fonts and styles and I hope you love it! I decided this week's theme should be all-around fitness, helping motivate you either to get started, go and do some exercise or push you through a hard workout.

THE TRAVEL DIARIES: VOLCANO BAY

Say hello to Universal's newest park - and it's a water one. When purchasing our tickets for Universal they had a deal where you bought your pass for the two main parks, and got the third free. Of course we went for this - and this freebie park ended up being one of our favourites from the whole holiday.

THE TRAVEL DIARIES: Cabana Bay Resort & Universal CityWalk

Our trip to Orlando was a big one, and required a lot of planning and research to make sure we really made the most of our time, and also our money. We had an incredible trip, and although it did take a lot of time to organise it all it was 100% worth it. So I wanted to share my thoughts and tips on where we stayed, ate, visited over the next couple weeks so if anyones looking - they can use my experience. And where better to start, then where we stayed?

THE WALLPAPER DIARIES: Launching My FREE Wallpapers

I have loved quotes for as long as I can remember - how they can affect your mode or even shift your perception of something. When I'm down, or something is bothering me my best friend has always sent me quotes, and vice versa. My gallery wall is half quotes. When I'm struggling with something I look at quotes to motivate me. So why not have a quote as my phone's wallpaper?

THE LIFE DIARIES: Exploring FriendsFest

Anyone who knows me is fully aware I am a huge Friends fan. You can't sit and watch and episode with me without me basically saying every line. It's just one of those shows that always makes you feel happy and makes you laugh. So when ComedyCentral first started doing their FriendsFest I was dying to go - but always missed the boat. This year however my lovely husband signed up for early access and voila! We got tickets straight away.

THE LOCAL DIARIES: THE DOCKYARD

I love food. It's no secret that it's my soul mate and it's an up and down relationship. We are getting to a good place though, don't you worry. Because of this relationship, I love going out for food and finding new places to try - so when I was invited to the new kid in town, The Dockyard, I knew I had to give it a go.

THE HOME DIARIES | Planning my Gallery Wall

When we first moved, over two years ago now, and I found out I would have my own office I knew I wanted a gallery wall. First of all because I just think they look ridiculously cool, but also because I wanted something creative and fun in my office - and something that would inspire me.

THE HOLIDAY DIARES: French Riviera 2019 - Where I Went

France is always one of my favourite places to visit. I've been so many times with my family over the years and I don't think I'll ever get bored of it. The French Riviera is well known, and places such as Saint Tropez, Cannes and Nice are hugely popular. However, we stayed just outside of the usual hyped areas and visited some beautiful places.

THE LOCAL DIARIES: Kayaking in Summer

I feel like I'm posting a lot lately around things to do and lifestyle, but it's what I've loved exploring and writing about lately so hope you don't mind! From next week I'll have some holiday themed pieces coming your way, but for today I wanted to share how you can get a little bit of holiday here, on the south coast.

THE LIFE DIARIES | Marwell Zoo's Brick-o-Saurs Event

 

 

Anyone who knows me, knows I love the zoo. I always have, and whenever we go anywhere new, chances are I'm going to drag that person to the zoo with me. Adam even took me to the zoo in London on the day he proposed. We actually live near a great zoo, and we usually go every year on my birthday and that's our annual visit. However, my in-laws very kindly got us an annual pass, so we've been visiting a lot more - and were incredibly excited when Marwell Zoo also launched their brick-o-saurs event.

THE HEALTH DIARIES: Working with a Personal Trainer - FAQS

 

 

Today will mark my 6th session with my personal trainer, and it's definitely been an experience. Since telling people I signed up with a PT, I've had a few questions asked - and I also reached out on my socials to see if anyone had any questions and I had a few back. So for today, I thought I'd do a little FAQ post around my experience.

THE LIFE DIARIES: A New Southsea Hangout

I always feel like I'm finding new gems in Southsea. I live outside of Portsmouth, so don't usually find myself wondering around and exploring - however, when I try somewhere new down there I'm generally in for a good surprise. So when I asked to head down the Scarlet Tap, a new bar in Palmerston Road, to try their menu, I picked up my bag and went exploring. I also took some of the fam with me.

THE LIFE DIARIES: A Weekend in Port Solent

 

 

Port Solent is many things to me. It's where we go for a last minute date night, it's where we go to see the latest film, where we pop for a relaxed lunch in the sun, and generally where my best friend and I go for our annual Christmas Eve lunch. However, not many people realise that amongst all the tasty restaurants and cute shops, there's an afternoon tea gem hiding.