Whistlestop trip to Cornwall

So on a spur of the moment I decided to head to the coast for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and settled on Cornwall as the perfect getaway.

As I have never been before I was looking forward to being by the sea, getting some fresh air and experiencing some Cornish hospitality.

I stayed at the East Crinnis Holiday Park in St Austell - Cornwall and the site was small, quiet and and very friendly. The facilities are extremely clean and we were even treated to an Easter Egg on Easter Sunday. The staff were extremely helpful with any advice that we needed and I would definitely recommend a stay here if you are in that area of the country.

The luck of the weather was definitly on our side for the weekend and so on Saturday after doing some pre-trip research we headed out on the bikes for a trip to Gribbins head.

I came across this 4 mile walk on the National Trust website which takes you from Fowey all along the coast to Gribbins head and to the Gribbin daymark.

The Gribbin daymark stands 84ft (25.6m) high and was built in 1832 by Trinity House as a navigation aid to prevent mariners from mistaking the shallow waters of St Austell bay for the deeper waters of Falmouth harbour. 

The walk was moderate and taken at a steady past and takes you along to the beautiful cornish coast which offers great coastal views. Definitly good for blowing off the cobwebs.

After cycling back to the campsite and sipping a few Gins we headed into nearby Charlestown for the evening. Charlestown is a small and quaint port and we popped into Charlies Boathouse for a well deserved cocktail. Now whilst the feeling in my legs from the bike ride and walk hadn't fully returned the Mojito did go down a treat.

The next day the weather took a turn for the worst so it was ideal really that we went to the Eden Project. 

This place is so vast and built in an old Claypit and offers something for all ages. I think the Rainforest Pod was my favourite and certainly got me excited for my real life trip to the Amazon Jungle in July.

Rainforest Pod

W.E.E. Man (Waste.Electronic.Electrical Man)

The project has just the right amount of factual information without overloading your brain and you are free to explore all of the areas without fear of being told off by staff. We did the tour in about 3 hours but on a better day I'm sure you could spend longer and explore the outdoor areas in more detail. I did top off my trip with a lovely clotted cream ice cream cone.

The Greek God Dionysus

All in all for the amount of time I spent I really enjoyed my time in Cornwall and cant wait to go back for longer and to do more exploring another time.

100 Happy Days Challenge

100 Happy Days Challenge

As I approach the Day 50 milestone in my #100happydays challenge I thought I would share a selection of my favourite happy moments. If you are wondering whether or not to take up the challenge then I would say just do it and it has been a lot easier than I expected and definitely helping me feel more positive.

Old School Trainers/Charity Bake Sale/Brixton fun times with Bex/Pizza as big as my head/Practising my crow pose/Queen Beyone at the Brits/Spring Daffodils/Driving through the sunny Peak District

Stylist Magazine

I am lucky in the fact I get to go to London once a week for work and always look forward to picking up a copy of the Stylist magazine while I am there. Its the perfect read that covers all my favourite topics, fashion, travel, celebs and book reviews.

This week the Stylist covered a great piece on the best Beauty looks in Disney. Most girls love a Disney Princess, for her enviable hair, wardrobe (ball gowns hello) and handsome Prince, so this article made me really smile.

Image courtesy of Stylist Magazine and copyright belongs to Disney

Personally my No.1 Disney Princess will always be Belle and my favourite beauty look of hers has to be in the Ballroom when she sweeps along dancing in her golden gown.

You are never too old for Disney in my opinion :)

The Fault in our Stars

I think I wrote in an earlier post I was just about to begin reading 'The Fault in our Stars' by John Green. It took me just under a week to finish the book and I did really enjoy it, but it didn't make me cry as some friends had possibly suggest it would do. Call me a cold hearted Ice Queen :)

The story is all about the first love and last love of two teenagers Hazel and Gus, that despite meeting at a Cancer Support Group embark on a whirlwind friendship and romance in the saddest circumstances.

The book was an easy read and hard to put down once I got going. I now cant wait to see the film which comes out in the Summer.

Now its time to get back to reading Game of Thrones so I can see what lies next in store for my favourite characters in Westeros. Geek Alert!!

Charity Bake Sale

I have had such a busy and hectic week and I am so happy that Friday is here and I can look forward to a fun filled weekend in Manchester with friends. This weeks loving post features a variety of topics.

Baking

We held a charity bake sale at work on Friday to raise money for a local charity and it gave me a great excuse to give my brand new Cath Kidston Strawberry print cake stand a go. Its so pretty even with out cakes on it and I cant actually believe my brother picked this for me himself. Our bake sale had everything from Jammy Dodgers, to Rocky Road and Flapjacks. What a perfect way to spend Friday at work then stuffing your face full of cake.

Cath Kidston Cake Stand from Santa

Bake Sale

Breaking Bad

Now I love nothing more than a good American TV show box set to get into. 24, Prison Break, Game of Thrones, you name it I've watched it, so when Netflix offered a months free trial over Christmas I decided I would see what all the fuss was about and delve into Breaking Bad.

I was hooked instantly and cant believe that after 5 seasons I have now watched the final episode. The last few episodes of season 5 were 'on the edge of your seat' stuff and I am a little sad to say goodbye to Walt and Jessie. Now I am left with the decision of what box set to get into next???

Friday Dance Anthem

I was driving home from the Gym on Monday and Zane Lowe was playing a song that I just had to Shazaam. I love a good dance track with a female vocal and I have not stopped playing Hideaway by Kiesza. It definitely will make you get in the mood for the weekend. 

Happy Valentines Day and have a good weekend x

Winter Skincare

Winter Skincare

I don't know about everyone else but this cold and windy weather is wrecking havoc with my skin. Winter is always a bad time for our skin, where we yearn more than ever for Summer to make our skin glow and our freckles come out. Luckily I am getting through the winter with a few trusty skincare side kicks.

Now I wouldn't say I had a skincare regime as I am very much a face wipe and moisturiser kind of girl, however I have been a Boots No.7 fan for years now and its Essential Moisture is great as its non greasy, light and perfect for giving my skin that extra boost of moisture. They are definitely my go to brand for skin care.

But it is not just about keeping my face moisturised at this time of year as my little hands need some TLC too and this L'Occitane hand cream has been a life saver. It came free with an issue of Glamour Mag and it sits on my desk at work to remind me every day to pop it on and give me hands and nails some love. They have a brand new flavour 'Red Cherry' on their website which I'm tempted to try next.

Winter Saviours

Nails

In keeping with giving my nails some TLC I treated myself to a new nail polish in this great shade of blue. Rimmel are in my opinion one of the best polishes out there as they are long lasting, quick drying and their wide range of colours always make my nails looks purdy. I chose 'Aqua Cool' to match with the Topshop acid wash denim dress I wore this weekend on a night out in London.

Ice Blue Nails

London Fun
This weekend I was out in Brixton for a friends birthday and had dinner at an amazing Malaysian restaurant called Satay Brixton. We made it just in time to make the most of the £5 happy hour cocktails (Hello Mai Tai's) and every dish on the menu was screaming EAT ME!! I settled on Mr Wangs Chilli Beef and steamed rice. If you are looking for somewhere to eat dinner whilst in that side of London then I would definitely recommend Satay. I only wish I had a bigger belly to have eaten more.

Satay Brixton

Mai Tai Happy Hour Cocktails

New Music

Something that I always look forward to in the new year is lots of new music coming my way. As mentioned in an earlier blog post I am a big music fan and try and get to as many gigs as I can. Recently I came across two new songs on the Zane Lowe show which got me really excited.

'Coming of Age' is the brand new song by Foster the People and is amazing. Man I have missed this band and I cant wait for their new album 'Supermodel'.

Secondly 'There is no other time' is the new release by The Klaxons who have collaborated with Gorgon City on this track and I had to turn it up loud when I heard it. You can be sure this is set to be all over the radio any time now.

Hope you have had a good weekend x

Boohoo Boots

I have been slacking with my 'Loving this week' posts so here goes with my first one for January.

100 Happy Days Challenge

I recently came across on Twitter and Instagram a really great challenge to help beat those January blues. The 100 Happy Days challenge asks people to try and find something good in every single day that makes them happy and to take a photo of it and share via their favourite chosen social media.

You can join the challenge here - http://100happydays.com/ and I thought this was a really great idea to bring some positivity into your life and start to appreciate the little things in life.

I am on Day 8 of the challenge and I am really enjoying it so far and have roped a few friends into the challenge too.

Here is a quick snapshot of my last 8 - #100happydays

Yoga Session/Chinese with the girls/Walkies with Ringo/Sunday Baking/Banana for Spinning/Cuddles with Cyril/Bathtime Bliss/Beautiful Flowers in St Pancras

You can follow my progress on Instagram - Follow me

Disney Memories

Doing some research for work I came across this amazing Disney blog. They are showcasing on their blog the first-run theatrical poster for every movie released by Walt Disney Animation Studios. If you are a big Disney fan like me click through the gallery to see them all and reminisce. My favourite is Sleeping Beauty. Such a classic.

Images are not my own and copyright of Disney

Boohoo Boots

I snapped up these cute little Chelsea Boots from Boohoo recently and I can see these being my Winter footwear staple. They look great with tights and skinny jeans and super comfy and a bargain at only £25.

Happy Friday Everyone :)

America Road Trip - Part 4 Great Smoky Mountains

Leaving rainy Nashville behind next stop and another 213 miles to go the next stop was Gatlinburg in the Great Smoky Mountains.

I spent a great deal of time researching where would be the best place to stay in the smokies as we only had one night to stay. Gatlinburg offered everything I was looking for.

Driving to Gatlinburg you pass the town of Pigeon Forge, most famous as the home of Dollywood - A theme park owned by the one and only Dolly Parton. Driving through Pigeon Forge was one of the most bizarre driving experiences ever. It has an upside down hotel and a replica of King Kong and the Empire State Building. The word that springs to mind is tacky tourist town but thankfully that was not the final destination.

Pigeon Forge

Nestled in the heart of the Smokies the small town of Gatlinburg has picturesque scenery, a Moonshine Brewery and lots of personality.

Going at the beginning of August this place was very busy and full of tourists but that didn't distract you from any of the towns charm.

Quaint shops and restaurants line the side of the one road that goes right through the heart of Gatlinburg and pretty much everything is within walking distance.

A few recommendations if you are going to Gatlinburg are;

* To try all different 12 different types of Moonshine that they offer at the Brewery. I managed all 12!!

12 Varieties of Moonshine

* Look out for Racoons

This little guy was hanging out on a shop roof

* Take the sky lift to the top of the mountain for great views of the town. I went up just as the sun was going down so you had great views as the sky changed colour.

View from the top of the ski lift

If you have more time to spare in Gatlinburg there is also an Aquarium and an old fashioned trolley cart that takes you through the town.

Be sure to pay a visit to the Great Smoky Mountain Visitors Centre as they offer great advice on the best walks and drives to do with the time you have in the smokies. Due to limited time we opted for a drive up to Clingmans Dome observatory tower for a quick view from 7000 feet up, before setting off for a drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway. This beautiful drive is incredibly high and through endless winding roads but on the other side we entered the State of North Carolina and one step closer to the final destination.

Thanks for reading my little blog!!

American Road Trip - Part 3 Nashville

So after Memphis the real part of the road trip began.

Next stop Nashville.

211 miles and about 3.5 hours later the highway curved around to bring into view the iconic skyline that Nashville is known for. Most recognisable is the AT&T building also known as the Batman Building.

The view of Nashville from the Cumberland Bridge

The trusty voucher book (you can pick one up at any gas station) that had become a staple part of the road trip gave discount codes for a range of hotels in Nashville, but after a friend visited here a few years ago I knew I wanted to stay in the hotel with the guitar shaped pool. The Ramada Downton Nashville is cheap but not so cheerful however the pool was pretty great. It is also almost on the car park of the Tennessee Titans stadium and right by the Cumberland Bridge which helps you to cross the river straight into the heart of the city.

The first night out in Nashville (perhaps due to the long drive) resulted in a great deal of beer being drunk. Broadway Downtown is the place to be, where every night you can listen to live music, smell the leather from the cowboy boot shops and drink good old Tennessee whiskey in the saloon bars. The strip is alive with neon signs drawing you into the bars and so after working our way up Broadway we ended up in Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.

Now this place came recommended in my Lonely Planet book and was buzzing with atmosphere. The beer is cheap and the music is loud.

Perfect combination.

Broadway Baby

So on Day 2 armed with a hangover, the first stop was the Country Music Hall of Fame. Complete with Audio tour this place is a must visit even if you are not the biggest fan of Country Music. It takes about 3 hours to do the whole tour. The museum is great and you get to hear how Country Music got its roots and the costume section of the tour was my absolute favourite.

Dolly Parton's Outfit on show at the CMHOF

After the CMHOF I walked further up Broadway towards the Ryman Auditorium. This place is probably best known as the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry and definitely worth a visit. The building itself is one of a kind.

The next stop was to hop back in the car and head out of town to the famous listening rooms - The Bluebird Cafe. This small and intimate 90 seat venue has played host to Faith Hill, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift, and is covered in fairy lights.

Now if you want to visit the Bluebird make sure you book in advance and don't do what I did and take your chances queuing up early for the 20 places they offer without booking. Despite getting there early we made it right to the front of the queue before we were told the venue was full. Gutted...... However they did let us stick our heads in to see inside and it was magical. Being a massive fan of the TV show Nashville this place was the one venue I really wanted to go and see some live music. I guess it just wasn't meant to be, but that didn't stop me from getting my picture taken underneath the iconic canopy.

My final recommendation in Nashville is the Hatch Show Print Shop on Broadway. If you follow music, art, and culture of the American South, sooner or later you will run into the iconic look, typography and imagery of Hatch Show Prints.

One of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America, Hatch Show Print posters have featured a hot of music performers, including Neil Young, BB King and Johnny Cash. The shop itself is also home to an adorable fat ginger cat that can be found snoring in a basket tucked behind some of the print boxes.

I just couldn't leave this place without buying a print for myself. A little something to remind me of the amazing time I had in Nashville. This print is now framed and hangs in my kitchen.

I would recommend Nashville to anyone and cant wait to go back for longer next time

+Lonely Planet 

Bucket List

I just love making lists and take great satisfaction crossing things off those lists. Therefore it seemed only natural that I should make a bucket list.

So here it is and I will use my blog to share stories of these adventures as I work my way through ticking them off.

1 - See the Seven Wonders of the World

• The Taj Mahal in India - Done
• The Great Wall of China
• Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
• Machu Pichu in Peru
• The Great Pyramids in Egypt
• Petra in Jordan
• Chitchen Itza in Mexico

2 - Do a sky-dive

3 - Take a road trip across America - Done - New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Great Smoky Mountains

4 - Climb a mountain

5 - Sleep in an Ice Hotel

6 - Learn to play the guitar

7 - Run at least a half marathon

8 - See the Northern Lights

9 - Ice Skate in Central Park - New York - Done

10 - Go to Glastonbury - Done

11 - Dive in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia

12 - Make a vegetable patch in my garden
13 - See Whales and Dolphins in their natural habitat
14 - Visit Bora Bora and stay in a water bungalow
15 - Carve my name in a tree
16 - See the Whitehouse in Washington - Done 
17 - Gamble in Las Vegas and visit the Grand Canyon
18 - Ride a horse down a beach
19 - Visit Yellowstone National Park
20 - Get lost in Rome
21 - Stand on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco
22 - Visit Cuba
23 - Go to Ibiza and dance all night until the sunrises
24 - Go back to India and do some Yoga
25 - See the Cherry Blossom Trees and Climb Mount Fuji in Japan
26 - Watch people dance the Tango in Argentina
27 - See the most famous Waterfalls - Iguazu in Brazil/Argentina, Victoria Falls in Zambia and Niagra Falls in North America.
28 - Take an African Safari
29 - Stand on Red Square and see St Basils Cathedral in Moscow
30 - Take a boat along the Amazon River
32 - Go the the Ballet
33 - Visit Disneyland Florida 

American Road Trip - Part 2 Memphis

So upon leaving New Orleans and a 7 hour Amtrak train ride later I arrived in Memphis, Tennessee.

Moving on from a city of Jazz this place is all about the Blues and good old fashioned Rock and Roll.

Memphis certainly has a different feel to that of New Orleans and whilst it is mostly known for its music and bbq's its a city very much affected by poverty. The area surrounding Beale Street can at times feel very surreal as you walk past closed down shops and ramshackle buildings. However the city is still full of plenty of charm and charisma.

Of course no trip to Memphis is complete with a trip to the mecca of Rock and Roll - Graceland. I really didnt know what to expect from Graceland but I have to say I was pleasantly suprised and found the audio tour around the house and grounds fascinating. It really is like taking a step back in a time machine.

From Graceland you can catch a free shuttle bus to take you to the World Famous Sun Studios. This place was my favourite tour in Memphis and the little shoebox sized studios was amazing.

Sun Studios was founded by Sam Philipps in the early 1950s and was the place that recorded the first tracks of Howling Wolf, Johnny Cash and some guy named Elvis. You may have heard of him. :)

In fact you can even stand on the spot where Elvis recorded some of his most famous tracks. There is also the most iconic photo of the 'Million Dollar Quarter' that was Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins hanging on the wall. If you love music this place is an absolute must.

A short walk from Sun is the Gibson Guitar factory. If you love guitars then this place is like Disneyland. On the tour you get a front row seat into how the factory creates these beautiful instruments right from the very first piece of wood.

Now any history lovers will know that Memphis is not just about the blues music but that this place was an integral part of the civil rights movement back in the 50's and 60's and The Lorraine Motel on Mulberry Street is the place where on April 4th 1968 Martin Luther King was shot dead. You can peer through the window of the motel room where he was staying and then take a tour around the civil rights museum just across the road. Now this place is very information heavy but its definitely a worthwhile trip to fully appreciate the scale of what happened on that day and the days of the investigation thereafter.

Finally no trip to Memphis would be complete without spending a good few boozy nights of your stay on Beale Street. This 24 hour carnival zone is lined with bar after bar all playing live Blues music throughout the day and night. You can easily lose many hours just sat in a bar with a good beer in hand listening to real life rhythm and blues. I also recommend the BBQ ribs in BB King Blues Club.

Silky O'Sullivans Irish Bar on Beale

If you're looking for somewhere to stay in Memphis I would recommend the Comfort Inn Downtown Memphis. The ritz this place certainly isn't but its clean, right by the banks of the Mississippi and has a rooftop pool with a view of the Pyramid.

Here are a few photos of my time in Memphis - Tennessee.

Elvis' TV Room

Inside Sun Studios

Elvis' Jungle Room with Lisa Maries Panda toy

Hope you enjoyed reading my little blog :)