Staycations and Safer Travel - 5 perfect UK weekender breaks

In collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own Like everyone else right now all I want to do is pack my bags and head off on a European road trip or book a flight to a far-flung destination! The past 18months have felt incredibly long, with ongoing restriction which has affected all of our lives in one way or another, periods of being unable to work or see family members, most of all doing our part to help keep ourselves and others safe and while things definitely feel like they are moving in the right direction, we still live with the possibility of sudden changes to travel windows which make booking a break overseas more complicated than ever before.   I have seen people on the news get stranded in countries that have suddenly gone into lockdown or have put the UK (or visa versa) on to the amber or red list meaning more tests and quarantining before being able to head home. While these additional risks may be worth it for some, for others who cannot take more tim......

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How to stay connected while travelling

*This post contains affiliate links  Staying connected while travelling around, whether that’s in the UK or further afield, has never been more important. Just because we’re away from home, it doesn’t mean we want to switch off entirely and we may need our mobiles on hand to keep in touch with those back home. Roaming with our mobiles has become easier over the years, with networks now forced to make their roaming policies clear and stick to certain rules. So, let’s take a look at the roaming rules while travelling in certain locations and what you need to be aware of before you set off. UK Travelling in the UK if you’re with a UK mobile network should be relatively straightforward. Whichever of the four nations you’re in, you’re fine to use your mobile as you would in your own garden. However, if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in remote areas, it’s worth checking whether your network has good reception around there. If not – and if your handset is unlocked as many are t......

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Gifts to keep that wanderlust going

* Disclosure - This Post is unpaid & 100% my personal views. I was sent PR samples from Sussex Candles, Junior Reader and Gibsons  While we are on the right track and things are slowly opening back up, with many of us in the UK venturing out on staycations and exploring this amazing island we live on, for many overseas travel is still tricky and comes with possible quarantines, restrictions, extra paperwork and extra cost so for now many are still staying put, which can be hard when you are a avid traveller.  So I thought I would put together a few fun things that are helping to inspire that wanderlust feeling for both adults and children, while we still navigate this new normal.  Wild Swimming Guide Wild swimming has seen a massive boom in the past 18months, everyone is trying it out, which is fantastic! I was given this beautifully illustrated Wild Swimming guide from a friend for Christmas and while it's not very big it has all the essential information you need t......

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5 Tips for Self Care You Should Incorporate

*Contains Affiliate links The subject of health and wellness is at the forefront of almost every conversation today. Now more than ever, businesses, educational institutions, governments, and the general public are placing a greater emphasis on the mental and physical health of others. If you feel like there is room for improvement there, you’re not alone. The truth is, there are things we all should be doing more or less of to help us feel better about ourselves and live healthier lives. Self-care is an important part of this journey and involves putting your health and wellbeing above all else. It can be easy to make this a second or third priority, especially if you are working hard or taking care of your family. The first step is to set realistic goals for yourself. How do you want to feel about yourself? How many pounds do you want to lose? Do you want to travel somewhere? Land a new job? Move to a new city? It’s important to set these expectations for yourself and do what you can......

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6 Outdoor date ideas in Cardiff

*AD Written in collaboration with Get Blogged I often feel that Cardiff is overlooked when it comes to places to visit or spend the day in the UK, but the Welsh capital has a lot to offer and is the perfect place for a coffee date with a friend, a romantic stroll with a partner or a refreshing solo date with yourself (I'm all about exploring on my own). No matter what kind of social plans you have, at the moment things are still hard and staying outdoors is the safest option especially when it comes to being able to socially distance and there are without doubt bonuses to that as you get to enjoy the fresh air, reconnect with nature and your friends or partner and discover some of the best places in Cardiff. We are all at different stages in how we are dealing with the pandemic and lifting of restrictions, some of us are still not ready to meet indoors or go to the pub so I hope this offers you a few more ideas for outdoor dates and socialising in the Welsh Capital. Meeting up with......

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Why life insurance was the first thing I bought after becoming a parent

* AD This post is written in collaboration with Responsival I've always been a free spirit and before becoming a parent I really didn't think much about the future, all I wanted to do was travel as much as possible and experience as much of this beautiful world as I could. I spent 2yrs backpacking and working across Europe, I was carefree and without much of a plan and while I'm still like that now nothing made me realise more how important my life was until I had kids.  I suddenly felt a weight of responsibility that I had never had before, to make sure they would be looked after should anything happen to me. When I  became a parent I had settled down a little more, had a reliable income although I was actually in the process of going freelance and self-employed but I had very limited savings and while I had a wealth of travel memories and experiences I didn't have much in the form of financial gains for my kids.  So for the first time in my life, I found myself resear......

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5 Tips for Organising Kids' Wardrobes

*Contains affiliate links  Organising a child’s wardrobe is something that may seem small and unnecessary but can really help save you time, money, reduce stress and help keep your kid's space tidy. Clothes are often the first thing that ends up on the floor or the bed and making sure they have a spot for everything will keep the clutter to a minimum. Not only that, but it will get them in the habit of putting things where they should be, which they will carry for the rest of their lives. If you think that’s an impossible task, don’t be afraid. Here are a few tips you can follow to organize your kids’ wardrobe. Take Inventory of What they Have Having two boys I do this fairly often as I reuse all my eldest son's clothes for my youngest. You should start by looking at what they have and what they don’t need anymore. This could allow you to clear the wardrobe, but also check what they may need at the moment. Give away anything that is still salvageable. If there are some things ......

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