Fire Safety Tips for home & away

*This post contains affiliate links Luckily I've never had to deal with more than very minor issues when it comes to fire although I once had to evacuate my house for a short time as my neighbour had a fire in her kitchen & smoke was coming into my home. I've also been one of those travellers who has had to stand outside the hotel because someone set the fire alarm off due to smoking in their room (which of course you can't do). But since having kids, fire safety has become even more of a priority and not just in our own homes but also when we are travelling.  Fires can occur in any kind of property, from your home to a school, workplace or even a hotel, so having basic knowledge of fire safety, improving safety in your home and what to do in an emergency is so important. Here are a few ways to make sure your home and travels are safer 1. Install a fire alarm & make sure your holiday property has one Firstly fit at least one smoke alarm in your home, preferably two ......

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Travelling to Europe? 5 things you need to do before you go

*This post contains affiliate links Many of us, due to the pandemic are only now slowly getting back into international travel, whether it be a long-haul trip or just city break or ticking off a bucket list moment such. as  tours in Paris , the world is open again. My boys and I have just embarked on a trip around Europe by train and I thought I would share the top 5 essential things to do before you head off on your own adventure. 1. Check your Passports While this may be obvious, the amount of times I've seen people miss out, especially those with kids (as their passports only last 5yrs) due to expired passports has been surprisingly a lot. The UK passport office is still experiencing delays and it may take longer than expected to get your new one back, there are options for fast tracking but these can cost significantly more so don't leave this until the last minute. 2. Apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) While this does not replace travel insurance it's ......

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How to have a Japanese-inspired Day out in London

Enjoying Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park My kids and I, like many people, have a deep love and fascination for everything Japanese and while we would love to jump on a plane to Japan (hopefully we will one day) right now with ongoing travel restrictions that are still in place in Asia means that's not the most feasible option. So how do we learn more about Japan and experience some of the culture without actually travelling there? First of all, we have been reading a lot of books, watching documentaries and films and learning how to cook some Japanese-inspired food at home. But then my son asked if we would have a Japanese-inspired day out in London for his birthday and like any major city London is a melting pot of cultures and influences, so we set out to see what we could find. 1. Kyoto Garden, Holland Park We started the day with a relaxing walk around the beautiful Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. Kyoto Garden was a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate the friendship between ......

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It's Time to Start Thinking About Your Autumn/Winter Style

*This post contains affiliate links It's that time of year again! The trees are bare, the air is chilly, and we're all bundling up in our warmest clothes. But just because it's cold outside doesn't mean your style has to suffer. In fact, winter is the perfect time to experiment with different textures, layers, and colours no matter what your personal style is. But not only that, but it’s also time to stock up on some of essentials that will carry you through this season. Fall and winter fashion can be tricky especially at the start of the season when the temperature fluctuates between warm and chilly. It's not as easy as throwing on your favourite outfit that has seen you through summer and calling it good. But there are ways of tackling the colder months that will keep you feeling good about yourself and warm all at the same time. One of the key to pulling off a successful fall or winter look is to focus on the details, a simple way to do this is by adding a scarf......

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