5 days in the Italian Riviera: best things to see and do

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I'm Italy-obsessed, as many of you may know. It's my most visited country, and I love exploring new regions, cities, and coastlines, and trying out different types of cuisines across the country.
One place I hadn't visited before was the Italian Riviera, and I wish I had gone sooner, as the entire trip was dream-worthy, authentic, and had the best food and gorgeous beaches. I'm in love with the Liguria region, its people, and everything I saw.
5 days in the Italian Riviera: best things to see and do

If you're planning a trip to the Italian Riviera (Liguria region), here is my guide for 5 days and the best things to see and do.

Day one: Finding your feet in Genoa

  • Take a morning flight into Genoa and catch a Volabus into the city centre
  • Drop off luggage in the tourist centre and wander around the central area, including Piazza De Ferrari and Via Garibaldi
  • Check into your accommodation and figure out your bearings
  • Visit the Porto Antico, wander around that area and catch the sunset
  • Dinner at Cavour21

Day two: Exploring Genoa's best sights and food

  • Buy the 24-hour museum pass for 15 euros to access many palaces and museums
  • Visit San Lorenzo Cathedral
  • Visit Christopher Columbus House and Porta Soprana
  • Walk through the Caruggi area (lots of cute alleyways)
  • See San Siro church
  • Go to Palazzo Reale, Piazza Ducale, Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco (all included in the pass and near each other)
  • Catch sunset at Spianata di Castelletto
  • Dinner at Le Mani Ristorante

Day 3: Boat tour to Portofino

  • Book a day boat trip from the Porto Antico port (28 euros each), which stops off at Camogli, San Fruttuoso and Portofino
  • In Camogli, enjoy a mooch around the town and swim in the dark pebbly shores
  • San Fruttuoso is pretty small - enjoy a drink with the view or chill on the tiny beach
  • In Portofino, wander around the colourful streets, grab a gelato (Gelataria San Giorgio) and explore the fancy shops. You can also take a 20-30 minute walk to the Baia di Paraggi beach
  • Recharge after a gorgeous boat trip and have dinner at Osteria da Canneto, then take an evening city stroll

Day 4: Day trip to Santa Margherita and Rapallo

  • Get the train to S. Margherita Ligure-Portofino station. (4.50 euros one way) 
  • Mooch around the city centre and visit Villa Durazzo
  • Walk along the promenade and have lunch with a view
  • Lunch at Panificio Fiordiponti  
  • Gelato spot: Gelataria Centrale
  • Spend the rest of the afternoon on Spiagga Libera and go for a swim
  • Take the train or bus to Rapallo and have a mooch before heading back to Genoa
  • Dinner at Trattoria Rosmarino
Day 5: Explore Boccadasse Beach and soak up the last of Genoa
  • Wander around Genoa and visit the other churches, including Chiesa del Gesu dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea and the Church of San Matteo
  • Get the bus to Corsa Italia and walk along the scenic walkway to Boccadasse Beach
  • Spend a while relaxing on the beach and enjoying the view
  • Gelato stop: Antica Gelataria Amedo
  • Hop on a bus toward Genova Nervi and then walk along the coastline, before getting the train back to Genoa
  • Dinner at Antica Isterua Di Vico Palla

Where to stay in the Italian Riviera?

The Italian Riviera is huge and has many towns included in the region; it can be hard to know where to stay. However, I'd recommend basing yourself in Genoa (as that's what this itinerary is based on and the easiest to get around). As the capital of Liguria, there are brilliant train, bus, and boat connections to explore all of the areas in the region.
Genoa is a nice-sized city, and staying close to the centre can make it easy to get around. I found there were more Airbnbs than hotels, and ours was near the port, which was the perfect location. We could walk into the centre in around 10-15 minutes and were right next to the port for boat excursions.

How to get around the Italian Riviera?
Genoa is a really easy city to navigate. You can walk around a lot of the central parts, and there's an easy-to-navigate metro line. To leave the city, there are train, bus, and boat options to explore other towns and beaches. If you're not based in Genoa, the other towns across Liguria have similar connections as they're all connected along the coast.

Focaccia places in Genoa
  • Focaccia Bakery E Coffee  
  • Focaccia e Dintorni
  • Eataly

Best gelatarias in Genoa
  • Aprile coffee & cream
  • U Gelatto du Caruggiu
  • Gelatina

Best breakfast and lunch spots
  • Pesto bene -pesto tasting
  • Ugo - for dreamy takeaway fresh pesto pasta
  • Verde Salvia - pastries and focaccia
  • Romeo Viganotti - pastries
  • Tazze Pazze Caffeteria Gourmet - pastries

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning to go?
Thank you for reading <3

All the things nobody told me about being pregnant

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Pregnancy has been a whirlwind so far. On one hand, I'm feeling incredibly blessed, all my dreams are coming true, and the baby is growing well, but the journey has been harder than I could have imagined.

All the things nobody told me about being pregnant
Before I got pregnant, there were only a few close people to me who had gone through it, so I knew lots about their experiences and the general expectations of the first trimester, the tiredness, and the pains; however, there was a lot I either hadn't been told or just didn't realise would be a thing.
If you're pregnant for the first time and feeling alone in your emotions, symptoms, or how your body is changing, here is my take on all the things nobody told me about being pregnant.

It's a massive mental challenge
Everything I read and knew about pregnancy previously focused on the physical symptoms: tiredness, sickness, food aversions, cravings, back pain, and getting out of breath. But nobody prepared me for the mental challenge. With constant exhaustion came low motivation and a feeling of being down, especially in the first trimester. Needing naps just to get through the day and losing my usual routine really affected me.
I really struggled because I'm such a go-getter who loves to keep busy and achieve a lot in a day. I work for myself and have many side projects, but my motivation was low, lasting into my second trimester. Many days, I woke up feeling down and teary, wanting to stay in bed and watch TV. My natural instinct is to do things, but I had to embrace taking it easy.
It's also a mental challenge because coming to terms with my identity changing, how people viewed me, body changes, and accepting that there are limitations to things I can eat or do due to being pregnant. I also found myself questioning every little thing, when it came to exercising, eating, activities, and even sleeping, and whether they were safe for the baby. I haven't stopped worrying from the minute I found out that something could go wrong, which is a daily struggle!

All the trimesters are different for everyone
What I thought I knew: first trimester would be the hardest, the second trimester is the best, and the third trimester is physically difficult but a joy because you feel your baby. What I know now: the first trimester is exactly that, incredibly hard, and a new challenge. I suffered with nausea and intense hunger, constant exhaustion, and low energy and motivation.
With the second trimester, I did not snap back into 'everything is wonderful' straight away. In fact, apart from the nausea (which I was relieved went away after 11 weeks), I was still incredibly tired and had that low energy and feeling until I hit the halfway mark at 20 weeks. It was only from 20 weeks that I began feeling like me again, my energy was back, I felt happier and excited, and the mental struggle was a lot less. I've not experienced my third trimester yet!
With that in mind, just remember: your trimesters will be completely different from others, whether that's your sister, mum, or friend. Don't compare yours as honestly, there's no point, and you'll just find it frustrating, especially if they have 'better' symptoms than you.

Body changes are challenging
With pregnancy comes body changes, and even though I was aware of what would happen, it didn't hit until it actually happened, if that makes sense. Your boobs grow really fast, and for me, that was a shock. My belly changed. Things don't fit anymore.
For the first half of the pregnancy, it's more of a bloat, whereas when the bump actually starts showing, then it feels real and you can lean into it a bit more. I'm lucky for the most part, I've felt grateful for my body changes as I'm growing my favourite little human, and what a blessing that is. But there have been times when I've said some mean comments about my changing body.

Gender expectations are a real thing
Gender is a weird topic when you're pregnant, as everyone will have an opinion about what the baby will be, either because of your symptoms, how you're showing, or because they can see you as a girl mum or a boy mum. And of course, we as pregnant women have our predictions about who the baby is going to be.
Whatever your predictions and expectations, finding out the gender can be a mixed emotions day, because you go in picturing what either baby will be and come out with only one of them (if it’s a single pregnancy). I didn't think gender would be such a big thing for me until I had to process all the emotions about different expectations. Allow yourself to sit with any feelings you have and know that it's okay. You'll love your baby, whoever they turn out to be.

The exhaustion is real
I could write a whole book on the tiredness in pregnancy. Feeling tired all the time, having a good night's sleep, and still wanting to sleep more, and having random naps. Luckily, my tiredness was worst in the first trimester, but as I'm progressing and physically getting bigger, tiredness is increasing once again. Just remember, you are growing a human, and they will take all your good nutrients, push on your organs, and make you feel out of breath very easily.

You start not caring about little things
Over the years, I've gotten better with the let them theory and not caring what other people think, but in pregnancy, that hit on a whole other level. All the minor dramas, people's comments and opinions, and those not putting in energy, don't bother me anymore. My priority is me, my baby, my partner, and the family we're starting - and I love that for me, especially as a people pleaser who is always doing stuff for everyone else, that I’m the last resort.

I had to slow down
As I mentioned, the exhaustion and feeling low meant I didn't really have a choice in slowing down. This pregnancy has forced me to lean into the power of rest and surrender to sleep when needing it. I've stopped resisting and thinking I need to get a million tasks done, and it has really benefited my mental health and wellbeing.

Baby's movements start differently for everyone
I feel very lucky my baby is an active bean; however, just know that everyone experiences a baby's movements differently, and a routine doesn't start until around the 28-week mark of pregnancy. Try not to overly worry, but if something doesn't feel right, you can always speak to your midwife and get checked. Like the midwives keep telling me, I know my body better than anyone, and you do too.

Partner support is everything
One of my biggest gratitudes in this pregnancy is having a supportive partner, and it's the reason I've been able to deal with the toughest days of pregnancy. He has helped me in every way possible, and I'm forever thankful for our relationship and the father he'll be to our son. Whoever you have around you, lean into them in this time and ask for the support when you need it; you don't have to struggle on your own.

You won't feel like yourself (brain fog)
Baby brain is not a myth. My mind has certainly been working differently from pre-pregnancy. Sometimes I forget things, I can't gather my thoughts, or generally I don't feel like myself. I even feel like I'm going crazy at times!

People are nosy
Be prepared for unsolicited comments or questions, especially when you start showing. I don't mind answering them, but at times, there have been people who I barely know who ask personal questions, make comments on my body, and give an opinion, and I don't like it at all. It seems very invasive and nosy to me.

The beauty in feeling the baby move
I'll end it on a positive note - feeling the baby move in my womb is the biggest blessing and really connects me to them. There's nothing more magical than knowing they're in there and doing life alongside me. I'm so excited to meet them and see who they become.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add?
Thank you for reading <3

I'm pregnant!

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! A massive and exciting announcement: I'm pregnant! What a dream come true! 

 I've documented everything on this blog since I was 16 years old, and one of those dreams back then and always has been was to be a mum, and now it's coming true. I'm still in shock and incredibly excited. I always wanted it to happen, and I was so scared the chance would never come, but what a gift to be pregnant and have my baby boy growing inside me.
Pregnancy has been a complete whirlwind and something I thought I knew a lot about until actually going through it, especially with the highs and lows.
Now I'm over halfway and gearing up for my third trimester, so I thought it was the perfect time to share my experience.
Finding out I was pregnant was a happy shock and news that took me a while to feel like it was real. It's funny because I felt like I knew before I took a test, as I felt different, something about my body wasn't the same anymore. I also found out when I was around 5+ weeks, which is why I started to feel sick and have sore boobs, as I was waiting for my usually late period to show up.
My partner and I couldn't believe our luck; we were going to be parents. It's weird not telling anyone straight away, as I felt so unwell and unlike myself, and the tiredness was hard, but there was also a special element that it was our news, our journey, and our secret.
Overall, my pregnancy journey has been a rollercoaster, with emotions I didn't even realise would come up, pure joys in telling people our news and feeling the baby kick for the first time, fear and worry that something would go wrong, and learning the art of slowing down.
I definitely underestimated how challenging pregnancy could be, as everyone says the first trimester is the hardest, but I didn't feel like myself until about 20 weeks in the pregnancy. I struggled with nausea, tiredness, and ultimately my mental health. The complete exhaustion was a lot; however, the mental challenges I struggled with were much more.
Feeling low, unmotivated, and a lack of interest in doing certain things was hard, especially as I'm such a productive, ambitious person by nature who loves to keep busy. But the plus in that level of tiredness and unmotivation was learning the power of rest and really teaching myself it's important to slow down, especially when I am growing a whole other human, which is a lot of work! Also, as the bump grew, the aches and pains began, which is another story.
Even though I have really struggled, pregnancy and all the highs that come with it have outweighed that, especially now as I feel so much more myself, and I'm loving the movements of my baby boy every day. Going to the first scan was nerve-racking, but when we saw our baby on the screen and heard his heartbeat for the first time, it was magic. As you don't have a bump in the first trimester and no kicks or anything, it's quite an anxious time, so to find out he was all healthy was everything to us.
I love knowing that every day and whatever I'm doing, my baby is with me and coming along for the adventure. From around the 18/19 weeks, I started to feel little flutters, and from 20 weeks, the movements have been consistently stronger. He is such an active bean, and it's a really reassuring feeling to see him move around and kick me. Every time I feel him, I smile as I know he is with me and is happy, which is all I could ever wish for.
I also love how my bump has grown, and when I hit the halfway point, I suddenly popped, and it was much more obvious I was pregnant, which I feel so blessed. Following along on the app, seeing the size of the baby is a lot of fun, and I love seeing how big he is and knowing that in a few months, he'll be here.
I'm over the moon and loving every minute of the baby getting bigger and bigger! I can't wait to finally meet him and see the little baby I've been growing and what he looks like and who he'll become.
I hope you enjoyed this post and overview of my pregnancy journey.
Thank you for reading <3

How to make the most of the cosy season

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! As much as I'm a summer girl, I love the cosy season. There's something gorgeous about getting cosy at home. Embracing the slow moments and enjoying the cold weather. Hibernation and winding down are good for us as humans to pause, take that break and appreciate the natural flow of the weather.

How to make the most of the cosy season

If you're making plans for autumn, here is how to make the most of the cosy season.

Make fun, indoor plans

The joy of the cosy season means embracing indoor plans, whether it's game night, crafting sessions, dinner parties, or film nights. The fun doesn't need to stop because the evenings are darker; you just need to be a little more creative with your indoor plans. You can have themed evenings, baking competitions, or something simpler, like enjoying your video game collection.

Embrace and enjoy all of your home comforts 

Home comforts are what autumn is all about, from wholesome foods like stews, soups and hearty dinners, to homebaking, your favourite loungewear and pyjamas. It's about cosying up in the evenings with your favourite films, playing games with your partner or starting a crafting project.

Appreciate when you need to take a break

Hibernation and colder weather mean a natural time to slow down, rest and take a break. Appreciate this time and try to take it easy on yourself. If you're feeling tired, rest; if you don't want to be productive, that's okay. You don't need to rush; you can slow down and enjoy the power of rest, taking a break and the true reason for hibernation.

Enjoy all the comfort foods

Comfort food is the best; I love homemade cakes, soups, roast dinners and big piles of mash and beans. I love how autumn is the time to eat hearty food, make it from scratch and enjoy it more.

Plan for seasonal events

Autumn means fun seasonal events are coming up, such as Halloween, bonfire night, and of course, Christmas. You can start to make plans for these seasonal events, mapping out your calendar over the next few months, adding as much joy as possible to the cosy season.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you most looking forward to?

Thank you for reading <3

What I learned from hosting my first networking event

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've always had a mixed view on networking events, as some are a lot of fun with the right vibe, some are boring and traditional, and don't feel very welcoming. As a business owner, I wanted to set up my own event, which aligns with what I wanted from an event: non-cringey networking, good food, great vibes and workshops to add value to the room.

What I learned from hosting my first networking event
If you're planning a networking event or would like to start a new project, here's what I learned from hosting my first networking event.

You will find like-minded people who match your energy
In the business world (or life), it can be difficult to find like-minded people, but the more you search and find events or places that match your energy, you can meet people that you align with. At the first networking event, we had a room of people with similar vibes, who all got on with brilliant conversation. It was a dream to watch!

Networking events can be fun; it's about going to the ones that align with your values and interests

I love networking events when they align with my interests and values, hence why I created my own. And, I've learned that they can be fun, and it's something you look forward to as a business owner; you just need to find the ones for you.

There are more people like you than you think

Being an introvert and someone who doesn't love to party, sometimes it can be hard to fit in. But though running my business and this event, I've realised there are more people like me than I thought, and the same will be with you. You will find your tribe, and you will love that energy.

Community is everything in business and brings us all together

Community is what makes running a business a joy. It's about making amazing connections, boosting each other up, recommending others for work, and collaborating together. All of that positive energy brings us together and makes persevering even better.

You can start any project you put your mind to

This is your reminder: if you want to start that big project, host your own networking event, or start a business, you can do it and put your mind to it.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What networking event is your favourite?
Thank you for reading <3

What they don't tell you about buying a house

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Buying a house is a long process, one that takes a lot of preparation, saving, and what feels right for you. Going through this process is different for everyone, as sometimes, it can be quite quick, and most of the time, it can take a very long time from accepting the offer to completing on the house. 

What they don't tell you about buying a house

If you're in the process of buying your first house, it can be daunting and uncertain. This guide shares some of the things I wish I knew before buying my first house.

Don't expect it to be a fast process

Every house-buying journey is different, as you can be held up by the number of houses in the selling chain, solicitors, and whether there's a new build in the mix. You'll have to consider several factors that can slow down the process. When someone says it can take 3 months, for example, take that with a pinch of salt, because there's always some factor that can delay the process.

There will be unexpected costs 

I wasn't aware of all the costs before entering the house-buying process. I was aware of the deposit, survey and mortgage advisors, but not of other costs and how much they would all be. The costs aside from the deposit include the mortgage advisor, solicitor, surveyor, mortgage application fees, removal vans and insurances, such as building, life and income protection. You'll also want to have some money to furnish or renovate the house, whether you're moving into a doer-upper or a new build.

You'll need to be prepared that things can get delayed or go wrong

Buying a house isn't all rosy and fun, and they say it's the most stressful experience for a reason. You'll need to be prepared that things can go wrong; people in the chain can pull out, a huge issue can be picked up in the survey, or there may be a really long delay with completion.  

A survey shows every worst-case scenario

When you receive the house survey for the first time, it may seem a little shocking and worrying. It's usually an incredibly long document, stating everything about the house, including possible issues that need fixing soon or huge, significant issues that can be quite costly, such as structural damage to the property. It's likely you'll have minor things come up, but bigger problems are rarer. With that in mind, take it with a pinch of salt, because you may not need to fix the problems as soon as they say - the surveyors have to cover everything that could potentially go wrong.

A mortgage advisor helps you get the best possible deal

Our mortgage advisor has been incredible throughout the house-buying process, answering anything we didn't understand or were uncertain about. The mortgage advisor will help you with the mortgage application, see the amount you're able to borrow and apply for the mortgage offer for you. They'll be the ones to have contact with the mortgage provider and can reapply if the mortgage fees improve.

The amount of money you can borrow is based on your earnings

Everyone can borrow a different amount of money towards their mortgage, and this is linked to their annual earnings. Your mortgage advisor will do the affordability application for you, advising how much you can potentially afford. I would recommend that you borrow under what you're able to afford, as that'll make your mortgage payments lower and mean less of a deposit. 

Create an emergency fund

There are lots of unexpected costs when buying a house, including furnishing the house and decorating it. Building an emergency fund can help towards the decoration, furnishings, mortgage payments, overpaying the mortgage and any potential issues you'll want to sort when you move in, like replacing the boiler and changing the locks.

The first mortgage payment can cost more

The first mortgage payment can be higher than your ongoing monthly payment because it'll include interest from the date the mortgage provider released the funds, up to the end of the month, plus your payment for the following month.

Knowing it's the right house is a feeling

You'll probably visit a few houses before you find the right one. Don't expect the first house you see to be the one you buy. The more you see, the more you'll figure out what you want in a house and what you don't.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you buying your first home?

Thank you for reading <3

Why slowing down is important as a business owner

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! In the business world, everything is busy; you're either doing client work, admin, marketing, accounts, networking, or generally thinking of ways to improve your business and maintain a good workflow. 

It is exhausting and busy, but incredibly worth it overall. However, even though running a business is busy, it doesn't mean you should fall into the burnout trap or be working 24/7. In fact, overworking and overdoing it are going to have a detrimental effect on your mental health and business. 

Why slowing down is important as a business owner

I've always been bad at resting, as it doesn't naturally come to me, but over the last year, I've tried to embrace it more personally and professionally. Here's why slowing down is important as a business owner and the benefits it has.

Recharging and resetting mean better outcomes

Your phone needs to be charged every night, and so do you. You wouldn't expect the phone to keep running and working when it runs out of battery - and why are you expecting yourself to keep going when you need a rest? Recharging and resetting is one of the most important things we can do as business owners, whether it's having set times to turn off your computer, having an unwinding evening routine or taking regular breaks. You must find moments in your day and week where you can reset and recharge to be fully present in your work.

With a clearer and refreshed mind, you can make better decisions, foster creativity, feel more productive and enjoy your work. You can give a better version of yourself to managing clients, employees and everything in between.

You can focus on the important things

Running a business is a lot of work, and you can't always focus on everything at the same time. Slowing down can help you plan a more manageable schedule where you focus on the more important things, whether that's big projects or breaking down your workload throughout the week, rather than cramming everything into one day. It gives you time and space to be mindful about how you want to work, when and what feels right for you.

You'll enjoy your work-life balance a lot more

You started a business to enjoy working, and that's what you should be doing. If you're constantly on the go, you're not pausing and enjoying what you set out to do in the first place. Slowing down means you can enjoy the work you're doing, what you've achieved and that work-life balance, ensuring you're living your life and working how it suits you. 

You'll feel better in yourself and about daily life

This point is the most important - by slowing down, you'll feel better overall about life and your work, as it gives you more reflection time to understand what is most important to you. You'll start to listen to your body more and appreciate what it needs, taking those restful moments and going with that flow rather than forcing yourself to do things you can't do.

You'll appreciate the little moments rather than focusing on big achievements

Life is a series of a million little moments, and the big moments are the few in between. We spend a lot of time focusing on the big goals and large achievements, rather than the everyday wins, the yes moments and the journey. Slowing down helps you embrace just that; you'll start congratulating yourself more, practising gratitude and having a better appreciation for life.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3