Well hello to you my reader chums! Being in your twenties is one of the biggest learning curves ever and although it can be the best time of your life, it's also a decade for some hard truths and learning who you really are and what you want in life. My twenties so far like many have been like a rollercoaster for many reasons, I've experienced some of the best moments of my life but also learned a lot about friendship - who is my friend and who is not, and the friends I thought would be in my life forever, leave.

Navigating friendships in my twenties has been a challenging concept as it's the first decade of my life not in education, and I have to make my own way in keeping existing friendships and making new friendships. It's definitely been a massive change and helped me learn a few lessons along the way. If you're in your twenties and struggling with friendships, here is how friendships change in your twenties.  

Everyone has different priorities

Your twenties are a decade of change where everyone will be on different paths, from travelling and making their way into the career world to starting a family and getting married. Every person has a different priority on what they want their life to be in their twenties and it's okay not to be on the same path as your friends. However, as you may not be on the same path, continuing and prioritising friendships can be challenging as they don't align with what you want out of life. These different priorities will either show how much you mean to each other or draw you apart and whatever the outcome, it'll be the right choice for you and your life.

 The dynamics are completely different

With a change in priority and different life paths, the dynamic of your friendships may look different. This could be seeing your friends less, having to put in more work to organise when to see each other or the easiness of your friendship may become more challenging. For example, some friends I only see twice a year in person and text the rest of the time, whilst others I call regularly and see in person all the time. It doesn't mean the friend I don't see that often I don't love as much, it's just our dynamic is a lot different. 

   Some friendships are toxic, and some are healthy  

One of the things that really came to head with friendships new and old in my twenties is which ones are good for me and which ones are not. I realised which friends were toxic and which friends were healthy and always had my best interest at heart. Learning which friends are toxic is incredibly painful but removing them from your life can be the best choice you make. This leaves you more time to focus on the healthier friendships which enrich your life.

You learn who has got your back

Your twenties can be challenging, whether you lose your job, break up with your partner or struggle with the first proper decade of adulthood. Whatever the situation, we all struggle with the up and down waves and who stays with you in the low moments will show you who will always have your back. Stick with those friends and replicate their energy.

You'll realise what you want and need from friends  

 Learning about friendship expectations has been such a tricky thing for me and it's made me lose friendships or stay in situations where I didn't know the right way out. Not every friendship is the same; not everyone can be your best friend and your first priority. You'll have some friends for a deep, family-like connection, others for a fun casual relationship and some you work with and enjoy their company. As their dynamics are different, you'll realise what your expectations are of each friendship - and how you can navigate that.

Friendship circles get a lot smaller  

This isn't everyone, but I've definitely found the older I get, the smaller my circle becomes. I started to do things with smaller groups of people and sometimes friends one on one, which to be honest, I've loved and preferred. Hanging out with people individually and in small groups has allowed me to grow deeper friendships and have that dedicated quality time.

You may lose friends or see people's true colours    

Red flags come alive in our twenties as life changes occur and you see people's true colours. If they really care for you and want what's best for you, they'll stick around no matter what.

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

 Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I love a European city break any time of year, especially in the autumn. There's something about a cooler breeze in the air, autumn sunshine and a quieter atmosphere that makes many European cities even more charming. I always recommend visiting European cities during shoulder seasons, especially in autumn as it's my favourite time of year.

If you're planning a European city break, here are the best European cities to visit in the autumn.

Autumn is my favourite time to visit Italian cities and Bologna will always remain one of my top European cities. Located in northern Italy, Bologna is a city of incredible food, such as ragu, tortellini, cured meats, fresh pasta and endless gelato. Surrounded by mountains, the city has plenty to see, such as the Torre Degli Asinelli, Piazza Maggiore and Cathedral di San Pietro. It's such a charming place with quaint walkways, food markets and a rustic look, plus for a popular city, it's not too touristy. The weather in autumn is mild with a mountainous breeze in the air.

Porto, Portugal 

 For that dose of autumnal sunshine, Portugal should be at the top of your list. Porto has a charm about it like no other and it's a city of gorgeous sights, good food, endless things to do and the perfect location for day trips. I loved everything about Porto, from Clerigos Tower, Porto Cathedral, and bookshops to local markets and authentic Portuguese cuisine. From Porto, you can easily travel to the Douro Valley and experience port tasting and beautiful scenery. The best thing is, that you can still rock your summer dresses and hats.

Florence, Italy

Florence is in the heart of Tuscany and a region that deserves its level of admiration. As a focal point in the region, Florence boasts everything for lovers of art, history and architecture, with a delicious food scene too. Florence features the famous Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Strozzi Palace. As a characteristic city, you can explore many stunning piazzas, visit Pitti Palace or take a train to nearby towns and cities, such as Lucca and Pisa. 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands      

Everyone loves Amsterdam and for good reason. A city famous for its quaint canals, there's more to the city than first meets the eye, including gorgeous museums, significant history and cute brunch spots. With pretty parks and endless opportunities to cycle around, you'll have plenty of things to do for a weekend in Amsterdam. 

  Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is a city I absolutely adore as there's something about its charm and character that makes it so special - and one of those cities you can enjoy, whatever the weather. This city has many incredible sights, such as The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat and many cobbled streets to wander and explore. The food scene is everything as you can enjoy whatever you desire, including Makars Mash Bar.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

I'm in love with Croatia and really want to explore more of the country, including its beach scene. Dubrovnik should still be warm around autumn which means you can soak up the coastline without endless crowds and people, and make the most of the historic centre. Visit the city walls, explore the old town and eat your way around the city.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is a perfect destination to explore all year round, especially autumn with a rich history, colourful architecture and great nightlife. As a must-visit destination to see the harrowing Auschwitz, explore the salt mines and the old town and eat as many dumplings as possible, prepare for an insightful experience.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Where are you planning to visit?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! I admit, summer is my season. I adore everything about the sunshine, longer days, spending every weekend by the beach, and eating all the ice cream possible. I'm forever in love with summer days, picnics in the park, swimming in the sea, and morning strolls to grab a pastry in the sunshine. There's something about that that fills my heart with joy.

Despite my love for summer, I love autumn time. The cosy activities and winding down into winter, are the ideal time for introverts. Autumn is a fabulous season because of the gorgeous colours, cute fashion and cosy activities, such as film evenings, baking and forest walks. 

If you're not a fan of waving bye to summer, here is my guide on how to embrace the joys of summer in autumn.

Make the most of the daylight

Vitamin D is essential for our mental and physical wellbeing. Even though in England, we aren't guaranteed sunshine, especially in the autumn and winter weather, embracing the daylight is crucial. Whether it's getting out for a morning stroll, running errands at lunchtime or enjoying a cup of coffee in the park, make the most of the daylight. It can be hard, especially if you work a 9-5, but that's why it's even more important to make that time, such as getting outside in your lunch break or before you begin work in the morning. 

Eat ice cream every day 

I'm an ice cream girl and I love the hot weather, it's an excuse to eat as much ice cream as I wish. And, just because it starts to get cooler, doesn't mean the ice cream needs to stop. Eat it as you would in the summer and enjoy the small joy it can bring to your day.

Continue your outside hobbies

I'm terrible for this but as soon as the weather gets cooler or it rains more, I stop doing outdoor activities, such as running, reading at the beach or heading out on a hike. Don't let the weather stop you from doing this. All you need to consider is preparing more, such as wearing a rain jacket and layers, ensuring you're warm enough to partake in the activity. 

Book a holiday

My favourite time of year to go away is the in-between seasons because it's quieter, cheaper and generally in many destinations out of the UK, the weather can still be lovely. Book a holiday in this time can help you embrace the joys of summer as that's usually a time when many have that holiday feeling. Whether it's a city break or a beach holiday, enjoying a holiday in the sunshine feels like summer will never end.

Wrap up and go on a walk

I love a walk, whether it's first thing in the morning or an afternoon stroll. Walking is a fab way to embrace nature and the world around you. Granted, in autumn, it's not as sunny and warm in the summer, but that shouldn't take away the fun of a walk. Put on a warm fleece or jumper, your best walking shoes and bring a raincoat for good measure and enjoy the autumn colours.

Watch the sunrise/sunset

I adore watching the sunrise and sunset, both are some of my favourite activities and in the autumn, they hit differently because sunny days aren't as promised. If you're heading out in the morning or evening, embrace it like the summertime but with an extra few layers and a hot drink.

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

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 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travelling regularly on a budget is my thing; I've been doing it for years and tried to go away and see new places as much as possible. Yes, travel can be expensive, but it's still possible to travel regularly even if you're on a small budget - it just takes more planning and restrictions. 

If you want to travel more regularly and are unsure how to begin, here are my best tips on how to travel regularly. 

Go on shorter breaks away

Going on holiday doesn't mean you need to travel for two weeks or more. The beauty of living in the UK is the accessibility to nearby locations and how you can visit them for a few days, and still enjoy the wonder of travelling, seeing somewhere new and having a break from work. To travel more regularly, book shorter trips away. This could be a long weekend, between 3-4 nights rather than a week-long trip. You'll be surprised about how much you can do in 3/4 days when away, such as exploring a new city or having a new experience. Most of my trips, especially city breaks have been for that period, ensuring I can visit more places. 

Limit the luxuries

There's always that saying 'well I'm on holiday', but to travel more regularly you'll need to make sacrifices when away. For example, you can book cheaper accommodations, eat out less when away, choose local restaurants and avoid drinking alcohol as much as possible. I'm not saying you need to restrict the entire trip, but be smart with your money and how you spend it, whilst away and when you're booking the trip.

Use comparison websites for flights

I've spoken about comparison websites for years now, such as Skyscanner but honestly, they're a game changer when looking for various flights and airlines. Google Flights also does the same thing, comparing and can make it easy to find a flight that suits you. Comparison websites link you to different sites, including the airline itself, which I generally book from. Always clear your cookies when looking for flights as this can help reduce prices slightly.

Have a travel savings account     

If you want to travel regularly, you need to consider booking trips regularly and how you're going to do just that. A dedicated travel savings account will help you move money every month into that savings account and know all the money in there is going directly towards your trips. It's down to you and your monthly wage how much you put into it, however, I'd suggest at least £100 a month or more if you can so you can book trips in advance and save as much as possible. 

Prioritise travel over other luxuries    

After your bills and expenses every month, you're left with disposable income and what you do with it can change how often you can travel. We all have luxuries we like to spend disposable income on, such as going out for dinner, concerts, theatre shows or drinking with friends. However, prioritise and almost sacrifice some of these things and put your disposable income towards your travels. This will give you a dedicated amount of money to spend on travels and put in that savings account.  

 Sign up to travel deal websites

If you're travelling regularly, travel deals are gold dust. Sign up for many travel website newsletters, such as your favourite airlines, accommodations providers and package deal sites as you'll be the first to see their offers when they appear in your inbox. Ryan Air for example, always have cheap flight deals where you can save plenty of cash.

Pack lightly 

Luggage these days with airlines costs a lot of money, especially if you want to check in a bag. Pack as light as possible only bringing hand luggage if you can as it can save you a lot of money and make you realise that you won't need as much luggage as you think. 

Lower your expectations    

We all have massive expectations of holidays and travel, such as staying in aesthetically pleasing accommodations, eating at fancy restaurants and constantly having out-of-this-world experiences. However, the beauty of travel is roaming around new places for free, trying cheap street food and only using accommodation for rest as you're too busy exploring and having fun. Lower your expectations about how 'perfect' your trip should look and instead focus on how amazing it is that you're travelling in the first place.      

                                Travel off-peak                                        

This may sound obvious but when you travel off-peak, it's significantly cheaper to peak season. If you want to travel more regularly, choose the quieter and less popular periods because you'll save a lot of money, and you can travel more often.    

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. How often do you travel?  

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Folkestone is a gorgeous seaside town in Kent which in recent years has revolutionised and become a place for endless things to do, cute cafes, beautiful beach walks and regular art and musical events. As someone who loves Folkestone a lot, especially its independent cafe, restaurant and shopping scene, I wanted to share my personal experiences of how to spend the perfect day in the pebbly beach town.

If you're new to Folkestone or looking for fun and exciting things to fill your day, here's my guide on how to have the perfect day in Folkestone.     

Start your morning with a stroll along the Leas

The Leas is a gorgeous place to begin appreciating the wonders of Folkestone because it overlooks the entire coastline and makes for a lovely nature stroll. As the Leas is pretty long, stretching your legs, chatting, and appreciating the natural beauty around you is fab. The Leas is also home to the bandstand which often has live music and hosts many fun community events. If you come along on the weekend, especially in the summer, you can expect to see bands playing, food stalls, vendors and ice cream trucks.

                                 Have breakfast in the town or harbour                               

After a stroll, the next thing on your list is to enjoy a delicious breakfast. In Folkestone, you're almost spoiled for choice of incredible food places across the town and harbour. For a quick pastry, you can head to Harbour Coffee and Steep Street and for a more indulgent breakfast, try out Marley's for a quality fry-up and delicious pancakes, Sailbox, Mocka, Brew, and Yoke. You can also walk over to Sandgate and enjoy Swedish buns at Orchard Lane or a more filling breakfast at Loaf.

Wander along the Creative Quarter's independent shop scene

After breakfast wherever you choose, it's time to appreciate the wonderful independent shop scene in the Creative Quarter. This road includes vinyl shops, an Etsy store featuring all small business items, art shops, an organic food shop, a sewing shop and clothing stores. It's a hub for independent artists to shine and purchase gorgeous independent goods. Tontine Street is next to the Creative Quarter which features the Folkestone Bookshop.  

Play mini golf 

If you head towards the harbour, you'll find the mini golf along the beach which only costs £6 each. You can enjoy a game or two and appreciate the wonderful view of the surrounding beach views.

Grab a bite of lunch at the Goods Yards

You may have worked up an appetite when you've explored the town's shopping scene and played some golf. Head over to the Goods Yard which offers an array of food vendors, from pizzas, Greek food, fish and chips, and Bao buns to burgers and mac and cheese, there's plenty to choose from, suiting every person. The Goods Yard also features many places to grab coffee, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. 

Spend a few hours relaxing on the beach

You can't visit Folkestone without spending some time on the beach. From the Goods Yard, make your way down to the beach where you can enjoy a stroll along it or if the weather is nice, sit and appreciate the views. The Folkestone coastline goes on forever, towards Mermaid Beach and Sandgate. You can experience a beach swim, sunbathe, read your book or even grab a drink at Mermaid's Cafe. If you've got children, you can walk up the steps to the Leas Cliff Coastal Park and let them loose to enjoy the endless slides and climbing frames. 

Experience dinner at a range of independent restaurants

In the evening, you have many restaurants in Folkestone for a splendid dinner, whether you love pub grub, pizza or Vietnamese cuisine. Some of my favourite restaurants include Marley's, El Cortator, Viet Street, Lubens, Burrito Buoy, Sotirios Bar & Restaurant, The Radnor Arms, Brewing Brothers, Annapurna and The Harbour Inn.

Enjoy the pub/bar scene 

Many of those restaurants, you can also enjoy a drink at too, such as Brewing Brothers and The Radnor Arms. Other fab pubs and bars include The Beer Shop, The Pullman, Cabron, The Pilor Beach Bar, and The Potting Shed. The Docker Bar and The Ship Inn in Sandgate are also brilliant additions.

Go to the Board Room for darts and shuffleboard

To end your night, head back to the Harbour Arm to the Board Room to continue your drinks and enjoy a round of darts or shuffleboard with your friends. You may even catch the sunset on the Arm!

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Ever since I've implemented a morning routine, my days have changed for the better. I love feeling productive before I begin work, starting the day on a high, rather than rolling out of bed feeling tired and starting work straight away.

Whether you're a morning or evening person, a morning routine can benefit your mental health, productivity levels and mood for the day.

Decide on a time to wake up that suits you

Everyone wakes up at different times, whether you're a 6am person or like to start your day a little later. Having a time that you get up every morning will give you a regular routine of when you wake up and help you fit everything else into the routine. Likewise, it's good to have a similar time each night when you wind down, ensuring you have a solid amount of sleep each night.

Choose an activity to start your day

Starting an activity when you wake up, can help alert your mind and wake you up. For example, I love to read when I first get up as it helps me concentrate on a novel and still experience the cosy feel of bed. You can start your day with any activity, such as journalling to get your thoughts out for the day and write down your affirmations. This is a great way to start your day with a positive mindset. 

Do some form of exercise

After some quiet time with reading, I love to get my body moving. My type of exercise varies on my energy levels, ranging from pilates and yoga to dumbbell workouts, dance routines, and even a run. For me, it's important to listen to my body in the morning to choose the type of exercise I do.

Avoid going on your phone when you get up

It's so easy to grab your phone as soon as you wake up and scroll but I find this a slippery slope. The night before, put it on 'Do Not Disturb' and try to avoid changing that until you're finished with your activity and exercise. This can help you focus on your exercise and activity, instead of distracting you with notifications. 

Make delicious and wholesome breakfast

A delicious breakfast will kickstart your day in the right way and spending time making it is part of the nourishing process. I love to have yoghurt and granola with fruit and nuts most days, and sometimes smoothie bowls, pancakes or eggs.

Shower and get ready for the day

Finish a normal routine by showering, skincare and putting an outfit on that makes you feel fab for the day. Even though you're working remotely, it doesn't mean you have to live in joggers and baggy jumpers.

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

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 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm a self-confessed people pleaser and spend way too much of my existence trying to help and please other people, rather than focus on my own needs, wants and goals. However, as I've grown older, I've gotten better at putting my needs first, and prioritising myself and what I'm doing with my life.

If you're a people pleaser and trying to focus on yourself more, here are my 5 tips on how to put yourself first.

Boundaries are essential to protect your peace and your mental health and wellbeing. Setting boundaries can have anything to do with how people make you feel, removing yourself from certain situations, not overbooking your calendar or asking for more reciprocal energy from someone. Boundaries work differently for everyone and can be challenging to implement, depending on who you're asking to set a boundary with. Find the boundaries important to you and try to communicate them to your loved ones, either when a situation arises or to prevent future circumstances. 

Learn to say no

Saying no is having love and respect for yourself as it shows you're not doing something to please someone else, but following your own heart. Nothing is easy in life but people-pleasing and following paths that aren't right for you won't make you any happier. By saying no, you can move away from circumstances that don't align or serve you, helping you put yourself first instead of plastering on a fake smile.

Stop yourself from unnecessarily apologising

I have to admit I unnecessarily apologise all of the time and that's an effect of people pleasing that honestly, I hate. There's no need for it and I'm ever so slowly getting better at not apologising for unnecessary things, however, it's not easy. When you feel about to apologise, catch yourself and remind yourself you don't need to apologise at that moment.

Practice regular affirmations

Regular affirmations are a brilliant way to reassure yourself of how great you are, building your self-esteem which defeats low self-worth and can make you feel better about yourself overall. Affirmations can be practised as often as possible, whether that's every morning or every night.

Practice self-love and reassurance

In the same breath, practising self-love is another way to reaffirm your self-worth and hyping yourself up. By loving yourself and having more respect for yourself, it makes it easier to put yourself first - and prevent yourself people pleasing.

Understand that you're not a bad person for setting boundaries

Setting boundaries doesn't make you harsh or horrible, it means you have respect and love for yourself to set them in the first place. And, when doing that, other people will have more respect and love for you as they can see you're living a life authentic and right for you.

Always stay true to yourself

Your authentic self deserves to be seen and heard and by practising that true energy, you can live a more fulfilling life and beat the woes of people pleasing.

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

Thank you for reading <3