Why you should keep planning your future travels

Well hello to you my reader chums! With the uncertainty the world is in right now, travelling is at the back of everyone's minds and is something, a lot of us are dreaming about when things settle down. Travel is my biggest passion and it's breaking my heart seeing the world in so much turmoil. I'm currently dreaming of a time where travel becomes the norm again, adventure isn't scary and experience of new cultures is everything - and I can set out to do what my heart desires. 

Times like this show how strong humanity and the world is, with people coming together and helping each other out. Despite the horrible circumstances that are going on, the uncertain period is making me reminisce on my travels and appreciate the cultures I have experienced - and be thankful I could do them at a time when things were safe.

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Why you should keep planning your future travels

Whilst there are more important things to worry about right now and focus on keeping safe, it's also important to focus on your future, your goals and more positive thoughts - and that's why you should keep planning your future travels.

It's important to remember that this shall pass, like any bad event, thought or experience. There will be a time, maybe in a few months or a few years when we look back and realise we got through it and came out stronger as a society.

Whether you're a travel lover like me or would like to explore the world more, here's why you should keep planning your travels.

It's something good to focus on

Whether you're self-isolating on your own or with your family, this period can be quite lonely for us all and it throws us out of whack from our normal routines - which can make us lose sight of the positive things that are going on in our lives. From your family, your friends to the little things that make every day better, they're the happy things you're focusing on now. But, once things are settled and life is back to normal, you can fill it with plans and the bigger things once more - and that'll give you something good to focus on if the little things aren't enough.

There's so much of the world to see

Travel makes my heart soar and there is so much of the world I still want to see. I'd like to ride a train between Kandy and Ella in Sri Lanka, venture around more of Scandinavia, trek up the hills in Sapa and backpack around Indonesia - my list goes on and on. I believe everyone should experience the joy of travel, whether it's a few days in a new city or a few months backpacking around.

Don't let fear rule your life

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear and a saying I live my life by. Although there is so much fear going on right now, there is hope - and the hope is what we need to have to think about what happens after lockdown - and the future plans that will go ahead. Even though there's a fear to travel again, it shouldn't hinder you from doing so.

Planning is fun

During a period where a lot of us are stumped for ideas on how we should occupy our time best, making future plans is an exciting prospect - and gives you something to look forward to. Search up travel ideas, itineraries, places to stay, blog posts and get reading - and inspired! You'll find plenty of places you can't resist but see and have a bucket list long before you know it.

Life is too short

At a time of crisis, many of us are panicking and thinking negative thoughts. However, life really is too short to be feeling that way. Appreciate the now and look forward to what you want to do and it'll make you realise what's important.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Where are you thinking of planning to go next?

Thank you for reading <3


How to keep motivated whilst working from home

Well hello to you my reader chums! I love the working from home life; the freedom of jumping on my laptop when I'm ready and having my lunch break in my garden, however, I know this isn't the same for everyone.

Whether you're new to working from home or struggling to stay motivated, here are my tips on how to stay motivated whilst working from home.

How to keep motivated whilst working from home

Write a to-do list

The first step to getting organised and feel like your life is in order is by writing a to-do list. Whether it's listing everything you need to get done for your day job, getting some life admin completed that you've been putting off for a while or ensuring you do a daily exercise; if you list it all at the beginning of the day, then you'll feel satisfied once you tick it all off.

Try and enjoy the simpler things

As all the exciting plans you do outside of the house aren't able to go ahead right now, it's time to take a step back and appreciate the simpler things in life. From spending quality time with your family, delving into a good book, scrapbooking, cooking a new recipe from scratch, planting a vegetable patch to organising your wardrobe. By dabbling into new hobbies and appreciating the little things, it will motivate you to do more and feel content.

Intertwine your usual routine into the home

Working from home can be very different from your day to day roles in your job unless you're a freelancer. And, it can take a while to get used to that habit if you're not in the homely environment every single day whilst working. The best ways to intertwine your work routine in the home is first, set up an area designated for you to work so you can stick to that zone and get your 'work mode on'. Then set up your laptop/computer with everything you need and map out what you're going to work on in the day. By trying to separate your actual home from the work whilst being at home can be tricky, but if you master it, you can find yourself being more productive.

Put away the distractions 

This point goes hand in hand with intertwining your routine. Distractions are the worst thing to demotivate you from doing things whilst you're working from home  - and we're all a massive sucker for it. Whether you're addicted to Instagram (like me) or generally find it difficult to concentrate in your home environment, then you need to bid goodbye to distractions. Put away your phone whilst you're working, switch on some calming tunes and remember to take breaks every now and then.

Stay social

Things can get lonely when you're working from home, especially if you live alone or with one other person that you can miss the social element of work. Obviously, you can't go out and socialise so stay social in other ways. Message friends online, arrange group video chats or give your family a call - speaking to people in the day will boost you up, help your mental health and make you feel a little more human. Just because we're self-isolating, it doesn't mean we should be isolated from communication.

Keep active

For me, exercise is huge in helping my mental health and keeps me focused on my life goals that not being able to go to the gym currently is a bit tricky. However, I've started to implement home workouts - from running up and down in the garden to doing my ab and weight routine indoors. If you don't have access to the same sort of equipment at the gym like me, just get creative with what you're able to do - and it can make your workouts a lot more entertaining. Things like yoga are also a great alternative, if you want to stay active but also practice a bit of mindfulness.

Break up the day 

If you're an office worker like me, then naturally, you'll break up the day at work by taking regular toilet breaks, walking around the office or popping into a meeting which gets you away from your desk - and you need to implement that same mindest at home, as it's not good to constantly stare at a screen. Take a couple of 5-10 minute breaks throughout the day to have a snack, go to the toilet, move around or do a chore, just to take your eyes away from the screen, as it'll refocus your mind.

Experience fresh air

Fresh air is incredibly important, especially as now we're going to be spending a lot of time in our homes. When you're taking those breaks in the day, pop outside your house in the garden or take a stroll up and down your street just to breathe it in and awaken your body a bit - it'll help more than you think.

I hope you enjoyed this post. How are you keeping motivated?

Thank you for reading <3

Book review: The Lightkeeper's Daughters by Jean Pendziwol

Well hello to you my reader chums! Another book, another review, and one I especially fell in love with. Don't get me wrong, I love pretty much all the books I read but there are only a select few which touch my heart in some way - and that was this book.

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As I'm a twin, when a book has a synopsis with twins in it, I always pick it up as the narrative is incredibly relatable and I find myself hooked instantly. The Lightkeeper's Daughters was one of those books that had plenty of unexpected plot twists and packed with both love, heartbreak and sacrifice - and here are my thoughts on the novel.

Book review: The Lightkeepers Daughters by Jean Pendziwol

Plotline

The book is all about Elizabeth and Emily who were inseparable twins that grew up in a lighthouse on a remote island. Their father, the lighthouse keeper kept journals of their life on the island and the twins growing up. Decades later, after his journals are discovered on a shipwrecked boat, Elizabeth is living in a retirement home and her eyesight is failing. She seeks the help of a troubled teenager Morgan who helps her read the journals and they form a very sweet bond. Through reading the journals, Elizabeth discovers her past isn't exactly what she remembered it to be and learns the answers to unexplained events which have haunted her for years.

Characters and relationships

I always say this but the best way to rate a book is by the characters and how their relationships unfold within it. In this book, relationships are at the core of the plot and that's why it's such a heart warming read. Undoubtedly, the relationships between Elizabeth and Emily is at the forefront of the novel and is kept constant throughout - as majority of things Elizabeth will talk about will involve Emily; they are inseparable and basically each other's life. With any twins, you're bonded from birth and have a best friend for life. And although, their relationship isn't exactly what you think from the off, as you delve further into the story, their strong bond is what keeps their love for each other and makes the sacrifice so worth while.

The book is very family based and Elizabeth talks about her relationship with them quite often, including the love of her father and the separation she experienced with her mother, and all about her brothers leaving the island, and leaving both her and Emily behind; the abandonment.

One of the most important relationships is Elizabeth's and Morgan's as it's what separates the novel and flips it from the past and modern day and how their stories end up overlapping. A lot of things come of their bond which you wouldn't expect and there are many plot twists that involve them both - which adds even more depth to the novel.

Book review: The Lightkeepers Daughters by Jean Pendziwol

Thoughts on the book

This book had the true power of storytelling which made it very difficult to put down. With every page or new chapter, there was huge amount of description from the author which painted the picture of the setting and the raw emotion behind every scene - which helped magnify the plot's main purpose and allowed myself to have a deeper connection with what was going on in the plot.

To sum up what I thought of the book; it was simply beautiful. The thought that went behind every page was filled with a lot of love, sentiment and intelligence. As you delve into a new chapter more secrets are unfolded and there were quite a few instances where my mouth dropped at the plot twists which occurred. The book shares the tale of love, how it can make or break you and the sacrifices you do for it, and the power of new friendships and how they can help you in life.

Overall, I absolutely loved it and would happily re-read it again. Entering Elizabeth's world and discovering her story was enlightening but also insightful as you venture back in time to the early 20th century and learn about the simpler way of life on a remote island where love conquers all.

Ending 

I won't give anything away about the ending, however, the book ended on a satisfying note. It didn't stop on a cliffhanger but came at a halt where it leaves the reader able to imagine the next part of the story - of what comes of both Elizabeth's and Morgan's lives. I felt content closing the last page and also inspired as the book had the power to trap me in for a little while.

I hope you enjoyed this book review. Are there any books you'd recommend at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

Well hello to you my reader chums! Krakow is a charming city, located in the south of Poland, and a place I really fell in love with. As a city that isn't overly busy in comparison to some of Europe's main hotspots, it's a hub for medieval buildings, lots of history, and good food.

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3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

Krakow is one of those cities that has more than meets the eye and the perfect place to get lost in its streets. And it's pretty easy to get to by flying; I flew with EasyJet and the flight only took 2 hours. Whether you're looking to take the perfect gram by the endless pastel buildings or delve into history, Krakow has a lot in store - and here is everything to do for 3 days in the city.

Day 1: Exploring the city

Old Town

Krakow is quite a big city and it's split into different areas, one of them being the Old Town. This had to be my favourite part of the city like I'm sure it is for many. The Old Town is packed with pastel buildings, quaint walkways, cute coffee shops, cool bars and plenty of restaurants to choose from. It's a great place to spend a few hours mooching and shopping - and the best way to kick start a day in Krakow.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

The Old Town has a few nice areas and the most popular section is the Main Square which is home to St Mary's Basilica and the centre of all things in the Old Town. The Main Square leads off to plenty of walkways, has a market and a museum you can dabble into. Whether you'd like to dine al fresco, sip on a few cocktails or sit and wonder, it's the cutest spot.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

Jewish Quarter/ Kazimierz

Kazimierz or also known as the Jewish Quarter is a really interesting part of the city to explore and something I'd recommend as you're getting your bearings around the place.

After the war and the tragic events which occurred in Krakow, the remaining Jewish population which returned to the city revived their cultural identity in Kazimierz and it's one of the most beautiful districts you'll visit on your trip. The overall appeal of this district is unique with the many synagogues including the city's oldest, museums, street food markets, and the general streets. Just by strolling around on places like Szeroka Street, you'll experience the charm, discover great restaurants and the history of the location.

Wawel Castle/Cathedral

The area of Wawel Hill was one of my favourites in Krakow. The entire location looked like a combination of an oil painting and a fairytale novel, it was just that pretty. In the area, you'll have a few beautiful buildings, including the Castle, Cathedral, a museum and a jaw-droppingly stunning view of the river and city.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

It's one of those places where you can sit and soak up all the beauty but also offers the opportunity to explore. There's the option to visit both the cathedral and the castle. The main part of the cathedral has free entrance but if you'd like to climb the tower or visit the museum, then there's an extra cost. I loved going inside the cathedral, there's just something about them which always brings me some level of serenity. The castle, like many, is a vision of beauty and costs around the £14 to get in - but be wary that the ticket office closes at half 2 so you need to buy your ticket before that - otherwise, you won't be able to get in. I made that error, however, I still managed to walk around the courtyard and explore the rest of the Wawel Hill area.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

Day 2: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau

On the second day on your trip, I would recommend dedicating to visiting Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camps are located an hour and a half out of the city by bus so it's worth taking the time making your way there and giving yourself enough hours to walk around.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

Auschwitz for me was an incredibly harrowing and heart-breaking experience but it's completely worth doing. Reading about the horror that went on is one thing but when you see it up close, it makes it more real and an awful encounter. It's insightful and I learned so much - that it's worth taking the day to go.

When it comes to visiting, you can either go independently for free or pay the small fee for a tour. I chose to go independently as I prefer that but it does mean you need to book in an early slot on their website (before 9am) before all the tours start. Going there early also gives you the opportunity to spend as much time as you need to take it all in. The camps are located about a 10-minute drive apart and there's a free shuttle onsite which can take you between the two.

The first camp Aushwitz I took the longest to look around in my opinion as there was more information available to read and absorb, however, the second camp is bigger in size and a lot more hard-hitting. Auschwitz-Birkenau was known as the death camp so when you arrive you'll witness the ruins and the endless huts the prisoners were kept in - it's horrific.

In total, it took around 5 hours to go around the 2 camps and considering travel time also, it makes for an 8 hour day in total. As I arrived around 8am, I was back in Krakow for 2pm so I had the whole afternoon to still explore, but if you go for a later time, you may not end up in the city till evening - it all depends on the route you choose to take.

City strolling

As visiting Auschwitz is a shock to the system, after going there, I spent the afternoon taking a slower pace around the city and taking it in - and gave myself the chance to fully relax. A slow stroll will also give you the opportunity to scout out places to dine at later in the evening - or bars you'd like to visit.

Day 3: Salt mines and Oskar Shindler's museum 

Salt Mines 

Krakow is renowned for its salt mine excursion and a lot of people will have it on their must-see list when arriving in the city. I'm so glad I put it on mine as it was a really insightful and unique experience that I knew nothing about prior to visiting Krakow.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

The salt mines are located in Wieliczka, a town in southern Poland and are around a 40-minute bus ride from the main city. The bus is cheap as chips and you can get it from the main bus depot in the Old Town - all you have to do is hop on bus 304 and it's the last stop, Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

The Salt Mines are a set of underground mining corridors that are 327 metres down and 287 km in length - and they started operating back in the 13th century. The mines need to be booked with a time slot as you have to have a guide to take you around, which in turn makes the experience even better. As I walked around, it was crazy learning about the history of the mine and how old everything is down there - and the life which went on and still goes on today. The mine has it's own chapel, restaurant and exhibits to view.

Oskar Shindler's museum

The Oskar Shindler museum is a must-do on your trip to Krakow -and something I really enjoyed looking around. I have a huge love of history so it was both incredibly interesting and sad to read what went on, and how Shindler was able to help so many people.


The museum takes you on a tour of the years in history and each room is decorated with a different timeline over the years of the war so you get a visual representation of what went on. I'd highly recommend taking the few hours to visit - and it's only around £8 to get in.

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

To get to the museum from the salt mines, you can easily hop on a bus and walk from there. I think I got the 274 bus but there are a few which head in the right direction. I just Googled it from where we were and took the quickest route.

Experiencing the nightlife

3 days in Krakow: what to see and do

To end the trip on a high, it's worth dabbling into the city's nightlife. Whether you'd like to go for a couple of cocktails or head on a pub crawl, it's a cheap city to drink and there's a type of bar for everyone. I loved the Modiva cocktail bar in the Old Town - it offers a selection of the coolest cocktails and is an Instagram dream.

Where to stay 

Krakow has a wide variety of different accommodation available from apartments, hotels, and hostels - and it's insanely cheap. I stayed at the Old Town Apartments which was located around a 10-15 minute walk to the Old Town and close enough to all the local attractions. I would recommend staying near the Old Town as it's a hub to get to excursions and walk elsewhere to everything else.

How to get around

Getting around Krakow is pretty easy. For the most part, you can walk to quite a lot to get to places and if not, public transport is easy enough to navigate. I took the bus to many of the excursions and asked around for the right route. You can purchase tickets on the bus so there's no need to plan in advance either. Trams also run through the city so you're able to get to the further away attractions via them, or you can get a taxi. Taxis on the streets cost a lot more than an Uber so if you want to take a cab a lot, I'd recommend downloading the Uber app.

Where to eat 

Krakow is an absolute diamond in terms of places to eat and drink, from the quirky cafes in the Old Town to traditional eateries in Kazimierz.

Szara Kazimierz - If you'd love to dabble into some traditional Polish cooking, then this restaurant needs to be top of your list. Located in the Jewish Quarter, it was a gem I came across when walking through and really loved the food in there. They offer everything from meat dishes, classic dumplings to a couple of exotic dishes as well.

Cupcake Corner Bakery - I'm a huge fan of coffee shops and when I'm venturing around a city, there's nothing better than stopping off for a hot chocolate and cake. I came across this one in the Old Town when strolling through and fell in love with it. It had that cute vibe and offered an assortment of different cupcakes.

Tradycja - I wanted to dine in the Main Square at least once when visiting Krakow as it's the hub of its beauty that Tradycja was the perfect option. There, I tried a traditional beef stew in a bread basket and it was honestly delicious - and their cocktails are pretty great too. And, if you sit outside in the evening, you can see the square lit up - talk about the ambiance.


Mo-Ja Cafe and Bistro - I love a breakfast spot and Mo-Ja Cafe and Bistro was located about 5 minutes from our apartment. It offered a selection of great breakfast/brunch food, lunch dishes, and cakes. It was the perfect find and incredibly reasonable too for the portions served up! And, the iced chocolate drink is to die for.

Milkbar Tomaska - I was recommended this place by a friend and it didn't disappoint. The cafe served up some hearty sandwiches, traditional snack style food and enough choice for everyone - and it was so cheap for the good quality.

La Grande Mamma - Even though it was amazing dabbling into the Polish cuisine, the Italian came out in me and I had to enjoy a little bit of pasta on my last night in the city. La Grande Mamma provided a huge selection of unique Italian dishes, dessert, and wine, in the most beautiful setting.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you visited Krakow?

Thank you for reading <3

5 Top cocktail bars in and around Covent Garden

Well hello to you my reader chums! Who doesn't love a cocktail? You can't beat it, especially when you're uptown for the day or staying in London over a couple of nights. London is a hub of quirky bars, classic British pubs and every type of eatery you can think of. I love going up there every now and then for a day out as the experience will always be completely different from the one before.

The best cocktail bars in and around Covent Garden, London

I'm not a major expert in London bars, however, on my last visit uptown, I went on a bit of a cocktail crawl in Covent Garden and found some brilliant hotspots - and wanted to share.

Blame Gloria

5 Best cocktail bars in and around Covent Garden

I was recommended to go here by a few people and I can see why. It's the ultimate 'girls' night out' venue, where they play the perfect sing-along tunes, have every Insta opportunity you can think of an assortment of cocktails. Every cocktail comes in a different quirky glass - and on every day other than Saturday, they do a 2 for 1 happy hour. It's a bar I'd love to revisit again with a group of my gal pals.

Dirty Martini 

5 Best cocktail bars in and around Covent Garden

Located in the heart of Covent Garden, I've walked past this bar so many times and finally went in on my last London trip. It's located on the bottom floor, this bar is every you can expect from a London bar - it looks fancy and serves up every style of cocktail.

London Cocktail Club Shaftesbury

The furthest out of Covent Garden on the list, London Cocktail Club has to be one of my favourite bars I've come across. Tucked away through a red door, as you go downstairs, the dimmed lighted venue has a lot of character to it - and the most beautiful selection of cocktails! Think of candy cocktails, classic daiquiris and so many more - it's completely worth the money.

Mr Foggs Gin Parlour

5 Best cocktail bars in and around Covent Garden

Traditionally known as a gin distillery, this little gem is incredibly quirky on the inside. It has an old-school, classic English vibe with the most random decor you can think of - like stuffed animals and unusual things hanging from the ceiling. I'm not a gin drinker so I dabbled into their list of cocktails - and honestly, they were delicious. I also liked how the served their cocktails in a glass mug!

The Alchemist 

Probably the most famous bar around this area, the Alchemist looks like an Instagram dream and serves up a selection of the best cocktails. It is usually very popular so it's best to reserve a table in advance, especially if it's for a celebration.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your favourite cocktail bars in Covent Garden?

Thank you for reading <3