Well hello to you my reader chums! As I've gotten older, one thing I've gotten better at is not caring what people think and setting boundaries, protecting my peace and mental health. I will admit I am a people pleaser and it has been a difficult thing to start implementing those boundaries. However, the more I began setting boundaries and making my stand, the easier it became and the better I felt overall.

If you're struggling with setting boundaries or tending to people please, here is my advice on protecting your piece and setting boundaries.

Understand what you want first

Before you can set any boundaries, you need to realise exactly what you want. Do you want people to stop treating you like a doormat? Do you want people to communicate more effectively? Are you tired of being let down and making excuses for people? Whatever the 'peace' you're creating, you should be certain of exactly what it is and what you need to achieve to fully experience that level of peace in your life.

Consider how to share that information and what works with you

Communication works differently with everyone in your life, whether that's text, call, facetime or in person. You should consider how and when you want to explain your boundaries. Will you wait till you have a disagreement? Or will you explain a certain situation and how it made you feel - and how you want things to happen going forward. The more decisive you are in how you want to communicate can help you share that message in a digestable way.

Learn to say no - and be okay with it

No is a full sentence and learning how to say it and being confident in that choice can be difficult, especially if you're a people pleaser or care too much about what people think. But when you start learning how to say no and being okay with things you turn down or don't agree to, you'll begin to learn what you're okay with and what you're not okay with. And, in the future, saying no will become easier and you won't second guess it.

Learn to miss out and deal with FOMO (as you don't want to go anyway)

I think many of us say yes to social occasions or circumstances even when we're not comfortable going or don't want to go because we're scared to miss out or worried people will view us differently. However, part of setting boundaries and protecting your peace is saying no to those occasions and learning to miss out. Remember, you don't want to go anyway - instead, you can use that time to do something you really want to do or plan an occasion that suits you better with the same friends.

Take the space when you need it

Space and taking a breather are everything when protecting your peace. Whether you're in a social situation, someone has upset you or you need time to collect your thoughts, reflection moments can help you figure out the best boundaries for you - and how to continue implementing them. It can take multiple times to implement boundaries with others and that space can help you process your feelings about situations.

Be prepared for backlash

Not everyone will accept your boundaries easily, especially if they're manipulative or abusive. It's important to be prepared for this backlash and figure out what you want to do in that situation. Do you still want that person in your life? The preparation may be hard because you can't predict how someone will react to your boundaries.

Create consequences 

Consequences may sound like a serious word but if someone is disrespecting your boundaries, do you want to continue putting up with that behaviour? These consequences can vary from taking a break to ending that relationship, whatever is a good fit for you.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travelling is my world and I love planning and packing for my trips. Travelling doesn't need to be complex as long as you're prepared, such as planning your itinerary and what you're bringing. 

If you're planning your next trip away, I've shared my must-have travel essentials, to create a more enjoyable and stress-free trip.

My must-have travel essentials

Packing cubes

Packing cubes are a holiday lifesaver when packing for your trip, whether it's a short or longer trip. Packing cubes help organise all of your belongings, from your tops and trousers to your toiletries. I love how I know which packing cube has which item and that I can easily place all the packing cubes in a suitcase or backpacking like a game of Tetris. I also love to keep a spare packing cube for my dirty belongings, easy to organise washing when I get home.

A reusable water bottle

Keeping hydrated is key to caring for yourself when travelling around. A reusable water bottle means you can fill it up wherever you go and if it's a Chilly's bottle, it helps keep the water cool, especially in hotter climates.

Extension cable

I'm pretty sure many people have jumped onto this tip now, but bringing an extension cable has been my biggest packing win since I started travelling to new places when I was 18. Having an extension lead means you won't need to bring multiple adapters but have multiple plugs to help you plug in multiple electrical items.

Book wallet

This has been a new must-have travel item for me - a book wallet. I saw many of these online and eventually bought myself one; a gorgeous lilac embroidered wallet with daisies on it. It's a great little gadget to carry my book around with me, protecting it in some way.

Light jumper/jacket

Plane rides can always be chilly. Honestly, I always want to be as comfortable as possible. Bringing a light jumper or jacket can help warm you up when the air gets a little chilly - and be a lovely home comfort to you.

Spare pair of clothes in hand luggage

I always have the biggest fear that when I check in my luggage, the airline will lose it and I'll have no clothes for my holiday. Due to that, I always pack my most important things in my hand luggage, including a spare outfit or two and any must-have essentials that I can't rebuy when I'm there.

Travel journal

This isn't necessarily a must-have for everyone but it's a great souvenir to look back at when you're older. Depending on how much room you have, determines the size of the journal. I love bringing one with me to document my journey along the way.

Document wallet

Keeping all your documents together is key to staying organised and knowing where all your important items are. I always have a document wallet on me to store my passport and any other documentation, such as any tickets, travel insurance or boarding passes.

Portable charger

Your phone is everything when you're travelling to use Google Maps, find out info about your accommodation or take photos of your tip. A portable charger can be useful, ensuring your phone doesn't run out of battery.

Tote bag

You never know when a tote bag will come in handy, whether for the beach, to carry any items you buy along the way or as a day bag for days in the trip. Tote bags are multi-functional and lightweight to pack. They can even be your dirty laundry bag, helping you separate your clean and dirty clothes at the end of your trip.

Hand gel

Travelling can be germy with all the public transport and new places, and hand gel is a must-have to feel a little bit cleaner. 

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm not a money expert in any way, however, I am someone in my twenties who has always been very money-conscious. Being good with money can sometimes seem impossible, especially if you're on a low income or have big monthly expenses to consider. But with small changes and routines, implementing sensible money techniques can benefit you immensely.

If you're trying to be better with money, here are my money-saving tips and how to be financially responsible in your twenties.

Break down your income every month

Spreadsheets are a winner when planning out finances and saving money. Start a spreadsheet and list out your monthly expenses, including bills, subscriptions, the food shop, a 'fun' budget, savings and whatever else you spend your money on. When you lay out how much everything costs per month, you'll see what's left of your income to put in the savings pot and what's disposable income, adding to your 'fun' budget.

Live under your means

With today's society and everyone living this 'perfect' and over-consumption life online, it can almost seem like we constantly need to buy new things, go to expensive places and be busy 24/7. However, that's not the case, underconsumption is most people's reality and saving up for things they really want. With that in mind, always live under your means - don't aim to spend all of your money each month. Instead, aim to have money left over that you can put towards something you want, save or invest. You won't get any richer or more financially secure if you're always spending all of your income. I can assure you that sacrificing material items and putting that money in other places, will do you the world of good in the long run.

Avoid buying anything on finance 

This may be a controversial one as many people opt for finance options, especially for cars, furniture and even online shopping. But I've always grown up with the mentality, that if it's not in my bank account, I can't have it. That mindset has made it easier for me to avoid debt and save, save, save until I can buy items outright. This often meant when it came to cars, for example, I'd always buy a cheap second-hand one, rather than a flashy new one. Second-hand buying is a great way to buy quality items for a discount on the price and can avoid any potential debts.

Only buy a 'want' item if you have the money

This next point links to my previous one - if you don't have the money in your bank account for a 'want' item, avoid buying it. You don't need it, it's not a necessity - and instead, save until you can afford it.

Put savings away as soon as you're paid

This links to the monthly spreadsheet point. When you get paid, put a set amount in your savings, ensuring you put something in it. Your savings amount can differ, even if it's as little as £50, it'll add up eventually. Then, at the end of the month, if you have any money left, add that into the pot too.

Create savings goals

Goals are key to saving as much as you like. I'm not saying your goals need to be massive, they can start small at first, but having a set amount will give you something to aim for - and if they're for reasons too. For example, if you're planning a holiday or looking to buy a car, having a set monthly amount and an overall goal, will give you actionable steps to meet it.

Create an emergency fund

An emergency fund is so crucial as you never know when you'll need it, whether replacing an appliance in your house or fixing your car. I'd recommend having at least 3 months' worth of expenses in your savings, in case you lose your job or something unexpected happens. It can be difficult to save for an emergency fund and again, add this as part of your savings goals.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As a newbie to travelling Switzerland in June, I learned a fair few things I wasn't aware of and wanted to share them with you. The countryside in Switzerland was out-of-this-world and I can't believe the scenery of the lakes and mountainous backdrops - it's like a fairytale dream. Between adventuring around the lake towns in Switzerland, I adored learning more about the country.

If you're new to visiting Switzerland or considering a trip there, here are all the things to know before you plan a trip to Switzerland.

Switzerland is expensive

Probably the number one tip to be aware of is how expensive Switzerland is. I was pretty aware of this before I got there but many prices did blow my mind when we arrived. Our accommodation was a lot more than we paid in other European countries, dinners out were pricey and overall everything costs a little extra, including attractions. For example, a funicular up Mount Niesen cost us around £50 each (completely worth it though). My advice is to keep eating out to a minimum, for example, go to the local supermarkets for lunch bits and snacks throughout the day if you're on a budget. We mainly ate out for dinner and bought our breakfasts from local bakeries.

You'll probably want to set your daily budget a little higher than you would the rest of Europe. We budgeted £350 each for 5 days in Switzerland and ended up spending around £400 each by being very careful when it came to food options, getting around and the attractions we did. For example, the beauty of staying in the lake towns is many things can be free, such as walks around the lake and hiking trails.

Different regions in Switzerland speak language variations

Something I wish I was more prepared for was the different languages in each region. The four languages across Switzerland include French, Italian, German and Romansh. In Spiez, Brienz and Zurich, those regions were mainly German-speaking, yet especially in Zurich many spoke in English or would use common Italian/French greeting words when addressing you. Depending on where you travel in Switzerland, be wary of which language they speak so you can learn some common phrases.

Switzerland uses Swiss Francs

The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Francs. We found you could use cash or a card for most places, there weren't any limitations on that. I always use my Post Office travel card when abroad as I can load the specific currency onto the card.

You have to pay for tap water in restaurants

This came as a bit of a shock to me. But sitting down in the first restaurant and realising it'll cost us £10 for bottled water, we asked for tap because it's safe to drink across the country. Each restaurant decides how much they charge for tap water, some charge the equivalent of £2-3 each, whilst some don't charge at all. Make the most of the free water filling stations you see or fill your bottle up in your accommodation. Alternatively, bottled water isn't too expensive in supermarkets and if we couldn't fill our bottle up anywhere, we'd buy water there.

Pack for all weathers

We visited Switzerland in early June and I expected beautiful and warm sunny weather, however, that isn't too accurate. I found Switzerland was colder than expected in early summer but wasn't too cold. We had warm and sunny days, but there was the occasional rain shower, thunderstorm and even hailstorm during our 5-day stay. That was also in the mountainous locations and in Zurich, overall the weather is slightly sunnier but we visited on an overcast and slightly colder day. Due to all of this, prepare for all weather by packing a raincoat and appropriate footwear.

Consider a Swiss Pass

We didn't buy one of these passes as they are pretty expensive and we were only in the country for 5 days. However, if you are planning to stay in Switzerland for a few weeks or a month, exploring a lot of the country, the Swiss Pass can help you receive discounts on attractions, unlimited public transport on trains, buses and boats, and free access to many museums. It can also include certain mountain excursion admissions. As an example, the Swiss Pass costs 244 Swiss Francs for 3 days. Also in terms of discounts, sometimes, depending on your hotel, they may give you vouchers to receive a certain amount of some attractions.

Eat as much chocolate and cheese as possible

As the home for delicious Swiss chocolate and cheese, it's just a reminder to make sure you eat as much as possible. Zurich especially has plenty of Swiss chocolate shops, hot chocolate to try, and cheese-themed cafes to enjoy during your stay, such as Raclette Factory.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Cambridge is a gorgeous city and a place that fascinates me immensely. I've wanted to visit Cambridge for a while and go punting and for my birthday, my partner surprised me with a glamping trip there and I couldn't be happier. We stayed in a glamping cabin about 40 minutes from the city and spent the day time seeing all the sights.

If you're planning a quick weekend trip to Cambridge, here is my guide on how to spend a weekend in Cambridge.

What to see and do in Cambridge

Go punting on the River Cam

Cambridge is renowned for punting and wherever you see the river in the city, you can watch fellow residents and tourists bobbing along on the river. As punting can be quite expensive to do, you have options from self-hire punts and shared group tours to private tours. We decided to choose the self-hire tour to save money and have our own punt and honestly, it was one of my favourite experiences. My partner did amazing as a first-time punter punting me along the river and I loved every moment. The sights were just 'wow' and we were blessed with the weather too.

Visit St Mary's Church

Cambridge isn't a large city which surprised me as I expected it to be much bigger than it was. However, there are some beautiful sights to see along the way, such as St Mary's Church. This church is in the most popular part of Cambridge and is phenomenal to wander around.

Visit King's College

Another one of the reasons I wanted to see Cambridge is to witness the renowned university and the beautiful buildings. Due to public closures of Trinity College and St John's on the day we visited, we only visited King's College, however, the campus blew me away. I couldn't believe students studied there as every building was incredibly grand - and the land around it was just peaceful. The college sits on the bank of the river and you can see the college from a punt and vice versa, watching the punters from the college. The grounds here are stunning and I loved learning more about the college and secretly envied the students that attend here. I wish I had the opportunity to visit the other colleges, but walking past the building's exterior allowed me to witness some of its beauty.

Wander around the bookshops 

I adore roaming around bookshops and a city as studious as Cambridge, so I had to explore the bookshop scene. There are many bookshops dotted around the city but my favourite two had to be The Haunted Bookshop and Heffers. The Haunted Bookshop was rather small, however, filled with vintage and second-hand books. Heffers was a book paradise; a giant bookstore with endless types of books to choose from.

Bridge of Sighs

The beauty of Cambridge is the long river that runs through it with endless bridges dotted along to get that iconic photo and watch punters pass in their groups. The Bridge of Sighs is a lovely spot to watch the punters and a famous bridge, named after the bridge in Venice.

Mooch around the city

The best way to see a new city is mooching around and Cambridge is no different. Although the city isn't large, there is plenty to see from independent shops, and high street stores to cute cafes, quaint streets and green spaces. I loved roaming around and discovering characteristic streets and seeing how the students spent their afternoons.

Where to eat in Cambridge 

Aromi

If I could eat at a lunch place every day, it would be Aromi. Aromi is an Italian cafe/restaurant with freshly made (giant) sandwiches, arancini and an abundance of other Italian desserts and delicacies, including pizzas. The restaurant also had a gelateria in another location in the city. The sandwiches here were honestly insane and wish I had this cafe on my doorstep.

Jack's Gelato

I'm a massive gelato fan and this ice cream place was raved about by everyone and I can assure you, they're right for many reasons. Jack's Gelato has an endless range of flavours, such as dark chocolate, honeycomb, blueberry and strawberry. I like how they're always introducing new flavours and there's a chance to try something new.

Fitzbillies Bakery

The Chelsea buns at Fitzbillies are renowned in Cambridge and it's a must to try a bun here, whether you choose a classic fruit one or a chocolate flavour. The buns are delicious and the perfect size! The bakery also offers brunch and many other cake items to enjoy.

The Ivy

Cambridge has many big-name restaurants, however, I didn't see too many independents and we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at The Ivy. You can never go wrong with a celebratory meal here as the quality is fab and the food is superb.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you heading to the city?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know, my favourite type of books are crime thrillers, especially murder mysteries or 'who-done-its'. One of my favourite crime thriller authors is Lucy Foley; I absolutely love her books, The Hunting Party, The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. Since reading all of those books, I've been eager for her to bring out a new novel - and couldn't wait to read The Midnight Feast.

Lucy Foley has an incredible writing style; I love how she builds up a story, develops the characters and structures her book - and how all the big pieces of the puzzle come together in the end. If you're looking for a new murder mystery book, here is my book review of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley.

Synopsis

Set in the middle of the Dorset coastline in midsummer, it's the opening weekend of The Manor, a new countryside retreat, attracting only the richest guests. Although under the midsummer sunshine and a massive heatwave, old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. The evening just about begins when a body is found and the mystery of who was killed and who did it begins. The story starts with a secret fifteen years ago, one that has crashed into a party, ending in murder. 

Characters and relationships

One of my favourite things about Lucy Foley's books is how she crafts the characters so beautifully with great depth. This book is split into several main characters, Francesca, Bella, Eddie, Owen and DI Walker. 

Francesca is the rich and pretentious main character, opening this new countryside retreat on the site of what used to be her family home. I didn't like her at all as a character; she was mean, harsh to people around us and thought she was better than everyone else. I could gather that she's in this spiritual phase of her life, trying to promote that type of lifestyle, yet really, isn't that wonderful of a person and it's all a cascade. 

The character Bella, I didn't originally understand her purpose in the story as she sounded like an average woman, not similar to the rich and upper-class crowd at this countryside retreat. She's a mum with revenge in her path for something that has happened to her. The longer the book goes on, the more layers are unveiled as to why Bella returns and the past she brought back with her.

Eddie is sweet and a little bit of a lost character, growing up on his parent's farm next to the glorified Manor which is now being turned into the countryside retreat. He's only young and secretly working at the new retreat, keeping the secret from his parents, who are locals of the area. The locals have a big issue with the new estate and Eddie doesn't seem to mind too much as he wants to make money to start a new life, outside of his tiny village. Eddie had a cute and innocent persona like a young man, completely out of his depth. 

DI Walker, I thought initially was just the detective of the book, yet the more the book went on, his role became more prominent.

Overall thoughts

Overall, like any Lucy Foley book, this book didn't disappoint in any way. The fast-paced nature and short chapters added to the book's suspense and speed. I wasn't sure how this book would pan out but every page somehow got better and also darker and deeper. The layers of the story are GENIUS and I love how the book maps out beautifully from the past to the present, and how the two link so well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character development in this novel and how it added to the overall plotline and its heavy secrets. I would 100% recommend this novel to everyone because of the perfectly crafted murder mystery, the intense level of revenge and hatred and the wonderfully paced book, which reveals information exactly at the right moment.

Ending

The ending was just as I wanted it to be, yet there were still plenty of surprises in it to enjoy! A great way to end a book that built up so much suspense.

I hope you enjoyed this book! What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3