Well hello to you my reader chums! If you're a consistent follower of this blog then you'd know I'm a massive travel addict and love seeing new places. However, things weren't always this way. A few years ago, any thought of travel made me anxious; this included buses, trains, taxis and especially, flying. It took me a while to get over the fear of travelling and turn it into something I really enjoy. With that in mind, I've got a few tips that'll help out an anxious traveller.

Take someone along you're comfortable with 

The number one thing that helped me with travelling was taking some along with me. It was either my sister or my best friend - they were both my safety blanket and I felt at ease in any situation with them by my side. If you're not comfortable on your own, invite someone along, whether it's running errands or going to the city for the day. If you explain to your friends/family how you're feeling, I'm sure they'll do all they can to help you feel at ease.

Bring distractions to keep your mind occupied

If however you need to go somewhere and there's nobody around to accompany you, I'd highly recommend bringing distractions. This could be a book to read, a podcast or whichever music you wish. Calm apps are also available such as Calm.com, Headspace, and Relaxlite - I've found these massively helpful over the years.  Distractions are key as they'll switch your focus from what's going on around you to that distraction. Pick something you know will fully engage your brain, especially when it's on anxiety overload. 

Ring someone

 Likewise, if you're alone and feeling anxious, ring somebody. Having someone on the other side of the phone will distract you from travelling and any thoughts going on inside your head.

Write down your thoughts

 Like any situation when your anxiety is going crazy. writing down your thoughts can really help. It'll take them off your mind and onto paper, and allow you to think clearly about other things.

Know your route 

Another thing to do is to plan out your route and know exactly where you're going. This will put your mind at ease before you set off as you'll have every detail planned in your head that you won't need to think about it. For instance, make sure you know the name and address of your accommodation on arrival, so you can find a way of transport to reach it - whether that's by taxi or public transport.

Always have a backup option 

With travelling, undoubtedly not everything goes to plan and that's why it's important to have a backup plan or be aware of one. That way, if something does go wrong during travelling, you have something to fall back on and hopefully won't panic as much.

The main thing that helped me overcome the travelling fear was keeping at it. I pushed myself to go on public transport, to travel on my own and fly a lot, in hope of overcoming that fear - and it really worked. Once you travel a lot, you realise how common it is and how many people do it per day. 

I hope these tips were helpful to you. What other tips do you have for anxious travellers?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! Winter is finally here and the Christmas countdown has begun. I love this time of year; it means wrapping up in cosy clothes, planning Christmas presents and doing all things festive. November has been a busy and exciting month, and I tried a lot of new products that I've grown to love. Just to note, a few of these products were gifted to me.

Here are my November favourites...

Natural Line's day cream 

I've been looking for a new moisturiser for ages, something that'll feel as if it's actually thoroughly moisturising my skin, and this day cream is just that. I was kindly sent it to try out and I couldn't be more thankful. The cream has a very thick consistency and sinks into the skin rather well. It also has a very natural scent and doesn't feel as if you're putting loads of chemicals onto the skin.

Misguided 'babe power' perfume

I love trying out new perfumes and rocking a new scent. This Misguided perfume, wasn't only stunning because of the scent but how it looks. The perfume is in an actual can - how cool is that? It's a metallic pink can, and squirts when you press the lid. The scent is very sweet but super lovely and smells kind of like cherries. I love it and think it'll make the perfect summer perfume.

Kiko's lip liner in '315'

I've raved about Kiko's makeup products for years now. Everything I've tried from them is top quality and compliments my makeup looks really well, especially their lip liners. Their lip liners last on the lips all day long, and help lipstick applied on top hold it's lasting power. 315 is my favourite to wear, it's a dusky and slightly dark pink. The lip liner comes out pretty matte, and despite the consistency, doesn't go too dry on the lips - it's ever so creamy.

La Biothetique Paris hair intense mask

My hair is naturally very curly, and that makes it both frizzy and dry majority of the time. That when I got sent this mask, all my hair dreams got answered. You have to leave the hair mask on for 10 minutes, and after it's washed off, my hair feels super silky. The scent is lemongrass so also very natural and feels like it's doing wonders to the hair.

Kiko's copper eyeshadow in '102'

Autumn/winter time is the period of the year to wear copper eyeshadows, and I love that. Copper really suits my blue eyes and brings out the colour more, that it's the perfect look for me. This single eyeshadow is everything of copper dreams; it's pigmented, blends well and is the perfect copper colour pay off. I love that you can just wear that and it looks lush.

Natural Line's basil and lemongrass shower gel 

The day cream I previously mentioned is from the same range as this shower gel. I've fallen in love with this shower gel; it's really natural, has a lingering scent and lathers up on the skin.

Driving test



This month, I managed to pass my driving test and I couldn't be more excited! I've been doing lessons on and off for a while now so it feels fantastic to finally get that certificate in my hand and buy my own car.

I hope you enjoyed this favourites post. What are your monthly favourites?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! It's safe to say, I'm a massive foodie and love nothing more than going out for a bite to eat, either casually or on occasion. Trying new foods is always so exciting, that when The Plough Inn invited me along in celebration for their new restaurant makeover, I couldn't wait to see what it was like.

Interior

As the restaurant had just been decorated, the decor was completely new - and looked beautiful. I can only describe it as 'Pinterest worthy'. There were dimmed lights (the kind that is really hard to photograph), plush but modern leather chairs and an array of dark brown washed tables in the main restaurant area. The restaurant also had sections with 'fancier' looking tables which I imagine are in aid of celebrations as they were tucked away from the main hub. These tables have velvet-like fabric chairs and lengthy tables for guests to dine. I honestly fell in love with the interior.

The bar area was on the same level - and even more cozy. It has a rustic looking fireplace with two comfortable sofas right next to it - the perfect away from home setting to enjoy a drink. There were also plenty of tables surrounding the bar area. The setting overall, felt very intimate and luxurious considering the new revamp.

Menu 

When it comes to a restaurant, I can't help judge it by its menu choice - and The Plough Inn had a fabulous selection. The menu is very 'typically English' with the range of meat dishes, such as steaks, roast joints etc, and the desserts were on another level. There are the chocolate choices for those with a sweet tooth or classic desserts including sticky toffee and vanilla cheesecake. A bit of something for everyone!

Food 

For food, I ordered a classic Sunday roast and a brownie for dessert. The dinner was presented very nicely and the serving sizes were quite hefty - which I loved. Their roast had the most delicious marinated vegetables and made for a great end to a Sunday. Our brownies were moist, warm and melted in the mouth. And the wine, well you can never go wrong with a bottle of Rose right?

Service

The service at the Plough Inn was really friendly. All the staff were attentive and asked frequently if we needed anything and our thoughts on the food. I couldn't have wished for more polite staff.

Overall, The Plough Inn is a lovely restaurant suitable for date night, family meals and more. There's a wide selection of food, the interior is lush and the atmosphere is stunning. If you're from Dartford, I'd highly recommend it.

I hope you enjoyed this restaurant review. Have you visited The Plough Inn?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! It's no secret that society's daily life is having a harmful impact on the environment - and we need to begin doing something about it. I'm no eco-saint, however, I've started making little changes in my lifestyle that'll have a more positive impact on the environment. As I travel a lot, I'm aware of the environmental impacts and have therefore come up with some tips to share with you.

Here's my eco-friendly guide to packing...

Whether it's visiting a city for a long weekend or backpacking a rural country for a month, there are things you can do, to ensure you're packing in an eco-friendly way.

Purchase a reusable water bottle

Probably the most obvious point, buying a reusable water bottle. Wherever in the world you are, you need to stay hydrated and water is the best thing for that. Having a water bottle on the go always will allow you to fill it up at any cafe or restaurant you pass - and prevent the necessity of purchasing small disposable bottles over and over again. 

You can buy water bottles of all shapes and sizes, which allows you to find one that'll fit your bag perfectly. There are also filtered bottles available, and bottles such as the Chillys brand that'll keep water cold all day long.

Pack a few tote bags

Similar to buying a lot of disposable water bottles, we do the same with plastic bags. Most supermarkets now charge for plastic bags to essentially prevent people from getting more. However, to be one step ahead of the game, bring your own. When you pack your suitcase or backpack, bring a few tote bags along - so if you want a shopping spree or need to go for a food shop on your trip, you'll already have bags to hand.

Consider swapping to a bamboo toothbrush 

Plastic toothbrushes are the norm for everyday living, however, they have a worse impact on the environment than you may think. Many toothbrushes are not biodegradable and can sit in a landfill for years, instead of decomposing. With that in mind, by swapping to a bamboo toothbrush, when you change it on your travels, it can be recycled and you'll be doing that bit for the planet.

Bring travel size reusable cutlery and straws

When travelling, I'm pretty guilty of buying a milkshake or take-out food in a local cafe, who most-of-the-time hand out disposable plastic cutlery and straws. To prevent the usage of disposable plastic, pack yourself a set of travel size reusable cutlery and steel straws. There's plenty of places to buy them online and they will come in handy more than you think.

Use organic or reusable sanitary products

When I started researching into ways to make my lifestyle more eco-friendly I also came across sanitary products. It's no secret girls get periods, but what many people don't know is that majority of sanitary waste cannot be recycled and sits in a landfill. To make that change as you're travelling, consider reusable options such as moon cups, or cotton sanitary pads, or those made of biodegradable materials.

Get yourself a collapsible coffee cup

You may have seen many shops and cafes stocking reusable coffee cups, and they're definitely the way forward. If you're a big coffee fan or love a hot drink, invest in a reusable cup to take on your travels. You can either buy a standard glass one - or choose a collapsible cup. These cups mean after you've finished your drink, you can collapse them into a disk and store them in your backpack - a convenient and easy way to buy coffee.

Try shampoo bars

The first time I heard about shampoo bars was in Lush. I always go past them as I pick up every bath bomb in sight, but never had the chance to buy one. However, after I read about them, I realised how eco-friendly they were and how easy they are to bring travelling. Shampoo bars will take up less space in your baggage, can be reused many times and have no excess packaging. That means when you're finished, you won't be throwing away several plastic bottles. The whole product will be used on your hair and that's all.

Purchase a microfiber towel

If you're travelling for a long period of time in a hot country, a microfiber towel will come in handy, and it's beneficial to the environment too. Microfiber towels are much more absorbent than a regular towel and are smaller in size! They're also quick drying, and as they're slightly smaller, reduce water usage when you wash them.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other eco-friendly ways can you pack?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! Oh, Venice, Italy's famous canal city and one of my favourite places I've ever visited. There's something about Venice that's ever so breathtaking; the gorgeous architecture, never-ending canals, and enough pizza to eat for years and years. As a bucket list destination, many flock to the canal city every day - and before my visit, I wanted to know all the hints and tips about Venice.

Here are 8 things you need to know before visiting Venice...

When you book your trip to Venice, it's important to be aware of the two different areas. The first is mainland Venice and the second is the actual island of Venice. They're both of course Venice, just split into two by a road and railway track. The airport is on the mainland and you can either get a taxi or train to the 'island'. 

Consider different accommodation options

Venice accommodation without a doubt is expensive, especially near the main hub of St Marks Square. For cheaper options, shop around a bit. Consider staying in an Airbnb instead of a hotel, or renting out a room on your visit. Another consideration is staying on the mainland. Although this means getting a train into the island every day, it could bring costs down.

On my trip, I stayed in an Airbnb around the San Polo area which wasn't too far from the main hub of Venice. It was pretty hard to find something within budget and near the attractions, however, it took a little research and our quaint apartment was perfect.

Google maps do not work

Something to note on your trip to Venice is Google Maps don't work properly. Your best way to get around is by using an actual map or asking for directions. The main part of Venice has signed to tourist attractions, and once you get your bearings, it's a bit easier to navigate around.

Piazzale Roma is the transport hub 

On the island, the main form of transport is boats, gondolas, and water taxis. To make your way off the island to the mainland, you'll need to head over to Piazzale Roma. This is where you can get transportation to the airport and the only location where cars/buses will go out of Venice. The Santa Lucia station is the train station out of Venice onto the mainland.

Book your gondola ride there

One of the things I'm thrilled I did on my trip, was book my gondola ride when we arrived in Venice. That way, we got to have a walk around and choose which route we'd like the gondola to take. If you pre-book your gondola ride, it takes away that personal touch of choosing what you'd like to see.

Take advantage of the free things to do

The beauty of Venice is a lot of the sights are free. You can simply take a stroll down the canals, walk through St Marks Square, or over the Rialto Bridge; there's so much to see. Take advantage of all the free activities and sights on offer - it makes budget travel in Venice so much easier. For instance, San Marco Basilica has free admission and there are plenty of other cathedrals in store.

Avoid dining in tourist spots

I say this in many popular tourist destinations, but typically dining near attraction tends to cost more, and the food isn't as authentic. When I'm in Italy especially, I love trying the authentic pizza and pasta, and finding the hidden eateries is the best thing to do. I made the mistake of dining in St Marks Square to get the full experience, but it was a very costly dinner. I would advise getting that experience, to have a drink in St Marks and listen to live music (it'll save you a bit of money).

The quaint backroads have plenty to see

One of my favourite parts of Venice was the quiet hidden roads where the locals lived - and that's where my apartment was. It made the walk to and from the apartment every day a lovely experience, as we could explore the hidden side of Venice. I took a lot of random walks around the 'quieter areas' and we found some beautiful canals, restaurants and saw a lot of locals - I loved it.

I hope you enjoyed this post about Venice. Have you got a trip planned?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! I've never tried perfume oils before so when Kathleen got in touch to let me try some of theirs, I couldn't wait. I chose the 'Sensual Rose' because I love roses and wanted to see what it would be like. The oil is designed as a subtle way to wear a scent, and top it up as you go.

After using the oil a few times, I loved it and wanted to share my thoughts. Here's my review of Kathleen's 'Sensual Rose' roll on perfume oil...

Packaging

I particularly love the packaging of this product. It's only a 10ml glass bottle with a screw-able top, and is the perfect size for travel. As I travel a lot, it comes in handy to pop in my suitcase, or liquids bag on the plane and handbag on the go. The rollerball is made of silver metal, and means when applied to the skin, it has that extra cooling factor. 

Scent

The 'Sensual Rose' scent is what the name says, rose. The perfume is a subtle musky rose scent with an added freshness to it. As the scent doesn't linger as such, it makes for more of an everyday wear, that's easy to top up whenever you please considering the small bottle.

Texture

I think my favourite thing about the oil is the texture on the skin. As you apply it, especially on wet skin, it's incredibly soft and soothing, that you can even give yourself a little arm massage. Although it does dry pretty quickly, once it's set into the skin, it feels really smooth like you've rubbed in an intense moisturiser.

Range

Kathleen has a whole range of natural products including perfume oils, massage oils, cleansers, shower gels, serums, mists and much more. I love how the entire range is made from natural and organic ingredients, as I know I'm not putting anything artificial on the skin. The whole story and concept behind the range is inspiring, and exactly the kind of thing I personally like to hear about skincare, as you have the comfort of knowing it comes from a good source.

Overall opinions

Considering this was my first time trying perfume oils, I was intrigued by the whole concept. I really liked this product - it provides a perfect subtle scent, is easy to travel with and has a lovely soothing effect. I think it also can help you freshen up throughout the day if you just pop it in your handbag and apply as you go. If you're looking for a subtle perfume on the go, this is for you.

For more information about their perfume oils range and if you'd like to buy your own, check out their website.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you tried perfume oils?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! Tis' the season for fairy lights, film nights in, tartan scarves and every blogger's favourite: berry lipsticks. I'm a huge berry lipstick fan and when it comes to buying a new lipstick, I always draw towards those shades. As someone whose gathered a lot of berry lipsticks, I wanted to share my favourites with you.

Here are the berry lipsticks to wear this winter...

Kiko's matte lipstick in 'Velvet Passion'

I mentioned this lipstick in my October favourites, as it's become my go to berry lipstick lately. Unlike your typical bright berry, it's quite toned down and can be worn for a variety of looks. That's what I love the most - its versatility. The lipstick can be worn on everyday wear and to jazz an outfit up. The shade is a mix between berry and mauve, and is slightly darker than expected. It's not the longest wearing lipstick, however it's the creamiest texture on the lips and sits very comfortably.

Charlotte Tilbury's 'Glastonberry'

Charlotte Tilbury's lipsticks are the most beautifully packaged around; you really can't beat the rose gold tube. 'Glastonberry' has been raved about for years, and I can see why. It's a typical, dark berry lipstick that will match with every autumnal look. The lipstick is creamy, comfortable and feels luxurious to wear.

Pixi by Petra liquid lipstick in 'Berry Boost'

For those who prefer a pink toned berry, this one is for you. The liquid lipsticks are as it says by the name, very liquid based. Even though it is rather watery as you apply it, considering the texture it doesn't take too long to set on the lips. The lasting power is really strong, and it works as more of a lip stain.

Sleek's sheen lipstick in 'Cherry'

I love matte lipsticks as they tend to last longer on the lips, however not everyone is a fan of matte and prefer creamier consistencies. This sheen lipstick is the one to go for. It has a similar opaqueness of a dark berry/red lipstick with a soft texture on the lips.

Kiko's Enigma lipstick in 03

This lipstick is very similar to 'velvet passion' just a little lighter in shade. It's quite mauve toned and has a super soft texture. I love wearing this as an everyday lipstick because it's rather toned down with a little colour pop. The packaging is also really unique - to close the lipstick, there's a magnet which makes it very handy to travel with.

Nyx's matte liquid lipstick in 'Rome'

A berry lipstick with my favourite city's name? It's a yes from me. Like all Nyx's matte lipsticks, it has the whole package: long lasting power, an opaque colour and soft texture. 'Rome' is more of a  brown toned lipstick and has berry colour running though it. It's a great everyday lipstick and I couldn't recommend it more.


I hope you liked this berry lipstick post. What's your favourite berry lipstick?

Thank you for reading <3