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Christmas checklist: speed cleaning my house for the holidays
Lifestyle
Ashford

Christmas checklist: speed cleaning my house for the holidays

At this time of year, our home becomes the stage upon which all the magic of Christmas is played out. With friends and family coming to visit throughout the holiday season, it’s time to get my place sparkling clean.
Keeping a clean house while pregnant (I’m due next month) has proved more challenging than I ever imagined – fatigue in pregnancy is real, as are other symptoms (back pains, leg cramps, etc) that sometimes keep me from cleaning or feeling like cleaning. I was a once-a-week cleaner before, but now I try to do chores in 15-20 minutes segments, one in the morning, one in the afternoon (before my daily nap) and the last one in the evening.

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11th December 2018
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Take a peek inside my bedroom
Interiors
Ashford

Take a peek inside my bedroom

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20th November 2018

Around this time last year, we were picking up the keys to our new home - a truly momentous occasion, full of emotions and excitement as we moved away from all the stress and involvement of buying a property. Fast forward 12 months, we have just finished decorating our bedroom and the nursery for the baby's imminent arrival. One lesson I have learned throughout this journey is to have patience - decorating a home is like a never-ending love story. Every house tells a different story and every chapter of our life brings a fresh perspective. It can be daunting and slightly frustrating when an entire house appears to be entirely redecorated in the span of one TV show, but it's very likely that the owner of the house you admire on Instagram took a long time to acquire that look too (or had their decorator shop for them to speed things up). I have had no choice but to learn to be patient and jump on the slow decorating bandwagon, even if I occasionally find it very hard. Our bedroom is a work in progress - we currently don't have the time and the resources to make all the necessary changes to acquire the final look (a hybrid of modern and traditional), but it's slowly coming together.

Favourite London coffee spots you’ll want to Instagram
Lifestyle
London

Favourite London coffee spots you’ll want to Instagram

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10th October 2018

I have scoured the streets of the city to bring you the best London coffee spots you'll want to Instagram right now. Don't get me wrong - a perfectly crafted cappuccino is a must, but equally as important, at least to me, is the aesthetic. It's downright essential if you spend a lot of time in a place, right? I've made my way through a majority of London's coffee spots, so I'm sharing my favourite 7 that not only offer an amazing selection of coffees, food, and pastries but are also beautifully decorated. That's an Instagram win-win.

Best weekend getaway in the UK, Sopwell House
Travel
Sopwell House, St Albans

Best weekend getaway in the UK, Sopwell House

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6th August 2018

Who says you need to travel far for the perfect weekend getaway? We have been blessed with an incredible weather, so what better excuse to pack your bags and get yourself and your family away for a UK mini-break. Whether you're looking to spend the weekend basking in the sun, or you want to head to a serene countryside location, Sopwell House is the perfect place for you. This 4-star hotel has everything you need for a luxury spa break that won't break the bank. There is an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, not to mention an impressive selection of spa treatments available too. When you're done with the pampering, the hotel restaurant and brasserie offer up a host of delicious dishes, or for those after a tipple, there's the conservatory bar and the cocktail lounge.

Sampling the Bloomin’ Brilliant Afternoon Tea at Royal Lancaster, London
Food
Royal Lancaster, London

Sampling the Bloomin’ Brilliant Afternoon Tea at Royal Lancaster, London

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3rd May 2018

In celebration of the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, the five-star Royal Lancaster's team of masterful pastry chefs hand-crafted the luxurious Bloomin' Brilliant Afternoon Tea. The elegant and exceptionally sophisticated Hyde Lobby Bar is the perfect spot for a quintessentially British Afternoon Tea in London. Ahead of it's official launch on 2nd of May, I was invited to sample the floral-themed afternoon tea at Royal Lancaster. My sister and I were seated at a table in the recently opened Hyde Lobby Bar, an impressive space with marble floors, sumptuous velvet sofas and a centrepiece brass chandelier.

5 reasons why I love coffee (and you should, too)
Lifestyle
London

5 reasons why I love coffee (and you should, too)

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7th March 2018

If you roll out of bed and don't even run a brush through your hair before your morning cup of coffee, then this blog post is for you! And even if you aren't a regular coffee drinker, chances are you might become one after reading this. Here are 5 reasons why you should really enjoy your cup of coffee. Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against liver cancer, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Coffee also appears to decrease the risk of depression and fight obesity. According to Bob's Arnot book 'The Coffee Lover's Diet: Change your coffee... Change your life', coffee can improve your mood, help your metabolism, boost your workout and generally help you focus better. To get the most from your favourite drink, you should steer clear of certain bad habits when it comes to preparing and drinking your brew - like cutting back on sugar and cream, buying higher-quality beans or washing the coffee machine after each use.