Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Queen’s Bay Hotel Paphos - Review
Here’s my full review of the gorgeous Queen’s Bay Hotel near Paphos in Cyprus.
The minute I returned from my stay at the Queen’s Bay Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus, I couldn’t wait to sit down at my desk and write this review.
My partner and I booked our trip to Cyprus after being invited to attend the wedding of a close friend. We’d never visited the country before, and excitedly started planning a trip.
All About BookBar in Chelsea, London
I visited the brand new branch of BookBar, located in the Chelsea borough of London.
First launched in north London in 2021, BookBar is a fabulous bookshop, wine bar, coffee shop and social space that recently opened its second branch in Chelsea.
As I live outside of London, this was great news for me as their new branch is much easier for me to get to during a trip into the city!
Inside Heywood Hill Bookshop in Mayfair, London
Located in the heart of London’s Mayfair, Heywood Hill is a prestigious literary establishment that first opened in 1936. Named after the founder, Heywood Hill, the shop is spread across two floors of a Georgian townhouse, with the ground floor open to the public for browsing.
I first came across the bookshop while writing an article for Sail Away Magazine about cruise ship libraries.
Tylney Hall Jane Austen Afternoon Tea & Hotel Review
Here’s my full review of the lovely Tylney Hall Hotel in Hook.
Set amongst 66 acres of land, Tylney Hall is a grade two listed building with more than 100 bedrooms. There’s so much to explore here - with sprawling gardens, multiple lakes and enchanting woodland walks, as well as stunning interiors and a dreamy outdoor pool.
Owned by Elite Hotels, I was excited to stay after being impressed another of their properties, the Ashdown Park Hotel earlier in the year.
OutIn Fino Portable Electric Coffee Grinder Review (Updated 2025)
Here’s my full review of OutIn’s portable electric coffee grinder - read to the end for a 10% discount off your purchase.
As a big fan of the Outin Portable Coffee Machine, I’ve been very excited to get my hands on their new electric coffee grinder.
With the same sleek design and 28 size settings to choose from, the new OutIn coffee grinder is able to grind beans for a variety of drinks - all while on the go.
HEYDUDE Shoe Review & Discount - My Sirocco Alta Colorblock Sneakers
Here’s a full review of my Sirocco Alta Colorblock shoes from HeyDude.
When HeyDude first contacted me, I’d actually never heard of their shoes before. In need of some new trainers for everyday use, I took a peek at their website and really liked what I saw.
HeyDude was founded in Italy in 2008, before being purchased by Crocs in 2022. Their brand is known for being comfortable and versatile, and are popular around the world. They describe their shoes as ‘some of the cushiest, comfiest, airiest, featheriest, lightest shoes on Earth’, which definitely caught my attention!
Review: My Writing Retreat at Write Within, Machynlleth
For many writers, an essential part of the creative process involves filling up their own creative cup. This is certainly the case for me, so I was delighted when Julia from Write Within reached out to invite me for a retreat at her Writers’ Cabin.
Located in the small welsh town of Machynlleth, just a short drive away from the coast in mid-Wales, the cabin was custom built close to Julia’s own home.
Jurassic Properties Cobb House Full Tour & Review
Here’s my full review and tour of Cobb House in Lyme Regis, hosted by Jurassic Properties.
As a leading holiday accommodation company, Jurassic Properties host a number of beautifully renovated homes in the Dorset seaside town Lyme Regis. I was super excited when they reached out and invited me to stay in their gorgeous new cottage, Cobb House, which is located right by the seafront.
My very first visit to Lyme Regis, I was excited to be staying right in the heart of the town and just a few minutes walk away from the beach.
Viator - Best Paris Tours & Day Trips
Here’s my guide to the best Paris tours and day trips available on Viator.
You’ve booked a trip to Paris! Congratulations, you’re going to have the most amazing time.
There’s so much to see and do in the city - from climbing the Eiffel Tower and touring the Palace of Versailles to taking part in food tours and sailing down the Seine river.
Where to Stay in Zurich, Switzerland - A Complete Guide
Planning a trip to Zurich? Here’s my complete guide to hotels and accommodation in Switzerland’s largest city.
Located in the north of Switzerland, Zurich is a beautiful city that’s rich with Swiss culture. There’s so much to see; from the delicious Lindt Chocolate Museum and charming Old Town to the trendy nightlife and fondue eateries, there really is something here for everyone.
June’s Journey - Mobile Game review
Here’s my review of June’s Journey - a compelling mobile game that’s perfect for book lovers and true crime fans.
I’m always on the lookout for a good mobile game - something that I can play while waiting for the kettle to boil, but won’t take up too much of my time.
Enter June’s Journey, a hidden object mystery game that’s set in the glamorous 1920s. Launched by Wooga in 2017, new chapters are added to the story every week, meaning that there’s always something new to uncover.
Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club Review
Here’s my full and honest review of the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club - located in the home of Pooh Bear.
I knew that the Ashdown Park Hotel was going to be grand, but pulling into their long driveway and catching a glipmse of the beautiful manor house still caught me off guard.
One of a collection of period properties owned by Elite Hotels, my sister and I were excited to stay for the night after exploring the local area’s links to Winnie the Pooh.
Pooh Corner, Hartfield - Full Review
Here’s everything you need to know about the adorable Winnie the Pooh themed cafe in Hartfield, England.
As a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, I’ve long wanted to visit the birthplace of the stories. Residing in Cotchford Farm in East Sussex, A. A. Milne (also known as Alan Alexander Milne) penned the first book here in 1926 for his son Christopher Robin Milne.
The Pooh Corner cafe is located on the edge of Ashdown Forest, just a short journey down the road from A. A. Milne’s home.
Trtl Travel Pillow Review
As someone who is new to long haul flights, I knew I had to up my game when I booked a cruise from Bangkok to Hong Kong.
I’m based in the UK, and with two upcoming flights totalling 12 and 14 hours each, I knew that I had to be prepared.
This is where trtl comes in. Widely considered to be one of the best travel pillows on the market, trtl promises to give you ‘the most comfortable sleep you’ll ever have travelling’. With more than 2 million sales to date and nearly 1000 five star reviews on their website, their product really is tempting.
Nordace Siena Pro Tote Bag Review and Discount Code
If you’ve read my previous review, you’ll know that my Nordace Siena Pro Backpack is my favourite bag to take on a trip.
Not only is it a great size, it also has lots of handy pockets, fits perfectly under an airplane seat and looks cute too. So I’m sure you can imagine how delighted I was when Nordace wrote to me and asked if I’d like to try the Siena backpack’s matching tote bag!
Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel Review
Here’s my full room tour and review of the Shangri-La hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
I couldn’t quite believe my luck when Viking Cruises emailed to ask if I’d like to join them for a two-and-a-half week trip around Southeast Asia. I replied almost immediately - yes please!
We embarked the cruise in Bangkok, after a brief pre-extension at the stunning Shangri-La Bangkok hotel. After spending an additional few days docked in Laem Chabang, we departed for Cambodia, Vietnam, and finally, glittering Hong Kong.
My first ocean cruise with Viking, I found that I loved the Viking Venus and am manifesting another trip onboard one of their ships soon. Interested in seeing what it’s like? Here’s my full Viking Venus ship tour and review.
The Royal Garden Hotel Review, Hong Kong
Here’s my full review of the Royal Garden Hotel in Hong Kong.
Our ship docked in the Ocean Terminal, surrounded by glistening sky scrapers and the promise of a new city to explore.
After spending a night docked in the harbour, we disembarked and checked into the Royal Garden Hotel in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, which we used as a base before travelling to the airport that evening.
Viking Venus Ship Tour and Review
I couldn’t quite believe my luck when Viking Cruises emailed to ask if I’d like to join them for a two-and-a-half week trip around Southeast Asia. I replied almost immediately - yes please!
We embarked the cruise in Bangkok, after a brief pre-extension at the stunning Shangri-La Bangkok hotel. After spending an additional few days docked in Laem Chabang, we departed for Cambodia, Vietnam, and finally, glittering Hong Kong.
Viking Venus Cabin Tour and Review
Here’s a full tour of my Deluxe Veranda Stateroom onboard the Viking Venus.
When embarking on a long trip it’s important to have a clean and comfortable base to rise in each morning and return to each night.
That’s exactly what I had on my recent cruise around Southeast Asia, sailing on the lovely Viking Venus, and residing in stateroom 4035. I have fond memories of my time spent in this cabin - although I have to admit, this is the tidiest I kept it during the whole trip.
The Best Mushroom Growing Kit - Eat Your Words Review
Did you know that you can grow your own oyster mushrooms using some of your favourite books?
Usually found growing outside, oyster mushrooms typically feed on dead and dying trees. As book pages are essentially a type of wood, they make tasty food for growing oyster mushrooms, and provide a great way of reusing any unwanted books.
And yes, you can eat them too!
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.