How to have a chilled Friday evening indoors

I don't know about you but I really dislike going out on a Friday night and try to arrange my weekend socialising to start on a Saturday night. After the working week all I want do is come home, put some comfy clothes on - some Jack Wills Joggers would be perfect -  and chill out in my own head with maybe some pizza thrown in for some good measure. So here are my tried and tested ways to have a chilled out Friday night indoors. Staying in is the new going out don't you know?

Switching off
Your brain is pretty frazzled after a long week at work and what it doesn't need is to work overtime on a Friday night. So I tend to do something that completely allows my mind to wander elsewhere, to forget about what has happened over the last five days. I find a trashy film, a documentary you've seen before or a riveting book can help take you unwind.

Good food
After trying to eat healthily all week, Friday is the day that I come home from work and go for the comfort food. Something that's still wholesome and quick to make but like a hug in a bowl. Thai green Curry, Spaghetti Bolognese or chicken fajitas are my go-to meals. I find standing in the kitchen making something delicious is a great way to switch off too as all I can think about is how amazing it will be when I finally get to eat!

Leaving the inter webs alone
I know this is easier said than done but I spend my whole life on the internet - both at work and at home - so on a Friday night I'm feeling a little burnt out. I'm so tired from the working week that the last thing I want to is to spend hours scrolling social media and writing up blog posts. So unless I have something urgent to do, once it gets to 8pm I log out of the internet life and start living in the present. It also helps you get a decent night sleep which is always a bonus.


What is your perfect chilled out Friday evening like?

This post was written in collaboration 

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My top five European countries to re-visit

1. Germany
I fell head over heels for Germany when I ventured to Berlin in 2012. In fact, I credit that trip for turning into somewhat of a travel junkie. It was the first cultural holiday I'd had, before I had just been on beach resort holidays. It helped me broaden my horizons and I came back with such a thirst for seeing the world. Berlin was such an incredible place and it encouraged me to book a trip to Cologne last year to see if I was in love with the country or the capital city. Turns out I was in love with the country. I loved the slightly grumpy people, the stodgy food, the charming beer halls, seeing the history I spent two years studying at A level and the beautiful architecture. It's a place that feels so familiar yet vastly different. I'm really keen to tick more cities off my list - mainly Hamburg, Munich and Dresden.

2. Poland
I first ventured to Warsaw back in 2013 and after fours years away, I'm heading back to Poland in August to do a mini tour of the country. I'll be hitting up Krakow, Warsaw, Pultusk and Gdansk if anyone has any tips. The capital of Poland brings such incredible memories for me. I had so much fun and so many stories to tell about the place - mostly involving the bars... It blows my mind that the old town of the city was completely rebuilt after it was flattened during the war. You'd never know walking around. I adored the amazing culture, the friendliness of the people, eating pierogi every day and discovering the contrasting architecture. It's a country that came back from the brink to be the thriving, beautiful place it is today.

3. Ireland
Ah the beautiful Emerald Isle has a very special place in my heart. Luckily thanks to my boyfriends family, I have an excuse to go back and visit more often. Not that you should need an excuse to visit! I've only been to Ireland three times but have a long list of things I'm desperate to see and do. The scenery is among some of the best I have ever seen - I never tire of seeing the rolling green hills, stunning jagged coastlines and beautiful architecture that tells hundreds of years of stories. It's a place I feel so relaxed and at peace in. That Irish pace of life is quite something else!

4. Denmark
The country where I never quite feel cool enough to visit. Copenhagen is one of the only cities I've visited that I honestly believe I could call home. The Danes really know how to live and enjoy life. The people speak better English than I do, the food scene is probably the best I've ever encountered and the proud history is fascinating. I have Aarhus, Odense and the North Zealand coast all on my wish list to help get more idea of the country.

5. Slovakia
This country completely took me by surprise, I really didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I adored the cafe culture in Bratislava, the gorgeous buildings of the old town, the contrast between old and Soviet new and the wonderful Slovak wine. Bratislava is so much more than stag dos. I feel there's so much more for me to discover here and think that Kocise would be the ideal place to start.

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March 2017: a life update

It's only the beginning of March and its already been a bit of a whirlwind. I'm so excited to officially say that we now own a house. An actual house with two bedrooms and a garden. We exchanged early last week and have a competition date of 16th March. Nine days... Sometimes I feel like I have to pinch myself as it doesn't quite seem real. Although we'd been saving for a while, it still felt like an unattainable goal. But it's been achieved! After ten years my boyfriend and I have decided its time to be adults and live together. It could be the beginning of the end haha.  There's a little bit of work to be done, mainly painting, plastering and flooring, so we won't be moving in straight away. But the keys will be ours on the 16th so we can come and go as we want. I can't wait to light the open fire and start creating my gin bar! We want to completely changed everything but are just going to stick to the living room and dining room this year. We still want to have a bit of a social life so are going to take things slowly.

Would anyone be interested in a little post about how we managed to save for a deposit? Just a lowdown on how we managed to do without sacrificing absolutely everything we enjoyed.

We also finally booked our two week summer holiday to Poland. Flights were a little more expensive than we really wanted to pay but we lucked out on accommodation for just over £100 and we're staying with my friend's family for a little bit of the trip too. I have a feeling this holiday will be a welcomed distraction from when renovating the house becomes just a little too much...

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Five documentaries to watch on Netflix

Ah Netflix. A place where you could spend hours of your life getting lost and discovering new things.  When we move out we'll be looking to invest in a new TV to ensure we don't have to give up the beloved Netflix - this UHD TV Panasonic looks right up our street! We won't be able to have a thriving social life at first so will be watching a lot of TV. Here are five documentaries you need to watch on Netflix if you haven't caught them already.

1. Amanda Knox
The gruesome Amanda Knox case has always fascinated me, it's something that was all over the media here and I remember it well. I've always had my own opinion on it but I wanted to watch this to see if it changed my opinion. Sometimes it's all too easy to get caught up in the media and come to conclusions whilst listening to an often bias view. Well my opinion didn't change and I came away in filled with anger and disbelief. It's quite tough to watch and your heart can't help but break again for Meredith Kercher.

2. The White Helmets
Following the daily operations of Syrian volunteer rescue workers, this documentary is hard-hitting, at times difficult to watch and continues to plague your mind long after it has finished. Syria is such a heart-breaking situation and this makes it really hits home just how truly awful that part of the world is at the moment - there desperately needs to be something done to help.

3. Russell Brand: End the drugs war
Sometimes I think Russell Brand is a plonker. He gets on his high horse and I really can't be bothered to listen to him. But he talked so much sense in this that I found myself nodding along with him. He raises a lot of valid points and it really does make you carry on thinking long after the documentary finishes. The sign of something good!

4. Louis Theroux: Law & Disorder
I adore Louis Theroux. I've watched his documentaries countless times and love the way he gets into someone's head and listens to them with disbelief subtly etched in his face. This series is one of my favourites. I just can't believe how he manages to get such dangerous and slightly unhinged people to open up to him.

5. Planet Earth
Ah Sir David. Is there man who deserves a knighthood more than him? I watch every one of David Attenborough's documentaries and they blow my mind each time. The animal world is fascinating. This is my favourite series and probably the best introduction to David Attenborough if for some bizarre reason you're not yet a fan...

Do you have any documentaries to suggest? I'm always after new ones to watch!

This post was written in collaboration

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Exploring London: Barbican Conservatory, central London

Even after all this time I still discover new places in London that I have yet to visit. One of these places is the Barbican Conservatory. A little tropical oasis in the middle of the square mile in the Barbican estate.

We stumbled across this when we were scouting for outfit photo shoots. That blogger life eh? Open only Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, this hidden conservatory is full of over 2000 species trendy cacti, lush greenery, pretty flowers and fashionable succulents.  It's a great place to whittle away an hour and they have a cafe that offers afternoon tea. You just need to book in advance. It was quite busy so I'd recommend visiting a bit earlier in the day to beat the crowds.

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Hotel review: Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Derry, Northern Ireland

When we were planning our trip to Derry we wanted to stay a few days outside the city. Not too far from family but somewhere that offered a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Beech Hill Country House soon appeared on our radar. When we mentioned we were staying here, it got rave reviews. People had been to weddings and events here and told us we were in for a treat. And they were right!

Located around a 10 minute drive from the centre of Derry, Beach Hill is an Georgian country house set within wooded countryside. It's no wonder it's a popular venue for weddings and celebrities choose to call it home when they visit. The friendly famous Irish charm was apparent when we checked in and were led to our room, leaving us thinking that nothing would be too much trouble.

Our room was spacious, comfortable and tucked away at the back with a gorgeous view of the grounds. It was the perfect place to come back to after a long day sightseeing. The decor isn't the most fashionable but it keeps in with the cosy ambience of the hotel. Too modern and it would look out of place. It's that old-school charm that makes the hotel so appealing.

Breakfast the next day was a feast. We went downstairs to an incredible spread of pastries, cereals, cheeses, fruits, breads and meats - and eyes bigger than our bellies! We piled up our plates before taking a seat, only for a waitress to come over and ask what we would like for our cooked breakfast. I wished I hadn't been so greedy with the pastries now... My boyfriend went for the full Ulster Fry and I opted for the veggie version because who can turn down potato waffles? Not me!

Beech Hill Country House Hotel is a fantastic option if you find yourself in Derry. It's far enough out of the city - only about £4 in a cab! - yet close enough to not feel too cut off. The staff couldn't be more helpful during our stay and really helped to make it enjoyable. The rooms were a great place to relax and rest our weary heads - the bed was so big we couldn't even touch each other! It's somewhere I'll definitely be back to next time I'm visiting as I'd like to try out the afternoon tea.

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Restaurant review: Sugar Dumplin, Wembley, north London

I'd been to Sugar Dumplin before in Surrey so was excited to try their London offering in Wembley. I took my mum one Sunday and we trotted off to the corner of north London for an afternoon of shopping and Caribbean food. Could there be any better way to spend a Sunday?

As we settled down into the colourful surroundings, we decided to share a couple of starters between us. The sweet potato fries sprinkled with nigella seeds and spring onions were addictive and we were both sad when the bowl was quickly polished off. We also pumped for a salt cod patty with a side of spicy coleslaw and salad. The portions were just the right size to give us a taste for more.

For our mains I chose the quarter jerk chicken served with a side salad and rice and peas. This really packed a punch which is great because quite often jerk falls short in some places. It had my lips tingling which is always a good sign! The generous bowl of rice and peas was delicious. Looking back, I wish I had ordered a half a chicken! My mum decided to go for the vegetarian butternut squash and chickpea creole roti curry wrap served with rice and peas. Again this had a good kick to it and was pretty filling.

We both took one for the team and decided to pump for dessert. My mum for a duo of creamy chocolate and vanilla ice cream and I for sweet sugar dumplins sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. They were like a dense doughnut and so moreish!

Once again my meal at Sugar Dumplin was absolutely delicious! The service couldn't be better, the food is among some of best Caribbean food I've had and the atmosphere is great. They have a branch in Glasgow, Kingston and Camberley so book yourselves in for a treat.

Thanks for having us guys!

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Exploring Ireland: Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

One thing on our list for our trip to Northern Ireland was a visit to the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, located not too far from Balintoy Harbour. Owned by the National Trust, this wooden rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen in 1755 and is a Game of Thrones filming location. Even if you're not a GoT fan, it's well worth a visit.

Once you've bought your ticket - it's about £6 -, it's about a 15 minute walk from the ticket office to the bridge with lots of stunning scenery on the way. The electric blue of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged cliffs are breathtaking and truly a sight to behold. Sometimes I can't quite believe this is the UK when it feels like you are a million miles away from home. I feel incredible lucky to have this part of the world a mere 50 minute plane journey away.

The rope bridge connect two cliffs and is suspended almost 100ft above the sea. It's a slightly terrifying walk across. My legs were like jelly and I couldn't bear to look anywhere other than straight ahead. It didn't help with my boyfriend behind me wobbling the bridge and making the experience even less enjoyable... Despite not really enjoying it, I really did enjoy it and it was something I'm so glad I did. Everyone should do it! The view from the other side was gorgeous - well worth the six quid fee for that.

Keep in mind there will be lots of crowds. Even in January we counted three huge coaches full of tourists. It seems other people have discovered how beautiful this part of the world is too...

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Recipe: Thai green meatballs

During this cold snap - although hopefully set to change! - there's nothing quite like a spicy curry to help blow the winter cobwebs away and put some hairs on your chest. A Thai curry is one of the ultimate comfort food dishes for me so when Heck got in touch to offer me the chance to try their new Thai bites veggie balls, it was a dish I immediately created. The delicious balls (lolz) are made from a tasty combination of Thai pesto, sweet potato and sticky rice making them vegan, dairy free and gluten free.

Feeds 2

Ingredients
1pack of Thai bites veggie balls*
1 can of half-fat coconut milk
1 lime, zest and juice
2 crushed cloves of garlic
A pinch of chilli flakes
2-3 teaspoons of Thai green curry pas (depending on how hot you like it)
1 pack of sugar snap peas
1 pack of mini corn
1 bunch of spring onions
1 tablespoon of olive oil

To serve
A bowl of brown rice - I used Uncle Ben's microwavable rice because I'm a lazy one

Method
1. Put the oil in a big casserole dish and cook the sugar snap peas and mini corn for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the crushed garlic and spring onions before cooking for a further 5 minutes.

3. Put in the coconut milk, veggie balls and chilli flakes. Give it a good stir for a couple of minutes.

4. Add the paste, give the mixture stir and bring to the boil. Once boiling, cook for about 10-12 minutes on a high heat. Keep stirring to ensure nothing sticks to the base of the pan.

5.  Spilt the rice between two bowls and serve the curry.

As always let me know if you make it and tweet me a picture. Happy cooking!

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Why you need a pair of rose gold heels in your life

Outfit:
Grey and purple ombre coat: ASOS (similar)
Colour block shirt: Boohoo
Washed out black skinny jeans: New Look (similar)
Rose gold court shoes: 4th & Reckless*
Red liquid lipstick: Kat Von D

I love shoes. In particular I love a pair of heels. No evening out for me is completely without wearing a pair of high heels. Court shoes and barely there sandals are my weapon of choice. I have far too many pairs to even want to count. That way I can just pretend I have none and buy more right?

I was kindly gifted these rose gold court shoes and realised they were exactly what I was missing in my wardrobe. Sometimes you just don't know until it falls into your lap. They're neutral to go with everything in your wardrobe yet they pack a punch. They help to jazz up a simple outfit but are plain enough to go with a busy outfit too. Basically everyone needs a pair of rose gold heels in their life.

Take a look at more rose gold shoes below - go on, treat yourself!

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