Places to visit along the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland

In my opinion, the Causeway Coastal Route is the gem of Northern Ireland. I really couldn't recommend it enough. Located between Belfast and Derry, the road route takes in the northern rugged coastline. At 120 miles, you can easily complete it over a few days and still have a leisurely drive. Here are my favourite places to stop off at - but trust me, there's plenty more on my list I'm hoping to tick off next time as there's so much more to visit than is listed below...

Ballintoy
This tiny harbour fast became one of my favourite places in the world when we stopped the car. After initially popping it on our list because of the Game of Thrones reference, I fell head over heels as we clambered over the rocks with the warm sunshine on our faces, laughing at the crazy men who stripped off to their pants in January to go swimming in the freezing Atlantic Ocean. It is so peaceful and beautiful. Make sure you wear sensible shoes as it's just begging to explored. There's a little cafe for a pitstop of tea and cake.

Portstewart
Portstewart is a cute little seaside town filled with sweet little cafes, interesting independent shops and a gorgeous sandy beach. We visited on a grey and gloomy day but I imagine it would be absolutely beautiful when the sun is shining. Put aside a few hours to explore  - I spied a homeware shop I want to visit when I'm back. Make sure you stop for an ice cream in Morellis. I'm told by the locals it's a Irish institution and it's well worth the trip to Portstewart alone. Just look at that sundae!

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

Located not too far from Balintoy Habour, this rope bridge was first erected by salmon fisherman in 1755. It's hard to believe they used to cast their nets over this rickety old bridge for a living. It's quite a big tourist attraction so be prepared to queue but it's worth it. Try to visit early morning to minimise the queuing.

Mussenden Temple
As you can tell from the picture, the gorgeous blue skies disappeared after our first day. Can never rely on the weather in Ireland! But Mussenden Temple was breathtaking - even against the grey skies. Located on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the temple was in 1785 by Lord Bristol - the owner of Downhill Demense where it is situated. Again it's a Game of Thrones location so you'll recognise it if you're a fan. It's on my list to return too when we visited again during sunnier times. The white sandy beach below is worth a wander too - sometimes I can't believe the beauty of the beaches in Ireland.

The Dark Hedges
Another Game of Thrones locations - can you tell we had a theme going on during the trip? I'd recommend to go early in the morning as it does get congested with cars. The trees keep falling down during storms so it's one to go to sooner rather than later!

Binevenagh Mountain
The view from the top of Binevenagh Mountain is breath-taking - just be careful not to be blown off the side as it gets windy up there! It's such a beautiful drive up there. On a clear day you can see from Magilligan to Donegal in the south. Keep an eye out for the Mannaan Mac Lir sculpture- a celtic sea god from Irish mythology.

Derry
Last but not least, Derry. I've got a bit of a soft spot for this city as I've been a few times to visit my boyfriend's family. It's a city that's on the rise. I can't believe how much more vibrant and welcoming it feels now. We has only last visited three ago and now it feels transformed. With so much more money being invested, it's only going to get better. It's full of fascinating history, warm locals, incredible restaurants and fun pubs and bars. It's a place I can't wait to discover more of on my next trip which hopefully won't take as long as three years to organise!

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The perfect Easter spread for a gathering

Since I've bought my own house my interiors obsession has gotten out of control. Luckily Amara has helped me to fund this interiors obsession with this selection of gorgeous ceramics. I can't wait to have the house in shape to invite people round for dinner parties, drinks and afternoon tea. Any excuse to put on a spread. What better excuse to put on a spread than Easter weekend?

So in keeping with tradition, I attempted my very first roast leg of lamb but with a Greek twist. After scouring Good Food for a suitable recipe - all my cookbooks are in storage ready for the move! - I came across the perfect recipe and decided to serve it with a simple Greek salad and rosemary mini roasties. To help keep with the spring theme I treated myself to bunch of tulips in this pretty white and blue patterned jug*. I much prefer the rustic, country look of putting flowers in a jug to a glass vase - I just think it feels more homely and this jug couldn't be more perfect.

Easter is often a time where it's a whirlwind of people coming and going and the urgently of being in certain places at the right time. So because of this you need something delicious yet something that is really simple to cook. This roast lamb is perfect because you marinate it then stick it in the oven in an oven proof dish - like this yellow patterned one* - surrounded by some herby potatoes before sitting back and letting it cook. The tasty oregano, garlic and olive oil sauce scored into the lamb really helped to keep the meat juicy and flavoursome.

As the weather is usually starting to pick up by Easter, it means meals start to get a little bit lighter and salads start to take centre stage. Served in this green pattern terracotta bowl*, a Greek Salad was the perfect accompaniment to the lamb. Vine cherry tomatoes, cucumber cubes, slices of red onion, a handful of black olives, a handful of sun-dried tomatoes were tossed in a glug of olive oil and dried oregano. A generous sprinkling of salty feta cheese was the finishing touch. There's just something about lamb and Greek flavours that goes so well don't you think?

For those who prefer their roast meat with a bit of a sauce, this simple concoction of a tin of chopped tomatoes and black olives warmed in a saucepan is great. It feels fresh and keeps in with theme thanks to the typically Greek ingredients. I served it on these cute colourful tapas dishes* to match the gorgeous summery plates*. Isn't there just something about this collection that screams warm weather?

What are your favourite recipes for Easter?

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Five things I've learnt since buying a house

We've only had the keys to our house less than two weeks but it feels like we've always owned it. We've not moved in yet and probably won't for a few months as it needs a fair bit of work to spruce it up. But here are some things I've learnt since we excitedly picked up the keys to our house. And sat on the floor surrounded by the smell of cat wee eating fish and chips...

1. It's never quite how you remember
We went to see our house twice before we got the keys yet by the time we walked through those doors I had completely forgotten what it looked it. It seemed smaller than what I remembered. But after that first shock of walking through the door of a home you now own, it's hard to imagine never not owning it. The feeling is probably one of the greatest ones in the world.

2. It's a marathon not a sprint
I'm very impatient by nature so it's very hard that my house is currently looking like a Pinterest wet dream. We knew it needed a far bit of work when we bought it but when I realised that it wasn't going to be looking pristine in a week, it was hard. It's pretty frustrating that it's not looking exactly how I want it to be. But I want to do it right. I don't want to just buy things to 'make do', I'd rather go without for a few months to save up for the things I really want. So I'm just going to suck it up and deal with bare floorboards and paintless walls for a little while longer.

3. Compromising is hard
I have all these bright ideas in my head and thanks to my only child syndrome, I'm pretty prone to wanting my own way. Compromising isn't one of my strongest traits. But I'm learning. We just don't have the budget to have all these things I've envisioned. I'm beginning to hate the 'B' word...  Instead of having Farrow & Ball paint all over the house, we've comprised on using it on the feature walls we have planned and Dulux white paint everywhere else. It's the little things like that help to keep the costs down yet still allow you to have what you really want.

4. Reality is very different
You never really know what you buy because it's so hard to really inspect a house when its filled with furniture. You can't really go to someone else's house and start moving things in order to get a good look. Unless of course, you fancy a bop on the nose. We brought this house thinking we had a year to try and get it to what we wanted while living there. It turned out that it was just a bit of a bodge job. The skirting boards were different sizes, the kitchen had seen better days, the bathroom is grotty and the floorboards are uneven. In a way it's a blessing because it means we HAVE to get it sorted now rather than make do.

5. Money gets swallowed up
£3,000 sounds like a lot of money until you take into consideration how much paint costs, plasterers cost, flooring costs and furniture costs. Spoiler. It isn't a lot of money. AT ALL. We're going to concentrate on getting the house in a decent shape rather than think about furniture. So it looks like we will be sitting on camping chairs in the living room until the summer. But all part of the fun eh?

Despite everything, it really is the best thing I have done. I still can't quite get over the fact I now own a house. A HOUSE. I've never adulted so hard...

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Dressing for the first day of spring

Outfit:
Leopard print jersey midi dress: ASOS
Mid heel black pointed courts: Primark (similar)
Faux leather jacket with fur colour: New Look (similar)
Poppy Red Lily across body bag: Mulberry

Gosh wasn't this weekend's weather beautiful? These pins came out for the first time all year and it was glorious. Although looking back it seems they could do with a bit of fake tan to help brighten them up...

I've recently given my wardrobe a bit of a overhaul. I've not been quite feeling myself lately thanks to gaining a bit of weight and my clothes not quite fitting how they used too. All those meals out are starting to catch up on me. But I'm hoping I can start getting back to myself once I properly move out and start cooking home cooked meals in my house. I've been wearing the same outfits over and over again, being stuck in a dreaded style rut and just being so unhappy when I look in the mirror. I have all these clothes hanging in my wardrobe taunting me and yet my motivation seems to be at rock bottom.

Instead of losing the weight as I probably should - but you know burgers - I've decided to treat myself to some new clothes. This dress has made me feel like myself again. It's makes me feel confident and given me a spring in my step. It's everything I adore about a dress. A loud print, a long length and short sleeves. This type of dress is my jam, it's what looks best on me and has been my style staple for the past decade.  I've neglected the midi dress recently, preferring to hide away in jeans and a blouse. But here's to gradually climbing out of that style rut. And maybe losing that stone that consists of pizza, cake and burgers. Eventually.

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Five European cities I'd like to return too

1. Bratislava
Oh Bratislava, the city I wax lyrical about whenever someone is asking for suggestions of places to visit. I shouldn't really as I almost don't want anyone to visit so it stays perfect forever! It's not a big city but it certainly packs a punch thanks to a fun cafe culture, picturesque old town, easily navigated streets and great Slovak wine. It's the perfect place for a lazy weekend break, offering the ideal of mix of culture and food. I honestly couldn't recommend it enough and it's up at the top as my favourite European city. I'd love to go back in the winter for the festive Christmas market.

Picture credit: The Intrepid Guide via Pinterest

2. Berlin
Ah the city that sparked my travel addiction. We spent three solid, tiring days seeing all the sights and soaking up the history. But what we didn't do was really get to know the personality of the city. We never got to see what the locals loved and where they chose to hang out. I want to get deeper under Berlin's skin and see what really makes it tick.

3. Copenhagen
Ah Copenhagen makes me wish I was Danish. So much. As soon as I got of the train in the city centre, I fell head over heals. It's such a cool, vibrant and happening place. It feels so laid-back yet absolutely buzzing. The food scene is incredible, the architecture is stunning, the social life is fun and the people are just so darn beautiful. Copenhagen has it all!

4. Vienna
Our whistlestop tour of Vienna was no where near enough time to fully appreciate the city. We only scratched the surface and didn't get to investigate properly. I was in awe of the architecture so would love to delve deeper into the history of the city. One major error was not being having enough time to discover the food scene, we didn't have the best meals - apart from some incredible ribs - so I feel there's so much more I could eat. How do you truly know a city unless you overindulge in the local food eh?

5. Barcelona
Barcelona holds so many fun memories for me. I spent a week in the city with friends getting up to mischief, eating the most amazing tapas and gazing at stunning architecture. Its the perfect city break offering both culture and a beach holiday. I never got to go inside to the Sagrada Familia after *ahem* being too hungover so I'd love to go back just for that. I also feel I didn't eat as much tapas as I should have so I want to spend a few days filling my belly.

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Hotel review: Maldron, Derry, Northern Ireland

When we were planning our trip to Derry, we wanted to spend a few nights in the city centre as we had lots of trips catching up with family when we first arrived. Derry was a city that we both hadn't really explored despite visiting a few times So we were keen to have a few early starts to really find our feet before catching up with everyone after lunchtime. The Maldron Hotel was the perfect base - bang within the City Walls.

From the moment we checked in, the Maldron was a dream. After checking into our room without a hitch, we went upstairs to the third floor to be greeted with a ginormous fluffy bed and a view of the Peace Bridge. With handy bathrobes, gorgeous smelling toiletries and a delicious box of chocolates on the pillow, it was the perfect home away from home from which we could explore the city. It was a joy to come home to each night and get a much-needed good night's sleep before doing it all over again the next day. The breakfast buffet was fit for a Queen with a ridiculous amount of food on offer. With fresh yogurt and cereal for those more health-concious to a full fry up on offer for those preferring something a bit more hearty.

If you ever find yourselves in Derry, the Maldron is the place to be thanks to its friendly staff, central location and comfy beds. We were kindly offered a media discount but I'd stay here in a heartbeat and pay full price. I really don't think the location can be beaten - every attraction is within walking distance and you're never too far from stuffing your face at one of the tasty restaurants in the city.

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Three tips for throwing a summer party on a budget

Although we currently don't have any wallpaper on the walls, no flooring on the floor and walls missing from our house, we're hoping that we might find the time to throw a little party in the summer to help celebrate becoming homeowners and the fact the boyfriend finally catches up with me and turns 28. We'd love to throw a party in a gorgeous venue in London - a great venue finding service such a Venueseeker offers lots of inspiration and a big variety of venues - but we're on a budget so are having it at home. Here are three tips on how to throw a party without spending an absolute fortune:

Look for deals
Catering can soon add up so keep an eye out for special offers in supermarkets. Some venues also let you do your own catering which is a great way to keep costs down too. There's often deals on alcohol to be had and BOGOF offers on food. A BBQ is a great stress-free way to host a party. There's no slaving over a hot stove for hours, trying to get the timings right. As soon as the summer comes, supermarkets offer great deals on meat.

Become creative
Pinterest is a dream for inspiration - you will get lost for hours upon end. Become an expert at DIY and make all your own decorations. It's a great way to stop costs spiralling out of control and to add your own little stamp to the party. Pick up supplies from craft shops, charity shops and pound shops.

Make your own
You pay a premium for the ease of pre-packaged food so making it your yourself can sometimes cost half the price. Make your own salads, sandwiches and nibbles. If your cupboards are anything like mine, they're already filled with every type of spice you can imagine so use them to create your own rubs for the meats.

Do you have any tips on how to throw a summer party on a budget?

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My gin collection

This past year I have developed an obsession with gin. A BIG obsession. I've been trying to build up my gin collection ready for the big move as I'm desperate to have a gin bar in my dining room. Who needs to buy a sofa when you can have a bar right? Don't you think these gorgeous Kate Spade tumblers* would look perfect on display? I'm on the look out for some more glassware, gin and bar accessories so let me know if you have seen anything nice! This is the gin I've added to my collection so far...

Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle
Exclusive to Marks & Spencer, this citrus gin is delicious. Paired with a bitter lemon tonic or simple slimline tonic, you get bursts of juniper and sweetness with every sip. It makes such a nice change from other gins. Make sure you pour easy on the tonic for the flavour to really shine through.

Sipsmith
This is my all-time favourite - I look for it in every city I go too. I was pleased as pinch to find it in Derry. Made near my work in Chiswick, west London, it always remind me of home and the city I love.  It's an uncomplicated gin without any unusual botanicals that really stand out. Why go all fancy when you can do it this well? It's just a good, solid, fresh gin that is brilliantly smooth  on its own or paired with a tonic.

Ophir
Boasting spices of cardamon, coriander and black pepper, it's a gin that packed full of flavour and offers something a little different. I find the taste too strong in a normal g+t but it perfect in a gin cocktail. It's makes a great gin version of a Bloody Mary.

Two birds
Produced in Leicestershire, this gin only uses five different botanicals. Proving that sometimes simple is best. It has a good strong finish and only needs a little tonic to get the full flavour. Better still, try it neat to appreciate the creaminess. But I love it paired with a ribbon of cucumber and slimline tonic.

Caorunn
I have such a soft spot for Scottish gins and this one gets a thumbs up from me. I love the unusual suggestion of using red apple as a garnish which helps to bring out the blush apple flavours in what is quite a subtle gin. No overpowering notes here. Another gin that only uses five local foraged botanicals, it's made in a small batch and offers memories of the Scottish Highlands - immediately transporting me back.

Do you have any gin suggestions for me?

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Four things I did to have a social life while saving for a house deposit

One of the things I didn't want to happen when I started to save for a house deposit was to be stuck indoors for a year. I love going out, seeing things and eating things and wasn't quite ready to have all that taken away from me. After all, you're only young once right?! So I decided to try and strike a balance between still living life to full and putting away a large chunk of my wages each month. These are a few things that I find helped out a lot...

1. Cineworld unlimited card
This cinema card has been a lifesaver. It costs £17.40 and works out to be a great deal. Cinema tickets are around £9 now in our area and you only have to go twice to get your money back. It also offers 10% off Cineworld snacks and drinks - going up to 25% after the first year - alongside the same discount at Pizza Hut, Chiqutos and Frankie & Bennys. When you're sick of staring at the four walls, it offers great respite and helps you lose yourself for a few hours. We find ourselves seeing films we would never have dreamt of going to see which is a brilliant way to broaden our film knowledge. I really couldn't recommend the card enough.

2. Find free things
We're lucky that we live quite close to London and its filled with endless free museums, exhibitions and just a joy to walk around. I'm sure other big cities in the UK offer free events too. Yes you have to buy a train ticket or pay for petrol to drive there but it doesn't work out much in the grand scheme of things. You get out the house and still have a fun day out with a bit of culture thrown in too. We've spent hours gawking in museums and walked around London admiring the beautiful architecture for hours. When you get peckish, refer to tip number 4!

3. Bring the party to yours (or a friends!)
Instead of going out at the weekend, organise a night in all together. We had a cracking gin night a few weeks ago. Each person bought along a gin, mixer and garnish and when we got a bit peckish we ordered in a cheap pizza. It was one of the best nights I've had for a long time and we were in bed by midnight. You don't have to stay out all hours to have a fun night! Turns out sharing seven bottles of gin makes you sleepy... It wasn't ridiculously cheap but a hell of a lot cheaper than going out for drinks in London. It was great to have a catch up and proved when you're surrounded by good friends, you can really be anyway and it doesn't matter. You don't have to pay through the nose to have a good time.

4. Learn to be savvy when eating out
It's not secret that I love to stuff my face but eating out isn't too purse-friendly. Luckily now there ae endless deals to be had. Keep an eye out for soft launches for new restaurants- this website is great - as they often offer 50% off. Alternatively, many chains now do vouchers. Pizza Express and Prezzo always have pretty decent deals.

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Restaurant review: Bread Meats Bread, West End, Glasgow

When we started planning where we were going to eat in Glasgow, Bread Meats Bread immediately went on my list. I'd seen endless pictures of their drool-worthy burgers on Instagram and food blogs and immediately wanted part of the action. Luckily we had a branch near to our Air BnB in the West End.

We opted for an early lunch to beat the rush. When we walked in 12pm, there was only one table occupied but I've heard it gets pretty darn busy at times. Each branch has it's own special so naturally I went for this one. The Great Western Wolf is a beast of burger topped with American cheese, crispy bacon, tender BBQ pulled pork, crispy fried onions and 'nduja with sriracha mayo. There wasn't as much as a kick as I wanted but it was still delicious. Cooked just right, the flavours complimented each other superbly. For a side we opted for one of their signature poutine dishes. The Raspoutine is an addictive dish of chunky fries, fresh cheese curds, chopped crispy bacon and grated cheese in a mountain of beef gravy. It was heaven on a plate! Our friends maple bacon fries were sent from heaven too. The lashings of maple syrup was to die for.

Bread Meats Bread wasn't the best ever burger to pass my lips but it was pretty darn tasty. The staff were friendly and attentive, the food was reasonably priced, it was in a buzzing area of town and the poutine is well worth visit just for that. I'll definitely visit again if I ever find myself in Glasgow!

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Exploring Europe: Torvehallerne KBH, Copenhagen, Denmark

My boyfriend and I both adore a food market so when we're planning a trip outside of London we naturally look for markets in our research. When we started planning Copenhagen, Torvhallerne KBH came up time and time again in the research so it was quickly added to the list.

If you've ever been to Borough Market in south London, I'd describe it pretty similar to that. It was full of locals and tourists alike, each trying to get their foodie fix. It's an undercover food hall right in the centre of the city, making it the perfect pitstop to try some tasty food before you continue on with your sightseeing. Full of over 60 different stalls, there's something for every tastebud with cuisines from all over the world catered for. There are takeaway stalls for those in a rush or stalls with chairs to allow you to enjoy your food at a more leisurely pace.

We got there for a late breakfast/early lunch and opted to go Danish and headed straight for the stall that was selling the Smorrebrod - an open sandwich. Located at the right of the food hall, past the flower stall outside and at the back, we greedily chose three different types to share. They were delicious. It wasn't cheap as nothing in Denmark ever is but it was well worth the money. We picked up a Danish as big as our heads each on the way to eat on the go for dessert.

Even if you're not a massive foodie, Torvhallerne KBH should definitely be on your list for the buzzing atmosphere, delicious food and a little peek into Danish life.

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