24 Hours In Waddesdon: The Five Arrows Hotel & Waddesdon Manor

It's been a week since I set off for Waddesdon ready to spend some time in the area, and I've finally got around to leafing through the photos!  The village is set within the Aylesbury Vale district in Buckinghamshire, the ideal setting for a brief and tranquil escape.  The main attraction is Waddesdon Manor, a country house originally built for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s to 'display his collections and entertain the fashionable world'.  We all know I love historic houses and have now visited far too many to count, but even so, I can say with certainty Waddesdon Manor is hands down the most impressive of the bunch.  It takes your breath away.  So, you've travelled miles and miles to see the manor - where to stay?

National Stationery Week: 5 Reasons To Write A Book

Buy those notebooks, decorate your planner, write that story - it's National Stationery Week!  For all the stationery enthusiasts (waves furiously), this week is an exciting one and not just because social feeds are packed full with gold rulers and fountain pens for the next seven days.  Personally, my appreciation of stationery is mainly aesthetic; by this I mean there's no stopping me when it comes to feather-embellished ballpoints and marble-printed books.  However the true beauty is seen in how well they function. And it seems contemporary design store Nest.co.uk are of the same stationery-loving mindset, having sent over some dreamy pieces featuring brands such as Hay and Tom Dixon (scroll down for more details!).  To celebrate National Stationery Week, I've shared a handful of reasons as to why you should consider writing a book.  I've written a few books now in my spare time, along with dozens of short stories.  Will they ever be read by others?  Possibly not.  But have I enjoyed writing them?  Hell yeah!

The Gingham Obsession

Phew!  I think I'm only just coming out of the chocolate-blur that inevitably occurs over the Easter weekend.  I'm still working my way through a butterscotch chocolate egg (it's like heaven - in egg form) and reminiscing the slow-pace that comes with Bank Holiday weekends.  But I'll stop looking backwards now, especially with such gorgeous days ahead, filled with bright colours and warm evenings!  Speaking of bright colours, I've continued my love for gingham with this pretty little mini dress, pairing it with black and gold accessories to avoid looking as though I'm on my way to the beach.  Roll on warmer days...

The citizenM Tower of London Hotel & St. Katharine Docks

Happy Easter Weekend!  If you follow along with my Insta-Stories, you'll know that earlier this week I was invited to stay the night at the citizenM Tower of London Hotel.  Having heard good things about the fabulous views from the place, I was really looking forward to checking out the contemporary hotel.  My first impression?  Considering the hotel only opened its doors last summer, it does a brilliant job at making you feel right at home...

10 Dreamy Things To Do This Spring/Summer

Today has been ridiculously lovely; I went on a road trip to explore the most beautiful gardens in the most beautiful weather.  On my way home (stopping for ice cream), I started wondering about all of the things that suddenly become possible, or at least more attractive, come Spring/Summer.  Needless to say, there are hundreds of options, but for now I've put together 10 dreamy suggestions!  Oh and do let me know in the comment section below what events/activities you associate with these gorgeous warmer months of the year...

Double Denim (The Subtle Way)

I have a habit of becoming super-enthusiastic with the arrival of each new season, but I really can't contain myself with this one. Spring has sprung, and I couldn't be happier!  There's only so many cold and rainy days I can take in a row, before they stunt productivity and see me dreaming of beaches.  Speaking of which, at some point in the far future I can definitely see myself moving somewhere with a much warmer climate all year-round.  Anyway, with the seasonal-wardrobe changeover complete and the prospect of bare legs being justifiable after many months undercover, I've shown some love for double denim styling - the subtle way!