Weekend break with Travelodge, exploring Liverpool #Bloggerlodge

So not that you would know, as I still need to blog all the holidays, but this year I've currently managed to visit 10 cities on 4 holidays, with a few more planned before the year is out. However when I think of travelling I am often guilty of overlooking the UK for a fun city break or weekend away. 

When I was offered a stay with Travelodge I knew the city for me was Liverpool. Now don't tell Leeds, but well I've been "treating myself" to weekly night out in Leeds since I was 17 18 and well it's become kind of routine...eat at my favourite restaurants, drink in my favourite bars, dance at my favourite clubs...loose my shoes in the...ermm? So a chance to shake things up in a new city is always fun.  

Travelodge, as well all know from the adverts, are affordable hotels with comfy beds.....and if you were to stay anywhere else you'd needs rocks in your head. As I'm writing this the pesky advert has been playing on loop inside my head. A little annoying if I'm honest, usually my day dream back ground track is little mix, but the rooms are spacious, comfy, minimal but essentially everything you need to rest your head for a weekend exploring. Or in my case partying the night away and passing out. 

As a city for a night out, Liverpool was fantastic. Although my hangover may have disagreed, the range of bars and clubs is huge. Like most cities the night-life appeared to be split into districts, although if your unsure where to head to first (like I certainly was) then the staff at the hotel were helpful in giving recommendations. As were the various taxi drivers and locals. I say locals what I actual mean is other tipsy girls in the toilets I always seem to end up chatting too, after too many gins. Although in all the various bars I visited everywhere defiantly had a great atmosphere. 

The next day before leaving there was one place I certainly had in mind to visit. In fact, to let you in on a little secret, the one reason I have wanted to visit Liverpool for...The Central Perk coffee shop! 

You know exactly what I mean and this place shouldn't need any explaining, but yes a Friends themed replica of the famous hangout of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, and Joey! The best part, Friends is always on the TV. 

After an episode of "The one where Ross is fine" , I headed of down to the docks to take in the fresh air and grab a bite to eat. Fajitas anyone?  

Over all I could not recommend a city break in Liverpool enough, there's so much to see and do and the city has to have my vote for one of the best nights out I've had. I could not recommend Travelodge Central Exchange Street more for a comfortable stay in a great location. 

Have you any recommendations on where my next city break should be? Leave your ideas in a comment below. 

SAMMIE

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St Leger Ladies day Doncaster

I'm pretty certain that any girl, if offered the chance to: dress up in her "special occasion dress" dress, drink champagne, hang out with the girlies for a day, indulge in a three course meal and of course have a cheeky little flutter on the horses, wouldn't say no, right? 

Well I certainly did not say no, to a day out at Doncaster race course for the St Leger Ladies day, courtesy of Ladbrokes. 

The outfits...and of course all the hats!! are seriously on fleek when it comes to ladies day. Skipping past the fact I actually just said "on fleek" it's certainly a day for those of us who love people watching. Everyone looks so flamboyant, I certainly felt a little lost without a hat, although since I got the 3rd chance to wear my favourite blue dress (and not so favourited sucky in pants) I still felt ohh so sophisticated. Plus I may have "borrowed" Lucy's rather brilliant pink hat later on in the day. 

Once everyone arrived everyone was treated to a 3 course meal. All the options looked delicious but I settled on the pork belly for starter, tuna for main (the lighter option as i knew I couldn't resist the fried brie for desert), although more conventional options included lemon tart. Which I may also have had a little taste of. Although after all the food, I felt my best pick of the day was the sucky in pants. 

After lunch it was time to place your bets! Obviously my method of picking horses is something rather complex. Hours of studying previous races, testing the weather conditions on the day....and obviously picking them all by the best name. 

We all watched from the terrace, sipping Pimms and cheering on the horses. Although since I forgot my glasses I had no idea which was my horse..In fact does anyone ever know this when it comes to horse racing? Although as I eagerly waited for the commentator to announce the winners at the end, it proved picking horsed by names must be the best option as I had a nice few wins on the day. It certainly beat my last day at the races, when I had too much Pimms and somehow lost all my betting slips. 

Overall the day was fantastic and the weather was defiantly on our side. I would like to say and a huge thank you to Branded3 and Ladbrokes for the invitation. 

SAMMIE

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Never wonder where I am

I really don't know how I feel sitting back down to blog. Previously blogging has always been an escape, my place to share the good things in life with you, a new outfit, a new restaurant, my trips away...yet it takes a lot for me to sit down, write something and actually blog for myself.

I feel all bloggers appear confident sharing their life with the online world, yet behind the keyboard is a person with a life. A life which extends beyond word on a screen and staged photographs. In a digital world it's easy to portray any persona. In real life it's not always so easy to "be ok".  

August and July have been jam packed months and quite frankly ones that's really taken there toll on me. I don't think I've had a month in my life yet filled with the unexpected high's and lows to date. 

So what's been going on:

Dear blogger; 

The past few months I have experiences highs and lows. Laughter and tears. Butterflies and sunshine. I can't think back to any other time in my life which has felt like such a roller coaster, or a time which has felt so full on. I've said countless times I always feel constantly busy and enjoy this, but for now and at least tonight as I write this, glass of wine in hand and iPhone turned off, I'm enjoying the peace. 

Tonight I re-opened my laptop, got my camera and was prepared to share the best of the past few months, yet flicking through my calendar to plan posts made me realise how full on the past few months have been and for tonight I'm taking a time out.

The past two months I've attended two funerals, lost a family member, a very close family friend both taken too soon, ended things with a guy I was seeing as quite frankly he was annoying me to death and been single is far better forcing a fake smile, then unexpectedly started seeing someone new which I still have mixed feelings about, but enjoying seeing where things might go. In between the emotions of all these things life has gone on. I've had one of the luckiest years filled with the greatest memories and laughter, holidays to New York, Corfu, Croatia and on the early hours of Saturday morning I returned from touring around 9 cities in Italy and headed of to Leeds Festival Sunday with a last minuet ticket.

Forever I've seen the beauty in the uncertainties in life. Whether this be a few drinks after work turning into the party of the year, the way friendships form from the 1st meeting of someone who was once a stranger, or in the way there's always a silver lining after the heart ache.

SAMMIE

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Wanderlust holiday locations

I feel I permanently have a case of wanderlust and a desire to travel. This year my aim was 6 holidays and I feel I'm fairly on track to achieve this goal with a trip to New York, Corfu and Croatia in the luggage bag and Italy coming up in two weeks time. 

Yet despite the most amazing tour of Italy planned where I will be visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan *and breath* I still can't seem to stop myself planning yet another holiday! 

Currently for me,Travel is so high on my agenda, quite frankly there's simply too much to see and so little time. Typically most Friday evenings I find myself purchasing a lottery ticket and hanging onto it, leaving it as late as possible to check the results, giving myself that extra little bit of time to day dream: Catch a late night show at the Moulin rouge in Paris, hike through the swizz Alps, fly in a helicopter over the grand canyon, relax in a hot spring under the northern lights, find those quirky hidden gems. My list is quite frankly endless. 

What I've come to learn and love the most about these day dreams is as the popularity of travel has grown over the years the accessibility of travel has hugely opened up doors for everyone. It's more affordable than ever, the range of places to visit has become more accessible, who says you need to be bear grills if you fancy a tour of the Amazon rain forest? Friends with the TOWIE cast if you want to party in Marbs...or Bill gates to finance such extravagant trips for that matter. 

So where would I love to visit next?

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There's something so appealing about the cosmopolitan city of Kuala Lumpur. My sister visited here a few years ago as we have a friend who's parents live there and I still regret not going with her. A city which has grown so much with time into the vibrant city it has become, yet keeping its historical charm close to it's heart. With shopping galore and some of the most sophisticated restaurant on the globe, Kuala Lumpur is very high on my to-visit list. My dream would be the Mandarin Orienal hotel overlooking the Petronas twin towers.

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• Stay in Barbie Dream House. Yes, it is actually possible to stay in Barbie's Dream House. This private villa, equipped with home cinema, private pool and WALK IN SHOE CLOSET, exists. Located on on the party island of Ibiza, the dream house would certainty make the perfect location for a girls weekend away in style. 

 

• A tailor made tour of Bali. Tropical waters, a true sense of culture and a relaxed way of life the chance to explore the hidden gems of Bali with a tailor made tour really appeals to me. Whilst I don't feel I have the travel experience to pack my backpack and travel alone a luxury tailor made tour in 5* hotels (and tour guides), mixing traditional culture with modern luxury is such a dream.  

Where are your wanderlust travel locations?

SAMMIE

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Easy baking , Plum and goats cheese tart

It feels good to be back baking on the blog. Although I'm not going to lie these delicious plum and goats cheese tarts don't really require much baking. Ideal for summer garden parties or as a delicious mid afternoon treat, these scrumptious puff pastry tarts couldn't be easier to make. 

To make 6 tarts

You will need

Ready rolled puff pastry (I'd like to think I make my own, but I've places to go and people to see and buying shop bought is so convenient and time saving)

4/5 Fresh plums

400g of Goats cheese (typically two packets)

2 tea spoons of icing sugar

1 tea spoon of cracked black pepper

drizzle of honey (to serve with)

To bake:

Slice the plums

Mix with the icing sugar and pepper until each slice is coated

Cut the puff pastry into 6 squares

Add a layer of crumbled goats cheese

Add the plums (I've gone for a little spiral, maybe you could try different patterns)

Bake at 220'C for around 20-25 minuets until the pastry if crisp and golden and the plums caramelised) 

Serve with a drizzle of honey

I would love to know if you try the recipe. Remember you can tweet and Instagram me at the links below. 

SAMMIE

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The importance of "me time" for those with busy schedules

The last time I felt truly relaxed was on my last holiday. More so my visit to Plitvice lakes, which you can read about here. There something about been disconnected from technology, the hustle and bustle of city life and feeling the fresh air and warm breeze against my skin which made think about just how often I feel peaceful. 

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The truth is never. Not unless you count those first few minuets of awakening from a long nights sleep, still snuggled tight under the duvet trying to remember the dreams of the night. The few minuets or seconds even, before I'm fully awake. Before the long list of things planned for the day ahead dawn on me, before I start thinking of just what have I scheduled in the diary, how much time I have to run for the bus, before I rise from my bed to the cold light of morning and present myself the best I can and start another day. 

As you know I have two job, treat blogging like a third and I've always admitted I enjoy been busy. Quite frankly I'd be lost without a busy schedule. That and the ability to record my favourite TV shows. Honestly I generally don't feel I relax that often. When Victoria Plumb got in touch to ask me to write my tips on how I like to relax, it got me thinking harder than most. Surly I must have the occasional moments of "me time". 

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For me relaxation is defiantly the small moments through out the day which gradually help me unwind or even prepare for the day ahead:

1. Waking up when the sun is shining through the windows, warming my face. Those first few minuets stretching in bed and having a few moments snuggled into the duvet are bliss. 
2. Commuting to work. It's a strange one but the chance to listen to Kerrange on the radio, catch a few new songs and a flick through Buzzfeed, brightens up my mornings. 
3. Morning coffee, especially when I have enough loyalty points for a free gingerbread latte. 
4. Taking a few minuets to make a cup of tea before tackling any big tasks at work. 
5. Flicking through a magazine, lusting over the latest beauty and fashion trends, at lunch time.
6. Arriving home, lighting my favourite scented candles and unwinding with a catch up on bloglovin.
7. Taking of my make up and cleansing my face.
8. Enjoying a warm evening shower with my favourite beauty products. 
9. "Cosying up" in my favourite pyjamas with a hot cup of camomile tea. 
10. Climbing in to fresh bedding. 

How do you find time to relax?

Is it the little things through out the day or do you make a concious effort to unwind?

SAMMIE

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