Galena Photo Diary

Galena charmed the pants off me. It was one of the most quaint, picturesque towns I've visited. Everyone was so friendly and were keen to have a chat as soon as you walked into their shops. Very different to London! The beautiful weather just seemed to make the town glow. We were treated to weather in the 20s which was such a lovely shock to the system after surviving 0 degrees in Chicago. I'd forgotten what warmth felt like!

We had a tour of the historic Main Street led by such an enthusiastic tour guide. I love it when someone really knows what they're talking about especially when they through a little ghost story into the mix. After we had a few hours free time so I wandered up the hill to take in the town in all it's glory. Stunning!

Suited Downtown, we stayed in the charming Farmer's Guesthouse. Full of incredible knick kacks and a magical cookie jar that was filled up every day, it was such a joy to stay in. They even had an incredible daily event called Wine Time every day with cheese - can we please implement it at 5pm every day? It was by far my favourite place I stayed throughout the trip. The bed was very hard to leave in the morning! Just look at that breakfast below - perfection.

One of the things I was looking forward to the most was the tour of Blaum Bros. Distillery. It was set up just a year ago but has been a roaring success. The tour didn't disappoint! I managed to sample some Hellfyre vodka that very nearly blew my head off. I'm not the best when it comes to shots let along when they contain chilli. Not an experience I'm keen to repeat again.

We were also treated to a tour around Ulysses Grant's home - the 18th president of the United States. A man I admit I didn't really know but it was interesting to learn a bit about him. This history geek never turns down the chance to find out about the past.

It was such a shame not to spend longer in Galena - they had some cracking restaurants - but it was time to move on. Rockford, the last part of the trip, is coming soon!

Read more

OOTD: Floral Duster Jacket

Outfit:

Navy floral duster jacket: c/o George at ASDA
Black chiffon blouse: c/o George at ASDA
Light denim turn up jeans: c/o George at ASDA
Nude patent heeled court shoes: Topshop (similar)

This is the final post of my collaboration with George At ASDA on their #geniusjeans campaign. This time I opted for more of a dressier outfit with a pretty floral duster jacket. It's the perfect transition piece for Spring now that the weather is starting to warm up. Paired with a pair of heels, it can go from day to evening in one quick swoop. These jeans are a bit stiffer than my previous ones but after a few wears I imagine they'll fit like a jean. I'm such a sucker for a good turn up - just makes them look a little more interesting eh?

The weekend has yet again been a lazy one. I've tried to stay in for the whole of April in a bid to cut down on my manic spending. Bar Chicago obviously - the credit card had a good work out over there. It feels weird to still have money in my bank account three weeks into payday. But it's been nice to spend my weekend at home to be honest. Usually I'm booking things up 24/7 and find when Monday rolls around, I'm absolutely exhausted. That said, I'm ready for May to come. Looks like it's going to be a busy one!

Read more

Being in a long term relationship

It says something when you have to go back to 2012 to find a decent smiling picture - mental note to maybe start smiling in pictures... Look at those baby faces! 

I've been in a relationship since I was 18. I have had the same - and only! - boyfriend for over eight years. Yet when I mention this to people, I get very mixed reactions. Some may find it romantic but to be honest the vast majority look at me in disbelief. How on earth can I be happy with only having one boyfriend?! Don't I feel the need to sow my seeds? Aren't I worried we got together too young? How can I possibly know he's the one for me?

I'm the first to admit that 18 is young and I'm a very different person now at 26. So is my boyfriend but we're growing together. We've both got the some views on marriage and children - not for a very long time thank you! We both love to travel and see live music. We lead quite separate lives and treasure our times spent with our friends. We've never ever lived in each others pockets. Sometimes we go days without seeing each other simply because we're living our lives. But it could change, at 30 we could suddenly want completely different things. It happens all the time. If we do? We would still have had many good years together and I definitely won't be thinking I've wasted my life on only one person. 

I get told that I don't have a clue what's out there and shouldn't be settling on my first one. Well first off, I'm not settling at all thank you very much. There's been no reason in eight years for me to question my relationship. We're both extremely stubborn and bicker but he's never once treated me bad. Not giving me the last roast potato on a Sunday isn't really much to complain about. I've heard horror stories from friends about their latest boyfriend and not had them myself. He has never ever told me what I can and can't do. I've bought a ticket to Glastonbury and jetted off to Chicago on my own and he's never batted an eyelid. I'm often swanning off on weekends to see my friends - perks of having them scattered around the country. A few people have asked how he feels about me doing so much on my own. Well why would he be bothered? He gets to order a 12-piece KFC bargain bucket to himself and play his XBOX all day. I'm not willing to ask anyone's permission to live my life. 

Why should people be belittled for their choice of love life? If you've had one boyfriend or ten boyfriends it doesn't matter. You are free to have any many partners as you choose and nobody is able to judge you. Someone would never - well most people wouldn't - blatantly call a girl a hussy to her face for having multiple boyfriends. So it shouldn't be ok to look down your nose at a girl who's only had one man friend. After all, we live in a free world don't we?

Read more