A UK bucket list

Ah the green and pleasant land. I hold my hands up and say I take living in the UK for granted. When I'm looking for trips away, it's the last place I look. But when I actually sit and think about it, the UK might be rainy but it's pretty stunning! The four countries are blessed with incredible history, greenery and landmarks. It's about time I started exploring properly!

1. Cheddar Gorge
The limestone gorge in Somerset reminds me of a a landscape from Middle Earth in Lord Of The Rings! I feel so lucky to have such stunning landscapes right on my doorstep in the UK. It's almost 400ft deep and a staggering three miles long - it started forming a mind blowing million years ago during the last Ice Age. Apart from Glastonbury, Somerset isn't a part of the world I'm too familiar with and I'd love to take a camping trip nearby. It really is nature at it's finest!

2. Giant's Causeway
I love a good folk tale and this one has to be one of my favourites. According to the legend, Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill was challenged to a fight by a Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted and built a causeway across the north channel so they could meet. Fionn panics when he realises Benandonner's size and gets his wife to disguise him as a baby in a cradle. When Benandonner sees the size of the 'baby' he reckons his father must be a giant among giants. So he flees back to Scotland, destroying the causeway on his way to his home. My boyfriend's family doesn't live too far away in Ireland so I'm hoping we can squeeze in a trip if we go over to visit next year.

3. Arthur's Seat
I've only spent the day in Edinburgh and only managed to see the castle. I'd love to go back and climb the highest peak in the city's Holyrood Park. The views from the dormant volcano look absolutely incredible. It's also home to 2000 year old preserved fort and a 15th century medieval chapel. But if I'm honest I just really want to soak up that view.

4. Stonehenge
I've seen this bizarre arrangement of rocks a few times from the car but I've never gotten up close and personal before. No one really knows why these rocks were displayed in such a way but there are many theories out there. But many believe that it is a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun. One of things I'm most proud of as a Brit is our vast incredible history over our four countries - Stonehenge is a prime example of this.

5. Lake District
The Lake District is one place I've heard many people go ga-ga over. The sheer beauty of the national park has people going gooey-eyed. There are many market towns within the region and it seems like such a beautiful part of the United Kingdom. I'd love to pop on a pair of walking boots, grab a map and just explore until my hearts content, breathing in the fresh air. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the beauty of nature to feel like everything will be alright.

6. Isle of Skye
Seals. Seals are the sole reason why I'm so desperate to visit the Isle of Skye. I wouldn't mind seeing the dolphins either. Or the dinosaur fossils. At 50 miles long, it's the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The isle is full of castles, quaint villages and lots of walking trails. The ultimate outdoor holiday eh?

7. Highlands
There seems to be a running theme of Scotland in this list. Full of gorgeous stretches of coastlines, impressive mountains, overwhelming glens and stunning islands, it's got something for everyone. I've actually got a friend who moved up to a little village so really I have no excuse not to visit. My boyfriend went earlier in the year and the pictures looked amazing. Although he didn't manage to find the Loch Ness monster. Can't win them all!

8. Norfolk Broads
For years I've been meaning to hire a canal boat and travel down the broads stopping at the quaint pubs along the way for a cider and roast dinner. The rivers and lakes run through the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. It's an area of the country that's not too far from my house so it's a crime I haven't been sooner.

What's on your UK bucket list? It seems like I need to plan a road trip around Scotland!

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Beauty - In my travel wash bag

With only two months until my summer holiday to Barcelona - can I get hell yeah? - I started thinking about what to pack in my holiday wash bag. A girl can never be too prepared. I love the sun but it can play havoc on your body. It leaves mine feeling dry and dehydrated which is never a good look. These are some products that should be in your arsenal when you jet of in search of some sun!

Aussie Miracle Recharge Moisture Lightweight Conditioning Spray
Thanks to my love of long locks, it means I have to deal with a hell of a lot of knots. I tend not to use conditioner too often after I shampoo because it makes my hair greasy. So this is the perfect de-tangle remedy. Your hair can get extremely dry after a day in the sun and needs to be kept in good condition.  This wonder product brings back the moisture it craves and helps to make it easier to handle. After a day spent in the sea or swimming pool, your hair will need a lot of TLC!

Delph Sun Lotion Factor 30 c/o
I never go lower than factor 30 on a sun cream. The older I'm getting, the more I'm becoming less of a sun worshipper. Not only is there the risk of skin cancer but also the risk of premature aging. Shudder! I like my sun cream to be non-greasy and thick so that I feel like it's doing it's job. This one fits the ticket perfectly. The great thing about the lotion is it's moisturising too - the sun can be a nightmare drying out your skin!

Delph After Sun Gel c/o
When I'm away I'm so conscious of my tan fading that I become a slave to after sun! I much prefer a gel based after sun as it feels much more cooler and refreshing on my skin - especially if I'm a little sunburnt. Ouch! The sun gel sinks into the skin immediately and leaves no greasy residue. You can almost get dressed straight away after application. There's nothing worse than slipping around in your dress and your skin feeling a bit sticky.

Soap and Glory Super Tonic Fragrance Orangeasm
When I'm on holiday I like a light and fruity scent - nothing too overpowering and heavy. I much prefer a body spray rather than an actual perfume. This zesty orange scented spray is perfect. It's not too long lasting but the bottles small enough to pop in your beach bag to keep topping up throughout the day.

V05 Give Me Texture Rough & Sexy Salt Spray c/o
I like to keep my hair as low-matienance as possible when I'm abroad in a hot country. I don't want to spend hours pimping and preening when there are cocktails to be drunk! This is why I love salt sprays. I simply rough dry my hair with a towel, liberally spray a salt spray all over and pop up in a topknot until it dries. Voila! I'm left with beachy waves.

Simple Kind To Skin+ Moisture Boost Hydro Mist c/o
In any extreme weather, my skin struggles to cope. This fine mist is great to help give dehydrated skin a much needed boost. It absorbs almost immediately and can also be worn over make up. It's great to keep in your beach bag for when your face needs a little helping hand throughout the day.

Nivea Firming Body Oil
This is my holy grail. I'm on around my 6/7th bottle since the beginning of the year. I use it religiously everyday in my legs and it helps to keep them in tip top shape. It's helped to severely reduce my blemishes and helps to keep shaving rashes and dryness at bay. There's no way I'm leaving it at home!

Yes To Coconut Dry Skin Ultra Light Body Lotion Spray c/o
For the rest of my body I need a lightweight body lotion that absorbs quickly yet keeps my body hydrated. I don't my tan to peel if I can help it! Coconut is my favourite scent and this smells gorgeous. The spray nozzles gives out just the right amount of product and is simple to use when you're in a rush to get down to that dinner buffet!

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Cath Kidston A/W 15

I'm a massive fan of Cath Kidston. In fact, I've been stockpiling their homeware products ready for when I move out. So as you can expect, I was very excited to see a invite pop up in my inbox to have a little look around at their A/W preview. As you can tell, it was full of lots of beautiful things!

Cath Kidston have delved into their archives and have reworked some classic prints. They came up with a Riot of Print and Colour. The results are gorgeous rose prints, burgundy polka dots, berry coloured birds, a red ditsy floral print and pretty teal florals amongst many others. The rose printed midi skirt above is what dreams are made of! Just look at all the stunning colours. I also had a soft spot for the skater shoes below - I'll be keeping my eye out for them in the coming months.

Their homeware didn't disappoint either. The press day was full of printed crockery, glassware and novelty items. Every year they seem to offer something similar yet completely different which is why they keep bringing their customers back. There's always a new collection of print that you need to collect. The cute little sausage dog below caught my eye and I did consider sneaking him in my bag and running out! But alas my conscious got the better of me.

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