A weekend in The Cotswolds

Last weekend I took a three hour train journey down to a part of the UK I'd never been before. The beautiful Cotswolds. I won't be leaving it 27 years until I'm back this time. The occasion was to help celebrate Sarah's birthday with a large group of blogger friends. Every time we meet up, I'm so glad that these ladies are in my life. Who would have thought those weirdos on the internet would turn out to be so darn great?

It was just what the doctor ordered. Since the beginning of the year, getting used to regularly commuting into the city has taken it's toll on me and I've been burning the candle at both ends. I ended up being ko-ed for an entire week with an awful cold and sleeping for 10-11 hours. And it still wasn't enough. This weekend gave me a chance to totally recharge my tired batteries.

We all hired an absolutely beautiful house in middle of nowhere at the end of a dirt track. Located in Herefordshire, the 18th Century National Trust property was the perfect size for nine ladies eager to catch up and eat their weight in food and bubbles. Boy did we eat! We mooched around in our pyjamas until the late afternoon, laughed until our bellies hurt, had a lazy pub dinner, discovered charades talents we never knew we had, snacked on cake all day long and had a cheeky bucks fizz for breakfast. Just because.

Until we meet again ladies! Thanks for such a lovely weekend Katy, Gem, Sarah, Maria, Rosie and Char.

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Travel plans for 2016

The last few years have seen me visit as many countries as I possibly can. It's all that seems to enter my mind and I'm constantly daydreaming about my next adventure. 2016 is all done and dusted where travel plans are concerned. This year I really do need to knuckle down and save so I won't be venturing outside Europe. But I couldn't be happier.

So, where am I going?

The Cotswolds
So this trip may have been and gone but I couldn't not include it. You've probably seen the influx of pictures on Instagram! I'll do a more in-depth view in a week or so. Along with my favourite internet friends, we trudged off to The Cotswolds to stay in the most beautiful house for Sarah's birthday.

Image taken from Bow Dream Nation

Cologne
March sees me jet off to Germany for the second time. We spontaneously booked flights for a mere £20 and are staying in a lovely central hotel next to the river. This German city was never really on my radar but when I spotted the cheap as chips flights I couldn't resist. I completely fell in love with Germany when I visited Berlin so have high hopes for the country's fourth-largest city. We don't really have many plans apart from seeking out the cathedral, stuffing ourselves with schnitzels and wandering around the city aimlessly.

Image taken from ElevatorMusik

Copenhagen
I had booked this as a surprise for my boyfriend's birthday but got far too excited at my good deed that I spilled the beans. Just as well because I've heard it's expensive so he needs to start saving up! Scandinavia was never really on my list but it tops my boyfriend's bucket list so I was obviously the dutiful girlfriend. However, now I've absolutely dying to visit. I've been doing some research and realised the city is all about the FOOD. My kind of place. I'm expecting to come back four stone heavier.

Image taken from Lily Lipstick

Prague
Just a three weeks later and Prague is on the agenda. The first stop in a two week Eastern European adventure in August. Here I'll be spending three nights in the Czech Republic capital. Prague was the first holiday my boyfriend and I ever looked at and nine years later we're finally making it there. Took our time eh?! I've heard such amazing things about the city and can't wait to explore. I'm a sucker for a cute little old town oozing with history.

Image from Julian Weyer via Flickr via Pinterest 

Vienna

Next we'll be getting the train to Vienna for two nights. Oh Vienna! I definitely won't be singing that every hour... I've heard that this city really is quite beautiful and am looking forward to soaking up the historical culture. As a classically trained musician - I have many talents *ahem* - I'm looking forward to having a sneak peak into the musical history. Let's forget I haven't picked up my clarinet in about 6 years... I can still appreciate Mozart!

Image taken from The Blond Zebras

Bratislava
After Vienna we hope onto a boat and sail across the Danube river to the Slovakian capital. This small city was only really put in the itinerary because it's cheap and it breaks up the journey to Hungary. But I'm going to enjoy the two nights we have planned! I can't wait to explore and try some traditional Slovak food.

Image taken from Fat Frocks

Budapest
Finally the place I'm looking forward to the most. The Hungarian capital Budapest. This city has been on my travel wishlist for a good few years and I'm finally able to go. We have four nights in this city and I'm giddy with excitement. I want to relax in the famous baths, go on a bar crawl among the ruin pubs, visit the dictators in the park, walk across the dividing bridge and get lost in the old town. I really hope it doesn't disappoint!

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A Valentine's day love in

After nine years my boyfriend and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day and I'm actually away with the girls! Oops. But I do get drawn into the heart shaped food, the vibrant pinks and red and the beautiful flowers. After all, I am a girl! So to celebrate the day of love - because what do I love more than stuffing my face - these heart shaped scones will be perfect. Paired with this gorgeous bunch of red roses* from Blossoming Gifts, they make me one happy bunny. Even if you don't have a significant other, Valentine's Day flowers are always a winner. There's nothing to say you can't treat yourself once in a while. After all, you know your tastes inside out! Buy someone special - or yourself! - a bunch with my special discount code. Simply enter BGIFTS33 at the checkout - the only bouquets exempt are the flowers by post range.

No sweet treat is every complete without having a pretty tin to carry them in. Every bake needs a finishing touch. It's a good job this Orla Kiely set* made its way into my kitchen then. It makes the perfect gift for any baking fanatic and you get five - FIVE! - tins so that means lots of cake. Lot and lots of cake. Food is always the way to a girl's heart. Well this girl anyway! These scones fit in the bottom one perfectly.

Then finally ice cream. Haagen-Dazs Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream* was made for the day of love. Vanilla ice cream is blended together with crumbly biscuit and a tangy strawberry sauce. It really does taste as good as it sounds. It's best to get two as you won't want to share this beauty with anyone!

Recipe taken from good old Martha Stewart. She's a good 'un. As always, I'd love to know if you managed to rustle these up in the kitchen so drop me a tweet. Happy baking!

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