My Dream Home Office - An Update Of Where We're At & My Hopes*

As I've spoken about our 'office' several times on my blog I thought it was about time I do a proper update post on where we're at with it. If you've read my blog for a while then you'll have seen me talk about this office several times, it's been a work in progress pretty much since we moved in over 3 years ago and it's only since the start of this year that we've really started to actually do something with it. Our spare room has basically been a nightmare since the beginning but with me blogging full time now and George working from home more often, it was time to finally make it into an office, and I'm pleased to say we have actually made some real progress!

Where we're at

So far we've pretty much been focused on getting rid of everything in there! To make the room into an office, to start with we both kind of assigned ourselves a side, so I would have one half of the room with my desk and area to take blog photos etc, and George would have a side with a smaller desk for when he's at home and storage on that side too. To get the furniture in that we wanted, we've started getting rid of what we had before - wardrobes, drawers etc that were here when we moved in which we didn't particularly love or need. We've already bought and put up a storage unit which has been so useful for odd bits we have no other place for, towels, bedding, paperwork etc. We got the Kallax one from IKEA and instead of the wooden boxes like on the picture we got some others which match more with the colour scheme I'm trying to go for. We've also gone through another tall storage unit we have and sorted it into sections for all of my blog stuff to make life a bit easier when I'm working and need to find something! Apart from that I've pretty much just been buying things to decorate the room with! That's the best bit though. I bought a copper geo style mirror from Primark for only £5 to go up near the storage boxes, lots of candles, notebooks, prints, posters etc. I love this Friends one I bought for the door. All of these things mean though that once the desks are up, it's pretty much finished.

What still needs doing

Following on from what I've just said, desks are the only thing missing from the room really. I've chosen the one I want which has loads of room for lots of pretty things, I'm hoping to get some nice photo frames to dot around it, a decent space for my laptop, a magnetic back so I can put any notes up when I'm working, and then plenty of space underneath where I'm going to put another little table I think. I was thinking a little white table like the ones IKEA do for about £5 would be perfect because then I can just pull that out when I want to take blog photos. Aside from a smaller desk for George, a few other things to put up on the walls, and a new light we're pretty much done. I've been really struggling to figure out what sort of light to go for though so I've been looking at Urban Cottage Industries. They are an online retailer for factorylux lighting and they have such a unique range of lampshades all for affordable prices. They allow for you to make your own lamp shade which I think would be so cool for the office! As they do so many different styles for each room, I know something from here would be nothing like we already have and would be the perfect finishing touch to the office.

My hopes

It might not sound like we've done loads to the room but honestly it was in such a state so I'm really happy that we're finally close to finishing it all. I've wanted a proper office for so long so I'm just so excited to see it all at the end. I'm hoping it's going to make me a bit more productive as I definitely struggle to get stuff done when I'm not at a desk and I've needed a space like this for ages. I just hope it's what we've imagined when it's done, though the progress has been slow, I'm sure it will be worth it and I can't wait to show you the finished result.

*In collaboration with Urban Cottage Industries

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Food I Have Been Loving This Week #28

It feels like forever since I last did one of these foodie posts! It's definitely been a while but I've just had loads of other posts I've wanted to get up first so this had to take a backseat. This one is definitely full of tasty food and drink though, all of it I want again right now 😭

So many drinks - As we seemed to have a few weeks of really hot weather, I got a little obsessed with Fanta Lemon! Isn't it just the best? It's so refreshing and it always reminds me of Summer and holidays. We actually had it a few times in Paris too and it just tastes so much better when you're away! I've also been loving a new flavour from Vimto too. It's the raspberry, orange and passionfruit and it's so nice! It's like a cheaper version of my all time favourite Red Pop by Faygo which is American and unfortunately not available over here anymore.

Crepes - On our first full day in Paris we stopped off at a little cafe which served a huge range of crepes. You kind of have to have one in Paris don't you? I went for the maple syrup one and George had the salted butter caramel, they were delicious! I wish we'd had time to go back and try more.

Milka Daim - We picked these Milka Daim Clusters up from duty free before getting the Eurostar back home and they were incredible. I'm pretty sure we can get similar things here but there was just something about them, they were so creamy but the crunch from the daim was so good. They were incredibly moreish and we should have definitely got more to bring home.

Strawberries & Meringue - Finally something healthy! I've been loving strawberries recently. I only tend to really get them now in the Spring and Summer months as that's when they're really sweet and juicy. I've been really enjoying having them for breakfast or having them with yoghurt and broken up meringue as a little snack or dessert.

Crosstown Doughnuts - I'm pretty sure after every trip to London I then include Crosstown Doughnuts in one of these posts, but how could I not? They are legit the best doughnuts I've ever tasted and we always get some when we visit London. Last time we shared the cinnamon swirl one which is just heaven and the chocolate truffle which is pure indulgence. It's probably a good job we can only get these in London as I'd be wanting them all the time otherwise.

Capri-Suns - More drinks 🙊Capri-suns are an all time favourite of mine. I don't get them loads as they're not the cheapest but every so often they're just a nice treat for me for the week. I got the tropical flavour last time and it's so refreshing!

Shake Shack - Also on our last trip to London we took a visit to Covent Garden and stopped off at Shake Shack. We've only been once before but since then I'd been desperate for us to go again, we'd just never found the time or had other stuff planned. It was so worth the wait though, I had the hot dog for the first time and it was amazing! I already know I want that again next time. George had one of the original burgers and we shared some cheesy fries. It's expensive but as we don't get to go often, I don't mind spending it.

Have you been to Shake Shack or tried Crosstown Doughnuts?

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4 UK Holiday Destinations I'd Like To Visit*

Over the last few months all I've been able to think about is holidays! In the run up to our honeymoon in Paris, and weekend breaks to York and London which we were lucky enough to book quite close to one another, I was just so excited but now we're back I already want to book more! I love having something to look forward to and is there anything better than few days away to just relax? Whilst I would definitely love to visit more places abroad, there are also so many beautiful places in the UK and these are just a few of the ones I'd love to take a trip to at some point.

Spa day in Bath - I absolutely love the thought of a spa break for ultimate relaxation! One place I've seen a lot about is the Thermae Spa in Bath and as Bath is somewhere I've been keen to visit for a while, this is going to the top of my list. Here you can float in the open air rooftop pool and take in all of Baths spectacular views. Aswell as this luxury, you can also try their multi-sensory wellness suite which includes a Roman Steam Room, Georgian Steam Room, Infrared Sauna, Ice Chamber and Celestial Relaxation Room. That's not all though, there is also the indoor Minerva Bath, the Watsu treatment and finally traditional full body massages. If you need to relieve any stress or tension then I think this is the place to go. Bath generally looks like such a wonderful place which much more to offer so I think it would be perfect for a weekend break.

Seaside break in Whitby - I actually can't even remember the last time I went to the seaside so I think a caravan holiday is something George and I definitely have to do at some point. I'm genuinely really excited at the thought of staying in a caravan as it's something we've never done before together and I'd just love to be close-by to the beach. I remember going to Whitby years and years ago and it's always been somewhere I've wanted to go back to. There is the famous abbey ruins and the cobbled Georgian old town, cosy tea rooms, ghost walking tours and so much more.

Glamping in Isle of Wight - I used to go on camping holidays but I've never done a glamping one and Isle of Wight looks like the perfect place for it. I remember going years ago but I don't think at the time I realised what a beautiful place it is so I'm really hoping George and I get to go at some point. I've been looking at Bell Tents for glamping and I think one of those would be brilliant. Easy to put up, luxurious aesthetic throughout, light, airy and spacious, there are many benefits to staying in one of these tents. Plenty of room to properly sit back and relax with your home comforts after a day out sounds heavenly. The great thing about setting up camp on a holiday park too is that you get a pool included to use, there are activities nearby, shops and restaurants and you're just never really far from anything that you need.

Walking film tour in Oxford - The final place on my list is the stunning city of Oxford. Famous for it's university and history, it's a place packed full of things to do and beautiful hotels to unwind in. With it's mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy, whether that's visiting one of the historic buildings or museums, going to one of the top restaurants for dinner or shopping all day, Oxford pretty much has it all. One thing I'd really like to go there for is their walking film tours. There are actually a few different ones to take but the one that really interests me is the Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland tour. This is a great way to see some of the famous filming locations and I just think it's a really fun way to spend a few hours of your day.

There are so many wonderful places in the UK so this post have gone on forever but for now these are the main places I'd really love to go to at some point in the near future. I'd love to know if you've visited any of these places? or if you have any UK holidays booked?

*In collaboration with Garden & Camping

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2018 Cinema Watch List So Far

As George and I have Cineworld Unlimited cards we go to the cinema quite often and last year I kept track of all of the films we saw, doing a mid year post and then one at the end. I've been doing the same this year aswell so todays post is a little mid year watch list of everything we've been to see so far and my thoughts, and then I'll do another post around Christmas time. We've not actually seen as much as I thought we would have over the last few months but I find there seems to be months where pretty much nothing comes out that takes my fancy and then other months we're at the cinema every weekend!

The Greatest Showman - The film everyone has been talking about. It actually feels like forever ago when we saw this in the cinema. I've listened to the soundtrack so much and watched the DVD so many times since that it feels like this film has always been in my life. We went to see this on Georges birthday and we both adored it. Obviously there had been loads of great reviews but sometimes something is hyped up so much that it can end up being a bit of a disappointment, luckily that didn't happen with The Greatest Showman. As soon as it started I was hooked, and now I can't get enough of it.

Fifty Shades Freed x2 - I'm personally a big fan of the Fifty Shades films and after seeing the first one and then having a two year wait for the second, and then another year for the third, I actually felt a little sad that it had all come to an end. We ended up seeing it twice as we did with Fifty Shades Darker the year before, because I just love them that much, and I'm so happy with how it finished. Jamie Dornan was the perfect choice for Christian Grey and made the films for me. It's been the film we've been to see on Valentines Day over the last few years so I hope something as exciting is out next year to replace it.

Peter Rabbit - A bit different to Fifty Shades but another film I absolutely loved. I always enjoy films that are probably more aimed towards kids (e.g Paddington) I'm not really sure what that says about me but it's definitely one I want to get on DVD. It was funny, made me emotional at times and just a nice watch. I do agree with what I've seen others say though about James Corden being the voice of Peter Rabbit though, it is quite clearly him and it does ruin the illusion a little I suppose. I don't think it's a massive problem and I still like the character of Peter Rabbit but I do think someone a bit less obvious would have been better.

Love Simon - Definitely one of my favourites of the year so far and I think it's going to take a lot to beat it. Everyone deserves a great love story but for 17 year old Simon, it's a little more complicated. He hasn't told any of his family or friends yet that he's gay, but he has fallen in love with an anonymous classmate online. I loved the story and it just made me feel so many emotions when watching it. Parts made me cry, others made me smile and laugh, and at the end I just felt so happy for him. I think it's such an important film, one that should have been made a long time ago and I hope for many people that this film has given them the chance to open up and be who they really are.

A Quiet Place - The first horror film I saw at the cinema this year and such a brilliant one. I'm a massive fan of John Krasinski and have been ever since he played Jim in The US Office so when I saw the trailer for this and found out he had directed it aswell, I was desperate to see it. It had amazing reviews, and some were saying it's one of the best horror films in a long time which I totally agree with. A lot of horrors that come out now I find aren't that great, and it's not often one comes along like this. There were points that were genuinely really scary, parts that made me emotional which I've never had happen with a horror film before and the acting from everyone was incredible.

Deadpool 2 - The only film on this list that actually really disappointed me. I really like the first Deadpool film, I think the jokes are hilarious, the story is brilliant and the soundtrack is amazing, meaning I had high hopes for the sequel. I'd seen a few mixed comments online about it but it was generally positive and loads were saying it was far better than the first film, but I just didn't feel that. Watching it I just felt like it was really flat, I didn't understand the story as much, I didn't laugh nearly as much as I did with the first film and I was so disappointed that a few characters got killed off as early as they did (I won't say who in case you haven't seen it). Some should have definitely had a bigger part. I did like the soundtrack and it's not like it was awful at all but I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I'll probably give it another go at some point but I don't have much hope now for any future Deadpool films.

Hereditary - I'm actually not even sure what to say about this film, but it genuinely terrified me. As much as I love a horror, it was even too much for me and there were times I really thought, I don't know if I can keep watching this. I'm struggling to even really explain why though as it isn't necessarily a jumpy horror film or outright scary, it's just really unsettling and dark, extremely dark. I thought the story was great and the actors were incredible, Toni Collette and Alex Wolff deserve awards, and the twist near the start just blew my mind as the trailers didn't even hint towards that. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say anymore, but if you love horrors you have to watch this. I'd read quite mixed things before seeing it but it was brilliant, just far scarier than I could have predicted and unlike any horror I've seen before.

So far this year The Greatest Showman and Love Simon are my winners, both have stuck with me for different reasons and they're ones I'd watch again and again. That being said I've struggled to get Hereditary out of my head since watching it. I'm so excited to do another post like this at the end of the year as there are some really exciting films coming out over the next few months. I'm so looking forward to Mamma Mia 2, The Purge and Christopher Robin!

Have you seen any of these films? If so what did you think of them?

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