Autumn Date Nights*

Whether with best-friends or loved ones, date nights (or days) are always fun. There really is nothing better than heading out & spending some much deserved quality time together. However deciding what how to spend date night can definitely be challenging. Sure heading to the cinema or for a meal is fun, but sometimes the best memories are made when things are mixed up a little. So I was inspried by Turo* to think of ideas to "shake-up" date night & put together four ideas of different dates that are little out of the ordinary.

Pumpkin Picking: 
With Halloween quickly approaching, pumpkin picking seems like a great way to spend a date. Instead of heading to the local supermarket, a quick search on Google brings up local farms with Pumpkin patches - some even offer themed events that are pretty reasonably priced.

Statley Homes: 
Statley Homes aren't something I'd have considered for a date until I visited one myself. Photoed above is the gorgeous Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire. Not only are these Homes usually set in acres of stunning countryside to wander around, some even offer extras such as afternoon teas or spa treatments.Want to really push the boat out? Why not rent a classic or rare car to really impress your date.

Harry Potter Studio Tour:
Whilst slightly on the pricier side (tickets start at £35.00) the Warner Brother Studio Tour is a great way to spend a date. Not only does the tour offer the chance to view the actual props & sets  (who doesn't want to visit Diagon Alley?!), it also allows visitors sneak-peaks at various special effects used. Perfect for any Harry Potter fan.

Sea Life Centre's:
With locations all over the U.K, a Sea Life Centre is one of my favourite places & somewhere I would love to go on a date. Not only does visiting one of these aquariums offer the chance to see many different types of marine wildlife, it also helps support The Sea Life Trust - a charity dedicated to protecting marine wildlife & habitats. Plus - if you fancy paying a little extra - many centres offer VIP experiences such as feeding animals & behind the scene tours - perfect for that extra special date.

Adding a little extra something to a date is a great way to make special memories with friends & loved ones. As I mentioned above, a great way to mix things up is to rent a car. Turo* offers customers the chance to rent cars from a community of local owners. These range from VW camper-vans (for a picture perfect road-trip) to Telsa's (for a little extra luxury). Whatever you're looking for renting a car is a great way to add a little something special to a date night.

What's the best date you've ever been on?

I'd love to know in the comments. 

xxx

Friday Date Night

If you read my previous post you'd have seen how I was glamming myself up for Friday afternoon date night. As I mentioned, my boyfriend tends to work over the weekends so I booked Friday afternoon off work & we decided to treat ourselves to much deserved some time together.

Instead of going for a meal and/or drinks we decided that we wanted to make the most the time by doing something fun and a little different. Hello Sea Life Centre! 

A few of my favourite shots from the day..

We're lucky enough to live within walking distance of one of the National Sea Life Centre locations & have been meaning to visit since being at university. Whilst it's not your typical romantic date it was honestly one of the best afternoon's I've had in a while.. 

It was adorable to watch all the animals swimming around & having the chance to learn about the different species (who knew sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs?!)..  But above all, there was something so calming about the whole experience. I can get a little nervous when heading into a new situation, but a combination of the atmosphere & watching all the fish/sharks/penguins etc. swim around instantly relaxed me. Perfect after a long & stressful week in the office! 

Whilst I appreciate that not everyone lives as close to a Sea Life Centre as I do, there's still a chance that one may be one near by. There are 12 Sea Life Centres dotted around the UK & another 34 located across the world - this includes America, Italy & Thailand. Click here to view a complete list of centres worldwide. 

Although romantic evenings will always have a special place in my heart, it's pretty safe to say that I'm looking into  more fun/exciting ways to spend date nights! 

What's your favourite way to spend a date night?
xxx

The British Tag

I've seen this Tag floating around the Youtube and Blogging world for a few months now and - seeing as I'm British - thought it would a fun thing to take part in.

So here we go... 

1. How many cups of tea do you have a day and how many sugars?

Oh dear. This isn't a good question to start off with. I know I'm going to sound like the worst British person ever... but I just don't like tea. *queue everyone gasping in horror and disbelief* I know, I know. It's such a British stereotype and I wish I could drink it but I just don't like the taste. Maybe I'll try some different fruit teas and then I can half jump on the tea bandwagon? If not, pass me the hot chocoalte! 

 2. Favourite part of your roast?

It's either got to be Yorkshire Puddings or Pigs In Blankets... Pigs In Blankets are generally only a Christmas thing, I'd say they're my ultimate favourite as it's always something to look forward to (as if there wasn't enough to be excited about at Christmas). But for every other month throughout the year, it's got to be Yorkshire Puddings with lots & lots of gravy! 

 3. Favourite dunking biscuit?

Now this might sound odd, but ever since I was little I've always loved dunking ginger biscuits into milk... I could easily work my way through half a packet (who am I kidding, whole packet) of these biscuits if there's a glass or two of milk to go with them. 

4. Favourite quintessentially British pass time?

Going for lunch in a countryside pub. Despite living in a city now, I'm a country girl through and through. So there's nothing I love more than going to a traditional British Pub for lunch and a drink. Especially if it's during the summer and I can sit outside, enjoy my drink (probably cider.. keeping with the Britishness) and soak up the limited amount of sun we see here.  

 5. Favourite British word?

Hmm this is a tough one. Trying to think of all the things I say & what words are British is actually quite hard. One word that I think does sound very British though is the work Bloody. Not in the sense of the red stuff that flows through our veins.. but used to exaggerate something. Examples include; "That's Bloody Brilliant"... "Oh Bloody Hell"... I always just imagine it being said in a thick British accent.

 6. Cockney rhyming slang?

Cockney rhyming slag is a London thing.. so as a country girl we it's not something I'd use. However the stereotypical Cockney Rhyming Slang I (& pretty much everyone else) know would be things like; Apple & Pairs - Stairs... Dog & Bone - Phone etc etc. 

 7. Favourite sweet?

Hmm I'm much more of chocolate lover opposed to sweets.. but if there are a few traditional sweets that I'd pick every time. These include childhood favourites like; pear drops, sherbet lemons and dib dabs ... but my favorite is probably rhubarb and custard sweets. Yummmmm. 

 8. What would your pub be called?

Knowing me I'd probably want to call my pub something girly and cute.. but I'm not sure people would come if it was too much.. So I think I'd have to tone it down and call my pub something like.. "The Kitten and String" ... (As you can see I'm not the best with names, it took me long enough to name this blog!) 

 9. No.1 British person?

How can you choose just one?! There have been/are so many great British people across all areas of work.. Winston Churchill, David Attenborough,  J K Rowling, William Shakespeare, Florence Nightingale, David Tenant, Princess Diana, Stephen Hawkins, Emma Watson, Benedict Comberbatch,... and so many more. It's impossible to narrow this down.. As a nation, I think we have some pretty great people! 

 10. Favourite shop/restaurant?

Now I love the traditional British shops like Selfridge's, but if we're talking about a shop that I buy things from regularly, it would have to be the old faithful New Look. I'd have to say a large portion of my cloths/shoes/accessories come from New Look as it's a brand that rarely lets me down. My favourite British restaurant would have to be either Miller and Carter (a gorgeous stake house) or, a restaurant I'm loving right now,  The Slug and Lettuce - a chain of bars across the UK that serve the yummiest burgers (they also serve 2 for 1 cocktails on Fridays.. Don't mind if I do). Otherwise, as I said earlier, it's got to be either a good old pub lunch or fish and chips. 

 11. What British song pops into your head?

Hmm the first two British song that pop straight to my head would have to be "All you need is love" by the Beatles and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. I don't think you can really get more traditionally British than the Beatles and Queen. However more modern British songs that pop to mind include, Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man, Ellie Goulding - Burn and Oasis - Wonderwall. 

 12. Marmite?

Nope. Nope. Nope. It's not that I hate Marmite (I know, I know - "You either, love it or you hate it) but I just think there's something weird about the taste... and weird taste isn't usually something I look for in a food. 

(Sources: x x x x x x x x x)

Hope you enjoyed this post.. It definitely made me feel pretty patriotic and proud to be British.

xxx

Liebster Award.

At around midnight yesterday my email pinged to say I had a new comment on one of my blog posts - which is exciting in its self. However this comment was from the lovely TashEmily over at A World Full of Wonders  - if you haven't already, check out her blog - it's adorable - nominating me for the Liebster Award. 

Source

I've seen this floating around the blogging world and I think it's pretty well known, but if you haven't heard of it these are the rules: 

• You must answer all questions that are given to you 
• You must link back to the person who nominated you 
• When you finish this, you must nominate eleven bloggers who have less than 200 followers
• Provide your nominees with eleven questions of your choice
• You cannot nominate the person who nominated you 
• You must inform your nominees that you have nominated them 
• Provide your nominees with a link to your post for more information

So... The questions given to me are: 

If you could describe your blog in one word what would it be?
I would have to say "chatty" - I think most of my posts are generally just me chatting - but instead of talking, I'm writing. This may not make as much sense to anyone who may read this as it does in my mind... But yeah.. Chatty. Haha. 

Favourite clothing shop?
Umm.. At the moment I would probably say... Forever 21. I love the range of pretty and girly clothes they have on offer and the prices are student friendly too (Bonus!)

What was the last book you read?
I have recently finished reading "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy" by Helen Fielding. After having this one my shelf for ages, I finally got around to reading this. Personally, I really enjoyed this book. It's easy to read and perfect for some bed time or on the beach reading. 

Who is your idol/inspiration?
I'm not sure if I really have an idol as such - But someone who inspires me is my mum (a little cheesy I know haha). But she really always has and does everything she can to support me (even if I'm just calling for a rant over nothing in particular) - and is always there to offer me honest advice.

Biggest phobia?
Now I have a couple of phobias but my biggest one - which I'll just warn you may sound a little odd - is a Zombie Apocalypse. The thought of Zombies or a Zombie apocalypse honestly terrifies me... I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead (best show ever)  but watching it (or anything else zombie related for that matter) honestly gives me nightmares.. and yes I am 22 haha! In fact my fear is so huge that sometimes when I'm out and about I try and plan what I'd do if a zombie was to appear - crazy I know. 

Are you more likely to scream or laugh on a roller-coaster?
100% scream. I don't really like roller-coaster as I'm scared of heights so I would definitely be screaming a lot.. and possibly crying haha. 

Favourite T.V show?
As previously mentioned my favourite T.V show is by far The Walking Dead. Despite my huge fear of Zombies and not usually liking anything gory I LOVE this show. I have the first 3 seasons on DVD, am waiting for the 4th of cannot wait for the 5th to be aired.. If you haven't seen it... Go and watch it right now! 

Source

Something you're looking forward to in the future?
Ooh there are lots of things I'm looking forward too.. but one thing I would chose is the point when I can (hopefully) have a little kitten of my own.. (hello crazy cat lady) and a puppy too. 

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I think everyone usually has a few things they'd like to change about themselves - even just teeny tiny things - but (without going into too much detail putting a downer on this post) I suffer with anxiety when in a situation I'm not comfortable with. It's not a massive issue and I know there are loads of people who suffer much worse - but it's enough to stop me from doing things I'd like to - especially those including travel or places I'm not familiar with. So I would take that away if I could. 

If you could only visit one place in the world - and then never leave your town/city again - where would you go?
Ooh this is a tough one... There are so many places I'd love to visit. If I had to narrow it down, I think it would have to be America. I've been to Florida previously, but I would love to road-trip around the of the the USA. 

Source

What is the most important possession you own?
I'm not 100% if this counts as more than one possession - but I'd say the photos I have printed out is my most important possession(s). I love looking  back at the memories and think they're perfect to look at when feeling a little low. 

Thanks to TashaEmily for nominating me - I really enjoyed writing this and feel it's a good way to interact with other bloggers. 

My nominees are: 

1. Cara from #lifeshaketogo
2. Amy from Amy In Wonderland 
3. Doireann from Life Beauty Blogger
4. Christina May from Hey Christina May
5. Kristine from Kristine
6. Kirsten from Kirsten Gillies
7. Lauren from Lauren Gillies
8. Urika from U is for Urika
9. Chloe from Chloe Alice
10. Sinéad from Miss forever chic 
11. Jenna from The Domestic Diva Diaries 

And the questions for you to answer are:

1. What inspired you to start your blog?
2. What is your favourite film?
3. Who is your favourite blogger?
4. What is your favourite food?
5. Which actor/actress would you chose to play you in the movie version of your life?
6. What would you say was your favourite holiday/vacation?
7. What are you favourite pizza toppings?
8. Are you a cat or dog person? If neither what pet would you say is your favourite?
9. What would you say is your guilty pleasure?
10. What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
11. Who/what is your favourite fictional character?

If you complete this I'd love to read your answers so send me a message or comment!

Have fun! 
xxx