My #TravelodgeTopTowns; shopping and staycations*

I’ve always been a girl who has loved to shop and I consider us very lucky over here in the UK as their are some amazing shopping centres to visit from the mainstream brands to the quirky independents. We’re also incredibly lucky that we don’t need to travel overseas to have an amazing break away. An hour or two down a motorway sees us almost in another country with changing scenery, atmosphere and even weather. With that in mind, when Travelodge invited me to share some of my top towns with my readers I really didn’t find it all that hard.

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I couldn’t not start this post with my home city, Bristol and all it has to offer. I’ve waxed lyrical about living here before especially in terms of the shopping! From out of town high street heaven at Cribbs Causeway to the brands and atmosphere of Cabot Circus there really is something to cater for all tastes and all budgets. Some of my favourite shopping haunts are Gloucester Road for it’s independent shops and cool coffee shops as well as Cabot Circus (nothing beats a browse in Pull and Bear, or I feel really extravagant then Harvey Nichols!
Another favourite for me in terms of shopping has to be Birmingham. The vastness of the Bullring (the UK’s busiest shopping centre) never fails to impress me and I love how so many shops that I can’t browse in Bristol are readily available for my browsing pleasure. I could lose half a day easily inside Selfridges and split the other half between Forever21 and Victorias Secret. I must make another visit soon.
On the staycation front there are two places that really stand out in my mind. Firstly Sidmouth, a charming little seaside town in Devon where I spent many a happy childhood holiday. There is something so magical about strolling down cobbled streets, eating ice cream and picking your way over the pebbly beach waiting for the tide to retreat so you can snag a rare bit of sand. I have so many happy memories from this little part of Devon, I don’t think it will ever lose it’s magic.

The second staycation destination is Melton Mowbray which I’ve become quite familiar with since Ben and I make more and more frequent visits up to see his family. He’ll think I’m mad for writing this but I think it’s such a charming place with it’s signposts for the pork pie shoppe and bustling weekend market. A short drive outside of town and you’re in some of the most beautiful countryside too… I always fall for this town every time we head up North.

These are all places I plan to see a lot more of in 2016. It’s going to be a busy year and I don’t think I’ll have the funds to fly off anywhere overseas, I can’t say I’m overly bothered though (weather aside) as the UK has so much to offer and you can easily get a weekend away very cheaply, leaving a few pennies left over to explore the local shops, of course!

Where are some of your favourite towns and cities? I’m starting a list of where I need to go over the next 12 months…

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The Cosy One

It’s finally got properly cold around these parts and I’m relishing the excuse to put on the cosiest outfit I can find. I’m not a fan of feeling chilly so stocking my wardrobe with some really warm jumpers in an absolute must and I have recently added to my collection in the form of the snuggliest jumper I have ever owned.

Jumper: H&M (get it here) | Trousers: H&M | Boots c/o Long Tall Sally

H&M has been one of my top high-street shops this year and their Christmas campaign sealed the deal. There were so many pieces in there (at amazing prices I might add) that screamed “buy me” but with the budget to pick just one it had to be this jacquard print polo neck jumper that is honestly just like wearing a blanket. Because it’s quite a voluminous piece I’ve been tending to pair it with skinny trousers but I do think it would look good with a pencil skirt too, something to play on the proportions.

This has to be one of my purchases of the season, I feel ready to take on any cold snap that mother nature plans to throw at us….

What are your favourite pieces for keeping snug in the cold weather and who have been your high-street hero stores in 2015?

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A Great Night in with Plusnet and BFI

Call me boring if you like but I hands down prefer a cosy night in to a drunken (or indeed sober) night out on the town, especially in Winter. Give me a fluffy blanket, a mug of hot chocolate, some good company and a girly romantic film and I’m at my happiest…really, is there anything better when it’s pouring with rain and blowing a gale?

Plusnet have recently partnered up with the British Film Industry (BFI) to celebrate their blockbuster “Love” season which will see classic romance films showing in cinemas over the country. To celebrate this they sent out some boxes to bloggers containing everything you could need for the perfect night in.

I think a big part of any night in is a pamper session whether you have company or are enjoying some rare downtime alone. Casablanca is an absolute classic and a total must see- the tissues and eye mask were very much required though (but then I do cry at almost everything!) I think the popcorn was intended to be shared but being the popcorn hoover that I am it didn’t get that far, in fact it didn’t even make it in to a bowl, oops!
What are your girly night in essentials and your favourite romantic movies? If I had to make a list then my top five would be:

Love Actually- who can resist it?

Notting Hill- I went through a phase of being obsessed with watching this!

One Day- I cried so much at this one

Atonement- I loved the book by Ian McEwan and thought the film adaptation was great

Casablanca- there’s a reason it’s stood the test of time

Do you agree or disagree with my picks (oh and what’s your must-have movie snack?)

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A Soap & Glory Giveaway

I’m yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love the Soap & Glory range of products, from THAT fabulous scent to the gorgeously retro packaging I was sucked in from the first time I tried it.

Over the next week or so The Glory Girls will tour the UK and give out free make-up make overs as well as Soap & Glory goodies in selected shopping malls. Former Pussycat doll Kimberley Wyatt will also be in attendance at The Trafford Centre on Sunday 13th December, participating in a behind the scenes photo shoot.

In the run up to the event Soap & Glory have put together a little video of the girls talking about some of their top makeup tips as well as their coming tour…and that’s not all! There’s also a giveaway going on so that one of you can win a lovely treat from the brand!
Follow the simple instructions below for your chance to win the Perfect Scents gift set, perfect for a spot of post-party pamper time. Open to UK entrants only, giveaway runs from Sunday 13th December – Sunday 20th December and winner will be picked and contacted shortly after.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

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Fringe Fest*

Having spent the last few weeks focused on all things festive I thought it was about time I popped up something a little more “un-seasonable” on the blog in the form of a wish list featuring one of my current favourite sartorial details: fringing. I’ve mentioned before how much I appreciate enjoying the swishing of a fringed trim and right now the high-street is awash with some killer pieces that I’d love to make my own.

Jumper & Jacket: Topshop | Ankle Boots: both from Jones Bootmaker | Poncho & Dress from ASOS

It won’t come as any surprise that ankle boots feature in this list. I own a black pair of fringed detail ones at the moment and now I’m coveting something more neutral to compliment denim days (anyone else not enjoy black boots with denim? I just don’t feel right wearing them). I think the ASOS dress would be perfect for any up-coming parties and the poncho perfect for snuggling up whilst nursing a hangover.

I really regret not buying the Topshop black jumper the other week, now the weather has taken a turn for the freezing and I’m living in the same old knit I could really do with this- a classic with a fun little twist.

What trends and details are you loving the most right now?

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