7 Things You Really Want for Christmas In Your Late 20s: An Alternative Gift Guide*

*Contains sponsored content

This week, I’ve realised something. Yes, Christmas is great, with the excessive amount of beige food and ‘good will to all men’, yada yada yada. But my god, it’s also the one time of year where I really notice that time is passing, things are changing, and yes – I really am getting old as fuck.

Take presents, for example. In my early 20s, it was all about hair straighteners, makeup and leopard print coats. The true life essentials for a girl living off her student loan and shot girl wages, if you will.

And now? I’m 29, and this week sent my sister the link to some La Redoute bedding I would quite like. Things have changed, and my wishlist is reflecting this.

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Birmingham’s Best Bottomless Brunches

Some say that you should write what you know; others, that you should write what you love. I figured I may as well do both and so here it is: my round-up of the best bottomless brunches in Birmingham.

Here’s a round-up of the places I’ve visited so far, and I’ll keep this post updated as and when I try new ones out. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it… View Full Post

How to Wear Dresses Over Trousers (Yes, Really…)*

It’s going to be a wild ride in fashion this year, as more retro trends show up on runways across the globe. Whether you love them or hate them, tie-dye, bucket hats, and patchwork are in this season, marking a return to more carefree times in the world of fashion. One nostalgic look, in particular, has been appearing in fashion circles around the world and on celebrities’ Instagram accounts, but enjoying a more sophisticated revival. That’s right, the dress-over-trousers trend is back. View Full Post

Relaxed Italian Dining at Bardolino Birmingham | Review

If you’re looking for something a bit fancy in Birmingham, The Cube is the place to be. Overlooking the canal and with panoramic views of the city, it’s home to a four-star hotel, luxe gym and a select few bars and restaurants. At the top of The Cube, you’ll find the iconic Marco Pierre White’s (a place I’m still yet to actually visit despite dropping many, many hints to friends, family and James for approx three years); but a few weeks ago I was treated to one of The Cube’s lesser-known delights that’s tucked away on the first floor: Bardolino*.

Bardolino is also a Marco Pierre White restaurant, but offers a more relaxed dining experience than the Steakhouse on the top floor. It has more of a pizzeria vibe, which was perfect for me as we visited the afternoon before my (first ever, no biggie, I don’t want to go on about it) 10k run. I was ready to be CARBED UP – and Bardolino didn’t disappoint. View Full Post

I Finally Had Lip Fillers…

If you know me out in the ol’ real world, then you’ll probably know I’ve spoke about having lip fillers for about four years. No exaggeration. But like a lot of things – learning to bake or committing to an ab routine, for example – it was starting to seem like one of those things I wasn’t ever really going to get round to doing. View Full Post

A Boujee Evening at The Lyttleton Arms, Stourbridge | Review

There aren’t many things that can motivate me to leave my bed the afternoon after coming home from a trip. Normally this time would be dedicated to moping, usually hungover from both alcohol and food, and only using energy to edit holiday photos for the ‘gram. Last week, however, I landed back in the UK from Dubrovnik at 1am Wednesday morning, and was heading out again by 5pm. The one thing that could tempt me? Food, of course.

The Lyttleton Arms in Stourbridge has just undergone a major refurbishment and, with a brand new menu launching, I couldn’t resist an invitation to the opening. When it comes to eating out, gastropubs are my actual fave – I love a relaxed pub atmosphere teamed with an extensive menu of high-quality food. The Lyttleton Arms looked to be just that, and with stunning new interiors to enjoy as an added bonus. View Full Post

Trying the Dietbon 7-Day Meal Plan

When it comes to diets and healthy eating, I’ve tried my fair share of weird regimes. Unfortunately in the past, these included meal replacement shake diets and detox teas, two things I’d never recommend now I’m older and wiser(ish). These days, I follow a fairly simple, fad-free diet that consists of a lot of soup, stir frys, and every Quorn product I can get my little sausage fingers on during the week.

Over the weekend, though, my indulgences can be disGUSTingly mammoth (who really shares sharer bags of Malteasers after all? Freaks, that’s who). I’m therefore still interested in anything that can keep me on track during the week, while also allowing me to eat food that I can, y’know, chew. So when Dietbon got in touch earlier this year and offered me a week’s trial run of their weight loss plan, I was intrigued to give it a go. View Full Post