8 Packing Tips For A City Break

Hi, I've booked me and the boyfriend a night away in York I wanted to share with you my packing tips. We will be heading to York via public transport so we will have to carry our luggage most of the time until we finally arrive at our hotel. I plan on taking a small rucksack which I will be using over the weekend because they're so spacious and more comfortable to wear.

Packing Tips For A City Break

Make a list
I always start packing by making a list of everything I need to pack. This allows for planning and eliminates the chance of forgetting anything important. I always pack things like train tickets first.

Check out the weather
Pack for the weather and climate of the place you are traveling to not where you are leaving.

Be Strict
I'm the worst at packing for wearing clothing in the future, I never know what I'll want to wear and then I want to pack everything. If like me you pack too much you'll regret the weight later. Work out exactly how much you need and then plan your outfits.

Choose the Best Bag For the Job
I'm taking a rucksack on this journey but depending on how you're traveling or how long you're traveling for a bigger or more mobile bag might be a better option. 

Day to Night
A good tip for space saving is to try and wear outfits that are transitional between day and night with only a few changes like jewellery or footwear. 

Wear Comfy Footwear
Generally when I'm traveling or know I'm going to be carrying extra weight I think it's really important to protect my feet by wearing comfy footwear. I personally live in Dr Martens which are so supportive to feet when worn for a long time, plus really fashionable.

Pack Light Items
You'll be lugging all this stuff around so pack as light as possible. I think dresses are a great option because it's a one piece outfit.

Take Travel Sized
Another way to reduce the weight of your bag is to take travel sized cosmetics or if you're only staying one night forgo them as much as possible and take advantage of what's available at your hotel.

I hope these tips are helpful as starting points for when you're trying to pack. I think these tips become more helpful when you are traveling for a longer time and a further distance but are still really relevant.

Have a great day!

Sam

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Reading Roundup | February

Hi, This month was a bit of a slow one for reading. I've got two reviews for you today, both books I got out of my local library hence the protective covers in the photo. I'm hoping to get more reading done in March but we'll see. I'm sure to get a brand new selection of books to choose from for my Birthday.
 

Reading Challenge 6/35

Nerve

Author - Jeanna Ryan

Page Count - 320

First Published - 2016
 

Nerve is one of the books on my to read list this year. I was introduced to this story when I saw the trailer for the film and wanted to know more. Me being me I wanted to read the book before watching the film and that is what I did.

The story is about Vee a teenage girl who is seen by her friends as very predictable. She's not one to do anything daring or risky until Nerve. Nerve is a dare game run via the interenet by anonymous hosts. The idea is you're either a player or a watcher, if you're a player you do ever increasingly difficult/dangerous dares to get better and better prizes. Vee decided to show her friends that she's not the character profile they think she is and starts playing.

The book while fast paced for me was a little over the top. Vee's response to what was happening wasn't very logical and as such annoyed me. I think the dares where pretty pants at times too which only made me dislike this book more. I watched the film as soon as I finished the book and apart from the general plot the film is totally different. I preferred the film because it held the time frame better and the dares seemed more realistic.

Solitaire

Author - Alice Oseman

Page Count - 392

First Published - 2014
 

I read 'Radio Silence' Alice's second novel last month and I wanted to read her debut novel to compare her writing style. Like her previous book I was left feeling like the point of the story had gone over my head but I don't know if this was me or the book.

Tory is portrayed as a depressed teenager with no interests or motivation. She has a few friends within her all girls school education that she goes through the motions with but overall she doesn't care. When she starts her sixth form year and some boys join her year group she's forced to question her idea of friendship new and old. The underlying story of the book is based around Solitaire a blog which is causing trouble, which in general didn't really aid the main point of the story being Tory's depression.

I think this book was clique and while I don't want to pass judgement on the portrayal of depression this book just annoyed me a lot. I found it quite boring, nothing really happened and the most exciting bits where unnecessary.

What have you been reading?

Sam

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Monthly Mini Goals | March

Hi, It's march the best month of the year! Only joking it just happens to be my birthday month and the time of year that nature starts to wake up from it's winter slumber so I can't help but like it a lot. I'm looking forward to all the blossom trees flowering as it's just so pretty.

Goals for March

• Enjoy my birthday
• Eat sushi
• Do something creative
• Enjoy blogging
• Spend more time outdoors
• Sell some of my unwanted things
• Learn a new skill
• Have an internet free day
• Plan something to look forward too
• Catch a party Pikachu on Pokemon Go

It's my birthday on Monday so I will be enjoying cake and maybe a few too many drinks. I've got a little trip to York booked and I can't wait to go and visit the beautiful city again. Just hoping the weather perks up a bit and we at least get some warmer temperatures so we don't freeze while we are there. I've got Yo!Sushi planned for my birthday celebrations and will be making the most of the blue Monday menu.

I want to spend more time outdoors and for me trying to catch a party Pikachu is the perfect reason to spend some time finding new places to explore. After my big tidy up I've got a lot of clothes which I need to sell but require the motivation to set it all up, need to think about the money.

I want to create something and I'm thinking some sort of home decor would be really fun and if it works out I might even share it on here. With this I might need to learn a new skill or I will make myself learn something new. This would be the perfect distraction to keep me away from the internet for 24 hours.

Have a great month!

Sam 

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February In Review

Hi, When I sat down to write this post I thought I'd done really badly with my monthly goals turns out I didn't do too bad. Blogging on the other hand was a bit of a failure this month but I expected as much. I'm glad February is over as it means we are closer to spring time, I love that it's still light when I leave work now. I'm making the most of all the Daffodils in the shops as I've got a few vases full dotted around the house already.

Goals for February 8/10

• Watch three films
• Read three books
• Start a decor mood board for my living room
• Remember to make pancakes
• Do at least five blog posts this month
• Have a massive tidy up
• Do something nice for someone
• Try a new recipe
• Save some money
• Do something new that scares me

This month I watched Nerve (which was so different from the book), The original Westworld film which the series is based on and Allegiant the third film in the Divergent series. I've managed to start reading a third book this month so I'm going to give myself that goal, reviews will be live in a few days. I tried a new recipe and did something nice by inviting my parents round to try it.

Today is pancake day and I had pancakes for breakfast, I always have lemon juice with sugar on mine. Last weekend I finally had the massive tidy up I've been putting off and our bedroom has been reclaimed from being a dumping ground for stuff, I found lots of things I'd misplaced.

The most exciting thing I did this month and something that really did scare me was going Go Karting. I came last in every race because everyone I was with was an utter speed freak but I still had a lot of fun. I did get a fastest lap up on the leader board of the day when some of my fellow racers didn't so I didn't drive that slowly.

This month has been a blast! What are you having on your pancakes today?

Sam 

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Pros and Cons of Blogging

Hi, I’ve been having a bit of a blogging blip and haven’t posted all month. I feel very guilty about this and my blog has never been far from my mind. It’s amazing how fast a couple of weeks can slip by. While I’ve not been very active online I’ve been trying to get my act together behind the scenes so I’m at least a little ahead and I plan to make March a much more active month. I don't have any intention of giving up blogging any time soon but I put together a list of pros and cons about blogging to weigh up if it's worth stressing over.

Pros and Cons of Blogging

Pros

It’s a very creative outlet
Blogging as a hobby is a great way to keep creative, the constant need for ideas and putting together of posts fulfills my creative side.

Get to connect with lovely like minded people
The blogging community is a really lovely one and friendships are waiting to be made.

It’s inspiring and motivational
Reading other blogs is so inspiring and blogging gives me motivation to do more.

Pushes me to make more of my time
Blogging requires content so I try to make the most of my time to actually have something to talk about, since starting blogging I read so much more.

Can be heard by a large audience
If you have something your passionate about you can openly talk about it and educate others.

Looks great on a CV
Blogging shows that you have a wide skill set that in most cases are really relevant to working roles.

Cons

Hard work
Blogging is without a doubt a huge commitment, it takes up a lot of time and requires a lot of effort. 

Living life online can be an invasion
This varies depending on how much you put online but blogging can be an invasion on the boundaries of offline and online life. 

Requires constant attention
Blogging is never ending, but you're entitled to set your own seclude and take holidays. If your not writing a post your planning them or promoting them.

Unpopular opinions
You can't always say what you think because you might get a backlash of negativity but sometimes it's worth the risk. 

Popularity contest, number counting
While people might deny it blogging is a bit of a popularity contest and you can't help but feel bad when someone unfollows.

Overall I think the pros outweigh the cons and that is the reason that while blogging can be hard and frustrating at times it’s not a hobby I would stop any time soon. It's important to do whats right for you and work to your own goals and no one else's.

Have you been feeling conflicted about blogging?
Sam

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Reading Roundup | January

Hi, Okay so is it just me or did January like disappear. I can't believe it's already February and yeah it's a total clique but this last month for me pasted in a blur. With that said I do think I did well with my reading completing more than was required to stay on target for the year. I've managed to finish four books which where all so different and equally interesting.

Reading Challenge 4/35

Riot

Author - Sarah Mussi

Page Count - 352

First Published - 2014
 

I seem to be opting for a lot of YA that ask questions and gets you thinking and Riot is no exception. I read the blurb and wanted to read it straight away and I managed to read this book in just two days which is a bit of a record for me. I wanted to keep reading and see what was going to happen next. It’s got short chapters which moves the story on quickly and made it a really enjoyable read.

Riot starts from the perspective of Tia Thomson as she takes part in a protest against the ‘no more children in need’ bill also known as the snip bill. The welfare system is at breaking point and the government want to take action before it’s too late by curving the ongoing need for benefits. Teenagers from unprivileged backgrounds are going to be sterilised if the bill is passed by the government because of the twisted logic of those in charge.

The story makes you question who you should trust and that not everything written in black and white is necessarily true. As always I'm finding it hard to say why I enjoyed this book so much without giving away the whole plot. It contains violence and reflected on how peaceful protests can easily become riots.

Seed

Author - Lisa Heathfield

Page Count - 335

First Published - 2015

This is a book I've wanted to read for a long time, I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. This is not a book you should go into lightly as the subject matter is rather dark and it's not an easy read, but it's one that I would recommend.

Pearl is an innocent 15 year old girl who lives at Seed, a secluded place where a big family all live together. They worship nature and their leader Papa S. Seed is all Pearl has ever known of the world and she is happy. One day a family from the outside come to live at Seed and forces Pearl to question the world she knows when a boy called Ellis tells her of the realities which contradict her teachings.

It was scary to read about life in a cult because it shows how easy it is to brainwash people and then to condition the younger generations by keeping them secluded and under educated. I'm looking forward to reading Lisa Heathfield's other book Paper Butterflies.

Radio Silence

Author - Alice Oseman

Page Count - 410

First Published - 2016

I have mixed feelings about Radio Silence as on some levels I really connected with the story but then on other issues it just seemed drawn out and missed the point it was trying to make. It might be the classic maybe I'm too old for YA fiction now but overall I enjoyed this book.

The main character Frances is an A star pupil and that is what she's known for within her school. At home she's a super fan of a podcast called Radio Silence for which she spends her time creating secret fan art. Her two personalities never mix until she becomes friends with Aled the boy who lives across the street.

The story looks into the idea that you don't need to get amazing grades to have a future in this world. That being true to what you really want is after all more important than the ideas that people might have for your future. I think it would be a great book to read if you feel pressured about going into further educations.

The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir*

Author - Lesley Allen
Page Count - 352
First Published - 2016

This book was rather heart breaking, it's the story of Biddy Weirs childhood and it was a pretty terrible one, all because of one girl and an unfortunate start in life. Biddy was bullied for the age of 10 when the new girl Alison started at her school and decided to make it her mission to make Biddy pay because she didn't swoon at her like everyone else, she singled her out from the start as a weirdo.

Biddy lived alone with her older than average father after her mother left shortly after her birth. With no female role models Biddy was left behind in the way of fashion and many things a girl her age would find totally normal. This caused her to look and act differently and so she was an easy target.

I loved this book because it felt so real and the bullying was written so well that you couldn't help but want to reach out to biddy and help her. I loved the way the book was written as it starts at the end then goes back to the beginning to tell you the story of how she came to be in that situation. While the book is sad the ending left me feeling satisfied that there's such a thing as karma.

What have you been reading?

Sam

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*This book was won in Goodreads giveaway

Monthly Mini Goals | February

Hi, The beginning of February is going to be busy for me so hopefully I'll get some posts scheduled but I somewhat doubt it. I'm going to be working at a trade show with my full time job and I'm a little worried about the whole getting the train all the way there on my own but I've done it before so I'll be fine.

Goals for February

• Watch three films
• Read three books
• Start a decor mood board for my living room
• Remember to make pancakes
• Do at least five blog posts this month
• Have a massive tidy up
• Do something nice for someone
• Try a new recipe
• Save some money
• Do something new that scares me

Other than the work trip I have no real plans for this month but I'm sure things will happen that are unexpected and exciting. I want to have a tidy up of all the clothes because I just have too many. Might be a case of waiting until it warms up a little and then reviewing what I have for the new season and get rid of all the worn out things.

Seasonal goals include remembering to make pancakes on pancake day (Tuesday 28th) and to do something nice for someone to reflect that it's valentines (and it won't be the bf). I've got into watching films again and I'd like to make sure I'm watching as many films as possible this year.

Have you got any exciting plans for the month ahead?

Sam 

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