A Santorini Fairytale...

In the middle of September Nicki and I whisked ourselves away to a romantic Greek island in the middle of the Aegean sea called Santorini. This has been a place to visit on my bucket list for the past year or so and after going 6 years without a holiday abroad we decided we deserved to go all out and booked our two week trip to this little paradise.

 I have never seen such a beautiful place, I had divulged myself in photos of this gorgeous island on pinterest and instagram before we went but seeing Santorini in real life is just like a fairytale. 

The island is simply stunning - there are beautiful crisp white hotels and churches that trickle down the sheer cliff edge, glistening in the sun. The Santorini sunset is like a dream as you watch her set behind the sea, casting light over the island and drowning everything in her golden glow. At night it is like a dream as you gaze over the caldera, the Aegean sea dotted with twinkling cruise ships and sail boats. The hotels all lit up and glowing, you just can not get tired of the view. We would sit for hours after our day on our balcony just gazing out onto our magical view. Your worries and woes drift away like the boats passing by, I have never felt more relaxed in my life. It was definitely a well needed holiday and I feel so refreshed and lucky that we got to see such a breathtaking place.

It was bliss that Nicki and I got to spend an uninterrupted two weeks with each other. I feel we have become more close as a couple again (I know it sounds mushy!) like we have rekindled our love, as it's all too easy to get caught up in the daily stresses and busy-ness of life and forget to actually sit down and look and talk to one another! Time is precious and I feel you cannot take it for granted, this is one thing I have taken away from our holiday!

Wow - it all sounds really deep and mushy... I am just the happiest I think I have ever been. Our trip also marked the beginning of our new lives together as Nicki popped THAT question and lucky for him I said Yes :)

So it has been a busy week filled with family, visits and wedding talk, I can't quite believe it still. It all just seems like a dream. Back to reality now but there are lots of exciting things to look forward to and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! 

Here are some (from the 1500!) photos that were taken on our trip. I had to share them as I am just a great big ball of love at the moment and I want everyone to feel as happy as I do :) (I promise that's the cheesy-ness over with now!) Have you ever been on a trip of a lifetime? Tell me about it, I'd love to hear your story or fairy tale...

Sorry for the photo heavy post - there was too many to pick from so hey I just uploaded them all! :)

Thank for reading, have you visited Santorini? I'd love to hear about your experience there.

Angela x

A Magical Day...

Last month we took a family trip to visit friends down in Surrey. It was the most wonderful week filled with days out, sightseeing, lots of eating out, photo's, theme parks and most of all there was the much anticipated visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London. It was the day out that Billie ( and I must admit - I!!) were anxiously waiting for. It had cost us about £80 in dish washing so Billie could save a wand fund  - as we knew we wouldn't be leaving the gift shop empty handed now would we...

     The tour is actually in Leavesden near Watford, so it was just a 45 minute drive (thanks Cath - who taxied us everywhere all week!) from where we were staying in Surrey. We had a truly magical day, and all I can say is that if you are a Harry Potter fan then you must carve out a day in the future to go and visit as you will not be disappointed! I actually fell in love with the story all over again, and felt it come to life! I think I actually have convinced myself it is real! There is a magical place called Hogwarts way up north that teaches you magic...there really is!!

     I can not tell you how amazing it is to learn about how much detail and work actually went into the making of the films. Every fine piece of detail that some of it you can't actually appreciate on the films - but seeing it in real life is just astonishing! I had goosebumps and butterfly's (I actually teared up at one point - very near the beginning...you will see) - the whole day was just the best ever!

     (Ahem...) Oh and Billie loved it too. It was wonderful to see her so excited "look Angela, look over here"!! There is so much to see, take in, read, capture that you just go off into your own magical little world and forget about reality...just for a day. 

Here are some teaser photo's that were taken on the day (some of ours, and some of Bob's - who we were staying with). I hope you enjoy.

Thanks for reading, Angela x

Love In London

Last week Nicki, Billie and myself ventured down South for a fun packed holiday to London. We were actually staying with family friends that live in Surrey and they planned a fantastic week for us! They are really central to a lot of places so we managed to cram in lots of fun filled days! It was our first proper big holiday that the three of us have been on. We have taken Billie on long weekend breaks away but nothing as exciting as this. We decided to fly down as the price was much cheaper than the train (plus I get very travel sick on trains - bleh!) and it was our first time flying with her, so it was all so exciting!

On day 1 we went to a place called Bocketts farm in Surrey. We had litrally just stepped off our flight from getting up at 3am so we were feeling very tired, but it didn't stop the fun from beginning. This cute little farm is great for kiddies, it had a great indoor and outdoor playbarn, a petting zoo and pig racing!! It was lots of fun. We had our bets on Harry Trotter but Kevin Bacon won :) 

It did get a little competitive on the go-karts! ;)

On Day 2 we ventured in to the big city and did all of the London tourist attractions. This was Billie's first visit so we wanted to make it as exciting as possible for her.

This would have been the perfect ' loving family - I'm on holiday' photo if it wasn't for me looking out into the far distance?! what am I even looking at?

I love this next photo - it makes me feel all mooshy inside :)

After 'visiting the Queen' at Buckingham Palace :) We strolled through St Jame's park with the sun in the sky and ice cream in our hands. It was just perfect!  

Cath had brought some Brazil nuts to feed the squirrels. They come right up to you and take them from your hands! It is the sweetest thing. Nicki managed to catch the perfect shot! 

These are just some of the best photo's out of all 1400 we took! We had recently got a new Canon 600d camera and Nicki was learning some tips from Bob as he is quite in to his photography. I must hand it to him for taking some really good shots :)

After sightseeing, our tootsies were burning and everyone was in need of some food, so we walked through Covent Garden on the hunt for some place to eat. There was a street act performing a silent pantomime as Charlie Chapman. He was so endearing that we sat on the cobbled pavements and giggled at his performance for little while. 

Billie found him so funny, it was so cute to see her giggling away at him. She didn't want to leave!

We all headed home that day with bellies full of the best homemade pasta from Da Mario's just off Covent Garden. I had salmon, mascarpone and prosecco ravioli - it was divine!

It was just the perfect day! 

It was definitely love in London  and I hope we visit again soon...

Wow this post is much longer than I thought it would be... I will do a separate post about our day to HARRY POTTER STUDIOS - eek I still squeal like a giddy school girl whenever I think about it! and our day trip to sunny Brighton. Stay tuned :)

Angela x

How To Get Big, Bouncy Waves...

This is the type of look I go for whenever I want to make an effort with my hair. To be honest I am not adventurous at all when it comes to styling my mane! I do find that waves or curls really suit my face shape and so this is the style I like to do. It is super quick and easy and if I can do it then anyone can!


I hope you enjoy watching. 


x

My February Favourites

I have started a Youtube channel...



It was one of those decisions that I had been thinking over for a loooong time. I wanted to have a little creative space where I could place my thoughts and ideas on things that I get very excited about... those things being makeup, beauty, hair and a little food and lifestyle thrown in as well!



This is my first favourites video and I have to say I really enjoyed making this. It was fun seeing all the things I have been using the most during the month and made me think of other things I am neglecting and should really use up or pay more attention to. I hope you enjoy :)



x