Tag: travel blog
Top 10 Tips for your Visit in London by a Londoner
Winter is on its way out and Spring is almost here, meaning that London is coming into full bloom. The appeal of warmer weather, an abundance of gorgeous flowers decorating the busy streets and the promise of longer days all make our city incredibly popular in Spring – just make sure you know how to deal with lily pollen stains if you’re heading for the parks!
Whenever you’re heading to London, it’s always a good idea to get some tips from someone who knows it well before you go. This is where I come in! As a Londoner, I’ve put together some of my top tips to help you make the most of your city break.
Avoid Rush Hour
If you’re travelling on the tube, bus, train or any other kind of transport, always, always avoid rush hour when you can. These times tend to be from between 7.30AM-9AM and 4.30PM-6.00PM. It gets super busy so avoid at all costs!
Plan Your Day
Before heading out, make sure you’ve planned everything. The places you’re visiting, the right tubes to get there, food places nearby – knowing what you’re doing and when will make your days a whole lot smoother.
Get an Oyster Card
If you’re planning on using the tubes and buses, definitely get an Oyster card. They make travel much easier and will save you a whole lot of both time and money! Head to a tube station to pick one up for free.
Buses Don’t Accept Cash
Our city buses are completely cashless, meaning that if you want to hop on you’re going to need either an Oyster card or a debit or credit card that uses contactless payment. We really are living in the future over here!
A Free Day Out
If you want to save some cash, there are plenty of things that won’t cost you anything in London. Pop to museums such as The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum or The Victoria and Albert Museum which are all free. If you’re lucky and the weather is good, take a stroll in a park. There are a lot to choose from: Hyde Park, Regents Park, St. James’ Park, just make sure you know how to get rid of lily pollen stains if you’re going in Spring or Summer!
We’re Not Big Tippers
Sometimes a tip will be included in the bill in London, but if not then around 15% should be okay. Staff won’t get offended if you don’t leave an exact percentage, though. A restaurant meal is the only time you should always tip, really – they won’t expect it in a bar, taxi or café, though it can be nice if you’ve received good service.
Avoid Shopping on Saturday
I would definitely stay clear of Oxford Street and Regent Street on a Saturday if you can help it. It gets super busy and your relaxing shopping trip will turn into more of a crazy ordeal. Check out quitter places like Redchurch street in Shoreditch for some quirky shopping spots you won’t find anywhere else!
Travel on a Bike
Boris Bikes are a cheap, eco-friendly and fun way to get around London. You can rent a bike from one of the many docks scattered around London and then pop it back into another one when you’re done.
Check Out Markets
We have loads of great markets that are on throughout the week, including in Camden and Brick Lane – two hot spots for lovers of all things alternative and indie. Check them out online and find one that appeals to you, whether you’re more into fine food, stylish clothing or quirky finds!
Places to Explore
If you’re in need of some inspiration of places to explore, here are a few popular areas of London that could be right up your street:
• Chelsea
• Notting Hill
• Camden
• Covent Garden
• Kengsington
• Greenwich
Don’t forget to take lots of pictures and enjoy your trip!
Written by Guest Writer
Kira Kolosova, MAVENS OF LONDON
She has worked as Editor at SHIFT London, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London and has a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Journalism with London College of Fashion. PLUS a features and fashion editorial intern for PAUSE Magazine and HEARST MAGAZINES UK
A British Blogoholic at heart, Burberry bling, & places to visit for 2017
I wish I could say the girl behind the laptop/computer was an energetic, engaging, imperturbable, diligent, hard-at-work type that studies all day, all night to create the perfect piece of a review, account or feature. The striving sophisticated lady that I am determined to establish is wanting to achieve and obtain more and more in life in general.
Words have power, and wanting to study in London is a dream goal (I talk about all the places I want to visit in ‘A list of travel dreams‘) – It is not something that you usually say to most people (the BIG things you want to do in life), but I like the fact that I can share with my readers whatever is on my mind, heart and soul. You may have noticed too I have started to do more Instagram Stories, which I don’t know if I am any good compared to maybe Lydia Elise Millen, or Caroline Stanbury, but I love sharing new things, what I love to do, what I WANT to do, and little girly things here and there. I want to create an optimistic, non-negative, girl-boss website that girls will love. I want my life to be shaped with approbation and unequivocally live an enthusiastic nonchalant life. I also want to be spiritually and mentally focused and awake. Looking after your physical health is important too, like I mentioned in a previous post 10 ways to practice self-care.
I am currently reading “My not so perfect life” by Sophie Kinsella. I know, I know. Wasn’t I just reading “The Lost Heiress”?? Yes, still reading it, but I like the fact that I can switch to something every now and then to break it up a bit, and go back to reading something light with fresh eyes. I have probably said this already, but Sophie Kinsella is literally my favourite author. I have mentioned “The Undomestic Goddess”, which is written so well, and is a laugh, and glamorous, …..(and not so glamorous) at the same time and like I said Sophie writes with such volubility and I believe she is the NUMBER 1 bestselling author of chick-literature. Okay, most girls in the UK, or even in Australia say she is anyway! But there are other authors out there like Cathy Kelly, or Marian Keyes or Meg Cabot. They have their place, but Sophie just puts things in which are HILARIOUS! Like, as I have ALREADY mentioned in ‘3 books to inspire‘.
I honestly wish I had Sophies talent….. a witty character such as Becky Bloomwood is like my SOUL sister. Living the life of a shopping frenzied journalist that doesn’t know about anything other than SHOES. Okay, well, she is smarter than we take credit for – any journalist would be smart, but to tap into her life would be tapping into a whole new demographic!, and I wish I was Isla Fisher on that screen! She plays Becky perfectly!
If I were a journalist where everyday I would have to practice my writing I would totally buy this British Museum Mug to have my coffee in – I WANT IT!!!!!! It would perfectly sit on my bedside table along with my “My not so perfect life” book. I just love everything matching.
Okay, so there are TWO mugs I want. When I get to London I am definitely visiting ‘The British Museum‘, as per ‘A list of Travel Dreams‘. The collections are just absolutely divine, and my cup of tea!
Okay, so you might think the title should be something a bit more like “Confessions of a British wannabe”, but I think that would make a great story too! haha! My spirits would leap at the thought of going to England and possibly living there for awhile. I have it on my mind, and I mentioned it in my “About” page, but I honestly, seriously just want to goooo!!!! and to definitely go to “London Fashion Week” – Now that is something to NOT miss out on. It recently was on, and I kept up to date with a few people that went. I particularly enjoyed Victoria (In The Frow’s) video’s/vlogs on her outfits. She is an award – winning fashion, travel and beauty blogger, and her posts are just AMAZING! You will get addicted to the videos……. trust me.
I have so many ideas the day I touch down at Heathrow Airport. Perth is great, but it is a little low key for me. There are things to do (that I may add to the blog), but it is a very small sort of city. I know, okay, I should be thankful to be in Australia altogether, but I dream of BIG cities……………. There are soooo many things to do, and like I said, the idea of studying in London would be a DREAM for me. Whilst I continue to collect ‘Britain’ magazines, I like to learn more about history, travel, culture, and heritage and style in England. There is way too much to learn – this is why I want to study whilst in Australia, and then travel all over England after I am finished, to reward myself.
To add to my collection I would get a gorgeous Pink I phone 7 case from Red Bubble for a bit of style. I definitely want this, and it is just perfect for me. Anything pink goes!!!
World-renowned British luxury brand, Burberry, has a gold necklace that screams elegance.
It is a vintage chain, but unfortunately it is sold out, otherwise I would have featured it as a piece for my blog. I am particularly interested, and love this piece because of its make, the signature, and its look. I wish I could have bought it when it was available, but I wanted to share this with you, because I still love it, and isn’t it just gorgeous to look at???
Perhaps I should get back to reading ‘My not so perfect life’, and delve into Katie Brenner’s “perfect” life. I love the story behind it – a lady who acts like she has a glamorous life in London, but really it isn’t the life she makes it out to be. I totally recommend this book to all you lovely girls out there! If you’re not so much of a reader, it is perfect because it is light-hearted, and so easy to read. It’s not like your reading Middlemarch or Great Expectations – it’s BASIC writing, so I absolutely am telling you to either get it from your local library, or you can buy it online.
Like I said, I had a book collection last year that I wanted to achieve, but since moving to Western Australia, Scarborough I have borrowed HEAPS of books from the Scarborough library. It is an impressive library and the staff are so nice and really impressed me with their superb customer service.
I have added to my collection “The House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton“, “The Ladies Paradise” by Emilie Zola and “The Mill on the floss” by George Eliot. These are all great “British” written stories which are enjoyable and delightful to read, and still challenging. I have almost finished Mill on the floss, but still have to get through the other two. The Ladies Paradise was turned into a BBC series which is a favourite of mine, The Paradise based in a department store in the Victorian times, 1800’s which is similar to Selfridge, and the main character is Denise where her passion lies in the department store, and falling in love with the owner. It is truly a stunning series and I totally recommend for you to check out the DVD. It is a love story.
Today is the first day of Autumn, and I am looking forward to a new season of glorious hope and a bright future. I love the idea of Autumn, because you think of brown leaves falling off the trees, murmurous sounds of the wind, and romantic walks in the parks. Well, that’s what I think, not sure about you?
What do you think of when you hear of the word ‘Autumn’?
I think of romance, and I totally wish I was spending this Autumn in the UK. There are exclusive getaways in the Britain magazines, and I love just poring over the picturesque photos of castles, and cottages, and admiring the idyllic times of these magical settings.
oh, the luxury and the splendour!
and like I said in my tagline, I love stories from an English setting, and love to plunge into light historical romance novels. Reading Emma or Persuasion would be challenging, so read down below my little summary of the novel I am currently reading.
“The lost heiress” that I showed a picture of in my last post, Feminine Fashionista, is in Edwardian times, and is about a sweeping mystery of an heiress who goes missing from Yorkshire, and Brook (the heiress) travels to the moors of the North Sea to an estate where her ‘supposedly’ family belongs. There is another character Justin, which, without giving anything too much away, I feel may be where her love lies. The setting is at Whitby Park, and Brook doesn’t feel welcomed there by the household/estate, even though her father does, through circumstances she learns valuable lessons of loyalty.
I have recommended more books on Instagram Stories, but I believe that after awhile they disappear and I don’t think that you can get them back, so I posted “Emma” by Jane Austen, and “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte. I really want to get stuck into them to broaden my vocabulary, because sometimes I feel like I use the same words over and over again. Do you ever feel that way?
For the next six months I will be focusing on my course, and then I might possibly do Museum Studies – I know! I can’t choose but at least I do know the things I want to do in life. Library Studies, Museum Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Ancient History), and then I am off to London, England. That is the plan.
Plans also include The Western Australian museum – I can not wait to see the outstanding exhibitions. One I am interested in is the Gemma Constantiniana. It was crafted to celebrate Roman Emperor Constantine’s battle victory – An artefact that is in WA for the first time in 388 years.
The website is absolutely fascinating, and has sections on collections and research. I also find anthropology to be quite fascinating too!
There is also Harbour Sundays exhibition exclusive. There is FREE live music and it runs for 5 weeks. More details are on the Western Australian museum’s website.
I like the fact that the website has a blog just as well as information on events, and
“Travellers and Traders of the Indian Ocean World” would be fantastic to go see. It ends 23rd April 2017 at the Maritime Museum. Please be advised that it is a PAID exhibition.
You can discover the rich history through ancient objects, and especially, stories about the explorers. It would be totally fascinating.
If you go to this event, you get the chance to win a trip to London, see, this is another reason why I want to attend the event. It is Return flights and five nights accommodation.
The grand prize includes:
– two return economy airfares to London thanks to Singapore Airlines;
– five night’s accommodation in a superior room with breakfast, thanks to the Hilton London Metropole;
– money-can’t-buy behind the scenes access to the British Museum, including tickets to the current blockbuster exhibition;
– double pass to the Royal Observatory Greenwich;
– double pass to the Natural History Museum;
– London Eye champagne experience;
– double pass to the next major exhibition at the WA Maritime Museum;
– a limited edition Travellers and Traders in the Indian Ocean World catalogue.
How could you not pass this?
I want to WIN!!!!!!!
I want to visit beautiful British Estates such as Highgrove, I absolutely LOVE the Highgrove Shop website (The Carpet Garden is pictured above), from food and drink to jewellery to collections of books and art it is an awesome website! I want the Queen Cushion! You can get a Highgrove Gardens guide book here! If you decide to visit this place, look no further than a Garden tour and Champagne Tea Tour.
Scampston Hall and Gardens is also a country retreat that you cannot miss, based in North Yorkshire. Check out this Youtube Video of it! Learn about the fascinating history towards the end of the 17th century, and also I definitely want to do the hall tours.
, and Felbrigg Hall, and Hanbury Hall and Gardens, a country house which has an awesome website of significant fine art and heritage objects.
You can explore so many different collections, and of course that just makes me think of another course I want to do, but Bachelor of Arts (Ancient History) would be ideal for me, as I like the idea of doing an art history degree. Which speaking of art, I recommend you to check out the Watts Gallery also based in the village of Compton, near Guildford in Surrey. I am most interested in their exhibitions and workshops – It was named after a painter of the Victorian Era. I highly recommend you to check out the story on their website. I also love the idea of poems painted on canvas.If you are into art, I believe you would absolutely love the website – what is on and their collections. You can also do courses, which I would totally do if I LIVED there!!!! They also have their own shop online stocking a range of goods from art books to handmade crafts.I would totally check out the William Morris Collection of inspired household goods including cushions, mugs, and soaps and oooo and you can’t forget the Tea Shop!
“English History” is what I am sticking to, and would love to do a course in that too. My! So many courses, but I DO have lots of time on my hands, and reading Britain magazines is what I love to do. English History is captivating, and I cannot wait for the day I step on English soil so that I can blog more, come up with MORE ideas, and MORE content for this blog, ‘Exquisite Emmalisa’.
I also really want to visit the Cotswolds (I could completely lavish in it!), which is apart of 5 counties – Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, and wherever I go I shall keep you posted! I definitely want to indulge in a spa break for my holiday, and want to also include Hever Castle and gardens, the childhood home to Anne Bronte. It looks absolutely breathtaking and stunning, and I love their section on tudor books. Read about the castles history here. The Rooms and Exhibitions section is tremendous, and of course, I think my favourite room already is the library! You may find interesting that in the Queens Chamber room there is a 16th century portrait of Henry the Eighth, which is apart of the “Royal Collection” by Joos Van Cleve.
As you can see, naturally, I have so much I want to do when I get there, and will post when I have organised my trip. I can’t wait to roam the charming streets of England, and experience the graciousness and adoration of it and take photos of absolutely EVERYTHING. You HAVE to go on Hever Castles website – the rooms are exquisite to look at, and read about. That will give you something to do while I still peruse the Britain magazines, going from one country house to another, trying to decide what to do when I get there, my eyes sparkling with romanticism. There are endless opportunities, and I want to do basically everything! and I don’t want to forget the Jane Austen shop in Bath. My favourite section is the Dressing table and Bathroom bit where you can get compact mirrors with Jane Austen quotes on them! Like ‘I’d rather be at Pemberley‘. So beautiful!
Funnily, enough, I am also reading ‘Shopaholic takes Manhattan‘ and Becky goes to the museum shop to make it LOOK like she went to a museum!, The Guggenheim, It’s hilarious!
Also, don’t forget to sign up to “Telegraph Travel” to get the latest hotel and restaurant deals and exclusive offers when travelling in London, or elsewhere! I wouldn’t mind staying at the Queen’s Truss cottage in Weobley, Heredfordshire. (while reading ‘The Edwardians’ by Vita Sackville-West, which I delightfully and purely suggest)
I am currently in the process of creating three pitches for Taylor Magazine, so if you don’t hear from me for a little while, you will know that that is what I am doing. Either I will post the feature on here, or will post it in a blog where you can click on the link. I am quite nervous at the thought because it is my first time with an experience in a magazine. It’s not Vogue, but it is a magazine that makes conversation, and I particularly like one piece called A Roadtrip to a place where you don’t know a single soul, particularly discovering your inner self.
I am also most excited about a new coffee shop opening up on Doric Street, just down the road. I will definitely be taking my laptop, any books that will be informative enough for what posts I do, and magazines for MORE writing inspiration. I may organise, and do my pitches there next week, right smack bang on Monday, as this piece is my focus for the start of March. I hope that you have enjoyed the places that I absolutely recommend in the United Kingdom. Another thing that I am excited about this March is that the real live version of “Beauty and the Beast” comes out with Emma Watson, and Dan Stevens. It is my favourite childhood Disney movie of all time, as I have always related to Belle! I knew (and still do) the word to Belles song, and all the songs from the movie.
Now, that is my spiel on being a “british blogoholic, a few of some Burberry bling, and places to go in the United Kingdom” when visiting. I honestly can not wait to go, it will open up a whole new demographic for my writing, life in general, and so much more stuff!!!! It will give me more to write about, and more to see and do in life, and I can’t wait to share with you my Europe/UK travels.I don’t have dates yet, but I am hoping either for my 31st in September, maybe June/July, or if it doesn’t work out how I hope, then the start of 2018.
If you have already been, share with us your favourite places to go to, shops/establishments, or if you haven’t do you have a list ready for when you do go?
I honestly can not express how much I feel I would achieve when I get there, I heartedly want to study, and live there for awhile, depending on where life really takes me – My job for now is I want to purposefully live life and embrace it with meaning, and then take with me all my excitement along with me to England! My problem is I want to travel EVERYWHERE.
We will see how I go!
❤
A Lady in London
Okay, girls! So, I have come across an extraordinary writer, Julie Falconer, on writing about travel, and well, especially London. If you have not read any of my previous posts, you might need to know the fact that I have gained a fascination for London, especially after watching the “Ladies of London” TV Show, and well, Kate Middleton basically lives there! I bought the novel, London by Edward Rutherford, but it is quite a challenging read for a novel! haha! I like the “upper class” attitude that Londoners have, and London Life just seems so……. sigh!…… Wonderful……
So, this website is written by a Californian girl who moved to the UK, and is a TRAVEL writer and speaker. Her travel writing has also been featured in the National Geographic Intelligent Travel, Lonely Planet, Time Out and Metro! What a talented person she is!
This website is an AWARD-WINNING blog. You can read her story of how she became a blogger here. I think its an energetically stimulating change from finance to travel writing. I think it is EXCITING and impressive also that she works with BBC Travel showcasing her photos of London on their Instagram and Twitter accounts!
She has written over 400 posts on London itself!!!!! I could not believe that when I read that!!!! How amazing is that, girls? and additionally teaches one on one coaching for beginning bloggers which I would LOVE to do!!!!
I am going to focus on one article that appeals to me the most.
I like how she breaks down each inscription on the best places to go to to eat, and have afternoon tea.All us girls love our afternoon high teas! and I like how she starts off with “When to visit London”. Click on “The Ultimate Travel Guide” link above to get all the best advice if you are planning that trip to London! I believe it has the easiest, and simple recommendations and she writes 6 essential items of what you should pack. I love reading other peoples advice on what to pack, because travelling is one of the most exhilarating things in life! When I went to Mandurah in January I was very basic, and sometimes being basic is the prime way to go!
Summer Packing List for London – This is a great list to help you get packing for your holiday, incase you are not sure on what to pack when it comes to looking more Londonish!
She bought a Long Champ Le Pilage tote bag, which Kate Middleton had on her graduation day! Having a bag like this is spacious, and is the best for a carry bag because it is lightweight, and fits basically everything.
There’s a section on Events and Festivals, and of course when you go travelling overseas you want to attend things that involve fun and entertainment. I can’t wait to go to the Chelsea Flower Show one day!! It is one of the most popular events held in London. EVERYONE knows of it!!!!
I have been told that the best time to go is in June/July because summer there is just sensational! But would love to experience September for the annual orchestral classical music concert because I have always been a music fanatic! I love singing, and classical music and recently downloaded “A Midsummer Nights Dream: Wedding March” and the Best of British Composers album which you can find on I Tunes!!! On top of that, I have always wanted to attend the Royal Albert Hall where MANY famous people have performed!
A Lady in London does a whole segment on “Sight seeing”. Of course I have to start with Buckingham Palace. I recently spoke to someone that just got back from London and she just did a tour in there, and I was JUST jealous of her as that is my NUMBER ONE item on my list!!! and the museums!!! My!!! I was recently talking about how I had to do a little discussion post on museums for library studies, and my choice was, and will be, The British Museum. What I found thought – provoking was there were these Celtic coins discovered recently after being hidden for 2000 years! The exhibitions are riveting, and I have only seen whats on the website! I can’t wait to ACTUALLY be there!!! and hear and discover ancient history.
Julie also said that Hampton Court Palace is worth a visit and Strawberry Hill House looks enchanting!!!! Gardens and parks are the way to go and Hyde Park is one of the most known.
Now, as for restaurants, I am not a Londoner, but she has organised a list of:
Seven restaurants you have to try for Weekday breakfast. It is a fantastic list detailing each establishment. She does it so well.
Afternoon Teas – Surprisingly, Fortnum and Mason isn’t mentioned, but each one listed looks stately and refined!
Also, read her article on 6 Coffee Shops she can’t live without! There are numerous articles on the website, but this takes the cake! I can’t live without my morning coffee!! and I can’t wait to check these places out!!!! The article is just unbelievable, and PLEASE DO NOT FORGET to read up on An Expat’s Guide to British Tea Culture. It just has it all!!!!!
Speaking of tea, I have to share with you my new discovery!!! This week I noticed at the supermarket the “London Strand Earl Grey” by Twinings. BEST tea I have ever tasted once mixed with milk and sugar!!!!
Now for the BEST detail of all!!! The best places to shop!!!!
She fixed on the London markets, but my eyes popped when I saw the bookstore section!!! Plus she has done another article on a “Guide for the best places for books” and said that Daunt Books is one of her favourite bookstores she has visited. It looks soooo welcoming, and is a great choice of meandering through.
I can’t WAIT to check out Foyles because it is one of Londons OLDEST bookstores which I find fascinating considering what I am studying IS Library Studies. I can imagine myself in there AAALLLL day!!! with coffee in hand, and browsing through every single book there is!
Choosing where to stay in London, you have sooooo many suburbs to choose from. London is so vast, and I am still learning about certain suburbs from watching either 60 Minute Makeover or Homes Under the Hammer which I absolutely LOVE!!!! I have become addicted to those two particular shows for afternoon watching.
I like how she recommended the Cotswolds as I particularly have taken an interest since buying the Britain magazines in Merredin, Western Australia. Like she say’s, “it seems all perfectly charming” and it seems like the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and magical.
At the end of the post, she challenges the reader for tips. If you have been, hop on over to her website, or comment on my website, so people can see and observe some awesome NEW advice! There is no such thing as too much information!!! Maybe share a bit of your travels, where you have been lately, or an adventure you remember growing up!
I am also captivated by the thought that she also wrote a book called “Blogging Basics: How to create a Successful Blog and build a loyal following“. I know what I am buying with my next pay!!!!
and… some exciting news!!! She is coming to Australia!!!!! I can’t WAIT to see her reviews on where she travels here.
Don’t forget to follow her on Instagram
Exquisite Emmalisa
A Day in York
Today I went on a road trip to a small town not far from Merredin. Just for something to do on a Saturday! It was about an hours drive and stopped off for a morning coffee at a cafe in Kellerberrin.
I had a great time roaming the small Main Street and was astounded by the feel of the place. The town has a heart feeling feel and I enjoyed looking at all the old architecture.
There is many historical information on just the one town!
I grabbed a brochure of the map of the place and had a look at the local history of books in the visitor centre.
My dad had to do an outside broadcast for RadioWest at the Town Hall, so during that time I went antique and book shopping!
The building is just magnificent.
This was inside the Town Hall building……
I just love looking around!!!!! And across from this building was an antique store. I want to share with you some pieces and findings!
This piece is a part of the Paragon collection. I still prefer Royal Albert and have the set of Old Country Roses, but Paragon still has its place.
And from becoming a royal fan this caught my sparkling eye!!!
This peice is enchanting and valuable.
And this is even better and personally a valuable peice.
I then went to Berkley – a bookstore where the fire brigade is. I didn’t buy anything but here’s a few shots of books that caught my eye.
Considering my interest in royalty, I would love to read this book for information on Queen Elizabeth I. I have an interest in reading on many topics, but this just sprung at me! I can’t wait to visit this bookshop again! It has a great range in History, Classics and Literature.
This just looks stunning…… And I ABSOLUTELY want to buy!!!!! 😍😍😍
What’s on my DEFINITE list is this…… My eyes popped when I saw the author, or writer I should say of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes has written a novel!!!!! This is definitely on top of my list.
Okay, that wasn’t a “few”….. But if you’re reading this I am sure you understand my love for reading and literature…..
Antiques and books is what I’m sticking to, to keep my life occupied!
I hope you enjoyed the photos I took on my day trip and have a lovely weekend!
❤️
Exquisite Emmalisa
Pilgrimage to Port Douglas
It’s wednesday,….. And I have arrived in Cairns….. A three hour sleep felt like several hours! I didn’t feel so tired anymore from road tripping through Western Australia. I got tired by the time I got to Perth airport, and I felt I needed a mist spray for my face! I felt wrecked! Haha!
I shopped at the airport, of course, and bought The Little Paris Bookshop (which has had raved reviews and is an international bestseller) but not many shops were open at 11 o’clock at night! I was travelling with my Mum and we had Original Pizza at The Dome with tea for two. It was delicious and hit the spot before boarding for Cairns.
When arriving at Cairns it was humid and muggy and I wasn’t used to the weather! We got picked up and drove to Port Douglas. Yes! Another holiday in Port Douglas as per my previous blog in 2013!
We had breakfast at a local cafe and I admitingly had TWO lattes! We then went back home and I have been lounging about in my white and orange casual dress watching television and doing random activities such as reading magazines and adult colouring in!
Welcome to Port Douglas!
The laid back city and country place in the Northern Tropics of Queensland. It is just paradise! And has a totally different feel to WA!
Have a look at my bedroom! 😍
It is so cosy and homey – I love it!
Thursday = shopping in the mall.
I bought three favourite beauty products!
L’Oreal liquid foundation in golden beige
and
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Rose Creme, which I am absolutely loving! The other lipstick is in the same Matte range but is a little more glossier which is Spring Rosette.
I have already been snorkelling, submarine riding and helicopter riding, so I don’t mind if I don’t do all that! This holiday I just want to shop, have coffee and see the beach!
I have eyed out a few books in Whileaway Bookshop and cafe (my favourite possy!!) and want to buy so much!!!! As per usual! Here are a few things I want to get:
I am DYING to see the film, Me before you. My mum saw it in Bunbury and she said it is a bit of a tear jerker. It looks like my kind of romantic movie……
There’s also this novel that has intrigued me as its my dream destination!!!!!
It looks ssssooooo good!!!!! Well, there’s a “few” items I want. I am trying not to buy so much as its a bad habit of mine! Maybe I need to learn on budgeting…. And heed to financial advice!
I have already done the Sky Rail (I’m going to let my parents do it on their own!) I am going to just do coffee and the beach, and take in all the scenery and enjoy till Tuesday!
This is my Aunty Jenni’s house – it is like a resort!!!!! And I love the pool- I had a swim yesterday!
There is MUCH more to do, and I don’t know what I will be doing the next couple of days but it has just been relaxing, and lots of driving around Port Douglas!
❤️🎀❤️
Exquisite Emmalisa
P.S. An extra added Beauty Product I have bought today is the Maybelline New York Colossal Go Extreme Leather Black Mascara.
Plus! This is what I’m doing now!
Along with a delicious Cherry Ripe ice cream from Wicked Icecreams to top it off!
Have a lovely weekend!
❤️
ROSE AND CROWN
The Easter long weekend was a lot of fun! I was involved in an event, an Easter Egg Hunt for “Give me five for Kids” at Apex Park in Merredin, and there were 310 children registered!! There were a few prizes, and not one kid left without chocolate in hand….
This year I thought I wouldn’t have as much chocolate, but someone bought me quite a few, so I couldn’t help but indulge!!! Chocolate is a favourite thing of mine, and is probably on my top 10 favourite foods list!
On Tuesday I headed to Perth for a nights stay at the 3 star Rose and Crown Hotel. It was a three hour drive as per usual, and was glad when we finally arrived! I have stayed there before, but this time was on the ground floor. It is located in Swan Street, Guildford, and is located in the Swan Valley region of Western Australia. It is quite a popular hotel and is cited as one of Perth’s Top 20 destinations by The Sunday Time’s Escape magazine. You can hold corporate functions there, and weddings, and Christmas events also. Check out the website for Events and What’s On – which includes things like LIVE Entertainment.
The room I was in had FREE WI-FI, television, mini fridge, and tea and coffee making facilities. The best part for me was the free wifi so I could search the internet, AND work on my blog! There was NO LIMIT of hours – you can just log back in once your time is up! For lunch I caught up with some friends, and ordered garlic prawns, and had chocolate and vanilla gelato with honeycomb for dessert.
I went back to the motel room, and that night I went to ACE Cinema in Midland with some friends and watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding Part Two”! MY, what a movie! I thought it was fantastic, and it was almost even better than the first! It was full of laughs, and fun, and more laughter!!! The next time I go I want to watch either “The lady in the van” OR “London is falling”…. anything to do with London, and I am there! Zootopia looks great too!!!
After that we headed back to the motel with hot chocolate in hand from a place called “Alfred’s Kitchen“, and it was perfect for the night.
The next day, which is today we had complimentary breakfast – Bacon and scrambled eggs. It was delicious!!!! and I had a look through the place, and took more photos!!!
The Rose and Crown was established in the 1800’s so the building was exquisite, with dark floorboards, gorgeous chandeliers that I wanted!!!! and cream painted walls. It was beautiful to look around, and I enjoyed myself taking the photos!!
It was the most fabulous day, and if you’re ever in the east of Perth, don’t forget to check it out! It also has a swimming pool, but I didn’t have time for a dip! I was enjoying the establishment and had fun looking around.
Travelling here was fun, and it was nice to head back home though! It was paradise when we ate in the beer garden in a gazebo! It would be very fun to have a jazz band play in the background we thought!
I went to Spotlight and bought a new bedspread which was actually called “Princess”!!! hehehe it is like a dark cream with an ivory filigree pattern on it. It came with 2 standard pillow covers so it felt luxurious when I made my bed when I got home!
And when we were in Mundaring, I checked out “By the book” bookshop in the village, and bought “The Red Queen” by Phillipa Gregory – about an heiress to the Red Rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort – I am a sucker for historical romance! This shall keep me busy and entertained for the next couple of days! I love her writing….
Travelling has been so fun, but now that I have this book, and a new quilt, I just want to snuggle up in bed with a cup of tea tonight, and just relax. It has been a wonderful couple of days! Full of adventure……….. and exciting things.
❤
Exquisite Emmalisa
Have you been on a holiday at all this year?
